S. Korea’s industrial output rebounds in August

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) — South Korea’s industrial output rebounded in four months due to higher production in semiconductors and automobiles, statistical office data showed Monday.
The seasonally-adjusted production index in all industries, which exclude the agriculture, livestock and fishery sector, rose 1.2 percent in August from a month earlier after sliding for the past three months, according to Statistics Korea.
Production among manufacturers jumped 4.1 percent in August on a monthly basis after dipping 4.1 percent in the previous month.
Automotive output soared 22.7 percent, with those for semiconductors and machinery equipment growing in single digits.
The ratio of inventory to shipment in the manufacturing industry slipped 4.6 percentage points from a month earlier to 110.5 percent in August.
Manufacturers recorded an average capacity ratio of 74.3 percent in August, up 3.2 percentage points compared to the prior month.
Production in the construction industry reduced 1.2 percent in August from a month earlier, keeping a downward trend for the fourth consecutive month amid the lingering worry about the real estate market slump.
Output in the public administration sector declined 1.2 percent in August after advancing 6.0 percent in the previous month.
Output in the service industry climbed 0.2 percent last month, continuing to rise for the third straight month.
The seasonally-adjusted retail sale index, which reflects private consumption, expanded 1.7 percent in August from a month earlier, turning around from a decrease of 2.0 percent in the previous month.
Facility investment dropped 5.4 percent in August on a monthly basis after soaring 10.2 percent in the prior month.
The cyclical variation factor for leading economic indicators, which gauges the outlook for future economic situations, shrank 0.1 point to 100.6 in August compared to the previous month.
The reading for coincident economic indicators, which measures the current economic condition, retreated 0.1 point to 98.2 in the cited month. ■