SELF vs AMT

For growth investors, American Tower Corporation (AMT) is the stronger pick with 5.

1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 4% for Global Self Storage, Inc. (SELF). Global Self Storage, Inc. (SELF) offers the better valuation at 30. 1x 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.

On trailing P/E, Global Self Storage, Inc.

(SELF) is the cheapest at 30. 1x versus American Tower Corporation at 33. 3x.

Over the past 5 years, Global Self Storage, Inc.

(SELF) delivered a total return of +37. 6%, compared to -14. 7% for American Tower Corporation (AMT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AMT returned +113. 8% versus SELF's +69. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), American Tower Corporation (AMT) is the lower-risk stock at -0.

04β versus Global Self Storage, Inc. 's 0. 20β — meaning SELF is approximately -627% more volatile than AMT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Global Self Storage, Inc. (SELF) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 34% versus 4% for American Tower Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), American Tower Corporation (AMT) is pulling ahead at 5.

1% versus 1. 4% for Global Self Storage, Inc. (SELF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: American Tower Corporation grew EPS 11. 8% year-over-year, compared to -5. 3% for Global Self Storage, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, AMT leads at 3. 3% 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.

American Tower Corporation (AMT) is the more profitable company, earning 23.

8% net margin versus 16. 0% for Global Self Storage, Inc. — meaning it keeps 23. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AMT leads at 45. 8% versus 20. 5% for SELF. 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.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Global Self Storage, Inc. (SELF) offers the highest yield at 5. 4%, versus 3. 7% for American Tower Corporation (AMT).

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. 7% yield, +113. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AMT: +113. 8%, SELF: +69. 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.

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.

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.