Although some survey respondents for NEMA’s monthly Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) noted weakness in their markets, the survey’s Current Conditions Index benefited from a decidedly positive shift overall as it moved from 57.9 points in November to 66.7 points in December. The share of those reporting worse conditions mirrored November’s report at 11%. The major movement in the index came about due to the shift from unchanged, which registered at 63% in November, to better conditions, reported at 23% last month. In December, both unchanged and better came in at 44%.
The EBCI Future Conditions Index continued to strengthen, reaching 80.6 points in December. The last two months have seen this figure climb, starting at 66.7 points in October and moving up to 73.7 points in November. The share of those expecting better or unchanged conditions edged up, but most of the shift in confidence came from the 10% fewer respondents expecting worse conditions, a sentiment expressed by only 6% of respondents last month. In December, 67% of the panelists reported expectations of better conditions versus 63% in November, while 28% foresaw unchanged conditions this time, compared to 21% last month.