The Electroindustry Business Confidence Indexes (EBCI) for both current and future North American conditions fell precipitously in April. After climbing for two straight months in February and March, the EBCI for current North American conditions tumbled by more than 20 points to 27.3 points, the lowest level recorded since late 2001.
Survey panelists’ expectations for the next six months also eroded further in April, as the EBCI for future North American conditions slid 3.8 points to 29.5 points. This skid came on the heels of March’s 12.5- point drop. An index reading below 50 points is indicative of a contraction in industry conditions. The EBCI is a monthly survey of senior executives in the electrical market published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Rosslyn, Va.
Current and future conditions for each of the other three world regions included in the EBCI all declined in April. However, each region still reached or surpassed the growth threshold of 50 points.
• The current conditions index for Latin America dipped to 53.3 points from 58.8 points in March, while the future conditions reading slipped to 50 points from 55.9 points.
• Current conditions for Europe slid to 54.5 points from 55.9 points a month ago; future conditions dropped to 50 points, also from 55.9 points.
• Current conditions in the Asia/Pacific region were down by nearly 8 points to 53.6 points, with future conditions off a whopping 19-plus points at 50 points.