Vertical Integration

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Business

Google's Project Genie Shakes Up 3D Creation Arena, Casting Shadow Over Unity's Future

Google's unveiling of Project Genie, an AI tool for generating interactive 3D worlds, sends ripples through the game development sector, directly challenging incumbent platform Unity Software. The announcement coincides with a period of intense volatility and investor scrutiny for Unity, raising fundamental questions about its long-term strategic position in an AI-driven landscape.

Business

Amazon in Talks for Massive $50 Billion OpenAI Stake Amid AI-Driven Restructuring

Amazon is reportedly negotiating a landmark investment of up to $50 billion in OpenAI, a move that would cement its position as a dominant AI investor. The talks coincide with a wave of layoffs—reportedly around 30,000 since October—that management has linked to efficiency gains from automation, raising questions about the balance between AI ambition and workforce impact.

Business

Columbia Financial to Acquire Northfield Bancorp in $597 Million Deal, Sets 2026 Timeline for Full Public Conversion

Columbia Financial (NASDAQ: CLBK) has announced a definitive agreement to merge with Northfield Bancorp in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $597 million. The deal, slated to close in early Q3 2026, coincides with Columbia's planned "second-step" conversion to a fully public company, a move executives say will unlock value and create a leading regional bank in the New Jersey-New York metro area.

Business

Zegna Charts Steady Course Amid Leadership Shift and China Volatility, Fueled by DTC Momentum

The Ermenegildo Zegna Group reported a resilient 2025, with full-year revenues reaching €1.92 billion. A strong fourth-quarter acceleration, driven by a 10% surge in direct-to-consumer sales, underscores the luxury group's strategic pivot away from wholesale. While the Americas and EMEA regions showed robust growth, Greater China remains a volatile market as the company navigates a planned leadership transition and industry headwinds.