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Data from FMP. Forecasts by Sigmanomics Forecast Engine.
South KoreaSouth Korea Consumer Confidence climbed to 106.1% in May 2026
FMPMonthlyReleased May 2026
South Korea Consumer Confidence climbed to 106.1% in May 2026, up 6.9% from April's 99.2% reading. The print exceeded the 96.0% consensus by 10.1%. Year-over-year, the indicator is up 4.3%. Over the past 3 months, Consumer Confidence averaged 106.1%, vs 111.15% in the prior 3-month window. The reading is in the 59th percentile of the trailing 24-month range.
Latest Release
106.1
Actual
96
Consensus
99.2
Previous
Median Absolute Error
±3.59 percentage points
across last 12 releases
Last Call
May 2026
Predicted: 96.78
Actual: 106.1
Error: -9.32
Sigmacast Σ-direction model: consensus + ½ × mean(surprise, trailing 90d).
CORRELATED SYMBOLS— markets that historically move with this indicator
| Symbol | Direction | Correlation | Asset Class | Signal Bias | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikkei 225 | ▲ Direct | +0.62 | INDEX | Bullish Nikkei 225 | → View |
| USD/KRW | ▼ Inverse | −0.57 | FOREX | Bearish USD | → View |
| Hang Seng | ▲ Direct | +0.56 | INDEX | Bullish Hang Seng | → View |
| S&P 500 | ▲ Direct | +0.54 | INDEX | Bullish S&P 500 | → View |
| KOSPI | ▲ Direct | +0.45 | INDEX | Bullish KOSPI | → View |
Correlation based on 12-month rolling window. Click any symbol to view its Sigmanomics forecast page.
THE RELEASE
Consumer Confidence (South Korea) was reported at 106.1% in May 2026. This beat the market consensus of 96% by 10.1%. The reading rose from the previous value of 99.2%. Trailing 12-month context per ETL data through May 2026. Over the past 12 months, the indicator has averaged 109.83%, ranging from 106.1% to 112.4% across 10 releases. This is classified as a medium-impact indicator released on a monthly basis.
WHY IT MATTERS
The indicator has been trending downward over the last three releases. The trailing three releases averaged 108.4%, down from the prior three at 110.7%. Volatility over the past year (σ 1.96%) is lower than the prior year (σ 4.75%). In May readings over the past 3 years, Consumer Confidence has averaged 102.1%.
THE MODEL'S TAKE
Historically, this indicator is positively correlated with Nikkei 225 (Bullish Nikkei 225). A secondary relationship exists with USD/KRW, negatively correlated (Bearish USD). Over the last 12 releases, the Sigmacast model's median absolute error is 3.59%.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
The next release is scheduled for June 22, 2026. Same-country events in the next 14 days include Business Confidence (Jun 24).
Auto-generated from current model state · Refreshes on each release · Last update May 2026.
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Consumer Confidence - KR
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About Consumer Confidence — South Korea
DEFINITION
Index The Consumer Confidence Index is a widely recognized financial indicator that measures the level of optimism or pessimism among consumers regarding the state of the economy. It is based on surveys and data collected from a representative sample of households, and is used by economists and investors to gauge consumer spending patterns and overall economic health. A higher index value indicates a positive outlook, while a lower value suggests a more negative sentiment. This index is a valuable tool for businesses and policymakers in making informed decisions and predicting future economic trends.
WHY THIS INDICATOR MATTERS
Sentiment surveys are forward-looking inputs that often lead hard data on output and hiring. Sharp swings can drive cross-asset repricing. Surprises against consensus can drive short-term moves, particularly when the print breaks an established trend. Released monthly.
WHAT CHANGED THIS MONTH
Latest reading (May 2026): actual 106.1 %, consensus 96 %. Prior reading (Apr 2026): 99.2 %. Before that (Mar 2026): 107 %.
WHAT'S NEXT
Sigmacast's 1-month forecast points to a similar reading versus the latest print, with the 3-month outlook reinforcing that direction. Both horizons are aligned bullish for this indicator, suggesting a consistent trend signal. Trend-driven dynamics are the primary headwind in the current projection. This indicator correlates most strongly with Nikkei 225 (Bullish Nikkei 225, r=0.62) — a useful reference for index-focused traders.