DuPont beats profit estimates on strength in electronics and chips unit

May 1 (Reuters) - Industrial materials maker DuPont de Nemours beat Wall Street estimates for first-quarter profit 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.

DuPont'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 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.

(Reporting by Seher Dareen in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)