Shares successful US cocoa shaper Hershey person jumped by much than 10% aft a study that Mondelez International, which owns UK-based Cadbury, has approached the steadfast astir a imaginable buyout.
A woody could make a snack nutrient elephantine with combined income of astir $50bn (£39.2bn) a year.
Hershey declined to remark connected the report, portion Mondelez did not instantly respond to an email from BBC News.
In 2016, Hershey rejected a $23bn takeover connection from Mondelez.
The attack is inactive successful the preliminary stages and it is not definite that talks volition pb to a deal, according to Bloomberg.
Any woody would request the support of the Hershey Trust Company, a charitable trust, that maintains voting power implicit the business.
Hershey is known for brands including Hershey's Kisses and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
As good arsenic owning Cadbury, which it bought successful 2010, Mondelez brands see Ritz crackers, Oreo biscuits and Toblerone chocolate.