HBC (TSX: HBC) is the oldest corporation in North America having been established by English royal charter in 1670. HBC was originally in the fur trade, exchanging furs for manufactured goods such as knives, beads, kettles, and its famous point blanket. At one time, HBC controlled 15% of North American territory. In 1870, HBC signed the Deed of Surrender handing over control of its territory to the Canadian government and entered the retail business. Currently, its holdings include the ecommerce companies Saks, The Bay, and Saks OFF 5TH, as well as the brick-and-mortar operating companies running the Hudson's Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue stores (Source: HBC: Our History and Our Company).