Mars, Buffett Team Up in Wrigley Bid

Mars Inc. and Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. were close to a pact to acquire Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. for more than $22 billion, according to people familiar with the matter, in a deal that would remake the global confectionery landscape.

A deal would unite two icons of the U.S. candy business: Wrigley, maker of the eponymous chewing gum, and Mars, the closely held company behind Snickers chocolate bars and M&M;'s.

The transaction was expected to be announced as early as Monday, the people said. Both companies declined to comment.

Terms of the deal weren't immediately clear, but Wrigley has ...