NEMA Index: Electroindustry Business Conditions Improved by More than 20 Points

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America improved by more than 20 points, marking an abrupt change of direction following three consecutive months of decline. The index rose to 67.5 from 47.2 a month ago and from 50.0 in May. Only 10 percent of panelists reported worse conditions, and an equal share (45 percent) reported better or unchanged conditions. The EBCI for future North American conditions also advanced, though by a lesser margin. Having come in at 52.8 in June, the future conditions index edged up to 55.0 in July. A plurality (50 percent) of July’s panelists expect business conditions to be unchanged over the coming six month period, 30 percent expect conditions to be better, and the remaining 20 percent foresee a worsening business environment.