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 5 months

Latest articles

Currencies relatively range bound

GBP has shown its sensitivity to Brexit negotiations over the past week; NZD and AUD are particularly vulnerable to bouts of risk aversion; number of emerging market currencies flashing warning signs of major trouble ahead

4th Sep 18, 11:57am

by Ian Dobbs

Broad based USD weakness continues

Political paralysis has weighed on the USD; NZD consolidating around the 0.7430 USD area and has bounced back against AUD to 0.9379 AUD; Fed Funds rate meeting this week expected to have no surprises

25th Jul 17, 12:40pm

by Ian Dobbs

Political paralysis has weighed on the USD; NZD consolidating around the 0.7430 USD area and has bounced back against AUD to 0.9379 AUD; Fed Funds rate meeting this week expected to have no surprises

NZD falls on inflation data

USD weakness has been the main theme for the week, driven by Fed speakers, data and Trump administration; NZD has underperformed over this time and is lower on other crosses, not helped by soft inflation data

18th Jul 17, 12:12pm

by Ian Dobbs

NZD remains largely range bound

NZDUSD trapped in the 0.7250 and 0.7340 range for three weeks and a downside bias likely; NZDAUD also likely to have a downside bias; US data shows low unemployment but not broad based wage gains

11th Jul 17, 12:24pm

by Ian Dobbs

NZDUSD trapped in the 0.7250 and 0.7340 range for three weeks and a downside bias likely; NZDAUD also likely to have a downside bias; US data shows low unemployment but not broad based wage gains

NZD direction to be driven largely by offshore events

NZDUSD has recovered to 0.7000 level, however NZD weakness is expected in the near term; against the AUD, NZD likely to be rangebound after facing resistance at the 0.9300 level; mixed USD data and Trump comments have added volatility to the markets

18th Apr 17, 4:36pm

by Ian Dobbs

NZD getting good support at the 0.7000 levels

NZD trading at the 0.7100 level; GBPUSD has fallen 19% since Brexit vote; Safe havens gold and yen rise as stocks across Asia fall

17th Jan 17, 3:00pm

by Ian Dobbs

NZD trading at the 0.7100 level; GBPUSD has fallen 19% since Brexit vote; Safe havens gold and yen rise as stocks across Asia fall

NZD momentum mildly positive

NZD looks to AU data and GDT dairy auction for guidance; ECB likely to extend QE; USD consolidates prior to expected rate rise

6th Dec 16, 3:32pm

by Ian Dobbs

NZD looks to AU data and GDT dairy auction for guidance; ECB likely to extend QE; USD consolidates prior to expected rate rise

US data and OPEC key drivers

Post-Trump gains in USD total over 6%; focus on OPEC and commodity currencies; expect volatility in oil price

29th Nov 16, 2:29pm

by Ian Dobbs

Post-Trump gains in USD total over 6%; focus on OPEC and commodity currencies; expect volatility in oil price

US dollar sentiment the focus again

Greenback posts fresh 13½ year highs; USD direction to be driven by upcoming data; strong exporter interest in NZD/USD around 70c mark

22nd Nov 16, 1:44pm

by Ian Dobbs

Greenback posts fresh 13½ year highs; USD direction to be driven by upcoming data; strong exporter interest in NZD/USD around 70c mark

Trump election win propels the greenback

Higher inflation and productivity in US under Trump; 85% chance of Fed rate hike in December, more could follow

15th Nov 16, 1:56pm

by Ian Dobbs

Higher inflation and productivity in US under Trump; 85% chance of Fed rate hike in December, more could follow

US data in focus

Plenty of market moving US data being released; NZD continues to ease against USD; Australian inflation data important for pricing future RBA cuts

25th Oct 16, 1:32pm

by Ian Dobbs

Plenty of market moving US data being released; NZD continues to ease against USD; Australian inflation data important for pricing future RBA cuts

GBP down 19% since Brexit vote

ECB in focus this week, key UK data also eyed; Draghi infers monetary policy may have reached limit of efficacy; market continues to digest divergent central bank monetary policies

20th Oct 16, 8:37am

by Ian Dobbs

ECB in focus this week, key UK data also eyed; Draghi infers monetary policy may have reached limit of efficacy; market continues to digest divergent central bank monetary policies

