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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

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

£17,000 in savings? Here’s how investors could target £8,453 of annual passive income from this FTSE 100 heavyweight!

| Simon Watkins

Shares in this FTSE 100 stock have a much higher dividend yield than the index average and can generate potentially…

Read more »

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

Despite hitting a near-14-year high, this FTSE 250 defence superstar still looks 32% under its ‘fair value’ to me!

| Simon Watkins

Shares in this FTSE 250 world leader in several hi-tech defence sectors are trading near a 14-year high. But I…

Read more »

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

Down 15% from its year high, is Shell’s share price too cheap for me to pass up?

| Simon Watkins

Shell’s share price has simply tracked the trading pattern of the benchmark oil price in recent months, but I think…

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

Here’s what £11,000 invested 5 years ago in Legal & General shares is worth now…

| Simon Watkins

Legal & General shares remain among the highest dividend-yielders in any FTSE index, and analysts forecast their yield and price…

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Middle-aged white man pulling an aggrieved face while looking at a screen
Investing Articles

Despite strong results and solid earnings growth forecasts, this FTSE high-flyer looks overvalued to me

| Simon Watkins

This much-fancied FTSE 100 firm posted good H1 2025 results recently, which pushed its share price higher, but it now…

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

Trading near a 12-year high, is Barclays’ share price rally only just getting started?

| Simon Watkins

Barclays’ share price has soared in recent years, which may discourage some investors from considering buying the stock. But I…

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A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Here’s how investors could target £3,453 a year in passive income from 326 shares in this FTSE 100 insurance giant

| Simon Watkins

Shares in this major insurer deliver an extremely healthy dividend yield that could generate potentially life-changing passive income over time.

Read more »

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

Is this FTSE 100 stock now an ideal short-term risk/long-term reward play?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 stock has been pushed down from its 12-month traded high by one short-term factor, but its long-term…

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Rolls-Royce engineer working on an engine
Investing Articles

Up 104% in a year, how high could Rolls-Royce’s share price still go?

| Simon Watkins

Rolls-Royce’s share price has soared over the past year, but there could still be enormous value left in it. I…

Read more »

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

Is it time for investors to consider easyJet after a dip in its share price on mixed H1 2025 results?

| Simon Watkins

EasyJet’s share price has dipped 5% following its recent results, so could this be a good time to consider the…

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

With a new £1.54bn deal and 78% forecast annual earnings growth, is it time for investors to consider this FTSE 250 defence star?

| Simon Watkins

Despite a doubling in the price of this FTSE 250 defence firm, I think its huge forecast earnings growth makes…

Read more »

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

Is this high-flying FTSE tech star too good an opportunity for me to ignore after H1 results?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE tech stock has risen significantly over the year and posted solid-looking results recently. So, is it worth me…

Read more »

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Investing Articles

Following its promising 2025 results, does BT’s sub-£2 share price look a bargain to me? 

| Simon Watkins

BT’s share price is close to its recent one-year high, which may deter many investors from considering it. But there…

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

Do National Grid shares look like they’re worth me buying at just under £11 after 2024/25 results?

| Simon Watkins

National Grid shares have risen a lot since June, which begs the question of how much value is left in…

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

Here’s what £10,000 invested 5 years ago in this FTSE 100 passive income superstar is worth now…

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 financial giant has been one of the top passive income generating stocks in any major FTSE index,…

Read more »

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

Around a 1-year high at 78p, is there any value left in Vodafone’s share price?

| Simon Watkins

Vodafone’s share price is trading around a 12-month high following the 20 May release of promising 2025 results. So is…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

This FTSE 250 broadcaster is down 11% but has a 6.4% yield. Should investors consider buying on the dip?

| Simon Watkins

Shares in this FTSE 250 terrestrial and digital media firm have lost ground this year, but could this provide an…

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Investing Articles

A 7.2% forecast yield and 35% under ‘fair value’, should I buy more Aviva shares after the strong trading update?

| Simon Watkins

FTSE 100 insurer Aviva’s Q1 2025 results looked very good to me, highlighting the major undervaluation I have seen in…

Read more »

piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

A 5.4% yield but down 11%, is it time for me to buy more of this FTSE heavyweight stock?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 heavy-hitter generates a good yield, looks significantly undervalued to me, and projects solid growth in the next…

Read more »

Trader on video call from his home office
Investing Articles

Down 48% to just over £2.50, Glencore’s share price looks a bargain to me anywhere under £4.17

| Simon Watkins

Glencore’s share price has fallen a lot this year, which may mean a major bargain to be had. I took…

