* Whole Foods Market Inc., the biggest...

* Whole Foods Market Inc., the biggest U.S. natural-foods grocer, said this year’s profit will be lower than forecast because of higher utility costs and lower-than-expected sales growth. Earnings will be an estimated $2.15 to $2.20 a share, Whole Foods said. Analysts’ average forecast was $2.34 a share, according to First Call/Thomson Financial. The company couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. For the fiscal first quarter ended Jan. 14, Whole Foods said operating profit rose 25% to $15 million, or 54 cents a share, missing forecasts of 58 cents, on a 21% rise in sales to $643.3 million.