Why Macy's Stock Plunged 60% in the First Half of the Year

Macy's (NYSE: M) shares fell 60% in the first six months of the year, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, as the company was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. The department store chain was forced to sharply cut back on expenses, take on more debt, and pause its turnaround as stores closed for several weeks. With a heavy real estate footprint and a business largely dependent on apparel sales, which come with a distinct set of challenges during the lockdown, Macy's is struggling to manage its way through the crisis.