A major teachers’ union is calling for its members to skip Target when buying back-to-school supplies, the latest twist in a series of boycotts that have targeted the big-box retailer as its turnaround shows signs of life, CNBC has learned.
The AFT, or American Federation of Teachers, passed a resolution Thursday that calls on its 1.8 million members and others to shop at local stores and not at Target, saying the company did not respond adequately to the surge of federal immigration enforcement in the retailer’s hometown of Minneapolis this winter. Federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during the operation.
The labor union, which is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, plans to urge a similar resolution at AFL-CIO’s convention in Minneapolis this summer and at conventions held by other organizations, including the NAACP and LULAC, AFT President Randi Weingarten said.
Target could not immediately be reached for comment on the boycott resolution.
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Target’s annual sales have declined for the past three years in a row, but the company’s new CEO Michael Fiddelke laid out an ambitious plan earlier this month to refresh its stores, add more enticing merchandise and return to sales growth. The retailer said it expects net sales to rise about 2% this fiscal year compared with the prior year and anticipates sales will grow every quarter.
It is unclear if and how much the AFT’s call for a back-to-school boycott could hurt Target, which is trying to win back customers. Earlier this month, Atlanta area pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant announced the end of a yearlong boycott of the company, called Target Fast, which had started because of the company’s rollback of major diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. At a press conference, Bryant said Target has demonstrated its commitment to the Black community with investments in Black businesses and donations to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Yet other activists leading a separate boycott, including former Ohio state Sen. Nina Turner, have said they continue to call for shoppers to steer clear of Target.
The retailer has attributed some of its sales losses to backlash to its DEI decision, along with other factors including company missteps with merchandise, a weaker store experience and softer discretionary spending.
At an investor meeting in Minneapolis in early March, Fiddelke stressed that it’s “a new chapter for Target.” He said the company is “doing the work to build connection with new guests, deepen relationships with existing guests and earn back trust with guests we’ve disappointed.”
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In a separate email to Target employees earlier this month, Fiddelke highlighted how the retailer is putting its strategy into action, including through its move to cut prices on more than 3,000 items and the opening of its 2,000th store. He said Target has made progress with winning back trust, too, noting the end of the Target Fast boycott.
He said Target has had “ongoing conversations with the organizers” of the boycott, who have “acknowledged the meaningful contributions Target has made, and will continue to make, to the Black community.”
In an interview with CNBC, Weingarten said the AFT’s boycott is focused on what she calledTarget’s lack of response tothe surge of aggressive and violent immigration enforcement in its own backyard. Weingarten said the AFT sent a letter to Target and met with Target staff to encourage them to speak up before the union moved to pass the resolution.
“Target was negotiating with our colleagues in the civil rights community for weeks and weeks and weeks,” she said. “They could have very easily dealt with both [concerns about DEI and immigration enforcement] and they chose not to.”
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She said Target is “more worried about standing with the Trump administration than the communities that made them a profitable company.”
Fiddelke joined dozens of executives from Minnesota-based corporations in co-signing a letter in late January calling for an “immediate de-escalation” in the state after the fatal shooting of Pretti. However, the letter did not name the shooting victims Pretti or Good or call out the president, his immigration policies or federal agents.
Fiddelke also shared a video message with employees that more directly acknowledged current events, but stopped short of calling for ICE agents to leave the city or for accountability in the two shooting deaths.
Weingarten described the CEOs’ letter as “insulting” and said it “basically blamed both sides.”
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She said the union, which includes many teachers, can have the greatest financial impact during the back-to-school shopping season this summer and fall. By passing the resolution now, she said, the AFT can get the word out to members and “give Target enough time to come back to its senses.”
More than 10 million grill brushes are being recalled nationwide after reports that metal bristles can break off and end up in food.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall Thursday for several Nexgrill metal wire brushes sold at Home Depot stores and online between 2015 and 2026.
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“Small metal wire bristles can detach from the brushes and stick to the grill or food, posing an ingestion hazard and risk of serious internal injuries that could require surgery,” the CPSC said.
Nexgrill has received at least 68 reports of bristles coming loose. (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Nexgrill has received at least 68 reports of bristles coming loose.
Five people reported swallowing the metal pieces and needed medical treatment to remove them from the throat or digestive tract, according to the CPSC.
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The recall includes multiple models of brushes with black plastic or wood handles measuring about 18 to 21 inches long.
