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There is no crying in baseball or whining in big business. Sears CEO Aylwin Lewis said, regarding the company's 99% drop in earnings in the last quarter: "We are very disappointed in our performance for the third quarter. We cannot blame our results entirely on the retail and macro-economic environments."

With the company's stock down 14% to under $100, a 52-week low, Lewis may be more than disappointed. He may be fired. Sears controlling shareholder Eddie Lambert already looks the fool for his investment in the retailer and another recent purchase of stock in Citigroup (C). His reputation is on the line now and Lewis holds the future of that reputation in his hands.

But, perhaps not for long.

At $100, shares in Sears will be down 40% for the year. Shares in Wal-Mart (WMT) are flat for the year. The same holds true for Target (TGT). Costco (COST) is up 20% for the period.

The reason that these other stocks have done well is because their earnings have dropped, but not collapsed. They have managed expenses better. Same store sales are up some. At Sears they are running off 4%.

The economy is not what is killing Sears. Management is.

CHICAGO, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Seven Summits Research issues PriceWatch Alerts for key stocks.

Seven Summits Strategic Investments' PriceWatch Alerts are available at

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Today's PriceWatch Alerts cover the following stocks: International Business Machines Corp. , Companhia Vale do Rio Doce , AMR Corporation , Sears Holdings Corporation , and HJ Heinz Co. .

Along with our PriceWatch Alerts, these brief reports contain a concise market overview, economic calendar and Dynamic Market Opportunities. PriceWatch Alerts include hedged trade ideas designed to potentially protect investors from unexpected market shifts. While other market reports only provide stock news, we offer strategies that hedge investments against uncertainty. Hedged trades increase your chances of making a profit, even if a stock goes down.

"Our PriceWatch Alerts go beyond other market reports. Along with a brief concise market overview, each PriceWatch Alert provides useful strategies, which ensure potential investments are protected with basic hedging techniques," says Reid Stratton, Seven Summits Senior Analyst. "This brief report contains information that can benefit expert and novice investors who want to stay ahead of the market."

For essential information on stocks poised to move go to:

or Seven Summits Strategic Investments' PriceWatch Alerts.

Seven Summits Investment Research is an independent investment research group, which focuses on the U.S. equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. For more information go to

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