The latest report was delayed by a month due to the worker furloughs caused by the government shutdown, reported TheStreet's Brad Keoun. , posted stronger-than-expected fourth quarter earnings Thursday and said it expects to be free-cash-flow positive in the coming year. J.C. Penney said earnings for the three months ending on February 2 came in at 18 cents per share, down 68% from the same period last year but 7 cents ahead of the consensus Street forecast.