NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions continued to point to a broadly improving environment in January. The index measured 63.6, down slightly from December’s 68, but near the high end of the range of readings recorded since the beginning of the third quarter of 2010. A reading above 50 indicates more panelists reported conditions improved compared to the previous month than reported they worsened.

While improvement in business conditions has been broad-based over the last several months, the degree of improvement has been crept upward as well. The survey’s measure of the intensity of change in current North American conditions measured +0.5 in January, up from +0.4 in December and +0.3 in November. Panelists are asked to report intensity of change on a scale ranging from –5 (deteriorated significantly) through 0 (unchanged) to +5 (improved significantly).

Meanwhile, the EBCI for North American conditions six months in the future rose for a fifth straight month in January. The index reached a very strong 88.6, its highest mark in nearly seven years. A large majority of survey panelists – 77% – expect to see conditions improve by mid-2011, while none of the 22 respondents anticipate deterioration.

Click here for the complete January 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 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.