WallStSmart

Crown Castle (CCI)vsPhillips Edison & Co Inc (PECO)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Crown Castle generates 454% more annual revenue ($4.16B vs $750.89M). CCI leads profitability with a 20.7% profit margin vs 19.1%. CCI trades at a lower P/E of 31.1x. PECO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 58/100 (C).

CCI

Hold

49

out of 100

Grade: D+

Growth: 2.0Profit: 6.5Value: 4.7Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: -0.67

PECO

Buy

58

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 7.3Profit: 6.5Value: 3.7Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 0.48
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

CCISignificantly Overvalued (-31.5%)

Margin of Safety

-31.5%

Fair Value

$65.46

Current Price

$75.59

$10.13 premium

UndervaluedFair: $65.46Overvalued
PECOSignificantly Overvalued (-31.0%)

Margin of Safety

-31.0%

Fair Value

$28.78

Current Price

$40.75

$11.97 premium

UndervaluedFair: $28.78Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

CCI4 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Operating MarginProfitability
46.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 46.8%

Debt/EquityHealth
-7.1610/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Profit MarginProfitability
20.7%9/10

Keeps 21 of every $100 in revenue as profit

PEG RatioValuation
0.938/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

PECO3 strengths · Avg: 8.7/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
219.2%10/10

Earnings expanding 219.2% YoY

Price/BookValuation
2.2x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
28.8%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 28.8%

Areas to Watch

CCI4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
P/E RatioValuation
31.1x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Return on EquityProfitability
-206.7%2/10

ROE of -206.7% — below average capital efficiency

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-4.9%2/10

Revenue declined 4.9%

PECO4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
P/E RatioValuation
37.3x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Return on EquityProfitability
5.1%3/10

ROE of 5.1% — below average capital efficiency

Debt/EquityHealth
1.153/10

Elevated debt levels

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : CCI

The strongest argument for CCI centers on Operating Margin, Debt/Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 20.7% and operating margin at 46.8%. PEG of 0.93 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : PECO

The strongest argument for PECO centers on EPS Growth, Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 19.1% and operating margin at 28.8%.

Bear Case : CCI

The primary concerns for CCI are P/E Ratio, Piotroski F-Score, Return on Equity.

Bear Case : PECO

The primary concerns for PECO are P/E Ratio, Return on Equity, Debt/Equity.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

CCI profiles as a declining stock while PECO is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.

CCI carries more volatility with a beta of 0.97 — expect wider price swings.

PECO is growing revenue faster at 6.7% — sustainability is the question.

CCI generates stronger free cash flow (472M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

PECO scores higher overall (58/100 vs 49/100), backed by strong 19.1% margins. Both earn "Buy" 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 →

Phillips Edison & Co Inc

REAL ESTATE · REIT - RETAIL · USA

Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO) is a prominent real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in the acquisition, management, and development of grocery-anchored shopping centers throughout the United States. With over 300 strategically located properties, PECO effectively capitalizes on demographic trends and evolving consumer behaviors to optimize asset performance and enhance shareholder value. The company maintains robust relationships with both national and regional tenants, providing a stable cash flow while adhering to disciplined capital management and sustainability practices that reinforce its commitment to responsible operations and long-term returns for investors.

Visit Website →

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?