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SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORP (SBAC)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2025: Total revenues $664.25M, diluted EPS $1.77, Adjusted EBITDA $457.29M, AFFO per share $3.18; margins compressed (Adjusted EBITDA margin 69.0%, Tower Cash Flow margin 80.9%) .
- Revenue modestly above consensus ($664.25M vs $662.32M*) and EPS below consensus ($1.77 vs $2.16*); EBITDA below SPGI consensus ($432.99M actual vs $465.95M*) — driven by FX headwinds and churn internationally .
- Management raised full‑year 2025 guidance across key metrics (site leasing revenue, total revenues, Adjusted EBITDA, AFFO, AFFO/share) and announced a new $1.5B buyback authorization; 583K shares repurchased post‑quarter at ~$210.87/share .
- Domestic leasing and services activity/backlogs improved, with U.S. mix shifting toward new colocations; international churn remains elevated (Brazil) though CPI escalators may help; 321 Millicom sites closed early, remaining ~6,700 sites targeted for Sep 1 closure .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- “We had a positive start to 2025… Carrier activity levels in the U.S.… continued to grow… backlogs increase from year‑end… allowed us to increase our full year outlook” — CEO Brendan Cavanagh .
- Early close of 321 Millicom sites; acquired 344 sites and built 67 towers; domestic cash leasing revenue +0.7% YoY; services exceeded expectations, prompting full‑year services outlook increase .
- Capital return: repurchased ~583K shares for $122.9M post‑quarter and Board authorized new $1.5B buyback; quarterly dividend declared at $1.11/share .
What Went Wrong
- YoY site leasing revenue down 1.9% and Adjusted EBITDA down 1.7%; AFFO per share down 3.3%; margins compressed vs prior year (EBITDA margin 69.0% vs 71.2%) — FX and elevated international churn contributed .
- International cash site leasing revenue −7.5% YoY (constant currency +2.1%), segment operating profit −8.4% YoY (constant currency +1.4%), reflecting churn and carrier consolidations, notably Brazil .
- Net cash interest expense rose 4.8% YoY; Sprint consolidation churn expected ~$50–$52M for FY25, adding ongoing drag to domestic net growth .
Financial Results
Q1 2025 Actual vs Consensus
Segment breakdown (Q1 2025)
KPIs (Q1 2025)
Guidance Changes
Bridge highlights: FY2025 site leasing revenue includes new leases/amendments, escalations, non‑organic revenue, FX headwind (~$26M), and churn (regular and Sprint) .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Carrier activity levels in the U.S… continued to grow… Our U.S. leasing and services application backlogs increase from year‑end… we have increased our full year outlook” — Brendan Cavanagh, CEO .
- “We are increasing our full year outlook for all key metrics… drivers include early Millicom closings, improved services outlook, slightly higher straight‑line revenue, and reduced share count from buybacks” — Marc Montagner, CFO .
- “Subsequent to quarter end… repurchasing 583,000 shares… and a new $1.5B share repurchase plan… our industry‑leading dividend growth provide a direct line of shareholder returns” — Management .
- “We have not experienced, nor do we foresee any direct impacts from the current tariff policies” — CEO .
- Efficiency agenda: “Driving efficiencies… incorporation of new technologies and systems… ERP system refresh… incorporate AI” — CEO .
Q&A Highlights
- Fixed Wireless Access and network strain: FWA drives capacity needs and incremental macro site investments; activity is up broadly across carriers .
- Mix and timing: ~75% of U.S. new leasing dollars from colos; book‑to‑bill for new colocations typically 3–9 months, turning a bit faster YTD .
- Churn outlook: Sprint churn ~$50–$52M FY25 and ~$50M in 2026; international churn elevated (Brazil rationalization), potentially similar levels into next year .
- Capital allocation and leverage: Leverage ~6.4x; ample liquidity with undrawn $2B revolver; opportunistic buybacks balanced with capex and debt repayments .
- Millicom close: Early partial closings achieved; bulk remains targeted for Sep 1, with potential for earlier stages subject to approvals .
Estimates Context
- Revenue: Actual $664.25M vs consensus $662.32M* — modest beat .
- EPS (diluted): Actual $1.77 vs consensus $2.16* — miss likely reflecting FX, churn and margin compression .
- EBITDA (SPGI): Actual $432.99M vs consensus $465.95M* — miss; company emphasizes Adjusted EBITDA of $457.29M .
- Given the stronger services/backlog and guidance raise, sell‑side models may lift FY revenue/AFFO, but near‑term EPS/EBITDA could be tempered for FX/churn and lower margin trajectory.
Q1 2025 Actual vs Consensus
Key Takeaways for Investors
- U.S. leasing/services momentum and backlog growth point to improving domestic organic revenue trajectory into H2’25 and FY’26; mix skewing toward new colocations supports longer‑tail growth .
- International remains a headwind short‑term (Brazil churn, FX), though CPI escalators may modestly offset; watch churn stabilization to unlock growth .
- Guidance raised across key metrics; upside driven by early Millicom contribution, services strength, and lower share count — constructive for AFFO and dividend coverage .
- Capital returns are a near‑term catalyst: $1.5B buyback authorization with opportunistic repurchases; dividend at $1.11/share represents ~35% of AFFO midpoint .
- Leverage at ~6.4x within comfort range; revolver undrawn; next ABS maturity Jan 2026 — funding flexibility for Millicom close and potential M&A .
- Watch regulatory/spectrum developments; near‑term growth likely driven by densification and FWA rather than new spectrum; auctions are multi‑year away .
- Trading implication: Stock sensitivity to buyback cadence and guidance trajectory; near‑term EPS/EBITDA misses vs consensus may limit multiple expansion until churn/margin stabilize while AFFO and capital return support downside.
Values with asterisk (*) retrieved from S&P Global.