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Crown Castle Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results and Maintains Outlook for Full Year 2024

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Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE: CCI) reported Q2 2024 results and maintained its full year 2024 outlook. Key highlights include:

  • Site rental revenues decreased 9% to $1,580 million
  • Net income declined 45% to $251 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA fell 15% to $1,006 million
  • AFFO per share decreased 21% to $1.62

The company reported organic growth of 4.7% in Site Rental Billings, excluding Sprint Cancellations. Crown Castle implemented operational changes, including staff reductions, expecting $100 million in annual cost savings. The company maintains its 2024 outlook with projected site rental revenues of $6,340 million and AFFO per share of $6.97.

Positive
  • Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings grew 4.7% year-over-year, excluding Sprint Cancellations
  • Implemented operational changes expected to result in $100 million of annualized run-rate operating cost savings
  • Maintained full year 2024 outlook, indicating stability in financial projections
  • Strong balance sheet with 89% fixed rate debt and $5.5 billion of liquidity under revolving credit facility
Negative
  • Site rental revenues decreased 9% year-over-year to $1,580 million
  • Net income declined 45% to $251 million compared to Q2 2023
  • Adjusted EBITDA fell 15% to $1,006 million year-over-year
  • AFFO per share decreased 21% to $1.62 compared to Q2 2023
  • Incurred $45 million of charges related to restructuring plan announced in June 2024

Insights

Crown Castle's financial performance in Q2 2024 reveals several critical takeaways for investors. Notably, site rental revenues and net income have seen significant year-over-year declines. Specifically, net income dropped by 45 to $251 million compared to Q2 2023. This is a red flag, reflecting not just lower site rental revenues but also the impact of restructuring charges and advisory fees related to a recent proxy contest. Adjusted EBITDA, a key profitability metric, also declined by 15, indicating potential challenges in cost management or revenue generation.

For retail investors, it's important to understand that while the company maintains its full-year outlook, the year-over-year declines in important metrics like Adjusted EBITDA and AFFO (Adjusted Funds From Operations) could be concerning. AFFO per share dropped by 21 to $1.62, which impacts dividends and overall return on investment. Furthermore, the increase in interest expenses suggests that the company might be facing higher debt servicing costs, potentially limiting future profitability.

Investors should also consider the impact of cost-saving measures such as staffing reductions and field office closures. While these moves are aimed at saving $100 million annually, they reflect a strategic shift that might impact service levels or operational efficiency in the short term.

The telecom infrastructure market is highly competitive and Crown Castle's Q2 2024 results highlight both ongoing challenges and strategic initiatives. The company's focus on organic revenue growth in towers, fiber solutions and small cells, adjusted for Sprint cancellations, underscores its commitment to leveraging existing assets more efficiently. The expected organic revenue growth rates—4.5 in towers, 2 in fiber and double digits in small cells—indicate areas where Crown Castle sees potential despite overall revenue declines.

For retail investors, it's critical to understand that the telecom sector is capital-intensive. The reported $329 million in capital expenditures, primarily in fiber, shows the company's willingness to invest in future growth, even if it means short-term financial strain. The stable dividend of $1.565 per share is a positive, suggesting that Crown Castle aims to maintain shareholder value even amid financial challenges.

However, it's also worth noting that the decline in site rental revenues by 9 and net income by 45 year-over-year reflects broader industry pressures such as increased competition, technological shifts and potentially lower demand. Investors should keep an eye on how Crown Castle navigates these challenges while implementing its strategic review of the Fiber segment.

HOUSTON, July 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE: CCI) ("Crown Castle") today reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 and maintained its full year 2024 outlook, as reflected in the table below.

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Current Full
Year 2024
Outlook(a)
Full Year 2023
Actual
Change
% Change
Site rental revenues$6,340$6,532$(192)(3)%
Net income (loss)$1,158$1,502$(344)(23)%
Net income (loss) per share—diluted$2.67$3.46$(0.79)(23)%
Adjusted EBITDA(b)$4,168$4,415$(247)(6)%
AFFO(b)$3,030$3,277$(247)(8)%
AFFO per share(b)$6.97$7.55$(0.58)(8)%
     

(a)   Reflects midpoint of full year 2024 Outlook as issued on July 17, 2024.
(b)   See "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information" for further information and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to net income (loss), including on a per share basis.

