DUPONT Co, the world's second-largest seed producer, posted a first-quarter profit that topped analyst expectations because of demand from corn and soybean growers. The company's second-quarter forecast trailed estimates.

Strong sales to farmers and customers outside the US more than compensated for slowing domestic construction and car markets that hurt sales of products such as paint and insulation, DuPont said yesterday in a statement. The reverse will occur in subsequent periods, with US economic weakness detracting from gains elsewhere, DuPont said.

Chief Executive Officer Charles O. Holliday Jr is investing in genetically modified seeds that resist bugs and weed killer to compete with larger rival Monsanto Co, which last week said quarterly profit doubled. Corn futures reached a record on Wednesday, and soybeans rose to an all-time high last month.

"Agriculture is doing very well," Hassan Ahmed, an analyst at HSBC Securities, told Bloomberg News. "When you have a company which is reaffirming a decent earnings growth number while the broader economy is struggling, the market perception should be good."