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Crown Castle (CCI)
NYSE:CCI
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Crown Castle (CCI) AI Stock Analysis

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CCI

Crown Castle

(NYSE:CCI)

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Neutral 46 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:46Neutral
Price Target:
$93.00
▲(3.86% Upside)
Crown Castle's overall stock score is primarily impacted by its weak financial performance, characterized by declining revenue, negative profitability, and high leverage. The technical analysis and valuation metrics also present challenges, with bearish trends and a negative P/E ratio. The earnings call provided some positive insights, such as strong organic growth and an increased outlook, but these are overshadowed by significant operational challenges and revenue impacts from Sprint cancellations.
Positive Factors
Strong Organic Growth in Tower Business
The 5.2% organic growth in the tower business highlights the company's ability to expand its core operations, indicating strong demand for its infrastructure and a solid market position, which supports future revenue stability.
Increased Full-Year 2025 Outlook
The increased full-year outlook reflects management's confidence in operational efficiency and market demand, suggesting a positive trajectory for financial performance and strategic execution.
Promising Long-Term Industry Trends
The sustained increase in mobile data demand underscores a favorable industry trend, ensuring continued relevance and potential growth for Crown Castle's infrastructure assets.
Negative Factors
Declining Revenue
A declining revenue trend poses challenges to financial stability and growth prospects, necessitating strategic adjustments to reverse the downturn and sustain operations.
High Leverage and Solvency Risks
High leverage and negative equity highlight potential solvency risks, limiting financial flexibility and increasing vulnerability to economic fluctuations.
Impact of Sprint Cancellations
The significant financial impact from Sprint cancellations underscores the risk of dependency on major clients, affecting revenue stability and operational planning.

Crown Castle (CCI) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Crown Castle Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCrown Castle International Corp. (CCI) is a leading provider of shared communications infrastructure in the United States, specializing in the development, ownership, and management of cell towers and fiber optic networks. The company operates in two primary segments: Towers and Fiber. Crown Castle's core products and services include leasing space on its towers to wireless carriers, providing fiber solutions for small cells, and offering related services to enhance connectivity for data and telecommunications.
How the Company Makes MoneyCrown Castle generates revenue primarily through long-term leases of its tower infrastructure to wireless carriers, which pay monthly rental fees for the right to install their equipment on the towers. These leases typically have multi-year terms and include escalators that increase the rental fees over time, providing a steady and predictable revenue stream. Additionally, CCI earns revenue from fiber leasing and small cell solutions, which cater to the growing demand for high-capacity data networks, especially in urban areas. The company also benefits from strategic partnerships with major telecom operators and municipal governments, which facilitate the expansion of its network infrastructure. Factors contributing to its earnings include the increasing demand for mobile data, the rollout of 5G technology, and the expansion of its fiber optic network to support enhanced connectivity needs.

