SEOUL, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's industrial output turned downward last month due to fewer working days, statistical ministry data showed Friday.
The seasonally-adjusted production index in all industries, which excludes the agriculture, livestock and fishery sector, dipped 2.5 percent in October from a month earlier after growing 1.3 percent in the previous month, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.
It was attributable to fewer business days, affected by the Chuseok holiday, the South Korean version of Thanksgiving Day.
Output among manufacturers shrank 3.9 percent in October on a monthly basis after falling 1.1 percent in the prior month.
Production for automobiles and machinery equipment expanded in single digits, but semiconductor output plunged 26.5 percent.
Output in the construction industry tumbled 20.9 percent in October, shifting downward from a gain of 12.3 percent in September.
The retail sale index, which reflects private consumption, rose 3.5 percent in October from a month earlier, marking the first rebound in three months on strong food demand caused by the Chuseok holiday.
Facility investment dived 14.1 percent in October after jumping 12.6 percent in the previous month.
The cyclical variation factor for leading economic indicators, which gauges the outlook for future economic situations, was unchanged at 102.2 in October compared to the previous month. ■
