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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

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

Here’s why Vodafone’s sub-£1.15 share price looks cheap to me anywhere below £2.02

| Simon Watkins

Vodafone’s share price is at a three-year high, yet the numbers hint at far more value beneath the surface, and…

Read more »

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

Here’s how investors can target £22,491 a year from £20,000 in this overlooked income share

| Simon Watkins

This under-the-radar income share already has a market-beating dividend yield that's forecast to go much higher, underpinned by steady earnings…

Read more »

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

National Grid’s share price is under £13 now, so is it worth me buying the stock?

| Simon Watkins

Many assume National Grid's share price is a safe bet, but my deep dive found something surprising that income hunters…

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

An 8.8% yield but down 15%, should I buy more of this FTSE 100 passive income gem now?

| Simon Watkins

Analysts forecast exceptional earnings growth for this FTSE star, which I believe will enable it to keep generating market-beating passive…

Read more »

Exterior of BT Group head office - One Braham, London
Investing Articles

Down 8%, is BT’s share price a serious bargain at around £2?

| Simon Watkins

The BT share price has drifted lower in the past few months, but I believe strong forecast earnings growth should…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Here’s how investors can target £12,959 in income a year from 3,106 shares in this top-tier FTSE dividend gem

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE gem offers one of the strongest dividend income profiles in the index, backed by rising profits, solid cash…

Read more »

piggy bank, searching with binoculars
Investing Articles

Under £17 now, here’s why I think Greggs shares are a steal anywhere below £31

| Simon Watkins

Greggs shares have dropped well below last year’s highs, but the company’s growth and earnings strength suggest the market may…

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

I’m targeting £18,252 a year in dividend income from my £20,000 in this FTSE 100 high-yield gem!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 dividend powerhouse could offer one of the market's most overlooked income opportunities, fuelled by supercharged earnings growth…

Read more »

Smiling white woman holding iPhone with Airpods in ear
Investing Articles

My £20,000 in this superb 8.9%-yielding FTSE income share could make me £25,451 a year in dividends over time!

| Simon Watkins

This outstanding FTSE income share offers a huge yield, powerful earnings momentum and deep value, but I think many investors…

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This way, That way, The other way - pointing in different directions
Investing Articles

Down 26%, where’s Diageo’s share price headed?

| Simon Watkins

Diageo’s share price has fallen sharply, but recent leadership changes raise the question of whether a genuine turnaround may finally…

Read more »

Investing Articles

With 13% annual earnings growth forecast and 45% under ‘fair value’, should I buy more of this FTSE giant now?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE heavyweight has clear momentum, a deepening pipeline and a valuation gap that’s hard to ignore -- so, is…

Read more »

Stacks of coins
Investing Articles

Here’s how I’m targeting £17,497 in annual passive income from my £20,000 in this top-flight passive income gem

| Simon Watkins

This top-tier FTSE ultra-high-yield dividend stock stands out to me as having all three key elements I want in a…

Read more »

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

Just over £1 now, here’s why Lloyds’ share price looks cheap to me anywhere under £1.77

| Simon Watkins

Around a multi-year high, Lloyds’ share price may still be far below its ‘fair value’, with new results hinting the…

Read more »

Array of piggy banks in saturated colours on high colour contrast background
Investing Articles

I’m targeting £10,399 a year in dividends from £20,000 in this FTSE 250 high-yield star

| Simon Watkins

This high-yield FTSE 250 gem keeps generating big dividend income flows for me, and as its reorganisation successfully continues, I…

Read more »

Satellite on planet background
Investing Articles

Here’s why the market may still be seriously undervaluing BAE Systems’ share price at around £19…

| Simon Watkins

BAE Systems’ share price doesn’t reflect multi‑year rising defence spending and strong earnings momentum, leaving it looking very undervalued to…

Read more »

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

Here’s how I’m targeting £16,073 a year in dividends from £20,000 in this FTSE 100 gem…

| Simon Watkins

Analysts forecast this FTSE 100 passive-income gem will see strong earnings growth, lifting its annual dividend yield to a market-beating…

Read more »

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

IAG share price: is the market missing a major rerating hiding in plain sight?

| Simon Watkins

Simon Watkins thinks the IAG share price reflects an outdated recovery narrative, and that a stronger earnings story is set…

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Investing Articles

Does this growth share have a 42% valuation gap that the market hasn’t woken up to yet?

| Simon Watkins

This growth share is overlooked by much of the market, yet it appears deeply underpriced to fair value and offers…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Here’s how investors could aim for £9,039 in annual dividends from £20,000 in this FTSE 100 income share

| Simon Watkins

Improving results and rising payouts mean this FTSE 100 income share could be one of the market’s least‑appreciated dividend income…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Here’s how investors could target £5,860 in yearly passive income from £5,000 in this overlooked FTSE 250 gem!

| Simon Watkins

A powerful passive income engine hidden in the FTSE 250, this overlooked firm could offer far more long-term dividend potential…

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

Investors could target £1,982 in annual dividend income from just £5,000 in this overlooked FTSE 250 gem

| Simon Watkins

This overlooked FTSE 250 broadcaster may be hiding a major price-to-valuation gap, while producing market-beating dividend yield opportunities as well.

