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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

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

2 dirt cheap FTSE 100 stocks I bought for big passive income flows

| Simon Watkins

The FTSE 100 is where it was back in March 2017, limiting growth opportunities. But high-yielding stocks can still generate…

Read more »

Businesswoman calculating finances in an office
Investing Articles

An 11.5% yield but down 32%! Is this the best bargain in the FTSE 100?

| Simon Watkins

Down a third in price this year but undervalued compared to its peers, and with a high yield, this FTSE…

Read more »

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

A 9.9% yield but down 26%, this FTSE 100 stock looks a bargain to me

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 heavyweight looks a bargain to me. It has a dynamic core business, is undervalued against its peers,…

Read more »

Photo of a man going through financial problems
Investing Articles

From £0 in the bank to a second income of £46,958 for life? Here’s how

| Simon Watkins

Even for those with nothing in the bank, saving just £5 per day every day could result in a £45k+…

Read more »

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

Is this overlooked FTSE heavyweight set to soar on latest China data?

| Simon Watkins

With better-than-expected economic data from China, a great core business, and high dividend yields, is it time to buy this…

Read more »

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

An 8.9% yield but down 19%! This FTSE star looks a passive income gem

| Simon Watkins

Down 19% this year, but with a strong core business, a high yield, and undervalued to its peers, this stock…

Read more »

Investor looking at stock graph on a tablet with their finger hovering over the Buy button
Investing Articles

Is it too late for investors to consider buying this FTSE 100 star?

| Simon Watkins

Despite being near a seven-month high, this FTSE 100 star appears undervalued, recently increased its dividends, and works in a…

Read more »

Bearded man writing on notepad in front of computer
Investing Articles

With the Aviva share price over £4, should investors consider buying?

| Simon Watkins

Despite rising above £4 per share, FTSE 100-star Aviva is undervalued to its peers, has great growth prospects, and I…

Read more »

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

A 9% yield but down 32%, this FTSE financial stock looks cheap to me

| Simon Watkins

Recently demoted from the FTSE 100, this is still a high-quality business, with good growth prospects. It's undervalued to its…

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 10.2% yield but down 16%! This looks a FTSE passive income gem to me

| Simon Watkins

Down 16% from March, but with a strong core business, a high yield, and undervalued to its peers, this stock…

Read more »

White female supervisor working at an oil rig
Investing Articles

Is it too late for investors to consider buying this FTSE 100 star?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 powerhouse posted great 2022 results, is well positioned for rising oil prices, and is still very undervalued…

Read more »

Businesswoman calculating finances in an office
Investing Articles

2,327 shares of this FTSE star would make £1k a year passive income!

| Simon Watkins

Down 24% from its high this year, undervalued to its peers, and with a 9.7% yield, this FTSE star looks…

Read more »

Young black colleagues high-fiving each other at work
Investing Articles

An 11% yield but down 29%, this passive income star looks like a hidden gem

| Simon Watkins

Down sharply but undervalued to its peers, with strong business brands and a high yield, this FTSE 100 stock seems…

Read more »

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

With a 5.6% yield but down 20%, are Lloyds shares too cheap to ignore?

| Simon Watkins

With great H1 results, a strong core business, and a high yield that's predicted to go higher, Lloyds shares look…

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

An 8.7% yield but down 17%! This FTSE 100 stock looks a bargain to me

| Simon Watkins

Down 17% from March, but with a strong core business, an 8.7% yield, and undervalued to its peers, this FTSE…

Read more »

A senior man and his wife holding hands walking up a hill on a footpath looking away from the camera at the view. The fishing village of Polperro is behind them.
Investing Articles

A second income of £1,000 a month for £5 a day? Here’s how!

| Simon Watkins

From saving just £5 per day, investors could potentially make a second income of £1,000 a month if they choose…

Read more »

Midnight is celebrated along the River Thames in London with a spectacular and colourful firework display.
Investing Articles

A 9.5% yield now from this undervalued FTSE passive income star!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 firm posted good H1 results, looks undervalued to its peers, and has a 9.5% yield to generate…

Read more »

Young Caucasian girl showing and pointing up with fingers number three against yellow background
Investing Articles

Down 15%, this unloved FTSE monopoly looks a major bargain to me

| Simon Watkins

An electricity sector monopoly with excellent 2023 results, a high yield, and undervalued to its peers, this FTSE firm looks…

Read more »

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

Three reasons why I may buy more of this troubled FTSE 100 oil giant

| Simon Watkins

Short-term management troubles aside, this FTSE 100 giant appears undervalued, recently increased its dividends, and works in a bullish operating…

Read more »

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

Time for investors to consider this LSE giant for high passive income?

| Simon Watkins

With a 9% yield for high passive income generation, and bright core business prospects, is it time to buy this…

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 investors can target a £1,000 second income from saving £5 per day

| Simon Watkins

Choosing high-quality, high-yielding stocks can enable investors to make a second income of £1,000 a month from just £5 per…

Read more »

Investor looking at stock graph on a tablet with their finger hovering over the Buy button
Investing Articles

Is it time to buy this FTSE 100 mining giant for high passive income?

| Simon Watkins

With good recent data from key global buyer China, a good energy transition position, and high dividend yields, is it…

Read more »

Man writing 'now' having crossed out 'later', 'tomorrow' and 'next week'
Investing Articles

Is the Lloyds share price the best bargain in the FTSE 100? 

| Simon Watkins

Down 20% this year, but with great H1 results and international expansion plans, the Lloyds’ share price looks to be…

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 9.8% yield! Time for me to buy this LSE gem for huge passive income?

| Simon Watkins

This overlooked financial stock has excellent business prospects, looks undervalued, and has a yield that could make me big passive…

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

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…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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 »