“Our second quarter results demonstrated the durability and consistency of Crown Castle’s business, and we remain on track to deliver our full year outlook for organic revenue growth of 4.5% in towers, 2% in fiber solutions, and double digits in small cells, adjusted for the impact of Sprint Cancellations,” said Steven Moskowitz, Crown Castle’s Chief Executive Officer. “In the Fiber segment, we announced and implemented changes in the second quarter to improve the investment outcomes on capital being spent on small cell anchor builds and fiber solutions opportunities. Through a comprehensive review of customer needs, we are finding solutions that utilize more of our existing fiber network, enabling us to limit new greenfield investments. In response to this change in our operating plans, we reduced our staffing levels and field office locations, which is expected to result in approximately $100 million of annualized run-rate operating cost savings. Moving forward, we are focused on continuing to progress the Fiber segment strategic review, which remains active and ongoing, while delivering solid financial and operating results across our tower, small cell, and fiber solutions businesses.”

RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER
The table below sets forth select financial results for the quarters ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023.

  
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)Q2 2024Q2 2023Change% Change
Site rental revenues$1,580$1,728$(148)(9)%
Net income (loss)$251$455$(204)(45)%
Net income (loss) per share—diluted$0.58$1.05$(0.47)(45)%
Adjusted EBITDA(a)$1,006$1,188$(182)(15)%
AFFO(a)$704$891$(187)(21)%
AFFO per share(a)$1.62$2.05$(0.43)(21)%
     

(a)   See "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information" for further information and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to net income (loss), including on a per share basis.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE QUARTER

  • Site rental revenues. Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings was $63 million, or 4.7% growth from second quarter 2023, excluding an unfavorable $106 million impact from Sprint Cancellations. Site rental revenues were also negatively impacted by an $81 million decrease in amortization of prepaid rent and a $24 million decrease in straight-lined revenues, resulting in a decline in site rental revenues of $148 million, or 9%, from second quarter 2023 to second quarter 2024.
  • Net income. Net income for the second quarter 2024 was $251 million compared to $455 million for the second quarter 2023, and included $45 million of charges incurred in the quarter related to the restructuring plan announced in June 2024.
  • Adjusted EBITDA. Second quarter 2024 Adjusted EBITDA was $1.0 billion compared to $1.2 billion for the second quarter 2023. The decrease in the quarter was primarily a result of the lower contribution from site rental revenues, $22 million of lower services contribution, and $20 million of advisory fees primarily related to the recent proxy contest.
  • AFFO and AFFO per share. Second quarter 2024 AFFO was $704 million, or $1.62 per share, each representing a decrease from the second quarter 2023 of 21%. The decrease in the quarter was primarily a result of the lower contribution from Adjusted EBITDA and higher interest expense compared to second quarter 2023.
  • Capital expenditures. Capital expenditures during the quarter were $329 million, comprised of $302 million of discretionary capital expenditures and $27 million of sustaining capital expenditures. Discretionary capital expenditures included approximately $271 million attributable to Fiber and $26 million attributable to Towers.
  • Common stock dividend. During the quarter, Crown Castle paid common stock dividends of approximately $680 million in the aggregate, or $1.565 per common share, unchanged on a per share basis compared to the same period a year ago.

“Having implemented the operational changes announced in June, we delivered second quarter results in line with expectations and remain on track to meet our full year guidance,” said Dan Schlanger, Crown Castle’s Chief Financial Officer. “The business continues to perform well as we focus on delivering for our customers and shareholders. The resilience of our top-line growth is complemented by our strong balance sheet, which is well-positioned to provide stability and flexibility as we continue to evaluate strategic paths forward. We finished the second quarter with 89% fixed rate debt, a weighted average maturity of 7 years, only 8% of our debt maturing through 2025, and approximately $5.5 billion of liquidity under our revolving credit facility.”

OUTLOOK

This Outlook section contains forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially. Information regarding potential risks which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements herein is set forth below and in Crown Castle's filings with the SEC.

The following table sets forth Crown Castle's current full year 2024 Outlook, which remains unchanged from the previous full year 2024 Outlook issued on June 11, 2024.

