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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

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

Just over £13 after its Q1 results, here’s why HSBC shares still look a bargain-basement buy for me anywhere below £20.68

| Simon Watkins

HSBC shares have surged, but fresh results hint the market may still be missing a major value opportunity that long…

Read more »

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Investing Articles

GSK’s share price is down 18% despite another set of strong results! Time for me to buy more for under £19 while I can?

| Simon Watkins

GSK’s share price has fallen far below what its earnings strength implies, creating a huge price-valuation gap long-term investors won't…

Read more »

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

A 6.7% forecast yield and 53% under ‘fair value’! 1 FTSE income share to buy today?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE income share looks deeply undervalued despite its high payouts and cash flows, creating a rare opportunity that yield…

Read more »

Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

Here’s how I’m targeting £11,363 in yearly second income from £20,000 in Aberdeen shares!

| Simon Watkins

Aberdeen shares have delivered consistently high yields for years, which, when compounded, could turn a £20k investment into very high…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Here’s how investors could make £1,654 a month in retirement from just £20,000 in Standard Life shares

| Simon Watkins

Passive income seekers might overlook Standard Life shares, whose dividend machine is accelerating fast. The long-term payout maths is startling.

Read more »

Passive and Active: text from letters of the wooden alphabet on a green chalk board
Investing Articles

How am I targeting an annual passive income of £14,754 from just a £20,000 holding in this FTSE financial giant?

| Simon Watkins

Investors chasing passive income may be missing a rare opportunity in this FTSE firm — a combination of stability and…

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

Around £5 now, here’s why this FTSE banking giant looks a bargain buy anywhere below £12.67

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 stock is delivering stronger earnings and rising payouts, yet the market still prices it like a laggard,…

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

Down 17% from February, do Barclays’ sub-£5 shares look a steal to me after its Q1 results?

| Simon Watkins

Barclays shares have slipped, yet the valuation story is moving the other way. Is the market overlooking a rare chance…

Read more »

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

13% annual earnings growth forecast and 44% under ‘fair value! 1 FTSE 100 gem to buy today?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 heavyweight keeps posting impressive growth, but its valuation hasn’t caught up yet -- is this now an…

Read more »

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

Down 8%, is Shell’s share price a steal now around £33?

| Simon Watkins

With Shell’s share price lagging far behind its underlying value, could this be one of the FTSE 100’s most overlooked…

Read more »

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

How much is needed in a Stocks and Shares ISA to target a £3,111 monthly passive income?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE hidden gem could deliver ultra-high returns over time in a Stocks and Shares ISA, but how much exactly…

Read more »

Satellite on planet background
Investing Articles

Down 14% to just under £21, is now exactly the right time for me to buy more BAE Systems shares?

| Simon Watkins

BAE Systems shares have dropped recently, but a hidden valuation gap is widening fast. Here’s why I’m looking closely at…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

£20,000 invested in BT shares just 1 year ago is now worth…

| Simon Watkins

BT shares surged last year, but with earnings rising, cash flow turning and the valuation still low, this could be…

Read more »

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

How many Legal & General shares must an investor buy to give up work and live off the passive income?

| Simon Watkins

Legal & General shares offer one of the FTSE’s biggest yields, but few investors realise how fast this income could…

Read more »

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

BP shares are around a 16-year high, so why am I buying more as soon as possible?

| Simon Watkins

BP shares may be near a long-term high, but hidden valuation gaps and accelerating earnings momentum suggest the real good…

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

£20,000 invested in Lloyds shares 2 years ago is now worth…

| Simon Watkins

Lloyds' shares have delivered huge gains, but a striking valuation gap and rising earnings forecasts hint that the next phase…

Read more »

Hydrogen testing at DLR Cologne
Investing Articles

Down 14% to around £12! Rolls-Royce shares look too good an opportunity for me to pass up right now

| Simon Watkins

After a sharp pullback, Rolls Royce shares may be hiding a rare value gap that fast-moving, savvy investors might want…

Read more »

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

£20,000 invested in Tesco shares 3 years ago is now worth…

| Simon Watkins

Tesco shares have already delivered huge gains, but analysts think the story may not be over. Could today’s price still…

Read more »

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

Here’s how I’m targeting £13,534 in yearly passive income from £20,000 in this FTSE financial star

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE opportunity could hand investors major passive income, yet the market still seems to be overlooking just how much…

Read more »

Three generation family are playing football together in a field. There are two boys, their father and their grandfather.
Investing Articles

How many Standard Life shares must an investor buy to give up work and live off the income?

| Simon Watkins

Standard Life shares could be hiding one of the market’s most powerful long-term income engines — and the latest numbers…

