This safe haven status was also apparent when the yen strengthened during the European debt crisis this summer.
Three decades later, their country became a prosperous EU member, albeit with an oversized banking sector and a dicey tax haven status.
Traditionally it is the dollar to which investors rush at times of uncertainty, though measuring the effect of safe-haven status is difficult.
The yen appeared to briefly regain its safe-haven status after four months of almost uninterrupted losses as Japan's new prime minister pushes for aggressive monetary easing.
Japanese stocks were dragged down by the yen's sudden rise overnight as fresh fears of European instability-raised by inconclusive Italian elections-revived the currency's old safe-haven status.
The safe haven status of the franc has caused a dramatic surge in the currency, not only against the US dollar but also against the euro.
If gold can gain in tandem with the dollar, it may have returned to safe-haven status, as normally the gold falls versus the greenback because the metal is denominated in dollars.
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As gold made new all-time highs week after week, experts pointed to its safe haven status, the fact the sovereign debt issues rattled Europe and the U.S., and the fact that gold had become the new fear gauge.
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Historically platinum has had a price premium over gold, but that changed around late September last year when a poor world economic outlook pinched industrial metals like platinum and buyers sought gold for its safe-haven status or its role as an alternative currency.
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The EU debt crisis is still a major underlying bullish factor for the gold market, due to its safe-haven asset status.
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Oxman said dollar-strength might have some capping effect on gold, the fact that gold is keeping its safe-haven currency status limits much downside.
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The EU debt crisis remains a bullish underlying fundamental for the gold and silver markets, due to the safe-haven asset status that gold and silver hold.
Gold and silver prices were able to hold above unchanged on the China monetary policy tightening moves, while other commodity markets fell, due to their safe-haven investment status.
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Oppenheimer International Bond (OIBAX) fund manager Sara Zervos says despite the downgrade, US government debt will maintain its status as safe haven of choice.
But none of this affects creditor-debtor cases in state courts--which means Florida's status as a haven for those ducking debts is secure so long as the shirkers stay out of federal bankruptcy court.
Our regional status as a safe haven for investment hangs in the balance.
What happens to Amazon if it loses its status as a retail tax haven?
Many of the large-scale foreign investors in Cyprus are Russian - and in many cases they have taken advantage of the island's status as an offshore tax haven.
Other central banks, however, haven't been so keen on the status quo.
Then follow up with customers by emailing them regular status updates so they know you haven't forgotten their orders, Mr. Dixon adds.
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Despite his greatness on the court and status as a prime league poster boy, fans haven't gone out of their way to tune in to see him in the finals.
Many small-business owners haven't yet realized that the way they structure their firm in 2013 could determine their status under the law in a year's time.
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