EBCI For Future Conditions Improves

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions dropped for a second straight month in November, slipping 2.1 points to 17.9 points. The index is a monthly survey of senior executives at electrical manufacturers published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Rosslyn, Va. Any reading under the 50-point break-even mark signals declining market conditions.

The EBCI for future North American conditions showed a modest reversal from the previous month’s sharp decline, but remained firmly in negative territory. The index gained 2.1 points for the month, rising to 19.6 points. Current conditions indexes for the other three world regions included in the survey declined in November. By contrast, future conditions indicators all gained ground:

• The current conditions reading for Latin America declined to 22.5 points from 32.1 points, while the future conditions measure rose to 20 points from 10.7 points.
• The current conditions reading for Europe declined to 10.5 points from 25 points, while the future conditions indicator rose to 22.2 points from 21.4 points.
• The current conditions reading for the Asia/Pacific region fell to 21.4 points from 30.8 points, while the future conditions indicator rose to 33.3 points from 23.1 points.