JCPenney - 10-Q quarterly report FY

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

    (Mark One)

   X           QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2010    

or

 

    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______________ to ________________

 

Commission File Number: 1-15274

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                 

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) (972) 431-1000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes   x  No  o   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

                                                                                               (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  o   No    x 

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

236,443,580 shares of Common Stock of 50 cents par value, as of September 3, 2010

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended July 31, 2010

 

i

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

-1-

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

-2-

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

-3- 

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

(Unaudited)

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

Basis of Presentation

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is a holding company whose principal operating subsidiary is J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. (JCP). JCP was incorporated in Delaware in 1924, and J. C. Penney Company, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in 2002, when the holding company structure was implemented. The holding company has no independent assets or operations, and no direct subsidiaries other than JCP. The holding company and its consolidated subsidiaries, including JCP, are collectively referred to in this quarterly report as “we,” “us,” “our,” “ourselves,” “JCPenney” or the “Company,” unless otherwise indicated.

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is a co-obligor (or guarantor, as appropriate) regarding the payment of principal and interest on JCP’s outstanding debt securities. The guarantee of certain of JCP’s outstanding debt securities by J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is full and unconditional.

These Interim Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  The accompanying Interim Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited but, in our opinion, include all material adjustments necessary for a fair presentation and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010 (2009 Form 10-K). We follow substantially the same accounting policies to prepare quarterly financial statements as are followed in preparing annual financial statements. A description of such signific ant accounting policies is included in the 2009 Form 10-K. The January 30, 2010 financial information was derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements, with related footnotes, included in the 2009 Form 10-K. Because of the seasonal nature of the retail business, operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.

Fiscal Year

Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31. As used herein, “three months ended July 31, 2010” and “three months ended August 1, 2009” refer to the 13-week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively. “Six months ended July 31, 2010,” or “2010 first half,” and “six months ended August 1, 2009,” or “2009 first half,” refer to the 26-week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively.

Basis of Consolidation

All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.  Certain reclassifications were made to prior year amounts to conform to the current period presentation. None of the reclassifications affected our net income in any period.

-4-

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

Note 2 – Earnings per Share

Net income and shares used to compute basic and diluted EPS are reconciled below:

The following average potential shares of common stock were excluded from the diluted EPS calculations because their effect would have been anti-dilutive:

Note 3 – Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Non-cash transaction:  On May 18, 2009, we made a voluntary contribution of approximately 13.4 million newly issued shares of JCPenney common stock, valued at $340 million, to the J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. Pension Plan.

-5-

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

Note 4 – Credit Facility

In April 2009, J. C. Penney Company, Inc., JCP and J. C. Penney Purchasing Corporation entered into a three-year, $750 million revolving credit agreement (2009 Credit Facility) with a syndicate of lenders with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.  The facility is secured by our inventory, which security interest can be released upon attainment of certain credit rating levels.  The 2009 Credit Facility is available for general corporate purposes, including the issuance of letters of credit.  Pricing under the 2009 Credit Facility is tiered based on JCP’s senior unsecured long-term credit ratings issued by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services.  JCP’s obligations under the 2009 Credit Facility are guaranteed by J. C. Pe nney Company, Inc.

The 2009 Credit Facility requires that we maintain certain financial covenants, which include a leverage ratio, a fixed charge coverage ratio and an asset coverage ratio (each as defined in the 2009 Credit Facility).  Under the terms of the 2009 Credit Facility, non-cash charges or credits related to retirement plans are not included in the calculation of EBITDA (consolidated earnings before income taxes less depreciation and amortization), which is used in the leverage ratio and fixed charge coverage ratio.

As of July 31, 2010, we were in compliance with these requirements with a leverage ratio of 2.0 to 1, a fixed charge coverage ratio of 3.6 to 1 and an asset coverage ratio of 23 to 1. No borrowings, other than the issuance of standby and import letters of credit totaling $153 million as of July 31, 2010, have been made under the 2009 Credit Facility.

Note 5 – Long-Term Debt

Debt Issuance

On May 24, 2010, we closed on our offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5.65% Senior Notes due 2020 and used proceeds of the offering, net of underwriting discounts, of approximately $392 million to make a voluntary cash contribution to the J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. Pension Plan.

