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companies feel rise of franc focus on specialty goods limits impact, but safe-haven role is costly
The European sovereign debt crisis roiling the global markets and the downgrade of the U.S. debt rating, combined with franc-denominated debts of Eastern European borrowers, have fuelled a huge demand for Swiss francs. By some measures, the currency is now as desired by investors as gold.
The Dow Jones industrial average plunged more than 300 points and erased its gains for the year as investors grew more concerned about economic weakness in the U.S. and Europe.
As gold topped a record $1800 on Wednesday, traders that are long gold [GCCV1 1751.50 -32.80 (-1.84%) ] began to get nervous that they were behind a trade that may not have any potential new buyers left. After all, a trade only keeps working if you can find someone else who wants that particularly security or commodity at a higher price.
Gold ended last week with heavy losses after the metal failed to sustain the gains versus the strong dollar and amid a heavy selloff on commodities.
This week, the downside pressures on gold might still be evident this week as the metal broke through critical support levels and accordingly the liquidations might still be evident especially amid heavy volatility in the market