Lamar Advertising (LAMR) 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
Lamar Advertising (LAMR) has outperformed SBA Communications (SBAC) over the past year, gaining 17.9% versus a loss of 9.6%. Over five years, LAMR leads with a +20.2% price change compared with -47.9% for SBAC. SBA Communications is the larger company by market cap ($17.96 billion vs $14.71 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, SBA Communications trades at a lower forward P/E (20.7x vs 22.4x for Lamar Advertising). Lamar Advertising offers the higher dividend yield (4.35% vs 2.79%). SBA Communications converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 37.4% versus 25.9%.
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 | LAMR | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $144.84 | $169.30 |
| Market cap | $14.71B | $17.96B |
| 1-day change | +1.11% | -0.63% |
| YTD return | +13.16% | -11.92% |
| 1-year return | +17.92% | -9.63% |
| 5-year return | +20.24% | -47.88% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 26.43 | 18.26 |
| Forward P/E | 22.35 | 20.70 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.48 | $9.27 |
| Dividend yield | 4.35% | 2.79% |
| Annual dividend | $6.30 | $4.72 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.27B | $2.82B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.68% | +5.06% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $587.15M | $1.05B |
| Gross margin | 67.04% | 75.46% |
| Operating margin | 34.16% | 47.70% |
| Net margin | 25.91% | 37.43% |
| 52-week high | $166.33 | $224.46 |
| 52-week low | $114.45 | $156.60 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.92% | -24.57% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +11.99% | +33.61% |
| Average volume | 579.99K | 963.51K |
| Shares outstanding | 87.13M | 106.09M |
| Employees | 3,500 | 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
- LAMR has outperformed SBAC by 27.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Lamar Advertising trades at a higher earnings multiple (26.4x vs 18.3x trailing P/E).
- Lamar Advertising offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.35% vs 2.79%).
- SBA Communications is more profitable, keeping 37.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 25.9 cents for Lamar Advertising.
About Lamar Advertising
LAMR stock →Lamar Advertising Company is one of the largest outdoor advertising companies in North America, with over 362,000 displays across the United States and Canada. Lamar offers advertisers a variety of billboards, interstate logo, transit and airport advertising formats, helping both local businesses and national brands reach broad audiences every day.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 3,500 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
LAMR vs SBAC FAQ
Which is bigger, Lamar Advertising or SBA Communications?
SBA Communications (SBAC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $17.96B compared with $14.71B for Lamar Advertising (LAMR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LAMR or SBAC?
LAMR returned +17.92% 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, LAMR or SBAC?
SBAC has the lower trailing P/E at 18.3, versus 26.4 for LAMR. 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, Lamar Advertising or SBA Communications?
Lamar Advertising has the higher yield at 4.35%, compared with 2.79% for SBA Communications.
Are Lamar Advertising and SBA Communications in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.