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RELX vs. ULS: RELX vs. UL Stock Comparison

How do RELX (RELX) and UL (ULS) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

RELX (RELX) and UL (ULS) are both classified in the Research & Consulting Services sub-industry within the broader Professional Services industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

RELX (RELX) carries decades of public-market history since October 6, 1994, while UL (ULS) listed on April 12, 2024 — long-window comparisons have far more historical data on the RELX side.

UL (ULS) trades as ordinary local shares, while RELX (RELX) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile comparison for RELX (RELX) and UL (ULS)
Profile ItemRELXULS
NameRELX PLC American Depositary ReceiptUL Solutions Inc. Class A Common Stock
Country/RegionUnited KingdomUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS Industry GroupCommercial & Professional ServicesCommercial & Professional Services
GICS IndustryProfessional ServicesProfessional Services
GICS Sub-IndustryResearch & Consulting ServicesResearch & Consulting Services
Market Capitalization69.71 billion USD15.88 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateOctober 6, 1994April 12, 2024
Security TypeADRCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

RELX
ULS
GSPC
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RELX (RELX) vs. UL (ULS), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for RELX (RELX) and UL (ULS). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for RELX (RELX) and UL (ULS). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for RELX (RELX) and UL (ULS)
MetricRELXULS
Total Return (1Y)-2.86%-3.81%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)5.69%--
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)7.05%--

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

RELX
ULS
GSPC
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RELX (RELX) vs. UL (ULS), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for RELX (RELX) and UL (ULS). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for RELX (RELX) and UL (ULS)
MetricRELXULS
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)35.19%42.88%
Beta (5Y)0.680.52
Max Drawdown (5Y)-49.91%-38.75%
Avg. Volume (3M)2.19M879.46K

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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RELX and ULS are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for RELX (RELX) and UL (ULS)
MetricRELXULS
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-0.20-0.19
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-0.29-0.28

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both companies show strong equity returns, but RELX (RELX) at 131.86% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; UL (ULS) at 36.51% also sits in the top quartile.

RELX

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

131.86%

RELX
131.86%
Max
47.06%
Q3
25.43%
Median
14.11%
Q1
3.92%
Min
-20.15%

ULS

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

36.51%

Max
47.06%
ULS
36.51%
Q3
25.43%
Median
14.11%
Q1
3.92%
Min
-20.15%
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RELX (RELX) vs. UL (ULS): A comparison of their ROE against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

For every dollar of sales, both RELX (RELX) at 23.27% and UL (ULS) at 16.13% retain more as net profit than most peers, landing in the top net margin quartile of their industries.

RELX

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

23.27%

Max
23.28%
RELX
23.27%
Q3
11.35%
Median
5.65%
Q1
0.87%
Min
-8.60%

ULS

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

16.13%

Max
23.28%
ULS
16.13%
Q3
11.35%
Median
5.65%
Q1
0.87%
Min
-8.60%
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RELX (RELX) vs. UL (ULS): A comparison of their net margin against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both RELX (RELX) at 32.01% and UL (ULS) at 19.81% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

RELX

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

32.01%

Max
38.50%
RELX
32.01%
Q3
18.84%
Median
10.40%
Q1
5.59%
Min
-12.00%

ULS

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

19.81%

Max
38.50%
ULS
19.81%
Q3
18.84%
Median
10.40%
Q1
5.59%
Min
-12.00%
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RELX (RELX) vs. UL (ULS): A comparison of their operating margin against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for RELX (RELX) and UL (ULS)
MetricRELXULS
ROE (TTM)131.86%36.51%
ROA (TTM)13.12%11.46%
Net Margin (TTM)23.27%16.13%
Operating Margin (TTM)32.01%19.81%
Gross Margin (TTM)66.42%50.69%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both RELX (RELX) at 1.65% and UL (ULS) at 6.38% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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RELX (RELX) vs. UL (ULS): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both RELX (RELX) at 8.63% and UL (ULS) at -1.23% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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RELX (RELX) vs. UL (ULS): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for RELX (RELX) and UL (ULS)
MetricRELXULS
Revenue Growth (YoY)1.65%6.38%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)3.89%6.60%
EPS Growth (YoY)8.63%-1.23%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)9.76%2.98%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

UL (ULS) at 2.09 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while RELX (RELX) at 0.45 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for RELX.

