NEMA’s Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America rebounded in January, climbing to 57.5 points from 50 points in December. The index stood at 60.4 points in November. Thirty-five percent of January’s panelists reported conditions improved during the month, up from 25% in December. In contrast, only 20% of panelists indicated that the business environment worsened in January, compared to 25% in December. Forty-five percent reported no change in conditions between December and January.
The EBCI Index is a monthly survey of senior executives at electrical manufacturers published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Rosslyn, Va. Any score over the 50-point level indicates an equal number of panelists see conditions improving as see them deteriorating.
January’s EBCI for future North American conditions edged up to 67.5 points from 65 points the previous month. Slightly more than half — 55% — of January’s panelists expect the business environment to improve over the next six months, up from 50% a month ago, compared to 25% who expect it to decline, up from 20% a month ago. Another 25% of panelists expect conditions to remain largely unchanged from the end of 2014 in the first half of 2015.