AUTHOR

Phil Oakley

Phil spent 13 years as an investment analyst for both stockbroking and fund management companies.

After graduating with a MSc in International Banking, Economics & Finance from Liverpool Business School in 1996, Phil went to work for BWD Rensburg, a Liverpool based investment manager. In 2001, he joined ABN AMRO as a transport analyst. After a brief spell as a food retail analyst, he spent five years with ABN's very successful UK Smaller Companies team where he covered engineering, transport and support services stocks.

In 2007, Phil joined Halbis Capital Management as a European equities analyst. He began writing for Moneyweek in 2010.

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How safe are your dividends?
Income investing

How safe are your dividends?

Dividend investing can be a great strategy. But how can you avoid the stocks that are liable to cut your income? Phil Oakley explains.
4 Aug 2020
How investors can spot the next Carillion
Investment strategy

How investors can spot the next Carillion

The debt figure published in a company's annual report does not tell the full story. Phil Oakley shows you how to dig deeper – and avoid investment di…
16 Feb 2018
Three high-yielding stocks to buy now – and three more to avoid
Stockmarkets

Three high-yielding stocks to buy now – and three more to avoid

Stocks with big dividends can provide a reliable income in this tough environment – but high yields can be a sign of impending disaster. Phil Oakley e…
18 Jan 2018
How to shock-proof your investment portfolio
Investment strategy

How to shock-proof your investment portfolio

The year has thrown up more than a few nasty surprises for investors, but learn to read the warning signs and you can sidestep potential hits from th…
14 Sep 2017
The cloud over retail has a silver lining
Stockmarkets

The cloud over retail has a silver lining

A sense of gloom hangs over the retail sector – but pick the right stocks at the right price and there are still potential pots of gold out there for …
10 Aug 2017
Shares in focus: Unilever's supertanker drifts onto the rocks
Share tips

Shares in focus: Unilever's supertanker drifts onto the rocks

Unilever is massive and laden with goodies, but is the plain sailing behind the consumer goods maker, asks Phil Oakley.
30 Jan 2015
Gamble of the day: A punt on top food brands
Share tips

Gamble of the day: A punt on top food brands

Shares are often cheap for good reasons, says Phil Oakley. But that may no longer be the case at this top food brands maker.
30 Jan 2015
Company in the news: JD Wetherspoon
Share tips

Company in the news: JD Wetherspoon

Profits margins at pub chain Wetherspoon are under pressure, says Phil Oakley. Should investors be worrying?
30 Jan 2015
Gamble of the day: Depressed oil supplier
Share tips

Gamble of the day: Depressed oil supplier

Even this well-run business has been tainted by the gloom in the oil industry, says Phil Oakley. But it's still worth keeping an eye on.
23 Jan 2015
Shares in focus: Associated British Foods - the conglomerate baking many profit pies
Share tips

Shares in focus: Associated British Foods - the conglomerate baking many profit pies

Associated British Foods is a great business. So should you buy the shares? Phil Oakley investigates.
23 Jan 2015
Company in the news: JD Sports
Share tips

Company in the news: JD Sports

Phil Oakley tipped retailer JD Sports last April. Here, he sees how the company has got on, what investors should do now.
23 Jan 2015
Shares in focus: The Tesco turnaround
Share tips

Shares in focus: The Tesco turnaround

Supermarket giant Tesco is restructuring and its shares are on the up. Should you buy in, asks Phil Oakley.
16 Jan 2015
Gamble of the day: A spin-off pharma
Share tips

Gamble of the day: A spin-off pharma

There are plenty of reasons why investors should worry about this spin-off pharmaceutical firm, says Phil Oakley. But it's all in the price.
16 Jan 2015
Gamble of the day: A turnaround oil play
Share tips

Gamble of the day: A turnaround oil play

Everything was going so well for this oil company until recently. Phil Oakley explains why a turnaround could offer big rewards for brave investors.
9 Jan 2015
Company in the news: Royal Mail
Share tips

Company in the news: Royal Mail

Phil Oakley explains what the dramatic collapse of competitor City Link means for Royal Mail.
9 Jan 2015
Shares in focus: Has Sky reached its limit?
Share tips

Shares in focus: Has Sky reached its limit?

