Biz outlook remains gloomy for Jan.

A majority of companies in South Korea are pessimistic about their business outlooks for next month, citing the impact from the recent rate hike by the U.S. and other downside factors such as falling commodity prices, a poll showed Tuesday.

According to the survey of 600 South Korean companies conducted by the Federation of Korean Industries, the business survey index for January stood at 93.2.

A reading below 100 means that companies that are pessimistic about business conditions down the road outnumber optimistic companies. The latest figure represented the third straight month of the index staying below the mark.

The FKI cited the Fed's recent decision to raise its interest rate for the first time in nearly a decade, the weakening Chinese currency, and falling prices of oil and other commodity prices as reasons for businesses to worry about market conditions going forward.

The rate hike in the U.S. raises worries over a possible outflow of money from emerging markets. The depreciation of the yuan could make it harder for Korean products to compete with Chinese rivals in many areas.

Businesses were also pessimistic in almost every category including domestic demand, exports, investment, profitability and employment, the poll showed. (Yonhap)