Crown Castle Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Segment
Revenue by Segment
Breaks down revenue across different business segments, revealing where the company is generating the most sales and potential areas for growth or concern.
Chart InsightsCrown Castle's Towers segment has experienced a gradual revenue decline since 2023, likely impacted by Sprint cancellations. However, the latest earnings call reveals optimism with a 4.7% organic growth in the tower business, excluding Sprint's impact, and increased leasing activity. The Fiber segment shows volatility but remains stable. The company is enhancing operational efficiencies and has raised its 2025 outlook, indicating strategic resilience. Despite challenges, Crown Castle is focused on capital allocation and dividend growth, leveraging free cash flow for share repurchases while maintaining financial flexibility.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Crown Castle Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 22, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jan 28, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflected a mixed sentiment. While there were positive indicators such as strong organic growth and an increased full-year outlook, significant challenges were noted due to Sprint cancellations and non-cash revenue reductions. The industry trends remain promising, but operational challenges and deferred expenditures pose concerns.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Organic Growth in Tower Business
The tower business achieved 5.2% organic growth, equivalent to $52 million, excluding the impact of Sprint cancellations.
Increased Full-Year 2025 Outlook
Increases at the midpoint of $10 million to site rental revenues, $30 million to adjusted EBITDA, and $40 million to AFFO were announced, driven by strong demand and operational efficiency.
Promising Long-Term Industry Trends
Mobile data demand increased by over 30% for the third consecutive year, indicating strong long-term demand for Crown Castle's assets.
Negative Updates
Impact of Sprint Cancellations
An unfavorable $51 million impact on site rental revenues, adjusted EBITDA, and AFFO was noted due to Sprint cancellations.
Non-Cash Revenue Reductions
There was a $39 million reduction in non-cash straight-line revenues and a $17 million decrease in non-cash amortization of prepaid rent.
Timing and Deferment of Discretionary CapEx
A $30 million reduction in discretionary capital expenditures from spending pushed into next year was noted, resulting in updated outlook for 2025 discretionary CapEx at $155 million.
Company Guidance
During Crown Castle's Q3 2025 earnings call, the company provided guidance highlighting several key metrics. The full-year 2025 outlook was increased, with site rental revenues expected to rise by $10 million, adjusted EBITDA by $30 million, and AFFO by $40 million. The company reported a 5.2% organic growth in the tower business, translating to $52 million, excluding Sprint cancellations. However, Sprint cancellations negatively impacted site rental revenues, adjusted EBITDA, and AFFO by $51 million, alongside a $39 million reduction in non-cash straight-line revenues and a $17 million decrease in non-cash amortization of prepaid rent. The updated guidance includes a reduction in discretionary capital expenditures, now expected to be $155 million or $115 million net of $40 million of prepaid rent. Crown Castle also plans to maintain its dividend payout ratio between 75% and 80% of AFFO, excluding amortization of prepaid rent, and to spend between $150 million to $250 million annually on net capital expenditures. The company remains focused on operational efficiencies and anticipates benefiting from the sale of its fiber segment, which is expected to close in 2026.

Crown Castle Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Crown Castle is facing significant financial difficulties, with declining revenue, negative profitability, and high leverage. The income statement reveals substantial losses, while the balance sheet shows negative equity, indicating potential solvency risks. Although there is some growth in free cash flow, the overall financial health is concerning, requiring strategic adjustments to stabilize the company's financial position.
Income Statement
30
Negative
Crown Castle's income statement shows significant challenges. The TTM data reveals a negative revenue growth rate of -10.7%, indicating a decline in sales. Additionally, the company has negative net profit and EBIT margins, reflecting substantial losses. Historical data shows a consistent decline in revenue growth and profitability, with the latest year showing a sharp downturn.
Balance Sheet
20
Very Negative
The balance sheet indicates financial instability, with a negative stockholders' equity in the TTM period, leading to an undefined debt-to-equity ratio. This suggests high leverage and potential solvency issues. The return on equity is positive but misleading due to negative equity, and the equity ratio is not calculable. The company's financial position appears precarious.
Cash Flow
45
Neutral
Cash flow analysis shows some positive aspects, with a free cash flow growth rate of 11.2% in the TTM period. However, the operating cash flow to net income ratio is below 1, indicating cash flow challenges relative to earnings. Despite free cash flow growth, the overall cash flow position is strained by negative net income.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue4.84B6.57B6.98B6.99B6.34B5.84B
Gross Profit3.55B4.72B5.00B4.92B4.35B3.87B
EBITDA-2.03B-1.24B4.10B4.07B3.46B3.35B
Net Income-4.62B-3.90B1.50B1.68B1.10B1.06B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets31.50B32.74B38.53B38.92B39.04B38.77B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments233.00M119.00M105.00M156.00M292.00M232.00M
Total Debt29.84B29.61B28.81B27.96B27.01B25.42B
Total Liabilities32.99B32.87B32.15B31.47B30.78B29.31B
Stockholders Equity-1.49B-133.00M6.38B7.45B8.26B9.46B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow2.67B1.72B1.70B1.57B1.50B1.43B
Operating Cash Flow3.06B2.94B3.13B2.88B2.73B3.06B
Investing Cash Flow-1.08B-1.22B-1.52B-1.35B-1.33B-1.74B
Financing Cash Flow-2.10B-1.71B-1.65B-1.67B-1.31B-1.27B

Crown Castle Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price89.54
Price Trends
50DMA
94.80
Negative
100DMA
98.78
Negative
200DMA
97.24
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-1.99
Positive
RSI
34.87
Neutral
STOCH
14.18
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CCI, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 89.54 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 94.60, below the 50-day MA of 94.80, and below the 200-day MA of 97.24, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -1.99 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 34.87 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 14.18 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for CCI.

