JCPENNEY EARNINGS DISASTER - SAME-STORE SALES TANK 32%

J.C. Penney's fourth-quarter earnings announcement is out.

The company announced an adjusted loss per share of $1.95, way below the per-share loss of $0.24 predicted by analysts.

Sales came in at $3.88 billion. Analysts were looking for $4.08 billion.

Same-store sales were down 32 percent in the fourth quarter.

Shares are down 8 percent in after-hours trading.

Veteran retail analyst Brian Sozzi perhaps put it best in an email following the announcement: "Where is the rest of J.C. Penney's quarter?"

Below is the full text from the release:

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 27, 2013 -- J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (JCP) today announced financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended February 2, 2013. For the quarter, jcpenney reported a net loss of $552 million or $2.51 per share. Excluding restructuring and management transition charges and non-cash primary pension plan expense, the Company`s adjusted net loss for the quarter was $427 million or $1.95 per share.

For the year, jcpenney reported a net loss of $985 million or $4.49 per share. Excluding markdowns related to the alignment of inventory with the Company`s new strategy, restructuring and management transition charges, non-cash primary pension plan expense and the net gain on the sale or redemption of non-operating assets, the Company`s adjusted net loss for the year was $766 million or $3.49 per share. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is included in the schedules accompanying the consolidated financial statements included with this release.

Ron Johnson, chief executive officer of jcpenney said, "Sales and customer traffic were below our expectations in 2012, but as we execute our ambitious transformation plan, we are pleased with the great strides we made to improve jcpenney`s cost structure, technology platforms and the overall customer experience. We have accomplished so much in the last twelve months. We believe the bold actions taken in 2012 will materially improve the Company`s long-term growth and profitability."

Johnson continued, "Looking ahead, we are energized by our shop roll out plans for 2013 and the exciting work our teams are undertaking to transform the store. Combining a new marketing campaign focused on style and value, incredible new brands and updated merchandise, with continued enhancements to the customer experience both in our stores and on jcp.com, we are working towards reconnecting with our core customer while attracting new customers to jcpenney."

Fourth Quarter Results:

Total sales for the fourth quarter, which included $163 million of sales in the 53rd week, decreased 28.4 percent to $3.884 billion. Comparable store sales, which exclude the 53^rd week, declined 31.7 percent. Internet sales through jcp.com were $315 million in the fourth quarter, decreasing 34.4 percent from last year.

Gross margin was 23.8 percent of sales, compared to 30.2 percent in the same period last year. Gross margin was impacted by lower than expected sales and a higher level of clearance merchandise sales related to inventory reductions in 2012.

The Company`s SG&A expenses decreased $134 million compared to last year`s fourth quarter.

The Company incurred a charge of $148 million, or $0.41 per share, in the fourth quarter related to lump-sum settlements from its primary pension plan, elected by participants who have separated from the Company.

Additionally during the quarter, the Company recognized charges totaling approximately $86 million, or $0.24 per share, related to the impairment and write-off of certain store and store-related assets.

For the fourth quarter, the Company incurred $29 million, or $0.08 per share, in restructuring and management transition charges. These charges comprised the following:

• Store fixtures $18 million, or $0.05 per share;
• Management transition $5 million, or $0.01 per share;
• Home office and stores $4 million, or $0.01 per share;
• Other $2 million, or $0.01 per share.

Operating cash flow in the fourth quarter was $645 million compared to $953 million in last year`s fourth quarter. Investing cash flow was a use of $229 million compared to a use of $455 million in the same quarter last year.

Fiscal 2012 Results:

Total sales for the fiscal year, which included $163 million of sales in the 53^rd week, decreased 24.8 percent to $12.985 billion. Comparable store sales, which exclude the 53^rd week, declined 25.2 percent. Internet sales through jcp.com were $1.020 billion, decreasing 33.0 percent from last year.

Gross margin was 31.3 percent of sales, compared to 36.0 percent last year. Gross margin was impacted by lower than expected sales, a higher level of clearance merchandise sales and markdowns taken during the year to clear discontinued inventory in preparation for new product and brands being introduced as part of the transformation.

The Company`s SG&A expenses decreased $603 million compared to last year.

As noted above, the Company incurred a charge of $148 million, or $0.41 per share, related to lump-sum settlements from its primary pension plan, elected by participants who have separated from the Company.

Additionally, the Company realized net gains on the sale or redemption of non-operating assets of $397 million and recognized charges totaling approximately $86 million, or $0.24 per share, related to the impairment and write-off of certain store and store-related assets.

For the year, the Company incurred $298 million, or $0.83 per share, in restructuring and management transition charges. These charges comprised the following:

• Home office and stores $109 million, or $0.30 per share;
• Store fixtures $78 million, or $0.22 per share;
• Management transition $41 million, or $0.12 per share;
• Software and systems $36 million, or $0.10 per share;
• Supply chain $19 million, or $0.05 per share;
• Other $15 million, or $0.04 per share.

Despite the impacts of reduced sales and gross margin and restructuring charges associated with the Company`s transformation throughout 2012, full year operating cash flow was a use of $10 million. This takes into account the non-cash nature of a number of restructuring charges, the positive impacts of reduced expenses, reduction in inventory levels, specific steps taken to improve overall working capital, including the realignment of vendor payment schedules of $129 million and a one-time deferral of select vendor payments in the fourth quarter of $85 million. Investing cash flow for the year was a use of $293 million as capital investments of $810 million were partially offset by cash from the sale and redemption of non-operating assets. The Company reduced its debt by $250 million in 2012 and ended the year with $930 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Spring 2013 Shops Outlook:

During spring 2013, the Company anticipates opening close to 20 shops designated for home products in 505 stores with brand partners such as Michael Graves, Jonathan Adler and Sir Terence Conran, among others. In addition to transforming the home area, the Company will open nearly 700 Joe Fresh^TM apparel shops on March 15, 2013 as it transforms nearly 11 million square feet of retail space in the spring.

During the year, the Company anticipates opening 60 Sephora inside jcpenney stores, bringing the total to 446.

Earnings Event Today/Webcast Details:

At 5:00 p.m. ET today, the Company will host a live conference call and streaming video webcast conducted by Chief Executive Officer Ron Johnson and Chief Financial Officer Ken Hannah. The event will include a formal slide presentation followed by a live question-and-answer session. The webcast will be available live on the Company`s investor relations website at http://ir.jcpenney.com. Replays of the webcast will be available for up to 90 days after the event. To access the conference call, please dial (866) 202-4683, or (617) 213-8846 for international callers, and reference 59362622 participant code.

Telephone playback will be available for seven days beginning approximately two hours after the conclusion of the meeting by dialing (888) 286-8010, or (617) 801-6888 for international callers, and referencing 81990309 participant code.

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