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AMT or CCI or SBAC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? American Tower (AMT) vs. Crown Castle (CCI) vs. SBA Communications (SBAC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- AMT leads with the largest market cap at approximately $84 billion and robust Q1 2026 revenue growth of 6.8%, supported by international expansion and data center demand.
- CCI completed an $8.5 billion divestiture of fiber and small cell businesses, raising 2026 AFFO (adjusted funds from operations) guidance to $4.53–$4.65 per share and positioning as a pure-play tower company.
- SBAC delivered the strongest YTD performance at around 14%, boosted by Q1 FFO beats, a 13% dividend hike to $1.25 quarterly, and buyout speculation.
- All three REITs (real estate investment trusts) benefit from 5G leasing demand but face interest rate sensitivity; SBAC trades at the lowest P/E ratio near 23, while AMT offers the highest dividend yield at about 3.9%.
- Recent momentum favors SBAC with shares near $218, followed by AMT at $180 and CCI at $89, amid sector volatility.
- Tickeron's AI analysis highlights relative strength in tower leasing trends, with global exposure differentiating AMT.
Introduction
American Tower (AMT), Crown Castle (CCI), and SBA Communications (SBAC) dominate the cell tower REIT sector, owning vast portfolios of communications infrastructure essential for 5G networks and data growth. These stocks appeal to income-focused investors seeking high dividend yields and growth-oriented traders betting on wireless demand. This comparison evaluates their recent performance, business shifts, and market positioning in the current environment of moderating interest rates and AI-driven infrastructure needs, aiding decisions on relative performance and sector allocation.
AMT Overview and Recent Performance
American Tower Corporation (AMT) is a global REIT owning over 224,000 communications sites across 22 countries, plus U.S. data centers via CoreSite. Its multitenant model leases space to wireless carriers, benefiting from colocation efficiencies. In recent market activity, AMT shares traded around $180, with YTD gains near 3-4% amid REIT volatility. Q1 2026 results showed revenue up 6.8% to $2.74 billion and FFO per share of $2.84, beating estimates by 13.6%, driven by property revenues and international growth in Latin America (up 18.6% surprise). Analysts raised price targets post-earnings, citing AI-related data center demand and leasing momentum, though high debt and rates tempered gains. Sentiment reflects stability from recurring leases with escalators.
CCI Overview and Recent Performance
Crown Castle Inc. (CCI) operates about 40,000 U.S. towers, focusing on shared infrastructure for carriers. Recent weeks saw the close of an $8.5 billion sale of fiber and small cell units, streamlining to a tower pure-play and cutting interest expense by $40 million while lifting 2026 AFFO guidance to $4.53–$4.65 per share. Shares hovered near $89, with modest YTD returns around 1-2%. Q1 site rental revenues hit $961 million despite DISH headwinds, and AFFO beat expectations. This strategic pivot enhances focus on high-margin tower leasing, boosting sentiment amid 5G upgrades, though U.S.-only exposure limits diversification compared to peers. Performance reflects balance sheet strengthening and organic growth outlook of 3.3% excluding churn.
SBAC Overview and Recent Performance
SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC) owns roughly 39,000 sites in the U.S. and select international markets like Brazil, emphasizing site leasing and development. Shares traded around $218 in recent activity, leading YTD with 13-14% gains fueled by Q1 FFO of $3.01 per share (beating by 5.4%) and revenues up 5.9% to $703 million. The board hiked the quarterly dividend 13% to $1.25, and full-year guidance rose across metrics like AFFO per share. Buyout interest added momentum, with Scotiabank lifting targets to $230. Strong U.S. leasing and tower cash flow margins near 80% drove outperformance, though international currency risks persist. Sentiment centers on domestic 5G demand and capital returns.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
All three operate multitenant tower REITs with long-term leases and escalators, but AMT stands out for global scale (22 countries) versus CCI and SBAC's U.S. focus, exposing it to emerging market growth yet FX volatility. Growth drivers include 5G densification universally, but AMT adds data centers for AI tailwinds. Recent momentum favors SBAC (YTD +14%) over AMT (+3-4%) and CCI (+1-2%), aided by M&A buzz. Risks: High leverage across the board heightens rate sensitivity; CCI mitigates via divestitures. Valuation sees SBAC cheapest (P/E ~23), AMT priciest (~29) with top yield (3.9%), CCI (~4.8% yield post-reset). Sentiment tilts positive on leasing but weighs macro pressures.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors SBAC for its trend consistency, YTD outperformance, raised guidance, dividend growth, and lower valuation amid buyout speculation. Observable catalysts like Q1 beats and leasing strength position it relatively higher probabilistically, though AMT trails closely on global diversification and stability.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
AMT’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileCCI’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s), and SBAC’s FA Score reflects 0 green FA rating(s).
