Potential intervention of the Japanese yen has driven currency traders to another safe-haven currency: the Swiss franc exchange traded fund (ETF).
The Swiss franc has appreciated to a record high against the U.S. dollar, gaining against the greenback for the sixth day in a row on a pessimistic outlook for the U.S. economy, reports Stephen Morris for Bloomberg. Currency traders like the franc in times of financial and economic uncertainty since the Swiss economy is viewed as stable. [Switzerland ETFs Buck Europe’s Trend.]
The Swiss National Bank had sold francs last year to ward off deflation and boost exports, but in this June, the Central Bank will end the policy after the fear of deflation has abated.
Switzerland’s economy seems to be weathering its stronger currency very well. Only a few Swiss companies are hurting as a result of stronger franc, mostly those in the manufacturing industry, while some companies have even reported a slightly positive effect, writes Catherine Bosely for Reuters. It may not last for long, however: Switzerland’s Central Bank projects a slowdown of the economy in 2011 as a result of the strong franc. [Europe ETFs: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not.]
For more information on the Swiss currency, visit our Swiss franc category.
- CurrencyShares Swiss Franc Trust (NYSEArca: FXF) is up 4.6% in the last month
Read the disclaimer; Tom Lydon is a board member of Rydex|SGI.
Max Chen contributed to this article.
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Mr. Lydon serves as an independent trustee of certain mutual funds and ETFs that are managed by Guggenheim Investments; however, any opinions or forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Mr. Lydon and not those of Guggenheim Funds, Guggenheim Investments, Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC or any of their affiliates. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.