RELX rises as AI helps with new products and costs

RELX PLC (LSE:REL) shares rose 1.5% to 2,491p on Thursday after the FTSE 100 group delivered higher first-half revenue and profit as growing demand for its analytics and decision-making tools helped lift margins.

The information and analytics group reported underlying revenue growth of 7%, with adjusted operating profit increasing 9% to £1.7 billion as margins improved to 35.5% from 34.8%.

The company said continued process improvements allowed it to keep cost growth below revenue growth.

Growth was led by continued strength in Risk and Exhibitions, alongside accelerating momentum in the Scientific, Technical & Medical and Legal divisions.

Chief executive Erik Engstrom said growth was supported by strong performances across Risk and Exhibitions, alongside accelerating growth in its scientific, technical, medical and legal operations.

Publishing and data-led divisions drove growth, while the exhibitions business also remained strong.

With worries about how AI might affect the business having hit the shares this year, Engstrom added: "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.

The board raised the interim dividend by 7% to 20.9p per share, with £1.75 billion of its planned £2.25 billion share buyback completed during the half.

For the full year, RELX continues to expect strong underlying growth in revenue and adjusted operating profit, along...