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

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

2nd Jun 15, 4:17pm

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

26th May 15, 1:52pm

by Ian Dobbs

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

19th May 15, 2:10pm

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

12th May 15, 2:13pm

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

5th May 15, 2:22pm

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

28th Apr 15, 3:56pm

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

21st Apr 15, 3:48pm

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

14th Apr 15, 3:54pm

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

31st Mar 15, 2:22pm

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

24th Mar 15, 12:53pm

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

17th Mar 15, 1:27pm

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

10th Mar 15, 3:37pm

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

3rd Mar 15, 3:20pm

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

24th Feb 15, 1:22pm

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

17th Feb 15, 3:59pm

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

10th Feb 15, 8:58am

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

3rd Feb 15, 4:14pm

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

27th Jan 15, 5:11pm

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

20th Jan 15, 4:10pm

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

16th Dec 14, 4:27pm

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

9th Dec 14, 3:49pm

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

2nd Dec 14, 3:01pm

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

25th Nov 14, 3:25pm

by Ian Dobbs

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

18th Nov 14, 3:32pm

by Ian Dobbs

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

11th Nov 14, 1:53pm

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