Domestic companies' economic outlook for February is negative...35 months in a row below the threshold.

South Korean companies' economic outlook for next month remains negative, the report showed.

The Federation of Korean Industries said it surveyed the BSI forecast for February's business survey index for the top 600 companies by sales and put it at 87.0.

A BSI above the benchmark 100 indicates a positive month-on-month economic outlook and a lower than 100 indicates a negative.

The BSI is below the benchmark for the 35th consecutive month after falling below 100 at 99.1 in April 2022.

Specifically, the manufacturing BSI rebounded 8.8 points from the previous month to 93.0, but the non-manufacturing sector is expected to fall another 3.5 points, taking a bigger hit than the manufacturing sector.

In particular, the non-manufacturing sector is expected to see deterioration in all seven sectors, including information and communications, construction and wholesale and retail, for the first time since July 2020.

On the other hand, in the manufacturing industry, general and precision machinery and electronics and communication equipment sectors are expected to show strong performance at 126.3 and 105.3 respectively, while pharmaceuticals and automobiles are on the baseline.

Lee Sang-ho, head of the Korea Economic Industry Division of the Korea Economic Association, said, "Business sentiment is deteriorating due to high exchange rates, rising oil prices, and uncertainties in the business environment at home and abroad. We should deal with bills to support people's livelihoods and businesses as soon as possible and avoid discussing legislation that undermines corporate vitality such as amendments to the commercial law."