Debt Reductions

On May 24, 2010, we accepted for purchase $300 million principal amount of JCP’s outstanding 6.375% Senior Notes due 2036 (2036 Notes), which were validly tendered pursuant to a cash tender offer. We paid approximately $314 million aggregate consideration, including accrued and unpaid interest, for the accepted 2036 Notes on May 25, 2010.

On March 1, 2010 we repaid at maturity the remaining $393 million outstanding principal amount of JCP’s 8.0% Notes due 2010 (2010 Notes).

On May 12, 2009, we accepted for purchase $104 million principal amount of JCP’s outstanding 2010 Notes, which were validly tendered pursuant to a cash tender offer.  We paid $107 million aggregate consideration, including accrued and unpaid interest, for the accepted 2010 Notes on May 13, 2009.   In addition, we purchased $9 million of the 2010 Notes in the open market on July 10, 2009.

-6-

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

Note 6 – Fair Value Disclosures

REIT Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis

We determined the fair value of our investments in public real estate investment trusts (REITs) using quoted market prices.  See Note 7 for the net unrealized gain of $30 million in REITs recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of net equity.  Our REIT assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:

Other Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents and long-term debt.  The carrying amount of our cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.  The fair value of long-term debt is estimated by obtaining quotes from brokers or is based on current rates offered for similar debt.  At July 31, 2010, long-term debt had a carrying value of $3.1 billion and a fair value of $3.2 billion.  At January 30, 2010, long-term debt, including current maturities had a carrying value of $3.4 billion and a fair value of $3.3 billion.

-7-

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

Note 7 – Stockholders’ Equity

The following table shows the change in the components of stockholders’ equity for the first six months of 2010:

Comprehensive Income

-8-

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

Note 8 – Stock-Based Compensation

We grant stock-based compensation awards to employees (associates) and non-employee directors under our 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (2009 Plan).  As of July 31, 2010, there were approximately 11 million shares of stock available for future grant under the 2009 Plan.

The following table presents total stock-based compensation costs and related income tax benefits:

Stock-Based Compensation Costs

Stock Options

On March 16, 2010, we made an annual grant of stock options covering approximately 2.7 million shares to associates at an option price of $30.72, with a fair value of $9.04 per option.

The following table summarizes stock options outstanding as of July 31, 2010, as well as activity during the six months then ended:

As of July 31, 2010, there was $42 million of unrecognized compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, for unvested stock options, which will be recognized over the remaining weighted-average vesting period of approximately one year.

 

-9-

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

Stock Awards

On March 16, 2010, we made a grant of approximately 964,000 restricted stock unit awards to associates, representing the annual grant under the 2009 Plan.  These awards consisted of approximately 574,000 time-based restricted stock units and approximately 390,000 performance-based restricted stock units.  The time-based award vests one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date provided that the associate remains continuously employed with the Company during that time.  The performance-based award has a target with a payout matrix ranging from 0% to 200% based on 2010 EPS (defined as per common share income from continuing operations, excluding any unusual and/or extraordinary items as determined by the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board). A payment of 100% of the target award would be achieved at EPS of $1.58.  In addition to the performance requirement, this award also includes a time-based vesting requirement, which is the same as the requirement for the time-based award.  Upon vesting, both the time-based award and the performance-based award will be paid out in shares of JCPenney common stock.

On May 26, 2010, we granted approximately 58,000 restricted stock units to non-employee Board members.  We also granted approximately 52,000 restricted stock units during the first half of 2010 consisting of ad-hoc awards to associates and dividend equivalents on outstanding awards.

In addition to individual ad-hoc stock awards vested during the first half of 2010, approximately 111,000 of our March 2008 annual grant of time-based restricted stock unit awards vested.

The following table summarizes the non-vested stock awards as of July 31, 2010 and activity during the six months then ended:

As of July 31, 2010, there was $35 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unearned associate stock awards which will be recognized over the remaining weighted-average vesting period of approximately one year.

