J. Crew Stock Soars on Forecast Boost

(Updated with analyst commentary)

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- J. Crew(JCG Quote) shares are soaring Thursday morning after the specialty retailer raised its full-year forecast.

The company now expects earnings in the range of 54 cents to 59 cents a share, up from a prior forecast between 30 cents and 33 cents.

J. Crew also announced that it is seeing some positive signs for the fourth quarter, which includes the all-important holiday season. Management foresees a same-store sales increase in the mid-to-high single digits.

Crew Grew!

The preppy retailer has continued to offer newer merchandise (even First Lady Michelle Obama is a fan) even as other retailers play it safe. It is also tightly controlling inventory and hasn't resorted to drastic markdowns, as its competitors have done.

"We believe the company is one of the key winners for the fall season," Eric Beder, analyst at Brean Murray, Carret, wrote in a note. "And [it] is demonstrating that even in tough times, the consumer will pay a premium for strong fashion items that resonate with their core values."

As a result, Beder upped his price target to $44 from $42.

J.Crew plans to release its quarterly report on Nov. 23.

Shares of the company are soaring by 12% to $42.27 in afternoon trading.

-- Reported by Jeanine Poggi in New York

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