While electrical distributors don’t appear to be expecting a big bounce back in the electrical market’s business conditions, a recent survey conducted in 4Q 2011 by KeyBanc Capital Markets, Cleveland, and Electrical Wholesaling magazine, tapped into a current of quiet optimism for the year ahead.

Survey results indicated demand in 2011’s fourth quarter was slightly better than the normal seasonal sequential demand decline associated with the construction cycle, but they didn’t point toward a substantial outperformance to the upside. By end market, datacom and institutional construction exhibited the strongest sequential growth, while residential construction has yet to recover. In addition, it appears inventory levels should return to normal following a seasonal draw-down for the fourth quarter. Also, it appears the pricing environment remains generally stable as commodity prices have pulled back during the 4Q11 but pricing concessions are not widely reported. Finally, results indicate that sentiment has not worsened but still remains generally cautious.

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Thank-you from the staff of Electrical Marketing.