Chico's profit rises 25%

FORT MYERS — Chico's FAS Inc. reported today that its fourth quarter profit rose 25% over last year.

Shares of the firm (symbol: CHS) were up more than $1.50 a share in morning trading. The firm closed Tuesday at $12.81 a share.

The women's apparel retailer posted a profit of $25.1 million in the fourth quarter, or 15 cents a share, according to the earnings statement. That's up from $20.7 million, or 12 cents a share, in the previous fourth quarter. And for the 2011 fiscal year, which also ended Jan. 28, the firm reported a net income of $144.4 million, or 84 cents a share. That's up from $115.4 million, or 64 cents a share, in fiscal 2010.