NEMA EBCI Index Shows Current Business Conditions Remain in Growth Mode at 57.9

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America was largely steady in February, inching upward to 57.9 from 57.5 in January. Thirty-seven percent of February’s panelists said conditions improved during the month, 21% indicated they worsened, and 42% claimed they were unchanged. These proportions were similar to those reported in January.

The EBCI Index 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.

The EBCI for future North American conditions also gained ground in February. The index climbed to 78.9, up 11.4 points from January’s reading of 67.5. Nearly two-thirds — 63% — of February’s panelists expect business conditions to improve over the next six months, up from 55% a month ago, compared to only 5% who expect it to decline, down from 25% a month ago. Another 32% of panelists expect conditions to remain largely unchanged during the next two quarters.