SBA Communications (SBAC) vs W. P. Carey REIT (WPC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
W. P. Carey REIT (WPC) has outperformed SBA Communications (SBAC) over the past year, losing 8.0% versus a loss of 9.6%. Over five years, WPC leads with a -16.8% price change compared with -47.9% for SBAC. SBA Communications is the larger company by market cap ($18.08 billion vs $14.29 billion), about 1.3 times the size, while W. P. Carey REIT is growing revenue faster (+8.4% vs +5.1%).
On valuation, W. P. Carey REIT trades at a lower forward P/E (19.9x vs 20.8x for SBA Communications). W. P. Carey REIT offers the higher dividend yield (5.90% vs 2.77%). SBA Communications converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 37.4% versus 27.2%.
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 | SBAC | WPC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $170.38 | $62.73 |
| Market cap | $18.08B | $14.29B |
| 1-day change | +0.40% | -2.00% |
| YTD return | -11.92% | -2.53% |
| 1-year return | -9.63% | -8.03% |
| 5-year return | -47.88% | -16.81% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.38 | 21.93 |
| Forward P/E | 20.83 | 19.92 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.27 | $2.86 |
| Dividend yield | 2.77% | 5.90% |
| Annual dividend | $4.72 | $3.70 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.82B | $1.72B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.06% | +8.43% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.05B | $466.36M |
| Gross margin | 75.46% | — |
| Operating margin | 47.70% | — |
| Net margin | 37.43% | 27.17% |
| 52-week high | $224.46 | $77.22 |
| 52-week low | $156.60 | $62.71 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.09% | -18.76% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +32.76% | +24.57% |
| Average volume | 971.19K | 1.40M |
| Shares outstanding | 106.09M | 227.82M |
| Employees | 1,844 | 199 |
| 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
- W. P. Carey REIT offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.90% vs 2.77%).
- SBA Communications is more profitable, keeping 37.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 27.2 cents for W. P. Carey REIT.
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
About W. P. Carey REIT
WPC stock →W. P.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 199 employees
SBAC vs WPC FAQ
Which is bigger, SBA Communications or W. P. Carey REIT?
SBA Communications (SBAC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $18.08B compared with $14.29B for W. P. Carey REIT (WPC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, SBAC or WPC?
WPC returned -8.03% 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, SBAC or WPC?
SBAC has the lower trailing P/E at 18.4, versus 21.9 for WPC. 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, SBA Communications or W. P. Carey REIT?
W. P. Carey REIT has the higher yield at 5.90%, compared with 2.77% for SBA Communications.
Are SBA Communications and W. P. Carey REIT in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.