January 30, 2008-Rosslyn VA: NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions fell sharply in January. The index dropped nearly 18 points to 30, its lowest level since December 2006, and is indicative of a marked weakening in business conditions facing electrical equipment manufacturers heading into 2008. Meanwhile, the future conditions index for North America also slipped further below 50 in January. The value of the index edged down from 45.7 in December to 42.5 in January.

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% of the electroindustry.