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RSSS vs RELX
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Publishing
RSSS vs RELX — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Software - Application | Publishing |
| Market Cap | $85M | $61.76B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $49M | $18.84B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $4M | $3.82B |
| Gross Margin | 50.2% | 64.7% |
| Operating Margin | 6.9% | 30.4% |
| Forward P/E | 64.5x | 24.1x |
| Total Debt | $0.00 | $6.54B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $12M | $119M |
RSSS vs RELX — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Solutions,… (RSSS) | 100 | 85.1 | -14.9% |
| RELX Plc (RELX) | 100 | 146.6 | +46.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: RSSS vs RELX
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
RSSS is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 9.9%, EPS growth 130.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 14.2%
- 158.0% 10Y total return vs RELX's 121.7%
- 9.9% revenue growth vs RELX's 3.0%
RELX carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 14 yrs, beta 0.44, yield 2.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.44, current ratio 0.52x
- Beta 0.44, yield 2.4%, current ratio 0.52x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 9.9% revenue growth vs RELX's 3.0% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (24.1x vs 64.5x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 20.3% margin vs RSSS's 7.9% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.44 vs RSSS's 0.67 | |
| Dividends | 2.4% yield; 14-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | -7.5% vs RELX's -36.2% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 26.6% ROA vs RSSS's 8.6%, ROIC 21.8% vs 51.4% |
RSSS vs RELX — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
RSSS vs RELX — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
RELX leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
RELX is the larger business by revenue, generating $18.8B annually — 382.8x RSSS's $49M. RELX is the more profitable business, keeping 20.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to RSSS's 7.9%. On growth, RELX holds the edge at +2.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $49M | $18.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $5M | $6.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $4M | $3.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $8M | $5.0B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +50.2% | +64.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +6.9% | +30.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +7.9% | +20.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +15.5% | +26.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -1.0% | +2.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +126.6% | +1.9% |
Valuation Metrics
RSSS leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 24.4x trailing earnings, RELX trades at a 62% valuation discount to RSSS's 64.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, RELX's 16.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than RSSS's 19.4x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $85M | $61.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $73M | $70.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 64.50x | 24.38x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 24.10x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 4.07x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 19.40x | 16.44x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.73x | 4.81x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 5.68x | 13.45x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 12.12x | 17.55x |
Profitability & Efficiency
RELX leads this category, winning 4 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
RELX delivers a 174.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $174 in annual profit, vs $27 for RSSS. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), RELX scores 9/9 vs RSSS's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +26.7% | +174.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +8.6% | +26.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +51.4% | +21.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +11.2% | +30.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 9 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 1.87x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$12M | $6.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $12M | $119M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $0 | $6.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 8.39x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
RSSS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in RELX five years ago would be worth $13,956 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $11,467 for RSSS. Over the past 12 months, RSSS leads with a -7.5% total return vs RELX's -36.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors RSSS at 7.9% vs RELX's 5.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -11.9% | -14.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -7.5% | -36.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +25.5% | +18.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +14.7% | +39.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +158.0% | +121.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +7.9% | +5.7% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — RSSS and RELX each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
RELX is the less volatile stock with a 0.44 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than RSSS's 0.67 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.67x | 0.44x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $4.12 | $56.33 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $2.15 | $27.57 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +62.6% | +60.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 51.1 | 53.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 47K | 3.3M |
Analyst Outlook
RELX leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
RELX is the only dividend payer here at 2.38% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $26.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 7 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +2.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 14 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.60 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.1% | +2.2% |
RELX leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). RSSS leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). 1 tied.
RSSS vs RELX: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is RSSS or RELX a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Research Solutions, Inc.
(RSSS) is the stronger pick with 9. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 0% for RELX Plc (RELX). RELX Plc (RELX) offers the better valuation at 24. 4x trailing P/E (24. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate RELX Plc (RELX) a "Buy" — based on 7 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — RSSS or RELX?
On trailing P/E, RELX Plc (RELX) is the cheapest at 24.
4x versus Research Solutions, Inc. at 64. 5x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — RSSS or RELX?
Over the past 5 years, RELX Plc (RELX) delivered a total return of +39.
6%, compared to +14. 7% for Research Solutions, Inc. (RSSS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: RSSS returned +158. 0% versus RELX's +121. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — RSSS or RELX?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), RELX Plc (RELX) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
44β versus Research Solutions, Inc. 's 0. 67β — meaning RSSS is approximately 53% more volatile than RELX relative to the S&P 500.
05Which is growing faster — RSSS or RELX?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Research Solutions, Inc.
(RSSS) is pulling ahead at 9. 9% versus 3. 0% for RELX Plc (RELX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Research Solutions, Inc. grew EPS 130. 8% year-over-year, compared to 9. 6% for RELX Plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, RSSS leads at 14. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — RSSS or RELX?
RELX Plc (RELX) is the more profitable company, earning 20.
5% net margin versus 2. 6% for Research Solutions, Inc. — meaning it keeps 20. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: RELX leads at 30. 3% versus 5. 1% for RSSS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — RELX leads at 65. 0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Which pays a better dividend — RSSS or RELX?
In this comparison, RELX (2.
4% yield) pays a dividend. RSSS does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is RSSS or RELX better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, RELX Plc (RELX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
44), 2. 4% yield, +121. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (RELX: +121. 7%, RSSS: +158. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between RSSS and RELX?
These companies operate in different sectors (RSSS (Technology) and RELX (Communication Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
RELX pays a dividend while RSSS does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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- Sector: Communication Services
- Market Cap > $100B
- Net Margin > 12%
- Dividend Yield > 0.9%
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