J.C. Penney posts 36% profit drop

J.C. Penney Co. reported a 36% drop in second-quarter profit and issued a downbeat outlook for the current quarter as shoppers cut back on clothing spending in a tough economy.

The Plano, Texas-based department store chain said it earned $117 million, or 52 cents a share, compared with $182 million, or 81 cents, a year earlier. Sales fell 2.5% to $4.28 billion.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores opened at least a year, fell 4.3%. Same-store sales are considered a key indicator of a retailer’s health.