On the face of it, broadcaster Sky is doing well. So, should you snap up the shares? Phil Oakley investigates.
9 Jan 2015
Shares in focus: How our tips have fared this year
Share tips

Shares in focus: How our tips have fared this year

It's been a tough year for stocks. Phil Oakley looks back over the share tips he made in 2014 to see how they have fared, and what investors should do…
30 Dec 2014
Company in the news: Bellway
Share tips

Company in the news: Bellway

Bellway is a housebuilder that is doing well, says Phil Oakley. So should you buy the shares?
19 Dec 2014
Gamble of the week: A play for the nimble investor
Share tips

Gamble of the week: A play for the nimble investor

This electronics maker is going through a rough patch, says Phil Oakley. But a swift-footed investor could turn a profit.
19 Dec 2014
Shares in focus: Water stocks offer no safe harbour
Share tips

Shares in focus: Water stocks offer no safe harbour

Utilities are popular with nervy investors – but you can overpay for safety, says Phil Oakley.
18 Dec 2014
Gamble of the week: A turnaround travel operator
Share tips

Gamble of the week: A turnaround travel operator

Investing in this corporate travel operator is certainly a risky play, says Phil Oakley. But its turnaround strategy might just pay off.
15 Dec 2014
Shares in focus: Is Britvic too frothy?
Share tips

Shares in focus: Is Britvic too frothy?

Soft drinks maker Britvic is a good business. But should you buy the shares at the current price? Phil Oakley investigates.
12 Dec 2014
Company in the news: Aviva
Share tips

Company in the news: Aviva

Aviva has made a play for life insurer Friends Life. Phil Oakley explains what investors should do next.
12 Dec 2014
Tips update: Thomas Cook
Share tips

Tips update: Thomas Cook

Harriet Green's departure from Thomas Cook has rattled investors in the travel operator. But should it have, asks Phil Oakley.
8 Dec 2014
Shares in focus: Just how sheltered is National Grid?
Share tips

Shares in focus: Just how sheltered is National Grid?

The utility giant has been one of the better safe havens to own. So, should you snap up the shares? Phil Oakley investigates.
8 Dec 2014
Company in the news: Stagecoach
Share tips

Company in the news: Stagecoach

Stagecoach is Britain's best bus and rail operator, says Phil Oakley. But are the shares too pricey?
5 Dec 2014
Shares in focus: Britain’s business landlord looks trim
Share tips

Shares in focus: Britain’s business landlord looks trim

British Land weathered the property bust well. But how long can the good times last? And are its shares still a good home for your money? Phil Oakley …
1 Dec 2014
Annual reports reveal a company’s innermost secrets
Stockmarkets

Annual reports reveal a company’s innermost secrets

They may be boring, but annual reports offer you invaluable insights into companies, says Phil Oakley.
25 Nov 2014
Gambles of the week: TalkTalk and John Menzies
Share tips

Gambles of the week: TalkTalk and John Menzies

Having cast his analytical eye over TalkTalk and John Menzies in the past, Phil Oakley looks to see how they have fared, and what investors should do …
24 Nov 2014
Shares in focus: Can Serco recover from years of hubris?
Share tips

Shares in focus: Can Serco recover from years of hubris?

New boss Rupert Soames has been tasked with turning outsourcer Serco around. Can he do it, and should you buy the shares? Phil Oakley investigates.
21 Nov 2014
Company in the news: IGas
Share tips

Company in the news: IGas

Shares in fracking play IGas have been hit by controversy of director share dealing. Phil Oakley looks at what action investors should take.
21 Nov 2014
Valuing a share: Show me the cash flow
Investment strategy

Valuing a share: Show me the cash flow

Working out a company's cash flow can tell you a lot about how it's performing. Phil Oakley explains.
18 Nov 2014
Gamble of the week: A risky bet on internet TV
Share tips

Gamble of the week: A risky bet on internet TV

There's no denying the shares in this internet TV company are expensive, says Phil Oakley. But this could be one of those times when it's worth paying…
17 Nov 2014
Shares in focus: Next is a rare star in the retail sector
Share tips

Shares in focus: Next is a rare star in the retail sector

Fashion retailer Next has been an exception to the rule of the declining high street. Phil Oakley investigates to see if the shares are still worth bu…
17 Nov 2014
A smarter way to find value
Investment strategy

A smarter way to find value

One of the biggest mistakes investors make is to pay too much for a share, says Phil Oakley. Piotroski's F-Score is one way of avoiding that.
11 Nov 2014
Gamble of the week: A cyclical stock ready to bounce
Share tips

Gamble of the week: A cyclical stock ready to bounce

This supplier to the building sector is sensitive to swings in the economy. Phil Oakley explains why the shares are set to rise.
10 Nov 2014