Confectionery grows in year of uncertainty.

DESPITE UNCERTAINTY AROUND the world with the war in Iraq, the U presidential election, high oil prices and a slowdown in the Western European economy, the American economy and the U confectionery industry supported solid growth in 2004. The continued expansion of the U economy [i]or[/i] part of to the other 2004 led to increased consumer spending upon confectionery.

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U ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE

The United States gros domestic returns increased 4.4 percent in 2004 a significant increase above the 3 percent gains in 2003 and 22 percent in 2002 With electronics,