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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

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

Here’s how investors can target £7,570 a year in dividend income from £20,000 in this FTSE 250 media gem

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 star looks very undervalued, but with a 6%+ dividend yield investors could lock in high passive income…

Read more »

Abstract bull climbing indicators on stock chart
Investing Articles

Barclays’ share price soars 63% this year, but is it still a bargain?

| Simon Watkins

Barclays’ stock has surged in 2025, yet valuation models suggest huge potential may remain. So, is this FTSE 100 star…

Read more »

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

Prudential’s sub-£11 share price looks a bargain to me, but how cheap is it?

| Simon Watkins

Prudential’s share price has risen a lot over the year, but Simon Watkins believes there’s still a big gap between…

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Stacks of coins
Investing Articles

Here’s what I’ve made from 266 shares in this FTSE 100 passive income star since 2020…

| Simon Watkins

My passive income portfolio is geared to maximising my dividend income with little effort from me, and this FTSE 100…

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

BAE Systems’ share price has plunged 23%, but here’s why I’m buying more now  

| Simon Watkins

The BAE Systems' share price has nosedived since October, yet Simon Watkins sees record orders and defence spend driving long-term…

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

Here’s how investors can target £7,227 a year in dividend income from 4,405 BP shares

| Simon Watkins

BP shares may look like just another oil play, but a strong yield and sharply rising earnings make them a…

Read more »

Man thinking about artificial intelligence investing algorithms
Investing Articles

I asked ChatGPT for the 3 best FTSE growth stocks, and here’s what it said…

| Simon Watkins

ChatGPT’s FTSE growth stock picks surprised me -- from miners to IT resellers. But are they real opportunities or risky…

Read more »

Businessman hand flipping wooden block cube from 2024 to 2025 on coins
Investing Articles

Here’s how another £5,000 invested in this high-yield FTSE 250 star could make me £2,969 a year in dividend income over time!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 high-yield play has consistently delivered major dividend income for me in recent years, with analysts forecasting more…

Read more »

Rolls-Royce's Pearl 10X engine series
Investing Articles

The 3 key factors investors are overlooking in Rolls-Royce’s share price story…

| Simon Watkins

Rolls-Royce’s share price has soared since 2023, but there could still be a long way for it to go based…

Read more »

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

A 9.4% yield and 71% undervalued — time for me to buy more of this FTSE 100 passive income star?

| Simon Watkins

Taylor Wimpey offers one of the best yields in the FTSE 100, looks very undervalued, and has great growth prospects,…

Read more »

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

Lloyds’ sub-£1 share price: great value, or a great big value trap?

| Simon Watkins

Lloyds’ share price looks significantly undervalued, but mounting risks raise the spectre of a value trap. So, bargain hunters must…

Read more »

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

Down 6% to just under £28, is it worth me buying Shell shares right now?

| Simon Watkins

Shell shares have drifted down from their one-year high, which may present a buying opportunity for me. But what does…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

To target £7,377 in annual passive income, how much should I invest in this FTSE dividend gem?

| Simon Watkins

Potentially life-changing passive income can be made from relatively small investments in high-dividend-paying stocks, with dividends reinvested.

Read more »

Front view of aircraft in flight.
Investing Articles

29% growth forecast, but down 37% — does Wizz Air’s share price look a steal after strong H1 results?

| Simon Watkins

Analysts see nearly 29% annual earnings growth ahead after robust H1 results, yet Wizz Air’s share price remains deeply discounted…

Read more »

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

Investors can target £38,127 a year in dividend income from £20,000 in this ultra-high-yielding FTSE 250 gem – here’s how

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 gem generates a huge dividend income, which is forecast to rise on very strong earnings growth, and…

Read more »

Aerial view of York downtown at night
Investing Articles

Just over £11 now, is there any value left in National Grid’s share price?

| Simon Watkins

National Grid’s share price has risen significantly from its January low, which begs the question, has it reached ‘overvalued’ territory?

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

Time for me to buy more of this 61% undervalued FTSE heavyweight with a 6% forecast yield?

| Simon Watkins

Analysts forecast this top-flight FTSE powerhouse stock will see its dividend yield jump on strong growth, and it looks a…

Read more »

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

How much do you need to invest in FTSE 100 stocks to target £2,658 a month retirement income?

| Simon Watkins

Simon Watkins believes more will be needed than the State Pension to enjoy a comfortable retirement, and this could come…

Read more »

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

HSBC’s share price looks 39% undervalued to me at its current sub-£11 level – here’s why

| Simon Watkins

HSBC’s share price is near an all-time high, but this doesn’t mean a lack of value left in the stock.…

Read more »

piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

Is IAG’s share price too cheap to ignore after an 11% drop following Q3 results?

