NEMA’s indexes for high intensity discharge (HID) lamp shipments declined for the second consecutive quarter in 2012 Q3. Sodium vapor lamp shipments decreased 14.8 percent year-over-year (y/y) during the quarter, following a loss of 6.8 percent during the previous three month period. Shipments of metal halide lamps fell 6.9 and 4.9 percent, respectively, in Q3 and Q2. Mercury vapor lamps contracted significantly, retreating by 23 percent to reach a new low for the index. Combined HID lamp shipments through Q3 2012 declined nearly 5 percent versus last year.

Sodium and mercury vapor lamps gave up ground to metal halide lamps for the quarter. Metal halide lamps gained 2.3 percentage points (y/y) to reach a share of 63.8 percent. Sodium vapor lamps decreased to 32.4 percent, down 1.7 points. Meanwhile, the share of mercury vapor lamps fell slightly to just shy of 4 percent.