DTE Energy quarterly profit rises on strength of gas and energy trading

May 1 (Reuters) - U.S. utility DTE Energy DTE.N reported a rise in first-quarter profit on Thursday, helped by strength in its gas and energy trading segments.

Colder weather during the first three months of the year helped boost demand for natural gas used to power heating appliances. Detroit, Michigan-based DTE provides natural gas to 1.3 million customers in its home state.

The gas segment reported a profit of $206 million in the first quarter, compared with $160 million during the corresponding period a year ago.

At its energy trading segment, which consists of energy marketing and trading operations, profit jumped to $67 million during the three months ended March 31, from $1 million last year, driven by a 13.4% rise in U.S. natural gas prices NGC1.

However, the rise in the segment's profit was partially offset by weakness in the electric segment, when earnings fell 28% due to high costs and timing of taxes.

DTE Energy's net income rose to $445 million, or $2.14 per share, for the quarter ended March 31, from $313 million, or $1.51 per share, a year earlier.

Its adjusted profit per share of $2.10 per share beat Wall Street expectations of $2 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.