Sears (SHLD) Profit Down 99%

Sears Holdings (SHLD) reported net income of $2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended November 3, 2007, compared with net income of $196 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended October 28, 2006.

The third quarter 2006 results included $101 million in pre-tax gains ($64 million after tax or $0.42 per diluted share) on total return swap investments.

Our operating income for the quarter decreased $230 million to $46 million in fiscal 2007, as compared to $276 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006, mainly due to lower gross margin generated at both Kmart and Sears Domestic. Sears Domestic's comparable store sales declined 4.2% for the quarter, while Kmart's comparable store sales declined 5.0%.

Douglas A. McIntyre