RELX

Industrials

RELX Plc · Specialty Business Services · $58B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
64.6
Good

RELX Plc scores 64.6/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Industrials Sector
RELX
64.6
Sector avg
42.4
Quality
Strong
Moat
Good
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Good

What is RELX Plc?

RELX Plc is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools serving professional markets across risk, science, law, and events. Headquartered in London, the company operates across North America, Europe, and internationally.

RELX generates revenue by licensing data, analytics platforms, and decision tools to businesses and institutions that need to evaluate risk, advance scientific research, navigate legal complexity, or connect with industry peers. Its four segments — Risk, Scientific Technical and Medical, Legal, and Exhibitions — each combine proprietary content with technology to deliver recurring, subscription-driven value. The Exhibitions segment adds a face-to-face events layer that complements the digital-first model.

Originally incorporated in 1903 and formerly known as Reed Elsevier, the company rebranded as RELX Plc in July 2015.

  • Risk analytics and decision tools for fraud and compliance professionals
  • Scientific and medical research databases for institutions
  • Legal information and regulatory analytics platforms
  • Industry exhibitions combining live events with digital data tools
  • AI-enhanced workflow solutions across professional verticals

Is RELX a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates RELX as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key pillars despite pockets of strength.

The Quality and Moat pillars both register as Good, pointing to a defensible business model built on proprietary data assets and sticky customer relationships. The Valuation pillar also reads as Good, suggesting the market price is not dramatically stretched relative to fundamentals.

Growth and Risk are both rated Weak — the two pillars that most concern investors focused on forward returns. Slow growth combined with elevated risk factors creates a challenging combination for long-term compounding.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does RELX pay dividends?

Yes — RELX Plc pays a dividend.

RELX pays a regular dividend, consistent with its mature, cash-generative business model. The company's recurring subscription revenues across its data and analytics segments support predictable cash flows that underpin dividend payments. Income-oriented investors may find this cadence appealing, though the Growth pillar's Weak rating is worth weighing alongside any yield consideration.

When does RELX report earnings?

RELX reports earnings on a regular cadence typical for internationally listed equities of its scale.

The company's recurring revenue model across its four segments tends to produce relatively stable results quarter to quarter. However, the Weak Growth pillar suggests top-line expansion has not been a standout feature of recent reporting periods.

For the most recent results and upcoming reporting dates, visit RELX Plc's official investor relations page.

RELX Price History

+54.2% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in RELX Plc?

$
Today it would be worth
$15,348
That's a +53.5% total return, or +8.9% annualized.

Based on RELX Plc's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

RELX Long-term Outlook

The fundamental outlook for RELX is shaped by two competing forces. On one side, the company's entrenched data assets and professional customer base — reflected in Good Moat and Quality ratings — provide a stable earnings floor. On the other, the Weak Growth and Weak Risk pillar ratings signal that meaningful acceleration is not clearly visible in the near term, and that external or operational risk factors remain elevated. Investors focused on quality compounders may find the moat reassuring, but the growth trajectory warrants close monitoring.

Growth drivers

  • AI integration into existing analytics and legal research platforms
  • Expansion of risk analytics into new regulatory and compliance verticals
  • Recovery and digital evolution of the Exhibitions segment post-pandemic

Key risks

  • Weak Growth pillar suggests limited near-term revenue acceleration
  • Elevated Risk pillar rating points to macro, regulatory, or operational vulnerabilities
  • Open-access trends in scientific publishing could pressure the STM segment

RELX vs Peers

RELX competes across several professional information markets, facing rivals with different business mixes and strategic priorities.

NYTSimilar UQS
The New York Times Company

NYT focuses on consumer news subscriptions and digital media rather than professional analytics, giving it a very different revenue profile and audience.

PSORELX scores higher
Pearson plc

Pearson concentrates on educational content and workforce credentials, overlapping with RELX in professional information but targeting learners rather than enterprise decision-makers.

WLYSimilar UQS
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Wiley competes directly in scientific and academic publishing, making it a close peer in the STM segment while lacking RELX's breadth across risk and legal verticals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does RELX do?

RELX provides information-based analytics and decision tools to professional customers worldwide. Its four segments — Risk, Scientific Technical and Medical, Legal, and Exhibitions — combine proprietary data with technology to help businesses evaluate risk, advance research, navigate regulation, and connect at industry events.

