South Korean companies' outlook for September turned positive for the first time in six months, with the Federation of Korean Industries' Business Survey Index rising to 102.0 from 91.5 in August. Manufacturing and non-manufacturing both moved above the 100 baseline, supported by improved domestic-demand and export expectations, while the won's appreciation reduced concerns about imported input costs. Consumer sentiment moved in the opposite direction: the Bank of Korea's Consumer Sentiment Index fell 2.3 points to 104.5 in August, its first decline in four months, as the domestic stock-market correction, accumulated price increases and employment concerns weighed on households. One-year inflation expectations held at 2.7%.