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Wall Street Pauses as Fed Meeting Looms: Futures Hold Steady

U.S. stock futures were little changed on Tuesday as investors awaited the start of the Federal Reserve’s final policy meeting of the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures all hovered near flat, reflecting a cautious mood across Wall Street. The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged, but traders are focused on Chair Jerome Powell’s comments and the central bank’s updated economic projections. Markets are looking for clues on when rate cuts might begin in 2024, with inflation cooling but still above the Fed’s long-term target. Recent gains in equities have been fueled by optimism that the Fed’s tightening cycle is over, yet uncertainty remains about how quickly monetary policy will shift toward easing. Until then, investors appear content to hold their positions, waiting for clearer signals from the Fed before making bold moves.

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End of an Era: Hudson's Bay Announces Immediate Liquidation


Hudson's Bay, Canada's oldest company, has announced plans for an immediate liquidation of its entire business. The decision comes after exhaustive efforts to secure financing and avoid a full shutdown proved unsuccessful. The liquidation process is set to begin next week and is expected to conclude by June.

The iconic department store chain, which dates back to 1670, has faced mounting financial challenges, including nearly $1 billion in debt. The closure will impact over 9,000 employees across Hudson's Bay stores, as well as its Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Off 5th locations.

Despite the bleak outlook, Hudson's Bay remains hopeful that a last-minute solution with key stakeholders, particularly landlords, could prevent the complete shutdown. CEO Liz Rodbell expressed gratitude for the support from customers and associates, emphasizing the company's determination to explore every possible opportunity to save the brand.

This marks a significant moment in Canadian retail history, as the loss of Hudson's Bay would leave a notable gap in the market and in the hearts of many Canadians.


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