- AMT’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- CCI’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- SBAC’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
AMT’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while CCI’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s), and SBAC’s TA Score reflects 7 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AMT’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- CCI’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 3 bearish.
- SBAC’s TA Score: 7 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
AMT (@Specialty Telecommunications) experienced а -3.34% price change this week, while CCI (@Specialty Telecommunications) price change was -4.32% , and SBAC (@Specialty Telecommunications) price fluctuated -8.50% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Specialty Telecommunications industry was -2.39%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.09%, and the average quarterly price growth was +5.77%.
Reported Earning Dates
AMT is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
CCI is expected to report earnings on Jul 22, 2026.
SBAC is expected to report earnings on Aug 03, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Specialty Telecommunications (-2.39% weekly)Companies belonging to the specialty telecommunications sector provide voice and data transmission via a single method, such as fixed lines, digital subscriber lines (DSL), wireless technology, the internet or competitive local exchange carriers. Telefonica, Liberty Broadband Corp., and Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. are some of the big specialty telecom companies in the U.S.
| AMT | CCI | SBAC | |
| Capitalization | 79.5B | 37.8B | 21.2B |
| EBITDA | 6.89B | 2.69B | 2.02B |
| Gain YTD | -1.843 | -1.269 | 3.903 |
| P/E Ratio | 27.52 | 36.57 | 21.01 |
| Revenue | 10.8B | 4.21B | 2.85B |
| Total Cash | 1.61B | 55M | 381M |
| Total Debt | 45.1B | 29.9B | 15.4B |
AMT | CCI | SBAC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 69 | 12 | 54 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 58 Fair valued | 41 Fair valued | 64 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 15 | 100 | 98 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 61 | 58 | 59 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 71 | 41 | 81 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 38 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
CCI's Valuation (41) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as AMT (58) and is in the same range as SBAC (64). This means that CCI's stock grew similarly to AMT’s and similarly to SBAC’s over the last 12 months.
CCI's Profit vs Risk Rating (100) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as AMT (100) and is in the same range as SBAC (100). This means that CCI's stock grew similarly to AMT’s and similarly to SBAC’s over the last 12 months.
AMT's SMR Rating (15) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is significantly better than the same rating for SBAC (98) and is significantly better than the same rating for CCI (100). This means that AMT's stock grew significantly faster than SBAC’s and significantly faster than CCI’s over the last 12 months.
CCI's Price Growth Rating (58) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as SBAC (59) and is in the same range as AMT (61). This means that CCI's stock grew similarly to SBAC’s and similarly to AMT’s over the last 12 months.
CCI's P/E Growth Rating (41) in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry is in the same range as AMT (71) and is somewhat better than the same rating for SBAC (81). This means that CCI's stock grew similarly to AMT’s and somewhat faster than SBAC’s over the last 12 months.
| AMT | CCI | SBAC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A | 2 days ago 63% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 48% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 59% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 69% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 61% | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 62% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 52% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 59% | 5 days ago 50% | 10 days ago 59% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 61% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 61% | 2 days ago 61% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 49% | 2 days ago 58% |
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AMT and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, AMT has been closely correlated with CCI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 79% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if AMT jumps, then CCI could also see price increases.
CCI and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CCI has been closely correlated with AMT. These tickers have moved in lockstep 81% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if CCI jumps, then AMT could also see price increases.
SBAC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, SBAC has been closely correlated with CCI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 69% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if SBAC jumps, then CCI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To SBAC | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBAC | 100% | -0.79% | ||
| CCI - SBAC | 69% Closely correlated | -0.74% | ||
| AMT - SBAC | 66% Loosely correlated | +0.08% | ||
| ADC - SBAC | 63% Loosely correlated | -1.09% | ||
| FCPT - SBAC | 61% Loosely correlated | -0.24% | ||
| O - SBAC | 61% Loosely correlated | -1.36% | ||
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