Live and Historical GBP/CHF Rates

This chart shows the value of the British pound (GBP) against the Swiss franc (CHF) - that is number of Swiss francs that will buy one British pound. Both GBH and CHF are major currencies, but they do not form a major pair, nor do they form a commodity pair.

The British Pound

The British pound, a floating currency since 1971, is the oldest legal tender still in use today. It has maintained strength over the years for many reasons including strength in its major industries: manufacturing, agriculture, energy, and services. GBP is number three as a reserve currency and the fourth most internationally traded currency. The bank of England, located in London, is the governing body for GBP. London is also the premier hub for forex trading. In 2008 GPB began to inflate rapidly. In spite of its membership in the European Union, the United Kingdom has been reticent to convert to the euro and there is little reason to expect a change in this decision.

The Swiss Franc

Switzerland is among the strongest economies in the world, and so it follows that the Swiss franc is one of the strongest currencies in the world. Backed by Switzerland's large reserves of gold, the Swiss franc is still only number seven when it comes to common reserve currencies. In addition, it accounts for only one percent of currency exchange. Most traders believe that more than its value, the appeal of the Swiss franc is its stability. Switzerland maintains a low national deficit as well as a low unemployment rate. The Swiss economy is fueled by successes in agriculture, banking, and tourism.

GBPCHF Analysis

The GBP/CHF pair is a fascinating one, because both currencies are closely connected to the Eurozone with most of their trading partners within Europe, but neither has accepted the Euro. The two countries also share most of their industries in common. The advantage of this situation is that most other economic factors are equal and traders can take advantage of a relatively simple trading pair. The relative stability of CHF always opens up opportunities for carry trades-especially when GBP has rapid changes in value.