Sears stock closed at $45.88 yesterday, bringing the value to $418 million.

Mr. Barry says he expects Sears stock to hit $58 next year.

The dwindling value of the Sears stock on which Knox's retirement income was based made his last years difficult.

However, in the past year, the performance of the Sears common stock has been fairly unexciting.

Sears stock rose 87.5 cents, to $53 a share.

Sears stock rose 5/8 to close at 37 1/4.

Investors who wanted to own a retail company but did not understand insurance have shied away from Sears stock.

The net result is that many retail analysts have still not issued "buy" recommendations for Sears stock.

There is yet another reason to buy Sears stock: the $2 annual dividend.

But he will receive a raise and could take out more than $20 million by cashing out his existing options on Sears stock.