Business

Sears fears

Sears Holdings reported a $498 million quarterly loss — and, with worries about sluggish electronics sales, its stock tumbled 7.3 percent in after-hours trading.

The struggling retailer, controlled by hedge-fund billionaire Eddie Lampert, said sales at Sears and Kmart stores fell 6 percent, to $8.86 billion, as it closed laggard stores.

Demand also waned for electronics, lawn-and-garden products, groceries, household goods and pharmacy items.

The sales drop was narrower than Wall Street expected, as was its adjusted loss of $1.99 a share, narrowed from $2.55 a share a year earlier. Analysts had expected an adjusted loss of $2.17 a share.

Still, a 3.1 percent drop in sales at stores open at least a year fueled worries about the crucial holiday season.

Shares fell $3.50, to $54.48, in late trading. They ended the regular session up 6 cents at $58.48.