UPDATE 1-Fairchild Semi posts loss; sees weak Q1 revenue

* Adj. EPS $0.06 beats estimates by a cent

* Sees Q1 sales below Wall St expectations

Jan 29 (Reuters) - Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc (FCS.N) reported a quarterly loss hurt by a significant non-cash goodwill impairment charge, and guided first quarter sales below Wall Street expectations.

Excluding the goodwill impairment charge of $203.3 million and certain other charges, the company posted earnings of 6 cents a share for the fourth quarter.

Sales were down more than 25 percent to $320.9 million for the quarter.

Analysts were expecting earnings of 5 cents a share, excluding items, on sales of $320.06 million, according to Reuters Estimates.

For the first quarter, the company expects sales of $220 million to $245 million, compared with analysts' estimates of $282.09 million.

The company, however, said order rates were beginning to stabilize in January. "We are encouraged by the recent stabilization of order rates in January and we are now building backlog for Q1," Chief Executive Mark Thompson said.

The chipmaker, which competes with Analog Devices Inc (ADI.N), reported a net loss of $218.1 million, or $1.76 a share, compared with a net income of $34.0 million or 27 cents a share, a year ago.

Shares of the company closed at $5.02 on the New York Stock Exchange Wednesday.

For alerts, double click [ID:nWNAB5452] (Reporting by Mansi Dutta in Bangalore, Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)