The recall includes multiple models of brushes with black plastic or wood handles measuring about 18 to 21 inches long. (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Model numbers were listed on the packaging, and each product is labeled “Nexgrill.”
The recall covers the following models:
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19-Inch Grill Brush (Model 530-0024), sold 2015–2016
Grill Cleaning Brush with Scraper (Model 530-0024G), sold 2022–2026
Long Handle Grill Brush (Model 530-0034), sold 2015–2026
Grill Brush and Scraper (Model 530-0039), sold 2015–2026
Grill Brush with Scrub Pad (Model 530-0041), sold 2015–2026
Wood Handle Grill Brush (Model 530-0042), sold 2015–2021
Cleaning Edge Solutions, Australia’s fastest growing commercial cleaning provider, has invested millions of dollars into the development and rollout of its proprietary desktop platform, CESgo, in what industry leaders are describing as a major shift in how businesses manage cleaning, hygiene and operational accountability.
The significant investment signals a new era for commercial cleaning across childcare centres, schools, aged care, hospitals and medical facilities, offices, transport hubs, retail environments, food production and industrial sites, where services are no longer invisible but fully measurable and transparent.
Founder Clayburn Figredo
Founder Clayburn Figredo said the company is redefining what modern cleaning looks like in Australia.
“We are not just cleaning buildings, we are creating operational transparency and real-time visibility,” Figredo said.
“CESgo is the result of a multi-million-dollar investment into technology that gives businesses clarity, control and confidence.”
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Cleaning Edge Solutions is one of Australia’s leading commercial cleaning and facility management providers, specialising in large-scale, high-risk and clinical environments. Founded in 2008 by Managing Director Clayburn Figredo and headquartered in Mulgrave, Victoria, the company has built a national reputation for innovation, strict compliance and advanced infection-control standards.
With ISO certifications across quality, safety, environment and food safety, Cleaning Edge Solutions delivers services to major organisations across health, government, education, transport, retail and aged care sectors. Its operations span commercial and industrial cleaning, facilities maintenance, waste management and property development.
It also owns a number of brands including well-known business, Andy Andersons. For more than 45 years, Andy Andersons has supported Australian organisations with reliable, high-quality cleaning and facility services. A long-standing family business with deep industry roots, Andy Andersons became an entity of the Cleaning Edge Group in 2021, combining decades of legacy experience with the group’s national scale and innovation.
Today, the company draws on more than 100 years of combined expertise to deliver industrial cleaning, commercial cleaning, aged care cleaning and facility maintenance services. Andy Andersons remains committed to safety, integrity and exceptional service.
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Known for its commitment to excellence and social impact, the Cleaning Edge group is dedicated to elevating national cleaning standards and creating safer, healthier environments for all Australians.
A new standard in operational visibility
The desktop-based CESgo platform captures every aspect of cleaning operations in real time, allowing businesses to see exactly what is happening across their sites.
Cleaning Edge staff log in and out digitally, with attendance and hours automatically verified. Every task is outlined through structured workflows and photographic evidence of completed work is uploaded directly into the system.
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Clients can view services undertaken, the timing, the staff involved and the results delivered, removing the uncertainty that has traditionally surrounded outsourced cleaning.
“For decades, cleaning has been a blind spot for many organisations,” Figredo said.
“Now businesses can see the work, the results and the value in real time.”
From invisible service to measurable performance
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The platform transforms cleaning from a reactive, checklist-based activity into a performance-driven function.
Images, reports and digital sign-offs provide a clear record of hygiene outcomes. Site requirements and task schedules are embedded into the system, ensuring consistency across locations and shifts.
“This is accountability elevated,” Figredo said.
“Every hour is captured, every job is documented and every outcome can be verified.”
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The result is stronger oversight, improved service quality and better operational control.
Centralised communication and faster problem resolution
CESgo also functions as a communication hub between businesses, site managers and Cleaning Edge teams.
Clients can log requests, raise concerns and track progress in near real time. Issues are assigned, monitored and resolved within the platform, creating a clear record of action and accountability.
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“Communication is one of the biggest challenges in outsourced services,” Figredo said.
“Our technology creates a single source of truth, ensuring nothing is missed and every request is followed through.”
Reducing risk and supporting governance
With increased scrutiny around hygiene, infection control and workplace standards, organisations are under pressure to demonstrate operational oversight.
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Figredo said traditional paper-based reporting and fragmented communication systems are no longer fit for purpose.
