Consumer sentiment rises at sharpest pace in 1 yr in May on robust chip exports, stock rally

Consumer sentiment rose at the fastest pace in about a year in May, driven by robust semiconductor exports and the stock market rally, the central bank said Friday.

The composite consumer sentiment index stood at 106.1 this month, up 6.9 points from April and surpassing the 100-point mark for the first time in two months, according to a survey by the Bank of Korea.

The reading had fallen for two straight months in March and April.

The latest figure also marked the sharpest on-month increase sinc