RELX

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

0.45

Max
3.63
Q3
2.14
Median
1.55
Q1
1.09
RELX
0.45
Min
0.45

ULS

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

2.09

Max
3.63
Q3
2.14
ULS
2.09
Median
1.55
Q1
1.09
Min
0.45
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RELX (RELX) vs. UL (ULS): A comparison of their current ratio against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

UL (ULS) at 0.54 is near its industry mid-range for debt-to-equity ratio, while RELX (RELX) at 7.10 sits above its benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.

RELX

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

7.10

RELX
7.10
Max
2.37
Q3
1.25
Median
0.88
Q1
0.35
Min
0.00

ULS

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

0.54

Max
2.37
Q3
1.25
Median
0.88
ULS
0.54
Q1
0.35
Min
0.00
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RELX (RELX) vs. UL (ULS): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for RELX (RELX) and UL (ULS)
MetricRELXULS
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.452.09
Debt / Equity (MRQ)7.100.54
Net Debt / EBITDA2.64-0.11

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both RELX (RELX) at 1.66% and UL (ULS) at 0.74% pay solid, industry-typical yields, sitting squarely within their peers’ usual range.

RELX

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

1.66%

Max
4.33%
Q3
1.80%
RELX
1.66%
Median
0.60%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

ULS

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

0.74%

Max
4.33%
Q3
1.80%
ULS
0.74%
Median
0.60%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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RELX (RELX) vs. UL (ULS): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

UL (ULS) at 22.42% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while RELX (RELX) at 53.59% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.

RELX

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

53.59%

Max
99.58%
RELX
53.59%
Q3
41.99%
Median
17.27%
Q1
0.00%
Min
-17.94%

ULS

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

22.42%

Max
99.58%
Q3
41.99%
ULS
22.42%
Median
17.27%
Q1
0.00%
Min
-17.94%
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RELX (RELX) vs. UL (ULS): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for RELX (RELX) and UL (ULS)
MetricRELXULS
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.66%0.74%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)53.59%22.42%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both RELX (RELX) at 24.05 and UL (ULS) at 31.21 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

RELX

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

24.05

Max
49.47
Q3
33.76
Median
24.16
RELX
24.05
Q1
16.01
Min
1.89

ULS

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

31.21

Max
49.47
Q3
33.76
ULS
31.21
Median
24.16
Q1
16.01
Min
1.89
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RELX (RELX) vs. UL (ULS): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Both RELX (RELX) at 7.17 and UL (ULS) at 4.98 command a richer price per dollar of sales than most peers, sitting in the upper P/S ratio quartile of their industries.

RELX

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

7.17

RELX
7.17
Max
7.17
Q3
3.35
Median
1.33
Q1
0.69
Min
0.11

ULS

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

4.98

Max
7.17
ULS
4.98
Q3
3.35
Median
1.33
Q1
0.69
Min
0.11
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RELX (RELX) vs. UL (ULS): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Both look rich against book: UL (ULS) at 9.32 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and RELX (RELX) at 169.44 prices even higher, above its industry range.

RELX

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

169.44

RELX
169.44
Max
11.25
Q3
6.08
Median
2.92
Q1
1.55
Min
-2.78

ULS

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

9.32

Max
11.25
ULS
9.32
Q3
6.08
Median
2.92
Q1
1.55
Min
-2.78
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RELX (RELX) vs. UL (ULS): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for RELX (RELX) and UL (ULS)
MetricRELXULS
P/E Ratio (TTM)24.0531.21
P/S Ratio (TTM)7.174.98
P/B Ratio (MRQ)169.449.32
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)3.20%2.94%