LONDON – Some of the world’s top food, drinks and tech companies have struck a sour tone about Chinese demand, deepening investor worries about damage to firms exposed to the country and Beijing’s ability to revive the world’s second-biggest economy. The downbeat comments from companies including Starbucks, Pandora and Carlsberg as they report fourth-quarter results come ahead of China’s Lunar New Year holiday, usually a busy period for consumer spending. They highlight the scale of the challenge for companies selling everything from phones to cars and necklaces as Chinese consumers tighten their belts amid uncertain employment prospects, especially for younger people, a plunging stock market and declining property values. Those problems derailed expectations for a strong post-pandemic rebound in 2023.…
