IN BRIEF (Page 6)

South Korea's exports grow

South Korea's export volumes grew for six straight months, indicating a recovery of the export-driven economy, central bank data showed on Friday. The export volume index came in at 142.01 in April, according to the Bank of Korea. The latest data showed that the index kept an upward trend since November. The BOK froze its benchmark interest rate at an all-time low of 1.25 percent on Thursday, but forecast this year's economic growth rate would surpass its outlook unveiled last month.

UK's GDP expansion slows