After registering a six-year high in the first quarter of 2006, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s Lighting Systems Index declined 2.3 percent during the second quarter. As in the prior quarter, the topline index was bolstered by gains in domestic shipments of emergency lighting, fixtures and fluorescent ballasts. However, lower shipments for both large and miniature lamps pushed the index lower. Although demand is weaker when compared to a strong first quarter, the overall level of domestic shipments remains healthy, as evidenced by the index’s 4.6 percent gain from a year ago and 13 percent growth over the past three years.