Senior executives at NEMA member companies reported that, on balance, business conditions facing their firms improved for a fifth consecutive month in March. The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions measured 60.9. Any reading above 50 indicates more panelists reported better conditions compared to the previous month than reported worse conditions.

At the same time, concerns over disruptions emanating from events in Japan and the Middle East contributed to a decline in the level of the index from 69.6 a month ago. The surveys measure of the intensity of change in current North American conditions also slipped in March, declining to +0.3 from +0.6 in February. Panelists are asked to report intensity of change on a scale ranging from 5 (deteriorated significantly) through 0 (unchanged) to +5 (improved significantly).
 
Results for the EBCI for future North American conditions were similar to those for current conditions. While the index retreated somewhat in March, it was nonetheless at a historically high level at 82.6.

Click here for the complete March 2011 report.

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 associations 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.