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RELX vs WLY
Which Stock Would AI Choose? RELX PLC (RELX) vs. John Wiley & Sons (WLY) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- RELX is a large-cap information and analytics group with a roughly $68 billion market value, while WLY is a much smaller publisher with a market value near $2.7 billion — a sharp contrast in scale and liquidity.
- Both names are being re-priced around the same theme: whether generative artificial intelligence (AI) threatens or enhances their proprietary content and subscription businesses.
- RELX has staged a strong rebound in recent weeks after earlier AI-driven selling pressure, supported by steady buybacks and broad-based underlying revenue growth.
- WLY has delivered standout year-to-date share-price momentum, lifted by fast-growing AI licensing revenue, despite softer conditions in its learning segment.
- Investors comparing the two are effectively weighing a diversified, recurring-revenue analytics franchise against a smaller, higher-momentum publishing turnaround.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines RELX and WLY, two information and publishing companies whose fortunes are increasingly tied to the same market debate over artificial intelligence. RELX is a global analytics and workflow provider, while WLY — better known as John Wiley & Sons — is a research publishing and education specialist. Despite operating in adjacent knowledge industries, the two differ sharply in size, business mix, and recent price behavior. This relative performance analysis is most relevant to investors and traders weighing a stable, diversified information franchise against a smaller, higher-beta publishing story where AI-related revenue is growing quickly.
RELX Overview and Recent Performance
RELX, the London-headquartered information and analytics company behind the LexisNexis and Elsevier brands, operates across four segments: Risk, Scientific, Technical & Medical (STM), Legal, and Exhibitions. The bulk of its revenue is recurring and subscription-based, anchored in professional workflows rather than discretionary consumer spending.
Recent market activity has been shaped by the broader AI debate. Earlier in the year, RELX shares were pressured by fears that generative AI tools could erode demand for premium legal, scientific, and risk databases. More recently, sentiment has shifted: investors have rotated back into software and data names, and RELX's embedded AI products — such as Lexis+ AI with Protégé — are increasingly viewed as a competitive advantage rather than a threat. In its first-half results, the company reported underlying revenue growth of about 7% and adjusted operating profit growth of roughly 9%. Management also raised its 2026 share buyback program to £2.25 billion, reinforcing shareholder returns. With a nine-month trading update approaching, near-term momentum has improved, though some analysts have noted limited upside after the stock's recent re-rating.
WLY Overview and Recent Performance
WLY — John Wiley & Sons — is a global publisher of scientific, technical, and medical journals, books, courseware, and online education services, organized across Research Publishing & Platforms, Academic & Professional Learning, and Education Services segments. Its customer base spans research libraries, academic institutions, corporations, and learned societies.
Recent performance has been notably strong on a year-to-date basis, with the shares posting a substantial gain driven largely by enthusiasm around AI content licensing. Wiley has surpassed $100 million in cumulative AI-related revenue and signed partnerships tied to AI applications in research and healthcare, including a multi-year content agreement with clinical AI platform OpenEvidence. Operating cash flow and free cash flow have improved meaningfully in recent periods, and the company raised its dividend for a 33rd consecutive year. At the same time, the picture is uneven: recent quarterly results included softer conditions in the learning segment and a reported net loss, reminding investors that the publishing business remains exposed to structural and cyclical pressures even as the AI story gains traction.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The most fundamental contrast is scale and diversification. RELX spans risk analytics, legal information, scientific publishing, and exhibitions, generating highly recurring revenue across tens of billions in market value. WLY is a smaller, more concentrated research publishing and education business, giving it a different risk profile and greater sensitivity to single-segment swings.
Growth drivers also diverge. RELX's story rests on monetizing AI within established professional workflows, supported by steady buybacks and consistent mid-single-digit underlying growth. Wiley's thesis is more discretionary and faster-moving: converting its proprietary content into recurring AI licensing revenue, where growth has been rapid but less proven over a full cycle.
