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UPDATE 2-Relx raises dividend after pandemic drives analytics demand

* Dividend increased by 3%

* Says 95% of business is growing

* Outlook for exhibitions remains uncertain(Adds shares, background)

By Kate Holton

LONDON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - European information providerRelx plans to raise its dividend by 3%, it said onThursday, citing pandemic-driven demand for services from onlineidentity checks to digital learning in science.

The British group, which outperformed the FTSE 100 index for10 years after transforming from an advertising-supported mediagroup to the more stable world of data and analytics, said itsmain science, legal and risk divisions had posted underlyinggrowth despite the turmoil of 2020.

The one weakness that dragged down overall revenue andprofit came from its exhibitions arm, which had accounted for16% of revenue in 2019 but struggled to host many major eventsas global travel and face-to-face meetings ground to a halt in2020.

The division posted an adjusted loss of 164 million pounds($227 million), against a 331 million pound profit in 2019, withthe outlook for this year still uncertain.

"The fundamental long-term growth drivers of the business doremain strong and we continue to invest behind our strategicpriorities so the overall direction is unchanged," financedirector Nick Luff told reporters.

Relx, previously called Reed Elsevier, said its three maindivisions continued to deliver underlying growth in revenue andadjusted operating profit. They accounted for 95% of revenue in2020.

It acquired 11 businesses for a total of 878 million pounds.Among them was Emailage, which helps to spot online fraud.

Overall, Relx reported adjusted operating profit of 2.1billion pounds ($2.9 billion), down from last year's 2.5 billionpounds but in line with forecasts. Underlying revenue fell 9% to7.1 billion pounds.

Analysts at Citi said the results indicated a slowdown inthe performance of the Scientific, Technical and Medicaldivision in the fourth quarter, preventing a rerating of thestock. Relx also ruled out a resumption of its share buybackthis year.

The company's shares were up 1.5% in early trade. They havefallen 12% over the past year, broadly in line with the FTSE100.($1 = 0.7222 pounds)(Reporting by Kate HoltonEditing by David Goodman)

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