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Simon Watkins

After graduating from Oxford University with BA (Hons) and MA (Hons) degrees, Simon Watkins worked for several years as a Forex trader and salesman, becoming Head of Forex Institutional Sales for Credit Lyonnais, and then Director of Forex at Bank of Montreal. He then became a financial journalist, including positions as Head of Weekly Publications, Managing Editor and Chief Writer of Business Monitor International, Head of Global Fuel Oil Products for Platts, and Global Managing Editor of Research and Vice President of Renaissance Capital investment bank in Moscow. He has written extensively on the oil market and other commodities markets, Forex, equities, bonds, economics and geopolitics for many publications, including The Financial Times, Euromoney, Financial Times Capital Insights, OilPrice, NewsBase, Risk.net, and FTSE Global Markets. In addition, he has worked as an investment and risk consultant for major hedge funds in London, New York, Moscow, and Dubai, and regularly appears as an oil and financial markets expert on various international television networks, including the BBC, and Al Jazeera. Simon has also written eight best-selling books on the global financial markets and financial markets trading, all of which are available from Amazon, Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Blackwells, among others.

Recent Articles

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Investing Articles

Down 21% and with key investors pushing for a break-up of this FTSE firm, is now the time for me to buy?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 stock fell after revenue guidance was reduced, but this may mean a bargain to be had. So,…

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Road 2025 to 2032 new year direction concept
Investing Articles

These are my top 3 superstar passive income stocks going into 2025!

| Simon Watkins

Three of my passive income holdings have an unbeatable combination of high yield, share price undervaluation, and earnings growth going…

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Investing Articles

Down 27% from its April high, does Glencore’s share price now look like a great buying opportunity for me?

| Simon Watkins

Glencore’s share price has tumbled since April, which might signal a bargain to be had for me. But do its…

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Investing Articles

A 7% yield and down 6.5%! Ahead of the Direct Line takeover, is now the time for me to buy more Aviva shares?

| Simon Watkins

Aviva shares have struggled to stay above £5, even after news of the intended takeover of a key rival insurer.…

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Person holding magnifying glass over important document, reading the small print
Investing Articles

Down 10% but with 20%+ a year earnings growth projected, is it time for me to buy this FTSE 100 stock?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 stock has dropped on three main factors, but this doesn't necessarily mean it's undervalued. I've taken a…

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Investing Articles

Anywhere below £4, BT’s share price looks undervalued to me

| Simon Watkins

BT’s share price has risen considerably over the past year, but this doesn't mean the stock is without any value.…

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Investing Articles

Another £5,000 invested in this FTSE 250 high-yield gem could make me £968 a month in dividend income over time!

| Simon Watkins

This high-yield star offers one of the biggest dividend returns in the FTSE 250 and the FTSE 100, especially if…

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Hydrogen testing at DLR Cologne
Investing Articles

Now set to benefit from a £1bn Qatari investment, Rolls-Royce’s share price looks cheap to me anywhere under £11.08

| Simon Watkins

Just because Rolls-Royce’s share price has risen significantly this year doesn't mean there's no value left in it. There may…

Read more »

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Investing Articles

A 6.7% yield but down 14%! Is it time for me to buy more of this FTSE passive income gem after it upgrades strategic targets?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE commodities giant aims for higher production of materials needed in ongoing urbanisation and for the energy transition, so…

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Investing Articles

£11,000 in savings? Consider aiming to turn this into £8,469 in annual passive income!

| Simon Watkins

Money put into high-dividend-paying stocks with the returns used to buy more shares can change small investments into big passive…

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Person holding magnifying glass over important document, reading the small print
Investing Articles

Down 20% in 14 weeks, is AstraZeneca’s share price now too big a bargain for me to miss?

| Simon Watkins

AstraZeneca’s share price has fallen a long way on an investigation surrounding its Chinese business. So, do the shares look…

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Investing Articles

2,475 shares in this overlooked FTSE 100 dividend gem could make me £9,532 a year in passive income over time!  

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 stock has one of the highest yields in the index, which could generate a big passive income,…

Read more »

Chalkboard representation of risk versus reward on a pair of scales
Investing Articles

Down 16%, but with a P/E of just 7.2 and 5%+ yield do Lloyds shares look an unmissable bargain to me?

| Simon Watkins

Lloyds shares have dropped significantly recently, leaving the stock looking undervalued on some measures, but does it look like a…

Read more »

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Investing Articles

Down 29% to under £4 and with a P/B of just 1.2, is BP’s share price a must-buy opportunity for me?

| Simon Watkins

BP’s share price has dropped in recent weeks, which raises the possibility of a bargain to be had in addition…

Read more »

Aston Martin DBX - rear pic of trunk
Investing Articles

Shares in this iconic FTSE 250 car firm are down 53% this year, so is it time for me to buy?

| Simon Watkins

This celebrated FTSE 250 car company has seen very tough times recently, but its Q3 results looked more positive, so…

Read more »

Jumbo jet preparing to take off on a runway at sunset
Investing Articles

Is easyJet’s share price set to soar after strong 2024 results and upbeat business projections?

| Simon Watkins

After tough years for the airline sector, easyJet’s share price has bounced back and its prospects look good. But how…

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Investing Articles

Up 42% from their 12-month low, is it time for me to buy this much-fancied FTSE growth stock after a 2% dip?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 distribution firm achieved a lot in the past year and has good earnings growth prospects, but is…

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Investing Articles

Here’s how investors can consider saving and investing £5 a day to make £2,575 a month in passive income!

| Simon Watkins

Contrary to popular belief, very big passive income in the form of share dividends can be generated despite having nothing…

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Investing Articles

Down 6% from its post-rights issue high, does National Grid’s share price look a bargain to me?

| Simon Watkins

National Grid’s share price has dipped recently, raising the possibility to me of a bargain to be had, but how…

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Investing Articles

£5,000 of 9.2%-yielding Legal & General shares could make me £599 a month in passive income over time!

| Simon Watkins

Legal and General shares remain a top passive income stock in my core portfolio holdings, with a 9.2% yield and…

Read more »

Artillery rocket system aimed to the sky and soldiers at sunset.
Investing Articles

As BAE Systems’ share price drops 14% should I buy more?

| Simon Watkins

FTSE 100 defence giant BAE Systems recently reiterated strong growth guidance, leaving its share price looking significantly undervalued to me.

