AMT vs. SBAC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AMT and SBAC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AMT’s market capitalization of 103.81 billion USD is substantially larger than SBAC’s 25.14 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
With betas of 0.83 for AMT and 0.78 for SBAC, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | AMT | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | American Tower Corporation | SBA Communications Corporation |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Real Estate | Real Estate |
| Industry | REIT - Specialty | REIT - Specialty |
| CEO | Steven O. Vondran | Brendan Thomas Cavanagh CPA |
| Price | 221.75 USD | 233.93 USD |
| Market Cap | 103.81 billion USD | 25.14 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.83 | 0.78 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | February 27, 1998 | June 16, 1999 |
| ADR | No | No |
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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AMT
50.68%
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 37.06%
- Q3
- 18.93%
- Median
- 6.30%
- Q1
- -0.13%
- Min
- -15.30%
Return on Equity is often not a primary performance indicator in the REIT - Specialty industry.
SBAC
-15.30%
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 37.06%
- Q3
- 18.93%
- Median
- 6.30%
- Q1
- -0.13%
- Min
- -15.30%
Return on Equity is often not a primary performance indicator in the REIT - Specialty industry.
Return on Invested Capital
AMT
7.12%
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 13.73%
- Q3
- 9.56%
- Median
- 7.01%
- Q1
- 4.47%
- Min
- 3.05%
Return on Invested Capital is often not a primary measure of capital efficiency in the REIT - Specialty industry.
SBAC
13.73%
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 13.73%
- Q3
- 9.56%
- Median
- 7.01%
- Q1
- 4.47%
- Min
- 3.05%
Return on Invested Capital is often not a primary measure of capital efficiency in the REIT - Specialty industry.
Net Profit Margin
AMT
17.34%
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 50.00%
- Q3
- 26.13%
- Median
- 14.60%
- Q1
- 4.75%
- Min
- 1.95%
In the REIT - Specialty industry, Net Profit Margin is often not the primary profitability metric.
SBAC
29.29%
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 50.00%
- Q3
- 26.13%
- Median
- 14.60%
- Q1
- 4.75%
- Min
- 1.95%
In the REIT - Specialty industry, Net Profit Margin is often not the primary profitability metric.
Operating Profit Margin
AMT
45.66%
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 73.20%
- Q3
- 47.39%
- Median
- 32.80%
- Q1
- 16.51%
- Min
- 8.59%
In the REIT - Specialty industry, Operating Profit Margin is often not the primary measure of operational efficiency.
SBAC
55.09%
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 73.20%
- Q3
- 47.39%
- Median
- 32.80%
- Q1
- 16.51%
- Min
- 8.59%
In the REIT - Specialty industry, Operating Profit Margin is often not the primary measure of operational efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AMT | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 50.68% | -15.30% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.94% | 7.53% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 7.12% | 13.73% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.34% | 29.29% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.66% | 55.09% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 68.44% | 75.16% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AMT
0.55
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 4.07
- Q3
- 2.38
- Median
- 1.43
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.19
For the REIT - Specialty industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
SBAC
0.69
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 4.07
- Q3
- 2.38
- Median
- 1.43
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.19
For the REIT - Specialty industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AMT
12.56
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 2.76
- Q3
- 1.56
- Median
- 1.11
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.42
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 12.56, AMT operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the REIT - Specialty industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
SBAC
-2.95
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 2.76
- Q3
- 1.56
- Median
- 1.11
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.42
SBAC has a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of -2.95, which indicates negative shareholder equity where liabilities exceed assets. This is a critical sign of financial distress.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AMT
3.51
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 3.62
- Q3
- 3.44
- Median
- 3.01
- Q1
- 2.44
- Min
- 1.17
AMT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.51 is in the upper quartile for the REIT - Specialty industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
SBAC
3.36
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 3.62
- Q3
- 3.44
- Median
- 3.01
- Q1
- 2.44
- Min
- 1.17
SBAC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.36 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the REIT - Specialty industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AMT | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 0.55 | 0.69 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.55 | 0.69 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 12.56 | -2.95 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.72 | 1.40 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 5.68 | 8.36 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.51 | 3.36 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AMT and SBAC. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AMT
2.99%
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 13.18%
- Q3
- 6.30%
- Median
- 4.63%
- Q1
- 2.61%
- Min
- 0.00%
AMT’s Dividend Yield of 2.99% is consistent with its peers in the REIT - Specialty industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
SBAC
1.79%
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 13.18%
- Q3
- 6.30%
- Median
- 4.63%
- Q1
- 2.61%
- Min
- 0.00%
SBAC’s Dividend Yield of 1.79% is in the lower quartile for the REIT - Specialty industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AMT
124.45%
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 667.77%
- Q3
- 177.73%
- Median
- 119.02%
- Q1
- 86.06%
- Min
- 0.14%
AMT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 124.45% is above 100%. This means the company is paying out more in dividends than it earned, a practice that is often unsustainable and could indicate a risk to future dividend stability.
SBAC
55.71%
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 667.77%
- Q3
- 177.73%
- Median
- 119.02%
- Q1
- 86.06%
- Min
- 0.14%
SBAC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 55.71% is in the lower quartile for the REIT - Specialty industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AMT | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.99% | 1.79% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 124.45% | 55.71% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AMT
56.78
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 82.59
- Q3
- 54.68
- Median
- 29.28
- Q1
- 15.94
- Min
- 8.64
The P/E Ratio is often not the primary metric for valuation in the REIT - Specialty industry.
SBAC
32.04
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 82.59
- Q3
- 54.68
- Median
- 29.28
- Q1
- 15.94
- Min
- 8.64
The P/E Ratio is often not the primary metric for valuation in the REIT - Specialty industry.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AMT
4.98
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 12.06
- Q3
- 5.37
- Median
- 2.44
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.51
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the REIT - Specialty industry.
SBAC
5.45
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 12.06
- Q3
- 5.37
- Median
- 2.44
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.51
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the REIT - Specialty industry.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AMT
9.86
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 9.68
- Q3
- 8.45
- Median
- 5.59
- Q1
- 2.71
- Min
- 0.89
With a P/S Ratio of 9.86, AMT trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the REIT - Specialty industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
SBAC
9.36
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 9.68
- Q3
- 8.45
- Median
- 5.59
- Q1
- 2.71
- Min
- 0.89
SBAC’s P/S Ratio of 9.36 is in the upper echelon for the REIT - Specialty industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AMT
29.34
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 10.05
- Q3
- 5.14
- Median
- 1.95
- Q1
- 1.66
- Min
- 1.09
At 29.34, AMT’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the REIT - Specialty 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
-5.07
REIT - Specialty Industry
- Max
- 10.05
- Q3
- 5.14
- Median
- 1.95
- Q1
- 1.66
- Min
- 1.09
SBAC has a negative P/B Ratio of -5.07, indicating its liabilities exceed its assets and result in negative shareholder equity. This is a critical warning sign of financial distress.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AMT | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 56.78 | 32.04 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 4.98 | 5.45 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 9.86 | 9.36 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 29.34 | -5.07 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 27.48 | 23.20 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 19.62 | 23.36 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 13.87 | 14.57 |