ZURICH (Reuters) – Clariant’s first-quarter sales from continuing operations rose 30% in local currencies and 26% in Swiss francs to 1.26 billion Swiss francs ($1.26 billion), with pricing contributing 16% to growth, the Swiss speciality chemicals group said on Wednesday. Core profit from continuing operations rose 27% to a better-than-expected 220 million francs, while its margin increased to 17.4% from 17.3 % in the first quarter of 2021, the company said. Analysts had expected first-quarter sales of 1.18 billion Swiss francs and EBITDA of 209 million francs before exceptional items, accordi…