The latest Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) results suggest the North American electroindustry remained in a “soft patch” in August. The EBCI for current North American conditions slipped to 35.7 from 38.6 in July, the second consecutive month it has fallen short of the 50 point level indicating an equal number of panelists see conditions improving as see them deteriorating. While the EBCI for future North American conditions also retreated, panelists, on balance, remained optimistic. The index measured 54.8 in August, a decline from July's reading of 61.4.

The EBCI is a monthly survey of senior executives at electrical manufacturers published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Rosslyn, Va. Click here for the complete August 2012 report.