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Crown Castle (CCI)
NYSE:CCI
Earnings Data
Report Date
Apr 22, 2026After Close (Confirmed)
Period Ending
2026 (Q1)Consensus EPS Forecast
0.35Last Year’s EPS
-1.07Same Quarter Last Year
Moderate Buy
Based on 14 Analysts Ratings
Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Sentiment|Neutral
The call balanced strong operational execution and disciplined capital allocation against significant near-term headwinds. Positives include exceeding full-year 2025 guidance, a pending $8.5 billion small cell and fiber sale (with DOJ clearance of HSR), a clear plan to repay debt (~$7B) and repurchase shares (~$1B), targeted $65 million of annualized cost savings, maintained dividend policy, and projected interest savings that support AFFO post-close. Offsetting those strengths are a major adverse development with DISH — contract default, litigation, and removal of DISH revenue (material churn of roughly $120M–$220M cited) — which drove a downward revision to AFFO guidance and creates legal and timing uncertainty. The company believes 2026 is a trough in organic growth and expects improvement thereafter, but near-term execution and recovery depend on the timing of the sale close and legal outcomes with DISH.Company Guidance
Exceeded Full-Year 2025 Guidance
Full-year 2025 results exceeded the midpoint across all key metrics. Organic growth was 4.9% (excluding Sprint churn). Site rental revenues finished near the high end of guidance and adjusted EBITDA and FFO exceeded the high end due to revenue outperformance, higher services contribution, efficiency initiatives and lower interest expense.
Pending Small Cell and Fiber Sale (Purchase Price $8.5B)
Sale of the small cell and fiber businesses remains on track for 2026 with the $8.5 billion purchase price unchanged. The Department of Justice closed its HSR review and only a handful of state and federal approvals remain. Management assumed a June 30 close date for planning purposes.
Capital Allocation Plan — Deleveraging and Buybacks
Management expects to allocate approximately $7 billion of sale proceeds to repay debt and approximately $1 billion to share repurchases. Target leverage range remains 6.0x–6.5x and the company expects to maintain its investment-grade rating post-close.
Dividend Policy and CapEx Guidance
Dividend per share will be maintained at $4.25 annualized until reaching a target payout ratio of 75%–80% of AFFO (excluding prepaid rent amortization). Planned annual net capital expenditures of $150 million–$250 million to support tower augmentation, land purchases under towers and technology investments.
Run-Rate Cost Reductions / Restructuring
Company announced a restructuring that targets approximately $65 million of annualized run-rate operating cost savings (expected $55 million impact in 2026 and an incremental $10 million in 2027). Actions include a ~20% reduction in tower and corporate workforce, ending at ~1,250 full-time employees, with ~60% of consolidated workforce moving with the sale.
Interest Expense Savings & Improved AFFO Drivers
Management expects meaningful interest expense reductions from planned debt repayments. Sunit cited a ~ $120 million decrease in interest expense tied to repaying about $7 billion of ~4% debt, which is a material driver of improved AFFO and cash flow post-close.
2026 Organic Growth Outlook and Contracted Visibility
2026 organic growth at the midpoint is guided to ~3.3% ($130 million) excluding Sprint cancellations and DISH terminations, or 3.5% if DISH is excluded from prior-year billings. Management stated 3.5% should mark a trough and expects improvement thereafter; ~80% of organic growth is contracted, providing visibility.
Balance Sheet Liquidity and Revised Post-Close AFFO
The company ended the quarter with significant liquidity and expects to maintain investment-grade metrics post-sale. Revised guidance for AFFO for the twelve months following close is $2.1 billion at the midpoint; management highlighted this includes about $120 million of interest savings, $50 million of underlying business growth and $10 million of cost savings versus full-year 2026.
CCI Earnings History
The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.
Beat
Missed
CCI Earnings-Related Price Changes
Report Date | Price 1 Day Before | Price 1 Day After | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Feb 04, 2026 | $86.11 | $78.37 | -8.99% |
Oct 22, 2025 | $96.56 | $97.12 | +0.58% |
Jul 23, 2025 | $107.24 | $111.32 | +3.80% |
Apr 30, 2025 | $102.26 | $102.78 | +0.51% |
Earnings announcements can affect a stock’s price. This table shows the stock's price the day before and the day after recent earnings reports, including the percentage change.
FAQ
When does Crown Castle (CCI) report earnings?
Crown Castle (CCI) is schdueled to report earning on Apr 22, 2026, After Close (Confirmed).
What is Crown Castle (CCI) earnings time?
Crown Castle (CCI) earnings time is at Apr 22, 2026, After Close (Confirmed).
Where can I see when companies are reporting earnings?
You can see which companies are reporting today on our designated earnings calendar.
What companies are reporting earnings today?
You can see a list of the companies which are reporting today on TipRanks earnings calendar.
What is CCI EPS forecast?
CCI EPS forecast for the fiscal quarter 2026 (Q1) is 0.35.