A strengthening of the Swiss franc cost its national stock exchange operator nearly Sfr40m ($50.8m) in profits during the first half of the year, as investors flock to the currency as a haven from the eurozone crisis.

The Six Group, which operates the Swiss stock exchange, as well as its clearing and settlement houses, today said the appreciation of the Swiss franc had impacted its operating profits by Sfr38.2m during the first half of the year.