Chinese consumers are about to return from the holidays. That doesn't mean the economy will pick up.

• Chinese consumers are back from the festive Chinese New Year season next week.
• That doesn't mean the economy will pick up.
• Instead, spending is likely to slow, signaling more bad news for Beijing when what it really needs is a break.

China's economy and markets were weak coming into 2024, but investor sentiment could worsen after the ongoing Chinese New Year break.

This year marks China's second Chinese New Year after COVID-19 restrictions ended.