ATLANTA, GA – After a steep projected decline in April, component industry sentiment stabilized in May, according to just-published results from ECIA’s Electronic Component Sales Trend (ECST) survey.

The overall product index landed at 93.1, outperforming the previous forecast of 83.7, suggesting a moderating effect from the shifting tariff environment.

The index for electromechanical and passive components hovered just under the neutral 100-point mark, at 98.3 and 97.2 respectively. Semiconductors upticked to 84, 7.3 points over April’s projection, though still below the growth benchmark. Looking ahead to June, overall sentiment is expected to remain steady at 94, with semiconductors predicted to rise to 92 even as electromechanical and passive scores dip slightly.

The survey revealed divergent perspectives across the supply chain. Manufacturers reported surprisingly strong confidence, with most product categories topping 100 in both May and June outlooks. In contrast, distributors remain consistently pessimistic, joined by manufacturer representatives in projecting a negative June.

Meanwhile, the end-market index, which had dropped sharply in May, is forecast to bounce back to near-100 levels in June. A significant change emerged in reported lead times: only 9% of participants noted rising lead times in April, compared to 23% in May, marking the first shift in months.

ECIA chief analyst Dale Ford cautioned that “government policy will continue to heavily influence the market’s direction,” urging stakeholders to manage expectations accordingly. ECIA continues to view the long-term outlook positively, driven by the emergence of next-gen technologies that promise to spark fresh demand.

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