Most mergers are driven by the notion, sometimes wildly mistaken, that the combination will bring both a competitive advantage. Some pairs of companies, however, seem so intuitively right for one another, no bottom-line considerations should be allowed to interfere with their matrimony. Like a box of Oreos and a glass of milk, these two were meant for one another.

One aspect of American life that has been keeping up with the Dow Jones average is our waistlines. Since 1994, the percentage of adults considered overweight or obese has shot up from 55.8% to 65.9%, a bullish market (covered in barbecue sauce) indeed. In looking for partners that feed in this trough, I found two that, if merged, could make dough in both expanding and contracting economies.

The first, the obvious, is Weight Watchers International (NYSE: WTW). One of the oldest, and arguably the most successful weight loss company, Weight Watchers leverages peer- to-peer support to sell a full line of diet foods, books about weight loss and endorsed products. While its diet plan finished higher than those of other companies such as Jenny Craig in a Consumer Reports study, the fact is most customers don't succeed in maintaining their weight loss.

In a move to divest itself of products inconsistent with their goal of "centering on convenience, wellness and quality," Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB) is prepared to put its boutique chocolate brand Godiva Chocolatier on the market.

The luxury product should find an eager market, as it has been a solid performer for Campbell with sales increasing by double digits in 2006 on annual sales of approximately $500 million. The company has over 270 retail locations as well as direct sales, and its products are also available in groceries and other stores.

Godiva was founded over 75 years ago in Brussels, Belgium by the Draps family. Campbell's bought a third of the company in 1966, subsequently taking over ownership. They have deftly kept the brand separate from the Campbell's brand, shaping the Godiva image as a gourmet product and haute culture indulgence.

According to The Wall Street Journal [subscription], market analysts speculate that Godiva could bring between $750 million and $1 billion. Centerview Partners LLC has been retained as the financial advisor for the deal.

The soup market must be simmering if today's earning report from Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE:CPB) is any example. Its quarterly earning jumped from $146 million in 2006 to $217 million, attributed in part to an increase in marketing and a price hike. EPS rose from $.35 to $.55 in the same interval.

Two sectors performed particularly well for the company. Its low-sodium soups exceeded expectation. (Why do I envision legions of Campbell's consumers reaching for their saltshakers? We shop with good intentions, but...) The V-8 brand also pulled in healthy numbers, which reinforces my contention that the best vegetable is one that can be mixed with vodka.

The only decline reported was in the competitive salsa market, where the Pace brands declined. Another Campbell brand, Godiva Chocolatier, was up, primarily due to Asian sales. The Midwest's Valentine's Day snowstorm (aka Massacre, if you're a florist), was blamed for some loss of sales.

Adding to the sustained value of the stock is Campbell's stated intention to repurchase $600 million of its shares with the proceeds of the recent sale of its UK holdings. The company boosted its year-end forecast slightly to $1.94-$1.97.