This undated photo shows buildings in the Yeouido Business District in Seoul. Korea Times file

Korea's business sentiment worsened in November amid growing concerns over a slowdown in exports and sagging domestic demand, a central bank poll showed Wednesday.

The Composite Business Sentiment Index, or CBSI, in all industries for November came to 91.5, down 0.6 point from the figure tallied for the previous month, according to the survey by the Bank of Korea (BOK).

The index measures corporate prospects for business conditions. A reading below 100 means pessimists outnumber optimists.

The CBSI among manufacturers fell 0.6 point from a month earlier to 90.6 in November, the lowest level since October 2023.

Manufacturers pointed to an increase in inventory stock, tight financial conditions and the overall economic situation as major reasons for their negative view.

But the index for non-manufacturers gained 0.4 point to 92.1, as they cited rising profitability and sales as positive factors, though they also voiced concerns over the economic situation and tight financing conditions.

The economic sentiment index, which reflects sentiment among both consumers and businesses, added 0.2 point to stand at 92.7 for November, the data showed.

"Companies were wary of uncertainties after the U.S. presidential election. Some expected Donald Trump's trade policy to have a negative impact on the domestic semiconductor, bio, eco-friendly energy and other sectors, as well as overall exports," a BOK official said. (Yonhap)