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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

11 years 11 months

Latest articles

RBNZ rate cut expectations grow
RBNZ rate cut expectations heightened on pessimistic global commodity price outlook; US looks set to hike following solid non-farm payrolls data; continued volatility likely
8th Dec 15, 2:41pm
by Ian Dobbs
1
RBNZ rate cut expectations heightened on pessimistic global commodity price outlook; US looks set to hike following solid non-farm payrolls data; continued volatility likely
Eyes turn to ECB meeting
Failure of ECB to meet market expectations will force a squeeze on the Euro; RBA expected to keep interest rates unchanged; a miss in US employment data will disrupt Fed plans
1st Dec 15, 2:54pm
by Ian Dobbs
Failure of ECB to meet market expectations will force a squeeze on the Euro; RBA expected to keep interest rates unchanged; a miss in US employment data will disrupt Fed plans
The Euro continues to struggle
Soggy euro trading ahead of ECB meeting; AUD standout performer as RBA rate cut looks likely; NZD/USD relinquishes gains to trade under 65c
24th Nov 15, 2:14pm
by Ian Dobbs
Soggy euro trading ahead of ECB meeting; AUD standout performer as RBA rate cut looks likely; NZD/USD relinquishes gains to trade under 65c
Investors flood into US dollars
Risk appetite dampened following terrorist attacks; heavy trading in EUR continues; NZ Q3 retail sales report has had little impact on NZD
17th Nov 15, 2:23pm
by Ian Dobbs
Risk appetite dampened following terrorist attacks; heavy trading in EUR continues; NZ Q3 retail sales report has had little impact on NZD
Get ready for December US interest rate hike
Market expectation is now 70% chance of US rate hike; pressure on ECB for December rate cut; dovish rhetoric from BoE sees no interest rate change in near term
10th Nov 15, 1:51pm
by Ian Dobbs
Market expectation is now 70% chance of US rate hike; pressure on ECB for December rate cut; dovish rhetoric from BoE sees no interest rate change in near term
ECB expects minimal inflation into 2016
RBA likely to hold if market pricing is accurate; lack of inflation in Eurozone front of mind for ECB; global dairy auction and unemployment key drivers for NZD
3rd Nov 15, 2:28pm
by Ian Dobbs
3
RBA likely to hold if market pricing is accurate; lack of inflation in Eurozone front of mind for ECB; global dairy auction and unemployment key drivers for NZD
Central bank easings remain in focus
China's PBoC surprises market with rate cut; BoJ the closest of the major central banks to making an interest rate decision; US Fed almost certain to hold and RBNZ expected to follow suit
27th Oct 15, 4:19pm
by Ian Dobbs
China's PBoC surprises market with rate cut; BoJ the closest of the major central banks to making an interest rate decision; US Fed almost certain to hold and RBNZ expected to follow suit
USD suffers as rate hike expectations fade
Small chance of Fed rate hike in December; argument against raising rates centres on low US inflation; markets susceptible to swings in sentiment and commodities
13th Oct 15, 1:49pm
by Ian Dobbs
Small chance of Fed rate hike in December; argument against raising rates centres on low US inflation; markets susceptible to swings in sentiment and commodities
US employment data disappoints
Fed want to hike but held back by global environment; rate hike in US could trigger emerging market credit events; further easing from ECB and BoJ likely
6th Oct 15, 1:13pm
by Ian Dobbs
Fed want to hike but held back by global environment; rate hike in US could trigger emerging market credit events; further easing from ECB and BoJ likely
NZD gains on Fonterra announcement short lived
Broadbase USD support on rate hike expectations; next round of US data could shake up currencies too; Australasian currencies more concerned with Chinese numbers
29th Sep 15, 2:08pm
by Ian Dobbs
Broadbase USD support on rate hike expectations; next round of US data could shake up currencies too; Australasian currencies more concerned with Chinese numbers
Knee-jerk reaction to sell USD
USD recovers from immediate sell-off following Fed's in-action; October or December Fed meetings could signal potential lift off dates; inflation and global outlook a concern
22nd Sep 15, 2:09pm
by Ian Dobbs
2
USD recovers from immediate sell-off following Fed's in-action; October or December Fed meetings could signal potential lift off dates; inflation and global outlook a concern
It’s all about the Fed
Market split on whether Fed will hike at next meeting; concern surrounding emerging markets as debt ratios are higher than in 2007; expect volatility in markets
15th Sep 15, 1:43pm
by Ian Dobbs
Market split on whether Fed will hike at next meeting; concern surrounding emerging markets as debt ratios are higher than in 2007; expect volatility in markets
