Earlier this month, retail analyst Charles Grom of Sterne Agee initiated coverage on troubled department store operator J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP) with a buy rating and a $23 price target, which is about 30% above its recent trading range.

The market eventually soured on Johnson's vision when it failed to generate sales growth at J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP).

Macy's, Inc. (NYSE:M) Two of America's biggest middle-income department stores are struggling. Sears Holdings Corp (NASDAQ:SHLD) is slowly bleeding cash, while J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP)'s future remains highly uncertain. If there's one ...

... (factoring in those share counts) creates a true �apples-to-apples� comparison of the value of two stocks. In the case of Lpl Financial Holdings Incorporated (NASD: LPLA), the market cap is now $3.93B, versus J.C. Penney Co., Inc. (NYSE: JCP) at $3 ...

In the case of American Capital Ltd (NASD: ACAS), the market cap is now $3.91B, versus J.C. Penney Co., Inc. (NYSE: JCP) at $3.77B.

Our thinking concerning these two names is that as JC Penney gets back on track, we believe that Kohl's might be the top candidate to soften as a result.

Overall trading in J.C. Penney Company, Inc.'s (NYSE:JCP) options pits was pretty slow yesterday, but puts had a major advantage over calls.

J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP) gained -4.24%, reaching at $17.38, after hovering between $17.32 and $18.01. This stock is ahead of its 52-week low 28.27% and lagging behind its 52-week high price -46.61%.

Stocks recently featured in the blog include J. C. Penney Company Inc. (NYSE: JCP-Free Report), Best Buy Company Inc. (NYSE: BBY-Free Report), Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT-Free Report), Amazon.

J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP) was in 36 hedge funds' portfolio at the end of March. JCP investors should pay attention to an increase in support from the world's most elite money managers lately.