Euro area real GDP growth is projected by the ECB’s staff to be, on average, between 1.2% and 2.0% in 2005 and between 1.6% and 2.6% in 2006. These projections are lower than those published in December 2004, reflecting the weaker economic developments in late 2004. Available forecasts from international and private sector organisations convey a broadly similar outlook.
On the JSE, share prices reached record highs in the second quarter of 2015 but have subsequently receded as growth projections for China weakened which in turn contributed to the Chinese share market correcting from the exuberant levels previously reached. Further contributing factors included 2  BIS central bankers’ speeches  softer commodity prices and expectations of an imminent increase in US interest rates.