May 1 (Reuters) - Power equipment maker Generac Holdings ( GNRC )

reported better-than-expected quarterly results on

Wednesday, helped by higher sales of its residential standby

generators in North America.

Extreme weather led to more power outages and power grid

operators struggled to keep up with rising demand for

electricity.

Generac's ( GNRC ) sales at its residential segment, its biggest,

were up 2.4% in the first quarter.

Revenue at the company's commercial and industrial unit,

however, fell 2.5% on lower sales in the telecom market and a

drop in rental equipment customers.

International sales, that accounted for about 18% of total

sales in 2023, fell 14% due to weaker shipments to Europe and

softness in the telecom market.

On an adjusted basis, Generac ( GNRC ) earned 88 cents per share,

beating analysts' estimates of 72 cents, according to LSEG data.

The company posted revenue of $889 million, ahead of

estimates of $885.3 million.