FX markets absorb central bank signals

BoJ pledges to overshoot inflation target; US Fed kicks rate hike can down the road again; dovish RBNZ statement opens door for further easing

27th Sep 16, 2:32pm

by Ian Dobbs

BoJ pledges to overshoot inflation target; US Fed kicks rate hike can down the road again; dovish RBNZ statement opens door for further easing

Central banks once again in focus

Busy time for markets as central bank policy reviews released; Fed and RBNZ likely to keep rates unchanged

20th Sep 16, 2:04pm

by Ian Dobbs

Busy time for markets as central bank policy reviews released; Fed and RBNZ likely to keep rates unchanged

Official Fed talk has markets in a spin

US Fed Presidents comments blamed for sell-off in global equities and risk currencies, subsequent rhetoric calms nerves; weak US data behind USD decline

13th Sep 16, 1:43pm

by Ian Dobbs

US Fed Presidents comments blamed for sell-off in global equities and risk currencies, subsequent rhetoric calms nerves; weak US data behind USD decline

Market underestimating Fed hike chances

September Fed rate hike odds reduce after US August payrolls data; Fed chairs' rhetoric indicates outlook for hikes on track

6th Sep 16, 2:45pm

by Ian Dobbs

September Fed rate hike odds reduce after US August payrolls data; Fed chairs' rhetoric indicates outlook for hikes on track

Market moves to re-price Fed hike

Greenback rises in wake of Fed meeting; strong employment growth and higher wages would increase odd of Fed hike

30th Aug 16, 2:39pm

by Ian Dobbs

Greenback rises in wake of Fed meeting; strong employment growth and higher wages would increase odd of Fed hike

Key central bankers gather at Jackson Hole

Investors focus on whether the US can extract one more rate hike this year; BoJ to take further steps to ease economic malaise; Wheelers speech causes spike in NZD

23rd Aug 16, 1:30pm

by Ian Dobbs

Investors focus on whether the US can extract one more rate hike this year; BoJ to take further steps to ease economic malaise; Wheelers speech causes spike in NZD

GBP down 12% since Brexit vote

Indicators due out will show impact on UK of exit decision; NZD is range bound against majors, except GBP

16th Aug 16, 1:43pm

by Ian Dobbs

Indicators due out will show impact on UK of exit decision; NZD is range bound against majors, except GBP

RBNZ rate cut priced in

US Nonfarm payrolls surprise raises Fed rate hike odds; further RBNZ rate cuts after August being mooted

9th Aug 16, 1:49pm

by Ian Dobbs

US Nonfarm payrolls surprise raises Fed rate hike odds; further RBNZ rate cuts after August being mooted

Expectations of RBA cut divided

US GDP disappointment brings non-farm payrolls into spotlight; RBA favoured to set new historical low cash rate of 1.50%; BoE expected to cut when they meet Thursday

2nd Aug 16, 1:53pm

by Ian Dobbs

US GDP disappointment brings non-farm payrolls into spotlight; RBA favoured to set new historical low cash rate of 1.50%; BoE expected to cut when they meet Thursday

RBNZ takes aim at housing market

NZD trades lower on negative interpretation of RBNZ interim briefing announcement; kiwi dollar a casualty of weaker CPI and RBNZ's crusade to slow housing market

19th Jul 16, 2:10pm

by Ian Dobbs

NZD trades lower on negative interpretation of RBNZ interim briefing announcement; kiwi dollar a casualty of weaker CPI and RBNZ's crusade to slow housing market

Markets react positively to US employment data

Equities pushed higher on US employment data; economic and political cracks appearing globally; NZD eases back from recent highs

12th Jul 16, 1:46pm

by Ian Dobbs

Equities pushed higher on US employment data; economic and political cracks appearing globally; NZD eases back from recent highs

Global political uncertainty abounds

Aussie joins the fragile political environment party; another UK political figure sidesteps the UK EU backlash by resigning; UK businesses trying to stall exit from EU; other EU countries want own referendum on membership

5th Jul 16, 1:42pm

by Ian Dobbs

Pain felt across the globe

Markets set for extended period of volatility; path ahead for UK uncertain; GBP falls 12% against USD to 1985 levels

28th Jun 16, 1:52pm

by Ian Dobbs

Markets set for extended period of volatility; path ahead for UK uncertain; GBP falls 12% against USD to 1985 levels