Business sentiment improved for the third consecutive month in December on the back of strong exports of manufacturers despite a COVID-19 resurgence. 

According to the Bank of Korea(BOK) on Wednesday, the business survey index(BSI) for all industries stood at 87 for December, up one from the previous month.  

A reading below 100 means pessimists outnumber optimists.   

The reading posted steady growth for three straight months after plunging to 84 in September. 

The BSI for manufacturers rose five points on-month to 95. However, the BSI for non-manufacturers, which includes restaurants, wholesalers and retail businesses, dropped by one on-month to 82, due to enhanced social distancing measures.  

Meanwhile, local firms' business outlook for January dropped by one on-month to 84.