Risk factors differ accordingly. RELX faces questions about whether AI tools dilute pricing power in its subscription databases, alongside exposure to academic budgets and currency movements. Wiley contends with structural pressure from open access and self-publishing, softer learning demand, and a higher debt-to-equity profile. On market positioning, RELX offers stability and breadth; WLY offers stronger recent momentum and a more direct AI-revenue narrative, at a smaller scale.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, stability, catalysts, and relative positioning, Tickeron's AI would likely express a preference for RELX at present. The stock's diversified, recurring-revenue model, improving recent momentum, and consistent capital returns provide a more stable foundation than Wiley's smaller, higher-beta profile. That said, WLY offers a compelling growth catalyst in its expanding AI licensing revenue, which could outperform in a momentum-driven environment. The probabilistic edge currently favors RELX for trend consistency and resilience, while WLY remains an attractive higher-risk alternative for traders focused on faster-moving AI exposure.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is RELX is a Hold and WLY is a StrongBuy.
RELX in upward trend: 10-day moving average crossed above 50-day moving average on October 14, 2026
The 10-day moving average for RELX crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 14, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 10 of 16 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 62%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 02, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on RELX as a result. In 38 of 77 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 49%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for RELX just turned positive on October 05, 2026. Looking at past instances where RELX's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 26 of 46 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 57%.
RELX moved above its 50-day moving average on October 08, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +0.84% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where RELX advanced for three days, in 181 of 344 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 53%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator demonstrates that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 8 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 12 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
RELX broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 15, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for RELX entered a downward trend on October 07, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 13 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 40 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. RELX’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 47 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to consistent earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 71 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. RELX’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 84, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 98 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: RELX's P/B Ratio (54.951) is very high in comparison to the industry average of (5.959). P/E Ratio (31.204) is within average values for comparable stocks, (32.103). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.176) is also within normal values, averaging (1.946). Dividend Yield (0.029) settles around the average of (0.026) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (4.735) is also within normal values, averaging (9.694).
WLY in upward trend: price rose above 50-day moving average on October 12, 2026
WLY moved above its 50-day moving average on October 12, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend. In 23 of 31 similar past instances, the stock price increased further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 74%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 05, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on WLY as a result. In 60 of 81 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 74%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for WLY just turned positive on September 30, 2026. Looking at past instances where WLY's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 27 of 46 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 59%.
The 10-day moving average for WLY crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 15, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 7 of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 47%.
Following a +5.92% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where WLY advanced for three days, in 212 of 324 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 65%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 115 of 208 cases where WLY Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 55%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for WLY moved out of overbought territory on October 16, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 41 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 27 of the 41 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 66%.
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 46 of 59 cases where WLY's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 78%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where WLY declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 61%.
WLY broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 12, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 37 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 39 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. WLY’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 75 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (3.309) is normal, around the industry mean (-1.408). P/E Ratio (13.804) is within average values for comparable stocks, (11.682). WLY's Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (13.047) is slightly higher than the industry average of (5.351). Dividend Yield (0.027) settles around the average of (0.208) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.559) is also within normal values, averaging (1.204).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 79 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 82 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. WLY’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 80, placing this stock worse than average.
RELX | WLY | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 44 | 43 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 98 Overvalued | 75 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 71 | 82 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 13 | 37 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 40 | 39 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 47 | 79 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | n/a |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
WLY's Valuation (75) in the Publishing Books Or Magazines industry is in the same range as RELX (98) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that WLY’s stock grew similarly to RELX’s over the last 12 months.
RELX's Profit vs Risk Rating (71) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is in the same range as WLY (82) in the Publishing Books Or Magazines industry. This means that RELX’s stock grew similarly to WLY’s over the last 12 months.
RELX's SMR Rating (13) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is in the same range as WLY (37) in the Publishing Books Or Magazines industry. This means that RELX’s stock grew similarly to WLY’s over the last 12 months.
WLY's Price Growth Rating (39) in the Publishing Books Or Magazines industry is in the same range as RELX (40) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that WLY’s stock grew similarly to RELX’s over the last 12 months.
