NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America slipped below the 50-point level typically associated with expansion in January for the first time since October 2012. The index declined for the third straight month, falling to 40.6 from 52.8 in December. The share of respondents that reported conditions improved in January declined to 12.5 percent from 16.7 percent in December, while the share reporting conditions deteriorated increased to 31.3 percent from 11.1 percent. Just over 56 percent of respondents indicated that conditions were unchanged from December to January.  (All images courtesy belong to NEMA.)

The survey’s measure of the mean degree of change in current North American conditions also fell in January, decreasing to -0.6 from +0.1 in December. Panelists are asked to report intensity of change on a scale ranging from –5 (deteriorated significantly) through 0 (unchanged) to +5 (improved significantly). 

In sharp contrast, confidence in future business conditions again gained ground in January. The EBCI for North American conditions six months hence rose to 90.6 from 83.3 in December, one of the highest readings in the history of the survey. More than 81% of survey respondents said they expect conditions to improve over the next six months, up from two-thirds in December. As in December, none of the survey Copyright © 2014 NEMA Business Information Services January 2014 Page 2 

respondents anticipate a deterioration in the business environment in the coming two quarters. 

SURVEY RESULTS: Current Conditions (Compared to Previous Month) Conditions Six Months From Now (Compared to Current Conditions)