The National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s (NEMA) Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American business conditions rebounded in January, following two consecutive months of decline at the close of 2006. At 41.3, January’s mark rose more than ten points from a month ago and reached its highest level since last October. Though still falling shy of the key 50-point threshold indicative of growth in the industry, the result suggests that the rate of deterioration of electroindustry business conditions slowed considerably relative to December.

Meanwhile the EBCI for future North American conditions, a measure of expected conditions six months forward, was nearly unchanged at 47.8, compared to a reading of 48 in December. Although also still slightly below the critical 50-point barrier, January’s reading, taken in conjunction with December’s, put the index at its highest level since April, 2006.

For a complete summary of the January 2007 index, click here.