Relx plc and Wolters Kluwer Experience Decline in the AEX Index
On February 6, 2026, the AEX index opened 0.3 % lower, settling at 981.82 points, with the mid‑cap segment mirroring the decline. The fall was driven largely by a drop in the shares of Relx plc and its Dutch subsidiary Wolters Kluwer, both of which returned to the bottom of the index. Despite a brief rebound in the previous trading day, the shares remained below the level that would have placed them in a more favorable position within the benchmark.
Relx plc, a global supplier of information and analytics services, recorded a closing price of 2 145 GBX on February 5, 2026, after having fallen from a 52‑week high of 4 205 GBX in February 2025. The company’s price‑earnings ratio was 20.71 at the time of the drop. The decline in Relx shares coincided with broader concerns among investors about the impact of large‑scale artificial‑intelligence (AI) investments announced by major technology firms. Reports of a planned $600 billion AI spending surge by Big Tech firms contributed to heightened market unease, particularly affecting sectors that may be disrupted by AI advancements.
Financial commentators noted that while the immediate reaction to the AI announcements was negative, some analysts, such as Nick Train, argued that the “panic” surrounding AI developments may be overstated. Train suggested that companies like Relx, Sage, and Experian possess credible opportunities to grow through AI integration, implying that the short‑term market reaction might not fully reflect long‑term potential.
The FTSE 100 index rose during the same session, partly offsetting the drop in Relx shares, as heavyweight banking stocks gained ground. Nonetheless, the performance of Relx and Wolters Kluwer remains a point of focus for investors monitoring the interplay between traditional professional‑services firms and the evolving AI landscape.
