South Korea's consumer confidence rises to 6-month high

Confidence among South Korean consumers rebounded to the highest in six months, indicating a positive effect from the Bank of Korea's (BOK) rate cut, central bank data showed Friday.

Composite consumer sentiment index (CCSI), which reflects consumers' assessment of economic conditions, stood at 104 in April, rebounding from 101 in March, according to the BOK data.

The April figure marked the highest since October 2014 when it posted 105. It indicated the improved sentiment among consumers after the BOK's policy rate cut in March to an all-time low of 1. 75 percent.

Sub-indices showed an upward picture. Sentiment on current economic conditions jumped 5 points from a month earlier to 77 in April, with the reading for prospective economic situations rising 3 points to 91.

Consumer sentiment on prospective income rose 2 points to 101, but the figure for prospective consumption was unchanged at 106.

Inflation expectations among consumers over the next 12 months stayed at a record low of 2.5 percent in April. It was the lowest since the BOK began compiling the data in February 2002.

The low inflation expectations indicate that consumers could delay consumption on expectations that consumer prices fall further, boosting concerns over deflation, or economic slowdown and low headline inflation.