Business Conditions Improve for Second Straight Month

Results from NEMA's latest business conditions survey showed the economic environment facing the North American electroindustry improved for a second straight month in November. Though the Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions slipped to 56 from 57.4 in the previous month, it nonetheless cleared the 50 mark above which more panelists than not see an improvement in the business environment. Twenty percent of survey panelists reported improved conditions in November compared to the previous month while only eight percent experienced deteriorating conditions. The vast majority saw no change in conditions (72 percent). Likewise, while November's EBCI for future North American conditions eased to 60 from 63 a month ago, the gauge of expectation six month hence continued to point in a positive direction. Some 32 percent of panelists said they expected conditions to improve to at least some degree over the next six months versus 12 percent anticipating they will worsen.