RELX has reported underlying revenue growth of 7% for the first half of 2026, with all four divisions contributing and the information analytics group reaffirming its full-year outlook of strong growth in revenue, profit and earnings per share.
RELX has been one of the heaviest hit by concerns around AI disruption. Today’s results should help ease these fears.
Revenue reached £4,871m in the six months to 30 June, with adjusted operating profit up 9% on an underlying basis to £1,727m, lifting the operating margin to 35.5% from 34.8%.
Adjusted earnings per share rose 11% at constant currency to 68.6p, and the interim dividend has been increased 7% to 20.9p.
Legal was the standout, with underlying revenue growth stepping up to 10% and profit up 13%, driven by continued adoption of the Lexis+ platform and its integrated agentic legal assistant, Protégé.
Risk, the group’s largest division, grew 8% on strength in financial crime compliance and fraud solutions, while Scientific, Technical & Medical accelerated to 6%, helped by AI-enabled tools such as Scopus AI and the newly launched LeapSpace research workspace. Exhibitions grew 6% underlying, though reported figures were dampened by event timing and some travel disruption.
Chief executive Erik Engstrom said the ongoing evolution of artificial intelligence is enabling the group to launch higher value-add products at a faster pace while keeping cost growth below revenue growth, a dynamic he noted has been a key driver of the business for well over a decade.
Chief Executive Officer, Erik Engstrom, said: “RELX delivered strong underlying revenue and profit growth and strong new sales in the first half of 2026: continued strong growth in Risk; a step up in growth in Scientific, Technical & Medical; a further step up in growth in Legal; and strong ongoing growth in Exhibitions.”
“The ongoing evolution of artificial intelligence is enabling us to add more value to our customers, to develop and launch higher value-add products at a faster pace, and continue to manage cost growth below revenue growth. This evolution has been a key driver of our business for well over a decade, and will remain a key driver of customer value and growth in our business for many years to come.”