Crown Castle Inc. (CCI) vs SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC)

A side-by-side comparison of Crown Castle Inc. and SBA Communications Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 1, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCCI vs SBAC

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 27y
CCI +551.1%SBAC +2135.8%SBAC compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $10020042009201420192024$651$2,236
CCI SBAC

CCI vs SBAC: by the numbers

  • CCI is the larger company ($33.34B vs $19.20B market cap).
  • SBAC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.03 vs 31.02 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • SBAC converts more revenue to profit (35.66% vs 25.83% net margin).
  • SBAC grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.18% vs -7.20% CAGR).
  • CCI pays the higher dividend yield (5.57% vs 2.61%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCCISBAC
P/E ratio31.0219.03
Forward P/E38.6024.36
P/S ratio7.966.73
PEG ratioN/A0.48
EV / EBITDA20.8019.60

Profitability

MetricCCISBAC
Gross margin63.19%41.61%
Operating margin47.74%47.63%
Net margin25.83%35.66%
ROE-27.16%-21.71%
ROIC10.33%11.03%

Dividends

MetricCCISBAC
Dividend yield5.57%2.61%
Payout ratio416.67%48.02%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCCISBAC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-7.20%6.18%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-15.45%113.83%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-12.87%-10.49%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CCI or SBAC?
SBAC has the lower trailing P/E: CCI trades at 31.02 and SBAC at 19.03. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CCI or SBAC?
Over the past five years, SBAC grew revenue faster — CCI at a -7.20% CAGR versus SBAC at 6.18%.
Does CCI or SBAC pay a bigger dividend?
CCI yields 5.57% and SBAC yields 2.61% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CCI or SBAC more profitable?
SBAC runs the higher net margin — CCI at 25.83% versus SBAC at 35.66%.
How have CCI and SBAC total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CCI delivered 1.80% and SBAC delivered 5.61% annualized total return. 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 August 1, 2026.