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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

13 years 2 months

Latest articles

NZD & AUD struggle amid increased interest rate cut expectations
Australasian central banks likely to cut interest rates eventually; improving US data increasing chances of rate hike
by Ian Dobbs
Australasian central banks likely to cut interest rates eventually; improving US data increasing chances of rate hike
Markets weigh the timing of first US rate hike
Recent data not strong enough to support rate hike in US; China trying to manage the downturn; Chinese stimulus measures boost local market, has the markings of a bubble
by Ian Dobbs
2
Recent data not strong enough to support rate hike in US; China trying to manage the downturn; Chinese stimulus measures boost local market, has the markings of a bubble
NZ targets property investors
Skirmish on property prices in NZ; majority of US data continues to disappoint
by Ian Dobbs
Skirmish on property prices in NZ; majority of US data continues to disappoint
China reacts to tepid data
Subdued inflation data and disappointing trade figures behind PBOC rate cut; Fed rate hike still on cards; rapid change in sentiment has NZD under pressure
by Ian Dobbs
Subdued inflation data and disappointing trade figures behind PBOC rate cut; Fed rate hike still on cards; rapid change in sentiment has NZD under pressure
Global recovery from soft Q1?
Disappointing data across major economies; common theme is impact of low oil prices; recovery of each economy to drive respective currencies
by Ian Dobbs
Disappointing data across major economies; common theme is impact of low oil prices; recovery of each economy to drive respective currencies
Another round of central bank focus
Central bank expectations are playing a key role in driving currencies; RBA rate cut too close to call; market expecting more dovish stance from RBNZ
by Ian Dobbs
Central bank expectations are playing a key role in driving currencies; RBA rate cut too close to call; market expecting more dovish stance from RBNZ
Chinese easing raises growth concerns
Biggest cut to Chinese reserve requirement ratio in 7-years; Australian employment data helps drive NZD/AUD back below 98c
by Ian Dobbs
Biggest cut to Chinese reserve requirement ratio in 7-years; Australian employment data helps drive NZD/AUD back below 98c
Chinese trade data raises concerns
Commodity currencies come under pressure from shocking Chinese data; US dollar continues to dominate; European focus squarely on Greece
by Ian Dobbs
Commodity currencies come under pressure from shocking Chinese data; US dollar continues to dominate; European focus squarely on Greece
US dollar buying re-emerges
Investors flock to USD as geopolitical risks heat up; Chinese growth prospects are again in spotlight
by Ian Dobbs
Investors flock to USD as geopolitical risks heat up; Chinese growth prospects are again in spotlight
USD correction continues
US Fed's downgraded economic assessment drives USD down; AUD and NZD benefactors from USD slide; NZD continues to climb against AUD
by Ian Dobbs
US Fed's downgraded economic assessment drives USD down; AUD and NZD benefactors from USD slide; NZD continues to climb against AUD
Oil prices remain vulnerable
Inventories of stored oil at highest point since 1982; if Iran commence exporting again further downward pressure on oil prices; profit taking on USD ahead of FOMC meeting
by Ian Dobbs
Inventories of stored oil at highest point since 1982; if Iran commence exporting again further downward pressure on oil prices; profit taking on USD ahead of FOMC meeting
US employment underpins dollar gains
Improving US economic picture boosts Chinese exports; Chinese trade balance improves significantly; Chinese rate cut designed to stabilise economic growth
by Ian Dobbs
Improving US economic picture boosts Chinese exports; Chinese trade balance improves significantly; Chinese rate cut designed to stabilise economic growth
Central Bank rate decisions draw focus
NZD could experience volatility with RBA announcement; US data supporting economic outlook & USD remains well supported; NZD/EUR trades near historical highs
by Ian Dobbs
NZD could experience volatility with RBA announcement; US data supporting economic outlook & USD remains well supported; NZD/EUR trades near historical highs
EU kick can down the road
