SEOUL, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Sentiment among South Korean businesses over economic conditions worsened for the first time in four months on worry about the global trade dispute, central bank data showed Wednesday.
The business sentiment index (BSI) stood at 73 in May, down 1 point from the prior month, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).
It was the first decline in four months. The reading below 100 indicates pessimists outnumbering optimists.
The worsening of the business sentiment came amid the rising concern about the global trade friction that can hit hard the South Korean economy heavily depending on export for growth.
It was offset by the local currency's depreciation to the U.S. dollar that can enhance price competitiveness of South Korean exporters.
The BSI for electronics and telecommunication equipment companies advanced 9 points in the month on the weaker domestic currency, but the figure for chemical firms slipped 6 points on worry about the global trade contraction.
The BSI among manufacturers added 1 point over the month to 76 in May, but the reading for non-manufacturers shrank 3 points to 71 in the period.
The prospective BSI for June declined 4 points to 73, reflecting the still dreary outlook for export.
