Rattle and roll

When we were kids we didn’t need the internet for memes. Take these slithering snake toys for instance. Somehow, they ended up in every loot bag at every boy’s birthday party.

Those simple toys were lots of fun, and it turns out we’re not the only ones who played with snakes. A new study found that some birds incorporate snake skins into their nests to scare predators.

Now that’s a union ;)

(Love nostalgia? Play today’s trivia below for a chance to win a $25 Tim Hortons eGift Card!)

WEEKLY POLL

What are we thinking?

IN THE NEWS

Bank of Canada cuts 25 basis points

The Bank of Canada cut its key rate yesterday, lowering it from 3% to 2.75% as it grapples with the new threat of Donald Trump’s global trade war.

The United States’ 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum kicked in yesterday, impacting $40 billion in sales made by Canadian companies on an annual basis. On top of that, the president’s global reciprocal tariffs are expected to kick in on Apr. 2, which will impact enormous industries everywhere, including agriculture and automobiles.

BoC governor Tiff Macklem said the country is now “facing a new crisis” and that the central bank “cannot offset the impacts of a trade war.”

”Depending on the extent and duration of new U.S. tariffs, the economic impact could be severe” he said, also noting the “pervasive uncertainty” is already having an impact on markets and will continue to do so if clarity isn’t provided by the American president.

He emphasized the importance that the central bank “proceed cautiously” in this new environment, acting with strong consideration of the fact that the economy will now be faced with upward pressure on prices due to tariffs, but also with downward pressure on demand as investment declines, job losses rise, and purchasing power erodes.

BUSINESS

“Buy Canada” movement comes for pension plans

Canada’s top pension plans—known as the Maple Eight—have been lauded for years as the gold standard in pension investing. With the economic turbulence the country’s experiencing with the United States, leaders are pushing for more investment in Canada from these pension plans.

The Maple Eight oversee about $2.3 trillion in assets, roughly a quarter of which is invested in Canadian entities. The country currently prevents these funds from investing more than 30% of their capital in Canada, though the Ministry of Finance said it would be scrapping that rule in December, possibly in anticipation of the tensions now being stoked by U.S. president Donald Trump.

At the same time, investor sentiment in Canada is in the worst shape it’s been possibly since the 2008 financial crisis, with burdensome tax regulations and elevated interest rates dissuading foreign capital from entering the market.

Some have said such a harsh regulatory environment is itself to blame for capital fleeing Canada. The country has lost hundreds of billions to the United States over the last decade, prompting business leaders across the country to request the federal government not only remove limitations on pension plan domestic investing, but to require more of it in order to spur the return of capital lost in recent years.

CONSUMER

The future of Hudson’s Bay

Hudson’s Bay Company is 355 years old and is fighting for its life today as it enters creditor protection to avoid bankruptcy.

“I don’t see any indication that they’re planning to close all their stores, but they’re probably going to have to close some of their locations, repurpose some of their locations, and change the way they’re doing business in order to make their operations viable,” said David Soberman, professor of marketing and the Canadian national chair of strategic marketing at the University of Toronto.

That said, the only way the company will be able to survive at all is if someone with deep pockets and a lot of patience is willing to help.

“Either we’re going to see the store just be eliminated…or we’re going to see a buyer come in and hopefully save the day,” said Liza Amlani, principal and founder of Toronto’s Retail Strategy Group. “We’re going to see liquidation, definitely. I think we’re going to see a lot happening around the activity within the stores, whether we see a lot of the underperforming stores close, we’re going to see fixtures for sale, we’re going to see more markdowns.”

Experts say The Bay will need to modernize and invest more in the growth of its ecommerce business if it wants to emerge from this brush with extinction.

THIRSTY THURSDAYS

Jack Daniel’s not happy about Canadian tariff response

Lawson Whiting, the CEO of Jack Daniel’s maker Brown-Forman, spoke with investors on an earnings call the other day, calling out the Canadian response to American tariffs in relation to alcohol.

Ontario premier Doug Ford instructed the Liquor Control Board of Ontario to remove American products from the shelves of its retail outlets across the province. Ford says the LCBO is the biggest purchaser of alcohol in the world.

“That’s worse than a tariff because it’s literally taking your sales away completely, removing our products on the shelves,” Whiting told investors. “That’s a very disproportionate response to a 25% tariff.”

