NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions slipped to 45.5 in June, dropping below the 50-point “growth threshold” for the first time since October 2010. The index had climbed as high as 69.6 as recently as February 2011, prior to a sharp run-up in oil prices and Japan’s earthquake and tsunami.

The survey’s measure of the degree of change in current North American conditions also edged lower in June, declining to 0.0 from +0.1 in May. 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 topped the 50-point mark for a 28th consecutive month in June. The index measured 63.6 for the month, down from 81.8 in May.

Click here for the complete June 2011 report.