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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

Young woman working at modern office. Technical price graph and indicator, red and green candlestick chart and stock trading computer screen background.
Investing Articles

Is this super-high-yielding bank the biggest bargain in the FTSE 100?

| Simon Watkins

Is this state-backed bank that had great H1 results and is undervalued on P/E and DCF measures the greatest bargain…

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A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

How little could I invest to make £1,000 a month in second income?

| Simon Watkins

Through well-chosen, high-yielding FTSE 100 stocks, saving just £11 a day over five years could see me making an eventual…

Read more »

Petrochemical engineer working at night with digital tablet inside oil and gas refinery plant
Investing Articles

Down 9% from February, is the BP share price a major bargain?

| Simon Watkins

With oil and gas prices looking stronger, new development projects and a solid energy transition business, is the BP share…

Read more »

Man putting his card into an ATM machine while his son sits in a stroller beside him.
Investing Articles

13% yield! Is this the best FTSE 100 stock for high passive income?

| Simon Watkins

This ‘Big Four’ UK bank posted great results in 2022 and H1 this year. It looks undervalued and with a…

Read more »

White female supervisor working at an oil rig
Investing Articles

Down 6%, is it time to consider this dirt cheap FTSE 100 powerhouse?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 gem is at a substantial discount to its peers’ valuations, but has a great business in a…

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Man putting his card into an ATM machine while his son sits in a stroller beside him.
Investing Articles

At just under 42p, is Lloyds’ share price a prime FTSE 100 bargain?

| Simon Watkins

Lloyds’ share price at just under 42p looks a bargain, with the bank having good fundamentals and dividends, but it…

Read more »

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

How I’d start an ISA to target a second income of £40,803 per year

| Simon Watkins

With a little saving early on, investment in high-yielding stocks, and reinvestment of dividends, I could generate a second income…

Read more »

Asian man looking concerned while studying paperwork at his desk in an office
Investing Articles

Down 32% this year, is it time to buy this high-yield LSE stock?

| Simon Watkins

Its H1 results pushed this high-yield stock lower, but the business looks solid, the growth plans look exciting, and it…

Read more »

Young female business analyst looking at a graph chart while working from home
Investing Articles

Down 25%, this FTSE 100 star looks like a passive income gem

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 giant has been hit by China fears, but it generates huge earnings, pays a 9.3% yield, and…

Read more »

Businesswoman calculating finances in an office
Investing Articles

Down 15%, is this LSE stock a no-brainer buy for high passive income?

| Simon Watkins

This LSE stock looks a passive income winner to me, with solid H1 results, an 8%+ yield, and trading at…

Read more »

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

These 2 FTSE 100 heavyweights could make me £2,050 in second income!

| Simon Watkins

These FTSE 100 stocks have strong balance sheets and solid businesses. They pay stellar dividends, and could make me a…

Read more »

Young Caucasian woman at the street withdrawing money at the ATM
Investing Articles

Is this government-backed FTSE 100 bank a buy for high passive income?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 ‘Big Four’ bank paid a stunning 11.4% dividend last year, has implicit government backing, and posted excellent…

Read more »

Concept of two young professional men looking at a screen in a technological data centre
Investing Articles

Time to buy this unloved FTSE 100 stock for serious passive income?

| Simon Watkins

Down 25% this year, but with good H1 results, a sound business strategy, and an 8.6% yield, this stock looks…

Read more »

Smart young brown businesswoman working from home on a laptop
Investing Articles

The discounted Aviva share price offers a potential dividend bonanza

| Simon Watkins

The Aviva share price is trading at a discount. But the firm offers high dividends and consistently profitable growth, making…

Read more »

Concept of two young professional men looking at a screen in a technological data centre
Investing Articles

Are Glencore shares a no-brainer buy to turbo-charge passive income?

| Simon Watkins

Glencore shares have fallen 28% on China growth fears and mixed H1 results, but with solid fundamentals and a near-9%…

Read more »

Businesswoman calculating finances in an office
Investing Articles

An 8% yield but down 23%, is this FTSE 100 stock now a major bargain?

| Simon Watkins

This high-yielding FTSE 100 stock’s H1 results had many good parts, but the shares fell further, so I wonder if…

Read more »

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

Down 15%, is it time to buy this LSE stock for high passive income?

| Simon Watkins

M&G is a powerhouse LSE stock offering serious passive income and it looks a bargain to me now, having dropped…

Read more »

BUY AND HOLD spelled in letters on top of a pile of books. Alongside is a piggy bank in glasses. Buy and hold is a popular long term stock and shares strategy.
Investing Articles

How these 2 LSE stocks could make me a second income of £1,780!

| Simon Watkins

These 2 LSE stocks pay high dividends, can be bought at big discounts to their year highs and could pay…

Read more »

Satellite on planet background
Investing Articles

Near their all-time high, can BAE Systems shares still go higher?

| Simon Watkins

Ongoing global insecurity, a slew of new orders, and great H1 results have pushed BAE Systems shares near to their…

Read more »

Man putting his card into an ATM machine while his son sits in a stroller beside him.
Investing Articles

Down 24%, is it time to buy this high-yielding FTSE 100 bank stock?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 bank has been hit by bad publicity, but it posted great H1 results, and paid an 11.4%…

Read more »

BUY AND HOLD spelled in letters on top of a pile of books. Alongside is a piggy bank in glasses. Buy and hold is a popular long term stock and shares strategy.
Investing Articles

Down 22%, is it time to buy this LSE stock for high passive income?

| Simon Watkins

Rio Tinto is a powerhouse LSE stock offering serious passive income and it looks a bargain to me now, having…

Read more »

