NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions jumped 16 points in April to 42. Though falling below the key 50-point mark indicative of improvement in industry conditions for a 17th straight month, the index nonetheless reached its highest level in nearly a year, and has rallied some 34 points over the last four months from December’s near all-time low.

The future EBCI for North America painted an even brighter picture, pointing for a second month in a row to a possible improvement in the level of the business conditions six months ahead. The index climbed from 52 in March to 60 in April, its highest level since July 2007.

The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index gauges the business confidence of the electroindustry in Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America, and is based on the results of a monthly survey of senior managers at NEMA member companies. Those companies represent more than 80 percent of the electroindustry.

NEMA is the association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end use of electricity. These products are used in utility, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. The association’s Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) Division represents manufacturers of cutting-edge medical diagnostic imaging equipment including MRI, CT, x-ray, and ultrasound products. Worldwide sales of NEMA-scope products exceed $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico City.

http://www.nema.org/econ/ebci/index.cfm