May 1 (Reuters) - Electrical equipment maker Hubbell

reported a lower-than-expected first-quarter profit on

Thursday, hurt by softening demand from grid automation,

elevated raw material costs and tariff-related headwinds that

eroded its margins.

The company, however, increased its 2025 sales growth

expectations in the range of 6% to 8%, from the earlier forecast

of 4% to 5%, while maintaining its adjusted profit per share

forecast of $17.35 to $17.85.

Utility solutions segment sales, comprising 64% of 2024

revenue, fell 4% to $857.1 million due to challenging prior year

comparisons for grid automation sales, the company said.

The Connecticut-based company reported an adjusted profit of

$3.50 per share for the quarter, below the analysts' estimate of

$3.72 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Its quarterly revenue fell 2.4% to $1.37 billion, compared

with the estimate of $1.39 billion.