South Korean manufacturers’ business sentiment for next month remained negative but jumped to a three-month high, a poll showed Tuesday.

The business sentiment index, which measures manufacturers’ outlook on their business situation for the coming month, came in at 78 for October, compared with 74 for September, according to the Bank of Korea.

The forecast for next month marks the highest level since the outlook for July, when the index came in at 78. It also marks the first increase since the outlook for April.

In terms of seasonally adjusted figures, the monthly index rose to 78 from 75. A reading below the benchmark 100 means there are more pessimists than optimists. The index has been below the benchmark since July 2010, when it hit 100.

By sector, the index measuring small and medium enterprises’ outlook for October jumped to 76 from 68, while that for bigger conglomerates retreated to 79 from 81. (Yonhap)