The yen and Swiss franc rose on Friday as investors sought the relative safety of these currencies after yet another spurt of geopolitical tension that saw the United States launch an air strike against Iraq for the first time since American troops withdrew in 2011.
Fighting has also resumed in Gaza between Palestinian militants and Israel, while the conflict between Russia and Ukraine remained very much on investors’ radar. While the Gaza and Ukraine crisis has been raging for weeks, the Iraq development has added another layer of anxiety in the market. President Obama authorized air strikes after tens of thousands of Christians fled for their lives from Islamic State fighters who have crucified and beheaded captives.
In times of geopolitical stress, the yen and Swiss franc are the favored currencies because of their deep liquidity. The dollar is also considered a safe haven, although that view is being expressed more through buying the greenback versus emerging market currencies.
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