DS Smith half-year profit slumps in line with market expectations

(Reuters) - British paper and packaging firm DS Smith reported a 39% slump in half-year profit on Thursday that was in line with analysts' estimates, dampened by weak packaging prices and higher input costs.

The company, which has agreed to a $7.20 billion all-share takeover by U.S. rival International Paper, posted adjusted operating profit from continuing operations for the six months to Oct. 31 of 221 million pounds ($281.2 million), in line with a company-compiled average analysts' estimates.

($1 = 0.7859 pounds)

(Reporting by Aby Jose Koilparambil in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich)