NEMA Motor Shipments Index rises in Q3 2009.
Press Release Summary:
Motors Shipments Index (MSI) increased 1.7% during Q3 2009. However, it reflected weak demand for motors, which lagged nearly 23% behind year ago level, though inflation- and seasonally-adjusted shipments of fractional horsepower motors increased for 2nd consecutive quarter. Although manufacturing sector conditions have improved, boost from inventory cycle could fade in 2010 until growth is sustained by drivers such as consumer spending, business investment, and export demand.
Original Press Release:
Motors Shipments Rise During Third Quarter of 2009
ROSSLYN, Va. - NEMA's Motors Shipments Index (MSI) increased 1.7 percent during the third quarter of 2009. Still, the index continued to reflect a weak demand environment for motors, lagging nearly 23 percent behind its year ago level. Inflation- and seasonally-adjusted shipments of fractional horsepower motors increased for the second consecutive quarter, while integral HP motors registered their fifth decline in the last six quarters.
This modest gain in motors demand did not come as a total surprise, given that a host of indicators suggest the U.S. economy emerged from recession some time during the summer. Indeed, real GDP expanded 3.5 percent on an annualized basis during the third quarter. Consumer spending perked up and the housing market showed some signs of improvement, with construction, prices and sales increasing during the quarter. Federal spending bolstered the topline reading as well due to ramped-up defense spending and a faster pace of release of stimulus funds. Businesses continue to liquidate inventories, but that process appears to coming to an end, or at least slowing dramatically.
The manufacturing sector, which experienced its deepest contraction in output since the Great Depression, has seen conditions improve over the past several months. Auto production accounts for a sizable chunk of this rebound, but even when one excludes the boost caused by the jump in auto production, other industries have contributed to the gains in industrial output. However, as the boost from the inventory cycle fades during the first half of 2010, the manufacturing sector's recovery is expected to lose some steam and will likely weigh on demand for motors and other types of industrial equipment. Indeed, replacement demand will likely be far from robust at that point since the national average capacity utilization rate remains in the upper-60% range, suggesting that a lot of productive capacity is sitting idle. Aside from the lack of wear-and-tear on machinery, companies will likely not be in any rush to ramp up investment plans since access to credit still remains impaired and profit growth is tenuous and linked largely to cost-cutting efforts. As a result, the motors index will likely register only modest gains until the manufacturing sector's recovery enters a phase where growth is sustained by a broader base of drivers such as consumer spending, business investment and export demand.
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.
NEMA. Setting Standards for Excellence
Visit our website at www.nema.org
