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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

Long-term vs short-term investing concept on a staircase
Investing Articles

Here’s how I’d invest £500 a month to aim for £78,237 a year as a second income

| Simon Watkins

Relatively small investments each month can grow into a significant second income over the years through the power of dividend…

Read more »

Abstract bull climbing indicators on stock chart
Investing Articles

Glencore’s share price looks very cheap to me, especially with the 8.9% yield

| Simon Watkins

Glencore’s share price looks undervalued to me and the business seems set to grow as commodities markets gain ground on…

Read more »

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

188 shares in this FTSE dividend star could make me £552 a month in passive income

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 commodities giant looks set to benefit as China’s economy recovers and pays a high dividend that could…

Read more »

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

Is IAG’s share price now too cheap to ignore?

| Simon Watkins

IAG’s share price has struggled to recover from multiple shocks, but it now looks very undervalued against its peers, with…

Read more »

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

£20,000 in savings? Here’s how I’d try to turn that into £1,344 a month of passive income!

| Simon Watkins

Relatively small investments in high-yielding stocks can grow through the power of dividend compounding into significant passive income.

Read more »

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

Should I buy more of this 9.5%-yielding FTSE 100 gem after 2023 results?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 stock posted good 2023 results, looks undervalued against its peers, and pays a high dividend that could…

Read more »

Hydrogen testing at DLR Cologne
Investing Articles

Rolls-Royce’s share price is still over £3! Have I missed a golden opportunity?

| Simon Watkins

Despite Rolls-Royce’s dramatic share price rise, the stock still looks undervalued to me, and the company is targeting major growth…

Read more »

Long-term vs short-term investing concept on a staircase
Investing Articles

This 9%-yielding FTSE 250 dividend superstar looks like a hidden gem to me

| Simon Watkins

FTSE 250 investment firm abrdn has fallen 32% in a year and was demoted from the FTSE 100. But now…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

A 7%+ yield but down 9%! This FTSE dividend star still looks cheap to me

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 financial stock yields over 7% but still looks very undervalued against its peers, with the business continuing…

Read more »

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

Should I buy more after BP’s share price rises on Q4 results?

| Simon Watkins

BP’s share price rose on Q4 results, and it continues to operate well in a bullish trading space, offering good…

Read more »

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

1 dividend giant I’d buy more of over Lloyds now

| Simon Watkins

Lloyds shares still look like a reasonable buy to me, but I think a high-yielding dividend superstar looks even better…

Read more »

Satellite on planet background
Investing Articles

After BAE Systems’ 40% share price rise, is it too late for me to buy more?

| Simon Watkins

Despite BAE Systems’ share price rising 40%, there appears to be good value left in the stock, with a new…

Read more »

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

£9,000 in savings? Here’s how I’d try to turn that into £1,279 a month of passive income!

| Simon Watkins

Small investments in high-yielding shares can grow into big passive income, especially if the dividends are compounded.

Read more »

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

Shell’s share price is still down 12% despite strong results, so should I buy more?

| Simon Watkins

Despite strong Q4 results, Shell’s share price looks undervalued against its peers, and it remains well positioned in the fossil…

Read more »

Abstract bull climbing indicators on stock chart
Investing Articles

Will I lose out if I don’t buy more of this FTSE 100 dividend star?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 stock pays a high dividend that is set to get higher, has a strong core business and…

Read more »

Hydrogen testing at DLR Cologne
Investing Articles

After nearly tripling in a year, is there any value left in the Rolls-Royce share price?

| Simon Watkins

Despite almost tripling in price, there looks to be plenty of value left in the Rolls-Royce share price, and its…

Read more »

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

526 shares in this FTSE dividend star could make me £552 a month in passive income

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 stock looks undervalued against its peers, has a growing business, and pays a high dividend that could…

Read more »

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

£17,000 in savings? Here’s how I’d try to turn that into £1,552 a month of passive income!

| Simon Watkins

Relatively small investments in high-yielding stocks can grow through the power of dividend compounding into significant passive income.

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

A 9.75% yield but down 19%! Should I buy more of this hidden FTSE 100 gem?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 insurer pays one of the highest dividends in the market, is undervalued against its peers, and is…

Read more »

GSK scientist holding lab syringe
Investing Articles

After GSK’s 11% share price rise, is it too late for me to buy more?

| Simon Watkins

Despite GSK’s share price rising 11% in a year, there appears good value left in them, with a new growth…

Read more »

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

A 7.5% yield but down 16%! This FTSE hidden gem looks a bargain to me

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 heavyweight has a good yield, is well-positioned in its core markets, and should benefit if China's economic…

Read more »

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

£20,000 in savings? Here’s how I’d try to turn that into £1,693 a month of passive income

| Simon Watkins

Investments in high-quality, high-yielding stocks can grow enormously over time through the power of dividend compounding creating big passive income.

