LONDON, Jan 23, 2026, 09:02 GMT — Regular session
- RELX shares inched up 0.2% during early London trading, lingering close to their 52-week low
- Company revealed a fresh batch of buybacks, building on its January repurchase activity
- Attention now turns to PMI data due later Friday and RELX’s full-year results set for Feb. 12
RELX (REL.L) shares nudged up 0.24% to 2,932 pence in early London trade on Friday, despite a generally cautious market tone. The FTSE 100 rose 0.23%.
The move is modest, with the stock hovering roughly 1% above its 52-week low. Investors are hungry for any sign of stability—whether through consistent buybacks or the upcoming earnings report just around the corner.
European stocks edged lower, heading for a weekly decline as traders digested fresh tensions tied to Greenland and their implications for tariffs as leverage. PMI data, set for release Friday, could swiftly reshape views on growth and interest rates.
RELX revealed Thursday it acquired 322,640 shares via UBS AG London Branch, paying between 2,910 and 2,993 pence each. The volume-weighted average price — the day’s average cost per share — came in at 2,943.9287 pence.
The day before, the company revealed it had bought back 319,226 shares at an average price of 2,965.5152 pence.
Buybacks are standard practice for RELX, yet their impact shifts when the stock hovers close to a one-year low. These repurchases provide a consistent market bid and hint at confidence in cash flow, though they don’t resolve concerns over valuation by themselves.
UK data offered a softer tone for equities on Friday. Retail sales climbed 0.4% in December compared to November, defying forecasts that predicted a 0.1% drop, according to the Office for National Statistics. “The budget was tough, but people’s worst fears weren’t met,” said Neil Birrell, chief investment officer at Premier Miton. Still, Thomas Pugh, chief economist at RSM UK, pointed to political uncertainty as a risk to confidence. Reuters
RELX, a major player in information and analytics with substantial subscription revenue, is typically seen as a defensive bet during volatile sessions. This tends to provide some shelter on risk-off days, yet it also causes the stock to trail behind when investors pivot toward cyclicals and higher-beta stocks.
That said, much could shift from this point. Should PMI numbers drop steeply or tariff tensions reignite, investors might just as quickly sell off “steady” stocks as they bought them. Buyback activity may provide some support during declines, but it won’t be enough to counter a widespread risk-off move.
RELX’s year-end results for Dec. 31, 2025, will drop on Feb. 12. Investors are keyed in on signals about growth, margins, and capital returns — plus if the company keeps up its buyback program.
