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

US dollar a winner from recent volatility

Focus shifts to the next round of unemployment data; expect US strength to continue to years end; central banks in no hurry to hike

4th Nov 14, 2:49pm

by Ian Dobbs

Focus shifts to the next round of unemployment data; expect US strength to continue to years end; central banks in no hurry to hike

Low global inflationary pressure sidelines central banks

Expectations for rate hikes from Fed and BoE have been pushed back to end of 2015; lower oil prices offers stimulation to most economies

28th Oct 14, 2:31pm

by Ian Dobbs

Expectations for rate hikes from Fed and BoE have been pushed back to end of 2015; lower oil prices offers stimulation to most economies

Markets regain composure, for now at least

Ongoing global growth concerns created volatility in the early part of last week but by the end nerves were calmed by better than expected US data

21st Oct 14, 8:38am

by Ian Dobbs

Ongoing global growth concerns created volatility in the early part of last week but by the end nerves were calmed by better than expected US data

Global growth concerns draw attention

IMF says "bold action" needed to bolster global growth; Chinese economy holding up; Japanese and eurozone economies continue to struggle

14th Oct 14, 2:22pm

by Ian Dobbs

IMF says "bold action" needed to bolster global growth; Chinese economy holding up; Japanese and eurozone economies continue to struggle

FX volatility providing opportunities

Current trading conditions to remain until end of year; USD under pressure; Central banks become focus in a week that lacks key data

7th Oct 14, 2:31pm

by Ian Dobbs

Current trading conditions to remain until end of year; USD under pressure; Central banks become focus in a week that lacks key data

Low interest rates & volatility not here to stay

Move to a more realistic level for NZD happening quicker than many thought; pick up in FX volatility yet to hit other markets

1st Oct 14, 8:49am

by Ian Dobbs

Move to a more realistic level for NZD happening quicker than many thought; pick up in FX volatility yet to hit other markets

Low interest rates & volatility not here to stay

G20 mindful of excessive risk build up in low interest rate and volatility environment; current conditions means risk in many markets is mispriced

24th Sep 14, 8:43am

by Ian Dobbs

G20 mindful of excessive risk build up in low interest rate and volatility environment; current conditions means risk in many markets is mispriced

Too-close-to-call Scottish vote a key currency risk

Soft China data a special risk for the NZD, recovery in US economy sees interest rates moving higher, vote volatility risks

17th Sep 14, 9:01am

by Ian Dobbs

Soft China data a special risk for the NZD, recovery in US economy sees interest rates moving higher, vote volatility risks

Central bank focus increases and paths diverge

Fed and BOE steering towards normalisation of monetary policy while ECB and BoJ moving in other direction to combat inflation

27th Aug 14, 9:09am

by Ian Dobbs

Fed and BOE steering towards normalisation of monetary policy while ECB and BoJ moving in other direction to combat inflation

Mixed messages & data keeps market guessing

Canadians release revised employment data after error found; BoE Governor speech leaves market confused; little life out of Europe sees EUR under pressure

20th Aug 14, 8:37am

by Ian Dobbs

Canadians release revised employment data after error found; BoE Governor speech leaves market confused; little life out of Europe sees EUR under pressure

Lower levels of geopolitical tension

Russia pulls back troops reducing geopolitical risks; Australasian currency risks are still tilted toward further losses

12th Aug 14, 9:48pm

by Ian Dobbs

Russia pulls back troops reducing geopolitical risks; Australasian currency risks are still tilted toward further losses

USD appreciation loses momentum

US employment data failed to raise pulses; central bank focus turns away from US and we could see some excitement from BoE and BoJ announcements

6th Aug 14, 8:50am

by Ian Dobbs

US employment data failed to raise pulses; central bank focus turns away from US and we could see some excitement from BoE and BoJ announcements

Big week ahead for the US and USD

Federal Reserve’s statement and monetary policy announcement will be keenly watched as debate over the speed and extent of future rate hikes continues

30th Jul 14, 8:45am

by Ian Dobbs

Federal Reserve’s statement and monetary policy announcement will be keenly watched as debate over the speed and extent of future rate hikes continues

US dollar gains on geo-political events

Expect geo-political tensions to continue along with a flight to safe haven currencies such as the US dollar and Japanese Yen

23rd Jul 14, 8:38am

by Ian Dobbs

Expect geo-political tensions to continue along with a flight to safe haven currencies such as the US dollar and Japanese Yen

A lack of direction in most markets

Financial instability and geopolitical risks not enough of a direction catalyst; focus shifts to Federal Reserve for guidance

16th Jul 14, 9:11am

by Ian Dobbs

Financial instability and geopolitical risks not enough of a direction catalyst; focus shifts to Federal Reserve for guidance

Volatility back to 2007 levels

Markets at risk of being complacent around future risks; China optimistic 7% growth achievable

9th Jul 14, 9:05am

by Ian Dobbs

Markets at risk of being complacent around future risks; China optimistic 7% growth achievable

Central bank releases offer little fresh insight

ECB, BoE and RBA announcements and respective actions well signalled ahead of time; Australasian pairing seeing periods of pressure despite volatility being low

11th Jun 14, 9:42am

by Ian Dobbs

ECB, BoE and RBA announcements and respective actions well signalled ahead of time; Australasian pairing seeing periods of pressure despite volatility being low

Australasian duo remain vulnerable

Concerns over China's property and credit sectors sees corrective shift in demand for NZ & Australian dollars

4th Jun 14, 2:33pm

by Ian Dobbs

Concerns over China's property and credit sectors sees corrective shift in demand for NZ & Australian dollars

Australasian currencies remain supported

Many currency pairs expected to be range bound; still demand for NZD & AUD

26th Mar 14, 10:57am

by Ian Dobbs

Many currency pairs expected to be range bound; still demand for NZD & AUD

Risk aversion abates

Simmering Ukranian tensions and almost daily reports of Chinese credit defaults worries investors

19th Mar 14, 9:08am

by Ian Dobbs

Simmering Ukranian tensions and almost daily reports of Chinese credit defaults worries investors

Patchy global growth recovery

Sustained period of softer US economic news not enough to halt tapering program by Federal Reserve

26th Feb 14, 9:59am

by Ian Dobbs

Sustained period of softer US economic news not enough to halt tapering program by Federal Reserve

NZ's economic performance robust

Inflation number for NZ higher than expected but globally inflationary pressures remain subdued

22nd Jan 14, 11:28am

by Ian Dobbs

Inflation number for NZ higher than expected but globally inflationary pressures remain subdued

NZ & Australian dollar main benefactors

Weak US employment numbers have shaken loose the markets commitment towards consistent tapering in the coming months

14th Jan 14, 4:25pm

by Ian Dobbs

Weak US employment numbers have shaken loose the markets commitment towards consistent tapering in the coming months

A busy week for central banks

The focus on central banks remains the primary driver of sentiment

3rd Dec 13, 2:49pm

by Ian Dobbs

The focus on central banks remains the primary driver of sentiment

Tapering expectations continue to drive markets

Expect more volatility due to the Fed’s inability to communicate effectively

26th Nov 13, 4:52pm

by Ian Dobbs

Expect more volatility due to the Fed’s inability to communicate effectively