1.   Lower French interest rates boosted the franc against the German mark.

2.   The dollar rose against the deutsche mark and other European currencies as a cabinet shake-up in France boosted the franc against the deutsche mark.

3.   The dollar rose as a French government vow to press ahead with controversial welfare and pension benefit cuts boosted the franc against the deutsche mark.

4.   But he added that the franc might be boosted later by a reduction of German interest rates.

5.   Chris Turner, an analyst at Barclays de Zoete Wedd, said the franc was boosted mainly by a stronger dollar and a weakening of the mark.

6.   The weakening of the mark has boosted the franc, which advanced modestly against the German currency.

7.   One hopeful sign is the prospect Monday of a rise in the value of the dollar which would help boost the franc against the mark.