Hudson's Bay Co. HBAYF

RE:The HBC/Signa deal is just talk at this stage

[bluejay100]

Way more than just talk at this stage.  Remember that HBC has rebuffed this suitor twice and refused to even talk - this is serious.  It must be getting to the point where the financial impact of continuing to bear the full European empire is dragging down the whole business.  We know that Baker likes to play the leverage game, but it seems even he has decided enough is enough - and cash in half his chips.  No one has mentioned any regulatory concerns about monopoly in the German or broader European market because of this JV (and perhaps the fact it is a JV and not an outright sale helps) - so hopefully there are going to be no hiccups.

The question that doesn't seem to have been asked at this point is what will HBC do with some extra liquidity.  Will it all go to pay down debt or will Baker want to do something else with it?  Perhaps a special dividend will be in order to keep Litt and co happy.