Sears Holdings Corp (NASDAQ:SHLD) said in an SEC filing it expects Q3 same store sales to be flat compared to last year's Q3. It also noted its domestic adjusted EBITDA for the quarter should be similar to 2013, with a meaningful improvement in trend to the previous six quarters. Sears also said it is actively exploring a REIT transaction involving 200 to 300 owned properties through a rights offering to its shareholders. It stated in the filing, "We expect domestic Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter will be between $(275) million and $(325) million, which is consistent with $(310) million in last year's third quarter.This is a meaningful change in the downward trend of our year-over-year domestic Adjusted EBITDA performance relative to the prior six quarters. Domestic Adjusted EBITDA declined $163 million from $(15) million in first quarter 2013 to $(178) million in first quarter 2014 and declined $225 million from $(73) million in second quarter 2013 to $(298) million in second quarter 2014. We believe this change in trend is a positive development that we currently expect to continue into the fourth quarter."Total comparable Sears Holdings Corp (NASDAQ:SHLD) sales for the quarter were flat, comprised of an increase of 0.5% at Kmart offset by a decrease of -0.7% at Sears Domestic. Kmart's third quarter comparable store sales increase reflects improvements in most categories, most notably apparel, outdoor living and toys, partially offset by declines in the grocery & household and consumer electronics categories. Sears Domestic's third quarter comparable store sales decline is primarily attributable to decreases in consumer electronics, apparel and Sears Auto Centers, partially offset by increases in home appliances and mattresses. Excluding consumer electronics (a business that we are transforming from largely focused on televisions to connected solutions), comparable store sales would have increased 1.2% at Kmart, 1.0% at Sears Domestic and 1.1% overall in the third quarter.Estee Lauder Companies Inc (NYSE:EL) said it has agreed to buy Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle for an undisclosed amount. The skin care, fragrance and hair care products manufacturer said the current Frederic Malle collection was established in Paris in 2000 and encompasses 21 fragrances. The fragrances are sold at stand alone stores in Paris and New York, as well as through Barney's in the United States and Liberty in London. Estee Lauder Companies Inc (NYSE:EL) was lower 0.4% recently, near the mid-point of the 52-week range between $63.63 and $77.66.Neuralstem, Inc. (NYSEMKT:CUR) reported that for Q3 ended Sept. 30, 2014, financial results were in line with analysts' expectations. The development-stage company posted Q3 net loss of $4.46 million or $0.05 loss per share, compared with the prior-year period's $6.69 million or $0.09 loss per share. Neuralstem, Inc. (NYSEMKT:CUR) attributed the decrease in net loss to the prior year period including non-cash expenses of $1.95 million related to modifications of certain stock purchase warrants and $678,000 related to the change in fair value of its warrant liability. Analysts polled by Capital IQ were expecting loss of $0.05 per share. Revenue was $0.05 million, up from $0.025 million in the same quarter last year. This matched the Street view of $0.05 million. Shares are trading a 52-week range of $2.12 - $4.81.
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