| Simon Watkins

IAG’s share price fell following its Q3 results, which may mean the stock now looks cheap to some. But do…

Read more »

Businessman hand flipping wooden block cube from 2024 to 2025 on coins
Investing Articles

Below £1 now, Vodafone’s share price looks undervalued to me anywhere up to £2.76

| Simon Watkins

Vodafone’s share price has risen a lot over the past year, but Simon Watkins believes there's still a huge gap…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

I’m targeting £26,515 a year in retirement from £20,000 in this passive income gem!

| Simon Watkins

£20,000 invested in this passive income star could make me an annual dividend income of £26,515 on its current 9%…

Read more »

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

39% annual earnings growth forecast for this FTSE 250 sci-tech star after H1 results

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 world leader in scientific instrumentation saw its price rise after its H1 results, but it’s still down…

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

Down 9%: is Sainsbury’s share price too cheap for me to pass up now?

| Simon Watkins

Sainsbury’s share price has lost all the gains it made on the 6 November release of its H1 2025/26 results,…

Read more »

Man thinking about artificial intelligence investing algorithms
Investing Articles

I asked ChatGPT for the 3 best FTSE stocks for retirement income, and here’s what it said…

| Simon Watkins

Since HAL from ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, I've avoided AI. But in the interests of humanity, I asked ChatGPT for…

Read more »

piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

Down 21% this year, is BT’s share price an unmissable bargain after H1 results?

| Simon Watkins

BT’s share price edged lower after its H1 results, marking a 21% decline from its July high. But this may…

Read more »

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

Is the FTSE 100’s most valuable company still worth me buying after Q3 results?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 giant has become the index's most valuable share again. But Simon Watkins still believes there may be…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

I couldn’t resist this 8.8%-yielding FTSE gem – here’s why

| Simon Watkins

Harbour Energy’s yield is more than double the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 average. With earnings set to soar, I…

Read more »

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

This superb passive income gem now has a forecast yield of 8.1%!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 financial giant has long been a star performer in Simon Watkins’ passive income portfolio, and the forecasts…

Read more »

Bronze bull and bear figurines
Investing Articles

Strong Q3 results — but is £145+ too much for Next’s share price?

| Simon Watkins

Next’s share price is near an all-time high as it continues to deliver excellent results, but has its latest rise…

Read more »

piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

Is £6.51 where Marks and Spencer’s sub-£4 share price ‘should’ be priced?

| Simon Watkins

Marks and Spencer’s H1 results were its first since this year’s cyber hack, but they were solid, leaving its share…

Read more »

Businessman hand flipping wooden block cube from 2024 to 2025 on coins
Investing Articles

This FTSE 250 AI travel stock looks 51% undervalued after strong H1 results — should I buy now?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 firm uses AI to optimise routes and ticket sales, and its recent results show huge success in…

Read more »

GSK scientist holding lab syringe
Investing Articles

Why does GSK’s share price look cheap to me anywhere under £47.78?

| Simon Watkins

GSK’s share price has risen a lot this year, boosted by its strong Q3 results, but huge value could remain,…

Read more »

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

Here’s what I’d need to invest in BP shares to get £6,898 a year in dividends

| Simon Watkins

Despite a recent bullish price run, BP shares’ dividend yield is forecast to hit 5.9% by 2027, which could provide…

Read more »

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

This FTSE 100 bank is up 63% — why am I still buying?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 bank has soared over the year, boosted recently by its Q3 results, but Simon Watkins believes there’s…

Read more »

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

Investors can target £17,497 in yearly passive income from 2,958 shares in this 8%-yielding FTSE 100 dividend star — here’s how

| Simon Watkins

The UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement group offers one of the highest yields in the FTSE index, generating significant…

Read more »

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

Around a 10-year high, despite poor Q3 results and the motor finance scandal, what’s going on with Lloyds’ share price?

| Simon Watkins

Lloyds’ share price has reached levels not seen since July 2015, although recent results were poor and it remains mired…

Read more »

Hydrogen testing at DLR Cologne
Investing Articles

Rolls-Royce’s share price is near an all-time high, so why I am going to buy more as soon as possible?

| Simon Watkins

Simon Watkins believes Rolls-Royce is underpromising in its forecasts to overdeliver, so there may be a lot more value in…

Read more »

Satellite on planet background
Investing Articles

Down 9% in a month, is BAE Systems’ share price an unmissable bargain for me now?

| Simon Watkins

BAE Systems’ share price has gone lower since October, but this could indicate a bargain. I re-examined the price-to-value gap…

Read more »

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

Shell’s share price looks a bargain to me anywhere under £64.63 following Q3 results

| Simon Watkins

Shell’s share price has jumped 25% from April, and rose again on its Q3 results. But price and value are…

Read more »