While he condemned the move, Jack Daniel’s sales don’t heavily rely on the Canadian market. He said it would be devastating if similar measures were also adopted in Europe.

He noted the company is concerned the European Union may look to make similar moves, and because bourbon laws require domestic production, distilleries can’t be built overseas to avoid tariffs or other barriers that would impact sales, 55% of which come from overseas for the storied brand.

HEALTH

Working out? Here’s when you should eat

Many claim that working out on an empty stomach causes the body to burn more fat, but the reality is there’s little evidence it does. On top of that, it can lead to exhaustion and even injury because the body is attempting to intensely exert itself with no energy.

Calories literally are energy, so loading up on them before a workout is helpful for performance, though it’s important not to do so too soon before that workout. Exercising diverts blood away from the stomach and towards the muscles, meaning eating too close to a workout can interfere with digestion and even make you feel ill.

A high ratio of carbs about two to three hours before exercising is the sweet spot, according to Abby Langer, a dietitian in Toronto.

Most typically want to eat right after a workout because they’ve built up an appetite. However, it’s ideal to only eat a high protein snack shortly after in order to help with recovery, but more importantly to stem that appetite before having a full and healthy meal. Otherwise, people tend to make poor dietary choices when they’re extremely hungry.

“A lot of people get very hungry about an hour after exercise, and you don’t want to do that,” said Austin, author of Performance Nutrition: Applying the Science of Nutrient Timing. “You want to catch it early, or you go and overeat.”

ENTERTAINMENT

Coming soon, baby spheres

Sphere Entertainment originally estimated it would cost $1.2 billion to build the Las Vegas Sphere, but costs ultimately ballooned to $2.3 billion. The company is looking to expand to other cities, albeit with smaller venues.

The company’s expansion plans are now being floated with aspirations of mini Spheres rather than exact copies. The Vegas Sphere has a seated capacity of 17,600, but with standing room, it can get up to around 20,000. The mini Spheres would have capacities of 5,000 people, which would lower building costs and lower costs for performers.

The LED screen that broadcasts the incredible interactive and immersive moving pictures to go with performances by bands like the Eagles, U2, and Phish costs a great deal of time and money to operate. These bands tapped effects studio Industrial Light and Magic to produce and run their screen shows, but most bands don’t have the budgets of titans like the three who’ve already had residencies at the Sphere.

This is also partly why tickets cost so much to attend a show at the one-of-a-kind venue. Smaller Spheres would have similar wraparound screens, but wouldn’t be as expensive to run, lowering costs for bands and attendees alike.

MUSIC

Spinal Tap II out Sept. 12

Spinal Tap II officially has a release date, breezing past 11 by coming out on Sept. 12 and bringing the world one step closer to one of the most highly anticipated sequels in history.

On the subject of breezing past 11, the band isn’t messing around. A teaser for the film shows a roadie adjusting an amplifier’s knobs, all of which go to 11, a requirement for any sound system powering the music of Spinal Tap. However, when the roadie gets to the volume knob, the dial doesn’t just go to 11…it goes to infinity.

According to writer and director Rob Reiner, the film takes place long after Spinal Tap’s retirement, but the band is forced to reunite due to an unexpected return to the spotlight.

“Some big music star, while screwing around at a sound check, is filmed on an iPhone singing a Tap song," he told Empire, "and it goes wild on social media."

Though the band will have probably gone through several dozen drummers (even in retirement), the other three original members—David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer)—are all confirmed for the film, along with guest appearances and performances by Paul McCartney and Elton John.

STAKE TRIVIA

Fortune and glory, kid

Today is National Jewel Day, and while that might not mean much to most, it got us thinking about the kind of person who might go hunting for rare jewels. You know, like Indiana Jones 😏 

If you’re a fan of the archaeologist and action hero, you’ll love today’s Indiana Jones trivia! Complete the game and earn a shot at a $25Tim Hortons eGift Card ;)

Winner will be announced tomorrow—keep an eye on your inbox!*

Have a great day ahead Staker!

Today’s issue written by Michael Cowan, Joey Cowan, and Maureen Norman.


*SEE FULL STAKE TRIVIA CONTEST RULES HERE.