CCI
Crown Castle Inc.
REIT - Specialty
Market Cap$38.88B
5Y Perf.-48.2%
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Stock Comparison
CCI vs SBAC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
SBAC
SBA Communications Corporation
REIT - Specialty
Market Cap$23.06B
5Y Perf.-30.8%
CCI vs SBAC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | CCI | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | REIT - Specialty | REIT - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $38.88B | $23.06B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $4.21B | $2.85B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $1.06B | $1.02B |
| Gross Margin | 65.7% | 63.6% |
| Operating Margin | 48.0% | 47.6% |
| Forward P/E | 43.0x | 29.2x |
| Total Debt | $29.57B | $15.32B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $269M | $432M |
CCI vs SBAC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
CCI
SBAC
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Castle Inc. (CCI) | 100 | 51.8 | -48.2% |
| SBA Communications … (SBAC) | 100 | 69.2 | -30.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CCI vs SBAC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: SBAC leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Crown Castle Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
CCI
Crown Castle Inc.
The Real Estate Income Play
CCI is the clearest fit if your priority is dividends.
- 5.3% yield, vs SBAC's 2.0%
Best for: dividends
SBAC
SBA Communications Corporation
The Real Estate Income Play
SBAC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 7 yrs, beta 0.16, yield 2.0%
- Rev growth 5.1%, EPS growth 41.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 2.2%
- 138.2% 10Y total return vs CCI's 58.4%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | SBAC | 5.1% FFO/revenue growth vs CCI's -35.1% |
| Value | SBAC | Lower P/E (29.2x vs 43.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | SBAC | 35.7% margin vs CCI's 25.1% |
| Stability / Safety | SBAC | Beta 0.16 vs CCI's 0.26 |
| Dividends | CCI | 5.3% yield, vs SBAC's 2.0% |
| Momentum (1Y) | SBAC | -8.3% vs CCI's -12.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | SBAC | 9.0% ROA vs CCI's 3.4%, ROIC 10.0% vs 5.5% |
CCI vs SBAC — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
CCI vs SBAC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLSBACLAGGINGCCI
CCICrown Castle Inc.
1leads
SBACSBA Communications Co…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs CCIMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CCI4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
SBAC4/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
SBAC7/7
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
SBAC6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
SBAC2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CCI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CCI and SBAC operate at a comparable scale, with $4.2B and $2.9B in trailing revenue. SBAC is the more profitable business, keeping 35.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CCI's 25.1%. On growth, SBAC holds the edge at +5.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | CCICrown Castle Inc. | SBACSBA Communication… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $4.2B | $2.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $2.7B | $1.7B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $1.1B | $1.0B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $2.7B | $1.0B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +65.7% | +63.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +48.0% | +47.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +25.1% | +35.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +64.7% | +35.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -4.8% | +5.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +132.1% | -14.7% |
CCI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
SBAC leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 22.2x trailing earnings, SBAC trades at a 75% valuation discount to CCI's 87.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, SBAC's 20.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CCI's 24.6x.
| Metric | CCICrown Castle Inc. | SBACSBA Communication… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $38.9B | $23.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $68.2B | $37.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 87.35x | 22.18x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 42.99x | 29.22x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.19x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 24.63x | 20.55x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 9.12x | 8.19x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | — | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 13.52x | 21.62x |
SBAC leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SBAC leads this category, winning 7 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SBAC scores 7/9 vs CCI's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | CCICrown Castle Inc. | SBACSBA Communication… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | — | — |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.4% | +9.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.5% | +10.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +7.2% | +14.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $29.3B | $14.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $269M | $432M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $29.6B | $15.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.17x | 3.65x |
SBAC leads this category, winning 7 of 7 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SBAC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SBAC five years ago would be worth $7,986 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,417 for CCI. Over the past 12 months, SBAC leads with a -8.3% total return vs CCI's -12.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SBAC at -1.4% vs CCI's -3.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | CCICrown Castle Inc. | SBACSBA Communication… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +1.6% | +13.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -12.7% | -8.3% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -10.7% | -4.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -35.8% | -20.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +58.4% | +138.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -3.7% | -1.4% |
SBAC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SBAC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SBAC is the less volatile stock with a 0.16 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CCI's 0.26 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SBAC currently trades 88.7% from its 52-week high vs CCI's 77.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | CCICrown Castle Inc. | SBACSBA Communication… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.26x | 0.16x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $115.76 | $245.16 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $75.96 | $162.41 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +77.0% | +88.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 60.3 | 57.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 3.0M | 1.2M |
SBAC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — CCI and SBAC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CCI as "Buy" and SBAC as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 18.3% upside for CCI (target: $105) vs 5.9% for SBAC (target: $230). For income investors, CCI offers the higher dividend yield at 5.34% vs SBAC's 2.05%.
| Metric | CCICrown Castle Inc. | SBACSBA Communication… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $105.40 | $230.14 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 46 | 42 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +5.3% | +2.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 7 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $4.76 | $4.45 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | +2.2% |
Evenly matched — CCI and SBAC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
SBAC leads in 4 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). CCI leads in 1 (Income & Cash Flow). 1 tied.
Best OverallSBA Communications Corporat… (SBAC)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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CCI vs SBAC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CCI or SBAC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC) is the stronger pick with 5.
1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -35. 1% for Crown Castle Inc. (CCI). SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC) offers the better valuation at 22. 2x trailing P/E (29. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Crown Castle Inc. (CCI) a "Buy" — based on 46 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 — CCI or SBAC?
On trailing P/E, SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC) is the cheapest at 22.
2x versus Crown Castle Inc. at 87. 4x. On forward P/E, SBA Communications Corporation is actually cheaper at 29. 2x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CCI or SBAC?
Over the past 5 years, SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC) delivered a total return of -20.
1%, compared to -35. 8% for Crown Castle Inc. (CCI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SBAC returned +138. 2% versus CCI's +58. 4%. 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 — CCI or SBAC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
16β versus Crown Castle Inc. 's 0. 26β — meaning CCI is approximately 62% more volatile than SBAC relative to the S&P 500.
05Which is growing faster — CCI or SBAC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC) is pulling ahead at 5.
1% versus -35. 1% for Crown Castle Inc. (CCI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Crown Castle Inc. grew EPS 111. 4% year-over-year, compared to 41. 2% for SBA Communications Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, SBAC leads at 2. 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 — CCI or SBAC?
SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC) is the more profitable company, earning 37.
4% net margin versus 10. 4% for Crown Castle Inc. — meaning it keeps 37. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CCI leads at 48. 7% versus 48. 7% for SBAC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CCI leads at 66. 1%, 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 CCI or SBAC more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC) trades at 29.
2x forward P/E versus 43. 0x for Crown Castle Inc. — 13. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CCI: 18. 3% to $105. 40.
08Which pays a better dividend — CCI or SBAC?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Crown Castle Inc. (CCI) offers the highest yield at 5. 3%, versus 2. 0% for SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC).
09Is CCI or SBAC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
16), 2. 0% yield, +138. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SBAC: +138. 2%, CCI: +58. 4%), 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 CCI and SBAC?
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: CCI is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; SBAC is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. 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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Revenue Growth>
%
(CCI: -4.8% · SBAC: 5.9%)Net Margin>
%
(CCI: 25.1% · SBAC: 35.7%)P/E Ratio<
x
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