NEMA’s EBCI Index for Current Conditions Remains in Positive Territory for December

The current conditions component of NEMA’s ElectroIndustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) remained in positive territory in December, even after giving up a handful of points from November’s reading of 63.3 points. Although several comments from NEMA execs were unambiguously positive or negative, most of the expressed sentiment tended to reflect the muddled conditions of ample demand being dampened by supply challenges.

The ElectroIndustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) 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 a greater number of panelists see conditions improving than see them deteriorating.

December’s survey included a special topic question regarding what effect, if any, recent court rulings have had on company vaccination policy. Half of the responses indicated company policy would likely remain unchanged because vaccination was not currently required for any employees. An additional 21% of respondents said companies were less likely to require vaccinations as a result of court actions. Additional court activity on this matter occurred after the survey period closed.

Despite the considerable uncertainty expressed by panel members, the EBCI’s future component improved to 60 points in December from the previous reading of 53.3 points.