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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

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Investing Articles

Just over £5 today, here’s where this deeply undervalued FTSE 250 defence gem ‘should’ be trading right now…

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 star blends long‑term structural demand with accelerating earnings momentum, yet the market continues to price it as…

Read more »

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Investing Articles

How much do I need to invest in this FTSE 100 passive income star to aim for £8,686 a year in dividend payouts?

| Simon Watkins

I think passive income seekers may be missing a trick here — this FTSE heavyweight is quietly building the kind…

Read more »

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

How much value is left in Prudential shares at around £11 after a 37% rise this year?

| Simon Watkins

Prudential shares have surged, but a strong earnings engine and a huge valuation gap suggest the real upside may only…

Read more »

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

Here’s how investors could target £12,959 a year in dividends from this hidden gem of an income share…

| Simon Watkins

This overlooked FTSE income share is quietly delivering the sort of strong long‑term cash generation and rising dividends that savvy…

Read more »

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

Down 23% this year! But are Diageo shares set to soar on rising sales and cash flow momentum?

| Simon Watkins

Diageo shares have slumped, but improving sales trends and a big valuation gap raise the question: are investors overlooking a…

Read more »

British coins and bank notes scattered on a surface
Investing Articles

How much second income could investors target from £20,000 in this overlooked FTSE dividend gem?

| Simon Watkins

This overlooked FTSE stock could help investors build a second income more reliably than the market seems to expect, given…

Read more »

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Investing Articles

Sainsbury’s share price looks 53% undervalued to me, and here’s what the market may be missing…

| Simon Watkins

With Sainsbury’s share price lagging far behind its big profits and cash flow, investors may be missing something big —…

Read more »

Investing Articles

How many shares do investors need in this overlooked FTSE gem to make £7,227 a year in dividend income?

| Simon Watkins

This under-the-radar FTSE stock's growing dividends, firm earnings forecasts and big valuation mismatch offer much larger returns than the market…

Read more »

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

£20,000 invested in this FTSE 100 banking gem three years ago is now worth…

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 bank’s shares rose last year, but with the valuation still low, cash flow rising, and earnings surging,…

Read more »

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

How much do you need in a Stocks and Shares ISA to make £11,363 a year in second income from dividends?

| Simon Watkins

A Stocks and Shares ISA can supercharge tax‑free income, and one FTSE 100 housebuilder’s rising yields could surprise even seasoned…

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Investing Articles

How much do I need to invest in this FTSE 100 dividend gem to aim for £15,401 a year in second income!

| Simon Watkins

Could this overlooked FTSE 100 giant really deliver the second income I want for retirement — and unlock far more…

Read more »

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Investing Articles

How much do you need in an ISA to aim for a £1,521 monthly second income?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE financial star could generate tremendous returns in a Stocks and Shares ISA, exempt from income and capital gains…

Read more »

Emma Raducanu for Vodafone billboard animation at Piccadilly Circus, London
Investing Articles

How high could Vodafone’s near-£1 share price go after its landmark 2026 results?

| Simon Watkins

Analysts see explosive profit growth ahead, yet Vodafone's share price still doesn't reflect it, giving what could be one of…

Read more »

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

How many shares would I need in this superb FTSE heavyweight to earn £6,581 a year in passive income?

| Simon Watkins

Passive income hunters may be overlooking a rare chance to lock in a huge yield before the market wakes up…

Read more »

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Investing Articles

How much value is really left in this overlooked FTSE 250 high-tech defence gem at around £4?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 high‑tech defence stock looks far too cheap to me based on its long‑cycle earnings power — so…

Read more »

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

How much do I need to invest in this prime FTSE 100 income share to make £10,399 a year in dividends?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE income share keeps delivering rising dividends and strong cash flow, offering long term investors a compelling route to…

Read more »

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

Down 11% from its one-year high, is Shell’s share price a steal after stunning Q1 results?

| Simon Watkins

Shell’s superb Q1 performance contrasts sharply with its falling share price, creating what looks to me like a deep under-pricing…

Read more »

Trader on video call from his home office
Investing Articles

61% under ‘fair value’ with 31% annual earnings growth forecast! Time for me to buy more of this FTSE gem?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE company’s price seems wildly out of sync with its strengthening fundamentals, hinting at re-rating potential the market hasn’t…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

A 10.4% dividend yield! 1 superb FTSE stock to buy for a long-term second income?

| Simon Watkins

Investors scanning the FTSE for stocks to buy with big income potential may be missing a rare outlier — a…

Read more »

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

Despite trading near a 16-year high, this FTSE 100 financial giant looks an absolute steal to me at under £19!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 giant is around multi‑year highs, yet the market still seems to be missing a big gap in…

Read more »

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 »

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

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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…

Read more »

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 »