Korea's manufacturing sentiment up for March

South Korean manufacturers' business sentiment for next month improved, as they expect an increase in domestic demand and exports, central bank data showed Tuesday.

The business survey index of manufacturing firms came to 81 in March, up from 76 in February, according to the Bank of Korea.

(Yonhap)

A reading over 100 means optimists outnumber pessimists, while a reading below the benchmark means the opposite.

An index measuring local firms' sentiments toward exports came to 92 for next month, up from 90 in February. A separate index for domestic sales stood at 90 for March, up from 89 in February.

An index measuring local firms' sentiments toward profitability stood at 88 in March, up from 86 in February, according to the BOK.

The BSI of nonmanufacturing firms came to 77 in March, compared to 73 in February.

The monthly index is based on a survey of 2,884 companies throughout the country from Feb. 14 to 21. (Yonhap)