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

Down 26% to under £17! What on earth’s going on with Greggs shares right now?

| Simon Watkins

Greggs shares are trading at a deep discount to their ‘fair value’, despite record sales -- that gap could be…

Read more »

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

Here’s how £20,000 in this overlooked FTSE gem could make investors £9,089 in annual dividend income over time

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE income stock’s yield is already eye‑catching, but analyst forecasts hint the real gains may still be ahead for…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

64% under ‘fair value’ with 36% annual forecast earnings growth! 1 overlooked FTSE 250 gem to buy today?

| Simon Watkins

This overlooked FTSE 250 retailer has quietly rebuilt itself into a profit machine, but the market hasn’t noticed. The valuation…

Read more »

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

I’m targeting £9,089 a year in dividends from £20,000 in this powerhouse FTSE income share

| Simon Watkins

This heavyweight FTSE income share offers a rising payout and a valuation that looks primed for a catch‑up, giving investors…

Read more »

piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

Around £5 now, here’s why this overlooked FTSE 100 heavyweight seems a bargain to me anywhere below £10.92

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 commodities giant is powering into a major revival, yet the market still prices it like a laggard,…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

£20,000 invested in Barclays shares 2 years ago is now worth…

| Simon Watkins

Barclays shares have surged 134% since April 2024 — but the bank’s strong fundamentals, huge cash generation, and valuation gap…

Read more »

ISA coins
Investing Articles

How big must an ISA be to aim for a £15,000+ a year second income?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE investment gem could generate huge returns over time in a Stocks and Shares ISA, exempt from income and…

Read more »

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

Down 17% to under £5! Here’s why this overlooked FTSE 250 defence gem looks a bargain anywhere below £6.12

| Simon Watkins

FTSE 250 defence firm QinetiQ is stacking billions in long‑cycle contracts, yet its share price looks fast asleep — and…

Read more »

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

A 9% dividend yield! 1 dirt-cheap FTSE 100 passive income gem to snap up today?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE stock offers huge passive income, looks deeply undervalued, and has strong forecast earnings growth -- making it too…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

A 7.1% forecast yield and 51% below ‘fair value’! 1 of my top FTSE stocks to buy right now

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE giant is rarely seen as one of the obvious stocks to buy for dividend and price gains, but…

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

£20,000 invested in HSBC shares 2 years ago is now worth…

| Simon Watkins

HSBC shares have doubled in two years — but with key profitability targets raised, the latest numbers hint the real…

Read more »

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

57% under ‘fair value’ and 74% forecast earnings growth! 1 FTSE high-tech med stock I just can’t pass up

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE high‑tech innovator’s earnings look set to soar -- yet it’s still priced as a risky biotech. The disconnect…

Read more »

Stacks of coins
Investing Articles

I’m aiming for £9,945 in annual dividend income from 719 shares in this FTSE 100 gem

| Simon Watkins

Analysts expect this FTSE 100 dividend star's earnings will keep rising, driving up its dividend yield. So, can it keep…

Read more »

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

£20,000 invested in BP shares 1 year ago is now worth…

| Simon Watkins

BP shares have rocketed in the past 12 months, yet analysts think the real growth story is only just beginning,…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

A 6.8% forecast yield! 1 often-overlooked FTSE 100 income stock to buy today?

| Simon Watkins

This income stock offers a high forecast yield and strengthening momentum, yet many investors overlook it — creating a rare…

Read more »

GSK scientist holding lab syringe
Investing Articles

GSK’s share price is under £22, but with a ‘fair value’ much higher, is it time for me to buy more right now? 

| Simon Watkins

GSK’s share price rose over the last year, but a huge gap remains between its price and fair value —…

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

Here’s how investors can aim for £11,363 a year in passive income from £20,000 in this overlooked FTSE media gem

| Simon Watkins

I think this media stock is commonly overlooked by investors looking for high passive income, but it shouldn’t be, given…

Read more »

DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart
Investing Articles

A 9.1% forecast yield! 1 under-the-radar FTSE income share to buy today?

| Simon Watkins

This high-yielding income share is a rare find in today’s FTSE market and looks a standout opportunity for savvy investors…

Read more »

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

Down 11% and 26% under ‘fair value’! 1 of the best FTSE defence stocks to buy today?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 high-tech defence star looks deeply undervalued as global military spending surges. Is this a rare opportunity before…

Read more »

Investing Articles

£20,000 invested in the FTSE’s Rio Tinto a year ago is now worth…

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE commodities giant has surged 69% in a year — but its strong fundamentals, huge cash generation, and valuation…

Read more »