SBA Communications Q1 AFFO & Revenues Beat Estimates, '25 View Raised

Core Viewpoint - SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC) reported a first-quarter 2025 adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share of $3.18, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.12, but reflecting a 3.3% decline from the previous year [1] Financial Performance - Quarterly total revenues increased slightly year over year to $664.2 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $657 million [2] - Site development revenues rose significantly by 62.4% year over year to $48 million [3] - Site-leasing revenues decreased by 1.9% year over year to $616.2 million, with domestic revenues at $461 million (up 0.7%) and international revenues at $155.2 million (down 7.5%) [4] - The site-leasing operating profit was $500.7 million, down 2.5% year over year, contributing 98.1% of total operating profit [5] - Overall operating income grew by 3.6% to $334.9 million, while adjusted EBITDA totaled $457.3 million, down 1.7%, with a margin decrease to 69% from 71.2% [5] Costs and Expenses - The cost of site development increased significantly to $38.2 million, and interest expenses rose by 8% year over year to $104.1 million [6] Portfolio Activity - In the first quarter, SBAC acquired 344 communication sites for a total cash consideration of $58 million and built 67 towers, owning or operating 39,709 communication sites as of March 31, 2025 [7] - The company spent $8 million on land and easements, with total cash capital expenditure of $109.6 million [8] - Subsequent to the quarter-end, SBAC is under contract to buy 18 communication sites for $10 million in cash [9] Cash Flow and Liquidity - SBAC generated nearly $301.2 million of net cash from operating activities, compared to $294.5 million in the year-ago quarter [10] - As of March 31, 2025, the company had $0.7 billion in cash and cash equivalents, down from $1.7 billion as of December 31, 2024, with net debt at $11.8 billion and a net debt-to-annualized adjusted EBITDA ratio of 6.4X [10] Shareholder Returns - SBAC announced a cash dividend of $1.11 per share for the second quarter, payable on June 17 to shareholders of record as of May 22, 2025 [12] Guidance Revision - The company revised its 2025 AFFO per share guidance to a range of $12.53-$12.90, with adjusted EBITDA revised to $1,891-$1,911 million [13]