July 25 (Reuters) - Chemicals maker Dow missed

second-quarter profit estimates on Thursday, hurt by lower

prices and demand in key markets including Asia and Europe.

Manufacturing activity in the euro zone and China weakened

in the quarter, with China's economic data in June showing

indexes of raw material stocks in contractionary territory.

This resulted in a 4% drop in local prices of Dow products

in key markets.

Dow produces a vast range of chemicals and additives that

are used in manufacturing a variety of end-products in the

consumer, agricultural and energy sector.

The company's net sales fell 4% to $10.92 billion in the

reported quarter, compared with estimates of $11 billion per

LSEG data.

"The pace of the global macroeconomic recovery has been

slower than expected. We remain focused on working capital,

reducing costs, and matching our operating rates to current

demand," said chief executive officer Jim Fitterling.

Shares of the company were down 4.4% in premarket trading.

Analysts at RBC Capital Markets said earlier this month that

while the company was through with destocking, demand remained

soft, particularly in Europe.

"While near-term demand in many markets that we serve is

growing, building & construction and consumer durables are

unlikely to significantly change in 2024," CEO added.

The Midland, Michigan-based company reported operating

earnings per share of 68 cents for the quarter ended June 30,

compared with the average analyst estimate of 72 cents,

according to LSEG data.

(Reporting by Seher Dareen in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini

Ganguli)