Balance Bar Shares Surge on Kraft Takeover

Updated from 12:02 p.m. EST

Balance Bar (BBAR Quote) shares rose over 35% Friday on news the maker of nutrition-and-energy bars would be purchased for $268 million by Kraft Foods, the grocery giant known more for mainstays like Miracle Whip and Jell-O than for purely nutritional foods.

Balance Bar was one of the biggest gainers on the Nasdaq stock market, up 5 5/16, or 38%, to 19 1/8 on volume of more than 2 million shares by late morning. (Balance Bar closed up 5 5/16, or 38.46%, at 19 1/8.) ...