Crown Castle (CCI)vsSouthern Company (SO)
CCI
Crown Castle
$94.49
+0.75%
REAL ESTATE · Cap: $40.22B
SO
Southern Company
$92.60
+0.52%
UTILITIES · Cap: $106.32B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Southern Company generates 616% more annual revenue ($30.18B vs $4.21B). CCI leads profitability with a 25.1% profit margin vs 14.5%. CCI appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.50. SO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 56/100 (C).
CCI
Hold49
out of 100
Grade: D+
SO
Buy56
out of 100
Grade: C
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
-50.4%
Fair Value
$62.70
Current Price
$92.60
$29.90 premium
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
Large-cap with strong market position
Reasonable price relative to book value
Strong operational efficiency at 25.8%
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%
Weak financial health signals
Expensive relative to growth rate
Earnings declined 0.8%
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
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 : SO
The strongest argument for SO centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Operating Margin.
Bear Case : CCI
The primary concerns for CCI are P/E Ratio, Piotroski F-Score, Return on Equity.
Bear Case : SO
The primary concerns for SO are Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio, EPS Growth. Debt-to-equity of 2.05 is elevated, increasing financial risk.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CCI profiles as a declining stock while SO is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
CCI carries more volatility with a beta of 0.95 — expect wider price swings.
SO is growing revenue faster at 8.0% — sustainability is the question.
CCI generates stronger free cash flow (452M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
SO scores higher overall (56/100 vs 49/100). 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 →Southern Company
UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED ELECTRIC · USA
Southern Company is an American gas and electric utility holding company based in the southern United States. It is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with executive offices also located in Birmingham, Alabama.
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