AMT vs. SBAC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 23, 2025

Here’s a clear look at AMT and SBAC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Both AMT and SBAC are Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). These entities are required to distribute the majority of their taxable income to shareholders, often resulting in higher dividend yields.

Symbol	AMT	SBAC
Company Name	American Tower Corporation	SBA Communications Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Real Estate	Real Estate
GICS Industry	Specialized REITs	Specialized REITs
Market Capitalization	98.10 billion USD	24.02 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	February 27, 1998	June 16, 1999
Security Type	REIT	REIT

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AMT and SBAC by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

AMT vs. SBAC: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	AMT	SBAC
5-Day Price Return	1.22%	3.13%
13-Week Price Return	-3.15%	-5.01%
26-Week Price Return	9.04%	7.49%
52-Week Price Return	-6.00%	2.47%
Month-to-Date Return	-0.84%	-0.45%
Year-to-Date Return	12.67%	9.77%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.24M	0.77M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.44M	0.82M
3-Month Volatility	19.54%	20.78%
Beta	0.89	0.83

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

AMT

36.23%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 37.66%
Q3: 20.19%
Median: 8.96%
Q1: 6.32%
Min: -1.71%

In the upper quartile for the Specialized REITs industry, AMT’s Return on Equity of 36.23% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

SBAC

-1.71%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 37.66%
Q3: 20.19%
Median: 8.96%
Q1: 6.32%
Min: -1.71%

SBAC has a negative Return on Equity of -1.71%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

AMT vs. SBAC: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

AMT

12.60%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 67.81%
Q3: 40.70%
Median: 25.91%
Q1: 11.01%
Min: 1.95%

In the Specialized REITs industry, Net Profit Margin is often not the primary profitability metric.

SBAC

32.25%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 67.81%
Q3: 40.70%
Median: 25.91%
Q1: 11.01%
Min: 1.95%

In the Specialized REITs industry, Net Profit Margin is often not the primary profitability metric.

AMT vs. SBAC: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

AMT

45.53%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 107.13%
Q3: 55.10%
Median: 41.03%
Q1: 17.97%
Min: 5.94%

In the Specialized REITs industry, Operating Profit Margin is often not the primary measure of operational efficiency.

SBAC

52.34%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 107.13%
Q3: 55.10%
Median: 41.03%
Q1: 17.97%
Min: 5.94%

In the Specialized REITs industry, Operating Profit Margin is often not the primary measure of operational efficiency.

AMT vs. SBAC: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AMT	SBAC
Return on Equity (TTM)	36.23%	-1.71%
Return on Assets (TTM)	2.07%	8.21%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	12.60%	32.25%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	45.53%	52.34%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	74.37%	76.94%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

AMT

0.61

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 1.74
Q3: 1.13
Median: 0.59
Q1: 0.35
Min: 0.09

AMT’s Current Ratio of 0.61 aligns with the median group of the Specialized REITs industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

SBAC

0.37

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 1.74
Q3: 1.13
Median: 0.59
Q1: 0.35
Min: 0.09

SBAC’s Current Ratio of 0.37 aligns with the median group of the Specialized REITs industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

AMT vs. SBAC: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

AMT

10.10

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 4.54
Q3: 3.26
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.58
Min: 0.16

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 10.10, AMT operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Specialized REITs industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

SBAC

43.14

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 4.54
Q3: 3.26
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.58
Min: 0.16

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 43.14, SBAC operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Specialized REITs industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

AMT vs. SBAC: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

AMT

5.07

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 5.24
Q3: 4.05
Median: 2.99
Q1: 2.10
Min: 1.28

AMT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.07 is in the upper quartile for the Specialized REITs industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

SBAC

2.90

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 5.24
Q3: 4.05
Median: 2.99
Q1: 2.10
Min: 1.28

SBAC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.90 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Specialized REITs industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

AMT vs. SBAC: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AMT	SBAC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.61	0.37
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.51	0.35
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	10.10	43.14
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	5.07	2.90

Growth

Revenue Growth

AMT vs. SBAC: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

AMT vs. SBAC: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

AMT

3.18%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 7.06%
Q3: 5.09%
Median: 4.51%
Q1: 3.18%
Min: 1.78%

AMT’s Dividend Yield of 3.18% is consistent with its peers in the Specialized REITs industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

SBAC

1.91%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 7.06%
Q3: 5.09%
Median: 4.51%
Q1: 3.18%
Min: 1.78%

SBAC’s Dividend Yield of 1.91% is in the lower quartile for the Specialized REITs industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

AMT vs. SBAC: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

AMT

111.40%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 295.93%
Q3: 182.11%
Median: 119.31%
Q1: 65.42%
Min: 43.86%

AMT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 111.40% is within the typical range for the Specialized REITs industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

SBAC

51.48%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 295.93%
Q3: 182.11%
Median: 119.31%
Q1: 65.42%
Min: 43.86%

SBAC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 51.48% is in the lower quartile for the Specialized REITs industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

AMT vs. SBAC: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AMT	SBAC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	3.18%	1.91%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	111.40%	51.48%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AMT

74.85

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 85.59
Q3: 64.69
Median: 29.09
Q1: 18.22
Min: 8.79

The P/E Ratio is often not the primary metric for valuation in the Specialized REITs industry.

SBAC

26.92

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 85.59
Q3: 64.69
Median: 29.09
Q1: 18.22
Min: 8.79

The P/E Ratio is often not the primary metric for valuation in the Specialized REITs industry.

AMT vs. SBAC: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

AMT

9.43

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 14.35
Q3: 9.60
Median: 8.74
Q1: 5.61
Min: 1.63

AMT’s P/S Ratio of 9.43 aligns with the market consensus for the Specialized REITs industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

SBAC

8.68

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 14.35
Q3: 9.60
Median: 8.74
Q1: 5.61
Min: 1.63

SBAC’s P/S Ratio of 8.68 aligns with the market consensus for the Specialized REITs industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

AMT vs. SBAC: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

AMT

27.87

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 11.33
Q3: 5.68
Median: 2.69
Q1: 1.81
Min: 0.71

At 27.87, AMT’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Specialized REITs industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

SBAC

82.55

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 11.33
Q3: 5.68
Median: 2.69
Q1: 1.81
Min: 0.71

At 82.55, SBAC’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Specialized REITs industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

AMT vs. SBAC: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Specialized REITs industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AMT	SBAC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	74.85	26.92
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	9.43	8.68
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	27.87	82.55
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	25.87	22.28