BUY AND HOLD spelled in letters on top of a pile of books. Alongside is a piggy bank in glasses. Buy and hold is a popular long term stock and shares strategy.
Investing Articles

Is this high-yield stock a no-brainer buy for serious passive income?

| Simon Watkins

High-yield Aviva has sold off non-core businesses, focused on growth, pays stellar dividends, and is trading at a 20% discount…

Read more »

Silhouette of a bull standing on top of a landscape with the sun setting behind it
Investing Articles

At 20% down from January, is it time for me to buy Glencore shares?

| Simon Watkins

Glencore shares have dropped 20% since January but great trading capabilities and stellar dividends make them look a bargain to…

Read more »

BUY AND HOLD spelled in letters on top of a pile of books. Alongside is a piggy bank in glasses. Buy and hold is a popular long term stock and shares strategy.
Investing Articles

Time for me to buy this hidden FTSE 100 gem for turbo-charged passive income?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 stock yields over 9%, has great brands under its business umbrella, and can be bought at a…

Read more »

Man putting his card into an ATM machine while his son sits in a stroller beside him.
Investing Articles

A 5%+ yield but down 17% from February, Lloyds shares look cheap to me

| Simon Watkins

Lloyds shares offer a high yield that looks set to increase, great growth prospects and what I see as a…

Read more »

BUY AND HOLD spelled in letters on top of a pile of books. Alongside is a piggy bank in glasses. Buy and hold is a popular long term stock and shares strategy.
Investing Articles

With an 8% payout but down 12%, this dividend stock looks cheap to me

| Simon Watkins

Down 12% from March but with a strong balance sheet, great growth plans, and an 8%+ yield, star dividend stock…

Read more »

Concept of two young professional men looking at a screen in a technological data centre
Investing Articles

After poor results, is now the time to buy Rio Tinto shares on a dip?

| Simon Watkins

Rio Tinto shares fell after disappointing H1 results, but with improving prospects for key commodities buyer China, is now the…

Read more »

BUY AND HOLD spelled in letters on top of a pile of books. Alongside is a piggy bank in glasses. Buy and hold is a popular long term stock and shares strategy.
Investing Articles

A 10% dividend, but down 12%, this high-yield star looks cheap to me

| Simon Watkins

With a strong core business and a high-yield dividend that would allow investors to double their money in 10 years,…

Read more »

A GlaxoSmithKline scientist uses a microscope
Investing Articles

Great products and dividends make this FTSE 100 stock look cheap to me

| Simon Watkins

Down 9% from its high this year, but with new product approvals and good dividends, this FTSE 100 heavyweight now…

Read more »

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

Still at a discount to March’s high, Shell shares look cheap to me

| Simon Watkins

A recommitment to its core business as oil and gas prices rise, plus great shareholder rewards and trading operations make…

Read more »

Young woman working at modern office. Technical price graph and indicator, red and green candlestick chart and stock trading computer screen background.
Investing Articles

With an 8% yield but down 22%, Glencore shares look a bargain to me

| Simon Watkins

Glencore shares have lost 22% from January, but with an 8% yield, great trading operations, and earnings set to exceed…

Read more »

Concept of two young professional men looking at a screen in a technological data centre
Investing Articles

Down 6% from March, this high-yield star looks cheap to me

| Simon Watkins

High-yield star abrdn must keep shareholders happy with good payouts. But it also has sound growth plans and trading 6%…

Read more »

Young female business analyst looking at a graph chart while working from home
Investing Articles

Down 38% from January, this FTSE 100 dividend star looks cheap to me

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 mining giant is a heavyweight commodities markets player, pays high dividends and is down sharply so looks…

Read more »

Petrochemical engineer working at night with digital tablet inside oil and gas refinery plant
Investing Articles

Down 20% from February, the BP share price looks a bargain to me

| Simon Watkins

BP’s share price has lost 20% since February but, with rising oil and gas prices, great traders, and stellar shareholder…

Read more »

BUY AND HOLD spelled in letters on top of a pile of books. Alongside is a piggy bank in glasses. Buy and hold is a popular long term stock and shares strategy.
Investing Articles

Down 15% from March, this FTSE 100 high-yield star looks cheap to me

| Simon Watkins

Down 15% from March but with a great core business, growth plans and shareholder rewards, this high-yield FTSE 100 stock…

Read more »

Businesswoman calculating finances in an office
Investing Articles

This 9.5%-yielding dividend stock looks a hidden gem in the FTSE 100

| Simon Watkins

Overlooked by many small investors, this star dividend stock yields 9.5%. It has a great business plan, and at 17%…

Read more »

Man putting his card into an ATM machine while his son sits in a stroller beside him.
Investing Articles

Down 26%, is it time to buy this high-dividend FTSE 100 bank?

| Simon Watkins

With an 11%+ dividend last year, a strong balance sheet, government support, and down 26% from February, is it time…

Read more »

BUY AND HOLD spelled in letters on top of a pile of books. Alongside is a piggy bank in glasses. Buy and hold is a popular long term stock and shares strategy.
Investing Articles

Down 17% from their March high, Aviva shares look a bargain to me

| Simon Watkins

Down sharply from this year's high, paying stellar dividends, and with a great growth plan, I think Aviva shares are…

Read more »

White female supervisor working at an oil rig
Investing Articles

Down 13% from its 2023 high, Shell’s share price looks a bargain to me

| Simon Watkins

Shell’s share price is down 13% this year, but a focus on its core businesses and excellent shareholder rewards make…

Read more »

A graph made of neon tubes in a room
Investing Articles

Down over 20% from January, Glencore’s share price looks cheap to me

| Simon Watkins

Glencore’s share price has dropped 20%+ this year, but a Chinese economic turnaround, great fundamentals and good dividends mean I…

Read more »