NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions edged higher in January, rising to 54.2 from December’s reading of 52. It was the fourth straight month in which the index exceeded the 50 point mark, above which more panelists than not report an improved business environment.
 
The survey’s measure of the degree of change in current North American conditions rebounded to +0.1 in January from 0.0 the previous month. In November, it had measured +0.2.
January’s EBCI for future North American conditions soared to 79.2, its highest mark since May 2011. The index jumped more than 9 points in the latest month on the heels of a 10 point bounce in December.

Click here for the complete January 2012 report.

NEMA is the association of electrical equipment manufacturers, founded in 1926 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Its member companies manufacture a diverse set of products including power transmission and distribution equipment, lighting systems, factory automation and control systems, and medical diagnostic imaging systems. Worldwide annual sales of NEMA-scope products exceed $120 billion.