3rd Quarter Manufacturing Sales Outlook Also Decreases.. "Domestic Slump and Inventory Accumulation Are Difficult"

[Financial News]  
It is expected that the sales of most manufacturing sectors, excluding biohealth and display, will decrease compared to the previous quarter in the third and fourth quarters of this year.
On the 15th, the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET) released the 'Manufacturing Business Survey Index (BSI)' based on a survey of 1,500 domestic manufacturing companies, with the sales outlook BSI recorded at 95. 
BSI is based on 100, with a figure closer to 200 indicating an improvement (increase) in the economy compared to the previous quarter, and a figure closer to 0 indicating a deterioration (decrease) in the economy.
The quarterly sales outlook BSI has remained below the baseline of 100 for five consecutive quarters since the second quarter of last year.
The fourth quarter outlook BSI for other major items such as conditions (93), exports (94), facility investment (97), employment (97), and financial conditions (90) also did not reach the baseline of 100.
Looking at the sales outlook BSI by industry, biohealth (108), wireless communication devices (106), and display (102) showed over 100, indicating an expected improvement in performance compared to the previous quarter.
However, it is expected that most sectors, including the key industries such as semiconductors (97), home appliances (94), automobiles (91), shipbuilding (97), general machinery (94), refining (97), chemicals (94), and steel (93), will not reach the baseline.
Manufacturers cited domestic slump and inventory accumulation (53%, multiple responses possible) as the most negative factors affecting business activities. This was followed by external supply chain uncertainty (37%) and financial market volatility (28%). 
The expected policy support from the new government includes domestic stabilization support (50.9%), financial market stabilization support (37.9%), and strengthening price management (34.1%).

aber@fnnews.com Park Ji-young Reporter