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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

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

£10,000 in savings? Here’s how investors can target £9,126 a year in passive income from this 8.1%-yielding FTSE financial giant

| Simon Watkins

My passive income portfolio is key to my early retirement and has enhanced my quality of life as well. I…

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Side of boat fuelled by gas to liquids, advertising Shell GTL Fuel
Investing Articles

Down 7% to just over £26, are Shell shares worth me buying right now?

| Simon Watkins

Shell shares have fallen from their March one-year high, which might mean they're in bargain territory. I ran the key…

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

Is FTSE 100 distribution giant Bunzl worth me taking seriously after H1 results?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 distribution heavyweight has never been top of my watchlist, but following its H1 results I took another…

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

Down 18% from June, is it time for me to buy this FTSE 250 world-leading hi-tech defence stock?

| Simon Watkins

Shares in this FTSE 250 leader in high-technology testing and evaluation systems for the defence sector are significantly down, leaving…

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

Is Lloyds’ share price cheap after a 6% dip from its August 1-year high?

| Simon Watkins

Lloyds’ share price has dropped from its recent 12-month high, but this doesn't necessarily mean it's cheap now. I ran…

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

Just over £119 now, AstraZeneca’s share price looks cheap to me anywhere under £220.91

| Simon Watkins

AstraZeneca’s share price has fallen since its September one-year high, which indicates that it could be a bargain. I ran…

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DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

This superb FTSE dividend star’s yield is forecast to rise to 8.6% by 2027, so should I buy more right now?

| Simon Watkins

This high-yield financial stock already pays one of the highest dividends in any major FTSE index, but analysts forecast that…

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Rolls-Royce engineer working on an engine
Investing Articles

Around a record high of £11, why does Rolls-Royce’s share price still look an irresistible buy to me?

| Simon Watkins

Rolls-Royce’s share price has made huge gains over the past three years, and I think a lot more are to…

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

A whopping 9.9% dividend yield and 74% underpriced to fair value, is it time for me to buy this FTSE 100 passive income gem?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 homebuilder now offers one of the highest dividend yields in any of the major UK indexes, which…

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A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

805 shares in this FTSE 100 dividend gem could allow investors to target £4,612 a year in passive income!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 financial giant pays one of the highest dividend yields in any major FTSE index, and this is…

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

Down 12%, is now exactly the right time for me to buy more BAE Systems’ shares?

| Simon Watkins

BAE Systems’ shares have dropped 12% from their 12-month high, so they could be even more undervalued than previously assessed.…

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

Down 7% from June, are Next shares a bargain?

| Simon Watkins

Next shares have fallen since June, which may signal that the firm is fundamentally worth less than before. Or it…

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

This 6.3%-yielding FTSE 250 media giant looks 64% undervalued to me, with forecast earnings growth of 9.3% a year!

| Simon Watkins

This high-yielding FTSE 250 terrestrial and digital media giant has fallen 9% in price, leaving it looking even more under…

Read more »

Road 2025 to 2032 new year direction concept
Investing Articles

33% down from its 7 October high, is Glencore’s share price set to soar on stunning earnings growth forecasts?

| Simon Watkins

Glencore’s share price has fallen a lot this year, but analysts forecast that earnings growth will be supercharged this year…

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A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Here’s how investors could target £2,338 in dividend income from 353 shares in this FTSE giant…

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 heavyweight delivers a good dividend yield that's forecast to rise substantially, and it also looks very underpriced…

Read more »

Businessman using pen drawing line for increasing arrow from 2024 to 2025
Dividend Shares

Trading around a record high, this 5.2%-yielding passive income gem still looks packed with value to me!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 financial gem generates a high passive income stream and also looks very undervalued to me, especially after…

Read more »

piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

Is it worth investors now considering National Grid, with its share price down 5% from April?

| Simon Watkins

National Grid’s share price has dipped from its 12-month traded high, which could mean a bargain to be had. I…

Read more »

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

Down 11% since June, is this FTSE 250 high-tech defence firm a huge bargain now?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 firm looks well placed to benefit from big rises in NATO spending, given its leadership in advanced-tech…

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Businessman using pen drawing line for increasing arrow from 2024 to 2025
Investing Articles

Trading around a 17-year high now, is there any value left in Aviva shares?

| Simon Watkins

Aviva shares have shot up over the past year, boosted by strong results. However, I think they're still 43% underpriced…

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Businessman using pen drawing line for increasing arrow from 2024 to 2025
Investing Articles

Down 34%, but with a whopping 14% yearly earnings growth forecast, is it worth me buying Persimmon shares right now?

| Simon Watkins

Persimmon shares are down this year despite recent good results, leaving them looking very undervalued, especially given strong earnings forecasts.

