The Swiss franc strengthened against the dollar and the euro as investors fled to the haven currency after U.S. lawmakers failed to agree on raising the nation’s $14.3 trillion debt ceiling. Switzerland’s currency strengthened against all 16 of its major peers tracked by Bloomberg as the question of a potential U.S. default is left unresolved after talks at the weekend between Republicans and Democrats failed to break the political stalemate. Equities declined, with the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index falling 0.3 percent. “What is pushing the franc stronger today is the focus on the U.S. debt ceiling,” said Chris Walker, a foreign-exchange strategist at UBS AG in London. “Poor risk appetite and a weaker dollar is a perfect scenario for the Swiss franc to be stronger.” The Swiss currency, perceived as a haven in times of turmoil, rose 1.7 percent to 80.78 centimes per dollar at 9:18 p.m. in London. The franc strengthened for the first time in three days against the euro, appreciating 1.6 percent to 1.15706. To contact the reporter on this story: Emily Blewett in London at eblewett@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Daniel Tilles at dtilles@bloomberg.net

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