Penney takes step to ward off any hostile takeovers

Adam Jeffery | CNBC

Struggling retailer J.C. Penney is adopting a "poison pill" just two days after reporting its sixth straight quarter of big losses and steep revenue declines.

The company said Thursday that the one-year shareholder rights plan will prevent any takeover attempts and will ensure that stockholders don't loss the chance to realize the full value of their investment.

Penney, based in Plano, Texas, said the plan was not adopted in response to any particular takeover attempt.

So-called stockholder rights plans allow existing shareholders to buy more shares at a very low price if an investor or entity not approved by the board snaps up a large chunk of company shares.

The retailer is trying to survive a botched turnaround strategy by ousted CEO Ron Johnson.

More from CNBC.com
JC Penney earnings bad, but not that bad
Kyle Bass goes long JC Penney: Source
JC Penney's 100-year bonds swoon amid retailer's turmoil

—By The Associated Press.