“Boards, executives and regulators want data, not assumptions,” he said.
“CESgo provides a digital audit trail that strengthens governance, supports reporting and reduces risk.”
The platform enables businesses to generate detailed reports quickly, providing evidence of cleaning performance, service delivery and operational compliance.
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A permanent shift in the cleaning industry
Cleaning Edge believes the future of the industry lies in technology-enabled service delivery.
“This is not about mops and buckets,” Figredo said.
“It is about intelligent systems, data and measurable outcomes.”
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By investing heavily in proprietary technology, Cleaning Edge is positioning itself at the forefront of a new era in which cleaning services are defined by transparency, accountability and operational excellence.
“The expectations of businesses have changed permanently,” Figredo said.
“They want visibility and control and they also want proof. CESgo delivers that.”
Welcome, everyone, and thank you for joining us to discuss Insight Molecular Diagnostics Fourth Quarter 2025 Results. If you have not seen today’s shareholder letter, please visit Insight Molecular Diagnostics Investor Relations page at investors.imdxinc.com.
Today’s prepared remarks build upon the information already shared in this robust letter. Joining us today are Insight Molecular Diagnostics President and CEO, Josh Riggs; Chief Science Officer, Ekke Schutz; and CFO, Andrea James. We also have our analysts with us as panelists.
After our prepared remarks, our analysts may ask questions. Before turning the call over to Josh Riggs, I’d like to go over our safe harbor. The company will make projections and forward-looking statements regarding future events. Any statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are made pursuant to and within the meaning of the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We encourage you to review the company’s SEC filings, including the company’s most recent Form 10-K and subsequent Forms 10-Q, which identify risks and uncertainties that may cause future actual results or events to differ materially.
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Please note that the forward-looking statements made during today’s call speak only to the date that they are made, and Insight Molecular Diagnostics undertakes no obligation to update them. And with that, I would like to now turn the call over to Josh Riggs.
Mumbai: Lenders are witnessing higher utilisation of working capital limits by MSMEs and other industries as input cost pressures rise due to the ongoing US-Israel conflict. Bankers told ET as cash flows slow across the economy, MSMEs are increasingly relying on working capital to manage operations.
“As input costs rise, margins come under pressure, which can lead to higher working capital utilisation as cash flows get stretched,” said Prashanth TS, head – mid corporate group, Axis Bank. “MSMEs typically operate at utilisation levels of 70-75%, and in periods of heightened volatility, these levels tend to move higher.”
He added that, from a banking standpoint, this is not a solvency challenge but an input-cost inflation issue for MSMEs. For lenders, the leadership focus is on anticipating these pressures early and ensuring adequate, well-calibrated liquidity support without compromising credit discipline.
Sectors such as hospitality, ceramics, chemicals, steel and fertilisers are expected to see higher drawdowns of existing limits, as well as fresh working capital sanctions, as firms navigate rising costs and tighter liquidity conditions.
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“Different pockets will have different impacts. In general, when cash flow movement in the economy slows down, working capital will go up,” the MSME head of another leading private sector bank said. “Because faster the cash flow cycles move, lower is the utilisation because you churn your money.”
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For domestic basmati rice exporters, Iran is the third-largest destination, accounting for about 13% of total exports in fiscal 2025. According to Crisil Ratings, rising prices of raw materials and imported fertilisers are likely to increase working capital requirements for industry players, while also raising the government’s subsidy bill by an estimated ₹20,000-25,000 crore. “We anticipate an increase in working capital loans, worsening corporate credit metrics, worsening metrics for SMEs and households and an increase in credit costs,” CreditSights – a Fitch Group company, said in a report. According to Crisil Ratings, sectors such as oil refining, aviation and crude-linked industries – including specialty chemicals, paints, petrochemicals and synthetic textiles – may be affected by rising crude oil prices. Additionally, companies involved in basmati rice, fruits and nuts trade may see heightened impact.
“The extent of the impact will depend on each sector’s ability to pass on the incremental costs,” the rating agency said in a report.
