** Chipmaker Microchip Technology's MCHP.O shares fall 6.5% to $49.66 premarket
** Co expects Q4 net sales of $920 mln to $1 bln, compared with analysts' average estimate of $1.06 bln, according to data compiled by LSEG
** Co sees adjusted profit per share between 5 cents and 15 cents vs estimates of 27 cents - LSEG
** Excluding one-off items, co reports Q3 EPS of 20 cents, below estimates of 27 cents, which aligns with their November warning of lower Q3 revenue and profit
** Peer NXP Semiconductors NXPI.O forecast downbeat Q1 rev on Monday, indicating sluggish demand for its chips from industrial and automotive customers
** Average rating of 25 brokerages covering MCHP is "buy", their breakdown is 17 "buy" or higher, seven "hold" and one "sell"; their median PT $69 - LSEG
** MCHP fell 36.4% in 2024; as of last close, shares down 7.4% YTD
(Reporting by Sanchayaita Roy in Bengaluru)
((sanchayaita.roy@thomsonreuters.com))