Aug 7 (Reuters) - Chipmaker Microchip Technology

beat analysts' estimates for first-quarter net sales

and profit on Thursday, helped by customers clearing excess

inventory.

However, shares of the company fell 6% in extended

trading after it forecast current quarter net sales between

$1.11 billion and $1.15 billion, in-line with analysts' average

estimate of $1.13 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

PC and smartphone makers accelerated shipments in the first

half of the year amid widespread macroeconomic uncertainty

spurred by U.S. President Donald Trump's global tariffs.

This helped demand for Microchip's products in the period,

but future growth for the semiconductor industry in the PC

market is uncertain amid ongoing trade negotiations.

Shipments of PCs rose 6.5% in the June quarter, according to

data from International Data Corporation.

Microchip reduced overall inventory dollars by $124.4

million in the June quarter, helped by improvements in its

manufacturing, allowing for more operational flexibility as

demand conditions improved, CEO Steve Sanghi said.

It forecast adjusted net earnings per share of 30 cents to

36 cents for the second quarter, which was above estimates of 31

cents at the mid-point.

The Chandler, Arizona-based company posted net sales of

$1.08 billion for the quarter, beating estimates of $1.05

billion.

Excluding items, first-quarter profit per share came in at

27 cents, compared with estimates of 24 cents.