South Korea's October Manufacturing PMI Falls to 51.3, an Eight-Month Low

Data released on November 2 showed South Korea's S&P Global manufacturing PMI fell to 51.3 in October from 53.9 in September, its lowest level since February this year, as growth in manufacturing output and demand slowed. According to Sina Finance, the index stayed above the 50-point threshold for an 11th consecutive month, remaining in expansion territory; output growth fell to a 10-month low and new-order growth slowed to a four-month low, with some companies reporting weaker automotive demand. Asia-Pacific demand continued to support South Korean manufacturing exports, while demand in the U.S. market remained relatively weak.