Crown Castle Inc. (CCI) vs Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL)

DAL leads on 9 of 13 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Crown Castle Inc. and Delta Air Lines, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CCI vs DAL

growth of $100 · last 19y
CCI +152.7%DAL +270.5%DAL compounded faster
0200400600Start $1002011201520192023$253$371
CCI DAL

CCI vs DAL: by the numbers

  • DAL is the larger company ($55.48B vs $38.73B market cap).
  • DAL trades at the lower earnings multiple (12.13 vs 36.67 P/E).
  • CCI converts more revenue to profit (25.13% vs 6.87% net margin).
  • DAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (38.80% vs -6.52% CAGR).
  • CCI pays the higher dividend yield (4.79% vs 0.90%).

Which is better, CCI or DAL?

Metric tally: CCI 4 · DAL 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueDAL(lower P/E)
GrowthDAL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCCI(higher dividend yield)
QualityDAL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCCIDAL
P/E ratio36.6712.13
Forward P/E30.8015.17
P/S ratio9.200.83
P/B ratio2.66
PEG ratio0.21
EV / EBITDA23.386.95
FCF yield7.24%

Profitability

MetricCCIDAL
Gross margin65.71%26.19%
Operating margin48.01%8.83%
Net margin25.13%6.87%
ROE-27.16%21.97%
ROIC6.81%8.30%

Dividends

MetricCCIDAL
Dividend yield4.79%0.90%
Payout ratio416.67%9.72%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCCIDAL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-6.52%38.80%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-15.45%0.89%
FCF CAGR (5Y)115.85%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-10.43%13.90%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CCI or DAL?
It depends on your goal. value: DAL (lower P/E); growth: DAL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CCI (higher dividend yield); quality: DAL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DAL leads 9 to 4.
Is CCI or DAL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, DAL is cheaper: CCI trades at a 36.67 P/E and DAL at 12.13.
Which has grown faster, CCI or DAL?
Over the past five years, DAL grew revenue faster — CCI at a -6.52% CAGR versus DAL at 38.80%.
Does CCI or DAL pay a bigger dividend?
CCI yields 4.79% and DAL yields 0.90% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CCI or DAL more profitable?
CCI runs the higher net margin — CCI at 25.13% versus DAL at 6.87%.
Which has been the better investment, CCI or DAL?
Over the past 10-year, DAL delivered the higher annualized total return — CCI at 3.68% versus DAL at 9.39%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 15, 2026.