RELX drops 4% as shares go ex-dividend for proposed 2025 final payout
RELX shares are falling on May 7, 2026 as the stock trades ex-dividend for its proposed 2025 final dividend, mechanically lowering the share price. The dividend is scheduled to be paid on June 18, 2026, with a May 8, 2026 record date.
1. What’s moving the stock
RELX is down about 4.11% to $34.42 in Thursday trading, a move consistent with an ex-dividend reset. The company’s proposed final dividend for 2025 has an ex-dividend date of May 7, 2026, which typically causes shares to open lower by roughly the dividend amount as new buyers are no longer entitled to that upcoming payment. (relx.com)
2. Dividend details investors are reacting to
RELX proposed a final dividend for 2025 of 48.0 pence per ordinary share, which (if approved) will be paid on June 18, 2026. The record date is May 8, 2026, meaning investors needed to own shares before the ex-dividend date to be entitled to the payout. (relx.com)
3. Fundamentals backdrop
The ex-dividend effect is arriving after RELX reaffirmed its full-year outlook in an April 23, 2026 trading update, saying it started the year well across all four business areas and continues to expect another year of strong underlying growth in revenue and adjusted operating profit, plus strong adjusted EPS growth on a constant-currency basis. The update highlighted continued product development using AI-enabled analytics and decision tools across Risk, Scientific/Technical/Medical, Legal, and Exhibitions. (relx.com)
4. What to watch next
Investors will watch for any additional updates around the annual general meeting where the final dividend requires shareholder approval, and for follow-through in U.S. ADR trading relative to the London-listed shares. Short-term price action may continue to reflect dividend-related technicals rather than a change in the company’s operating outlook.