NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions edged slightly upward in July, rising 0.3 points to 41.7. This followed a retreat in June, which saw the index slip 6.6 points from May’s post-financial crisis high of 47.9.  While the index has snapped back smartly from a cyclical low of 8 in December 2008, it continues to indicate a modest degree of deterioration in the environment facing the electroindustry.

Meanwhile, the North American future conditions EBCI took a small slip in July, dipping 1.5 points to 66.7. Nonetheless, the index managed to top the 50 point threshold suggestive of industry growth for a fifth month in a row, indicating that a healthy proportion of industry executives expect at least some degree of improvement in the business situation within the next six months from its current depressed level.

Click here for the complete July 2009 report.

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.