REIT - Specialty
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AMT vs UNIT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
REIT - Specialty
AMT vs UNIT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | REIT - Specialty | REIT - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $82.98B | $2.73B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $10.82B | $2.23B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $2.88B | $1.27B |
| Gross Margin | 73.4% | 47.1% |
| Operating Margin | 44.2% | 21.2% |
| Forward P/E | 27.2x | 2.4x |
| Total Debt | $44.96B | $10.02B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.47B | $134M |
AMT vs UNIT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Tower Corp… (AMT) | 100 | 69.0 | -31.0% |
| Uniti Group Inc. (UNIT) | 100 | 83.9 | -16.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: AMT vs UNIT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
AMT is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 11 yrs, beta -0.04, yield 3.8%
- 113.0% 10Y total return vs UNIT's -29.9%
- Lower volatility, beta -0.04, current ratio 0.63x
UNIT carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and defensive.
- Rev growth 91.5%, EPS growth 6.6%, 3Y rev CAGR 25.6%
- Beta 1.79, current ratio 0.74x
- 91.5% FFO/revenue growth vs AMT's 5.1%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 91.5% FFO/revenue growth vs AMT's 5.1% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (2.4x vs 27.2x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 56.8% margin vs AMT's 26.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Lower D/E ratio (434.2% vs 26.3%) | |
| Dividends | 3.8% yield; 11-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +38.4% vs AMT's -17.4% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 14.5% ROA vs AMT's 4.5%, ROIC 5.2% vs 6.9% |
AMT vs UNIT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
AMT vs UNIT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AMT leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AMT is the larger business by revenue, generating $10.8B annually — 4.8x UNIT's $2.2B. UNIT is the more profitable business, keeping 56.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to AMT's 26.6%. On growth, UNIT holds the edge at +2.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $10.8B | $2.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $6.9B | $1.1B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $2.9B | $1.3B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $3.8B | -$460M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +73.4% | +47.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +44.2% | +21.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +26.6% | +56.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +34.9% | -20.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +6.8% | +2.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +76.9% | -10.5% |
Valuation Metrics
UNIT leads this category, winning 4 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 2.4x trailing earnings, UNIT trades at a 93% valuation discount to AMT's 33.0x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, UNIT's 11.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than AMT's 18.2x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $83.0B | $2.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $126.5B | $12.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 33.05x | 2.36x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 27.18x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 4.53x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 18.22x | 11.07x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 7.80x | 1.22x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 8.07x | 8.06x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 21.93x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
AMT leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
UNIT delivers a 3.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $3 in annual profit, vs $27 for AMT. AMT carries lower financial leverage with a 4.34x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to UNIT's 26.35x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AMT scores 7/9 vs UNIT's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +27.4% | +3.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.5% | +14.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +6.9% | +5.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +8.6% | +6.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 4.34x | 26.35x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $43.5B | $9.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.5B | $134M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $45.0B | $10.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.99x | 0.79x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
UNIT leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AMT five years ago would be worth $8,426 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,019 for UNIT. Over the past 12 months, UNIT leads with a +38.4% total return vs AMT's -17.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors UNIT at 26.1% vs AMT's 0.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +2.9% | +68.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -17.4% | +38.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +0.7% | +100.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -15.7% | -19.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +113.0% | -29.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +0.2% | +26.1% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — AMT and UNIT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
AMT is the less volatile stock with a -0.04 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than UNIT's 1.79 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. UNIT currently trades 94.5% from its 52-week high vs AMT's 76.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | -0.04x | 1.79x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $234.33 | $12.18 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $165.08 | $5.30 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +76.0% | +94.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 53.8 | 60.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.9M | 2.4M |
Analyst Outlook
AMT leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates AMT as "Buy" and UNIT as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 21.5% upside for AMT (target: $216) vs -4.3% for UNIT (target: $11). AMT is the only dividend payer here at 3.78% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $216.33 | $11.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 49 | 13 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.8% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 11 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $6.73 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.4% | 0.0% |
AMT leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). UNIT leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). 1 tied.
AMT vs UNIT: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is AMT or UNIT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Uniti Group Inc.
(UNIT) is the stronger pick with 91. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 1% for American Tower Corporation (AMT). Uniti Group Inc. (UNIT) offers the better valuation at 2. 4x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate American Tower Corporation (AMT) a "Buy" — based on 49 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 — AMT or UNIT?
On trailing P/E, Uniti Group Inc.
(UNIT) is the cheapest at 2. 4x versus American Tower Corporation at 33. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — AMT or UNIT?
Over the past 5 years, American Tower Corporation (AMT) delivered a total return of -15.
7%, compared to -19. 8% for Uniti Group Inc. (UNIT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AMT returned +113. 0% versus UNIT's -29. 9%. 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 — AMT or UNIT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), American Tower Corporation (AMT) is the lower-risk stock at -0.
04β versus Uniti Group Inc. 's 1. 79β — meaning UNIT is approximately -4881% more volatile than AMT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, American Tower Corporation (AMT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 26% for Uniti Group Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — AMT or UNIT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Uniti Group Inc.
(UNIT) is pulling ahead at 91. 5% versus 5. 1% for American Tower Corporation (AMT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Uniti Group Inc. grew EPS 660. 9% year-over-year, compared to 11. 8% for American Tower Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, UNIT leads at 25. 6% 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 — AMT or UNIT?
Uniti Group Inc.
(UNIT) is the more profitable company, earning 58. 4% net margin versus 23. 8% for American Tower Corporation — meaning it keeps 58. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AMT leads at 45. 8% versus 21. 2% for UNIT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AMT leads at 73. 7%, 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.
07Is AMT or UNIT more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AMT: 21.
5% to $216. 33.
08Which pays a better dividend — AMT or UNIT?
In this comparison, AMT (3.
8% yield) pays a dividend. UNIT does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is AMT or UNIT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, American Tower Corporation (AMT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0.
04), 3. 8% yield, +113. 0% 10Y return). Uniti Group Inc. (UNIT) carries a higher beta of 1. 79 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (AMT: +113. 0%, UNIT: -29. 9%), 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.
10What are the main differences between AMT and UNIT?
Both stocks operate in the Real Estate sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: AMT is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; UNIT is a small-cap high-growth stock. AMT pays a dividend while UNIT 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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