NEMA: Electrical Equipment Manufacturers, August outlook

Manufacturers of electrical equipment tell NEMA their outlook is less confident in August. Despite the decrease in confidence, more than half of panelists participating in the survey expect an improved business environment over the next six months, NEMA said.

September 3, 2010

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American business conditions fell nearly 18 points in August. The index has now fallen from 70.4 in June to 46 currently. The sub-50 point value, the second recorded since July 2009, indicates, across the electroindustry, more businesses than not saw conditions deteriorate during the month, according to NEMA.

Related reading: ISM: Manufacturing grew for the 13th straight month.

The EBCI for future North American conditions posted its third consecutive decline, dropping slightly to 54 in August from 57.7 in July. The index had climbed as high as 77.1 in May, its top level in more than 5 years.

Despite the decrease, more panelists than not still expect an improved business environment over the next six months, NEMA said.

See the complete NEMA Electroindustry Business Confidence Indices report for August 2010: https://www.nema.org/econ/ebci/index.cfm

NEMA is the association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers.

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– Edited by Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com