Chinese polysilicon producer Xinte Energy has informed shareholders that it expects to incur a loss of approximately 4 billion yuan in 2024. This situation is not isolated to the solar energy sector, as many Chinese companies are struggling with overcapacity and weak spending amid an economic downturn. In the third quarter of 2024, nearly a quarter of listed companies in mainland China reported a net loss, more than double the figures from before the COVID-19 pandemic. Profit margins for Chinese listed companies recently reached their lowest levels since 2009. As companies cut costs in response to squeezed profits, consumer demand remains weak, raising concerns about the need to stimulate consumption. Major corporations are pessimistic about a short-term recovery in the Chinese economy, with warnings from companies like Pernod Ricard and Carlsberg indicating a lack of signs for a rebound in consumer demand.