Mecca digital picking up growth

The 19% growth in digital revenue is the key highlight in Rank Group’s trading update (16 weeks to 15 October). Grosvenor digital was up 34% and, encouragingly, Mecca digital has moved to double-digit growth (up 11% vs 2% in FY17). In a continuation of previous trends, Venues l-f-l revenues declined by 1%, leading to a 2% l-f-l growth in total group revenues. Notwithstanding the decline in Venues, the core business is highly cash generative, enabling progressive dividends, as well as potential M&A. Rank Group does not face any B2 FOBT risk from the triennial review and may even benefit if it is allowed more machines. Despite this, the stock trades at c 6.8x EV/EBITDA for CY18e. Management reiterated its expectations for the full year and our estimates remain unchanged.