(Updated with analyst commentary)
NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- J. Crew ( JCG) 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