1.   A stronger dollar has helped the franc, since it has weakened the mark.

2.   Any concerted and successful action to push up the value of the dollar would usually help the franc by reducing the relative attractions to investors of the mark.

3.   The franc was helped by expectations of a further decline of French interest rates on Thursday.

4.   The franc was helped by remarks by his successor, Jean Arthuis, who promised not to relax budget discipline.

5.   The franc was also helped by a poll still showing prime minister Edouard Balladur as the winner in the French presidential race, they said.

6.   The franc was also helped by firmness of the dollar against the mark.

7.   The franc was helped by profit-taking on the mark, Forex Finance said.