May 1 (Reuters) - Industrial materials maker DuPont de

Nemours ( DD ) beat Wall Street estimates for first-quarter

profit and raised its full-year forecasts on Wednesday, as it

benefited from higher sales in its electronics and

semiconductors segment.

Chemicals companies had resorted to cost cuts and destocking

last year due to low demand in key markets. But the overall

manufacturing output is now improving.

The United States reported an increase in output in February

and March, while China and South Korea also saw some recovery

even as factory activity in many Asian economies weakened in

March.

"Channel inventory destocking within our industrial-based

businesses has bottomed and assumed recovery timing is on track

with our previous expectations," DuPont ( DD ) chief executive officer

Ed Breen said.

DuPont ( DD ) raised its adjusted earnings per share between $3.45

and $3.75 from $3.25 to $3.65 it had previously forecast.

It also estimates sales to rise to $12.10 billion to $12.40

billion from its prior target of $11.90 billion to $12.30

billion.

"Year over year sales and earnings growth assumed in the

second half of 2024 is expected to be driven by further

electronics market recovery and a return to volume growth in its

water and protections unit," said Lori Koch, chief financial

officer of DuPont ( DD ).

The company's electronics and industrial unit, the biggest

segment in terms of revenue, saw a 5% rise in net sales to $1.37

billion, Analysts had expected $1.32 billion, according to LSEG

data.

The company's adjusted profit was 79 cents per share, above

analysts' average estimate of 65 cents.

DuPont ( DD ) expects second-quarter sales of $3.03 billion and

adjusted profit of 84 cents. Analysts were expecting earnings of

78 cents for the period, with sales to be in line.