{
  "id": 10129253,
  "title": "Biz sentiment for Q4 improves on robust semiconductor, cosmetics exports: poll",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/biz-sentiment-for-q4-improves-on-robust-semiconductor-cosmetics-10129253",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-27T03:57:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/economy/20260927/biz-sentiment-for-q4-improves-on-robust-semiconductor-cosmetics-exports-poll"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The business sentiment for the fourth quarter of the year in South Korea improved significantly due to robust exports of semiconductors and cosmetics, according to a survey released on Sunday. The business survey index (BSI) for 2,413 manufacturing companies nationwide reached 86 for the October-December period, marking a 6-point increase from the previous quarter. A score below 100 signifies that pessimistic opinions outnumber optimistic ones, while a figure above 100 indicates the opposite. The index for the semiconductor sector reached an all-time high of 139 for the fourth quarter, remaining above the benchmark for four consecutive quarters. Meanwhile, the cosmetics sector index rose by 20 points to 120, and the medical and precision equipment sector index increased by 28 points to 108.\n\nDespite the improved business sentiment, 60.4% of companies surveyed expected their operating profits for the year to fall short of the targets set at the beginning of the year. The primary reason cited for this projection was the surge in production costs, attributed to elevated prices of raw materials and energy.",
  "summary": "Korea's business sentiment improved for the fourth quarter of this year on robust exports of semiconductors and cosmetics, a survey showed Sunday. The business survey index (BSI) for 2,413 manufacturing companies nationwide stood at 86 for the October-December period, up 6 points from the previous quarter, according to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). A reading below 100 means…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Biz sentiment for Q4 improves on robust semiconductor, cosmetics exports: poll",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/biz-sentiment-for-q4-improves-on-robust-semiconductor-cosmetics-10126419",
        "published": "2026-09-27T03:00:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Biz sentiment for Q4 improves on robust semiconductor, cosmetics exports: poll",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/biz-sentiment-for-q4-improves-on-robust-semiconductor-cosmetics",
        "published": "2026-09-27T03:37:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}