NEW YORK – Maine-based chip maker Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc. says its first-quarter profit nearly tripled on lower costs.

Fairchild, which is based in South Portland, says its profit rose to $17.1 million, or 14 cents per share, from $6.3 million, or 5 cents per share, from the same period a year ago.

Sales rose 1 percent to $406.3 million from $402.6 million.

Chief Executive Mark Thomson says consumer demand was roughly in line with his expectations with the exception of weaker Chinese sales in February. Korean and European sales were strong while U.S. sales were flat sequentially.