Crown Castle (CCI)vsEmpire State Realty Trust Inc (ESRT)
CCI
Crown Castle
$94.49
+0.75%
REAL ESTATE · Cap: $40.22B
ESRT
Empire State Realty Trust Inc
$5.27
+0.19%
REAL ESTATE · Cap: $1.77B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Crown Castle generates 442% more annual revenue ($4.21B vs $776.71M). CCI leads profitability with a 25.1% profit margin vs 5.1%. CCI appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.50. CCI earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 49/100 (D+).
CCI
Hold49
out of 100
Grade: D+
ESRT
Hold46
out of 100
Grade: D+
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-29.8%
Fair Value
$66.29
Current Price
$94.49
$28.20 premium
Margin of Safety
+51.9%
Fair Value
$13.25
Current Price
$5.27
$7.98 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Strong operational efficiency at 47.7%
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Keeps 25 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Reasonable price relative to book value
Areas to Watch
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Weak financial health signals
ROE of -206.7% — below average capital efficiency
Revenue declined 4.8%
Moderate valuation
4.9% revenue growth
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
ROE of 3.8% — below average capital efficiency
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : CCI
The strongest argument for CCI centers on Operating Margin, Debt/Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 25.1% and operating margin at 47.7%.
Bull Case : ESRT
The strongest argument for ESRT centers on Price/Book.
Bear Case : CCI
The primary concerns for CCI are P/E Ratio, Piotroski F-Score, Return on Equity.
Bear Case : ESRT
The primary concerns for ESRT are P/E Ratio, Revenue Growth, Market Cap. Debt-to-equity of 2.21 is elevated, increasing financial risk.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CCI profiles as a declining stock while ESRT is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
ESRT carries more volatility with a beta of 1.36 — expect wider price swings.
ESRT is growing revenue faster at 4.9% — sustainability is the question.
CCI generates stronger free cash flow (452M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
CCI scores higher overall (49/100 vs 46/100), backed by strong 25.1% margins. ESRT offers better value entry with a 51.9% margin of safety. Both earn "Hold" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Crown Castle
REAL ESTATE · REIT - SPECIALTY · USA
Crown Castle is a real estate investment trust and provider of shared communications infrastructure in the United States. Its network includes over 40,000 cell towers and nearly 80,000 route miles of fiber supporting small cells and fiber solutions. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company has 100 offices nationwide.
Visit Website →Empire State Realty Trust Inc
REAL ESTATE · REIT - DIVERSIFIED · USA
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT), a major real estate investment trust (REIT), owns, manages, operates, acquires and repositions offices and retail properties in Manhattan and the New York metropolitan area, including the Empire State Building, the?
Visit Website →Compare with Other REIT - SPECIALTY Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?