RELX Shares Rise on Strong 2025 Results, Positive 2026 Outlook

RELX (LON: REL), the global information and analytics giant, saw its shares jump around 2.7% on Thursday morning following the release of its 2025 full-year results, which beat analyst expectations.

The company also issued a bullish outlook for 2026, fueling investor confidence.

Revenue for 2025 reached £9,590 million, reflecting underlying growth of 7%. This figure surpasses the previous year's £9,434 million, demonstrating the company's robust market position and successful strategic initiatives.

Adjusted operating profit climbed to £3,342 million, marking an underlying increase of 9% compared to £3,199 million in 2024. The improved profitability is attributed to continuous process innovation and cost management strategies, effectively keeping cost growth below revenue growth.

Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) stood at 128.5p, up from 120.1p, representing a constant currency growth of 10%. Reported EPS also increased, reaching 112.6p compared to 103.6p in the prior year.

The company proposed a full-year dividend of 67.5p per share, a 7% increase from the 63.0p paid out in 2024. This dividend increase underscores RELX's commitment to delivering shareholder value and reflects its strong financial performance. The final dividend of 48.0p per share is subject to shareholder approval at the 2026 AGM, with payment scheduled for June 18, 2026.

RELX's balance sheet remains healthy, with a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.0x. Adjusted cash flow conversion was an impressive 99%, highlighting the company's ability to generate strong cash flows from its operations.

In 2025, RELX strategically deployed capital, completing five acquisitions for a total consideration of £270 million. The company also executed a substantial £1,500 million share buyback program, further enhancing shareholder returns.

For 2026, RELX anticipates another year of strong underlying growth in revenue and adjusted operating profit. The company also projects strong growth in adjusted earnings per share on a constant currency basis, reinforcing its positive momentum.

CEO Erik Engstrom commented, “RELX delivered strong underlying revenue and profit growth and strong new sales in 2025,” reflecting confidence in the company's strategic direction and market position.