Manufacturing sentiment turns positive for June

SEOUL, May 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's manufacturing confidence has rebounded into positive territory for the first time in three months despite prolonged tensions in the Middle East, a poll showed Monday.

The professional survey index (PSI) for the manufacturing sector's business outlook rose to 107 for June from 95 for May, according to the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade.

A PSI reading above 100 means optimists outnumber pessimists, while a figure below the benchmark means the opposite.

The PSI outlook had remained below the 100 mark for April and May before rebounding for June.

By sector, the outlook for the chip industry came to 156 for June, up from 150 estimated for this month.

Companies in the display, automobile, machinery and bio-health sectors also reported improved business sentiment for June compared with this month, KIET said.

In contrast, confidence in the shipbuilding and steel sectors fell to 100 and 122 for June, down 7 points and 24 points from the previous month, respectively.

The PSI readings for the mobile phone and textile sectors remained below the threshold at 80 and 93, respectively.

brk@yna.co.kr
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