Business Digest, Nov. 27

Del Monte agrees to buyout

Del Monte Foods has agreed to sell itself for $5.3 billion, including debt, to a group of private equity firms led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts in what is the biggest leveraged buyout this year. The takeover of Del Monte — whose product line is now dominated by pet foods like Kibbles 'n Bits rather than fruits and vegetables — would also be among the largest consumer-goods buyouts in recent years.

Munger sells 100 shares of Berkshire

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Vice Chairman Charles Munger disposed of 100 Class A shares in the company's stock on Tuesday. The shares had a price of $118,500 to $119,680, according to regulatory filings Friday. Munger, 86, held 6,428 shares in the Omaha-based company after the disposals.

Ford expanding in China

Ford Motor Co., the second-biggest U.S. automaker, opened 40 dealerships in China this week and plans to add 26 more by year's end as it aims for record sales in the world's largest auto market. The company will also introduce a new sport-utility vehicle next month in the country, it said. Ford expects 70 percent of its growth in the next 10 years to come from the Asia-Pacific region and Africa.

Packaging lawsuit is candy-coated

Bitter rivals on store shelves in the candy aisle may also duke it out in court. The Hershey Co. sued Mars Inc. this week. The maker of Hershey's and Reese's chocolate candies says the rival maker of Snickers, M&Ms; and Dove candies is mimicking its packaging. Hershey is claiming trademark dilution and infringement, and unfair competition.

Japan passes stimulus package

Japan's beleaguered ruling party on Friday passed a new $61 billion stimulus package that aims to revive the country's faltering economic recovery. The new stimulus includes a range of measures, including aid for small business and regional economies, but Prime Minister Naoto Kan has said the main focus is jobs.