Crown Castle (CCI) vs Equinix (EQIX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Equinix (EQIX) has outperformed Crown Castle (CCI) over the past year, gaining 31.1% versus a loss of 27.5%. Over five years, EQIX leads with a +32.8% price change compared with -59.1% for CCI. Equinix is the larger company by market cap ($101.81 billion vs $30.16 billion), about 3.4 times the size.
On valuation, Crown Castle trades at a lower forward P/E (23.8x vs 55.7x for Equinix). Crown Castle offers the higher dividend yield (6.16% vs 1.91%). Equinix converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.6% versus 10.4%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CCI | EQIX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $69.01 | $1,031.77 |
| Market cap | $30.16B | $101.81B |
| 1-day change | +1.07% | -1.49% |
| YTD return | -22.35% | +34.67% |
| 1-year return | -27.46% | +31.09% |
| 5-year return | -59.13% | +32.79% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 28.05 | 66.39 |
| Forward P/E | 23.80 | 55.69 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.46 | $15.54 |
| Dividend yield | 6.16% | 1.91% |
| Annual dividend | $4.25 | $19.70 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.26B | $9.22B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -4.39% | +5.36% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $444.00M | $1.35B |
| Gross margin | 97.35% | 51.09% |
| Operating margin | 48.66% | 20.05% |
| Net margin | 10.41% | 14.65% |
| 52-week high | $100.50 | $1,128.68 |
| 52-week low | $65.32 | $720.62 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.33% | -8.59% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +36.86% | +19.62% |
| Average volume | 3.56M | 536.65K |
| Shares outstanding | 437.00M | 98.67M |
| Employees | 1,500 | 13,716 |
| Sector | Real Estate | Real Estate |
| Industry | Real Estate Investment Trusts | Real Estate Investment Trusts |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Equinix is about 3.4 times larger than Crown Castle by market value ($101.81B vs $30.16B).
- EQIX has outperformed CCI by 58.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Equinix trades at a higher earnings multiple (66.4x vs 28.1x trailing P/E).
- Crown Castle offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.16% vs 1.91%).
- Equinix grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+5.36% vs -4.39%).
About Crown Castle
CCI stock →Crown Castle owns, operates and leases approximately 40,000 cell towers across the U.S. This nationwide portfolio serves as the foundation of wireless connectivity that provides cities and communities access to essential data, technology and wireless service bringing information, ideas, innovations and the connectivity of modern life to help people and businesses thrive.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 1,500 employees
About Equinix
EQIX stock →Equinix, Inc. shortens the path to boundless connectivity anywhere in the world.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 13,716 employees
CCI vs EQIX FAQ
Which is bigger, Crown Castle or Equinix?
Equinix (EQIX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $101.81B compared with $30.16B for Crown Castle (CCI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CCI or EQIX?
EQIX returned +31.09% over the past 12 months, compared with -27.46% for CCI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CCI or EQIX?
CCI has the lower trailing P/E at 28.1, versus 66.4 for EQIX. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Crown Castle or Equinix?
Crown Castle has the higher yield at 6.16%, compared with 1.91% for Equinix.
Are Crown Castle and Equinix in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.