Crown Castle (CCI)vsRLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ)
CCI
Crown Castle
$73.84
-4.92%
REAL ESTATE · Cap: $33.34B
RLJ
RLJ Lodging Trust
$12.32
-0.88%
REAL ESTATE · Cap: $1.88B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Crown Castle generates 206% more annual revenue ($4.16B vs $1.36B). CCI leads profitability with a 20.7% profit margin vs 1.8%. CCI appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.93. CCI earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 49/100 (D+).
CCI
Hold49
out of 100
Grade: D+
RLJ
Hold42
out of 100
Grade: D
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-31.5%
Fair Value
$65.46
Current Price
$73.84
$8.38 premium
Margin of Safety
+55.6%
Fair Value
$18.93
Current Price
$12.32
$6.61 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Strong operational efficiency at 46.8%
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Keeps 21 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Growing faster than its price suggests
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 4.9%
Expensive relative to growth rate
3.6% revenue growth
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
ROE of 1.1% — 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 20.7% and operating margin at 46.8%. PEG of 0.93 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : RLJ
The strongest argument for RLJ centers on Price/Book.
Bear Case : CCI
The primary concerns for CCI are P/E Ratio, Piotroski F-Score, Return on Equity.
Bear Case : RLJ
The primary concerns for RLJ are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Market Cap. Thin 1.8% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CCI profiles as a declining stock while RLJ is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
RLJ carries more volatility with a beta of 1.11 — expect wider price swings.
RLJ is growing revenue faster at 3.6% — sustainability is the question.
CCI generates stronger free cash flow (472M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
CCI scores higher overall (49/100 vs 42/100), backed by strong 20.7% margins. RLJ offers better value entry with a 55.6% 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 →RLJ Lodging Trust
REAL ESTATE · REIT - HOTEL & MOTEL · USA
RLJ Lodging Trust is a publicly traded and publicly traded real estate investment trust primarily owning premium brand, high margin, focused service and compact full service hotels.
Visit Website →Compare with Other REIT - SPECIALTY Stocks
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