Biz sentiment for Q4 improves on robust semiconductor, cosmetics exports: poll
Containers are stacked at a port in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Sept. 6. Yonhap
Korea's business sentiment improved for the fourth quarter of this year on robust exports of semiconductors and cosmetics, a survey showed Sunday.
The business survey index (BSI) for 2,413 manufacturing companies nationwide stood at 86 for the October-December period, up 6 points from the previous quarter, according to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
A reading below 100 means pessimists outnumber optimists, while a figure above the benchmark indicates the opposite.
The index for the semiconductor sector posted a reading of 139 for the fourth quarter, the highest since the survey began, remaining above the benchmark for the fourth consecutive quarter.
The index for the cosmetics sector rose 20 points to 120, while that for the medical and precision equipment sector gained 28 points to 108.
Despite improving business sentiment, 60.4 percent of companies expected their operating profits this year to fall short of targets set at the beginning of the year, mainly due to higher production costs driven by elevated raw material and energy prices.