Swiss franc soars as Switzerland abandons euro cap

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30829917


The Swiss National Bank (SNB) said the cap, introduced in September 2011, was no longer justified.

It also cut a key interest rate from -0.25% to -0.75%, raising the amount investors pay to hold Swiss deposits.

The International Monetary Fund's head, Christine Lagarde, called the move "a bit of a surprise".

She said she was also surprised that the governor of the Swiss National Bank had not contacted her, and said she hoped he had communicated the plan to his fellow central bank governors.