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

Updated on August 25, 2025

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

Company Profile

Both CCI 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	CCI	SBAC
Company Name	Crown Castle Inc.	SBA Communications Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Real Estate	Real Estate
GICS Industry	Specialized REITs	Specialized REITs
Market Capitalization	45.20 billion USD	23.93 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	August 18, 1998	June 16, 1999
Security Type	REIT	REIT

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CCI 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CCI	SBAC
5-Day Price Return	3.22%	3.59%
13-Week Price Return	2.24%	-3.89%
26-Week Price Return	16.21%	7.98%
52-Week Price Return	-5.27%	1.63%
Month-to-Date Return	-1.24%	-0.82%
Year-to-Date Return	14.36%	9.36%
10-Day Avg. Volume	3.13M	0.74M
3-Month Avg. Volume	3.03M	0.81M
3-Month Volatility	20.48%	20.84%
Beta	0.99	0.83

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.

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.

CCI vs. SBAC: 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.

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.

CCI vs. SBAC: 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.

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.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CCI	SBAC
Return on Equity (TTM)	21.01%	-1.71%
Return on Assets (TTM)	-13.83%	8.21%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	-85.54%	32.25%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	-54.11%	52.34%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	72.89%	76.94%

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.

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.

CCI vs. SBAC: 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.

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.

CCI vs. SBAC: 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.

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.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CCI	SBAC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.28	0.37
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.26	0.35
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	4.54	43.14
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	-3.25	2.90

Growth

Revenue Growth

CCI 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

CCI 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)

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.

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.

CCI vs. SBAC: 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.

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.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CCI	SBAC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	5.64%	1.91%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	192.59%	51.48%

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.

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.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CCI

8.23

Specialized REITs Industry

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

CCI’s P/S Ratio of 8.23 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.

CCI vs. SBAC: 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.

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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CCI	SBAC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	--	26.92
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	8.23	8.68
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	9.74	82.55
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	18.61	22.28