NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions grew for a second straight month in March. Still, at 47.9, the index again lagged the 50-point threshold that demonstrates industry expansion. What’s more, March was the fourth consecutive month that the index failed to top 50 points.
 
These results, say NEMA analysts, suggest that while the business environment facing electrical equipment manufacturers continues to weaken, the pace of its deterioration has slowed markedly since January.     
 
By contrast, EBCI survey panelists’ March expectations for the coming six months saw a sharp reversal. Following a modest gain a month ago, the EBCI for future North American conditions plunged 12.5 points to 33.3, its lowest reading since November 2006.
 
Go to this link <http://www.nema.org/econ/ebci/index.cfm>  for the complete March 2008 report.
 
The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index gauges the business confidence of the electroindustry in Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America, and is based on the results of a monthly survey of senior managers at NEMA member companies. Those companies represent more than 80 percent of the electroindustry.
 
NEMA is the trade association for the electrical manufacturing industry. It is headquartered near Washington, D.C., and its 430 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end-use of electricity.