 

-10-

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

Note 9 – Retirement Benefit Plans

The components of net periodic benefit costs for our non-contributory qualified defined benefit pension plan (primary plan) and non-contributory supplemental pension plans for the three and six months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 were as follows:

Pension Plans Net Periodic Benefit Expense

Postretirement Health and Welfare Plan Net Periodic (Income)

 

-11-

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

Defined Contribution Plans

Our defined contribution plans include a qualified Savings, Profit-Sharing and Stock Ownership Plan, a 401(k) plan, a non-contributory retirement account and a non-qualified contributory unfunded mirror savings plan offered to certain management associates. Total expense for our defined contribution plans for the second quarter of 2010 and 2009 was $12 million and $15 million, respectively, and is predominantly included in SG&A expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Total expense for the first half of 2010 and 2009 was $26 million and $30 million, respectively.

Employer Contributions

Our policy with respect to funding the primary plan is to fund at least the minimum required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) rules, as amended by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, and not more than the maximum amount deductible for tax purposes. Based on the funded status of our primary plan, we are not required to make a mandatory cash contribution to the primary plan under ERISA rules in 2010 or 2011; however, on May 24, 2010, we used net proceeds of approximately $392 million from the issuance of $400 million of 5.65% Senior Notes due 2020 to make a voluntary cash contribution to the primary plan.

Note 10 – Real Estate and Other, Net

Real estate and other consists mainly of ongoing operating income from our real estate subsidiaries whose primary investments are in REITs, as well as investments in 14 joint ventures that own regional mall properties.  Real estate and other also includes net gains from the sale of facilities and equipment that are no longer used in operations, asset impairments and other non-operating charges and credits.

-12-

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

Note 11 – Income Taxes

The total amount for unrecognized tax benefits as of July 31, 2010 was $159 million compared to $165 million as of January 30, 2010.  The decrease included $9 million for settlements reached with tax authorities partially offset by an increase of $3 million based on additional amounts related to prior period tax positions. As of the end of the second quarter of 2010, the uncertain tax position balance included $68 million that, if recognized, would lower the effective tax rate and would be reduced upon settlement by $24 million related to the federal tax deduction of state taxes. The remaining component was $91 million reflecting tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain, but for which there is uncertainty about the timing. Due to deferred tax accounting, other than any interest or penalties inc urred, the disallowance of the shorter deductibility period would not impact the effective tax rate, but would accelerate payment to the taxing authority.

Over the next 12 months, it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could be reduced by approximately $54 million ($2 million of which would impact the effective tax rate) if our tax position is sustained upon audit, the controlling statute of limitations expires or we agree to a disallowance.

We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.  Our accrued interest was $3 million as of July 31, 2010 and $2 million as of January 30, 2010.  We did not have any such penalties accrued as of either date.

Note 12 – Litigation, Other Contingencies and Guarantees

We are subject to various legal and governmental proceedings involving routine litigation incidental to our business. Reserves have been established based on our best estimates of our potential liability in certain of these matters. These estimates have been developed in consultation with in-house and outside counsel. While no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of these matters, we currently believe that the final resolution of these actions, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, liquidity or capital resources.

As of July 31, 2010, we estimated our total potential environmental liabilities to range from $53 million to $64 million and recorded our best estimate of $56 million in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of that date. This estimate covered potential liabilities primarily related to underground storage tanks, remediation of environmental conditions involving our former Eckerd drugstore locations and asbestos removal in connection with approved plans to renovate or dispose of our facilities. We continue to assess required remediation and the adequacy of environmental reserves as new information becomes available and known conditions are further delineated. If we were to incur losses at the upper end of the estimated range, we do not believe that such losses would have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

As of July 31, 2010, we had a guarantee totaling $20 million for the maximum exposure on insurance reserves established by a former subsidiary included in the sale of our Direct Marketing Services business.

