NEMA's Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) rose in May, edging up to 53.3 points from 50 in April. Twenty percent of panelists reported conditions improved in May, similar to April's 19%, but only 13% reported the business environment worsened in May, down from 19% in April. Two-thirds claimed conditions were unchanged in May, similar to the 63% who held this view a month ago.

The survey's measure of the intensity of change in electroindustry business conditions also increased in May, rising to +0.2 from a neutral 0.0 in April. Panelists are asked to report intensity of change on a scale ranging from –5 (deteriorated significantly) through 0 (unchanged) to +5 (improved significantly). 

The EBCI for future North American conditions also gained ground in May, climbing to 56.7 from 53.1 in April. Twenty-seven percent of the panel reported positive expectations for the next six months compared to 19% a month ago. Meanwhile, 13% reported negative expectations, identical to April's result. The share expecting to see no change in business conditions over the next six months slipped to 60% in May from 69% in April. 

Click here for the complete May 2016 report.