SEOUL, July 4 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's current account surplus grew in May compared to the previous month due to lower energy imports and higher dividend income, central bank data showed Friday.

Current account balance, the broadest measure of cross-border trade, recorded a surplus of 10.14 billion U.S. dollars in May, up from 5.70 billion dollars tallied in April, according to the Bank of Korea.

The current account balance has stayed in the black for the 25th consecutive month since May 2023.

Trade surplus for goods amounted to 10.66 billion dollars in May, higher than 8.99 billion dollars in the prior month.

Exports shrank 2.9 percent in May from a year earlier owing to the negative effect of U.S. tariffs imposition, while imports declined at a faster pace of 7.2 percent on lower energy prices.

Service account deficit came to 2.28 billion dollars in May, lower than a deficit of 2.83 billion dollars in April.

The primary income account, which includes monthly salary and investment income, registered a surplus of 2.15 billion dollars on dividend income from foreign stock investment.

Financial account, which gauges cross-border capital flow without transactions in goods and services, posted a net outflow of 6.71 billion dollars in the cited month.

Overseas direct investment by domestic residents swelled 4.13 billion dollars, while foreign direct investment in South Korea climbed 320 million dollars.

For the portfolio investment, which includes stock and bond trading, overseas investment by local residents jumped 10.09 billion dollars, while foreign investment in local stocks and bonds soared 12.77 billion dollars. ■