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China’s solar industry is notorious for its busts. But the current slump is of a different order. Although an energy crunch caused by the war in Iran has boosted the country’s solar exports, that will be small cheer to its companies, which face dimming domestic demand, a glut of solar-panel supply and rising protectionism in Western markets. Most have run at a loss for years. After blistering growth, the world’s solar factory
faces a reckoning.
Elsewhere, a very different type of company is struggling to perform: Karex, the world’s top condom-maker. The company’s share price is down by a third since the start of the year. We explain how tariffs, budget cuts and the weakening dollar have
sapped the firm
of its virility. | 