Greece's debt pile largely unsustainable although market reacts positively as agreement reached; market focus on Yellen speech; recent US data suggests slow down in economic activity
by Ian Dobbs
Greece's debt pile largely unsustainable although market reacts positively as agreement reached; market focus on Yellen speech; recent US data suggests slow down in economic activity
Europe remains the big risk
Clock is ticking for Greece and a forced exit from the euro a possibility; expectations around RBA rate cuts gyrate between March and April
by Ian Dobbs
Clock is ticking for Greece and a forced exit from the euro a possibility; expectations around RBA rate cuts gyrate between March and April
Expectations of US rate hike
US employment data better-than-expected; no signs of Greek stand-off ending any time soon; China eases monetary policy
by Ian Dobbs
US employment data better-than-expected; no signs of Greek stand-off ending any time soon; China eases monetary policy
Interest rate expectations drive the USD higher
Divergent monetary policies supporting USD; significant uncertainty surrounds Greece and poses real risk for the Euro
by Ian Dobbs
Divergent monetary policies supporting USD; significant uncertainty surrounds Greece and poses real risk for the Euro
Australasian duo trade to fresh cycle lows
ECB QE announcement significant in its size and should see Euro under pressure; No surprise from Greek election; NZD & AUD trade lower on softer iron ore and a more neutral RBNZ view
by Ian Dobbs
ECB QE announcement significant in its size and should see Euro under pressure; No surprise from Greek election; NZD & AUD trade lower on softer iron ore and a more neutral RBNZ view
Increased volatility a sign of things to come?
Banks, hedge funds, traders and brokers affected by SNB surprise move; SNB lost over 60 bln by removing the CHF/EUR floor; Greek's go to the polls
by Ian Dobbs
Banks, hedge funds, traders and brokers affected by SNB surprise move; SNB lost over 60 bln by removing the CHF/EUR floor; Greek's go to the polls
Markets wind down & liquidity dries up
Lower levels of liquidity leaves prices vulnerable to volatility; NZD could come under pressure if Fonterra auction is weaker; Aussie dollar continues to struggle
by Ian Dobbs
Lower levels of liquidity leaves prices vulnerable to volatility; NZD could come under pressure if Fonterra auction is weaker; Aussie dollar continues to struggle
Shifting central bank expectations drive currencies
US$ strength increases potential for interest rate hikes; rate cuts in Australia on the horizon; no consensus on QE in Europe as the eurozone economy continues to stagnate
by Ian Dobbs
US$ strength increases potential for interest rate hikes; rate cuts in Australia on the horizon; no consensus on QE in Europe as the eurozone economy continues to stagnate
Have commodity declines run their course?
Sharp recovery in oil and gold boosts commodity bloc currencies; volatility likely to remain high; local data having little impact on NZD
by Ian Dobbs
Sharp recovery in oil and gold boosts commodity bloc currencies; volatility likely to remain high; local data having little impact on NZD
Slowing Chinese growth prompts response from PBOC
Australasian currencies initially reacted positively to Chinese stimulus; realisation hit market this was a sign of real problems facing China; PBoC move to ease financing difficulties for small companies
by Ian Dobbs
9
Australasian currencies initially reacted positively to Chinese stimulus; realisation hit market this was a sign of real problems facing China; PBoC move to ease financing difficulties for small companies
Inflation under control in developed nations
Rate hikes getting pushed out further in part due to falling oil prices; little evidence zero percent interest rates benefit economy in long term
by Ian Dobbs
1
Rate hikes getting pushed out further in part due to falling oil prices; little evidence zero percent interest rates benefit economy in long term
Slow grind of economic recovery continues
Europe and Japan in the economic quagmire while UK & US show signs of improvement; China remains vulnerable with significant risk in property and credit markets
by Ian Dobbs
Europe and Japan in the economic quagmire while UK & US show signs of improvement; China remains vulnerable with significant risk in property and credit markets