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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

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

IAG share price: is the market missing a major rerating hiding in plain sight?

| Simon Watkins

Simon Watkins thinks the IAG share price reflects an outdated recovery narrative, and that a stronger earnings story is set…

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Investing Articles

Does this growth share have a 42% valuation gap that the market hasn’t woken up to yet?

| Simon Watkins

This growth share is overlooked by much of the market, yet it appears deeply underpriced to fair value and offers…

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Investing Articles

Here’s how investors could aim for £9,039 in annual dividends from £20,000 in this FTSE 100 income share

| Simon Watkins

Improving results and rising payouts mean this FTSE 100 income share could be one of the market’s least‑appreciated dividend income…

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Investing Articles

Here’s how investors could target £5,860 in yearly passive income from £5,000 in this overlooked FTSE 250 gem!

| Simon Watkins

A powerful passive income engine hidden in the FTSE 250, this overlooked firm could offer far more long-term dividend potential…

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Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

Investors could target £1,982 in annual dividend income from just £5,000 in this overlooked FTSE 250 gem

| Simon Watkins

This overlooked FTSE 250 broadcaster may be hiding a major price-to-valuation gap, while producing market-beating dividend yield opportunities as well.

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

This cheap share looks wildly mispriced to me — and the market hasn’t caught on yet

| Simon Watkins

This cheap share appears deeply out of sync with its long‑term prospects, and the market’s slow reaction could create a…

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A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

I’m targeting an annual dividend income of £25,451 from my £20,000 holding in this 8.9%-yielding FTSE gem!

| Simon Watkins

This high-yield FTSE dividend star could turn my £20,000 holding into a serious long-term income stream, thanks to the quiet…

Read more »

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

A major FTSE 100 bargain is hiding in plain sight, so I’m buying more as soon as possible

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 stock looks far cheaper than its long-term fundamentals suggest, and the gap to its true value is…

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

Near a 3-year high, Vodafone may not look a cheap share, but is the value story just beginning?

| Simon Watkins

Vodafone has risen a lot over 12 months, yet my analysis suggests there's more value left in this supposedly not‑so‑cheap…

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

Under £19, here’s why GSK’s share price looks cheap to me anywhere below £42.92

| Simon Watkins

Despite a strong run last year, my DCF modelling suggests the market may be overlooking a far higher value than…

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Investing Articles

Here’s how you could target £7,066 a year of retirement income by putting just £5 a day into HSBC shares…

| Simon Watkins

Some in the markets may think HSBC shares have risen too far, but my analysis implies the opposite -- and…

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

With 2,685 shares in this 7.2%-yielding FTSE 100 gem, investors can target £12,406 in yearly passive income!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 financial giant could turn a modest investment into serious passive income over time, with the long‑term totals…

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

Down 22% to under £11, is this high-tech FTSE high-flyer a screaming bargain now?

| Simon Watkins

Despite solid growth, strong margins, and rising cash generation, this FTSE tech star has dropped sharply. So is it seriously…

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Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

Here’s how investors could aim for £9,532 in yearly dividend income from this 9.9%-yielding FTSE 250 high-yield gem

| Simon Watkins

A near double-digit yield backed by growing cash flow and long-term contracts makes Energean look like one of the FTSE…

Read more »

Middle-aged white man wearing glasses, staring into space over the top of his laptop in a coffee shop
Investing Articles

At a bargain-basement valuation under £19, is it time for me to buy this FTSE 100 banking gem?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 giant has reshaped its business and its balance sheet and is growing fast. With the shares still…

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Three generation family are playing football together in a field. There are two boys, their father and their grandfather.
Investing Articles

Here’s how my £20,000 holding in this top-flight income share could make me £7,927 a year in retirement…

| Simon Watkins

This overlooked FTSE 100 income share keeps lifting payouts and buying back stock. Could it really supercharge my long term…

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Investing Articles

Greggs share price: is the market mispricing this UK favourite?

| Simon Watkins

Sales are rising, expansion is intact, and JPMorgan is bullish -- so is the beaten down Greggs share price now…

Read more »

Smiling white woman holding iPhone with Airpods in ear
Investing Articles

Around £41 a share, this FTSE 100 passive income star now has a forecast dividend yield of 7%!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE high-yield stock already has a near-6% payout, but analysts forecast a rise to 7%, which could generate major…

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

Down 20% but with 15% annual earnings growth forecast, how high can BT’s share price go?

| Simon Watkins

Analysts expect BT’s profits to rise nearly 15% a year, yet the share price is down 19% over the year.…

Read more »

Stacks of coins
Investing Articles

Here’s how I’m targeting £10,872 in annual dividend income from £20,000 in this FTSE 100 income share

