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American Tower (AMT) vs. Digital Realty Trust (DLR)

This page compares American Tower (AMT) with Digital Realty Trust (DLR) using historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation metrics.

Company Profile

American Tower (AMT) and Digital Realty Trust (DLR) both belong to the Specialized REITs industry, though AMT is classified under Telecom Tower REITs while DLR falls under Data Center REITs.

Both American Tower (AMT, REIT) and Digital Realty Trust (DLR, REIT) are distribution-oriented income vehicles — payout ratios and P/E should be read alongside FFO, distributable cash flow, or issuer-specific cash-flow measures.

SymbolAMTDLR
Company NameAmerican Tower CorporationDigital Realty Trust, Inc.
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorReal EstateReal Estate
GICS Industry GroupEquity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
GICS IndustrySpecialized REITsSpecialized REITs
GICS Sub-IndustryTelecom Tower REITsData Center REITs
Market Capitalization85.62 billion USD69.49 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateFebruary 27, 1998October 29, 2004
Security TypeREITREIT

Historical Performance

AMT
DLR
Loading price history…
American Tower (AMT) vs. Digital Realty Trust (DLR): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolAMTDLR
5-Day Price Return7.71%3.06%
13-Week Price Return-0.55%9.82%
26-Week Price Return1.46%22.87%
52-Week Price Return-14.01%16.13%
Month-to-Date Return0.59%-3.32%
Year-to-Date Return4.68%25.57%
10-Day Avg. Volume3.38M1.85M
3-Month Avg. Volume3.23M2.04M
3-Month Volatility27.45%21.51%
Beta0.901.08

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

American Tower (AMT) posts Return on Equity (TTM) of 78.17%, above its industry benchmark range, while Digital Realty Trust (DLR) at 5.98% sits closer to the industry mid-range.

AMT

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

78.17%

Max
22.01%
Q3
11.68%
Median
6.89%
Q1
3.22%
Min
-9.32%

DLR

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

5.98%

Max
22.01%
Q3
11.68%
Median
6.89%
Q1
3.22%
Min
-9.32%
American Tower (AMT) vs. Digital Realty Trust (DLR): A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

Net Profit Margin (TTM) isn’t a meaningful figure for either American Tower (AMT) in Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) or Digital Realty Trust (DLR) in Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) under our convention.

AMT

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

26.81%

Max
70.59%
Q3
34.78%
Median
23.30%
Q1
9.09%
Min
-22.16%

DLR

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

21.73%

Max
70.59%
Q3
34.78%
Median
23.30%
Q1
9.09%
Min
-22.16%
American Tower (AMT) vs. Digital Realty Trust (DLR): A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

Operating Profit Margin (TTM) isn’t a meaningful figure for either American Tower (AMT) in Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) or Digital Realty Trust (DLR) in Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) under our convention.

AMT

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

44.65%

Max
78.54%
Q3
40.76%
Median
25.94%
Q1
14.42%
Min
-21.19%

DLR

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

11.44%

Max
78.54%
Q3
40.76%
Median
25.94%
Q1
14.42%
Min
-21.19%
American Tower (AMT) vs. Digital Realty Trust (DLR): A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolAMTDLR
Return on Equity (TTM)78.17%5.98%
Return on Assets (TTM)4.57%2.82%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)26.81%21.73%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)44.65%11.44%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)73.96%58.08%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Digital Realty Trust (DLR) at 1.05 keeps Current Ratio (MRQ) within its industry mid-range, while American Tower (AMT) at 0.30 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for AMT.

AMT

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

0.30

Max
2.89
Q3
1.41
Median
0.74
Q1
0.34
Min
0.00

DLR

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

1.05

Max
2.89
Q3
1.41
Median
0.74
Q1
0.34
Min
0.00
American Tower (AMT) vs. Digital Realty Trust (DLR): A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

Digital Realty Trust (DLR) at 0.77 is around its industry mid-range for Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ), while American Tower (AMT) at 10.59 sits above its industry benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.

