South Korea's index of industrial production was unchanged on the month in October after falling 0.2 percent in August, with the index falling 6.3 percent on the year after a previous decline of 1.3 percent. Previously published PMI survey data also showed a contraction in the manufacturing sector for there second consecutive month in October, with data for November due to be published next week. Officials at the Bank of Korea lowered policy rates by 25 basis points earlier in the week, citing uncertainty about the growth outlook and revising down their near-term growth forecasts.

Forecasters look for a decline of 0.7 percent on the month.

The industrial production index measures changes in the volume of industrial production with respect to the base year. The index charts the growth in production of each major industry and of the manufacturing sector. Industrial Production measures the physical output of the nation's factories, mines, and utilities. Factories manufacture various products, and the industrial production indexes have been prepared as a comprehensive indicator of wide-ranging production activities for such products and are regarded as some of the most important among economic indexes.

Investors want to keep their finger on the pulse of the economy because it usually dictates how various types of investments will perform. The stock market likes to see healthy economic growth because that translates to higher corporate profits. The bond market prefers more subdued growth that won't lead to inflationary pressures. By tracking economic data such as industrial production, investors will know what the economic backdrop is for these markets and their portfolios.

Industrial production provides key industry data for export-dependent economies. It is highly sensitive to the business cycle and can often predict future changes in employment, earnings and income. For these reasons industrial production is considered a reliable leading indicator that conveys information about the overall health of the economy. This report has a big influence on market behavior. In any given month, one can see whether capital goods or consumer goods are growing more rapidly. Detailed data in the report shows which sectors of the economy are growing and which are not.