NZD and AUD downtrends continue unabated
Sharp falls in NZD and AUD following US employment report; China's slowing economy a drag on global growth; Emerging markets may face serious issues if US hikes interest rates
8th Sep 15, 1:44pm
by Ian Dobbs
Sharp falls in NZD and AUD following US employment report; China's slowing economy a drag on global growth; Emerging markets may face serious issues if US hikes interest rates
Global markets on knife edge
Shocking period for stocks; Risk aversion causing volatility in foreign exchange markets; commodity prices tumble; global growth indicators skewed to the downside
26th Aug 15, 9:10am
by Ian Dobbs
1
Shocking period for stocks; Risk aversion causing volatility in foreign exchange markets; commodity prices tumble; global growth indicators skewed to the downside
Chinese devaluation rocks markets
PBOC currency intervention an effort to stimulate flagging Chinese economy; IMF says global growth to be slowest since 2009
18th Aug 15, 1:13pm
by Ian Dobbs
PBOC currency intervention an effort to stimulate flagging Chinese economy; IMF says global growth to be slowest since 2009
Commodity currencies find some support
Australasian currencies overcooked; plenty of negative news already priced into NZD, Australian data could set tone for NZD this week
11th Aug 15, 1:55pm
by Ian Dobbs
Australasian currencies overcooked; plenty of negative news already priced into NZD, Australian data could set tone for NZD this week
A big week for economic releases
Volatile period ahead with raft of data; NZD and AUD closer to fundamental value; weaker labour numbers could see USD sell off
4th Aug 15, 2:16pm
by Ian Dobbs
Volatile period ahead with raft of data; NZD and AUD closer to fundamental value; weaker labour numbers could see USD sell off
Fear and volatility drives currencies
Soft commodity picture and Chinese growth concerns negative for markets; current environment tough one for NZD and AUD; market expecting US Fed to wait to initiate rate hikes
28th Jul 15, 2:24pm
by Ian Dobbs
Soft commodity picture and Chinese growth concerns negative for markets; current environment tough one for NZD and AUD; market expecting US Fed to wait to initiate rate hikes
Commodities feel the pain again
Prospect of higher US interest rates, excess supply and slowdown in demand from emerging markets to blame for commodity price decline
21st Jul 15, 2:08pm
by Ian Dobbs
Prospect of higher US interest rates, excess supply and slowdown in demand from emerging markets to blame for commodity price decline
Greece has been devastated and humiliated
Greece's long term financial future still up in the air; Chinese stock market helped by suspending trading in certain company shares; USD benefits from uncertainty
14th Jul 15, 3:20pm
by Ian Dobbs
Greece's long term financial future still up in the air; Chinese stock market helped by suspending trading in certain company shares; USD benefits from uncertainty
Chinese stock market blowout remains primary concern
Recent Chinese stock market loses equivalent to 10 times Greece's GDP; fluid situation in Greece and tension between parties rising; declining dairy prices holding down NZD
7th Jul 15, 2:37pm
by Ian Dobbs
Recent Chinese stock market loses equivalent to 10 times Greece's GDP; fluid situation in Greece and tension between parties rising; declining dairy prices holding down NZD
Buckle up!
Dramatic increase in volatility; Chinese sharemarket carnage sees PBOC cut rates; Greek situation a mess and they will surely default
30th Jun 15, 2:13pm
by Ian Dobbs
Dramatic increase in volatility; Chinese sharemarket carnage sees PBOC cut rates; Greek situation a mess and they will surely default
Will we see an end to the prolonged Greek tragedy?
Grexit the biggest near term risk for markets; Chinese market an epic bubble and credit flowing freely
23rd Jun 15, 2:35pm
by Ian Dobbs
Grexit the biggest near term risk for markets; Chinese market an epic bubble and credit flowing freely
Central bank focus continues to drive markets
Majority of economists polled expect Fed hike by September; Fed states future rises will be gradual; Equities overvalued rate hikes will undermine support for stocks
16th Jun 15, 3:06pm
by Ian Dobbs
Majority of economists polled expect Fed hike by September; Fed states future rises will be gradual; Equities overvalued rate hikes will undermine support for stocks
Bond market volatility increases dramatically
Strong US employment data caused a sharp appreciation in the USD; wild ride for bond markets with yields significantly higher; expect volatile price action around RBNZ announcement
9th Jun 15, 2:07pm
by Ian Dobbs
Strong US employment data caused a sharp appreciation in the USD; wild ride for bond markets with yields significantly higher; expect volatile price action around RBNZ announcement