CCI vs. DLR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 19, 2025

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

Company Profile

Both CCI and DLR 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	CCI	DLR
Company Name	Crown Castle Inc.	Digital Realty Trust, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Real Estate	Real Estate
GICS Industry	Specialized REITs	Specialized REITs
Market Capitalization	44.34 billion USD	58.55 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	August 18, 1998	October 29, 2004
Security Type	REIT	REIT

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CCI and DLR 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CCI	DLR
5-Day Price Return	-4.13%	-1.55%
13-Week Price Return	1.33%	1.55%
26-Week Price Return	12.83%	0.28%
52-Week Price Return	-8.05%	13.33%
Month-to-Date Return	-3.11%	-4.45%
Year-to-Date Return	12.19%	-4.93%
10-Day Avg. Volume	3.26M	1.29M
3-Month Avg. Volume	3.18M	1.80M
3-Month Volatility	22.83%	16.49%
Beta	0.98	0.99

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

CCI

21.01%

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, CCI’s Return on Equity of 21.01% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

DLR

6.37%

Specialized REITs Industry

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

DLR’s Return on Equity of 6.37% is on par with the norm for the Specialized REITs industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

CCI

-85.54%

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.

DLR

23.98%

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.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

CCI

-54.11%

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.

DLR

12.40%

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.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CCI	DLR
Return on Equity (TTM)	21.01%	6.37%
Return on Assets (TTM)	-13.83%	3.00%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	-85.54%	23.98%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	-54.11%	12.40%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	72.89%	57.91%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

CCI

0.28

Specialized REITs Industry

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

CCI’s Current Ratio of 0.28 falls into the lower quartile for the Specialized REITs industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

DLR

1.35

Specialized REITs Industry

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

DLR’s Current Ratio of 1.35 is in the upper quartile for the Specialized REITs industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

CCI

4.54

Specialized REITs Industry

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

CCI’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Specialized REITs industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 4.54. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

DLR

0.81

Specialized REITs Industry

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

DLR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.81 is typical for the Specialized REITs industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

CCI

-3.25

Specialized REITs Industry

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

CCI has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -3.25. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

DLR

2.12

Specialized REITs Industry

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

DLR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.12 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Specialized REITs industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CCI	DLR
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.28	1.35
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.26	1.35
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	4.54	0.81
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	-3.25	2.12

Growth

Revenue Growth

CCI vs. DLR: 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

CCI vs. DLR: 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)

CCI

5.64%

Specialized REITs Industry

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

With a Dividend Yield of 5.64%, CCI offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Specialized REITs industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

DLR

2.96%

Specialized REITs Industry

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

DLR’s Dividend Yield of 2.96% 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.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

CCI

192.59%

Specialized REITs Industry

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

CCI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 192.59% is in the upper quartile for the Specialized REITs industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

DLR

123.72%

Specialized REITs Industry

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

DLR’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 123.72% is within the typical range for the Specialized REITs industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CCI	DLR
Dividend Yield (TTM)	5.64%	2.96%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	192.59%	123.72%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CCI

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.

DLR

41.75

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.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CCI

8.22

Specialized REITs Industry

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

CCI’s P/S Ratio of 8.22 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.

DLR

10.01

Specialized REITs Industry

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

DLR’s P/S Ratio of 10.01 is in the upper echelon for the Specialized REITs 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.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

CCI

9.74

Specialized REITs Industry

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

CCI’s P/B Ratio of 9.74 is in the upper tier for the Specialized REITs industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

DLR

2.56

Specialized REITs Industry

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

DLR’s P/B Ratio of 2.56 is within the conventional range for the Specialized REITs industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CCI	DLR
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	--	41.75
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	8.22	10.01
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	9.74	2.56
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	18.60	1,694.69