FT称Lone Star与Atlas Holdings评估收购国际纸业欧洲包装业务（原DS Smith），IP盘中涨6.3%

International Paper ( IP ) rose 6.3% amid a report that two private equity firms are evaluating multibillion-dollar bids for the company's European packaging business. Lone Star and Atlas Holdings are both working on potential deals for the business formerly known as DS Smith, according to a Financial Times report on Thursday, which cited people familiar with the matter. The two financial sponsors are the remaining bidders in talks on a potential deal for DS Smith after other PE shops dropped out, according to the report. The offers may value the business at less than $6 billion (£4.5 billion). A sale at that price would mark a large decline in valuation for DS Smith after International Paper ( IP ) agreed to buy the company for £5.8 billion or £7.8 billion, including debt, in 2024. No decisions have been made, and IP could decide to proceed with a listing of the business, according to the FT. Atlas and Lone Star declined to comment to the FT. International Paper did not respond to a request for comment. International Paper ( IP ) said on Wednesday that it made “significant progress” preparing to separate its EMEA Packaging Business into an independent, publicly traded company. Once the separation is complete, the independent company will be known as DS Smith plc.