Read more »

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

Finally! After its Q3 results, this FTSE tech star’s share price looks to me to have significant value in it

| Simon Watkins

For a long time, this FTSE tech share looked overvalued to me, but following the recent release of its Q3…

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A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Time for me to buy more of this superb 8.3%-yielding FTSE 100 passive income superstar stock after strong H1 results?

| Simon Watkins

This top FTSE dividend share delivers huge passive income flows, which are forecast to rise in the coming years. It…

Read more »

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

Still trading near a 14-year high, how close to ‘fair value’ is Tesco’s share price?

| Simon Watkins

Tesco’s share price has risen a long way recently, but does this mean no value is left in it? I…

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Trader on video call from his home office
Investing Articles

Down 7% from its year high after poor Q2 results, is it worth me buying more Shell shares right now?

| Simon Watkins

Shell shares are down over the year on lower average oil prices and poor recent results, but this could mean…

Read more »

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

Down 9% from its 1-year traded high, this could be a perfect time for investors to consider a FTSE 100 financial star on a rare price dip

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 banking star has soared over the year but dropped dramatically last week on a legal issue. I…

Read more »

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

Following forecast-beating H1 results, is it time for me to buy more of this 7.2%-dividend-yielding FTSE 250 star?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 financial sector gem has consistently paid very high dividend yields over the past five years and is…

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Investing Articles

Following poor H1 results, now might be just the right time for me to buy more HSBC shares

| Simon Watkins

HSBC shares dropped after the release of its H1 results, but earnings are forecast to grow 9.5% a year, so…

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

Has Diageo’s share price finally turned a corner (for the better this time)?

| Simon Watkins

Diageo’s share price has suffered since 2022 from changing consumer habits and cost-of-living increases. But is this now in the…

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

Here’s how investors can target a £15,882 yearly passive income from just £5 a day invested in this top FTSE dividend star!

| Simon Watkins

Small but regular investments in this leading FTSE 100 financial stock can generate potentially life-changing passive dividend income over time!

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A graph made of neon tubes in a room
Investing Articles

£10,000 in savings? Here’s a smart way for investors to target £2,853 in yearly passive income from a FTSE 100 dividend star…

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE heavyweight has long paid big dividends, which can produce potentially life-changing passive income, especially with dividend compounding.

Read more »

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

Down 16% from its year high, GSK’s share price looks 68% undervalued to me now despite strong H1 results!

| Simon Watkins

GSK’s share price is still significantly down on the year, despite very robust H1 results, leaving it looking extremely underpriced…

Read more »

Businessman using pen drawing line for increasing arrow from 2024 to 2025
Investing Articles

After an 11% rise in H1 profits, is it time for investors to consider this FTSE 100 medi-tech giant?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 medical technology stock posted strong H1 results recently, and announced a big share buyback, so is it…

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

Will forecast-beating Q2 profits and a huge new oil find catalyse a major surge in BP’s share price?

| Simon Watkins

BP’s share price risen on strong Q2 2025 results and hopes surrounding a potentially huge new oil find. So, is…

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Front view of aircraft in flight.
Investing Articles

IAG’s share price looks cheap to me anywhere under £8.67

| Simon Watkins

IAG’s share price is trading around a five-year high, but tremendous value could still remain in it. I ran the…

Read more »

Satellite on planet background
Investing Articles

Should I buy more BAE Systems’ shares on the dip after apparently good H1 results?

| Simon Watkins

BAE Systems’ shares have dipped despite seemingly strong H1 results, which could mean a bargain to be had. I examined…

Read more »

Hydrogen testing at DLR Cologne
Investing Articles

Rolls-Royce’s share price is around a record high, so why am I going to buy more following H1 results?

| Simon Watkins

Rolls-Royce’s share price may be at a record high, but this doesn't mean that there's little value in them, as…

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

Here’s how investors could target £5,979 in yearly dividend income from 245 shares in this high-yielding FTSE heavyweight…

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 global mining giant has delivered major dividend income for years and continues to do so, and its…

Read more »

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

This superb FTSE 100 passive income stock now generates a stellar 8.1% dividend yield!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 superstar delivers one of the highest dividend yields in any of the major FTSE indices, and this…

Read more »

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

Despite its strong H1 results, Barclays’ share price still looks over 50% underpriced to its fair value

| Simon Watkins

Investors may avoid Barclays after a long run-up in its share price, but this is founded on the false premise…

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Trader on video call from his home office
Investing Articles

Still at a bargain-basement price, is it time for me to buy more of this FTSE 100 banking star?

| Simon Watkins

Despite recent H1 results that beat analysts’ expectations, this FTSE 100 banking giant is still trading at a knockdown valuation,…

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