Read more »

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

This cheap share looks wildly mispriced to me — and the market hasn’t caught on yet

| Simon Watkins

This cheap share appears deeply out of sync with its long‑term prospects, and the market’s slow reaction could create a…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

I’m targeting an annual dividend income of £25,451 from my £20,000 holding in this 8.9%-yielding FTSE gem!

| Simon Watkins

This high-yield FTSE dividend star could turn my £20,000 holding into a serious long-term income stream, thanks to the quiet…

Read more »

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

A major FTSE 100 bargain is hiding in plain sight, so I’m buying more as soon as possible

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 stock looks far cheaper than its long-term fundamentals suggest, and the gap to its true value is…

Read more »

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

Near a 3-year high, Vodafone may not look a cheap share, but is the value story just beginning?

| Simon Watkins

Vodafone has risen a lot over 12 months, yet my analysis suggests there's more value left in this supposedly not‑so‑cheap…

Read more »

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

Under £19, here’s why GSK’s share price looks cheap to me anywhere below £42.92

| Simon Watkins

Despite a strong run last year, my DCF modelling suggests the market may be overlooking a far higher value than…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Here’s how you could target £7,066 a year of retirement income by putting just £5 a day into HSBC shares…

| Simon Watkins

Some in the markets may think HSBC shares have risen too far, but my analysis implies the opposite -- and…

Read more »

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

With 2,685 shares in this 7.2%-yielding FTSE 100 gem, investors can target £12,406 in yearly passive income!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 financial giant could turn a modest investment into serious passive income over time, with the long‑term totals…

Read more »

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

Down 22% to under £11, is this high-tech FTSE high-flyer a screaming bargain now?

| Simon Watkins

Despite solid growth, strong margins, and rising cash generation, this FTSE tech star has dropped sharply. So is it seriously…

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

Here’s how investors could aim for £9,532 in yearly dividend income from this 9.9%-yielding FTSE 250 high-yield gem

| Simon Watkins

A near double-digit yield backed by growing cash flow and long-term contracts makes Energean look like one of the FTSE…

Read more »

Middle-aged white man wearing glasses, staring into space over the top of his laptop in a coffee shop
Investing Articles

At a bargain-basement valuation under £19, is it time for me to buy this FTSE 100 banking gem?

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 giant has reshaped its business and its balance sheet and is growing fast. With the shares still…

Read more »

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

Here’s how my £20,000 holding in this top-flight income share could make me £7,927 a year in retirement…

| Simon Watkins

This overlooked FTSE 100 income share keeps lifting payouts and buying back stock. Could it really supercharge my long term…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Greggs share price: is the market mispricing this UK favourite?

| Simon Watkins

Sales are rising, expansion is intact, and JPMorgan is bullish -- so is the beaten down Greggs share price now…

Read more »

Smiling white woman holding iPhone with Airpods in ear
Investing Articles

Around £41 a share, this FTSE 100 passive income star now has a forecast dividend yield of 7%!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE high-yield stock already has a near-6% payout, but analysts forecast a rise to 7%, which could generate major…

Read more »

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

Down 20% but with 15% annual earnings growth forecast, how high can BT’s share price go?

| Simon Watkins

Analysts expect BT’s profits to rise nearly 15% a year, yet the share price is down 19% over the year.…

Read more »

Stacks of coins
Investing Articles

Here’s how I’m targeting £10,872 in annual dividend income from £20,000 in this FTSE 100 income share

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 income share is already paying me handsomely -- but the long term income potential here could be…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

This standout FTSE income gem now has a dividend yield of 7%!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE financial giant is growing profits, customers and assets while trading at low valuations and offering a big yield…

Read more »

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

Up 117% from its 2025 low, here’s why Barclays’ share price could soar again this year

| Simon Watkins

Barclays’ share price surged in 2025, but strong earnings growth following its recent business strategic shift could mean huge gains…

Read more »

Satellite on planet background
Investing Articles

Is this FTSE 250 high‑tech defence leader on the brink of stunning multi‑year growth?

| Simon Watkins

This little‑noticed FTSE 250 high‑tech defence firm is entering a rapid expansion phase, with new contracts and soaring earnings forecasts…

Read more »

Investing Articles

I’m targeting £23,441 in annual dividend income from my £20,000 in this FTSE 100 high-yield star!

| Simon Watkins

This FTSE 100 high‑yield gem is expected to deliver major earnings growth, strengthening its long‑term income appeal and boosting its…

Read more »