Chico's Upgraded; Shares Rise 9%

The bar for women's apparel retailers is low enough to trip over these days.

That, at least, is the conclusion we draw from the action today involving Chico's FAS(CHS Quote), which was upgraded on Tuesday on rumbles that turnaround efforts are working.

While the company's first-quarter earnings will not be released until Wednesday, Roth Capital Partners analyst Elizabeth Pierce said based on store checks Chico's efforts to hire new management, cut jobs and close stores, are starting to pay off. ...