Economic Bulletin | KDI 경제교육·정보센터

KDI 경제교육·정보센터

Economic Information and Education Center

발행물

Economic Trends

The Green Book: Monthly Economic Trends

Executive Summary Industrial production was up 14.2 percent on-year in January 2005, led by automobile, semiconductor and audiovisual communications equipment output, as exports remained buoyant and more days were worked than the previous year. On-month output increased 3.1 percent. Wholesale and retail sales declined 3.0 percent on-year in January as the lunar New Year holiday moved from January last year to February this year, which slowed department and large discount stores sales. Facility investment surged 16.0 percent on-year in January as special purpose industrial machinery, computer and communications equipment investment expanded. Exports increased 7.2 percent on-year to US$20.52 billion while imports expanded 4.5 percent on-year to US$18.25 billion in February. The single-digit growth in exports and imports was due mainly to fewer workdays during the lunar New Year holiday. Consumer prices were up 0.6 percent on-month in February as agricultural, livestock and fishery product prices climbed 3.6 percent ahead of the lunar New Year holiday and industrial product prices rose 0.4 percent in the wake of higher international oil prices. On-year consumer prices were also up 3.3 percent in February. The unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in January, up 0.2 percentage point from the same month in 2004 as more students and soon-to-be university graduates began looking for work. Yields on benchmark three-year Treasury bonds fell slightly from 4.06 percent at the end of January to finish February at 4.04 percent as investment sentiment among market players stabilized and the government adjusted the Treasury bond issuance volume to a level similar to the previous month. Yields, however, began to rebound in March. The KOSPI surged 78.69 points, or 8.4 percent, between January and February 2005 to 1,011.36 points as confidence in the economic rebound mounted, money continued to flow into the stock market, and net purchases of domestic shares by foreign portfolio investors increased. The KOSDAQ gained 25.43 points or 5.4 percent to finish February at 498.38 points. * For further details, please refer to the attached file

Mar 2005