WallStSmart

Crown Castle (CCI)vsPhillips Edison & Co Inc (PECO)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Crown Castle generates 470% more annual revenue ($4.21B vs $739.02M). CCI leads profitability with a 25.1% profit margin vs 15.6%. CCI trades at a lower P/E of 38.4x. PECO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 54/100 (C-).

CCI

Buy

51

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 3.3Profit: 7.0Value: 4.7Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: -0.67

PECO

Buy

54

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 6.0Profit: 6.5Value: 5.0Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 0.48
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

CCIOvervalued (-13.1%)

Margin of Safety

-13.1%

Fair Value

$76.11

Current Price

$90.57

$14.46 premium

UndervaluedFair: $76.11Overvalued
PECOUndervalued (+7.0%)

Margin of Safety

+7.0%

Fair Value

$40.56

Current Price

$39.72

$0.84 discount

UndervaluedFair: $40.56Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

CCI3 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Operating MarginProfitability
47.7%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 47.7%

Debt/EquityHealth
-18.0810/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Profit MarginProfitability
25.1%9/10

Keeps 25 of every $100 in revenue as profit

PECO2 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Operating MarginProfitability
30.5%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 30.5%

Price/BookValuation
2.2x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

CCI4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
P/E RatioValuation
38.4x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Return on EquityProfitability
-206.7%2/10

ROE of -206.7% — below average capital efficiency

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-4.8%2/10

Revenue declined 4.8%

PECO4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Return on EquityProfitability
4.9%3/10

ROE of 4.9% — below average capital efficiency

Debt/EquityHealth
1.093/10

Elevated debt levels

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

P/E RatioValuation
43.8x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull 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%. PEG of 1.45 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : PECO

The strongest argument for PECO centers on Operating Margin, Price/Book. Profitability is solid with margins at 15.6% and operating margin at 30.5%.

Bear Case : CCI

The primary concerns for CCI are P/E Ratio, Piotroski F-Score, Return on Equity.

Bear Case : PECO

The primary concerns for PECO are Return on Equity, Debt/Equity, Piotroski F-Score. A P/E of 43.8x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

CCI profiles as a declining stock while PECO is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.

CCI carries more volatility with a beta of 0.95 — expect wider price swings.

PECO is growing revenue faster at 7.0% — sustainability is the question.

CCI generates stronger free cash flow (452M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

PECO scores higher overall (54/100 vs 51/100), backed by strong 15.6% margins. Both earn "Buy" and "Buy" 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.

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Phillips Edison & Co Inc

REAL ESTATE · REIT - RETAIL · USA

Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO) is a premier, fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in the ownership, operation, and development of grocery-anchored shopping centers throughout the United States. With a robust portfolio of over 300 strategically located properties, PECO capitalizes on favorable demographic trends and evolving consumer preferences to enhance value creation. The company prioritizes strong relationships with both national and regional retailers, ensuring tenant stability and sustainable cash flow growth. PECO is committed to delivering long-term shareholder value through disciplined capital management and a focus on sustainability initiatives within its operational framework.

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