ZURICH, Jun 04, 2010 (AFP) - The Swiss franc reached a new high against the euro on Friday, as the European currency plunged below the 1.40-franc barrier amid a general slump on foreign exchange markets. The euro dipped to 1.3867 Swiss francs at 1105 GMT before it recovered to above the 1.39-franc mark, having traded above 1.405 francs on Thursday. The European currency plunged to fresh lows against the dollar as well as traders fretted over the eurozone debt crisis before publication of key US data. The traditionally strong Swiss franc is a refuge currency, but Swiss government economists and central bankers have been keeping an anxious eye on exchange rates since Switzerland's most important trade markets are in the eurozone. The Swiss National Bank, which has intervened on foreign exchange markets in recent weeks to temper the franc's rise, is due to hold its regular assessment of monetary policy and interest rates on June 17.

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