Ascentage Pharma Group International (AAPG) Q4 2025 Earnings Call March 26, 2026 8:00 AM EDT
Company Participants
Yuly Chen Dajun Yang – Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO Veet Misra – Chief Financial Officer Zhichao Si – Head of Commercial
Conference Call Participants
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Lut Ming Cheng – JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division Biren Amin – Piper Sandler & Co., Research Division Supawat Thongthip – Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division Jeet Mukherjee – BTIG, LLC, Research Division Matthew Biegler – Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Research Division Christopher Liu – Lucid Capital Markets, LLC, Research Division Michael King – Rodman & Renshaw Research
Presentation
Operator
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Good day, everyone, and welcome to Ascentage Pharma’s 2025 Annual Results Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, today’s call is being recorded.
Thank you for joining us. I will now turn the call over to Yuly Chen, Senior Director of Investor Relations for the safe harbor statement. Yuly, please go ahead.
Yuly Chen
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Thank you, operator. Please note that today’s discussion will include forward-looking statements based on our current expectations and assumptions. These statements involve risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially. For a full discussion of these risks, please refer to our filings and disclosures.
On today’s call, I am joined by Dr. Dajun Yang, Chairman and CEO, who will provide an overview of recent developments and 2025 annual performance. As well as Dr. Veet Misra, CFO, who will go through the financial highlights. The presentation will then be followed by a Q&A session. During the Q&A session, the team will be joined by Dr. Yifan Zhai, Chief Medical Officer; Dr. Shaomeng Wang, Cofounder, Chief Scientific Adviser, Dr. Zhichao Si, Head of Commercial, I will now turn the call over to Dr. Yang.
Dajun Yang Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO
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Thank you. Good morning. I’m Dajun Yang, Chairman and CEO of the company. Today, I’m very
Several U.S. cities could soon see major underground transportation upgrades led by billionaire Elon Musk’s The Boring Company (TBC).
In a Tuesday post on X, the construction company named the winners of its nationwide “Tunnel Vision Challenge,” naming New Orleans, Louisiana, and Dallas, Texas, as candidates for new transportation systems.
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“Thanks again to all of the participants — your enthusiasm and positivity has been inspiring for the TBC team,” the company wrote.
Baltimore, Maryland, was initially named as a winner, but TBC later announced Wednesday that the project will not move forward following early discussions.
A Tesla Inc. electric vehicle is driven through The Boring Company’s Las Vegas Convention Center Loop during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Jan. 5, 2023. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty)
The next phase will involve collaboration with local officials and regulators, along with geotechnical borings to determine feasibility.
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In a Wednesday update, TBC provided additional details on its early discussions with local leaders in both Dallas and New Orleans, saying both proposed projects had “great initial meetings.”
Two additional cities — Hendersonville, Tennessee, and San Antonio, Texas — remain under consideration as discussions continue.
Elon Musk attends the Viva Technology conference at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center on June 16, 2023, in Paris, France. (Chesnot/Getty Images)
The challenge, which launched in January, invited proposals for a one-mile tunnel concept, with the winning concept promised a free build.
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Separately, TBC was recently selected to begin negotiations on a proposed underground transit system connecting Universal Orlando’s parks.
The company’s most notable project is the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) Loop, which opened in 2021 after about a year of construction.
Argan, Inc. (AGX) Q4 2026 Earnings Call March 26, 2026 5:00 PM EDT
Company Participants
David Watson – CEO, President & Director Joshua Baugher – Senior VP, CFO & Treasurer
Conference Call Participants
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Jennifer Belodeau – Institutional Marketing Services, Inc. Robert Brown – Lake Street Capital Markets, LLC, Research Division Christopher Moore – CJS Securities, Inc. Ati Modak – Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division Michael Fairbanks – JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Presentation
Operator
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Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Argan, Inc. earnings release conference call for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 31, 2026. This call is being recorded. [Operator Instructions] There is a slide presentation that accompanies today’s remarks, which can be accessed via the webcast.
At this time, it’s my pleasure to turn the floor over to your host for today, John Nesbett and Jennifer Belodeau of IMS Investor Relations. Please go ahead.
Jennifer Belodeau Institutional Marketing Services, Inc.
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Thank you. Good evening, and welcome to our conference call to discuss Argan’s results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 31, 2026. On the call today, we have David Watson, Chief Executive Officer; and Josh Baugher, Chief Financial Officer.
I’ll take a moment to read the safe harbor statement. Statements made during this conference call and presented in the presentation that are not based on historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, projections or statements of future goals and targets regarding the company’s revenues and profits. These statements are subject to known and unknown factors and risks. The company’s actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, and some of the factors and risks that could cause or contribute to such material differences have been described in this afternoon’s press release and in Argan’s
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