The History of J.C. Penney’s Stock Price Collapse

J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (JCP ) has gained a lot of attention in the last couple of years as its share price has crumbled. Although some analysts and investors are optimistic that the company’s turnaround efforts will be successful, it is still questionable whether this struggling retailer will survive. Below is an investor’s guide to the history of JC Penney.

In 2011, JCP’s CEO Mike Ullman was replaced by former Apple (AAPL ) executive Ron Johnson after activist investor Bill Ackman pushed for the change. Johnson was the company’s CEO for just 17 months, but caused years of damage for the struggling retailer.

After being successful with Apple, Johnson thought that rebranding JCP’s image would save the company. This change to the department store meant that there would no longer be sales or coupons, which was a drastic change for the retailer’s customers. With no coupons or sales, JCP’s sales collapsed. Johnson said that he thought customers were “tired of coupons.”

During that time, Johnson also fired all of JCP’s top executives, thousands of middle managers, and eliminated commissions for sales associates.

It soon became clear that Johnson’s rebranding plan to make JCP a “hip” store was not working. Below we list some of the worst trading days for JCP from 2012-2014.

Like many companies, JCP suffered its worst trading day on October 19, 1987, which would be later be known as “Black Monday.” JCP’s share price fell 19.17% in just one day. This was the company’s worst day until May 16, 2012, when the struggling retailer fell to a whole new low; the stock price plummeted 19.72% after it reported that its same store sales dropped 18.9% from the year prior. The company also announced that it had suspended its quarterly dividend.

June 19, 2012: JCP’s President Departs (-8.55%)

Just over one month after JCP’s horrific worst day ever, the stock suffered another major blow when it was reported that JCP’s president, Michael Francis, had left the company. JCP’s share price fell 8.55% on the news.

September 20, 2012: JCP Issues Outlook Warning (-11.21%)

The company’s new strategies, led by CEO Ron Johnson, had been discouraging consumers from shopping at the retailer. JCP reported that although it expected business to improve long term, it expected to struggle in the second half of 2012.

November 12, 2012: JCP Share Price Hits 52-Week Low (-12.94%)

Although the company’s executives were confident that the new pricing strategy was going to be successful, investors were not buying it. Investors were initially pleased at the announcement of the strategy, but by November 12, 2012 the stock price had fallen nearly 50% for the year.

February 28, 2013: JCP’s Reports Worst Quarter Ever (-16.97%)

JCP posted its worst quarterly earnings ever. In fact, this quarter was the worst quarter in all retail history. Same store sales declined over 31% during the quarter, which included its crucial holiday season.

March 5, 2013: Vornado Realty Trust Sells Stake in JCP (-10.63%)

Following the news that Vornado Realty Trust (VNO) planned to sell more than half of its 8.5% stake in JCP, shares fell over 10%. At the time, VNO’s interim CEO sat on JCP’s board and was an insider on the company’s strategy.

April 9, 2013: Ron Johnson is Terminated from his CEO Position (-12.22)

On April 9, 2013 Ron Johnson is replaced as CEO by former JCP CEO Mike Ullman; shares plunged on the news.

July 31, 2013: JCP’s Credit Is Questioned (-10.21%)

CIT Group reported that it would stop funding for a portion of JCP’s shipments. The firm said it was nervous about JCP’s financial situation.

September 27, 2013: JCP Announces Stock Offering (-13.15%)

Shares of JCP tumbled on news that its board had approved a stock offering in order to fund its $932 million turnaround plan.

January 8, 2014: JCP Spooks Investors With Limited Q4 Data (-10.01%)

JCP had not yet released its quarterly results, but noted that it was “pleased” with its results. The lack of information sent shares falling over 10%.

February 4, 2014: Investors Not Impressed With Fourth Quarter Results (-10.56%)

The company reported increased earnings, but it was too little too late. Wall Street was still not impressed with the retailer’s Q4 results.

October 8, 2014: Investors Question the Retailer’s Turnaround (-10.88%)

Following disappointing September sales, JCP lowered its comparable sales forecast, which spooked investors.

JCP initiated its first quarterly dividend in 1987 and held a steady dividend while occasionally increasing the payouts until it slashed its dividend nearly in half in 2000 from 54.5 cents to 28 cents. The company cut its dividend in half again in the same year to 12.5 cents. As JCP began to see some upside, it lifted its dividend again in 2006 to 18 cents. As the financial crisis approached and JCP began to suffer, it raised its dividend again to 20 cents. This dividend was later suspended completely in 2012.

For more information on dividend disasters, be sure to check out 5 Big-Name Dividend Stocks That Collapsed.

JCP’s biggest competitors have also suffered as the retail environment has changed. However, JCP and Sears (SHLD) have struggled much more than competitors Macy’s (M ) and Kohl’s (KSS ). Based on the chart below, it is not surprising that both Macy’s and Kohl’s have maintained healthy dividends, while JCP and Sears do not offer dividends.

See Also: The Complete Visual History of Sears

JCP missed estimates on every quarter in 2012 and the first three quarters in 2013. The company managed to beat estimates in 2014, but still reported a loss for the first three quarters.

JCP has recently seen somewhat of a comeback as it finally reported earnings that did not miss estimates. Although the company has seen an improvement in share price, its ultimate comeback is questionable.

For information on how to pick the best retail stocks, check out Dividend.com’s Cheatsheet to Finding the Best Retail Stocks.