Why it makes sense to merge two big candy companies is a mystery. Nonetheless, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) and privately held Mars plan to spend $22 billion to buy gum company Wrigley (NYSE: WWY).

According to The Wall Street Journal, "Terms of the deal weren't immediately clear, but Wrigley has a stock market value of about $17.3 billion and it appeared that the buyers were prepared to offer a rich premium."

Wrigley does well outside the US while Mars does well in the domestic market.

What exactly Buffett and Mars get is unclear. The buyout would be at a price near the company's two-year high. The gum company's profits and revenue have been steadily rising, but it is not a spectacular growth business.

There would not appear to be a lot of redundant costs between the two firms. One makes mostly chocolate and the other, gum. It is questionable that they can benefit from one another's distribution networks. Both brands are widely available in the US and overseas.

Warren Buffett usually does well with his investments. How this one will work out is difficult to divine.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com and writes Ten Stocks Under $10.