Data from South Korea show a mixed picture: industrial output slumped sharply in October even as retail sales rose and service-sector output held up. According to the national statistics office,
industrial production in October fell 8.1% year-on-year and 4.0% month-on-month (seasonally adjusted). By contrast, retail sales rose 3.5% month-on-month, while service-sector output slipped modestly by 0.6% month-on-month.
That weak industrial performance follows a rebound in September, when overall production rose 1.0% month-on-month (and 6.7% y/y), driven by a 1.8% increase in services — although retail sales dipped 0.1% in September. The divergence suggests private consumption and services remain more resilient than manufacturing, which may be weighed down by global demand softness or supply-chain headwinds.
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The sharp drop in industrial output may weigh on export-linked assets and Korean equities, while softer manufacturing signals could dampen global supply-chain demand; stable retail and services may cushion domestic consumption risks.
This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.