Ian Dobbs

About

Ian Dobbs is a currency analyst at DirectFX.

Ian joined Direct FX in 2013, having spent 18 years in the financial markets actively trading foreign exchange, interest rate products, and financial futures. His career started in 1995 at Trust Bank NZ before moving to ASB Treasury where he spent eight years. Stints in London and South Africa followed where he traded European futures for a number of derivative houses. Now back in NZ, Ian’s passion for the markets is as strong as ever. His understanding of technical and fundamental forces affecting the markets leave’s him well placed to advise clients, which is something he enjoys doing.

Ian has a BBS in Finance from Massey University and is a past member of the NZFMA.

Member for

10 years 10 months

Latest articles

GBP on upward trajectory

Whatever the outcome of the Brexit vote, expect volatility to be high in the short-term; GBP/USD jumps most in 8-years

21st Jun 16, 2:37pm

by Ian Dobbs

Whatever the outcome of the Brexit vote, expect volatility to be high in the short-term; GBP/USD jumps most in 8-years

EU breakup could be on cards

Brexit polling and central bank meetings the focus for the market; prospects for dismantling of euro currency project if UK leaves EU; elevated volatility only sure bet this week

14th Jun 16, 1:46pm

by Ian Dobbs

Brexit polling and central bank meetings the focus for the market; prospects for dismantling of euro currency project if UK leaves EU; elevated volatility only sure bet this week

Odds for a June US rate hike plunge

US non-farm payroll data comes in below most pessimistic forecast; market discounting near term US rate hikes is warranted; sharp USD sell-off benefits NZD; upcoming UK referendum on EU membership dominates eurozone sentiment

7th Jun 16, 2:57pm

by Ian Dobbs

Expectations of Fed and "Brexit” referendum lead markets

Orchestrated and aligned message from the Fed; NZ dollar trading with soft undertone against the AUD & GBP; Brexit polling may increase the vulnerability of support and resistance levels; USD volatility expected to remain high in near term

31st May 16, 1:44pm

by Ian Dobbs

Expectations of US rate hike jump

FOMC meeting minutes reveal members ready to act on raising interest rates; Firmer USD erodes NZD gains; AUD facing downward momentum

24th May 16, 1:44pm

by Ian Dobbs

FOMC meeting minutes reveal members ready to act on raising interest rates; Firmer USD erodes NZD gains; AUD facing downward momentum

Inflation, employment & FOMC minutes due

Key inflation data out of UK and US could be firmer; UK employment data could be softer; expectations of FOMC minutes showing an asymmetric balance of risks

17th May 16, 2:23pm

by Ian Dobbs

Key inflation data out of UK and US could be firmer; UK employment data could be softer; expectations of FOMC minutes showing an asymmetric balance of risks

Golden run ends

Investors desert commodity currencies; previous gains in commodities had been result of speculative positioning; NZD marches lower against most majors, strengthens against AUD

10th May 16, 2:25pm

by Ian Dobbs

Investors desert commodity currencies; previous gains in commodities had been result of speculative positioning; NZD marches lower against most majors, strengthens against AUD

RBA moves into the limelight

RBA decision front of mind for traders; soft US data results in NZD/USD pushing higher; combination of RBA & BoJ actions could mean hair-raising volatility for AUD/JPY

3rd May 16, 2:23pm

by Ian Dobbs

RBA decision front of mind for traders; soft US data results in NZD/USD pushing higher; combination of RBA & BoJ actions could mean hair-raising volatility for AUD/JPY

BoJ considering loans at negative interest rates

BoJ announcement likely to involve more stimulus, not likely to see even more negative interest rates; Fed not expected to hike rates; RBNZ statement should point to further easing

26th Apr 16, 2:48pm

by Ian Dobbs

BoJ announcement likely to involve more stimulus, not likely to see even more negative interest rates; Fed not expected to hike rates; RBNZ statement should point to further easing

Market watching for BoJ to intervene & lower Yen

BoE continues to hint next interest rate move will be higher, market disagrees; strong rise in Yen creating headaches for BoJ; rise in NZD coming from commodity rally and USD weakness

12th Apr 16, 1:50pm

by Ian Dobbs

BoE continues to hint next interest rate move will be higher, market disagrees; strong rise in Yen creating headaches for BoJ; rise in NZD coming from commodity rally and USD weakness

Yellen cautions over US rate normalisation

Asymmetric rate setting concerning Fed Chair; expect USD to find greater levle of support; NZD moves lower on commodity price falls

5th Apr 16, 2:29pm

by Ian Dobbs

Asymmetric rate setting concerning Fed Chair; expect USD to find greater levle of support; NZD moves lower on commodity price falls

Weaker US data softens NZD losses

Deal flow influenced by terrorist attacks; USD receives support following upbeat Fed commentary; eyes on US non-farm payroll report due at weekend

