NEMA's electroindustry January 2010 - 24

Economic Spotlight Deterioration in December Business Conditions, but Enhanced Prospects for First Half of 2010 The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions fell 5.7 points in December to 48.2. The index failed to top the critical 50- point threshold for the first time since July, indicating modest deterioration in the business environment following a period of steady, if slow, growth over the last several months. The survey’s measure of the intensity of change in business conditions also stumbled in December, declining to -0.3 from +0.1 in November. Intensity of change in business conditions is reported on a scale ranging from –5 (deteriorated significantly) through 0 (unchanged) to +5 (improved significantly). By contrast, the EBCI for future North American conditions rebounded in December following declines in each of the two previous months. At 64.3, the index posted its tenth straight reading above 50, with a 6.3 point gain relative to November suggesting the degree of anticipated improvement in conditions over the next half year increased in the latest month. ei Tim Gill, Director of Economic Analysis | tim_gill@nema.org › Final EBCI of Year Shows NEMA electroindustry • January 2010

NEMA's electroindustry January 2010

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