NEMA’s EBCI Index Slides Again in May

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America declined for a second straight month in May, falling to 50 from 54.8 a month ago and from 58.3 in March. The same proportion of panelists – 26% – reported business conditions improved in May as reported they declined, with the balance stating conditions were unchanged. The EBCI is a monthly survey of members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Rosslyn, Va. Any reading over 50% indicates a growth environment in the electrical market.

Meanwhile, the EBCI for future North American conditions lost ground for a third month in a row. The index dropped to 52.2 in May from 66.7 in April, and is down nearly 27 points from the year-to-date high of 78.9 reached in February. Thirty-five percent of May’s panelists expect the business environment to improve over the next six months, while 30% expect it to decline. Details