Business news digest

NATION

Wrigley purchase makes Mars largest candy maker

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Mars Inc. has closed a deal to purchase chewing-gum company Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. to become the world’s largest candy maker, Wrigley said Monday. Mars, the privately held maker of M&Ms, Snickers and Skittles, paid $23 billion for Wrigley, which became a household name after it was started in Chicago in 1891.

At the end of Monday, Wrigley’s stock ceased trading publicly. Wrigley shareholders will receive $80 for each share after they approved the deal last month. They were right around that Monday afternoon, trading at $79.98.

Citigroup seeks damages over failed takeover

NEW YORK — Citigroup Inc. said Monday it has filed a complaint in New York Supreme Court against Wachovia, Wells Fargo and the directors of both companies seeking more than $60 billion in damages for interfering with the bank’s planned takeover of Wachovia’s banking operations.

Meanwhile, Federal Reserve officials have been in talks with Wells Fargo and Citigroup in the hope of getting the parties to come to some sort of agreement, according to a person with knowledge of the talks.

OHIO

Solar-panel maker to add 130 jobs in expansion

PERRYSBURG, Ohio — One of the world’s biggest makers of solar panels plans to create 130 jobs with a plant expansion near Toledo. Tempe, Ariz.-based First Solar Inc. said Monday that it would double the size of its Perrysburg plant. The project is to be completed in two years.

Associated Press