Lampert makes bid for Sears

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings Corp. Chairman Eddie Lampert’s hedge fund has made a $4.6 billion offer for the troubled retailer in a bid to keep its stores open. The plan would keep 500 stores and 50,000 jobs intact, according to a filing by ESL Investments. Key deadlines arise this month in the company’s bankruptcy process, and some of its creditors are calling for a speedy liquidation, in the belief that going-out-of-business sales would allow them to recoup more of their losses. ESL’s bid features a proposal to raise $1.7 billion through measures including a new loan. It would also see the hedge fund forgive $1.8 billion of Sears’ debt and assume $1.1 billion of its liabilities.