Stalking-Horse Bid is only an INITIAL BID MUCH MORE TO COME IMO! See Stalking-Horse Bid: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/stalkinghorsebid.asp Also a good explanation: https://blog.vanhornlawgroup.com/how-does-a-stalking-horse-bid-work/ From the PR: https://ir.jcpenney.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/622/jcpenney-reaches-agreement-in-principle-with-brookfield Accordingly, the motion is expected to set out the proposed bidding procedures for the auction , with Brookfield, Simon, and the First Lien Lenders serving as the “stalking horse bidder,” designed to achieve the highest or otherwise best offer for the benefit of JCPenney’s stakeholders .