-13-

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

Note 13 – Effect of New Accounting Standards

Fair Value Measurements

In January 2010, we adopted the guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board on improving annual disclosures about fair value measurements, which requires reporting entities to make new disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements including significant transfers into and out of level 1 and level 2 categories and information on purchases, sales issuances, and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation of level 3 measurements.  The guidance was effective for us in the beginning of 2010, except for level 3 reconciliation disclosures, which will be effective for our 2010 year end. Since these are “disclosure only” requirements, they do not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

-14-

J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is a holding company whose principal operating subsidiary is J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. (JCP). JCP was incorporated in Delaware in 1924, and J. C. Penney Company, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in 2002, when the holding company structure was implemented. The holding company has no independent assets or operations and no direct subsidiaries other than JCP. The holding company and its consolidated subsidiaries, including JCP, are collectively referred to in this quarterly report as “we,” “us,” “our,” “ourselves,” “JCPenney” or the “Company,” unless otherwise indicated.

The holding company is a co-obligor (or guarantor, as appropriate) regarding the payment of principal and interest on JCP’s outstanding debt securities. The guarantee of certain of JCP’s outstanding debt securities by the holding company is full and unconditional.

This discussion is intended to provide information that will assist the reader in understanding our financial statements, the changes in certain key items in those financial statements from period to period, and the primary factors that accounted for those changes, how operating results affect the financial condition and results of operations of our Company as a whole, as well as how certain accounting principles affect the financial statements.  It should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements as of January 30, 2010, and for the year then ended, and related Notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A), all contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 30, 2010 (2009 Form 10-K).  Unless otherwi se indicated, this MD&A relates only to results from continuing operations, all references to earnings per share (EPS) are on a diluted basis and all references to years relate to fiscal years rather than to calendar years.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—(Continued)

For the second quarter of 2010, net income was $14 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to last year’s loss of $1 million, or break-even EPS.  This year’s results included $0.05 per share of additional expenses related to the debt tender offer completed in May.  Excluding the non-cash impact of our primary pension plan, adjusted net income (non-GAAP) increased 9.1% to $0.20 per share this year compared to $0.19 per share in last year’s second quarter.  Gross margin improved 90 basis points to a second quarter record level of 39.4% of sales, primarily as a result of lower unit cost.  SG&A expenses increased during the quarter, but were lower than our initial expectations.

-16-

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—(Continued)

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report our financial information in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP).  However, we present certain financial measures identified as non-GAAP under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to assess our results.  We believe the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, which our management uses to assess our operating results, is useful in order to better understand the operating performance of our core business and facilitate the comparison of our results to the results of our peer companies.  It is important to view non-GAAP financial measures in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, those measures and ratios prepared in accordance with GAAP.  We have provided reconciliations of the most directly compara ble GAAP measures to our non-GAAP financial measures presented.

The following non-GAAP financial measures are adjusted to exclude the non-cash impact of our primary pension plan expense.  Unlike other operating expenses, primary pension plan expense is determined using numerous complex assumptions about changes in pension assets and liabilities that are subject to factors beyond our control, such as market volatility.  We believe it is useful for investors to understand the impact of the non-cash primary pension plan expense on our results of operations and therefore are presenting the following non-GAAP financial measures: (1) adjusted operating income; (2) adjusted net income; and (3) adjusted diluted EPS.

Adjusted Operating Income. The following table reconciles operating income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to adjusted operating income, a non-GAAP financial measure:

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS. The following table reconciles net income and diluted EPS, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, to adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS, non-GAAP financial measures:

 

-17-

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—(Continued)

Total Net Sales

Total net sales decreased $5 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared to last year.  For the first half of 2010, total net sales increased $40 million from the same period last year.  The components of the changes in net sales were as follows:

In the second quarter of 2010, comparable store sales increased 0.9%, while comparable store sales in last year’s second quarter declined 9.5%.  Internet sales, through jcp.com, which are included in comparable store sales, increased 4.0% compared to last year’s decrease of 1.6%.  Sales from new stores, net, reflect one net new store opened subsequent to last year’s second quarter (five new stores opened, net of four stores closed).   As expected, catalog print media and outlet store sales declined in the quarter due to the elimination of our “big book” catalogs.  Total net sales declined 0.1% to $3,938 million compared with $3,943 million last year.

During the second quarter of 2010, JCPenney mall store traffic was 1.7% above last year and off-mall store traffic was up 5.1% with conversion rates for both mall and off-mall stores above last year.    The overall number of transactions increased about 6% and units per transaction increased about 2% compared to last year’s second quarter.  Our average unit retail was down slightly in the second quarter compared to the same 2009 period.  Geographically, our best performance was in the northeast region, and the weakest was in the northwest region.   

Men’s and women’s apparel were our best performing divisions for the quarter with gains compared to last year.  Home experienced the weakest results for the quarter.  Private brands, including exclusive brands found only at JCPenney reached 55% of total merchandise sales for the second quarter of 2010, up from 54% in the second quarter of 2009.

During the second quarter of 2010 we opened 22 Sephora inside JCPenney locations, bringing our total to 215 compared to 143 locations at the end of the second quarter of 2009. We expect to reach our 2010 goal of 231 locations by the end of the year.  We currently plan to continue opening approximately 75 locations per year.

For the first half of 2010, comparable store sales increased 1.3%, while comparable store sales in last year’s first half declined 8.5%.  Internet sales, through jcp.com, which are included in comparable store sales, increased 3.6% compared to a decrease of 2.8% last year.  The contribution of sales from new stores declined due to fewer stores being opened. As expected, catalog print media and outlet store sales declined in the first half due to the elimination of our “big book” catalogs.  Total net sales increased 0.5% to $7,867 million compared with $7,827 million last year.

-18-

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—(Continued)

New Stores

The following table provides the number of department stores and gross selling space for the second quarter and first half of 2010 and 2009:

Merchandise Initiatives

In June 2010, we announced our plans to become the ALDO® Group’s exclusive department store retailer in the United States for its Call it Spring™ brand that will significantly expand our assortment of modern footwear and accessories.  The ALDO group is a leading international retailer with operations in more than 1,500 stores in more than 50 countries and is well known for its reputation in creating fashionable footwear and accessories.  Similar to our Sephora inside JCPenney locations, Call it Spring will launch as a shop-within-a-shop concept and provide our customers an extensive collection of more than 300 styles of on-trend footwear and accessories at compelling prices.   The concept, which targets our 15 to 30 year-old customer, will roll out this fall in our Manhattan store and is expected to expand to 100 stores and on jcp.com in spring 2011, followed by an additional 500 stores in fall 2011.

Beginning in July 2010, in time for back to school, JCPenney, as exclusive retailer, launched Supergirl® by Nastia, a lifestyle merchandise line created through a partnership between Warner Bros. Consumer Products and five-time Olympic medalist Nastia Liukin.  The trend-right, affordable apparel targets girls 8 to 12 years old.  The marketing rollout of Supergirl by Nastia included circular advertising, direct mail and integrated social media, along with in-store promotions and personal appearances by Liukin across the country.

Marketing Initiatives

On July 14, 2010, we launched our back-to-school integrated marketing campaign, “New look. New year. Who knew!™”  The campaign combines traditional marketing initiatives with the latest digital, social and mobile experiences to connect with teens while highlighting our assortment of private, exclusive and national brands, such as The Original Arizona Jean Company®, Levi’s®, Decree®, City Streets®, RS by Sheckler™, Olsenboye®, Rusty®, Vans®, Ditch Plains™ and Converse®, as well as new brands this season – Uproar™, Supergirl by Nastia and Zoo York®.

-19-

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—(Continued)

Gross Margin

Our gross margin rate for the second quarter of 2010 increased 90 basis points to a second quarter historical peak of 39.4% of sales, or $1,552 million, compared to 38.5% of sales, or $1,520 million, for the comparable 2009 period.  The gross margin rate improvement on slightly lower sales was primarily due to lower unit cost driven by a higher proportion of direct-sourced private brand merchandise. Gross margin also benefited from more profitable sales of clearance merchandise under our “Red Zone” clearance strategy, better sell through of in-season, “wear now” merchandise and better year-over-year shrinkage as a result of our shrinkage reduction initiatives.   Through the first half of 2010, gross margin increased 90 basis points to 40.4% of sales, or $3,182 million, compared with 39.5% of sales, or $3,094 million, for the comparable 2009 period.

SG&A Expenses

SG&A expenses for the second quarter of 2010 increased $31 million or 2.5% to $1,273 million compared to $1,242 million in last year’s second quarter.  The dollar increase is partially related to the $17 million of incremental costs attributable to new stores, net of closed stores, as well as increased costs related to our new Sephora inside JCPenney locations, which are more labor intensive than other departments in the store.  SG&A expenses were also higher for the quarter due to the minimum wage increase, which became effective in late July 2009, and the resumption of merit increases for our associates.  Expenses were somewhat offset by a reduction in our incentive compensation accrual. As a percent of sales, SG&A expenses increased 80 basis points to 32.3% compared to 31.5%. For t he first half of 2010, SG&A expenses increased $65 million to $2,562 million compared to $2,497 million last year, mainly attributable to $38 million of incremental costs for new stores, net of closed stores.

Pension Expense

Total pension expense consists of non-cash primary pension plan expense and supplemental pension plans expense.  For the second quarter of 2010, primary pension plan expense declined $18 million to $55 million compared to $73 million in the second quarter of 2009, primarily as a result of higher returns on pension plan assets as of the year-end measurement date due to positive market returns in 2009.   The decline in primary pension plan expense for the first half of 2010 compared to the same period last year was primarily attributable to higher returns on plan assets as well as our May 2009 discretionary common stock contribution.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

As expected with our investments in renovating existing stores and modest store growth in 2009, depreciation and amortization expenses in the second quarter of 2010 increased $5 million to $126 million from $121 million for the comparable 2009 period. Depreciation and amortization expenses for the first half of 2010 increased to $251 million, compared with $241 million for the same 2009 period.

Pre-Opening Expenses

Pre-opening expenses for new stores and Sephora inside JCPenney locations declined significantly in the second quarter of 2010 to $2 million compared to $14 million in last year’s second quarter when we opened five new stores.  For the first half of 2010 and 2009, pre-opening expenses totaled $5 million and $23 million, respectively.  We opened two new stores during the first half of 2010 compared to 14 new stores in the same period last year.

 

-20-

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—(Continued)

Real Estate and Other, Net

Real estate and other was a net credit of $7 million for the second quarter of both 2010 and 2009 and a net credit of $13 million for the first half of both 2010 and 2009.  Real estate and other consists primarily of ongoing operating income from our real estate subsidiaries, as well as net gains from the sale of facilities and equipment that are no longer used in our operations, other non-operating corporate charges and credits and asset impairments.

Operating Income

For the second quarter of 2010 operating income at $95 million increased 70 basis points to 2.4% of sales, from 1.7% of sales or $67 million in the second quarter of last year.  Excluding the impact of non-cash primary pension plan expense, adjusted operating income (non-GAAP) increased to 3.8% of sales in 2010 versus 3.6% in 2009.

For the first half of 2010, operating income was $250 million, or 3.2% of sales, compared with $173 million, or 2.2% of sales, for the first half of 2009.  Adjusted operating income increased 10.1%, and as a percent of sales was 4.6% in 2010 versus 4.2% in 2009.

Net Interest Expense and Bond Premiums and Unamortized Costs

Net interest expense declined $11 million to $57 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to $68 million in 2009, primarily as a result of lower debt levels.  For the first half of 2010, interest expense declined $15 million to $116 million from $131 million in the first half of 2009.

In the second quarter of 2010, we incurred approximately $20 million in additional expenses, consisting primarily of bond premiums paid in connection with the debt tender offer that was completed in May.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate for the second quarter was 22.2% and included a $3 million reduction primarily due to favorable adjustments to state income tax reserves from the positive resolution of audit issues in three states.  We had no provision for income taxes in the second quarter of 2009, due to the insignificant pre-tax loss.  In determining the quarterly provision for income taxes, we use an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is based on our expected annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Subsequent recognition, de-recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a previous period are separately recognized in the quarter in which they occur.  Our effective income tax rate for the first half of 2010 was 35.1% compared with 42.9% for the first half of 2009.  The tax rate for the first half of 2009 was higher due to state income tax legislative changes enacted during the first quarter of 2009.

-21-

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—(Continued)

Financial Condition and Liquidity Position

The foundation of our strong liquidity position is our cash and cash equivalents balance and our $750 million revolving credit facility entered into in April 2009.

The following table provides a summary of our key components and ratios of financial condition and liquidity:

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We ended the second quarter of 2010 with approximately $2 billion in cash and cash equivalents, which represents approximately 65% of our $3.1 billion of outstanding long-term debt.  During the first half of 2010, we used $693 million of cash balances to reduce long-term debt through payments at maturity and a debt tender offer.  In addition, we issued $400 million of new debt and used the net proceeds to make a discretionary contribution to our qualified pension plan.

-22-

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—(Continued)

Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP Financial Measure)

Free cash flow is a key financial measure of our ability to generate additional cash from operating our business and in evaluating our financial performance. We define free cash flow as cash flow from operating activities excluding discretionary cash contributions to our primary pension plan, less capital expenditures and dividends paid, plus the proceeds from the sale of assets. Adjustments to exclude discretionary pension plan contributions are more indicative of our ability to generate cash flows from operating activities. We believe discretionary contributions to our pension plan are more reflective of financing transactions to reduce off-balance sheet debt relating to the pension liability. Free cash flow is a relevant indicator of our ability to repay maturing debt, both on- and off-balance sheet, revise our dividend policy o r fund other uses of capital that we believe will enhance stockholder value. Free cash flow is limited and does not represent remaining cash flow available for discretionary expenditures due to the fact that the measure does not deduct payments required for debt maturities, pay-down of off-balance sheet pension debt and other obligations or payments made for business acquisitions. Therefore, it is important to view free cash flow in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, our entire statement of cash flows and those measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The following table reconciles net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure:

During the first half of 2010, our free cash flow decreased $416 million to negative $306 million compared to a positive $110 million in the same period last year.  The decrease was mainly the result of higher merchandise inventory receipts, net of merchandise accounts payable, partially offset by a reduction in capital expenditures.

Operating Activities of Continuing Operations

Our operations are seasonal in nature, with the business depending to a great extent on the last quarter of the year when a significant portion of our sales, profits and operating cash flows are realized.

Cash flow from operating activities for the first half decreased from last year primarily due to the $392 million voluntary contribution to our primary pension plan and $391 million of higher receipts of merchandise inventory, net of merchandise accounts payable, for the first half of 2010 compared to last year’s first half.

Merchandise inventory increased $232 million, or 7.1% over last year.  This included customer facing inventory in stores that was up about 5%. The inventory level includes private brand merchandise that we pulled forward to avoid overseas disruptions that could have negatively impacted our future deliveries during the second half of the year. We are holding this merchandise in our logistics facilities until the planned set dates.  In addition, a portion of the inventory increase included our in-transit merchandise from our international sourcing organization in support of our growth initiatives including a higher sales mix of our private brands and the launch of Liz Claiborne in our stores and on JCP.com.  Since we are now sourcing the Liz Claiborne brand, inventory ownership is reflected earlier in th e cycle.

-23-

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—(Continued)

Cash Flow from Investing Activities - Continuing Operations

Capital expenditures were $229 million for the first half of 2010, compared with $304 million for the first half of 2009. Capital spending was principally for new stores, as well as store renewals and modernizations that include new Sephora inside JCPenney locations.  During the first half of 2010, we opened two new stores and 60 Sephora inside JCPenney locations, bringing the total of Sephora inside JCPenney locations to 215.  We plan to open an additional 16 Sephora inside JCPenney locations in 2010.  Consistent with the first half, capital expenditures for the remainder of 2010 are expected to be funded with cash flow from operations and existing cash and cash equivalent balances.  We continue to anticipate full year 2010 capital expenditures to be about $500 million.

During the first half of 2009, we opened 14 new stores, including one relocation, and 52 Sephora inside JCPenney locations.

Financing Activities of Continuing Operations

On March 1, 2010, we repaid at maturity $393 million principal amount of 8.0% Notes due 2010.  On May 24, 2010, we accepted for purchase $300 million principal amount of JCP’s outstanding 6.375% Senior Notes due 2036, which were validly tendered pursuant to a cash tender offer.  Also on May 24, 2010, we closed on our offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5.65% Senior Notes due 2020 and used proceeds of the offering, net of discounts, of approximately $392 million to make a voluntary cash contribution to the J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. Pension Plan.

During the first half of 2009, we accepted for purchase $104 million principal amount of JCP’s outstanding 8.0% Notes due March 1, 2010, which were validly tendered pursuant to a cash tender offer and purchased $9 million of these notes in the open market.

As authorized by the Board of Directors, we paid quarterly dividends of $0.20 per share during the first half of 2010 and 2009.

Cash Flow Outlook

For the remainder of 2010, we believe that our cash flow generated from operations, combined with our existing cash and cash equivalents will be adequate to fund capital expenditures, working capital and dividend payments.  We believe that our financial position continues to provide the financial flexibility to support our growth initiatives.

Our cash flows may be impacted by many factors, including the effects of the current economic environment and consumer confidence and competitive conditions in the retail industry.  Based on the nature of our business, we consider these factors to be normal business risks.

-24-

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—(Continued)

2009 Credit Facility

In April 2009, J. C. Penney Company, Inc., JCP and J. C. Penney Purchasing Corporation entered into a three-year, $750 million revolving credit agreement (2009 Credit Facility) with a syndicate of lenders with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.  The credit facility, which matures in April 2012, may be used for general corporate purposes and the issuance of letters of credit.

The 2009 Credit Facility is secured by our merchandise inventory, which security interest can be released upon attainment of certain credit rating levels.  Pricing under the 2009 Credit Facility is tiered based on JCP’s senior unsecured long-term credit ratings issued by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services.  JCP’s obligations under the 2009 Credit Facility are guaranteed by J. C. Penney Company, Inc.

As of July 31, 2010, we were in compliance with our required financial covenants.  As of such date, our leverage ratio was 2.0 to 1, our fixed charge coverage ratio was 3.6 to 1 and our asset coverage ratio was 23 to 1.

We do not expect to borrow under our 2009 Credit Facility other than to provide support for the issuance of letters of credit, which totaled $153 million at July 31, 2010.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

Aggregate information about our obligations and commitments to make future payments under contractual or contingent arrangements was disclosed in the 2009 Form 10-K.  Our unrecorded contractual obligations related to merchandise have increased since year end primarily due to the seasonality of our business and updates to our supplier base in the ordinary course of business.

This MD&A is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and use judgments that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate estimates used, including those related to inventory valuation under the retail method; valuation of long-lived assets; estimation of reserves and valuation allowances specifically related to closed stores, insurance, income taxes, litigation and environmental c ontingencies and pension accounting. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

There have been no changes to our critical accounting policies during the first six months of 2010.

For a further discussion of the judgments we make in applying our accounting policies, see Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in our 2009 Form 10-K.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements are discussed in Note 13 to the unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

-25-

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—(Continued)

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect our current view of future events and financial performance. The words expect, plan, anticipate, believe, intend, should, will and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to be materially different from planned or expected results.

Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, including inflation, recession, unemployment levels, consumer spending patterns, credit availability and debt levels, changes in store traffic trends, the cost of goods, trade restrictions, changes in tariff, freight, paper and postal rates, changes in the cost of fuel and other energy and transportation costs, increases in wage and benefit costs, competition and retail industry consolidations, interest rate fluctuations, dollar and other currency valuations, risks associated with war, an act of terrorism or pandemic, and a systems failure and/or security breach that results in the theft, transfer or unauthorized disclosure of customer, employee or Company information.   Furthermore, the Company typically earns a disproportionate s hare of its operating income in the fourth quarter due to holiday buying patterns, and such buying patterns are difficult to forecast with certainty. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is impossible to predict the degree to which any such factors could cause actual results to differ materially from predicted results.

For additional discussion on risks and uncertainties, see Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our 2009 Form 10-K and subsequent filings. We intend the forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to speak only as of the date of this report and do not undertake to update or revise these projections as more information becomes available.

We are exposed to market risks in the normal course of business due to changes in interest rates. Our market risks related to interest rates at July 31, 2010 are similar to those disclosed in the 2009 Form 10-K.

Based on their evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.   There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the second quarter ended July 31, 2010, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

-26-

 

There have been no material changes to the risk factors set forth under Part I, Item 1A of the 2009 Form 10-K.