South Korea CBSI December 2025: Business Sentiment Hits 17-Month High on Export Surge
South Korea's CBSI hit a 17-month high of 93.7 in December 2025. Rising U.S. facility investment and year-end retail sales drove the business sentiment recovery.
South Korea’s business pulse is quickening as sentiment reaches its highest level in 17 months. A survey by the Bank of Korea (BOK) reveals that rising demand from U.S. facility investments and a late-year consumption boost are driving corporate optimism across the peninsula.
South Korea CBSI December 2025: Highest Since July 2024
The Composite Business Sentiment Index (CBSI) for all industries climbed to 93.7 this month, marking a 1.6-point increase from November. This represents the peak since July 2024, when the index stood at 95.5. It’s the second consecutive month of growth, signaling that while the reading remains below the 100 neutral threshold, the recovery momentum is gaining traction.
U.S. Investment Cycle and Seasonal Factors Boost Confidence
The primary engine behind this recovery is the surge in U.S. equipment-related orders. As American firms ramp up facility investments, South Korean manufacturers in the semiconductor, shipbuilding, and automotive sectors are seeing a significant uptick in demand. The manufacturing CBSI specifically rose 1.7 points to reach 94.4.
Non-manufacturing sectors didn't lag behind, gaining 1.4 points to hit 93.2. Seasonal tailwinds such as Black Friday sales and a resurgence in Chinese tourists boosted retail performance and service industry sentiment. The survey covered 3,255 companies, reflecting a broad-based improvement in business outlook.
Despite the rise, a reading below 100 means pessimists still outnumber optimists in the South Korean business landscape.
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