Host Hotels & Resorts (HST) vs SBA Communications (SBAC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Host Hotels & Resorts (HST) has outperformed SBA Communications (SBAC) over the past year, gaining 35.4% versus a loss of 9.6%. Over five years, HST leads with a +32.5% price change compared with -47.9% for SBAC. SBA Communications is the larger company by market cap ($17.87 billion vs $15.55 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while Host Hotels & Resorts is growing revenue faster (+7.6% vs +5.1%).
On valuation, SBA Communications trades at a lower forward P/E (20.6x vs 21.2x for Host Hotels & Resorts). Host Hotels & Resorts offers the higher dividend yield (3.57% vs 2.80%). SBA Communications converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 37.4% versus 12.5%.
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 | HST | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $22.39 | $168.44 |
| Market cap | $15.55B | $17.87B |
| 1-day change | +0.65% | -1.14% |
| YTD return | +25.44% | -11.92% |
| 1-year return | +35.36% | -9.63% |
| 5-year return | +32.54% | -47.88% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.13 | 18.17 |
| Forward P/E | 21.21 | 20.59 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.48 | $9.27 |
| Dividend yield | 3.57% | 2.80% |
| Annual dividend | $0.80 | $4.72 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $6.11B | $2.82B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +7.57% | +5.06% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $765.00M | $1.05B |
| Gross margin | — | 75.46% |
| Operating margin | 13.98% | 47.70% |
| Net margin | 12.51% | 37.43% |
| 52-week high | $25.71 | $224.46 |
| 52-week low | $15.61 | $156.60 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.93% | -24.96% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.98% | +34.29% |
| Average volume | 8.92M | 963.51K |
| Shares outstanding | 685.12M | 106.09M |
| Employees | 162 | 1,844 |
| 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
- HST has outperformed SBAC by 45.0 percentage points over the past year.
- SBA Communications is more profitable, keeping 37.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 12.5 cents for Host Hotels & Resorts.
About Host Hotels & Resorts
HST stock →Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. is an S&P 500 company and is the largest lodging real estate investment trust and one of the largest owners of luxury and upper-upscale hotels.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 162 employees
About SBA Communications
SBAC stock →SBA Communications Corporation is a leading independent owner and operator of wireless communications infrastructure, including tower structures, rooftops and other structures that support antennas used for wireless communications. In our site leasing business, we lease space to wireless service providers and other customers on assets we own or operate, and manage rooftop and tower sites for property owners under various contractual arrangements.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 1,844 employees
HST vs SBAC FAQ
Which is bigger, Host Hotels & Resorts or SBA Communications?
SBA Communications (SBAC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $17.87B compared with $15.55B for Host Hotels & Resorts (HST).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HST or SBAC?
HST returned +35.36% over the past 12 months, compared with -9.63% for SBAC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HST or SBAC?
HST has the lower trailing P/E at 15.1, versus 18.2 for SBAC. 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, Host Hotels & Resorts or SBA Communications?
Host Hotels & Resorts has the higher yield at 3.57%, compared with 2.80% for SBA Communications.
Are Host Hotels & Resorts and SBA Communications in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.