Campbell Soup Co posted higher sales in its key U.S. soup market, helped by increased promotional spending.

The world's largest soup maker also said profit dipped to $168 million, or 49 cents a share, in the third quarter ended May 2 from $174 million, or 49 cents a share, a year earlier.

Excluding one-time items, earnings were 54 cents a share.

Sales rose 6.9 percent to $1.80 billion, in line with the analysts' average estimate.

Sales in the key U.S. soup segment rose 2 percent.

Campbell's has come under pressure for falling U.S. soup sales as shoppers sought out other simple meals like frozen foods.

(Reporting by Brad Dorfman; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)