Crown Castle Risk Analysis

Crown Castle disclosed 31 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Crown Castle reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Crown Castle Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
67
Neutral
$20.91B24.522.23%4.82%25.24%
65
Neutral
$2.17B12.193.79%4.94%3.15%1.96%
65
Neutral
$84.00B28.6277.38%3.78%-5.33%163.89%
57
Neutral
$1.53B1.2338.93%952.55%
46
Neutral
$39.12B-276.36%5.85%-26.56%-369.24%
* Real Estate Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CCI
Crown Castle
89.54
-9.04
-9.17%
AMT
American Tower
177.95
-11.64
-6.14%
SBAC
SBA Communications
197.40
-18.56
-8.59%
UNIT
Uniti Group
6.49
-3.49
-34.97%

Crown Castle Corporate Events

Dividends
Crown Castle Declares Quarterly Dividend Announcement
Neutral
Nov 5, 2025

On November 5, 2025, Crown Castle Inc. announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $1.0625 per share of common stock. This dividend will be payable on December 31, 2025, to stockholders of record as of December 15, 2025.

The most recent analyst rating on (CCI) stock is a Hold with a $93.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Crown Castle stock, see the CCI Stock Forecast page.

Crown Castle’s Earnings Call: Growth Amid Challenges
Oct 24, 2025

The recent earnings call for Crown Castle International reflected a mixed sentiment, with both positive and challenging aspects highlighted. The company reported strong organic growth and an increased full-year outlook, yet faced significant challenges due to Sprint cancellations and non-cash revenue reductions. While industry trends remain promising, operational challenges and deferred expenditures pose concerns.

Crown Castle Reports Strong Q3 2025, Raises Outlook
Oct 23, 2025

Crown Castle International, a leading provider of communications infrastructure in the U.S., owns and operates approximately 40,000 cell towers and 90,000 route miles of fiber, facilitating essential data and wireless services across major markets. In its latest earnings report, Crown Castle announced a positive third quarter for 2025, with an increase in its full-year outlook. The company highlighted strong operational and financial results, driven by efficient operations and strategic investments. Key financial metrics showed a 7% increase in net income to $323 million, despite a 5% decrease in site rental revenues compared to the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $718 million, reflecting an 8% decrease, while AFFO per share decreased by 7% to $1.12. Looking ahead, Crown Castle remains optimistic about its growth prospects, focusing on maximizing shareholder value through strategic investments and operational efficiencies, positioning itself as a standalone tower company after the anticipated sale of its Fiber Business in 2026.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Crown Castle Reports Q3 Revenue Decline, Updates Outlook
Negative
Oct 22, 2025

On October 22, 2025, Crown Castle reported its third-quarter results, showing a decline in site rental revenues by 5.1% compared to the previous year, primarily due to Sprint cancellations and decreases in amortization of prepaid rent and straight-lined revenues. Despite these challenges, the company increased its full-year 2025 outlook, driven by strategic investments in operational efficiencies and asset information systems, aiming to enhance long-term shareholder value as a standalone tower company.

The most recent analyst rating on (CCI) stock is a Buy with a $115.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Crown Castle stock, see the CCI Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Crown Castle Appoints Christian Hillabrant as CEO
Neutral
Sep 15, 2025

Crown Castle Inc. announced the appointment of Christian H. Hillabrant as President and CEO, effective September 15, 2025. The Board expanded to 10 members and appointed Hillabrant as a director, with no related party transactions or material arrangements connected to his appointment.

The most recent analyst rating on (CCI) stock is a Buy with a $120.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Crown Castle stock, see the CCI Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Oct 29, 2025