AMT

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

10.59

Max
3.10
Q3
1.71
Median
1.05
Q1
0.76
Min
0.14

DLR

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

0.77

Max
3.10
Q3
1.71
Median
1.05
Q1
0.76
Min
0.14
American Tower (AMT) vs. Digital Realty Trust (DLR): A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

Digital Realty Trust (DLR) at 3.86 ranks in the top quartile for Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM), ahead of American Tower (AMT) at 2.50, which sits around the industry mid-range.

AMT

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

2.50

Max
6.82
Q3
3.66
Median
2.50
Q1
1.54
Min
-0.62

DLR

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

3.86

Max
6.82
Q3
3.66
Median
2.50
Q1
1.54
Min
-0.62
American Tower (AMT) vs. Digital Realty Trust (DLR): A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolAMTDLR
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.301.05
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.271.05
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)10.590.77
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)2.503.86

Growth

Revenue Growth

American Tower (AMT) vs. Digital Realty Trust (DLR): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

Revenue Growth at a Glance

SymbolAMTDLR
Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY)6.82%16.16%
Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY)6.31%12.59%
3-Year Revenue CAGR3.34%9.22%
5-Year Revenue CAGR5.77%9.38%

EPS Growth

American Tower (AMT) vs. Digital Realty Trust (DLR): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth at a Glance

SymbolAMTDLR
EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY)76.50%59.09%
EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY)58.98%211.72%
3-Year EPS CAGR12.24%43.71%
5-Year EPS CAGR7.32%22.61%

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

American Tower (AMT) at 3.72% reports Dividend Yield (TTM) around its industry mid-range, while Digital Realty Trust (DLR) at 2.61% drops into the bottom quartile.

AMT

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

3.72%

Max
8.57%
Q3
5.38%
Median
4.20%
Q1
3.23%
Min
0.06%

DLR

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

2.61%

Max
8.57%
Q3
5.38%
Median
4.20%
Q1
3.23%
Min
0.06%
American Tower (AMT) vs. Digital Realty Trust (DLR): A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) isn’t a meaningful figure for either American Tower (AMT) in Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) or Digital Realty Trust (DLR) in Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) under our convention.

AMT

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

110.17%

Max
264.79%
Q3
154.23%
Median
110.31%
Q1
77.71%
Min
0.00%

DLR

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

127.09%

Max
264.79%
Q3
154.23%
Median
110.31%
Q1
77.71%
Min
0.00%
American Tower (AMT) vs. Digital Realty Trust (DLR): A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolAMTDLR
Dividend Yield (TTM)3.72%2.61%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)110.17%127.09%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) isn’t a meaningful figure for either American Tower (AMT) in Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) or Digital Realty Trust (DLR) in Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) under our convention.

AMT

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

29.61

Max
62.52
Q3
38.29
Median
28.27
Q1
21.86
Min
1.10

DLR

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

48.73

Max
62.52
Q3
38.29
Median
28.27
Q1
21.86
Min
1.10
American Tower (AMT) vs. Digital Realty Trust (DLR): A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

American Tower (AMT) at 7.94 carries typical industry Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), while Digital Realty Trust (DLR) at 10.59 sits in the higher-multiple quartile — DLR carries a higher trailing revenue multiple relative to peers.

AMT

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

7.94

Max
15.33
Q3
9.12
Median
6.96
Q1
3.47
Min
0.75

DLR

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

10.59

Max
15.33
Q3
9.12
Median
6.96
Q1
3.47
Min
0.75
American Tower (AMT) vs. Digital Realty Trust (DLR): A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

Digital Realty Trust (DLR) at 2.69 hovers around the typical industry Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), while American Tower (AMT) at 22.85 sits above its industry benchmark range — an elevated book-value multiple for AMT relative to peers.

AMT

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

22.85

Max
3.43
Q3
2.78
Median
1.80
Q1
1.32
Min
0.22

DLR

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group

2.69

Max
3.43
Q3
2.78
Median
1.80
Q1
1.32
Min
0.22
American Tower (AMT) vs. Digital Realty Trust (DLR): A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) industry group benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolAMTDLR
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)29.6148.73
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)7.9410.59
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)22.852.69
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)22.781,971.19