RELX's P/E Growth Rating (47) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is in the same range as WLY (79) in the Publishing Books Or Magazines industry. This means that RELX’s stock grew similarly to WLY’s over the last 12 months.
| RELX | WLY | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 42% | 2 days ago 66% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 53% | 2 days ago 78% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 49% | 2 days ago 74% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 59% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 52% | 2 days ago 66% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 59% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 53% | 10 days ago 65% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | N/A | 4 days ago 61% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 37% | 2 days ago 65% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 55% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
RELX’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green while WLY’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- RELX’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- WLY’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
RELX’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WLY’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- RELX’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- WLY’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
RELX (@Office Equipment/Supplies) experienced а +5.96% price change this week, while WLY (@Publishing: Newspapers) price change was +1.07% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Office Equipment/Supplies industry was -1.57%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -6.28%, and the average quarterly price growth was -3.18%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Publishing: Newspapers industry was -1.65%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.89%, and the average quarterly price growth was -5.14%.
Reported Earning Dates
RELX is expected to report earnings on Oct 22, 2026.
WLY is expected to report earnings on Dec 03, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Office Equipment/Supplies (-1.57% weekly)The industry produces equipment regularly used in offices by businesses and other organizations, and could range from items like Blank sheet paper, calendars, Label and adhesive paper, paper clips, janitorial supplies, to larger /higher cost products like computers, printers, photocopiers, office furniture and so on. Many businesses in the office supply industry have been expanding into related markets like business cards, plus printing and binding of high quality, high volume business and engineering documents. Some companies in this industry also offer shipping services, including packaging and bulk mailing. Herman Miller, Inc., Steelcase Inc. and HNI Corporation.
@Publishing: Newspapers (-1.65% weekly)The newspaper publishing industry includes companies that publish and market news journals and daily/weekly newspapers. News Corporation, New York Times Company, and Gannett Co., Inc. are some of the largest newspaper publishers. Commercial ad revenue helps to cover plant and equipment costs and general and administrative expense. The popularity and distribution network of newspaper publishers could affect the fees they can charge on advertisements. In recent decades, with digital content grabbing advertising dollars, long-standing publishing companies have increasingly diversified into creating their own web-based content to stay in business.
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RELX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, RELX has been closely correlated with TRI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 67% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if RELX jumps, then TRI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To RELX | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RELX | 100% | -0.66% | ||
| TRI - RELX | 67% Closely correlated | +2.16% | ||
| LZ - RELX | 49% Loosely correlated | +1.07% | ||
| EXPO - RELX | 47% Loosely correlated | +0.83% | ||
| VRSK - RELX | 46% Loosely correlated | +0.77% | ||
| WLY - RELX | 43% Loosely correlated | -0.46% | ||
More | ||||
WLY and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, WLY has been loosely correlated with RELX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 42% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if WLY jumps, then RELX could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To WLY | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WLY | 100% | -0.46% | ||
| RELX - WLY | 42% Loosely correlated | -0.66% | ||
| PSO - WLY | 39% Loosely correlated | -0.49% | ||
| SCHL - WLY | 26% Poorly correlated | -0.10% | ||
| TDAY - WLY | 25% Poorly correlated | -1.28% | ||
| NYT - WLY | 18% Poorly correlated | -1.01% | ||
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| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| RLY | 37.33 | 0.05 | +0.13% |
| State Street Multi-Asset Real Return ETF (RLY) | |||
| QMY | 26.14 | N/A | N/A |
| Corgi Growth & Technology 10% Structured Buffer ETF - May Series (QMY) | |||
| EQIN | 54.40 | -0.01 | -0.01% |
| Columbia U.S. Equity Income ETF (EQIN) | |||
| DRNZ | 16.55 | -0.04 | -0.26% |
| REX Drone ETF (DRNZ) | |||
| FTBI | 21.22 | -0.10 | -0.47% |
| First Trust Balanced Income ETF | |||