London, Jan 31, 2026, 07:55 GMT — Market closed
- Shares of RELX slipped roughly 0.6% in London on Friday, following the company’s announcement of a new buyback program.
- The stock remains near its 52-week low as investors await full-year results set for Feb. 12.
- Investors are closely eyeing if buybacks can stabilize the stock following a steep drop in late January.
RELX shares ended Friday at 2,579 pence, slipping 15 pence on the session and staying close to the lower end of their 52-week trading range as the new week approaches.
The timing is crucial as RELX sits in a tight spot between an ongoing repurchase programme and its upcoming annual results, a period when investors typically adjust holdings instead of pursuing sharp moves. A share buyback involves a company using cash to buy back its own stock, usually to cut the number of shares outstanding and boost earnings per share.
RELX revealed on Friday that it acquired 369,515 shares on the London Stock Exchange, at a volume-weighted average price near 2,594.5 pence, and will keep these shares in treasury.
The company described the purchases as part of a mandatory programme capped at 250 million pounds, running from Jan. 2 to Feb. 6. UBS is executing the trades on its behalf, following preset instructions.
The buyback hasn’t halted the recent slide in RELX shares. The stock dropped 3.6% on Thursday, lagging behind the wider FTSE 100, according to market data.
Shares of RELX in Amsterdam hit their lowest point in a year on Friday, per Investing.com’s market wrap.
RELX, known for its analytics and decision tools spanning risk, legal, scientific, and exhibitions sectors, is frequently viewed as a defensive play with a strong subscription base.
Defensive stocks aren’t immune to selling when investors seek liquidity or shift gears fast, and buybacks have limited impact if money keeps flowing out. A big surprise in earnings, guidance, or cash-return strategies could disrupt the prevailing “buy-the-dip” mindset.
RELX is set to release its full-year results for 2025 on Feb. 12. This report will probably influence the stock’s direction throughout the rest of February.