Read more »

Person holding magnifying glass over important document, reading the small print
Investing Articles

After an 18% jump on its 2024 results, is it too late for me to consider buying this FTSE 100 hidden gem?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 technology firm unveiled very strong 2024 results recently and a big share buyback, but is it too…

Read more »

Finger clicking a button marked 'Buy' on a keyboard
Investing Articles

Following strong 2024 results, this 6.1%-yielding FTSE 100 gem looks a bargain to me

| Simon Watkins

With good 2024 results delivered, and a buyback and dividend increase announced, this high-yielding FTSE 100 heavyweight looks very cheap…

Read more »

Rolls-Royce engineer working on an engine
Investing Articles

As Rolls-Royce’s share price falls 8%, is it time for me to buy on the dip?

| Simon Watkins

Rolls-Royce’s share price has dropped after a stellar rise this year. I think this leaves it looking even more discounted…

Read more »

Person holding magnifying glass over important document, reading the small print
Investing Articles

This once-great FTSE 250 UK fashion retailer is down 47%, so is it time for me to buy?

| Simon Watkins

A formerly iconic UK fashion brand, this FTSE 250 firm has fallen out of favour. But it has a new…

Read more »

Long-term vs short-term investing concept on a staircase
Investing Articles

As Shell’s share price continues to drift lower despite strong Q3 results, should I buy more?

| Simon Watkins

Shell’s share price is down 14% from its one-year traded high, despite strong recent results, leaving the shares looking undervalued…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Down 28%! What’s going on with GSK’s share price?

| Simon Watkins

The GSK share price has tumbled recently on a number of factors, but I think its fundamentals look strong, leaving…

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A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

This superstar FTSE growth stock is up 65% and there still looks huge value left in it to me

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 finance stock has soared this year but still looks packed with value to me, supported by strong…

Read more »

Passive income text with pin graph chart on business table
Investing Articles

591 shares in this FTSE 100 high-yield gem could make me £14,873 a year in passive income over time!

| Simon Watkins

A big passive income can be generated from much smaller investments earlier in life, especially if the dividend returns are…

Read more »

Chalkboard representation of risk versus reward on a pair of scales
Investing Articles

As Vodafone’s share price drops 13%, is now the time for me to buy?

| Simon Watkins

Vodafone’s share price fell after its recent results, but there were positives in them, in my view, leaving the stock…

Read more »

Arrow symbol glowing amid black arrow symbols on black background.
Investing Articles

Anywhere under £7.30, IAG’s share price looks cheap to me

| Simon Watkins

IAG’s share price tumbled during the Covid years but has now bounced back with strong recent results, leaving the stock…

Read more »

Long-term vs short-term investing concept on a staircase
Investing Articles

A 7.3% yield but down 22%! Is it time for me to buy this FTSE 100 builder at a bargain-basement price?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 construction giant could be on the road to recovery following some difficult years, with promising recent forecasts…

Read more »

Person holding magnifying glass over important document, reading the small print
Investing Articles

At a bargain-basement price now, is it time for me to buy this 8%-yielding FTSE 250 media stock?

| Simon Watkins

Shares in this FTSE 250 broadcasting firm continued their recent decline after the latest results release, leaving them looking an…

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Investing Articles

I’d buy 4,186 Legal & General shares to aim for £14,616 a year in passive income

| Simon Watkins

A relatively small sum invested in Legal & General shares can be transformed into much bigger passive income over time…

Read more »

Arrow symbol glowing amid black arrow symbols on black background.
Investing Articles

Still under £4 despite strong recent results, is this FTSE retailer too big a bargain to pass up?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE stock looks set for strong earnings growth, which should drive its share price and dividend higher in my…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Here’s how I’d aim to turn £9,000 of abrdn shares into £1,960 a month in passive income!

| Simon Watkins

abrdn shares deliver one of the highest yields in any FTSE index, enabling a relatively small amount to be turned…

Read more »

Passive income text with pin graph chart on business table
Investing Articles

£9,000 of savings? Here’s how I’d aim to turn that into £5,832 a year of passive income!

| Simon Watkins

Smaller initial investments in high-yielding stocks can generate much greater passive income over time, especially if dividend compounding is used.

Read more »

Exterior of BT Group head office - One Braham, London
Investing Articles

As BT’s share price drops 8%, should I buy more?

| Simon Watkins

BT’s share price looks a bargain to me on several key stock measurements, offering a high yield as well, supported…

Read more »

Two white male workmen working on site at an oil rig
Investing Articles

A 6.1% yield but down 31%! Is it time for me to buy more BP shares?

| Simon Watkins

BP shares offer a high yield that's forecast to grow to end-2026, and a big projected rise in earnings leaves…

Read more »

Long-term vs short-term investing concept on a staircase
Investing Articles

With a P/E of just 7.1, this FTSE 100 bank stock still looks a bargain to me

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 ‘Big Four’ bank posted strong Q3 results despite falling UK interest rates, has a good yield and…

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