Economists expect the joblessness that has weighed down the nation's economic recovery will start to slowly abate in 2010, but they predict consumers will continue to keep a tight rein on spending, according to a new survey. The November outlook by the National Association for Business Economics, which is set to be released today, shows economists expect net employment losses to bottom out in the first quarter of next year. Employers are seen starting to add to their payrolls after that.

But even if companies do start restaffing next spring, they aren't expected to ramp up hiring very quickly. Of the 48 panelists surveyed, 61 percent do not expect a complete recovery of the 7.3 million jobs lost since December 2007 until 2012.

CADBURY MAY REFUSE $17B HERSHEY OFFER

LONDON — British candy company Cadbury PLC will reject an expected $17 billion takeover bid from U.S. confectionary giant Hershey Co., a newspaper reported yesterday.

Britain's Sunday Times cited an unnamed industry source as saying Cadbury is reluctant to do a deal unless Hershey raises its valuation of the company. The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Hershey Co. is preparing a bid worth up to $17 billion that includes Hershey shares and cash from Hershey and investors. It would top a recent $16.5 billion hostile offer by Kraft Foods Inc.

DEUTSCHE BAHN SIGNS $26B QATAR RAIL DEAL

DOHA, Qatar — An investment company owned by Qatar's sovereign wealth fund yesterday signed a $26 billion deal with Germany's national railway operator to build a railroad network, a key part of the natural gas-rich Gulf sheikdom's expansion plans.

Under the deal, the Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company and Deutsche Bahn AG will set up a joint venture to develop a metro system in Qatar's capital, as well as a national rail network and a long-distance connection to neighboring Bahrain.