Does RELX pay dividends?

Yes, RELX pays a regular dividend supported by its recurring, subscription-driven revenue streams. The company's mature business model across data and analytics segments generates relatively predictable cash flows that have historically underpinned consistent dividend payments.

When does RELX report earnings?

RELX reports on a regular cadence typical for large internationally listed companies. For exact upcoming reporting dates and the most recent quarterly or half-year results, check the investor relations section of RELX's official website.

Is RELX a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates RELX as Below Average overall. While the Quality and Moat pillars are rated Good — reflecting durable data assets and sticky customers — the Weak Growth and Weak Risk ratings present meaningful concerns. Whether it suits your portfolio depends on your own objectives and risk tolerance.

Is RELX overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for RELX is rated Good, suggesting the current market price is not dramatically elevated relative to fundamentals. That said, valuation should always be considered alongside the Growth and Risk context, both of which are rated Weak for RELX.

How does RELX compare to its competitors?

RELX is broader in scope than most peers, spanning risk analytics, scientific publishing, legal information, and live events. Competitors like Wiley focus more narrowly on academic publishing, while Pearson targets education. That diversification is a differentiator, though it does not automatically translate into superior growth.

What is RELX's market cap bracket?

RELX is classified as a large-cap company, placing it among the more established and widely followed equities in the global information services sector. Large-cap status generally implies greater liquidity and institutional coverage compared to smaller peers.

Who founded RELX?

RELX traces its corporate roots to Reed International and Elsevier, two legacy publishing businesses that merged in 1993. The combined entity was incorporated in its current form in 1903 in earlier predecessor structures, and the RELX name was adopted in 2015. Founding details are widely available through public corporate history records.

Is RELX a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, RELX presents a mixed picture. The Good Moat rating suggests durable competitive advantages through proprietary data and high switching costs. However, the Weak Growth pillar raises questions about the pace of value creation over time. Pro members can view the full pillar breakdown to assess long-term fit.

What is the main competitive advantage of RELX?

RELX's primary competitive advantage lies in its proprietary data assets and deeply embedded customer workflows. Professionals in legal, scientific, and risk fields often rely on RELX platforms as core tools, creating high switching costs. This dynamic is reflected in the Good Moat pillar rating assigned by UQS Score.

What sector does RELX belong to?

RELX is classified under the Communication Services sector. Within that broad sector, it occupies a specialized niche focused on professional information analytics rather than consumer media or telecommunications, making direct peer comparisons require careful selection.

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Pro Analysis

RELX — Score History

40455055606570Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 19 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 22, 202664.697.060.052.628.170.7+0.2
May 21, 202664.496.860.052.628.170.0-0.1
May 19, 202664.596.560.052.628.170.7-0.2
May 17, 202664.797.160.052.628.171.4-0.1
May 16, 202664.897.160.052.628.171.8+14.6
May 7, 202650.272.660.027.211.566.1+0.1
May 3, 202650.172.660.027.111.565.2+0.1
Apr 29, 202650.072.660.027.111.564.90.0
Apr 26, 202650.072.660.027.211.564.80.0
Apr 24, 202650.072.660.027.211.564.9+0.1

RELX — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

97.0/100 (25%)

RELX Plc demonstrates outstanding capital efficiency and profitability, placing it among the highest-quality businesses in the market.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Strong

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityStrong

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityStrong

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityStrong

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsStrong

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationStrong

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

52.6/100 (20%)

RELX Plc shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthWeak

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookStrong

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

28.1/100 (15%)

RELX Plc presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Financial LeverageModerate

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityWeak

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageModerate

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

70.8/100 (15%)

RELX Plc trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.

Earnings YieldModerate

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowStrong

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorModerate

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

60/100 (25%)

RELX Plc has meaningful competitive advantages that should protect its market position. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for RELX.

Score Composition

Quality
97.0×25%24.3
Growth
52.6×20%10.5
Risk
28.1×15%4.2
Valuation
70.8×15%10.6
Moat
60.0×25%15.0
Total
64.6Good

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the RELX UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for RELX Plc is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses RELX Plc's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether RELX Plc is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.