Industry News

NEMA's Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) rose in May, edging up to 53.3 points from 50 in April. Twenty percent of panelists reported conditions improved in May, similar to April's 19%, but only 13% reported the business environment worsened in May, down from 19% in April. Two-thirds claimed conditions were unchanged in May, similar to the 63% who held this view a month ago.

The survey's measure of the intensity of change in electroindustry business conditions also increased in May, rising to +0.2 from a neutral 0.0 in April. Panelists are asked to report intensity of change on a scale ranging from –5 (deteriorated significantly) through 0 (unchanged) to +5 (improved significantly). 

The EBCI for future North American conditions also gained ground in May, climbing to 56.7 from 53.1 in April. Twenty-seven percent of the panel reported positive expectations for the next six months compared to 19% a month ago. Meanwhile, 13% reported negative expectations, identical to April's result. The share expecting to see no change in business conditions over the next six months slipped to 60% in May from 69% in April. 

Click here for the complete May 2016 report.