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 income share is already paying me handsomely -- but the long term income potential here could be…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

This standout FTSE income gem now has a dividend yield of 7%!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE financial giant is growing profits, customers and assets while trading at low valuations and offering a big yield…

Read more »

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

Up 117% from its 2025 low, here’s why Barclays’ share price could soar again this year

| Simon Watkins

Barclays’ share price surged in 2025, but strong earnings growth following its recent business strategic shift could mean huge gains…

Read more »

Satellite on planet background
Investing Articles

Is this FTSE 250 high‑tech defence leader on the brink of stunning multi‑year growth?

| Simon Watkins

This little‑noticed FTSE 250 high‑tech defence firm is entering a rapid expansion phase, with new contracts and soaring earnings forecasts…

Read more »

Investing Articles

I’m targeting £23,441 in annual dividend income from my £20,000 in this FTSE 100 high-yield star!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 high‑yield gem is expected to deliver major earnings growth, strengthening its long‑term income appeal and boosting its…

Read more »

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

This crackerjack FTSE dividend stock now has a forecast yield of 8.9%!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 income play offers a yield some investors won’t believe -- and the maths reveals a compounding story…

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Investing Articles

My £20,000 holding in this FTSE star could make me £12,406 a year in passive income over time!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 high-yield gem is forecast to see strong earnings growth that should power its share price and passive…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Down 9%, here’s why BP’s share price could soar in 2026

| Simon Watkins

Analysts forecast strong growth for BP based on its strategic reset, and a dividend yield rising to 6.2%, leaving its…

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Investing Articles

Is Rolls-Royce’s share price gearing up for another big jump in 2026?

| Simon Watkins

Rolls Royce’s share price has rocketed over the past two years, but with earnings momentum still building, there may be…

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Investing Articles

I’m targeting £42,949 in dividend income for my retirement from £20,000 in this 10.2%-yielding FTSE 250 gem!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 income play yielding over 10% is powering my long term retirement plan. Here’s why I think it…

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Investing Articles

Down 15%, here’s what the markets are missing about BAE Systems’ share price and how high it could go in 2026…

| Simon Watkins

BAE Systems’ results, order book and guidance point to accelerating growth -- yet the market still prices in a slowdown.…

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Investing Articles

Around £1, why does the Lloyds share price still looks cheap to me up to £1.43?

| Simon Watkins

Lloyds has been dogged by negative publicity surrounding motor insurance mis-selling, but has this left its share price seriously undervalued…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

How I’m targeting £12,959 a year in dividend income from £20,000 in this FTSE 100 dividend gem

| Simon Watkins

This financial giant delivers one of the highest dividend yields in the FTSE 100, with analysts forecasting this will rise…

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

This superb passive income star now has a dividend yield of 10.4%!

| Simon Watkins

This standout passive income gem now generates an annual dividend return higher than the ‘magic’ 10% figure, and consensus forecasts…

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This way, That way, The other way - pointing in different directions
Investing Articles

With 55% earnings growth forecast, here’s where Vodafone’s share price ‘should’ be trading…

| Simon Watkins

Consensus forecasts point to 55% annual earnings growth to 2028. With a strategic shift ongoing, how undervalued is Vodafone’s share…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Here’s how I’m targeting £12,959 a year in my retirement from £20,000 in this ultra-high yielding FTSE 100 income share…

| Simon Watkins

Analysts forecast this high-yield FTSE 100 income share will deliver rising dividends and capital gains, making it a powerful long-term…

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

Tesco’s share price: is boring brilliant?

| Simon Watkins

Tesco delivers steady profits, dividends, and market share gains. So is its share price undervaluing the resilience of Britain’s biggest…

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A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

With its 16% dividend yield, is it time for me to buy this FTSE 250 passive income star?

| Simon Watkins

Ithaca Energy’s 16% dividend yield looks irresistible -- but with tax headwinds still blowing strong, can this FTSE 250 passive…

Read more »

Hand of person putting wood cube block with word VALUE on wooden table
Investing Articles

Under £27 now, Shell’s share price looks a huge bargain – here’s why

| Simon Watkins

Shell’s share price is at a major discount to its peers, but Simon Watkins believes it won’t do so for…

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Chalkboard representation of risk versus reward on a pair of scales
Growth Shares

Down 60% since 2022: can Diageo’s share price ever stage a turnaround?

| Simon Watkins

Diageo’s share price has plunged, but with its premium brands, strong cash flows, and a solid dividend yield, can it…

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DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

This superb FTSE dividend gem has a forecast yield of 7.5%!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE insurer has a high dividend yield that is projected to rise and looks extremely undervalued -- a rare…

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