Consumer sentiment in October was at its highest level in almost a year, showing high expectations for an economic recovery.
 
The Bank of Korea said Tuesday that the consumer sentiment index (CSI) for October was 105, up two points from the previous month.
 
The CSI matches the level shown in May, before the outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and is the highest in almost a year since last September.
 
A reading above 100 indicates that more consumers are optimistic about the economy.
 
The CSI had fallen from 105 in May to 99 in June due to the MERS outbreak, but has been recovering after marking 100 in July.
 
By category, the index for current living conditions as well as prospects for future living conditions, household income prospects and expenditure prospects all rose one point from August.
 
The index for consumers' appraisal of the current economy, compared with how they saw the economy six months ago, rose eight points to 81 from 73 last month. The index for consumers' economic prospects six months in the future rose three points.