NEMA's Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American business conditions posted a small gain in June, climbing 1.6 points from May to 70.4 points. The index has remained in a tight range since March, with monthly values ranging between 68.8 points and 71.7 points — levels indicative of widespread improvement in business conditions across the electroindustry (any reading above the 50-point level is indicative of growth in the market).
Indeed, June's results showed 13 panelists reporting improving conditions, against only two reporting deterioration. (The other panelists reported conditions were unchanged.) The EBCI is a survey of senior executives of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Rosslyn, Va.
Despite the reports for better economic conditions from EBCI respondents, reported improvements in the business environment have been relatively modest in intensity. The average change in business conditions cited in the survey was unchanged once again in June, holding at +0.7 for a third straight month, following two months at +0.5 in February and March. Meanwhile, the EBCI for future North American conditions dropped 6.7 points to 70.4 points, giving back more than twice the 3.2-point gain recorded in May.
NEMA's EBCI Indexes for international markets declined in most regions. Latin America saw a decrease in June of 2.9 points and 15.9 points for current and future conditions, respectively, but both indexes remained solidly in the growth range. The EBCI for current conditions in Asia slid 5.6 points to 47.5 points and the EBCI for future conditions for that region dropped 0.4 points to 64.3 points. Europe's EBCI Indexes were mixed, with a 2.2-increase to 38.9 points for current conditions and a 5.9-point drop to 47.4 points for future conditions.