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

A 7.9% yield but down 9%! This FTSE 100 gem looks very cheap to me

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 high-dividend-payer looks very undervalued compared to its peers and its core business appears to be in a…

Read more »

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

With Glencore’s share price down 28%, should I buy this 8.4%-yielding stock?

| Simon Watkins

Glencore’s share price is triply undervalued against its peers, and it's set to benefit from a high yield and China’s…

Read more »

BUY AND HOLD spelled in letters on top of a pile of books. Alongside is a piggy bank in glasses. Buy and hold is a popular long term stock and shares strategy.
Investing Articles

Is it time for me to buy more of this undervalued 7%-yielding FTSE gem?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE insurance giant yields over 7%, looks very undervalued against its peers, and appears to be on a major…

Read more »

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

£10,000 in savings? Here’s how I’d try to turn that into £503 a month of passive income!

| Simon Watkins

Reinvesting the dividends paid from high-yielding stocks into more of those shares can generate significant passive income over time.

Read more »

Satellite on planet background
Investing Articles

Will I lose out if I don’t buy more of this superstar FTSE 100 growth stock?

| Simon Watkins

Despite tripling in value in 10 years, this FTSE 100 stock is still undervalued against its peers and is a…

Read more »

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

With Shell’s share price down 12%, is now the time for me to buy more?

| Simon Watkins

Shell’s share price is undervalued against its peers, and it remains very well-positioned to benefit from the gradual transition to…

Read more »

Long-term vs short-term investing concept on a staircase
Investing Articles

A 9.7% yield but down 28%! Time for me to buy this hidden FTSE gem?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 heavyweight yields 9.7%, is very undervalued against its peers, and made a reported operating profit of £5.9bn…

Read more »

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

£9,500 in savings? Here’s how I’d try to turn that into £535 a month of passive income

| Simon Watkins

Relatively small investments in high-yielding stocks can grow exponentially through the power of dividend compounding into significant passive income.

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Is this dividend giant the best bargain in the FTSE 100?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 investment manager is very undervalued against its peers, has high growth potential, and pays a stunning 8.7%…

Read more »

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

This 8.5%-yielding FTSE 250 dividend giant looks like a hidden gem to me

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 250 investment firm yields 8.5% and having been recently demoted from the FTSE 100 also looks undervalued compared…

Read more »

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

A 9.6% yield but down 18%! Time for me to buy more of this FTSE gem?

| Simon Watkins

This insurance firm pays one of the highest dividends in the FTSE 100 and recently upgraded its cash generation targets…

Read more »

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

£9,000 in savings? Here’s how I’d try to turn that into £531 a month of passive income

| Simon Watkins

Investing a relatively small amount into high-yielding stocks and reinvesting the dividends paid can generate significant passive income over time.

Read more »

Long-term vs short-term investing concept on a staircase
Investing Articles

With BP’s share price down 18%, is now the time for me to buy more?

| Simon Watkins

BP’s share price doesn't appear to reflect its earnings potential and balanced energy transition strategy, leaving it very undervalued against…

Read more »

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

A 6.9% yield but down 15%! Should I buy this FTSE 100 stock for 2024?

| Simon Watkins

This heavyweight FTSE 100 stock looks set for major earnings growth, pays high dividends and appears very undervalued compared to…

Read more »

Aviva logo on glass meeting room door
Investing Articles

Is the Aviva share price still too cheap to ignore?

| Simon Watkins

Aviva’s share price is still down 8% from its year high but the firm offers high growth prospects for the…

Read more »

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

£8,000 of savings? Here’s how I’d try to turn that into £565 a month of passive income

| Simon Watkins

Reinvesting the dividends paid from high-yielding stocks into more of those shares can generate significant passive income over time.

Read more »

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

Is this the best bargain in the FTSE 100 right now?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 company has bounced back to profit after four tough years and now looks very undervalued compared to…

Read more »

2024 year number handwritten on a sandy beach at sunrise
Investing Articles

1 dividend giant I’d buy over Lloyds shares for 2024

| Simon Watkins

Looking ahead to 2024, Lloyds shares still look like a good buy to me, but I think another high-yielding dividend…

Read more »