1.   Although both governments strongly denied the report and market participants were skeptical of it, the franc appreciated, pushing the dollar higher.

2.   Analysts repeatedly have revised lower their growth forecasts this year as consumer spending remained below expectations and the franc appreciated against all other major currencies.

3.   Concern over whether the euro will be as strong and stable as the mark has also caused the Swiss franc to appreciate.

4.   Meanwhile, the French franc appreciated against many major currencies last year.

5.   Meanwhile, the French franc appreciated against most major currencies last year.

6.   The franc appreciated against many currencies last year.

7.   The franc has appreciated in recent months as investors have moved money into Swiss assets as concern about the stability of a new European currency has risen.

8.   He said the French franc should appreciate against stronger currencies but added that its direction on the foreign exchange was a matter for the Bank of France.