29th Mar 16, 2:15pm

by Ian Dobbs

Deal flow influenced by terrorist attacks; USD receives support following upbeat Fed commentary; eyes on US non-farm payroll report due at weekend

US Fed reduces 2016 rate path

Global economic concerns to play major role in US monetary policy; more dovish than expected Fed statement sees NZD/USD spike towards 69c

22nd Mar 16, 3:22pm

by Ian Dobbs

Global economic concerns to play major role in US monetary policy; more dovish than expected Fed statement sees NZD/USD spike towards 69c

Central banks in focus

Expect volatile week for fx markets as central banks hold meetings; stimulus warranted in Japan but BoJ unlikely to deliver, Fed and BoE expected to leave rates unchanged

15th Mar 16, 1:43pm

by Ian Dobbs

Expect volatile week for fx markets as central banks hold meetings; stimulus warranted in Japan but BoJ unlikely to deliver, Fed and BoE expected to leave rates unchanged

Commodity prices dramatically higher

Key commodities have turned the corner, iron ore up 19% and oil on cusp of recouping all 2016's losses; AUD leading the charge among the majors; Chinese growth target 6.5% to 7%

8th Mar 16, 1:45pm

by Ian Dobbs

Key commodities have turned the corner, iron ore up 19% and oil on cusp of recouping all 2016's losses; AUD leading the charge among the majors; Chinese growth target 6.5% to 7%

Australasian currencies see downward pressure

Weakening NZ data and cooling outlook could see RBNZ cut rates; equity market rally increases demand for risk sensitive currencies like NZD

1st Mar 16, 3:08pm

by Ian Dobbs

Weakening NZ data and cooling outlook could see RBNZ cut rates; equity market rally increases demand for risk sensitive currencies like NZD

The GBP plummets as Brexit fears dictate

Thought of Britain leaving EU sends GBP to lowest level since March 2009; heavy buying of commodity currencies sees NZD/USD break resistance levels

23rd Feb 16, 3:13pm

by Ian Dobbs

Thought of Britain leaving EU sends GBP to lowest level since March 2009; heavy buying of commodity currencies sees NZD/USD break resistance levels

Central banks face tough task in 2016

Markets worried over effectiveness of further central bank action; challenges ahead in light of sharp volatility and significant contraction in global markets; another step up in credit concerns

16th Feb 16, 2:01pm

by Ian Dobbs

Markets worried over effectiveness of further central bank action; challenges ahead in light of sharp volatility and significant contraction in global markets; another step up in credit concerns

Financial storms envelop the markets

Spike in global fear and anxiety levels; JPY surges 5% against USD; risk off selling sends NZD & AUD lower

9th Feb 16, 2:43pm

by Ian Dobbs

Spike in global fear and anxiety levels; JPY surges 5% against USD; risk off selling sends NZD & AUD lower

JPY plummets after shock BOJ easing

Negative interest rate announcement in Japan catches market off guard; US Fed dials back rate hike expectations; NZD trading with a firm tone

2nd Feb 16, 2:50pm

by Ian Dobbs

Negative interest rate announcement in Japan catches market off guard; US Fed dials back rate hike expectations; NZD trading with a firm tone

RBNZ in focus this week

RBNZ interest rate cut expectation lifted on low inflation data; decline in dairy pricing suggests bias for lower interest rates; weaker local data and risk off selling holding NZ dollar down

26th Jan 16, 2:09pm

by Ian Dobbs

RBNZ interest rate cut expectation lifted on low inflation data; decline in dairy pricing suggests bias for lower interest rates; weaker local data and risk off selling holding NZ dollar down

China and oil continue to dominate

Oil price weakness as sanctions lifted on Iran; Chinese authorities look reactionary and confidence in their abilities declining; global growth forecasts under threat already

19th Jan 16, 2:26pm

by Ian Dobbs

Oil price weakness as sanctions lifted on Iran; Chinese authorities look reactionary and confidence in their abilities declining; global growth forecasts under threat already

Chinese growth concerns lead to global equities rout

Yuan and Shanghai stock index tumbles on fears of slowdown in China; JPY benefactor from heightened volatility; NZD & AUD sold off against USD

12th Jan 16, 2:28pm

by Ian Dobbs

Yuan and Shanghai stock index tumbles on fears of slowdown in China; JPY benefactor from heightened volatility; NZD & AUD sold off against USD

Fed ends speculation with rate hike

Road to interest rate normalisation in US a long one; NZD well bid against AUD and many other trading partners

23rd Dec 15, 11:40am

by Ian Dobbs

Road to interest rate normalisation in US a long one; NZD well bid against AUD and many other trading partners

Market jitters as the Fed takes center stage

Risk off selling hits commodity currencies; Fed set to hike for first time in 9-years; continued rout in energy markets and recent cracks in junk bond market causing headaches

15th Dec 15, 2:18pm

by Ian Dobbs

Risk off selling hits commodity currencies; Fed set to hike for first time in 9-years; continued rout in energy markets and recent cracks in junk bond market causing headaches