RELX shares have rebounded about 50% from the lows hit during the height of AI disruption fears earlier this year. Today’s trading statement goes a long way to validating that rally.
The company reported strong revenue growth in the first nine months of the year and reaffirmed its full-year outlook, as demand for its AI-enabled analytics and data tools rose.
RELX is an interesting case. It isn’t being negatively impacted by AI as the market has feared, but it’s not seeing explosive growth from its adoption either.
The information and analytics group said underlying revenue rose 7% in the period, driven by a continued shift towards higher-growth analytics and decision tools across its businesses. Its legal division led the way with 10% growth as customers adopted its AI-enabled legal research platform, while its risk business grew 8% on demand for fraud and financial-crime compliance tools, and its scientific and medical arm grew 6%.
Its exhibitions business grew 4%, though disruption in the Middle East held it back. RELX said it continued to embed artificial intelligence across its products, citing strong early reception for a new research tool and expanding “agentic” capabilities in its legal platform.
The company said it expected another year of strong growth in revenue, profit, and earnings, with profit growing faster than revenue across most divisions.
RELX shares were down 0.3% at the time of writing on Thursday.