Swiss Franc

Trading foreign currencies is a smart option for investors looking to diversify -- and one that not many years ago, was restricted to big money investors. Now, it's available to the general public -- with a social networking twist.

The odds that the U.S. will default on its debt increase each day, and even if a short-term deal is reached, the ratings agencies may downgrade U.S. debt anyway. If that happens, turmoil could roil the markets. So where can the smart money flee for safety? 24/7 Wall St. offers 10 safe options.

The Swiss franc has been a top currency over the past six months, outpacing the dollar by 8.9% and the euro by 7.8%, thanks to shaky conditions in Europe. But some signs suggest the Swiss currency is due for a correction.

After a spokesman for Hungary's new government said it might default on its debts, investors battered European stocks and Hungary's currency, the forint. And the euro got pushed below $1.20 for the first time in four years.

United States policy makers have added more than $12.8 trillion in credit market liquidity and stimulus to the financial system and the economy, prompting the dollar bears to yell, "the dollar must fall, big time." So far, however, the dollar bears have been a very small choir, or at least singing...

It's one of the anomalies of our time, but not for those with critical and discerning eyes. Stock market institutional bulls and bears have renewed their battle over Dow 8,000, the federal budget deficit will exceed $1 trillion for at least the next two years, and Congress will likely have to raise...

In economics and in financial data analysis, superlatives are generally avoided. (Certain financial news shows on cable TV are the exception, of course.) Specificity and moderation are the rules -- after all, we're talking about business and money. Still, given the forces that have affected the...

During difficult financial times, investors often turn to likes of Warren Buffett or George Soros for analysis. However, today we turn to another sage -- Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra, retired Hall of Fame New York Yankees catcher and author of yogiisms, incisive malapropisms that reveal eternal...

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has aggressively intervened in the currency market to weaken the Swiss franc and strengthen the euro, an action that's solidified bullish sentiment in equity markets, boosting the dollar. The SNB cut its main lending rate to 0.25% from 0.50%, and, equally significant,...

It is one of the seeming incongruities of our time: U.S. stock markets oscillate at 10-year lows; the federal budget deficit will exceed $1 trillion for at least the next two years; and Congress will likely have to raise the national debt ceiling about $13 trillion -- all negative developments for...