Relx, a company that most people outside the professional and legal industries barely pay attention to, just posted an 11% profit surge. 

And it wasn’t luck. It was the result of two unstoppable forces: artificial intelligence and the resurgence of live events. 

If you’re an investor who’s been ignoring the publishing, data analytics, and event-hosting industries, it might be time to rethink that strategy.

The Money Behind the Machines

AI isn’t just automating industries—it’s reshaping how information businesses operate. Relx, known for its dominance in legal, scientific, and risk analytics, has aggressively integrated AI into its products. The result? Higher efficiency, smarter automation, and more clients willing to pay a premium for cutting-edge insights.

For example, in the legal sector, Relx’s AI-powered tools have slashed research times, giving lawyers faster, more accurate case law analyses. Financial firms are relying on their AI-driven fraud detection systems to prevent losses.

When a company can charge more for its products while reducing its own operating costs, you get a perfect recipe for rising profit margins—something investors should never ignore.

And this isn’t just a one-time boost. The demand for AI-enhanced data services is only going to increase as more industries become data-driven. Relx has positioned itself as an indispensable player, locking in long-term revenue growth.

The Return of Live Events: A Profitable Post-Pandemic Revival

While AI is the high-tech side of Relx’s success, live events are the surprisingly old-school revenue stream fueling their momentum. The pandemic devastated the event industry, but as the world reopened, businesses realized something: Virtual meetings couldn’t replace the real thing. The networking, deal-making, and brand exposure that happen at in-person events are irreplaceable.

Relx, which owns some of the world’s most prominent trade shows and industry events, saw a massive rebound in event revenues. Companies are back to spending big on conferences, knowing that face-to-face engagement leads to stronger business relationships and bigger deals. 

The numbers don’t lie—Relx’s exhibitions division has bounced back stronger than ever.

The Investing Lesson: Recognizing Compound Growth Opportunities

What investors need to understand is that Relx’s success is not just about AI or live events—it’s about strategic positioning. The best companies create multiple revenue streams that complement each other, ensuring stability in turbulent markets.

This is a core lesson for investing: Look for companies that build synergy between traditional and emerging markets. 

Relx is thriving because it didn’t just pivot to AI or digital tools—it found a way to use AI to enhance its core offerings while capitalizing on an entirely separate, resurgent revenue stream in live events. That’s the kind of layered growth strategy that produces consistent long-term gains.

Investors should also take note of the importance of pricing power. Relx’s AI-driven products command a premium because they provide a tangible, necessary benefit to industries that rely on accurate, real-time information. 

In contrast, many companies developing AI tools are struggling to monetize them effectively. A company’s ability to increase prices without losing customers is a powerful signal of its financial health.

Applying This to Your Portfolio

So how do you take this lesson and apply it to your own investing strategy? Start by identifying companies that aren’t just chasing trends but are integrating new technologies into a proven business model. Look for companies that:

• Operate in industries with high demand for data-driven decision-making (finance, law, healthcare, logistics). 
• Have strong pricing power—meaning they can raise prices without losing customers. 
• Generate revenue from multiple, complementary sources to hedge against market downturns. 
• Leverage AI and automation to improve efficiency rather than just relying on hype.

A great way to test a company’s resilience is to ask: Would this business survive and continue growing even if its most hyped technology were removed tomorrow? If the answer is yes, that company likely has a strong foundation worth investing in.

The biggest winners in today’s economy are companies that sit at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and time-tested business fundamentals. Relx proves that even in a world obsessed with digital transformation, traditional revenue streams—if leveraged correctly—still hold enormous value.

Investors who can recognize these types of businesses before the market catches on are the ones who benefit the most. The real money isn’t in chasing trends—it’s in recognizing when an established player is quietly dominating its industry.

For investors looking at long-term value, Relx represents the kind of business that thrives in both up and down markets. It leverages AI to future-proof its data services while capitalizing on the human need for real-world interaction. That’s a rare combination in today’s market, and one worth paying attention to.