BANGALORE, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Off-price retailer Ross Stores Inc (ROST.O) posted better-than-expected comparable sales for January and forecast full-year profit in line with market estimates, but weighted towards the first half.

Ross Stores - www.rossstores.com

The company also forecast comparable stores sales for the full year to grow between 1 percent and 2 percent, lower than the 6 percent growth it clocked in 2009.

Shares of the Pleasanton, California-based company fell as much as 2 percent, before paring some losses and were down 1 percent at $45.74 in midday trade Thursday 4 February on Nasdaq.

"Shares are down as the company guided for a stronger first half 2010 and weaker second half against difficult comparison, and typically the market doesn't generally like a front end loaded year," said MKM Partners analyst Patrick Mckeever.

The company expects to earn $3.80 to $3.95 a share for 2010, with "flattish" earnings in the second half versus the prior year.

Analysts on average were expecting earnings of $3.82 per share for 2010, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Ross, like other off-price chains, buys excess apparel, accessories and home goods in bulk from manufacturers to sell them at deep discounts.

The company said home goods and shoes were the strongest merchandise categories in January, while the Mid-Atlantic and Mountain regions were the top performing markets.

The retailer posted an 8 percent rise in January same-store sales, beating analyst estimates of a 7.5 percent rise.

Ross also raised its fourth-quarter profit view to $1.15 to $1.16 per share, from previous forecast of $1.14 to $1.16 per share. Analysts on average were looking for a profit of $1.16 a share. (Reporting by Vidya Lakshmi; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier)