J C PENNEY CO INC
Item 1. Business.
Business Overview
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 new holding company assumed the name J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (Company). The holding company has no independent assets or operations, and no direct subsidiaries other than JCP. Common stock of the Company is publicly traded under the symbol “JCP” on the New York Stock Exchange. The Company is a co-obligor (or guarantor, as appropriate) regarding the payment of principal and interest on JCP’s outstanding debt securities. The guarantee by the Company of certain of JCP’s outstanding debt securities is full and unconditional. The holding company and its consolidated subsidiaries, including JCP, are collectively referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as “we,” “us,” “our,” “ourselves,” “Company” or “JCPenney.”
Since our founding by James Cash Penney in 1902, we have grown to be a major retailer, operating 1,108 JCPenney department stores in 49 states and Puerto Rico as of January 30, 2010. Our business consists of selling merchandise and services to consumers through our department stores and Direct (Internet/catalog) channels. Department stores and Direct generally serve the same type of customers and provide virtually the same mix of merchandise, and department stores accept returns from sales made in stores, via the Internet and through catalogs. We sell family apparel and footwear, accessories, fine and fashion jewelry, beauty products through Sephora inside JCPenney and home furnishings. In addition, our department stores provide our customers with services such as styling salon, optical, portrait photography and custom decorating. See Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for sales by category.
A five-year summary of certain financial and operational information regarding our continuing operations can be found in Part II, Item 6, Selected Financial Data, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For a discussion of our ongoing merchandise initiatives, see Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Competition and Seasonality
The business of marketing merchandise and services is highly competitive. We are one of the largest department store, catalog and e-commerce retailers in the United States, and we have numerous competitors, as further described in Item 1A, Risk Factors. Many factors enter into the competition for the consumer’s patronage, including price, quality, style, service, product mix, convenience and credit availability. Our annual earnings depend to a great extent on the results of operations for the last quarter of the fiscal year, which includes the holiday season, when a significant portion of our sales and profits are recorded.
Trademarks
The JCPenney, Every Day Matters, Okie Dokie, Worthington, east5th, a.n.a, St. John’s Bay, she said, The Original Arizona Jean Company, Ambrielle, Decree, Linden Street, Article 365, Stafford,
J. Ferrar, JCPenney Home Collection and Studio by JCPenney Home Collection trademarks, as well as certain other trademarks, have been registered, or are the subject of pending trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and with the registries of many foreign countries and/or are protected by common law. We consider our marks and the accompanying name recognition to be valuable to our business. For further discussion of our private brands, see Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Web Site Availability
We maintain an Internet Web site at www.jcpenney.net and make available free of charge through this Web site our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all related amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after the materials are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Web site also provides press releases, an investor update package, access to webcasts of management presentations and other materials useful in evaluating our Company.
Suppliers
We have a diversified supplier base, both domestic and foreign, and are not dependent to any significant degree on any single supplier. We purchase our merchandise from over 3,500 domestic and foreign suppliers, many of which have done business with us for many years. In addition to our Plano, Texas home office, we, through our international purchasing subsidiary, maintained buying and quality assurance inspection offices in 19 foreign countries as of January 30, 2010.
Employment
The Company and its consolidated subsidiaries employed approximately 154,000 full-time and part-time associates as of January 30, 2010.
Environmental Matters
Environmental protection requirements did not have a material effect upon our operations during 2009. It is possible that compliance with such requirements (including any new requirements) would lengthen lead time in expansion or renovation plans and increase construction costs, and therefore operating costs, due in part to the expense and time required to conduct environmental and ecological studies and any required remediation.
As of January 30, 2010, we estimated our total potential environmental liabilities to range from $49 million to $60 million and recorded our best estimate of $53 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.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The following is a list, as of March 1, 2010, of the names and ages of the executive officers of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and of the offices and other positions held by each such person with the Company. These officers hold identical positions with JCP. References to JCPenney positions held during fiscal years 2001 and earlier (prior to the creation of the holding company) are for JCP. There is no family relationship between any of the named persons.
Name
Offices and Other Positions Held With the Company
Age
Myron E. Ullman, III
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Robert B. Cavanaugh
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Janet L. Dhillon
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Dennis P. Miller
Senior Vice President and Controller
Thomas M. Nealon
Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Michael T. Theilmann
Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources and Administration Officer
Mr. Ullman has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 2004. He was Directeur General, Group Managing Director, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (luxury goods manufacturer/retailer) from 1999 to 2002. He was President of LVMH Selective Retail Group from 1998 to 1999. From 1995 to 1998, he was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of DFS Group Ltd. From 1992 to 1995, he was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of R. H. Macy & Company, Inc. He has served as a director of the Company and as a director of JCP since 2004.
Mr. Cavanaugh has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 2001. He served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Eckerd Corporation, a former subsidiary of the Company, from 1999 to 2001. From 1996 to 1999, he served as Vice President and Treasurer of the Company. He has served as a director of JCP since 2002.
Ms. Dhillon has served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company since February 2009. Prior to joining the Company, she served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of US Airways Group, Inc. and US Airways, Inc. from 2006 to 2009. Ms. Dhillon joined US Airways, Inc. in 2004 as Managing Director and Associate General Counsel and served as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of US Airways Group, Inc. and US Airways, Inc. from 2005 to 2006. Ms. Dhillon was with the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP from 1991 to 2004. She has served as a director of JCP since July 2009.
Mr. Miller has served as Senior Vice President and Controller of the Company since 2008. He served as Vice President, Director of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing of JCP from 2004 to 2008. From 2001 to 2004, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Eckerd Corporation, a former subsidiary of the Company.
Mr. Nealon has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer since 2006. From 2002 to 2006, he was employed by EDS, where he served on assignment as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Southwest Airlines Co. From 2000 to 2002, he was a partner with the Feld Group.
Mr. Theilmann has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources and Administration Officer of the Company since 2005. From 2002 to 2005, he served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Chief People Officer of the International business of Yum! Brands Inc. From 2000 to 2002, he served as Vice President of Human Resources for European operations at Yum! Brands Inc.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
The following risk factors should be read carefully in connection with evaluating our business and the forward-looking information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any of the following risks could materially adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition and the actual outcome of matters as to which forward-looking statements are made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our Company’s growth and profitability depend on the level of consumer confidence and spending.
Our results of operations are sensitive to changes in overall economic and political conditions that impact consumer spending, including discretionary spending. Many economic factors outside of our control, including the housing market, interest rates, recession, inflation and deflation, energy costs and availability, consumer credit availability and terms, consumer debt levels, tax rates and policy, and unemployment trends influence consumer confidence and spending. The domestic and international political situation and actions also affect consumer confidence and spending. Additional events that could impact our performance include pandemics, terrorist threats and activities, worldwide military and domestic disturbances and conflicts, and political instability. Further declines in the level of consumer spending could adversely affect our growth and profitability.
The retail industry is highly competitive, which could adversely impact our sales and profitability.
The retail industry is highly competitive, with few barriers to entry. We compete with many other local, regional and national retailers for customers, associates, locations, merchandise, services and other important aspects of our business. Those competitors include other department stores, discounters, home furnishing stores, specialty retailers, wholesale clubs, direct-to-consumer businesses and other forms of retail commerce. Some competitors are larger than JCPenney, have greater financial resources available to them, and, as a result, may be able to devote greater resources to sourcing, promoting and selling their products. Competition is characterized by many factors, including merchandise assortment, advertising, price, quality, service, location, reputation and credit availability. The performance of competitors as well as changes in their pricing and promotional policies, marketing activities, new store openings, launches of Internet Web sites, brand launches and other merchandise and operational strategies could cause us to have lower sales, lower gross margin and/or higher operating expenses such as marketing costs and other selling, general and administrative expenses, which in turn could have an adverse impact on our profitability.
Our sales and operating results depend on customer preferences and fashion trends.
Our sales and operating results depend in part on our ability to predict and respond to changes in fashion trends and customer preferences in a timely manner by consistently offering stylish quality merchandise assortments at competitive prices. We continuously assess emerging styles and trends and
focus on developing a merchandise assortment to meet customer preferences. Even with these efforts, we cannot be certain that we will be able to successfully meet constantly changing customer demands. To the extent our predictions differ from our customers’ preferences, we may be faced with excess inventories for some products and/or missed opportunities for others. Excess inventories can result in lower gross margins due to greater than anticipated discounts and markdowns that might be necessary to reduce inventory levels. Low inventory levels can adversely affect the fulfillment of customer demand and diminish sales and brand loyalty. Consequently, any sustained failure to identify and respond to emerging trends in lifestyle and customer preferences and buying trends could have an adverse impact on our business and any significant misjudgments regarding inventory levels could adversely impact our results of operations.
Our profitability depends on our ability to source merchandise and deliver it to our customers in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Our merchandise is sourced from a wide variety of suppliers, and our business depends on being able to find qualified suppliers and access products in a timely and efficient manner. A substantial portion of our merchandise is sourced outside of the United States. All of our suppliers must comply with our supplier legal compliance program and applicable laws, including consumer and product safety laws. Although we diversify our sourcing and production by country, the failure of a supplier to produce and deliver our goods on time, to meet our quality standards and adhere to our product safety requirements or to meet the requirements of our supplier compliance program or applicable laws, or our inability to flow merchandise to our stores or through Direct in the right quantities at the right time could adversely affect our profitability and could result in damage to our reputation. Additionally, the impact of current and future economic conditions on our suppliers cannot be predicted and may cause our suppliers to be unable to access financing or become insolvent and thus become unable to supply us with products. Similarly, political or financial instability, changes in domestic and foreign laws and regulations affecting the importation and taxation of goods, including duties, tariffs and quotas, or changes in the enforcement of those laws and regulations, as well as currency exchange rates, transport capacity and costs and other factors relating to foreign trade and the inability to access suitable merchandise on acceptable terms could adversely impact our results of operations.
Our business is seasonal.
Our annual earnings and cash flows depend to a great extent on the results of operations for the last quarter of our fiscal year, which includes the holiday season. Our fiscal fourth-quarter results may fluctuate significantly, based on many factors, including holiday spending patterns and weather conditions. This seasonality causes our operating results to vary considerably from quarter to quarter.
The moderation of our new store growth strategy as a result of current economic conditions could adversely impact our future growth and profitability.
Our future growth and profitability depend in part on our ability to add new stores. Current and projected future economic conditions have caused us to moderate the number of new stores that we plan to open in the near term and have made it difficult for third-party developers to obtain financing. These factors could negatively impact our future anticipated store openings. Furthermore, although we have conducted strategic market research, including reviewing demographic and regional economic trends, prior to making a decision to enter into a particular market, we cannot be certain that our entry
into a particular market will prove successful. The failure to expand by successfully opening new stores, or the failure of a significant number of these stores to perform as planned, could have an adverse impact on our future growth, profitability and cash flows.
The failure to retain, attract and motivate our associates, including associates in key positions, could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.
Our results depend on the contributions of our associates, including our senior management team and other key associates. Our performance depends to a great extent on our ability to retain, attract and motivate talented associates throughout the organization, many of whom, particularly in the department stores, are in entry level or part-time positions with historically high rates of turnover. Our ability to meet our labor needs while controlling our costs is subject to external factors such as unemployment levels, prevailing wage rates, minimum wage legislation and changing demographics. If we are unable to retain, attract and motivate talented associates at all levels, our results of operations could be adversely impacted.
Changes in federal, state or local laws and regulations could expose us to legal risks and adversely affect our results of operations.
Our business is subject to a wide array of laws and regulations. While our management believes that our associate relations are good, significant legislative changes that impact our relationship with our associates could increase our expenses and adversely affect our results of operations. Examples of possible legislative changes impacting our relationship with our associates include changes to an employer’s obligation to recognize collective bargaining units, the process by which collective bargaining agreements are negotiated or imposed, minimum wage requirements, and health care mandates. In addition, if we fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations we could be subject to legal risk, including government enforcement action and class action civil litigation. Changes in the regulatory environment regarding other topics such as privacy and information security, product safety or environmental protection, including regulations in response to concerns regarding climate change, among others, could also cause our expenses to increase and adversely affect our results of operations.
Our operations are dependent on information technology systems; disruptions in those systems could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.
Our operations are dependent upon the integrity, security and consistent operation of various systems and data centers, including the point-of-sale systems in the stores, data centers that process transactions, communication systems and various software applications used throughout our Company to track inventory flow, process transactions and generate performance and financial reports. We could encounter difficulties in developing new systems or maintaining and upgrading existing systems. Such difficulties could lead to significant expenses or to losses due to disruption in business operations. In addition, despite our considerable efforts and technology to secure our computer network, security could be compromised, confidential information could be misappropriated or system disruptions could occur. This could lead to loss of sales or profits, cause our customers to lose confidence in our ability to protect their personal information which could lead to lost future sales or cause us to incur significant costs to reimburse third parties for damages, any of which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. In addition, the continued realization of the benefits of our centralized buying and allocation processes and systems is a key element of our ability to meet our long-term customer
and financial goals. The effectiveness of these processes and systems is an important component of our ability to have the right inventory at the right place, time and price.
Significant changes in discount rates, actual investment return on pension assets, and other factors could affect our earnings, equity, and pension contributions in future periods.
Our earnings may be positively or negatively impacted by the amount of income or expense recorded for our qualified pension plan. Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) require that income or expense for the plan be calculated at the annual measurement date using actuarial assumptions and calculations. The most significant assumptions relate to the capital markets, interest rates and other economic conditions. Changes in key economic indicators can change the assumptions. Two critical assumptions used to estimate pension income or expense for the year are the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the interest rate. In addition, at the measurement date, we must also reflect the funded status of the plan (assets and liabilities) on the balance sheet, which may result in a significant change to equity through a reduction or increase to other comprehensive income. Although GAAP expense and pension contributions are not directly related, the key economic factors that affect GAAP expense would also likely affect the amount of cash we could be required to contribute to the pension plan. Potential pension contributions include both mandatory amounts required under federal law and discretionary contributions to improve a plan’s funded status.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2. Properties.
At January 30, 2010, we operated 1,108 department stores throughout the continental United States, Alaska and Puerto Rico, of which 416 were owned, including 119 stores located on ground leases. The following table lists the number of stores operating by state as of January 30, 2010:
Alabama
Maine
Oklahoma
Alaska
Maryland
Oregon
Arizona
Massachusetts
Pennsylvania
Arkansas
Michigan
Rhode Island
California
Minnesota
South Carolina
Colorado
Mississippi
South Dakota
Connecticut
Missouri
Tennessee
Delaware
Montana
Texas
Florida
Nebraska
Utah
Georgia
Nevada
Vermont
Idaho
New Hampshire
Virginia
Illinois
New Jersey
Washington
Indiana
New Mexico
West Virginia
Iowa
New York
Wisconsin
Kansas
North Carolina
Wyoming
Kentucky
North Dakota
Puerto Rico
Louisiana
Ohio
Total square feet
111.7
million
At January 30, 2010 our distribution network included 13 merchandise distribution centers, five regional warehouses and four direct fulfillment centers as indicated in the following table:
We also operated 19 Direct outlet stores totaling approximately 2.0 million square feet, of which we own four. Furthermore, we own our home office facility in Plano, Texas, and approximately 240 acres of property adjacent to the facility.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
The Company has no material proceedings pending against it.
Item 4. Reserved.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity
Our common stock is traded principally on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “JCP.” The number of stockholders of record at March 22, 2010 was 33,335. In addition to common stock, we have authorized 25 million shares of preferred stock, of which no shares were issued and outstanding at January 30, 2010.
The table below sets forth the quoted high and low market prices of our common stock on the NYSE for each quarterly period indicated, the quarter-end closing market price of our common stock, as well as the quarterly cash dividends declared per share of common stock:
Our Board of Directors (Board) reviews the dividend policy and rate, taking into consideration the overall financial and strategic outlook for our earnings, liquidity and cash flow projections, as well as competitive factors. On March 25, 2010, the Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share to be paid on May 3, 2010.
Additional information relating to the common stock and preferred stock is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K on the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements.
Issuer Purchases of Securities
The table below sets forth information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of the Company of the Company’s common stock during the quarter ended January 30, 2010:
(1) Shares withheld to cover tax-withholding requirements relating to the vesting of restricted stock awarded under the Company’s equity compensation plans.
Five-Year Total Stockholder Return Comparison
The following presentation compares JCPenney’s cumulative stockholder returns for the past five fiscal years with the returns of the S&P 500 Stock Index and the S&P 500 Retail Index for Department Stores over the same period. A list of these companies follows the graph below. The graph assumes $100 invested at the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE and each index as of the last trading day of our fiscal year 2004 and assumes that all dividends were reinvested on the date paid. The points on the graph represent fiscal year-end amounts based on the last trading day of each fiscal year. The following graph and related information shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into such filing.
The stockholder returns shown are neither determinative nor indicative of future performance.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
(1) Includes the effect of the 53rd week in 2006. Excluding sales of $254 million for the 53rd week in 2006, total net sales increased 1.1% in 2007 and 4.6% in 2006.
(2) Comparable store sales are presented on a 52-week basis and include sales from new and relocated stores that have been opened for 12 consecutive full fiscal months and online sales through jcp.com. Stores closed for an extended period are not included in comparable store sales calculations, while stores remodeled and minor expansions not requiring store closures remain in the calculations.
(3) Includes $65 million of incremental SG&A expenses for the 53rd week of 2006.
(4) See Non-GAAP Financial Measures on the following page for additional information and reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
FIVE-YEAR OPERATIONS SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
(1) Includes relocations of 1, 7, 15, 10, and 11, respectively.
(2) Calculation includes the sales and square footage of department stores that were open for the full fiscal year and sales for jcp.com. The 2006 calculations exclude sales of the 53rd week.
(3) In addition to these Direct sales facilities, we have Direct desks in substantially all of our department stores.
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 and ratios 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 and ratios is useful in order to better understand our financial performance, as well as 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 comparable GAAP measures to our non-GAAP financial measures presented.
Non-GAAP Measures Excluding Non-Cash Primary Pension Plan Expense/(Income)
Five of our six non-GAAP financial measures are presented to exclude, or adjust for, the impact of our primary pension plan expense/(income). Unlike other operating expenses, primary pension plan expense/(income) 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 on our financial results and therefore are presenting the following non-GAAP financial measures: (1) adjusted operating income; (2) adjusted income from continuing operations; (3) adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations; (4) adjusted return on beginning stockholders’ equity from continuing operations; and (5) adjusted return on beginning invested capital from continuing operations.
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:
(1) Beginning stockholders’ equity divided by income from continuing operations (GAAP).
(2) Beginning stockholders’ equity divided by adjusted income from continuing operations (non-GAAP).
Adjusted Return on Beginning Invested Capital from Continuing Operations. The following table reflects the calculation of adjusted return on beginning invested capital from continuing operations, a non-GAAP financial measure:
(1) Adjusted net operating profit after taxes (adjusted NOPAT) is defined as income from continuing operations excluding non-cash primary pension plan expense/(income) and the cost of debt financing as well as the related tax impact.
(2) Total beginning invested capital divided by adjusted NOPAT.
Free Cash Flow
We define free cash flow as cash flow from operating activities of continuing operations less capital expenditures and dividends paid, plus proceeds from the sale of assets. Free cash flow is considered a non-GAAP financial measure under the rules of the SEC. We believe that free cash flow is a relevant indicator of our ability to repay maturing debt, revise our dividend policy or fund other uses of capital that we believe will enhance stockholder value. Free cash flow is limited and does not represent remaining cash flows available for discretionary expenditures due to the fact that the measure does not deduct the payments required for debt maturities and other obligations or payments made for business acquisitions. Therefore, we believe 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 cash flow from operating activities of continuing operations, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure:
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion, which presents our results, should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, along with the unaudited Five-Year Financial and Operations Summaries, the risk factors and the cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information. Unless otherwise indicated, this Management’s Discussion and Analysis (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.
Financial Reporting
We remain committed to continuously improving the transparency of our financial reporting by providing stockholders with informative financial disclosures and presenting a clear and balanced view of our financial position and operating results. We continue to employ a reporting matrix that requires written certifications on a quarterly basis from a cross-disciplined team of approximately 20 senior members of our management team who have responsibility for preparing, verifying and reporting corporate results.
For this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we enhanced our financial reporting as follows:
•
We provided additional non-GAAP financial measures excluding the non-cash impact of our primary pension plan to enable investors to more clearly assess our results of operations and allow for better comparability with other retailers. These non-GAAP financial measures, including their limitations, are defined and discussed in Item 6, Selected Financial Data, and they are used throughout this MD&A.
•
We added a table in the sales discussion of MD&A to provide the components of the change in sales from the prior year.
•
We expanded the information in Item 2, Properties, in Part I regarding the locations and square footage of our merchandise distribution centers, regional warehouses and Direct fulfillment centers.
•
We changed our method of accounting for inventory from last-in, first-out (LIFO) to first-in, first-out (FIFO) to better reflect the results our operations. This change resulted in a $2 million credit to gross margin in 2009 and is discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
•
We provided disclosures about the fair value of investments comprising our primary pension plan assets, as well as non-financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, as required by new fair value disclosure rules.
•
We replaced technical accounting references with “plain English” descriptions of the basic rules to enhance the readability of the report.
Consistent with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we are required to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting each fiscal year. In relation to these requirements, our external auditors expressed an unqualified opinion regarding the effective operation of our internal control over financial reporting.
Executive Overview
Beginning in late 2007, the economy entered a period of weak economic growth. This continued into 2008 and the financial market crisis precipitated a series of events that generated conditions more
severe than any experienced in many decades. The characteristics of the financial crisis were unique, in part due to the complex structure of mortgage-backed and related securities that were at the epicenter of the financial market turmoil. A steep housing correction, along with downward valuations of mortgage-backed and related securities, combined to foster a crisis in confidence. Although several other factors contributed to the economic and financial conditions, the influence of these financial developments, particularly with respect to housing and consumer credit, directly impacted our customer.
While the economic outlook is improving, it is rebounding from a very low base with a range of possible outcomes due to the uncertain financial market environment and dependence upon ongoing policy responses. The retail sector appears to be improving, although recovery remains fragile due to continuing tightness in the credit markets and weak labor markets. Although the housing market is stabilizing, challenges remain due to rising foreclosure rates and excess housing inventories. Going into the year, we factored the economic environment into our plan for 2009. We planned our business for a tough economic environment, and saw 2009 as an opportunity to strengthen our business by improving our fashion offerings and significantly improving many aspects of our operations in order to put in place a strong foundation for the future. Our discipline in controlling costs and managing inventory produced better-than-expected results for JCPenney.
2009 Highlights
•
EPS from continuing operations was $1.07 and was up significantly from our plan of $0.20.
•
Gross margin as a percentage of sales, at 39.4%, exceeded the previous peak reached in 2006 and was 200 basis points better than last year.
•
Free cash flow improved by $785 million during the year, and we ended the year with $3 billion of cash and cash equivalents.
•
SG&A expenses were 0.2% lower than last year, despite having a larger store base.
•
We further improved the funded status of our primary pension plan by voluntarily contributing approximately 13.4 million shares of JCPenney common stock valued at $340 million.
•
We opened 17 new stores, including our first-ever store in Manhattan. In addition, we opened 64 Sephora inside JCPenney locations to bring our total to 155 locations.
•
We launched several new brands, such as ALLEN B.® by Allen Schwartz and I “Heart” Ronson™ and further strengthened and improved assortments of some of our private and exclusive brands, including a.n.a®, Worthington® and St. John’s Bay®, as well as American Living®, which experienced better sales and gross margin.
•
We entered into an agreement with Liz Claiborne, Inc. to make JCPenney the exclusive department store retailer for Liz Claiborne branded merchandise, other than footwear and beauty products, starting in fall 2010.
•
We announced the launch of OlsenboyeTM, an exclusive new juniors brand created by Dualstar Entertainment Group founders and designers Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen.
•
We announced our plan to launch MNG by Mango®, a “fast fashion” brand that will bring European runway design at affordable prices to our stores. We will launch in the fall of 2010 in jcp.com and in approximately 80 stores, with plans to expand to a total of 600 stores by the end of 2011.
•
We were ranked number one in customer service among department stores in the annual independent American Express/National Retail Federation (NRF) Foundation 2009 Customer Service Survey.
Current Developments
•
On March 1, 2010, we repaid at maturity the remaining $393 million outstanding principal amount of JCP’s 8.0% Notes due 2010.
•
Also in March, our Board of Directors (Board) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share to be paid to stockholders on May 3, 2010. The dividend rate remains unchanged from our previous quarterly dividend payment.
•
We launched our spring marketing campaign in March 2010. The campaign, entitled, “New look. New day. Who knew.TM”, focuses on helping customers discover the higher level of fashion in our merchandise assortments. We kicked off the campaign with commercials at the 2010 Academy Awards.
•
Cindy Crawford’s newest collaboration with us, One KissTM by Cindy Crawford®, is being introduced in April 2010. This new brand reflects how we are answering the growing demand for fashionable fine jewelry that can be worn every day.
Results of Operations
Three-Year Comparison of Operating Performance
(1) Includes the effect of the 53rd week in 2006. Excluding sales of $254 million for the 53rd week in 2006, total net sales increased 1.1% for 2007.
(2) Comparable store sales are presented on a 52-week basis and include sales from new and relocated stores that have been opened for 12 consecutive full fiscal months and online sales through jcp.com. Stores closed for an extended period are not included in comparable store sales calculations, while stores remodeled and minor expansions not requiring store closures remain in the calculations.
(3) See Item 6, Selected Financial Data, for a discussion of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
Income from continuing operations was $249 million, or $1.07 per share, in 2009 compared to $567 million, or $2.54 per share, in 2008 and $1,105 million, or $4.90 per share, in 2007. The year-over-year decline in results reflects the economic downturn as well as the significant increase in non-cash primary pension plan expense. Excluding the non-cash impact of our primary pension plan, adjusted income from continuing operations (non-GAAP) was $433 million, or $1.86 per share, in 2009 compared with $484 million, or $2.17 per share, in 2008 and $1,043 million, or $4.63 per share, in 2007. Earnings for 2009 were better than our initial expectations and benefited significantly from our gross margin improvement that reflected the success of our strategy to sell a greater portion of
merchandise at regular promotional prices and less at clearance prices. Average shares used for the computation of diluted EPS increased from last year as a result of our contribution of approximately 13.4 million newly issued shares of common stock to the primary pension plan.
Results for 2008 were impacted by pressure on gross margins in a highly promotional selling environment, particularly during the holiday season. Gross margin declined both in dollars and as a percentage of sales from the pressure of declining sales levels that resulted from the slowdown in consumer spending. The impact on operating income from lower gross margin was somewhat mitigated by effective control over operating expenses, despite incremental expenses related to new store openings. In 2007, results were impacted by gross margin pressure from the onset of the economic downturn that began in the second half of the year. The 2007 results benefited from tax credits of $38 million, or $0.17 per share, due to the release of income tax reserves resulting from the favorable resolution of prior year tax matters.
2009 Compared to 2008
Total Net Sales
Our year-to-year change in total net sales is comprised of sales of stores opened in both years as well as online sales from jcp.com, referred to as comparable store sales, and sales from new stores net of closings and relocations, including catalog print media and outlet store sales, referred to as non-comparable store sales. We consider comparable store sales to be a key indicator of our current performance measuring the growth in sales and sales productivity of existing stores. Positive comparable store sales contribute to greater leveraging of operating costs, particularly payroll and occupancy costs, while negative comparable store sales contribute to de-leveraging of costs. Comparable store sales also have a direct impact on our total net sales and the level of cash flow.
(1) Calculation includes the sales of stores that were open for the full fiscal year, as well as online sales through jcp.com.
Total net sales declined $930 million in 2009 compared to 2008. The following table provides the components of the net sales decline:
In 2009, comparable store sales decreased 6.3% as a result of continued weak consumer spending combined with our strategy to reduce clearance selling and unprofitable discounting by choosing not to anniversary promotions that negatively impacted operating profit. Sales of non-comparable stores
opened in 2009 and 2008, net of closings, added $308 million. In 2009, we opened 15 net new stores (17 stores, net of 2 closings and relocations) and in 2008 we opened 26 net new stores (35 stores, net of 9 closings and relocations). As expected, catalog print media and outlet store sales declined in the year and reflected the continued shift in sales from print media to jcp.com. We anticipate this trend will continue in 2010 as we move forward with our previously announced strategy to eliminate our “big book” catalogs. All components combined, total net sales declined 5.0% in 2009, with approximately half of the decrease attributable to lower sales of clearance merchandise.
JCPenney mall traffic was down approximately 4% for the year but exceeded overall mall traffic trends by 40 basis points. JCPenney off-mall traffic was also down compared to last year but had stronger traffic trends than our mall stores. While our average unit retail increased slightly as a result of more merchandise sold at regular promotional prices, the number of transactions and the number of units sold declined as inventory levels were tightly managed in the difficult economic climate.
Geographically, the southwest and central regions were the best performing regions for the year, while the southeast and northwest regions were the weakest performing. Sales for jcp.com increased 3.4% in the fourth quarter and ended the year with approximately $1.5 billion of sales, essentially flat with 2008. While sales in all merchandise categories declined versus last year, our best performing categories were shoes, in particular athletic footwear, and women’s apparel. Fine jewelry and home experienced the weakest performance for the year. Private and exclusive brands found only at JCPenney continue to grow and as a percent of total merchandise sales were 54% in 2009 and 52% in 2008.
Total Net Sales Mix
The following percentages represent the mix of total net sales:
During the year, we opened 64 Sephora inside JCPenney locations, bringing us to our 2009 goal of 155 locations compared to 91 at the end of 2008. Sephora continues to perform above plan, attracting younger, more affluent customers to our stores. We plan to open an additional 75 Sephora inside JCPenney locations in 2010.
Merchandise Initiatives
During 2009, we continued to enhance the customer shopping experience both in our stores and on jcp.com by offering our customers compelling new merchandise with a combination of style, quality and smart prices. In the spring, we introduced exciting and exclusive designer brands for women, ALLEN B. by Allen Schwartz and I “Heart” Ronson by Charlotte Ronson.
In July, in time for the Back-to-School shopping season, we launched three new surf and skate-inspired brands for young men: RS By Sheckler™, Rusty® surf apparel and Third Rail,™ a Zoo York Production, catering to the action sports lifestyle.
In September 2009, we launched Cindy Crawford Style™, a new brand of home furnishings and accessories exclusive to JCPenney. The collection includes bedding, window coverings, bath, decorative accessories, table top, area rugs, lighting and wall décor. Furniture is also available in select markets.
Also in September, we launched JOE Joseph Abboud®, a comprehensive collection of men’s sportswear, shirts, ties, tailored clothing, outerwear and footwear. JOE Joseph Abboud - owned by JA Apparel Corp., owners of global lifestyle brand Joseph Abboud - creates a “neo-traditional” lifestyle category in Men’s that caters to customers seeking designer casual, business casual and dressy attire at affordable prices. In addition, we launched she said™, a contemporary, private-label career sportswear brand focused on the professional career woman.
In October 2009, we entered into an agreement with Liz Claiborne, Inc. to make JCPenney the exclusive department store retailer for Liz Claiborne branded merchandise, other than footwear and beauty products, starting in fall 2010. Following the complete roll-out of the Liz Claiborne and Claiborne for Men brands, JCPenney will carry a full lifestyle collection in more than 30 merchandise categories. Our customer research shows that the Liz Claiborne brand is one of the most recognized and purchased brands in women’s apparel, with exceptional customer loyalty.
In November, we launched a preview collection of Olsenboye, an exclusive new juniors brand created by Dualstar Entertainment Group founders and designers Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen. The preview collection was available for a limited time on jcp.com and in select JCPenney stores. The full launch is in spring 2010.
Also in November, we announced plans to become Mango’s exclusive department store retailer in the United States for the “MNG by Mango” brand. Mango, with more than 1,300 stores in 94 countries, is known for rapidly delivering European runway fashion at affordable prices. MNG by Mango is expected to become our largest contemporary brand and it will bring a representation of Mango fashion to JCPenney and will expand the brand’s presence in the United States. MNG by Mango will launch in fall 2010 on jcp.com and in approximately 80 stores, with plans to expand to a total of 600 stores by the end of 2011.
Marketing Initiatives
In February 2009, we launched our spring marketing campaign showcasing our compelling selection of affordable, exclusive designer brands. The campaign kicked off with commercials at the 2009 Academy Awards featuring several authentic designers from our portfolio, including nicole® by Nicole Miller, Bisou Bisou® by Michele Bohbot, ALLEN B. by Allen Schwartz, Fabulosity™ by Kimora Lee Simmons and I “Heart” Ronson by Charlotte Ronson. Our spring campaign reflected our efforts to deliver brands that inspire and enable customers to have exceptional style and quality at affordable prices. We also launched an interactive, fully-integrated virtual runway shop on jcp.com featuring some of our exclusive designers.
Our fully integrated two-year sponsorship of the “Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour” presented by JCPenney kicked off in June 2009. The tour, which hits about 60 cities across the nation each year, promoted American Living during 2009, our affordable, all-American lifestyle brand developed exclusively for our customers by Polo Ralph Lauren’s Global Brand Concepts with offerings across nearly 40 merchandise categories.
In July 2009, we launched our Back-to-School marketing campaign, “Schooled in Style-Smart Looks for LessTM”, that included digital, social, mobile and traditional media with special events and promotions to support the merchandise in our portfolio of exclusive and private brands.
In keeping pace with our consumers’ changing media habits and their continued migration to online versus catalog shopping, in November 2009, we announced our plans to discontinue publishing our twice-yearly “big book” catalogs. Instead, we will invest those resources in continued target growth initiatives on jcp.com, ongoing leading-edge social media services and a range of customized, more timely specialty catalogs. This redirection also aligns with our ongoing commitment to promote the sustainability of forests and to operate in a socially responsible manner. We expect a year-over-year reduction of 25% to 30% in paper use for catalogs in 2010, continuing our four-year trend of declining paper consumption.
Customer Service
In January 2010, the American Express/NRF Foundation 2009 Customer Service Survey ranked JCPenney first in customer service among department store retailers for the second year in a row. The positive results reflect the efforts made by our CustomerFIRST initiatives launched Company-wide in 2008.
Gross Margin
Gross margin is a measure of profitability of a retail company at the most fundamental level of buying and selling merchandise and measures a company’s ability to effectively manage the total costs of sourcing and allocating merchandise against the corresponding retail pricing designed to offer quality merchandise at smart prices. Gross margins not only cover marketing, selling and other operating expenses, but also must include a profit element to reinvest back into the business. Gross margin is the difference between total net sales and cost of the goods sold and is typically expressed as a percentage of total net sales. The cost of goods sold includes all direct costs of bringing merchandise to its final selling destination. These costs include:
• cost of the merchandise (net of discounts or allowances earned)
• freight
• warehousing
• sourcing and procurement
• buying and brand development costs, including buyers’ salaries and related expenses
• merchandise examination
• inspection and testing
• merchandise distribution center expenses
• shipping and handling costs incurred related to Direct sales to customers
Gross margin increased 200 basis points to 39.4% of sales in 2009 and exceeded our previous historical high annual gross margin rate. On a dollar basis, gross margin declined only $5 million, or 0.1%, to $6,910 million, despite the $930 million, or 5.0%, decline in total net sales for the year. The gross margin rate improved significantly as we effectively controlled inventory and planned for lower sales levels with reductions in both clearance selling and unprofitable discounting. In addition, sourcing costs were slightly lower for the year.
In 2009, we elected to change our method of valuing inventory to the FIFO method from the LIFO method. The effect of the change was immaterial to our results with an increase to gross margin of approximately $2 million. See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements for further information.
Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses
The following costs are included in SG&A expenses, except if related to merchandise buying, sourcing, warehousing or distribution activities:
• salaries
• marketing
• occupancy and rent
• utilities and maintenance
• information technology
• administrative costs related to our home office, district and regional operations
• credit card fees
• real, personal property and other taxes (excluding income taxes)
SG&A expenses declined $13 million to $5,382 million compared to $5,395 million in 2008. However, due to lower sales in 2009, SG&A expenses were not leveraged and increased 150 basis points to 30.7% as a percent of sales compared to 29.2% in 2008. Marketing costs declined $147 million, or 50 basis points as a percent of sales, compared to last year, as we realigned advertising resources to better leverage media to reach our customers, which led to discontinuing certain unprofitable promotions and reducing catalog book costs as planned by reducing total page count and books circulated. Our SG&A expenses also benefited this year from the $11 million final distribution of the Visa Check/MasterMoney Antitrust Litigation settlement. Offsetting the decline in expenses were higher incentive compensation accruals covering approximately 7,500 associates due to better-than-planned sales and operating income as well as a special recognition bonus program for over 100,000 mostly store-based hourly associates, which in the aggregate increased SG&A expenses about 100 basis points as a percent of sales. Additionally, other store expenses, including salaries, facility management and occupancy costs were well managed throughout the organization despite approximately $115 million of incremental costs associated with non-comparable stores; however, due to sales levels, costs were not leveraged and increased approximately 100 basis points as a percent of sales.
Pension Expense/(Income)
Total pension plan expense was $337 million in 2009 compared to total pension plan income of $90 million in 2008, and consisted mainly of the primary pension plan expense of $298 million in 2009 versus primary pension plan income of $133 million in 2008, resulting in a negative swing of $431 million, or $1.16 per share on an after-tax basis. The expense is primarily the result of the amortization of the primary pension plan’s unrealized losses due to the significant decline in plan assets in 2008. On May 18, 2009, we voluntarily contributed JCPenney common stock valued at $340 million to our
primary pension plan. Along with the contribution, and to reflect updated pension assumptions relating to the pension liability, we remeasured the plan’s assets and obligations as of the date of the contribution. Based on the new measurement, the net periodic pension plan expense for 2009 was reduced by $24 million to $298 million from the original estimate of $322 million.
Based on our year-end 2009 measurement of primary pension plan assets and benefit obligations, we expect our 2010 non-cash primary pension plan expense to be approximately $221 million, or $0.57 per share.
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses
As expected with the addition of new stores and investments in renovating existing stores, depreciation and amortization expenses in 2009 increased $26 million to $495 million, or approximately 5.5%, compared to $469 million in 2008.
Pre-Opening Expense
Pre-opening expense, which includes advertising, hiring and training costs for new associates, processing and stocking initial merchandise inventory and rental costs prior to store opening was $28 million for 2009 compared to $31 million in 2008. We opened 17 new stores in 2009 compared to 35 in 2008. Relative to the number of stores opened, the pre-opening expenses for 2009 were significantly higher than last year primarily due to the recognition of rent expense (level rent) during the construction period associated with our Manhattan store in New York City, which opened in late July 2009.
Real Estate and Other, Net
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.
Real estate and other was a net charge of $5 million in 2009 versus income of $25 million in 2008, declining $30 million primarily as a result of higher impairment charges and lower net gains from the sale of real estate in 2009. Impairments in 2009 totaled $42 million and included seven underperforming department stores and other corporate assets. Of the seven stores, three will continue to operate in their existing locations while the remaining stores are candidates for relocation or closure. Impairments were $21 million in 2008 primarily related to a department store, a real estate joint venture and other corporate assets.
Operating Income
Operating income declined 230 basis points to 3.8% of sales in 2009 compared to 6.1% last year. Excluding the non-cash impact of the primary pension plan, adjusted operating income (non-GAAP), increased 10 basis points to 5.5% of sales compared to 5.4% in 2008.
Net Interest Expense
Net interest expense consists principally of interest expense on long-term debt, net of interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents. Net interest expense was $260 million, an increase of $35 million, or 15.6%, from $225 million in 2008. The increase in net interest expense was due primarily to a significant decline in the weighted-average annual interest rate earned on short-term investment balances to 0.1% in 2009 from 1.6% in 2008. Interest income on short-term investments was $3 million in 2009 compared to $32 million in 2008. Net interest expense for the year also reflected higher credit line fees related to our new 2009 Credit Facility, offset by lower long-term interest expense due to lower average long-term debt as a result of our debt repayment in mid-2008 and repurchases of debt in 2009.
Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate for continuing operations for 2009 was 38.2% compared with 37.7% for 2008. The tax rate increase was due to the lower level of pre-tax income as well as state audit activity and state income tax legislative changes enacted during the year.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations in 2009 generated a credit of $2 million, net of $1 million of income tax expense, or $0.01 per share, compared to a credit of $5 million, or $0.03 per share, in 2008, and was primarily the result of our ongoing review and true-up of reserves related to previous discontinued operations. These previous discontinued operations are no longer expected to have a future material impact on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
Income from Continuing Operations
Income from continuing operations for 2009 declined 56.1% to $249 million, or $1.07 per share, compared with $567 million, or $2.54 per share, last year. Excluding the non-cash impact of the primary pension plan, adjusted income from continuing operations (non-GAAP) decreased 10.5% to $433 million, or $1.86 per share, compared to $484 million, or $2.17 per share, for 2008.
Other Significant Events in 2009
In November 2009, we extended our private label credit card program agreement with GE Money Bank for an initial four-year term with the option for two-year renewals. The Company continues to benefit by generating sales on the card pursuant to this non-recourse program. Additionally, we will receive an annual signing bonus and may generate revenue from an application bounty program and gain share calculation. Either party may terminate the agreement upon the occurrence of certain events.
2008 Compared to 2007
Total Net Sales
(1) Calculation includes the sales of stores that were open for the full fiscal year as of each year end, as well as online sales through jcp.com.
Total net sales declined $1,374 million in 2008 compared to 2007. The following table provides the components of the net sales decline:
In 2008, comparable store sales declined 8.5% as a result of a sharp slow down in consumer spending. Sales through catalog print media and outlet stores also declined, while sales of non-comparable stores opened in 2008 and 2009, net of closings, added $434 million. In 2008, we opened 26 net new stores (35 stores, net of 9 closings and relocations) and in 2007 we opened 34 net new stores (50 stores, net of 16 closings and relocations.) All components combined, total net sales decreased 6.9% in 2008 compared to 2007. Over the course of 2008, the worsening consumer spending environment resulted in reduced sales from 5.4% lower traffic in our mall stores compared to the prior year. Our off-mall traffic was also down compared to 2007 but had stronger traffic trends than our mall stores. Consistent with the difficult retail environment and the pronounced decrease in consumer spending, the number of transactions and the number of units sold declined for the year. Geographically, the best performing regions for 2008 were the central and northwest regions, while the southeast and southwest regions delivered the weakest performance. Sales of jcp.com, which are included in comparable stores sales, were essentially flat with 2007 at about $1.5 billion.
Although consumer spending steadily decreased over the year, we continued our leadership position in apparel, bringing style and newness through the launch of several private and exclusive brands. For the year, family shoes, along with women’s apparel and accessories were the best performing divisions. By contrast, and consistent with industry results, fine jewelry and home were the weakest businesses.
Private and exclusive brands found only at JCPenney increased in 2008 to approximately 52% of total merchandise sales compared to 49% in 2007.
Total Net Sales Mix
The following percentages represent the mix of total net sales:
In 2008, we opened 44 new Sephora inside JCPenney locations, which brought the total to 91 locations compared to 47 at the end of 2007.
Merchandise Initiatives
In February 2008, we launched American Living®, a new updated traditional lifestyle brand created exclusively for JCPenney by Polo Ralph Lauren’s Global Brand Concepts. American Living® is in the higher quality and pricing segment of our offerings across 40 merchandise categories for women, men and children, as well as shoes, accessories and home goods.
In April 2008, we launched Linden Street™, which was the most comprehensive home brand launch in our history. It is a blend of traditional and contemporary styles offering a classic, timeless design.
For the Back-to-School season, in junior’s, we launched private brand Decree®, a denim-inspired line of apparel for girls and young women, and Fabulosity™, a complete line of sportswear designed by Kimora Lee Simmons. For young men’s, we extended the exclusive American Living® brand with new denim, graphic t-shirts and jackets, and launched White Tag®, a new “urban rock” inspired national brand of premium denim and art-driven t-shirts. In addition to the new fashion brands for Back-to-School, we introduced Dorm Life™, a new private modern lifestyle brand in the home division featuring merchandise to furnish a college dorm or off-campus housing.
In October 2008, we announced the significant enhancement of the longstanding and highly successful career brands Worthington® for women and Stafford® for men, to retain longtime customers and to attract new shoppers. We updated the private brands with new categories, fits and fabrics that overlap seasons.
Marketing Initiatives
In July and November 2008, we supported the apparel launches with integrated marketing campaigns featuring the new brands. The campaigns targeted teens and included both traditional ads and non-traditional media components, such as in-cinema ads and mobile phone marketing, emails, web search and targeted direct mail and catalog. The messages were coordinated across all lines of the business, stores and Direct that represent an alignment of our offerings and provide a seamless shopping experience for customers.
Customer Service Initiatives
During 2008, store associates participated in CustomerFIRST, a training program focused on delivering extraordinary customer service that empowers associates to exceed customers’ expectations when they shop at our stores. Results of the CustomerFIRST program were positive. Based on consumer research, customers ranked us number one when asked about customer service, sales associate availability and whether they are treated with respect by sales associates. In January 2009, the American Express/NRF Foundation 2008 Customer Service Survey placed us first in customer service among department store retailers.
Gross Margin
Gross margin declined by $756 million, or 120 basis points as a percentage of sales, in 2008. The decline was a result of a decrease in unit sales, as well as a decrease in average unit retail. The lower average unit retail reflected higher markdowns from increased clearance activity in response to softer sales and to achieve desired levels of inventory.
SG&A Expenses
SG&A expenses were well managed across the entire organization in 2008, decreasing $7 million despite the addition of 26 net new stores. In 2008, we realized the first full year of benefit from our workforce management tool that facilitates efficient staffing levels. The rollout of this tool provided a positive impact on associate productivity, as well as store payroll expense. Store salaries declined on a dollar basis, but were not leveraged against sales and increased about 40 basis points as a percent of sales. Total marketing costs were slightly under the prior year, but as a percent of sales increased 50 basis points. In addition, despite approximately $160 million of incremental costs associated with non-comparable stores, all other expenses, including store occupancy and utility expenses were well managed, but were up about 110 basis points. Total SG&A expenses as a percent of sales experienced approximately 200 basis points of de-leveraging as a result of the sales decline.
Pension (Income)/Expense
Total pension income doubled to $90 million in 2008 from $45 million in the prior year. The main driver of the increase was the primary pension plan income due to asset growth from strong capital market returns as measured on February 3, 2008.
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses
Depreciation and amortization expenses in 2008 increased $43 million to $469 million, or approximately 10.1% compared to $426 million in 2007, reflecting new store openings and store renovations.
Pre-Opening Expense
During 2008, we opened 35 new stores compared to 50 in 2007. As a result, pre-opening expense decreased to $31 million from $46 million.
Real Estate and Other, Net
Real estate and other was a net credit of $25 million in 2008, a decrease of $21 million compared to the previous year due to 2008 impairments primarily related to a department store, which continued to operate, a real estate joint venture and other corporate assets.
Operating Income
Operating income for 2008 decreased $753 million, or 340 basis points, to 6.1% of sales compared to 9.5% of sales in 2007, reflecting pressure from the weak sales environment and increased promotional levels throughout the year and holiday season. Excluding the non-cash impact of the primary pension plan income, adjusted operating income (non-GAAP), decreased $789 million, or 360 basis points, to 5.4% of sales in 2008 compared to 9.0% in the previous year.
Net Interest Expense
Net interest expense was $225 million, an increase of $72 million, or 47.1%, from $153 million in 2007. The increase in net interest expense was due primarily to a decline in the weighted-average annual interest rate earned on short-term investments to 1.6% in 2008 from 5.0% in 2007, combined with a decrease in average outstanding short-term investments. Interest income on short-term investments was $32 million in 2008 compared to $113 million in 2007.
Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate for continuing operations for 2008 was 37.7% compared with 35.9% for 2007. The 2007 effective tax rate was favorably impacted by the release of $38 million, or $0.17 per share, of income tax reserves resulting from the favorable resolution of prior year tax matters.
Income from Continuing Operations
Income from continuing operations for 2008 declined 48.7% to $567 million, or $2.54 per share, compared with $1,105 million, or $4.90 per share, in 2007. Excluding the non-cash impact of the primary pension plan, adjusted income from continuing operations (non-GAAP) decreased 53.6% to $484 million, or $2.17 per share, compared to $1,043 million, or $4.63 per share, for 2007.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations in 2008 was a credit of $5 million, or $0.03 per share, compared to $6 million, or $0.03 per share, in 2007, and was primarily the result of our ongoing review and true-up of reserves related to previous discontinued operations.
Financial Condition and Liquidity
Overview
In 2009, our full-year results led to a significant improvement in our financial position. We improved our cash flow metrics and retained the flexibility to complete our Bridge Plan initiatives. Our ability to execute our Bridge Plan sustained our financial position and financial flexibility, which have enhanced our competitive position and should allow us to take advantage of future opportunities as the economic environment improves.
The foundation of our strong liquidity position is our cash and cash equivalent balances and our ability to generate positive free cash flow (non-GAAP). For 2009, we ended the year with $3.0 billion of cash and cash equivalent balances and had positive free cash flow of $806 million, an improvement of $785 million compared to 2008.
Our liquidity position is further enhanced by ending the period with a significantly increased cash-to-debt ratio over the prior year. At year-end 2009, our cash-to-debt ratio was 89%, up from 67% at year-end 2008. Subsequent to year end, we used cash on hand to retire the current maturity of $393 million of debt on March 1, 2010. Our next scheduled debt maturity of $230 million will occur in August 2012.
In addition to cash flow and cash and cash equivalent balances, which are sufficient to meet our liquidity needs, our existing credit facility provides an additional $750 million source of liquidity. Other than the issuance of trade and standby letters of credit, which totaled $134 million at year-end 2009, we have not utilized this facility nor do we expect to do so in 2010.
The following table provides a summary of our key components and ratios of financial condition and liquidity:
(1) Included a $131 million tax benefit as a result of the contribution of common stock to the primary pension plan.
(2) Included a $110 million tax benefit that was realized in 2007 for the $300 million discretionary cash contribution made to the primary pension plan in 2006.
(3) See Item 6, Selected Financial Data, for a discussion of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
(4) Long-term debt, including current maturities divided by total capital.
(5) Cash and cash equivalents divided by long-term debt, including current maturities.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
At year-end 2009, we had $3.0 billion of cash and cash equivalents, which represented 89% of our $3.4 billion of outstanding long-term debt. As of January 30, 2010, we had a current maturity of $393 million principal amount of 8% Notes due March 1, 2010. Cash and cash equivalents increased $659 million in 2009 after using $113 million to purchase long-term debt through tender offer and open market purchases. Our cash investments are held in U.S. Treasury money market funds and a portfolio of highly rated bank deposits.
In addition to cash and cash equivalents, our liquidity position includes a three-year $750 million revolving credit facility that was put in place in April 2009 (2009 Credit Agreement). Our liquidity is further enhanced by the fact that our current debt portfolio and material lease agreements contain no provisions that could trigger acceleration of payments or collateral support in the event of adverse changes in our financial condition. However, our 2007 debt issuances contain a change of control provision that would obligate us, at the holders’ option, to repurchase the debt at a price of 101% if there was a beneficial ownership change of 50% or more of our common stock and the debt was rated non-investment grade. This provision applies to $1 billion of our debt.
Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP)
Free cash flow (non-GAAP) is defined as cash flow from operating activities of continuing operations less capital expenditures and dividends paid, plus proceeds from the sale of assets. Our 2009 free cash flow improved $785 million to $806 million compared to $21 million in 2008, primarily due to the effective execution of our Bridge Plan to control inventory levels and moderate 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 the sales, profits and positive operating cash flows are realized. Cash requirements are highest in the third quarter as we build inventory levels in preparation for the holiday season. During 2009, our peak cash requirements declined as planned as we reduced 2009 merchandise receipts. We expect peak cash requirements to increase in 2010 for merchandise receipts, as we plan for modest sales growth, and the resulting increase in working capital requirements.
2009 cash flow from operating activities of continuing operations was $1,576 million, an increase of $421 million as compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily attributable to a decline in working capital requirements from lower levels of inventory, net of merchandise accounts payable and significantly higher accruals for incentive compensation.
Total inventory was $3,024 million at the end of 2009, down 7.2% from last year, primarily as a result of our effective inventory management in response to the challenging business environment and our conservative inventory plan based upon expected lower sales. Our 2009 inventory plan resulted in lower levels of clearance merchandise that, when combined with better inventory turns, resulted in improved margins. On a comparable store basis, inventories were down approximately 7.7% from last year, including inventory for re-launching our private brands and launching exclusive designer brands and the continued expansion of Sephora inside JCPenney. In response to the soft selling environment, we managed merchandise inventory down to desirable levels by reducing merchandise receipts. We believe that the inventory level at the end of 2009 is appropriately balanced as we plan our 2010 inventory investment to support sales growth. Inventory turns for 2009, 2008 and 2007 were 3.15, 3.06 and 3.14, respectively.
The increase in the incentive compensation accruals for 2009 resulted from better-than-planned results for both sales and operating profit and improvements in total customer satisfaction scores.
2008 cash flow from operating activities of continuing operations decreased compared to 2007 as the result of a decline in income from continuing operations impacted by the weakened consumer spending environment largely offset by effective inventory management.
Investing Activities of Continuing Operations
In 2009, we had capital expenditures of $600 million, used for opening 17 new stores, 16 in our off-mall format and our store in Manhattan, 64 new Sephora inside JCPenney locations, 20 major capital improvements and 22 store refurbishments, as well as investments in technology.
In 2008, we had capital expenditures of $969 million, used for opening 35 new or relocated stores, 31 in our off-mall format, and 44 Sephora inside JCPenney locations. We also completed significant fixturing and store environment improvements in about 600 stores, as well as 24 major renovations and 90 store refurbishments.
In 2007, capital expenditures were $1,243 million, used for opening 50 new stores, 16 of which were relocations, modernizing 65 existing stores and adding 42 Sephora inside JCPenney locations.
The following provides a breakdown of capital expenditures:
(1) Included $31 million for the repurchase of 12 stores that were originally part of sale-leaseback transactions.
We expect 2010 capital expenditures to be approximately $500 million and be funded with cash flow from operations and existing cash and cash equivalent balances.
Financing Activities of Continuing Operations
In 2009, pursuant to our cash tender offer to purchase up to $200 million aggregate principal amount of JCP’s outstanding 8% Notes due March 1, 2010 (Notes), we accepted for purchase on May 12, 2009, $104 million principal amount of the Notes. We paid $107 million aggregate consideration, including accrued and unpaid interest, for the accepted Notes on May 13, 2009. In addition, we purchased $9 million of these Notes in the open market on July 10, 2009. There were no issuances of new debt during 2009. We paid financing costs of $32 million, which consisted of fees related to our 2009 Credit Facility and premiums on early retirement of debt from our cash tender offer.
In 2009, we maintained our quarterly dividend on common stock at $0.20 per share and returned $183 million to stockholders through dividend payments. The Board reviews the dividend policy and rate, taking into consideration our overall financial and strategic outlook, earnings, liquidity and cash flow projections, as well as competitive factors. The Board approves and declares dividends on a quarterly basis.
During 2008, cash payments on long-term debt, including capital leases, totaled $203 million and consisted primarily of the August 2008 payment at maturity of $200 million outstanding principal amount of JCP’s 7.375% Notes due 2008. During 2008, we returned $178 million to stockholders through dividend payments.
During 2007, we received $980 million in proceeds from the issuance of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount in new senior notes, which was used in 2007 and 2008 for debt payments and general corporate purposes. Cash payments for long-term debt, including capital leases and early retirement premiums in 2007, totaled $746 million. Also during 2007, we returned to stockholders $574 million through common stock repurchases of $400 million and $174 million in dividends.
Cash Flow and Financing Outlook
In 2010, our financing strategy will continue to focus on opportunities to maintain and further strengthen our financial position, improve our credit profile and deliver value to stockholders. Our strong financial position provides continued financial flexibility and enables us to strengthen our competitive and financial position proactively when the environment improves. While we expect the economic environment to remain challenging for the consumer, our operating and capital expenditure plans have been adjusted to reflect current operating conditions, while continuing to reinvest capital into the business. Capital expenditures are planned at $500 million for the year, which includes two new department stores and 75 new Sephora inside JCPenney locations.
Other than the $393 million debt paid at maturity on March 1, 2010, we have no debt maturities until August 2012. We do not expect to borrow under our credit facility except to support ongoing letters of credit, and we will fund our capital expenditures and debt payments with operating cash flows in 2010, as well as the cash investment balances available at the beginning of the year. In accordance with our long-term financing strategy, we manage our financial position on a multi-year basis and may access the capital markets opportunistically.
2009 Credit Facility
In April 2009, the Company, 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 2009 Credit Facility replaced our $1.2 billion credit facility that was scheduled to expire in April 2010. The new facility 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 January 30, 2010, we were in compliance with the required financial covenants under the 2009 Credit Facility. As of such date, our leverage ratio was 2.3 to 1, not exceeding the 4 to 1 maximum requirement; our fixed charge coverage ratio was 3.4 to 1, exceeding the required minimum of 2.25 to 1; and our asset coverage ratio was 23 to 1, exceeding the required minimum of 3 to 1.
In 2010, 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 $134 million at the end of 2009.
Credit Ratings
Our credit ratings and outlook as of March 22, 2010 were as follows:
Rating agencies consider changes in operating performance, comparable store sales, the economic environment, conditions in the retail industry, financial leverage and changes in our business strategy in their rating decisions.
During 2009, the following credit rating actions were taken regarding our long-term debt, credit facility and liquidity:
Long-Term Debt
•
On April 1, 2009, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. revised our long-term debt credit rating to Ba1 from Baa3 resulting from the impact on retailers from the slowdown in consumer spending.
•
On April 8, 2009, Fitch Ratings affirmed our long-term debt credit rating at investment grade of BBB-, citing our strong liquidity, which is supported by our management of inventory and capital expenditures.
•
On April 16, 2009, Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services revised our credit rating to BB from BBB- citing their deepening concern about the impact of the U.S. recession and weakening consumer confidence on the department store sector.
Credit Facility
•
On April 8, 2009, Fitch Ratings assigned a rating of BBB to our 2009 Credit Facility, reflecting the higher priority status of the facility relative to the Company’s unsecured debt securities due to the security interest in our inventory granted under the 2009 Credit Facility.
•
In early April 2009, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. assigned a Baa1 rating to our 2009 Credit Facility.
Liquidity
•
On April 1, 2009 Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. assigned their highest liquidity rating of SGL-1 to the Company.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Aggregated information about our obligations and commitments to make future contractual payments, such as debt and lease agreements, and contingent commitments as of January 30, 2010 is presented in the following table.
(1) The weighted-average maturity of long-term debt is 24 years.
(2) Represents management’s best estimate of the payments related to tax reserves for uncertain income tax positions. Based on the nature of these liabilities, the actual payments in any given year could vary significantly from these amounts. See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements.
(3) Represents expected payments through 2019. Based on the accounting rules for retirement and postretirement benefit plans, the liabilities reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets differ from these estimated future payments. See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements.
(4) Includes $88 million that is reflected in other accounts payable and accrued expenses in our Consolidated Balance Sheet at January 30, 2010. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
(5) Represents future minimum lease payments for non-cancelable operating leases, including renewals determined to be reasonably assured.
(6) Standby letters of credit, which totaled $124 million, are issued as collateral to a third-party administrator for self-insured workers’ compensation and general liability claims. The remaining $10 million are outstanding import letters of credit.
(7) Surety bonds are primarily for previously incurred and expensed obligations related to workers’ compensation and general liability claims.
(8) Consists primarily of (a) minimum purchase requirements for exclusive merchandise and fixtures; (b) royalty obligations; and (c) minimum obligations for professional services, energy services, software maintenance and network services.
(9) Amounts committed under open purchase orders for merchandise inventory of which a significant portion are cancelable without penalty prior to a date that precedes the vendor’s scheduled shipment date.
(10) Relates to a third-party reinsurance guarantee. See Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Management considers all on- and off-balance sheet debt in evaluating our overall liquidity position and capital structure. Other than operating leases, which are included in the Contractual Obligations and Commitments table, we do not have any off-balance sheet financing. See detailed disclosure regarding operating leases and their off-balance sheet present value in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements.
As part of the 2001 sale of the assets of our Direct Marketing Services subsidiary, JCP signed a guarantee agreement with a maximum exposure of $20 million. Any potential claims or losses are first recovered from established reserves, then from the purchaser and finally from any state insurance guarantee fund before JCP’s guarantee would be invoked. As a result, we do not believe that any potential exposure would have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
We do not have any additional arrangements or relationships with entities that are not consolidated into the financial statements.
Common Stock
During 2007 to 2009, the number of outstanding shares of common stock changed as follows, primarily as a result of our stock contribution to the Company’s Pension Plan in 2009 and common stock repurchases in 2007:
Common Stock Repurchases
As authorized by the Board in March 2007 and funded with cash proceeds from employee stock option exercises and existing cash and cash equivalent balances, we repurchased 5.1 million shares of common stock for $400 million during the second quarter of 2007. Common stock was retired on the same day it was repurchased. There are no outstanding Board authorizations to repurchase common stock.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires that we make estimates and use assumptions that in some instances may materially affect amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. In preparing these financial statements, we have made our best estimates and judgments based on history and current trends, as well as other factors that we believe are relevant at the time of the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Historically, actual results have not differed materially from estimates; however, future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty and as a result, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates.
We have discussed the development and selection of the critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. The Audit Committee has reviewed our disclosures relating to these policies in this MD&A. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for a description of all of our significant accounting policies.
Inventory Valuation under the Retail Method
Inventories are valued primarily at the lower of cost (using the FIFO method) or market, determined by the retail method for department stores, store distribution centers and regional warehouses and standard cost, representing average vendor cost, for Direct. Under the retail method, retail values are converted to a cost basis by applying specific average cost factors to groupings of merchandise. The retail method inherently requires management judgment and certain estimates that may significantly impact the ending inventory valuation at cost, as well as gross margin. Two of the most significant estimates are permanent reductions to retail prices (markdowns) used to clear unproductive or slow-moving inventory and inventory shortages (shrinkage).
Permanent markdowns designated for clearance activity are recorded at the point of decision, when the utility of inventory has diminished, versus the point of sale. Factors considered in the determination of permanent markdowns include current and anticipated demand, customer preferences, age of the merchandise and style trends. The corresponding reduction to gross margin is recorded in the period the decision is made.
Shrinkage is estimated as a percent of sales for the period from the last inventory date to the end of the fiscal period. Physical inventories are taken at least annually and inventory records are adjusted accordingly. The shrinkage rate from the most recent physical inventory, in combination with current events and historical experience, is used as the standard for the shrinkage accrual rate for the next inventory cycle.
We do not believe that the assumptions used in these estimates will change significantly based on prior experience. A 10% increase or decrease in the markdown reserve at year-end 2009 would have impacted net income by approximately $7 million. A 10% increase or decrease in the estimated inventory shrinkage reserve at year-end 2009 would have impacted net income by approximately $5 million.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate recoverability of long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable, such as historical operating losses or plans to close stores and dispose of or sell long-lived assets before the end of their previously estimated useful lives. Additionally, for store assets, in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year
we separately test the performance of individual stores and underperforming stores are selected for further evaluation of the recoverability of the carrying amounts. If the evaluation, performed on an undiscounted cash flow basis, indicates that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, the potential impairment is measured as the excess of carrying value over the fair value of the impaired asset. The impairment calculation requires us to apply estimates for future cash flows and use judgments for qualitative factors such as local market conditions, operating environment, mall performance and other trends. For stores, we estimate fair value based on a projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate that is considered commensurate with the risk inherent in our current business model and for assets other than stores, we generally base fair value on either appraised value or projected discounted cash flows.
We recognize an impairment loss in the period in which it occurs. The carrying value is adjusted to the new carrying value and any subsequent increases in fair value are not recorded. If it is determined that the estimated remaining useful life of the asset should be decreased, the periodic depreciation expense is adjusted based on the new carrying value of the asset. Impairment losses totaling $42 million, $21 million and $1 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the real estate and other, net line item. The 2009 impairment charges include primarily seven department stores and other corporate assets. While we do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or assumptions used to calculate long-lived asset impairments, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to additional impairment charges, which could be material to our results of operations.
Reserves and Valuation Allowances
We are primarily self-insured for costs related to workers’ compensation and general liability claims. The liabilities represent our best estimate, using generally accepted actuarial reserving methods through which we record a provision for workers’ compensation and general liability risk based on historical experience, current claims data and independent actuarial best estimates, including incurred but not reported claims and projected loss development factors. These estimates are subject to the frequency, lag and severity of claims. We target this provision above the midpoint of the actuarial range, and total estimated claim liability amounts are discounted using a risk-free rate. We do not anticipate any significant change in loss trends, settlements or other costs that would cause a significant fluctuation in net income. However, a 10% variance in the workers’ compensation and general liability reserves at year-end 2009 would have affected net income by approximately $16 million.
Income taxes are estimated for each jurisdiction in which we operate and require significant judgment, the use of estimates and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. This involves assessing the current tax exposure together with temporary differences, which result from differing treatment of items for tax and book purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are provided for based on these assessments. Deferred tax assets are evaluated for recoverability based on estimated future taxable income. To the extent that recovery is deemed unlikely, a valuation allowance is recorded. We record a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in an income tax return. We recognize any interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Significant judgment is required in assessing, among other things, the timing and amounts of deductible and taxable items. In assessing the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets, we use estimates of the amount and character of future taxable income. Tax contingency accruals are evaluated and adjusted as appropriate, while taking into account the progress of audits of
various taxing jurisdictions. We do not expect the outcome of tax audits to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow. Many years of data have been incorporated into the determination of tax reserves, and our estimates have historically been reasonable.
In establishing our reserves for liabilities associated with underground storage tanks, we maintain and periodically update an inventory listing of potentially impacted sites. The estimated cost of remediation efforts is based on our historical experience, as well as industry and other published data. With respect to our former Eckerd operations, we accessed extensive databases of environmental matters, including data from the Environmental Protection Agency, to estimate the cost of remediation. Our experience, as well as relevant data, was used to develop a range of potential liabilities, and a reserve was established at the time of the Eckerd sale. The Eckerd reserve is adjusted as payments are made or new information becomes known. Reserves for asbestos removal are based on our known liabilities in connection with approved plans for store modernization, renovations, or dispositions of store locations.
We believe the established reserves, as adjusted, are adequate to cover estimated potential liabilities.
Pension
Pension Accounting
We maintain a qualified funded defined benefit pension plan (primary plan) and smaller non-qualified unfunded supplemental defined benefit plans. The determination of pension expense is the result of actuarial calculations that are based on important assumptions about pension assets and liabilities. The most important of these are the rate of return on assets and the discount rate assumptions. These assumptions require significant judgment and a change in any one of them could have a significant effect on the pension expense reported in our Consolidated Statements of Operations, as well as in the assets, liability and equity sections of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table reflects our rate of return and discount rate assumptions:
(1) For the first four months of 2009, the discount rate was 6.95% as determined by the January 31, 2009 annual measurement. The discount rate was revised to 6.86% on the remeasurement date of May 18, 2009. The supplemental plans and retiree medical plans used 6.95% for the year, since those plans were not subject to remeasurement.
Return on Plan Assets and Impact on Earnings
For the primary plan, we apply our expected return on plan assets using fair market value as of the annual measurement date. The fair market value method results in greater volatility to our pension expense than the more commonly used calculated value method (referred to as smoothing of assets). Our primary plan is well diversified with an asset allocation policy that currently provides for a targeted 65%, 25% and 10% mix of equities (U.S., non-U.S. and private), fixed income (investment-grade and high-yield) and real estate (private and public), respectively. Previously, this allocation was 70%, 20% and 10%, respectively. The current allocation provides the primary plan with the appropriate balance of investment return and volatility risk, given the funded nature of the plan, our present and future liability characteristics and our long-term investment horizon.
As of January 1, 2007, the primary plan was closed to new entrants. As a result of this action, the future liability will moderate and ultimately begin to decline after a period of several years. In recognition of the changing liability characteristics, we intend to decrease the plan’s allocation to equities and shift to less volatile fixed income assets. We anticipate this shift will occur over several years and will be dependent upon market conditions and plan characteristics. The higher fixed income allocation will better match the plan’s changing liability characteristics.
As a result of recent negative returns in the capital markets and lower expected future returns, we reduced the expected rate of return assumption to 8.4% from 8.9% beginning in 2009. The actual rate of return for 2008 of a negative 30%, measured on January 31, 2009, versus the expected return on assets for 2008 resulted in a negative funded status of the primary plan of $275 million and a large increase in unrecognized losses that reduced equity through other comprehensive income.
Discount Rate
The discount rate assumption used to determine our postretirement obligations was based on an externally published yield curve determined by the plan’s actuary. The yield curve is a hypothetical AA yield curve represented by a series of bonds ranging in maturity from six months to 30 years, designed to match the corresponding pension benefit cash payments to retirees. Each underlying bond issue is required to have a rating of Aa2 or better by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or a rating of AA or better by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services. We believe the yield curve provides a better match to the timing and amount of expected benefit payments. For 2009, the discount rate initially increased to 6.95% from 6.54% as of January 31, 2009 and then slightly decreased to 6.86% from 6.95% for the May 18, 2009 remeasurement, which had an overall small positive impact on 2009 pension expense. The discount rate was adjusted in May as required for the remeasurement of plan assets and obligations to reflect the voluntary contribution of 13.4 million shares of JCPenney common stock and update other pension liability assumptions. The discount rate declined to 5.90% as of year-end 2009, partially offsetting the positive impact of the improved return on assets.
Sensitivity
The sensitivity of the pension expense to a plus or minus one-half of one percent of expected return on assets is a decrease or increase in expense of approximately $0.05 per share. An increase or decrease in the discount rate of one-half of one percent would decrease or increase the expense by approximately $0.10 per share.
Pension Funding
Funding requirements for our primary plan are determined under ERISA rules, as amended by the Pension Protection Act of 2006. As a result of the strong funded status of the primary plan, we are not required to make contributions in 2010 or 2011. However, we may make discretionary voluntary contributions taking into account liquidity and capital resource availability and capital market conditions.
Our funding policy is to maintain a well-funded pension plan throughout all business and economic cycles. Maintaining a well-funded plan over time provides additional financial flexibility, which includes lower pension expense and reduced cash contributions, especially in the event of a decline in the capital markets. In addition, a well-funded plan assures associates of the plan’s and our financial ability to continue to provide competitive retirement benefits, while at the same time being cost effective.
Consistent with our discretionary contribution practice, on May 18, 2009, we voluntarily contributed approximately 13.4 million newly issued shares of JCPenney common stock to the primary plan. The contribution was valued at $340 million, based on a price of $25.39 per share, reflecting a 6.5% discount to the closing price of JCPenney common stock on May 18, 2009. In accordance with our historical contribution practice, we contributed $1.2 billion on a pre-tax basis, or $300 million per year in 2006, 2004, 2003 and 2002. These contributions helped to mitigate the negative returns from the downward cycle experienced in 2008 and allowed the primary plan to continue to meet regulatory funding requirements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements made 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, our Company typically earns a disproportionate share 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. We intend the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K 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.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
We maintain a majority of our cash and cash equivalents in financial instruments with original maturities of three months or less. Such investments are subject to interest rate risk and may have a small decline in value if interest rates increase. Since the financial instruments are of short duration, a change of 100 basis points in interest rates would not have a material effect on our financial condition.
All of our outstanding long-term debt as of January 30, 2010 is at fixed interest rates and would not be affected by interest rate changes. Future borrowings under our multi-year revolving credit facility, to the extent that fluctuating rate loans were used, would be affected by interest rate changes. As of
January 30, 2010, no borrowings were outstanding under the facility other than the issuance of trade and standby letters of credit, which totaled $134 million. We do not believe that a change of 100 basis points in interest rates would have a material effect on our financial condition.
The fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities, is estimated by obtaining quotes from brokers or is based on current rates offered for similar debt. 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. At January 31, 2009, long-term debt had a carrying value of $3.5 billion and a fair value of $2.6 billion.
The effects of changes in the U.S. equity and bond markets serve to increase or decrease the value of assets in our primary pension plan. Significant declines in pension assets during 2008 due to the sharp declines in the capital markets resulted in a negative funded status of $275 million in the primary pension plan at the end 2008. As a result of the discretionary contribution on May 18, 2009 of 13.4 million shares of JCPenney common stock valued on that date at $340 million, the funded status of the plan improved to approximately 100% versus 93% in the prior year. We seek to manage exposure to adverse equity and bond returns by maintaining diversified investment portfolios and utilizing professional investment managers.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
See the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
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 Annual Report on Form 10-K, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that 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.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of our Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.
The management of our Company has assessed the effectiveness of our Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 30, 2010. In making this assessment, management used criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on its assessment, the management of our Company believes that, as of January 30, 2010, our Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Their report follows.
There were no changes in our Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter ended January 30, 2010, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
J. C. Penney Company, Inc.:
We have audited J. C. Penney Company, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 30, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). J. C. Penney Company, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.” Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, J. C. Penney Company, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 30, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 30, 2010, and our report dated March 29, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Dallas, Texas
March 29, 2010
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The information required by Item 10 with respect to executive officers is included within Item 1 in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant.”
The information required by Item 10 with respect to directors, audit committee, audit committee financial experts and Section 16(a) beneficial ownership reporting compliance is included under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Board Committees,” “Audit Committee” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our Company’s definitive proxy statement for 2010, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A and is incorporated herein by reference.
Code of Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines and Committee Charters
Our Company has adopted a code of ethics for officers and employees, which applies to, among others, our Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer, and which is known as the “Statement of Business Ethics.” We have also adopted certain ethical principles and policies for our directors, which are set forth in Article V of our Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Statement of Business Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our Web site at www.jcpenney.net. Additionally, we will provide copies of these documents without charge upon request made to:
J. C. Penney Company, Inc.
Office of Investor Relations
6501 Legacy Drive
Plano, Texas 75024
(Telephone 972-431-5500)
Our Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to or waiver of any provision of the Statement of Business Ethics that applies to any officer of our Company by posting such information on our Web site at www.jcpenney.net.
Copies of our Company’s Audit Committee, Human Resources and Compensation Committee, the Committee of the Whole and Corporate Governance Committee Charters are also available on our Web site at www.jcpenney.net. Copies of these documents will likewise be provided without charge upon request made to the address or telephone number provided above.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information required by Item 11 is included under the captions “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Report of the Human
Resources and Compensation Committee,” “Summary Compensation Table,” “Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2009,” “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2009,” “Option Exercises and Stock Vested for Fiscal 2009,” “Pension Benefits,” “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2009,” “Potential Payments and Benefits on Termination of Employment,” “Termination Without a Change in Control,” “Change in Control; Termination Following a Change in Control,” and “Director Compensation for Fiscal 2009” in our Company’s definitive proxy statement for 2010, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information required by Item 12 with respect to beneficial ownership of our Company’s common stock is included under the caption “Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock” in our Company’s definitive proxy statement for 2010, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A and is incorporated herein by reference.
Equity Compensation Plan(s) Information
The following table shows the number of options and other awards outstanding as of January 30, 2010 under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (2009 Plan) and prior plans, as well as the number of shares remaining available for grant under the 2009 Plan.
(1) Includes 1,393,292 restricted stock units, of which 500,000 represent the maximum payout under a performance award for which the performance period ends December 14, 2011.
(2) Represents the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options only.
(3) At the May 15, 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, our stockholders approved the 2009 Plan, which reserved an aggregate of 13.1 million shares of common stock for issuance to associates and non-employee directors (8.5 million newly authorized shares plus up to 4.6 million reserved but unissued shares from our prior 2005 Equity Compensation Plan). In addition, shares underlying any outstanding stock award or stock option grant canceled prior to vesting or exercise become available for use under the 2009 Plan. Shares of stock available for future grant under the 2009 Plan includes 1.3 million shares from awards canceled during 2009, subsequent to May 15, 2009. Since May 15, 2009, all grants have been made under the 2009 Plan. No shares remain available for future issuance from prior plans.
On March 16, 2010, the Company made an annual grant of stock options, performance unit awards and restricted stock unit awards covering 3,632,478 shares of common stock under the 2009 Plan.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information required by Item 13 is included under the captions “Board Independence” and “Policies and Procedures with Respect to Related Person Transactions” in our Company’s definitive proxy statement for 2010, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
The information required by Item 14 is included under the captions “Audit and Other Fees” and “Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures” in our Company’s definitive proxy statement for 2010, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) Documents filed as part of this report:
1. Consolidated Financial Statements:
The consolidated financial statements of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and subsidiaries are listed in the accompanying “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page.
2. Financial Statement Schedules:
Schedules have been omitted as they are inapplicable or not required under the rules, or the information has been submitted in the consolidated financial statements and related financial information contained otherwise in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
3. Exhibits:
See separate Exhibit Index beginning on page E-1. Each management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K is specifically identified in the separate Exhibit Index beginning on page E-1 and filed with or incorporated by reference in this report.
(b) See separate Exhibit Index beginning on page E-1.
(c) Other Financial Statement Schedules. None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ R. B. Cavanaugh
R. B. Cavanaugh
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Dated: March 30, 2010
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures
Title
Date
M. E. Ullman, III*
M. E. Ullman, III
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer);
Director
March 30, 2010
/s/ R. B. Cavanaugh
R. B. Cavanaugh
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
March 30, 2010
D. P. Miller*
D. P. Miller
Senior Vice President and
Controller (principal
accounting officer)
March 30, 2010
C. C. Barrett*
C. C. Barrett
Director
March 30, 2010
M. A. Burns*
M. A. Burns
Director
March 30, 2010
M. K. Clark*
M. K. Clark
Director
March 30, 2010
T. J. Engibous*
T. J. Engibous
Director
March 30, 2010
K. B. Foster*
K. B. Foster
Director
March 30, 2010
G. B. Laybourne*
G. B. Laybourne
Director
March 30, 2010
B. Osborne*
B. Osborne
Director
March 30, 2010
L. H. Roberts*
L. H. Roberts
Director
March 30, 2010
J. G. Teruel*
J. G. Teruel
Director
March 30, 2010
R. G. Turner*
R. G. Turner
Director
March 30, 2010
M. E. West*
M. E. West
Director
March 30, 2010
*By:
/s/ R. B. Cavanaugh
R. B. Cavanaugh
Attorney-in-fact
J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended January 30, 2010, January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended January 30, 2010,
January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended January 30, 2010, January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
J. C. Penney Company, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 30, 2010. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 30, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company elected to change its method of accounting for inventories from the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method in 2009. Also as discussed in Note 1, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for and discloses fair value measurements and transitioned to a fiscal year-end measurement date to record the funded status of defined pension and other benefit plans in 2008.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), J. C. Penney Company Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 30, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 29, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Dallas, Texas
March 29, 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(1) Common stock has a par value of $0.50 per share; 1,250 million shares are authorized. At January 30, 2010, 236 million shares were issued and outstanding. At January 31, 2009, 222 million shares were issued and outstanding.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1) Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations
JCPenney was founded by James Cash Penney in 1902 and has grown to be a major national retailer, operating 1,108 JCPenney department stores in 49 states and Puerto Rico, as well as through the Internet at jcp.com and catalog. We sell family apparel and footwear, accessories, fine and fashion jewelry, beauty products through Sephora inside JCPenney, and home furnishings. In addition, our department stores provide services, such as styling salon, optical, portrait photography and custom decorating, to customers.
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements present the results of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and our subsidiaries (the Company or JCPenney). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
We are 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 direct subsidiaries other than JCP, and has no independent assets or operations.
Our Company is a co-obligor (or guarantor, as appropriate) regarding the payment of principal and interest on JCP’s outstanding debt securities. We guarantee certain of JCP’s outstanding debt securities fully and unconditionally.
Fiscal Year
Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. Unless otherwise stated, references to years in this report relate to fiscal years rather than to calendar years.
Fiscal Year
Ended
Weeks
January 30, 2010
January 31, 2009
February 2, 2008
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP), requires us to make assumptions and use estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates relate to: inventory valuation under the retail method, specifically permanent reductions to retail prices (markdowns) and adjustments for shortages (shrinkage); valuation of long-lived assets; valuation allowances and reserves for workers’ compensation and general liability, environmental contingencies, income taxes and litigation; and pension accounting. While actual results could differ from these estimates, we do not expect the differences, if any, to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications
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.
Merchandise Inventory
In the fourth quarter of 2009, we elected to change our method of valuing inventory to the FIFO method from the LIFO method. We believe that the FIFO method is preferable as it better reflects current and future operations with respect to the sourcing of merchandise, more accurately reflects the current value of our inventory presented in our consolidated balance sheet, and provides a better matching of cost of goods sold with revenue. The cumulative effect of the change was a $1.8 million increase to gross margin recorded in the fourth quarter of 2009. The change was not applied retrospectively to prior periods, as the effect of the change was immaterial to the consolidated financial statements of all prior periods, including interim periods.
The table below presents the results, in the period of the change, with and without the change in accounting principle on inventory and cost of sales.
For the year ended January 30, 2010, without the accounting change, income from continuing operations before income taxes would have been $23 million lower, net income would have been $14 million lower and EPS would have been $0.06 lower; however, this would not have been reflective of our 2009 operating results, as described above.
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. For department stores, regional warehouses and store distribution centers, we value inventories using the retail method. Lower of cost or market for Direct (Internet/catalog) is determined by standard cost, representing average vendor cost.
Merchandise and Services Revenue Recognition
Total net sales, which exclude sales taxes and are net of estimated returns, are recorded at the point of sale when payment is received and the customer takes possession of the merchandise in department stores, at the point of shipment of merchandise ordered through Direct or, in the case of services, at the time the customer receives the benefit of the service, such as salon, portrait, optical or custom decorating. Commissions earned on sales generated by licensed departments are included as a component of total net sales. Shipping and handling fees charged to customers are also included in total net sales with corresponding costs recorded as cost of goods sold. We provide for estimated future returns based on historical return rates and sales levels.
Gift Card Revenue Recognition
At the time gift cards are sold, no revenue is recognized; rather, a liability is established for the face amount of the card. The liability remains recorded until the earlier of redemption, escheatment or 60 months. The liability is relieved and revenue is recognized when gift cards are redeemed for merchandise. We escheat a portion of unredeemed gift cards according to Delaware escheatment requirements that govern remittance of the cost of the merchandise portion of unredeemed gift cards over five years old. After reflecting the amount escheated, any remaining liability (referred to as breakage) is relieved and recognized as a reduction of selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses as an offset to the costs of administering the gift card program. Though our gift cards do not expire, it is our historical experience that the likelihood of redemption after 60 months is remote. The
liability for gift cards is recorded in other accounts payable and accrued expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold includes all costs directly related to bringing merchandise to its final selling destination. These costs include the cost of the merchandise (net of discounts or allowances earned), sourcing and procurement costs, buying and brand development costs, including buyers’ salaries and related expenses, freight costs, warehouse operating expenses, merchandise examination, inspection and testing, store merchandise distribution center expenses, including rent, and shipping and handling costs incurred related to Direct sales to customers.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A expenses include the following costs, except as related to merchandise buying, sourcing, warehousing or distribution activities: salaries, marketing costs, occupancy and rent expense, utilities and maintenance, costs related to information technology, administrative costs related to our home office and district and regional operations, real and personal property and other taxes (excluding income taxes) and credit card fees.
Advertising
Advertising costs, which include newspaper, television, Internet search marketing, radio and other media advertising, are expensed either as incurred or the first time the advertisement occurs. Total advertising costs, net of cooperative advertising vendor reimbursements of $154 million, $167 million and $210 million for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were $1,167 million, $1,314 million and $1,316 million. These totals include direct-to-consumer advertising, consisting of catalog book costs and Internet advertising, of $285 million, $331 million and $346 million for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Catalog book preparation and printing costs, which are considered direct response advertising, are charged to expense over the productive life of the catalog, not to exceed eight months. Deferred catalog book costs of $18 million at January 30, 2010 and $35 million at January 31, 2009 were included in prepaid expenses and other on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Vendor Allowances
We receive vendor support in the form of cash payments or allowances for a variety of reimbursements such as cooperative advertising, markdowns, vendor shipping and packaging compliance and defective merchandise. We have agreements in place with each vendor setting forth the specific conditions for each allowance or payment. Depending on the arrangement, we either recognize the allowance as a reduction of current costs or defer the payment over the period the related merchandise is sold. If the payment is a reimbursement for costs incurred, it is offset against those related costs; otherwise, it is treated as a reduction to the cost of merchandise.
For cooperative advertising programs offered by national brands, we generally offset the allowances against the related advertising expense. Certain programs require proof-of-advertising to be provided to the vendor to support the reimbursement of the incurred cost. Programs that do not require proof-of-advertising are monitored to ensure that the allowance provided by each vendor is a reimbursement of costs incurred to advertise for that particular vendor’s label. If the allowance exceeds the advertising costs incurred on a vendor-specific basis, then the excess allowance for the vendor is recorded as a reduction of merchandise cost.
Markdown reimbursements related to merchandise that has been sold are negotiated and documented by our buying teams and are credited directly to cost of goods sold in the period received. If vendor
allowances are received prior to merchandise being sold, they are recorded as a reduction of merchandise cost.
Vendor compliance charges reimburse us for incremental merchandise handling expenses incurred due to a vendor’s failure to comply with our established shipping or merchandise preparation requirements. Vendor compliance charges are recorded as a reduction of merchandise handling costs.
Pre-Opening Expense
Expenses associated with the pre-opening phase, including advertising, hiring and training costs for new associates, processing and stocking initial merchandise inventory and rent, are expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets unless it is more likely than not such assets will be realized. We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share (EPS) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Except when the effect would be anti-dilutive at the continuing operations level, the diluted EPS calculation includes the impact of restricted stock units and shares that, during the period, could have been issued under outstanding stock options.
Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
Comprehensive income/(loss) consists of two components: net income and other comprehensive income/(loss). For all years presented, other comprehensive income/(loss) includes the unrealized net actuarial gain or loss from pension and other postretirement benefit plans, and unrealized gains and losses on investments. On February 3, 2008, the opening balance of other comprehensive income/(loss) was adjusted to reflect the impact from the adoption of new pension accounting guidance that required the measurement date be changed to the end of our fiscal year from the prior measurement date of October 31, 2007. Since 2007, other comprehensive income/(loss) reflects the gain or loss and prior service cost arising during the period and reclassification adjustments for amounts being recognized as components of net periodic pension/postretirement cost during the period, all net of tax.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash short-term investments that are highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash short-term investments consist primarily of short-term U.S. Treasury money market funds and a portfolio of highly rated bank deposits and are stated at cost, which approximates fair market value due to the short-term maturity. Cash in banks and in transit also includes credit card sales transactions that are settled early in the following period.
Fair Value Disclosures
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the accounting standards establish a three-level hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value, as follows:
Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - Significant observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, such as quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants.
We report investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) at fair value on an ongoing basis in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain other assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the assets are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances (for example, asset impairments). When there are asset impairments, the fair value of applicable long-lived assets is recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in property and equipment, net, and the corresponding impairment is recorded in real estate and other, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We also present the primary pension plan assets at fair value, of which level 2 investments are measured using net asset value (NAV) or broker quotes.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed primarily by using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the improvements or the term of the lease, including renewals determined to be reasonably assured.
We expense routine maintenance and repairs when incurred. We capitalize major replacements and improvements. We remove the cost of assets sold or retired and the related accumulated depreciation or amortization from the accounts and include any resulting gain or loss in income from continuing operations.
We recognize a liability for the fair value of our conditional asset retirement obligations, which are primarily related to asbestos removal, when incurred if the liability’s fair value can be reasonably estimated.
Capitalized Software Costs
We capitalize costs associated with the acquisition or development of major software for internal use in other assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and amortize the asset over the expected useful life of the software, generally between three and seven years. We only capitalize subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software to the extent that such changes allow the software to perform a task it previously did not perform. We expense software maintenance and training costs as incurred.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate long-lived assets such as store property and equipment and other corporate assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of those assets may not be recoverable. Factors considered important that could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or our overall business strategies. Potential impairment exists if the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset plus any net proceeds expected from disposition of the asset are less than the carrying value of the asset. The amount of the impairment loss represents the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its fair value and is included in real estate and other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For stores, we estimate fair value based on a projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate that is considered to be commensurate with the risk inherent in our current business model. For assets other than stores, we generally base fair value on either appraised value or projected discounted cash flows. We also take other factors into consideration, such as local market conditions, operating environment, mall performance and other trends.
Leases
We use a consistent lease term when calculating amortization of leasehold improvements, determining straight-line rent expense and determining classification of leases as either operating or capital. For purposes of recognizing incentives, premiums, rent holidays and minimum rental expenses on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases, we use the date of initial possession to begin amortization, which is generally when we enter the property and begin to make improvements in preparation of its intended use. Renewal options determined to be reasonably assured are also included in the lease term. Some leases require additional payments based on sales and are recorded in rent expense when the contingent rent is probable.
Some of our lease agreements contain developer/tenant allowances. Upon receipt of such allowances, we record a deferred rent liability in other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The allowances are then amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining terms of the corresponding leases as a reduction of rent expense.
Retirement-Related Benefits
Since 2007, we have recognized the funded status - the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the plan’s benefit obligation - of our defined benefit pension and postretirement plans directly on the balance sheet. Each overfunded plan is recognized as an asset and each underfunded plan is recognized as a liability. We adjust other comprehensive income/(loss) to reflect prior service cost or credits and actuarial gain or loss amounts arising during the period and reclassification adjustments for amounts being recognized as components of net periodic pension/postretirement cost, net of tax. Other comprehensive income/(loss) is amortized over the average remaining service period, a period of about seven years for the primary plan.
We measure the plan assets and obligations annually at the adopted measurement date of January 31 to determine pension expense for the subsequent year. In 2008 in accordance with new pension accounting guidance, we transitioned to a year-end measurement date of January 31 for our defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans and completed a new measurement of plan assets and benefit obligations as of the beginning and end of 2008. The factors and assumptions affecting the measurement are the characteristics of the population and salary increases, with the most important being the expected return on plan assets and the discount rate for the pension obligation. We use actuarial calculations for the assumptions, which require significant judgment.
Beginning in 2009, the fair values of plan assets are presented annually in accordance with recent Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidance. Fair value measurement of the primary plan’s level 2 investments was performed using NAV per share as a practical expedient allowed under recent FASB guidance on investments in certain entities that calculate NAV.
Exit or Disposal Activity Costs
Costs associated with exit or disposal activities are recorded at their fair values when a liability has been incurred. Reserves are established at the time of closure for the present value of any remaining operating lease obligations (PVOL), net of estimated sublease income, and at the point of decision for severance and other exit costs. Since we have an established program for termination benefits upon a reduction in force or the closing of a facility, termination benefits paid under the existing program are considered part of an ongoing benefit arrangement and are recorded when payment of the benefits is considered probable and reasonably estimable.
Stock-Based Compensation
We record compensation expense for time-vested awards on a straight-line basis over the associates’ service period, to the earlier of the retirement eligibility date, if the grant contains provisions such that the award becomes fully vested upon retirement, or the stated vesting period (the non-substantive vesting period approach). See Note 14 for a full discussion of our stock-based compensation.
2) Effect of New Accounting Standards
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Fair Value Measurements
The FASB issued a series of guidance about fair value measurements and included an initial standard that we adopted beginning in 2008, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, but does not require any new fair value measurements. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In October 2008, we adopted FASB guidance, which clarifies the application of fair value measurements as it relates to the valuation of financial assets in inactive markets. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Beginning in the second quarter of 2009, we adopted FASB guidance on how to determine the fair value of assets and liabilities when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability has significantly decreased. Also, this guidance provides information on identifying circumstances that
indicate a transaction is not orderly. Further, the guidance requires disclosure in interim and annual periods of the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value and a discussion of changes in valuation techniques. Our adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Beginning in the second quarter of 2009, we adopted FASB guidance that requires disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments whenever a public company issues financial information for interim reporting periods. The guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Effective for periods ending after December 15, 2009, we adopted FASB guidance on investments in certain entities that calculate NAV per share (or its equivalent). We applied this guidance with the fair value measurement of our primary pension plan assets disclosure of level 2 investments as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. Since the guidance expedites measurement of investments in certain entities that are disclosed only and not recorded, our adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities
Beginning in 2009, we adopted FASB guidance that clarifies that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of EPS pursuant to the two-class method. Dividend equivalents on our unvested share-based payment transactions are forfeited if the corresponding shares do not vest; therefore, our adoption of this guidance did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment
Beginning in the second quarter of 2009, we adopted FASB guidance that amends the requirements for the recognition and measurement of other-than-temporary impairment for debt securities by modifying the pre-existing “intent and ability” indicator. The guidance specifies an other-than-temporary impairment is triggered when there is an intent to sell the security, it is more likely than not that the security will be required to be sold before recovery, or the security is not expected to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. Additionally, the guidance changes the presentation of an other-than-temporary impairment in the income statement for those involving credit losses. The credit loss component will be recognized in earnings and the remainder of the impairment will be recorded in other comprehensive income. This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets
In December 2008, the FASB issued guidance that provides enhanced disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan including (1) investment policies and strategies, (2) major categories of plan assets, (3) the valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets, including the effect of significant unobservable inputs on changes in plan assets, and (4) significant concentrations within plan assets. This guidance was effective for periods ending after December 15, 2009. Since the guidance merely requires enhanced disclosures without a change to existing standards relative to measurement and recognition, our adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted
Fair Value Measurements
In January 2010, the FASB issued guidance 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 will be effective for us in 2010, except for level 3 reconciliation disclosures, which are effective for us beginning in 2011. We do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
3) Earnings per Share
Income from continuing operations and shares used to compute EPS from continuing operations, basic and diluted, are reconciled below:
The following average potential shares of common stock were excluded from the diluted EPS calculations because their effect would be anti-dilutive:
4) Supplemental Cash Flow Information
(1) Includes $9 million for bond premiums and commissions.
In May 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. There were no significant non-cash investing or financing activities in 2008 or 2007.
5) Other Assets
(1) Primarily the market value of our investment in public REITs accounted for as available for sale securities. As of January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009 the cost basis of these investments was $80 million and $75 million, respectively. The change from year to year relates primarily to the increase in market value of these investments. See Note 13 for the net unrealized gains on real estate investments.
6) Other Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
(1) Includes individually insignificant accrued expenses related to operations.
7) Other Liabilities
8) Fair Value Disclosures
REIT Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis
We determined the fair value of our investments in REITs using quoted market prices. See Note 13 for the net unrealized gain of $63 million in REITs recorded in 2009 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 Non-Financial Assets Measured on a Non-Recurring Basis
In 2009, seven underperforming stores with a carrying value of $43 million and other corporate assets with a carrying value of $20 million were written down to their fair value of $18 million and $6 million, respectively, and resulted in an impairment charge of $39 million, which was included in earnings for the period. The inputs to determine fair values were primarily based on projected discounted cash flow as well as other market information obtained from brokers.
Our other non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in 2009 and remaining on our Consolidated Balance Sheet at year end were as follows:
Other Financial Instruments
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
Long-Term Debt
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 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. At January 31, 2009, long-term debt had a carrying value of $3.5 billion and a fair value of $2.6 billion.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
We have no significant concentrations of credit risk.
9) Credit Agreement
On April 8, 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 2009 Credit Facility replaced our $1.2 billion credit facility that was scheduled to expire in April 2010. The 2009 Credit Facility is secured by our inventory, which security interest can be released upon attainment of certain credit
rating levels, and 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. Penney 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.
•
The leverage ratio, which is calculated as of the last day of the quarter and measured on a trailing four-quarter basis, cannot exceed 4 to 1 through January 30, 2010; 3.5 to 1 from January 31, 2010 through October 30, 2010; and 3 to 1 thereafter.
•
The fixed charge coverage ratio, which is calculated as of the last day of the quarter and measured on a trailing four-quarter basis, cannot be less than 2.25 to 1 through October 30, 2010; 2.5 to 1 from October 31, 2010 through October 29, 2011; and 3 to 1 thereafter.
•
The asset coverage ratio, which is calculated as of the last day of each fiscal month, cannot be less than 3 to 1.
As of January 30, 2010, we were in compliance with these requirements with a leverage ratio of 2.3 to 1, a fixed charge coverage ratio of 3.4 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 $134 million as of the end of 2009, have been made under the 2009 Credit Facility.
10) Long-Term Debt
2009 Debt Repurchase
In May 2009, we accepted for purchase $104 million principal amount of JCP’s outstanding 8.0% Notes due 2010 (Notes), which were validly tendered pursuant to the cash tender offer we initiated in April 2009 to purchase up to $200 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes. We paid $107 million aggregate consideration, including accrued and unpaid interest, for the accepted Notes in May 2009. In addition we purchased $9 million of these Notes in the open market in July 2009.
2008 Debt Payment
In August 2008, we repaid at maturity $200 million outstanding principal amount of JCP’s 7.375% Notes due 2008.
Long-Term Debt Financial Covenants
We have an indenture covering approximately $255 million of long-term debt that contains a financial covenant requiring us to have a minimum of 200% net tangible assets to senior funded indebtedness (as defined in the indenture). This indenture permits our Company to issue additional long-term debt if we are in compliance with the covenant. At year-end 2009, our percentage of net tangible assets to senior funded indebtedness was 334%.
Scheduled Annual Principal Payments on Long-Term Debt
11) Net Interest Expense
(1) Reflects increased financing costs due to the 2009 Credit Facility and lower levels of capitalized interest due to lower capital expenditures.
12) Capital Stock
Common Stock
As of January 30, 2010, we had 33,530 stockholders of record. On a combined basis, our 401(k) savings plan, including our employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), held approximately 17 million shares, or approximately 7.3% of outstanding JCPenney common stock, at January 30, 2010. Also at January 30, 2010, our primary pension plan held 7.9 million shares, or approximately 3.4% of outstanding JCPenney common stock.
Preferred Stock
We have authorized 25 million shares of preferred stock; no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding as of January 30, 2010 or January 31, 2009.
13) Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income
(1) See Note 16 for breakdowns of the pre-tax actuarial (loss)/gain and prior service (cost)/credit balances.
14) Stock-Based Compensation
At our Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 15, 2009, our stockholders approved the J. C Penney Company, Inc. 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (2009 Plan), reserving 13.1 million shares for future grants (8.5 million newly authorized shares, plus up to 4.6 million reserved but unissued shares from our prior 2005 Equity Compensation Plan (2005 Plan)). In addition, shares underlying any outstanding stock award or stock option grant canceled prior to vesting or exercise become available for use under the 2009 Plan. The 2005 Plan was terminated on May 15, 2009, except for outstanding awards. Subsequent awards have been and will be granted under the 2009 Plan.
The 2009 Plan allows for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights and stock awards (collectively, Equity Awards) and cash incentive awards (together, Awards) to employees (associates) and Equity Awards to our non-employee members of the Board of Directors. Under the Plan, Awards to associates are subject to such conditions as continued employment, qualifying termination, passage of time and/or satisfaction of performance criteria as specified in the Plan or set by the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board. As of January 30, 2010, 14.2 million shares of stock were available for future grant under the 2009 Plan, which includes approximately 1.3 million shares from awards cancelled subsequent to May 15, 2009.
Associate stock options and restricted stock awards typically vest over periods ranging from one to three years. The exercise price of stock options and the market value of restricted stock awards are determined based on the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant. The 2009 Plan does not permit awarding stock options below grant-date market value nor does it allow any repricing subsequent to the date of grant. Associate stock options have a maximum term of 10 years.
Over the past three years, our stock option and restricted stock award grants have averaged about 1.8% of total outstanding stock. We issue new shares upon the exercise of stock options, granting of restricted shares and vesting of restricted stock units.
Stock-Based Compensation Cost
Stock Options
On March 16, 2009, we made our annual grant of stock options covering approximately 3,873,000 shares to associates at an option price of $16.09, with a fair value of $6.27 per option.
As of January 30, 2010, options to purchase approximately 13.6 million shares of common stock were outstanding. If all options were exercised, common stock outstanding would increase by 5.7%. Additional information regarding options outstanding as of January 30, 2010 follows:
(Shares in thousands; price is weighted-average exercise price)
(1) Out-of-the-money options are those with an exercise price above the closing price of JCPenney common stock of $24.83 as of January 30, 2010.
The following table summarizes stock options outstanding as of January 30, 2010, as well as activity during the year then ended:
(1) The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option at year end.
Cash proceeds, tax benefits and intrinsic value related to total stock options exercised are provided in the following table:
As of January 30, 2010, we had $34 million of unrecognized and unearned compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, for stock options not yet vested, which will be recognized as expense over the remaining weighted-average vesting period of approximately one year.
Stock Option Valuation
Valuation Method. We estimate the fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant using a binomial lattice model. We believe that the binomial lattice model is a more accurate model for valuing employee stock options since it better reflects the impact of stock price changes on option exercise behavior.
Expected Term. Our expected option term represents the average period that we expect stock options to be outstanding and is determined based on our historical experience, giving consideration to contractual terms, vesting schedules, anticipated stock prices and expected future behavior of option holders.
Expected Volatility. Our expected volatility is based on a blend of the historical volatility of JCPenney stock combined with an estimate of the implied volatility derived from exchange traded options. Beginning in 2008, we increased the weighting of the historical volatility component of our expected volatility assumption due to historical volatility being more representative of our current business model. Our historical volatility no longer reflects the volatility associated with the Eckerd drugstore business, which was sold in mid-2004.
Risk-Free Interest Rate. Our risk-free interest rate is based on zero-coupon U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the date of grant with the same period as the expected option life.
Expected Dividend Yield. The dividend assumption is based on our current expectations about our dividend policy.
Our weighted-average fair value of stock options at grant date was $6.29 in 2009, $11.74 in 2008 and $19.85 in 2007 using the binomial lattice valuation model and the following assumptions:
Stock Awards
On March 16, 2009, we granted approximately 149,000 performance-based restricted stock units to our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, with a fair value of $1,280,757. The performance measurement for the award is the Company’s annualized total stockholder return over a three-year performance period. The minimum performance level required to achieve 100% payout of the award is 11.3% annualized total stockholder return. No portion of the award will be earned if the annualized total stockholder return is less than 11.3%. The maximum payout is 100% of the performance units awarded. Because the performance award is market based, this fair value will be recognized over the performance period, regardless of how much, if any, of the payout is earned.
In 2009, we granted approximately 47,000 restricted stock units to non-employee members of the Board. Restricted stock awards (shares and units) for non-employee directors are expensed when granted since the recipients have the right to receive the shares upon a qualifying termination of service in accordance with the grant. We also granted approximately 127,000 restricted and non-restricted stock units as ad-hoc awards to associates, as well as dividend equivalents on unvested restricted stock awards.
Awards vested during 2009 included the final one-third, or approximately 213,000 performance-based restricted stock units from our March 2006 annual grant and the initial one-third, or approximately 124,000 restricted stock units from our March 2008 annual grant. In addition, approximately 134,000 of individual restricted stock awards vested during the year.
The following table summarizes our non-vested stock awards as of January 30, 2010 and activity during the year then ended:
As of January 30, 2010, we had $14 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unearned associate stock awards, which will be recognized over the remaining weighted-average vesting period of approximately 1.3 years. The aggregate market value of shares vested during 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $10 million, $17 million and $28 million, respectively, compared to an aggregate grant date fair value of $24 million, $26 million and $21 million, respectively.
15) Leases
We conduct the major part of our operations from leased premises that include retail stores, store distribution centers, warehouses, offices and other facilities. Almost all leases will expire during the next 20 years; however, most leases will be renewed, primarily through an option exercise, or replaced by leases on other premises. We also lease data processing equipment and other personal property under operating leases of primarily three to five years. Rent expense, net of sublease income, was as follows:
Rent Expense
As of January 30, 2010, future minimum lease payments for non-cancelable operating leases, including lease renewals determined to be reasonably assured and net of future non-cancelable operating sublease payments, and capital leases were:
16) Retirement Benefit Plans
We provide retirement pension benefits, postretirement health and welfare benefits, as well as 401(k) savings, profit-sharing and stock ownership plan benefits to various segments of our workforce (associates). Retirement benefits are an important part of our total compensation and benefits program designed to attract and retain qualified, talented associates. Pension benefits are provided through defined benefit pension plans consisting of a non-contributory qualified pension plan (primary plan) and, for certain management associates, non-contributory supplemental retirement plans, including a 1997 voluntary early retirement plan. Retirement and other benefits include:
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Other Benefit Plans
Primary plan - funded
Postretirement benefits - medical and dental
Supplemental retirement plans - unfunded
Defined contribution plans:
401(k) savings, profit-sharing and stock ownership plan
Deferred compensation plan
On May 18, 2009, along with the voluntary contribution of approximately 13.4 million shares of JCPenney common stock to the primary plan valued at $340 million (discussed in the contributions section of this note) and to update assumptions relating to the pension liability, we remeasured the primary plan assets and obligations. Upon remeasurement, primarily as a result of the contribution, the funded status of the plan at the remeasurement date increased $310 million to a positive $35 million compared with a deficiency of $275 million at the January 31, 2009 measurement date, representing a funded status of 101% versus 93%. The net periodic benefit expense for 2009 at the remeasurement date was reduced by $24 million to $298 million from the original estimate of $322 million.
The measurement date for the determination of pension income for fiscal year 2008 was February 3, 2008. The year-end measurement date of January 31, 2009 was used to record the funded status of the plan and to determine 2009 pension expense.
On February 3, 2008, we adopted new pension accounting guidance and transitioned to a fiscal year-end measurement date by remeasuring primary plan assets and benefit obligations as of the beginning of 2008. As a result, we recorded an increase of $26 million, net of tax, to 2008 opening retained earnings for the transition adjustment to recognize three months of net periodic benefit income from October 31, 2007 to February 2, 2008. In addition, we recorded a decrease of $343 million, net of tax, to the 2008 opening balance of accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of net equity, to reflect the changes in fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation from October 31, 2007 to February 2, 2008, which included an increase in the discount rate from 6.46% to 6.54%. The expected return on plan assets was unchanged at 8.9%.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Primary Plan - Funded
The primary plan is a funded non-contributory qualified pension plan. The primary plan, initiated in 1966, was closed to new entrants on January 1, 2007. As of 2009, the primary plan had approximately 156,000 plan participants of whom about half were active and about 91% were vested. The plan is funded by Company contributions to a trust fund, which are held for the sole benefit of participants and beneficiaries.
Supplemental Retirement Plans - Unfunded
We have unfunded supplemental retirement plans, which provide retirement benefits to certain management associates. We pay ongoing benefits from operating cash flow and cash investments. The plans are a Supplemental Retirement Program and a Benefit Restoration Plan. Participation in the Supplemental Retirement Program is limited to associates who were annual incentive-eligible management associates as of December 31, 1995. Benefits for these plans are based on length of service and final average compensation. The Benefit Restoration Plan is intended to make up benefits that could not be paid by the primary plan due to governmental limits on the amount of benefits and the level of pay considered in the calculation of benefits. The Supplemental Retirement Program is a non-qualified plan that was designed to allow eligible management associates to retire at age 60 with retirement income comparable to the age 65 benefit provided under the primary plan and Benefit Restoration Plan. In addition, the Supplemental Retirement Program offers participants who leave between ages 60 and 62 benefits equal to the estimated social security benefits payable at age 62. The Supplemental Retirement Program also continues Company-paid term life insurance at a declining rate until it is phased out at age 70. Associate-paid term life insurance through age 65 is continued under a separate plan (Supplemental Term Life Insurance Plan for Management Profit-Sharing Associates).
Pension Expense/(Income) for Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Pension expense is based upon the annual service cost of benefits (the actuarial cost of benefits attributed to a period) and the interest cost on plan liabilities, less the expected return on plan assets for the primary plan. Differences in actual experience in relation to assumptions are not recognized immediately but are deferred and amortized over the average remaining service period of about seven years for the primary plan, subject to a corridor as permitted under pension plan accounting. The components of net periodic pension expense/(income) were as follows:
Pension Plan Expense/(Income)
The defined benefit plan pension expense/(income) shown in the above table is included as a separate line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Assumptions
The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine expense/(income) for 2009, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:
(1) For the first four months of 2009, the initial discount rate was 6.95% as determined by the January 31, 2009 annual measurement. The discount rate was revised to 6.86% on the remeasurement date of May 18, 2009. The supplemental plans and retiree medical plans used 6.95% for the year, since those plans were not subject to remeasurement.
(2) The salary scale assumptions at January 31, 2009 assumed a 0% pay increase in 2009 and 2.4% increase in 2010 to reflect our short-term salary progression, but overall did not impact the long-term assumption for salary progression rate. Upon remeasurement on May 18, 2009, the salary progression rate was revised to a 0% pay increase for 2009 and 4.7% in 2010 and beyond.
The discount rate used to measure pension expense each year is the rate as of the beginning of the year (i.e., the prior measurement date), except for 2008, which reflected the rate change from the prior year discount rate pension obligation due to the adoption of the measurement date provision. The discount rate used was based on an externally published yield curve determined by the plan’s actuary. The yield curve is a hypothetical AA yield curve represented by a series of bonds ranging in maturity from six months to 30 years, designed to match the corresponding pension benefit cash payments to retirees.
The expected return on plan assets is based on the plan’s long-term asset allocation policy, historical returns for plan assets and overall capital market returns, taking into account current and expected
market conditions. As a result of the 2008 negative returns in the capital markets and lowered expected future returns, we reduced the expected rate of return assumption to 8.4% from 8.9% beginning in 2009.
The salary progression rate to measure pension expense was based on age ranges and projected forward. The initial salary progression rate used to determine 2009 pension expense reflected a freeze on merit increases for 2009, a moderate increase in 2010 and resuming with the historical salary increase trend in 2011. However, upon remeasurement on May 18, 2009, this assumption was revised to reflect the resumption of the historical salary progression rate of 4.7% in 2010.
Funded Status
The following table provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and the funded status of the primary and supplemental pension plans. As of the end of 2009, the funded status of the primary plan was approximately 100%. The projected benefit obligation (PBO) is the present value of benefits earned to date by plan participants, including the effect of assumed future salary increases. For 2009 and 2008, assets used in calculating the funded status were measured at fair value at January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009. Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the funded status of the plan exceeded 100% as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the qualified pension plan’s year end.
Obligations and Funded Status
(1) Opening balance increased from prior year end due to the former Eckerd supplemental plan whose obligations in previous years were included in other liabilities of discontinued operations.
(2) Includes plan administrative expenses.
(3) Included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(4) $33 million in 2009 and $25 million in 2008 were included in other accounts payable and accrued expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the remaining amounts were included in other liabilities.
The funded status of the primary plan improved by $263 million. Positive capital market returns coupled with the discretionary contribution of common stock, discussed in the contributions section of this footnote, more than offset the negative impact on the benefit obligation from a decline in the discount rate. The actual one-year return on pension plan assets at the measurement date was 22.3% in 2009, bringing the cumulative return since inception of the plan to 8.7%.
The following pre-tax amounts were recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income as of January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009:
(1) Approximately $237 million for the primary plan and $19 million for the supplemental plans are expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income into net periodic benefit expense/(income) in 2010.
Assumptions to Determine Obligations
The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at the January 30, 2010, January 31, 2009 and October 31, 2007 measurement dates were as follows:
(1) The salary scale assumptions at the January 31, 2009 measurement date assumed 0% pay increases in 2009 and 2.4% increases in 2010 to reflect our short-term salary progression, but overall did not impact the long-term assumption for salary progression rate. Upon remeasurement on May 18, 2009, the salary progression rate was revised to 0% for 2009 and 4.7% for 2010 and beyond.
We use the Retirement Plans 2000 Table of Combined Healthy Lives (RP 2000 Table), projected using Scale AA to forecast mortality improvements into the future to 2016 for annuitants and 2024 for non-annuitants.
Accumulated Benefit Obligation (ABO)
The ABO is the present value of benefits earned to date, assuming no future salary growth. The ABO for our primary plan was $4.0 billion as of January 30, 2010 and $3.4 billion as of January 31, 2009. At January 30, 2010, plan assets of $4.3 billion for the primary plan were above the ABO. The ABO for our unfunded supplemental pension plans was $227 million as of January 30, 2010 and $216 million as of January 31, 2009.
Primary Plan Asset Allocation
The target allocation ranges for each asset class, as well as the fair value of each asset class as a percent of the total fair value of pension plan assets as of January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009, were as follows:
Asset Allocation Strategy
The pension plan’s investment strategy is designed to provide a rate of return that, over the long term, increases the ratio of plan assets to liabilities by maximizing investment return on assets, at an appropriate level of volatility risk. The plan’s asset portfolio is actively managed and invested primarily in equity securities, which have historically provided higher returns than debt portfolios, balanced with fixed income (i.e., debt securities) and other asset classes to maintain an efficient risk/return diversification profile. This strategy allows the pension plan to serve as a funding vehicle to secure benefits for associates, while at the same time being cost effective. The risk of loss in the plan’s equity portfolio is mitigated by investing in a broad range of equity types. Equity diversification includes large-capitalization and small-capitalization companies, growth-oriented and value-oriented investments and U.S. and non-U.S. securities. Investment types, including high-yield versus investment-grade debt securities, illiquid assets such as real estate, the use of derivatives and Company securities are set forth in written guidelines established for each investment manager and monitored by the plan’s management team. In conjunction with the 2009 voluntary contribution of JCPenney common stock, the plan holds 4.7% of its assets in the stock. ERISA rules allow plans to invest up to 10% of a plan’s assets in their company’s stock. The plan’s asset allocation policy is designed to meet the plan’s future pension benefit obligations. Under the policy, asset classes are periodically reviewed and rebalanced as necessary, to ensure that the mix continues to be appropriate relative to established targets and ranges. In conjunction with our policy, during 2009, we slightly rebalanced the target allocation mix to initiate our long-term goal to move from an equity-weighted to a fixed income-weighted investment strategy.
We have an internal Benefit Plans Investment Committee (BPIC), which consists of senior executives who have established a review process of asset allocation and investment strategies and oversee risk management practices associated with the management of the plan’s assets. Key risk management practices include having an established and broad decision-making framework in place, focused on long-term plan objectives. This framework consists of the BPIC and various third parties, including investment managers, an investment consultant, an actuary and a trustee/custodian. The funded status of the plan is monitored on a continuous basis, including quarterly reviews with updated market and liability information. Actual asset allocations are monitored monthly and rebalancing actions are executed at least quarterly, if needed. To manage the risk associated with an actively managed portfolio, the plan’s management team reviews each manager’s portfolio on a quarterly basis and has written manager guidelines in place, which are adjusted as necessary to ensure appropriate diversification levels. Also, annual audits of the investment managers are conducted by independent
auditors. Finally, to minimize operational risk, we utilize a master custodian for all plan assets, and each investment manager reconciles its account with the custodian at least quarterly.
Fair Value of Primary Plan Assets
The table below provides the fair values of the primary plan’s assets as of January 30, 2010, by major class of asset. See Note 1 for a definition of the levels.
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for primary plan assets measured at fair value:
Cash - Cash is valued at cost which approximates fair value, and is classified as level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Common Collective Trusts - Common collective trusts are pools of investments within cash equivalents, equity and fixed income that are benchmarked off a comparable index. They are valued on the basis of the relative interest of each participating investor in the fair value of the underlying assets. The underlying assets are valued at NAV and are classified as level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Equity Securities - Equity securities are common stocks and preferred stocks valued based on the price of the security as listed on an open active exchange and classified as level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, as well as warrants and preferred stock that are valued at a price, which is based on a broker quote in an over-the-counter market, and are classified as level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Private Equity - Private equity is composed of interests in private equity funds valued on the basis of the relative interest of each participating investor in the fair value of the underlying assets and/or
common stock of privately held companies. There are no observable market values for private equity funds. The valuations for the funds are derived using a combination of different methodologies including (1) the market approach, which consists of analyzing market transactions for comparable assets, (2) the income approach using the discounted cash flow model, or (3) cost method. Private equity funds also provide audited financial statements. Private equity investments are classified as level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Corporate Bonds - Corporate bonds are valued at a price which is based on observable market information in primary markets or a broker quote in an over-the-counter market, and are classified as level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Government and Mortgage-Backed Securities - Government securities are valued at a price based on a broker quote in an over-the-counter market and classified as level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Mortgage-backed securities are valued at a price based on observable market information or a broker quote in an over-the-counter market and classified as level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Real Estate - Real estate is comprised of public and private real estate investments. Real estate investments through registered investment companies that trade on an exchange are classified as level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Investments through open end private real estate funds that are valued at the reported NAV are classified as level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Private real estate investments through partnership interests that are valued based on different methodologies including discounted cash flow, direct capitalization and market comparable analysis are classified as level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Other Fixed Income - Other fixed income is composed of futures contracts, option contracts, swap contracts and other fixed income derivatives and is based on broker quote in an over-the-counter market and is classified as level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the primary plan’s level 3 investment assets for the year ended January 30, 2010:
Level 3 Investment Assets
Year ended January 30, 2010
Contributions
Consistent with our discretionary contribution practice, we elected to make a voluntary contribution of JCPenney common stock to the primary plan in 2009. The contribution was valued at $340 million, based on a price of $25.39 per share, reflecting a 6.5% discount to the closing price on May 18, 2009. In 2008, based on management’s goal of maintaining a strong corporate liquidity position during the
Bridge Plan period, we did not make any voluntary cash contributions to the primary plan. Due to our past aggressive funding of the pension plan and overall positive growth in plan assets since plan inception, there will not be any required cash contribution for funding of plan assets in either 2010 or 2011 under ERISA, as amended by the Pension Protection Act of 2006. However, we may make discretionary voluntary contributions taking into account liquidity and capital resource availability and capital market conditions.
Our contributions to the unfunded non-qualified supplemental retirement plans are equal to the amount of benefit payments made to retirees throughout the year and for 2010 are anticipated to be approximately $34 million. The expected contributions for 2010 have increased from $25 million in the prior year due to an increase in supplemental retirement plan benefit payouts. Benefits are paid in the form of five equal annual installments to participants and no election as to the form of benefit is provided for in the unfunded plans.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
(1) Does not include plan administrative expenses.
(2) Primary plan benefits are paid from the JCPenney Pension Plan Trust.
Other Benefit Plans
Postretirement Benefits - Medical and Dental
We provide medical and dental benefits to retirees through a contributory medical and dental plan based on age and years of service. We provide a defined dollar commitment toward retiree medical premiums.
Effective June 7, 2005, we amended the medical plan to reduce our subsidy to post-age 65 retirees and spouses by 45% beginning January 1, 2006, and then fully eliminated the subsidy after December 31, 2006. As disclosed previously, the postretirement benefit plan was amended in 2001 to reduce and cap the per capita dollar amount of the benefit costs that would be paid by the plan. Thus, changes in the assumed or actual health care cost trend rates do not materially affect the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation or our annual expense.
Postretirement Plan (Income)
The net periodic postretirement benefit is included in SG&A expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The discount rates used for the postretirement plan are the same as those used for the defined benefit plans, as disclosed on page, for all periods presented.
Funded Status
The table below provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and the funded status of the postretirement plan. The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) is the present value of benefits earned to date by plan participants.
Obligations and Funded Status
(1) Of the total accrued liability, $3 million for 2009 and $4 million for 2008 was included in other accounts payable and accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the remaining amounts were included in other liabilities.
The following pre-tax amounts were recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income as of January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009:
(1) In 2010, approximately $(1) million and $(25) million, respectively, of the net (gain) and prior service (credit) for the postretirement plan are expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic postretirement benefit (income).
Cash Contributions
The postretirement benefit plan is not funded and is not subject to any minimum regulatory funding requirements. We estimate that in 2010 we will contribute $3 million toward retiree medical premiums.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
(1) Does not include plan administrative expenses.
Defined Contribution Plans
The Savings, Profit-Sharing and Stock Ownership Plan (Savings Plan) is a qualified defined contribution plan, a 401(k) plan, available to all eligible associates. Effective January 1, 2007, all associates who are age 21 or older are immediately eligible to participate in and contribute a percentage of their pay to the Savings Plan. Previously, associates had to complete at least 1,000 hours of service within an eligibility period (generally a period of 12 consecutive months) and be age 21 to be eligible to participate in the plan. Beginning in plan year 2007, eligible associates, who have completed one year and at least 1,000 hours of service within an eligibility period, are offered a fixed matching contribution equal to 50% of the first 6% of pay contributed by the associate. We may make additional discretionary matching contributions. This fixed plus discretionary match replaced the former contribution of an amount equal to 4.5% of available profits plus discretionary contributions, which was effective through plan year 2006. Effective with the 2007 plan year, matching contributions fully vest after three years. Matching contributions made through plan year 2006 vest over a five-year period at 20% per year of service. Our contributions in 2006 were invested in our common stock, with associates having the option of reinvesting matching contributions made in stock into a variety of investment options. After 2006, our matching contributions are credited to associates’ accounts in accordance with their investment elections.
The Savings Plan includes a non-contributory retirement account. Participants who are hired or rehired on or after January 1, 2007 and who have completed at least 1,000 hours of service within an eligibility period receive a Company contribution in an amount equal to 2% of the participants’ annual pay. This Company contribution is in lieu of the primary pension benefit that was closed to associates hired or rehired on or after that date. Participating associates are fully vested after three years.
In addition to the Savings Plan, we sponsor the Mirror Savings Plan, which is a non-qualified contributory unfunded defined contribution plan offered to certain management associates. This plan supplements retirement savings under the Savings Plan for eligible management associates who choose to participate in it. The plan’s investment options generally mirror the traditional Savings Plan investment options. The Mirror Savings Plan investment balances have declined in conjunction with the declines in the capital markets, which decreased our benefit liability, and resulted in an actuarial gain of $23 million. This gain has been recorded through accumulated other comprehensive income.
Similar to the supplemental retirement plans, the Mirror Savings Plan benefits are paid from our operating cash flow and cash investments.
The expense for these plans, which was predominantly included in SG&A expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, was as follows:
17) 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, six as general partner and eight as limited partner. Real estate and other also includes net gains from the sale of facilities and equipment that are no longer used in Company operations, asset impairments and other non-operating corporate charges and credits.
In 2009, impairment charges totaled $42 million and were primarily related to seven underperforming department stores and other corporate assets. Included in the $42 million is an impairment charge of $3 million relating to a corporate asset that was disposed of by year-end. Of the seven stores, three will continue to operate in their existing locations while the remaining stores are candidates for relocation or closure. In 2008, impairment charges of $21 million primarily related to a department store, a real estate joint venture and other corporate assets.
18) Income Taxes
Our deferred tax assets and liabilities as of January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009 were as follows:
(1) Includes tax items related to accruals for sales returns, miscellaneous benefit plans and discontinued operations.
(2) Includes tax items related to property taxes and prepaid expenses.
(3) Included in income taxes receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(4) Includes tax items related to environmental cleanup costs and discontinued operations.
We anticipate that we will generate sufficient pre-tax income in the future to realize the full benefit of the deferred tax assets related to future deductible amounts. Accordingly, a valuation was not required at year-end 2009 or 2008.
Income taxes receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheets included current income taxes receivable of $258 million at the end of 2009 and $204 million at the end of 2008, in addition to the net current deferred tax assets shown above.
Unrecognized tax benefits totaled $165 million as of January 30, 2010, compared to $192 million as of January 31, 2009. A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
(1) Includes $7 million, $7 million and $12 million related to discontinued operations at the end of 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
As of the end of 2009, 2008 and 2007 the uncertain tax position balance included $75 million, $70 million and $70 million, respectively, that, if recognized, would lower the effective tax rate and would be reduced upon settlement by $26 million, $24 million and $24 million, respectively, related to the federal tax deduction of state taxes. The remaining amounts reflected 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 incurred, 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 $55 million ($4 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 recognized $1 million of interest expense in both 2009 and 2008 and $25 million of interest income in 2007 related to unrecognized tax benefits. We did not have any penalties in any year presented. Accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits was $2 million as of January 30, 2010, and $1 million as of January 31, 2009.
The components of our income tax expense for continuing operations were as follows:
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to our effective rate for continuing operations is as follows:
(1) The increase from the prior year was primarily due to state audit and legislative activity in 2009.
The income tax rate for 2007 was lower than it otherwise would have been due to the release of income tax reserves resulting from the favorable resolution of prior year tax matters.
We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and foreign jurisdictions. We are no longer subject to U.S. Federal examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009. Our U.S. income tax returns for 2007 and 2008 have been audited and we expect resolution of issues pertaining to those years to occur in 2010. We are audited by the taxing authorities of virtually all states and certain foreign countries and are subject to examination by these taxing jurisdictions for years generally after 2005.
19) 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 January 30, 2010, we estimated our total potential environmental liabilities to range from $49 million to $60 million and recorded our best estimate of $53 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 part of the 2001 asset sale of J. C. Penney Direct Marketing Services, Inc., JCP signed a guarantee agreement with a maximum exposure of $20 million. Any potential claims or losses are first recovered from established reserves, then from the purchaser and finally from any state insurance guarantee fund before JCP’s guarantee would be invoked. As a result, we do not believe that any potential exposure would have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
20) Discontinued Operations
Our consolidated financial statements reflect activity related to operations we discontinued prior to 2006, and consisted primarily of adjustments reflecting management’s ongoing review and true-up of reserves for discontinued operations, including tax reserves.
Discontinued Operations
We do not expect previously discontinued operations to have a future material impact on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
21) Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
The following is a summary of our quarterly unaudited consolidated results of operations for 2009 and 2008:
(1) Per share amounts are computed independently for each of the quarters presented. The sum of the quarters may not equal the total year amount due to the impact of changes in average quarterly shares outstanding.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Description
Incorporated by Reference
Filed () or
Furnished
() Herewith
(as indicated)
Exhibit No.
Form
SEC File
No.
Exhibit
Filing
Date
2.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of January 23, 2002, between JCP and Company
8-K
001-15274
01/28/2002
3.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended to May 19, 2006
10-Q
001-15274
3.1
06/07/2006
3.2
Bylaws of Company, as amended to February 24, 2010
8-K
001-15274
3.1
03/01/2010
4.1
Indenture, dated as of October 1, 1982, between JCP and U.S. Bank National Association, Trustee (formerly First Trust of California, National Association, as Successor Trustee to Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association)
10-K
001-00777
4(a)
04/19/1994
4.2
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 15, 1983, between JCP and U.S. Bank National Association, Trustee (formerly First Trust of California, National Association, as Successor Trustee to Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association)
10-K
001-00777
4(b)
04/19/1994
4.3
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1, 1984, between JCP and U.S. Bank National Association, Trustee (formerly First Trust of California, National Association, as Successor Trustee to Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association)
10-K
001-00777
4(c)
04/19/1994
4.4
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 7, 1986, between JCP and U.S. Bank National Association, Trustee (formerly First Trust of California, National Association, as Successor Trustee to Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association)
S-3
033-03882
4(d)
03/11/1986
4.5
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 7, 1991, between JCP and U.S. Bank National Association, Trustee (formerly First Trust of California, National Association, as Successor Trustee to Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association)
S-3
033-41186
4(e)
06/13/1991
E-1
Exhibit Description
Incorporated by Reference
Filed () or
Furnished
() Herewith
(as indicated)
Exhibit No.
Form
SEC File
No.
Exhibit
Filing
Date
4.6
Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 27, 2002, among the Company, JCP and U.S. Bank National Association, Trustee (formerly First Trust of California, National Association, as Successor Trustee to Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association) to Indenture dated as of October 1, 1982
10-K
001-15274
4(o)
04/25/2002
4.7
Indenture, dated as of April 1, 1994, between JCP and U.S. Bank National Association, Trustee (formerly First Trust of California, National Association, as Successor Trustee to Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association)
S-3
033-53275
4(a)
04/26/1994
4.8
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 27, 2002, among the Company, JCP and U.S. Bank National Association, Trustee (formerly Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association) to Indenture dated as of April 1, 1994
10-K
001-15274
4(p)
04/25/2002
4.9
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 26, 2002, among the Company, JCP and U.S. Bank National Association, Trustee (formerly Bank of America National Trust and Savings Institution) to Indenture dated as of April 1, 1994
10-Q
001-15274
09/06/2002
Other instruments evidencing long-term debt have not been filed as exhibits hereto because none of the debt authorized under any such instrument exceeds 10% of the total assets of the Registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Registrant agrees to furnish a copy of any of its long-term debt instruments to the SEC upon request.
E-2
Exhibit Description
Incorporated by Reference
Filed () or
Furnished
() Herewith
(as indicated)
Exhibit No.
Form
SEC File
No.
Exhibit
Filing
Date
10.1
Credit Agreement dated as of April 8, 2009 among J. C. Penney Company, Inc., J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc., J. C. Penney Purchasing Corporation, the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as LC Agent
8-K
001-15274
10.1
04/13/2009
10.2
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of April 8, 2009 among J. C. Penney Company, Inc., J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc., J. C. Penney Purchasing Corporation, the Subsidiaries of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. identified therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N. A., as Administrative Agent
8-K
001-15274
10.2
04/13/2009
10.3
Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of April 4, 2004, among J. C. Penney Company, Inc., Eckerd Corporation, Thrift Drug, Inc., Genovese Drug Stores, Inc., Eckerd Fleet, Inc., CVS Pharmacy, Inc. and CVS Corporation
10-K
001-15274
10(i)(e)
04/08/2004
10.4
Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of April 4, 2004, among J. C. Penney Company, Inc., TDI Consolidated Corporation, and The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc.
10-K
001-15274
10(i)(f)
04/08/2004
10.5
Amendment and Waiver No. 1 to Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of July 30, 2004, among CVS Pharmacy, Inc., CVS Corporation, J. C. Penney Company, Inc., Eckerd Corporation, Thrift Drug, Inc., Genovese Drug Stores, Inc., and Eckerd Fleet, Inc.
10-Q
001-15274
10.1
09/08/2004
10.6
First Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of July 30, 2004, among The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc., J. C. Penney Company, Inc., and TDI Consolidated Corporation
10-Q
001-15274
10.2
09/08/2004
10.7
CN Rescission Agreement dated as of August 25, 2004, among CVS Corporation, CVS Pharmacy, Inc., certain CVS affiliates, and J.C. Penney Company, Inc.
10-Q
001-15274
10.3
09/08/2004
10.8**
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. Directors’ Equity Program Tandem Restricted Stock Award/Stock Option Plan
10-K
001-00777
10(k)
04/24/1989
** Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
E-3
Exhibit Description
Incorporated by Reference
Filed () or
Furnished
() Herewith
(as indicated)
Exhibit No.
Form
SEC File
No.
Exhibit
Filing
Date
10.9**
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 1989 Equity Compensation Plan
Def.
Proxy
Stmt.
001-00777
A
04/18/1989
10.10**
February 1995 Amendment to J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 1989 Equity Compensation Plan
10-K
001-00777
10(ii)(k)
04/18/1995
10.11**
February 1996 Amendment to J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 1989 Equity Compensation Plan, as amended
10-K
001-00777
10(ii)(k)
04/16/1996
10.12**
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 1993 Non-Associate Directors’ Equity Plan
Def.
Proxy
Stmt.
001-00777
B
04/20/1993
10.13**
February 1995 Amendment to J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 1993 Non-Associate Directors’ Equity Plan
10-K
001-00777
10(ii)(m)
04/18/1995
10.14**
Directors’ Charitable Award Program
10-K
001-00777
10(r)
04/25/1990
10.15**
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 1997 Equity Compensation Plan
Def.
Proxy
Stmt.
001-00777
A
04/11/1997
10.16**
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2001 Equity Compensation Plan
Def.
Proxy
Stmt.
001-00777
B
04/11/2001
10.17**
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Def.
Proxy
Stmt.
001-15274
Annex A
03/31/2009
10.18**
JCP Supplemental Term Life Insurance Plan for Management Profit-Sharing Associates, as amended and restated effective July 1, 2007
10-Q
001-15274
10.1
09/12/2007
10.19**
Term Sheet dated as of October 27, 2004, between the Company and M. E. Ullman, III
10-Q
001-15274
10.1
12/07/2004
10.20**
Letter Agreement dated as of March 18, 2005, between the Company and M. E. Ullman, III
8-K
001-15274
10.1
03/22/2005
10.21**
Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award to M. E. Ullman, III, dated as of December 1, 2004
10-Q
001-15274
10.3
12/07/2004
10.22**
Form of Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2001 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.1
02/15/2005
** Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
E-4
Exhibit Description
Incorporated by Reference
Filed () or
Furnished
() Herewith
(as indicated)
Exhibit No.
Form
SEC File
No.
Exhibit
Filing
Date
10.23**
Form of Notice of Restricted Stock Award under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2001 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.2
02/15/2005
10.24**
Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Option(s) under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2001 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.3
02/15/2005
10.25**
Form of Director’s election to receive all/portion of annual cash retainer in J. C. Penney Company, Inc. common stock (J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2001 Equity Compensation Plan)
8-K
001-15274
10.4
02/15/2005
10.26**
Form of Notice of Restricted Stock Award - Non-Associate Director Annual Grant under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2001 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.5
02/15/2005
10.27**
Form of Notice of Election to Defer under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors
8-K
001-15274
10.6
02/15/2005
10.28**
Form of Notice of Change in the Amount of Fees Deferred under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors
8-K
001-15274
10.7
02/15/2005
10.29**
Form of Notice of Change of Factor for Deferral Account under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors
8-K
001-15274
10.8
02/15/2005
10.30**
Form of Notice of Termination of Election to Defer under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors
8-K
001-15274
10.9
02/15/2005
10.31**
Form of Notice of Non-Associate Director Restricted Stock Unit Award under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2001 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.1
05/24/2005
10.32**
Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Option(s), Special Stock Option Grant under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.1
05/31/2005
10.33**
Form of Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.2
05/31/2005
** Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
E-5
Exhibit Description
Incorporated by Reference
Filed () or
Furnished
() Herewith
(as indicated)
Exhibit No.
Form
SEC File
No.
Exhibit
Filing
Date
10.34**
Form of Notice of Non-Associate Director Restricted Stock Unit Award under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.1
11/18/2005
10.35**
JCP Form of Executive Termination Pay Agreement, as amended and restated effective September 21, 2007
8-K
001-15274
10.1
09/26/2007
10.36**
Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Options under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.4
03/27/2006
10.37**
Form of Notice of Performance Unit Grant under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.5
03/27/2006
10.38**
Form of Election to Receive Stock in Lieu of Cash Retainer(s) (J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan)
8-K
001-15274
10.1
05/19/2006
10.39**
Form of Notice of Election to Defer under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors
8-K
001-15274
10.2
05/19/2006
10.40**
Form of Notice of Change in the Amount of Fees Deferred under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors
8-K
001-15274
10.3
05/19/2006
10.41**
Form of Notice of Termination of Election to Defer under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors
8-K
001-15274
10.4
05/19/2006
10.42**
Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation
10-Q
001-15274
10.1
09/10/2008
10.43**
Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Options for Executive Officers subject to Executive Termination Pay Agreements under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.1
08/07/2006
10.44**
JCP Management Incentive Compensation Program, effective December 31, 2007
8-K
001-15274
10.6
12/14/2007
10.45**
Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Options under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.1
03/15/2007
** Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
E-6
Exhibit Description
Incorporated by Reference
Filed () or
Furnished
() Herewith
(as indicated)
Exhibit No.
Form
SEC File
No.
Exhibit
Filing
Date
10.46**
Form of Notice of Special Restricted Stock Unit Award under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.2
03/15/2007
10.47**
Form of Notice of 2007 Performance Unit Grant under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.3
03/15/2007
10.48**
2008 Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Options under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.1
03/07/2008
10.49**
2008 Form of Notice of Special Restricted Stock Unit Award under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.2
03/07/2008
10.50**
Form of Notice of 2008 Performance Unit Grant under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.3
03/07/2008
10.51**
JCP Change in Control Plan, effective December 31, 2007
8-K
001-15274
10.7
12/14/2007
10.52**
JCP Change in Control Plan, as amended and restated effective March 27, 2008
8-K
001-15274
10.1
04/02/2008
10.53**
JCP 2009 Change in Control Plan
10-K
001-15274
10.60
03/31/2009
10.54**
Form of Indemnification Trust Agreement between JCP and JPMorgan Chase Bank (formerly Chemical Bank) dated as of July 30, 1986, as amended March 30, 1987
Def.
Proxy
Stmt.
001-00777
Exhibit 1
to
Exhibit B
04/24/1987
10.55**
Second Amendment to Indemnification Trust Agreement between JCP and JPMorgan Chase Bank, effective as of January 27, 2002
10-K
001-15274
10.53
03/31/2009
10.56**
Third Amendment to Indemnification Trust Agreement between Company, JCP and JPMorgan Chase Bank, effective as of June 1, 2008
10-Q
001-15274
10.2
09/10/2008
10.57**
Form of Indemnification Agreement between Company, JCP and individual Indemnities, as amended through January 27, 2002
10-K
001-15274
10(ii)(ab)
04/25/2002
** Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
E-7
Exhibit Description
Incorporated by Reference
Filed () or
Furnished
() Herewith
(as indicated)
Exhibit No.
Form
SEC File
No.
Exhibit
Filing
Date
10.58**
Special Rules for Reimbursements Subject to Code Section 409A under Indemnification Agreement between Company, JCP and individual Indemnities, adopted December 9,
10-K
001-15274
10.56
03/31/2009
10.59**
Form of Notice of 2008 Supplemental Annual CEO Performance Unit Grant under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.1
12/16/2008
10.60**
2009 Base Salaries, 2009 Target Incentive Opportunity Percentages and 2009 Equity Awards for Named Executive Officers
10-K
001-15274
10.66
03/31/2009
10.61**
JCP Mirror Savings Plan, amended and restated effective December 31, 2007 and as further amended through
December 9, 2008
10-K
001-15274
10.61
03/31/2009
10.62**
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, as amended and restated effective February 27, 2008 and as further amended through December 10,
10-K
001-15274
10.62
03/31/2009
10.63**
Supplemental Retirement Program for Management Profit-Sharing Associates of JCP, as amended and restated effective December 31, 2007 and as further amended through December 9, 2008
10-K
001-15274
10.63
03/31/2009
10.64**
JCP Benefit Restoration Plan, as amended and restated effective December 31, 2007 and as further amended through December 9, 2008
10-K
001-15274
10.64
03/31/2009
10.65**
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan, as amended through December 10, 2008
10-K
001-15274
10.65
03/31/2009
** Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
E-8
Exhibit Description
Incorporated by Reference
Filed () or
Furnished
() Herewith
(as indicated)
Exhibit No.
Form
SEC File
No.
Exhibit
Filing
Date
10.66**
Form of Notice of 2009 Annual CEO Performance Unit Grant under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.1
03/17/2009
10.67**
Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Options under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan
10-Q
001-15274
10.2
09/09/2009
10.68**
Form of Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan
10-Q
001-15274
10.3
09/09/2009
10.69**
Form of Notice of Non-Associate Director Restricted Stock Unit Award under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan
10-Q
001-15274
10.4
09/09/2009
10.70
Registration Rights Agreement dated May 18, 2009, by and between
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and Evercore Trust Company, N.A., as investment manager of a segregated account in the J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. Pension Plan Trust
8-K
001-15274
10.1
05/21/2009
10.71
Consumer Credit Card Program Agreement by and between JCP and GE Money Bank, as amended and restated as of November 5, 2009
8-K
001-15274
10.1
11/06/2009
10.72**
2010 Base Salaries, 2010 Target Incentive Opportunity Percentages, and 2010 Equity Awards for Named Executive Officers

10.73**
Form of Notice of 2010 Performance Unit Grant under the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan
8-K
001-15274
10.1
03/17/2010
Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Letter Regarding Change in Accounting Principles

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Power of Attorney

** Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
E-9
Exhibit Description
Incorporated by Reference
Filed () or
Furnished
() Herewith
(as indicated)
Exhibit No.
Form
SEC File
No.
Exhibit
Filing
Date
31.1
Certification by CEO pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 780(d), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2
Certification by CFO pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 780(d), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1
Certification by CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2
Certification by CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS
XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

E-10