Current Conditions EBCI Slips in May, But Six-Month Outlook Improves Again

North American business conditions continued to improve on balance in May, though positive sentiment was less widespread than in the previous month, according to Rosslyn, Va.-based National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions slipped 3 points to 68.8. Nonetheless, the index remained well above the 50-point level indicative of an environment conducive to electroindustry growth for a fifth straight month.

Meanwhile, the EBCI for future North American conditions climbed 3.2 points to 77.1, its highest level since January. Thirteen respondents expect the improvement seen since the beginning of the year to continue over the next six months, with the rest anticipating little to no change in conditions.

Visit the NEMA Web site for the May 2010 Click here for the complete May 2010 report.