SEOUL, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Sentiment among South Korean businesses fell for the first time in nine months due to a one-off factor of fewer business days, central bank data showed Wednesday.
The business sentiment index (BSI) among manufacturers stood at 82 in May, down 1 point from a month earlier, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK). It was the first decline since August last year.
The BSI indicates an outlook among businesses over economic conditions. The index below 100 means pessimists outnumbered optimists.
The result was based on a survey of 1,747 manufacturers and 1,103 non-manufacturers conducted from May 17 to May 24.
The index began to rise in January thanks to the recovery in exports, which account for about half of the South Korean economy.
The May decline of the index was attributable to fewer business days, which were caused by holidays such as the Buddha's Birthday and the presidential by-election.
The BSI for non-manufacturers came in at 79 in May, up 1 point from the previous month. It was the highest in five years.
