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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 up arrow on wooden block cubes
Investing Articles

I bought 1,256 Aviva shares 3 years ago. Here’s how much dividend and price profit I’ve made since then…

| Simon Watkins

In 2022, I added another £5,000 of Aviva shares to my holding in the financial giant and since then I've…

Read more »

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

Down 7% from March, are shares in this FTSE star financial stock at a bargain-basement price?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 financial gem has fallen in price recently, but this could signal a huge bargain to be had.…

Read more »

National Grid engineers at a substation
Investing Articles

Is it worth me buying National Grid shares at just under £11?

| Simon Watkins

National Grid shares are close to their post-rights issue high, but there could still be value remaining in the stock.…

Read more »

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

Up 81% from its 1-year low, has Burberry’s share price rebound left it seriously overvalued?

| Simon Watkins

Burberry’s share price has strengthened considerably since it issued profit warnings in Q1 fiscal year 2024/25, but has it now…

Read more »

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

I bought 4,545 shares in this FTSE 100 dividend gem in 2020. Here’s how much passive income I’ve had since…

| Simon Watkins

I bought shares in this FTSE 100 financial giant in 2020 based on high passive income potential and major share…

Read more »

Front view of aircraft in flight.
Investing Articles

Down 15% from February, is IAG’s share price a prime short-term risk/long-term reward play?

| Simon Watkins

IAG’s share price has fallen on a combination of short-term factors, leaving its depressed share price looking like a bargain…

Read more »

Young Caucasian man making doubtful face at camera
Investing Articles

Is it time for me to buy this FTSE 100 investment darling after its strong 2024/25 results?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 favourite comprises nearly 50 businesses making safety products in the health and environment sectors, but is there…

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

Is Vodafone’s share price set to surge on new VodafoneThree’s £11bn investment plan?

| Simon Watkins

Vodafone’s share price has been kept in check on uncertainty over its merger with rival network Three, but with this…

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

The curious case of this FTSE 250 star’s falling share price…

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 fast-food retailer seemingly keeps posting strong results, but its share price continues to fall. So what's happening…

Read more »

Trader on video call from his home office
Investing Articles

A 7.3% yield but down 22% from September, is it time for me to buy more of an overlooked FTSE gem?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 commodities giant has been hit by concerns over Chinese growth and US tariffs. But are both overdone,…

Read more »

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

Down 8% from its one-year high, is Unilever’s share price too cheap for me to pass up?

| Simon Watkins

Heavyweight FTSE 100 conglomerate Unilever has seen its share price slide 8% in recent months. But does this mean it's…

Read more »

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

Is there any value left in Tesco’s near-12-month-high share price after its Q1 trading update?

| Simon Watkins

Tesco’s share price is trading around a one-year high after the 12 June release of its Q1 trading update, so…

Read more »

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

Is this FTSE 100 passive income gem’s share price set to soar after huge new partnership deal?

| Simon Watkins

This often-overlooked FTSE 100 financial star has signed a massive new cooperation deal, which could usher in enormous extra revenues…

Read more »

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

Under £14 now, Persimmon’s share price is trading at less than half its fair value by my reckoning

| Simon Watkins

Persimmon’s share price fell a lot over the past year, but I think a new home-building initiative and improved macroeconomic…

Read more »

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Investing Articles

Is this FTSE 100 pharma gem now a brilliant bargain?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 pharmaceutical giant has been hit by fears of US tariffs and litigation over a key product, but…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

I bought 3,048 shares in this FTSE 250 high-yielder in 2023. Here’s how much dividend income I’ve had since…

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 investment manager was demoted from the FTSE 100 in 2023 and I bought it for two key…

Read more »

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

At a bargain-basement valuation now, is AstraZeneca’s share price impossible for me to ignore?

| Simon Watkins

AstraZeneca’s share price has fallen a lot from its September high, but this could mean a tremendous opportunity for me…

Read more »

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

Down 53% on poor results, is now a great time for investors to consider this FTSE airline stock?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE airline stock has plummeted over the last year, not helped by recent results. But is now exactly the…

Read more »

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

Down 24%, will new Caspian Sea deals kickstart a BP share price rally?

| Simon Watkins

BP’s share price has been hit by lower oil prices and its previous renewable energy focus, but could huge new…

Read more »

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

Should I buy more BAE Systems shares at just over £19?

| Simon Watkins

BAE Systems shares soared after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, but I think there's still a lot more value left…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Here’s what £17,000 invested 1 year ago in this FTSE 100 passive income gem is worth now…

| Simon Watkins

This often-overlooked FTSE 100 savings and retirement giant pays one of the highest yields in the index, which can generate…

Read more »

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

Are Lloyds shares worth investors considering around a 10-year price high?

| Simon Watkins

Lloyds shares have risen 43% over the year, driven mainly by an ongoing programme of aggressive share buybacks. So are…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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 »

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

Read more »

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…

Read more »

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…

Read more »

Abstract bull climbing indicators on stock chart
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 »