Read more »

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

Here’s how investors can target £6,717 a year in passive income from a £5,500 holding in this FTSE 100 dividend gem!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 dividend star has one of the highest yields in any of the FTSE’s major indexes and looks…

Read more »

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

Following strong Q1 results, is now the time for me to buy more of this FTSE 100 banking star?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 financial giant posted excellent Q1 results recently, leaving its share price looking even more undervalued to me…

Read more »

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

Another strong set of results for Next, but does its share price look too expensive to me now?

| Simon Watkins

Next recently released another strong set of results, which pushed its share price up. I decided to analyse it to…

Read more »

Front view of aircraft in flight.
Investing Articles

Down 14% from February, could IAG’s share price soar after stunning Q1 results? 

| Simon Watkins

IAG’s share price has fallen over the past few months, but another set of strong results and good earnings forecasts…

Read more »

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

BT’s share price is up 45% from its 1-year high, but I think much more value remains…

| Simon Watkins

BT’s share price is up on the year, but a lot of value could still be left in the shares.…

Read more »

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

Down 15% despite strong earnings forecasts, should investors consider this FTSE medical tech giant?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 medical equipment manufacturer is forecast to see excellent earnings growth in the next three years and looks…

Read more »

Satellite on planet background
Investing Articles

Down 7%, is BAE Systems’ share price an unmissable bargain for me, especially after its Q1 trading update?

| Simon Watkins

BAE Systems’ share price has dipped recently, despite a strong update for the first quarter, leaving it looking even more…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Here’s how investors could target £9,518 a year in passive income from a £10,000 stake in this FTSE 100 dividend gem!

| Simon Watkins

Investing in high-yielding stocks such as this with the returns used to buy more of the shares can generate life-changing…

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Rolls-Royce engineer working on an engine
Investing Articles

Here’s how much £11,000 invested in Rolls-Royce shares a year ago would be worth today…

| Simon Watkins

Rolls-Royce shares have made huge returns over the past year, but can this continue? I took a deep dive into…

Read more »

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

53% under its fair value, should investors consider buying this FTSE 100 banking gem right now?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 bank looks extremely undervalued to me following a shift in its key banking strategy towards fee-based rather…

Read more »

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

Under £25 now, Shell’s share price looks cheap to me anywhere below £66.43!

| Simon Watkins

Shell’s share price has fallen a lot recently, but this may indicate a bargain to be had. I took a…

Read more »

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

Down 23% but with forecast annual earnings growth of 30%+ and new contracts just signed, should investors consider buying this FTSE 250 defence gem?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 defence firm just signed two major new contracts, has excellent earnings growth prospects, and looks like a…

Read more »

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

£11,000 invested in Lloyds shares a year ago is now worth…

| Simon Watkins

Lloyds shares have significantly outperformed their FTSE 100 host index over the past year in price and yield gains. But…

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Investing Articles

Down 20% over the year, is GSK’s share price a stunning bargain after its Q1 results?

| Simon Watkins

GSK’s share price has fallen significantly in the past 12 months, but this could mean it looks a major bargain…

Read more »

Man thinking about artificial intelligence investing algorithms
Investing Articles

After a very positive trading update, is it time for me to buy this FTSE AI-powered gem?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 technology star’s recent results were impressive, driving up its share price but is there enough value left…

Read more »

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

This 9%-yielding passive income stock is down 10% from February. Is now the time for me to add to my holding?

| Simon Watkins

This ultra-high-yielding FTSE 100 passive income gem can generate enormous passive income over time, especially using the power of dividend…

Read more »

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

In the mid-£8 range now, HSBC’s share price looks a bargain to me anywhere under £17.24

| Simon Watkins

HSBC’s share price has fallen largely due to the recent US tariffs announcement, but does this mean a major bargain…

Read more »

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

£9,000 in savings? Here’s how investors could target £17,854 in annual dividend income from this FTSE 250 high-yield star!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 dividend gem delivers an extremely high yield that can make huge passive income over time and its…

Read more »

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

AstraZeneca’s share price is down 20% from September, so is it time for me to buy?

| Simon Watkins

AstraZeneca’s share price has fallen a long way this year, which could mean a bargain to be had, so I…

Read more »

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

This overlooked FTSE 100 gem now yields a spectacular 9.9% a year, so should I buy more?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 stock has one of the highest dividend yields in any of the FTSE’s major indexes and looks…

Read more »