Business sentiment stayed flat in August as a resurgence in COVID-19 infections overlapped with the summer vacation season. 

According to the Bank of Korea(BOK) on Wednesday, the business survey index(BSI) for all industries came to 87 this month. The index remained unchanged from July after dropping for the first time in five months last month. 

 A reading below 100 means pessimists outnumber optimists.

The BSI for manufacturers dropped two points on-month to 95, but the index for non-manufacturers, which includes the service sector, rose two points to 81.

The central bank explained that there were fewer working days at carmakers during the summer vacation season, but also higher demand for groceries and travel goods.