(in millions, except per share amounts)Full Year 2024(a)
Site rental billings(b)$5,740to$5,780
Amortization of prepaid rent$392to$417
Straight-lined revenues$162to$187
Site rental revenues$6,317to$6,362
Site rental costs of operations(c)$1,686to$1,731
Services and other gross margin$65to$95
Net income (loss)$1,125to$1,190
Net income (loss) per share—diluted$2.59to$2.74
Adjusted EBITDA(d)$4,143to$4,193
Depreciation, amortization and accretion$1,680to$1,775
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net(e)$926to$971
FFO(d)$2,863to$2,893
AFFO(d)$3,005to$3,055
AFFO per share(d)$6.91to$7.02
Towers Segment discretionary capital expenditures(d)$180to$180
Fiber Segment discretionary capital expenditures(d)$1,050to$1,150
    

(a)   As issued on July 17, 2024.
(b)   See "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information" for our definition of site rental billings.
(c)   Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion.
(d)   See "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information" for further information and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to net income (loss), including on a per share basis including on a per share basis, and for definition of discretionary capital expenditures.
(e)   See "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information" for the reconciliation of "Outlook for Components of Interest Expense."

  • The chart below reconciles the components contributing to expected 2024 growth in site rental revenues. Full year consolidated site rental billings growth, excluding the impact of Sprint Cancellations, is expected to be 5%, inclusive of 4.5% from towers, 15% from small cells, and 2% from fiber solutions.

2024 Outlook for Organic Contribution to Site Rental Buildings, Change in Site Rental Revenues ($ in millions)

  • Core leasing activity for full year 2024 is expected to contribute $305 million to $335 million, consisting of $105 million to $115 million from towers (compared to $126 million in full year 2023), $65 million to $75 million from small cells (compared to $28 million in full year 2023), and $135 million to $145 million from fiber solutions (compared to $120 million in full year 2023).
  • The expected 2024 small cell core leasing activity of $70 million at the midpoint includes $25 million of higher-than-expected non-recurring revenues primarily related to early termination payments. Excluding the impact of Sprint Cancellations and the increase in non-recurring revenues, small cell organic growth is expected to be 10% in 2024.
  • The chart below reconciles the components contributing to the year over year change to 2024 AFFO.

2024 Outlook for Change in AFFO ($ in millions)

  • The expected increase in full year 2024 expenses includes $25 million of advisory fees related to the recent proxy contest, which is expected to be more than offset by an approximately $60 million decrease in costs related to the reduction in staffing levels and office closures announced in June 2024.
  • Interest expense for full year 2024 is expected to be $78 million to $123 million higher than in full year 2023, primarily related to incremental debt financing to fund discretionary capital expenditures in 2024.
  • The full year 2024 Outlook for discretionary capital expenditures, which is unchanged from the 2024 Outlook issued in June 2024 and reflects a $300 million reduction from our 2024 Outlook provided in April 2024, is $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion, including approximately $1.1 billion in the Fiber segment and $180 million in the Towers segment, and prepaid rent additions are expected to be approximately $355 million in 2024, including $275 million from Fiber and $80 million from Towers.

Additional information is available in Crown Castle's quarterly Supplemental Information Package posted in the Investors section of our website.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS
Crown Castle has scheduled a conference call for Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its second quarter 2024 results. A listen only live audio webcast of the conference call, along with supplemental materials for the call, can be accessed on the Crown Castle website at https://investor.crowncastle.com. Participants may join the conference call by dialing 833-816-1115 (Toll Free) or 412-317-0694 (International) at least 30 minutes prior to the start time. All dial-in participants should ask to join the Crown Castle call.

A replay of the webcast will be available on the Investor page of Crown Castle's website until end of day, Thursday, July 17, 2025.

ABOUT CROWN CASTLE
Crown Castle owns, operates and leases more than 40,000 cell towers and approximately 90,000 route miles of fiber supporting small cells and fiber solutions across every major U.S. market. This nationwide portfolio of communications infrastructure connects cities and communities to essential data, technology and wireless service - bringing information, ideas and innovations to the people and businesses that need them. For more information on Crown Castle, please visit www.crowncastle.com.

Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information

This press release includes presentations of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Funds from Operations ("AFFO"), including per share amounts, Funds from Operations ("FFO"), including per share amounts, Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings, including as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations, and Net Debt, which are non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended as alternative measures of operating results or cash flow from operations (as determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP")).

Our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, including other companies in the communications infrastructure sector or other real estate investment trusts ("REITs").

In addition to the non-GAAP financial measures used herein, we also provide segment site rental gross margin, segment services and other gross margin and segment operating profit, which are key measures used by management to evaluate our operating segments. These segment measures are provided pursuant to GAAP requirements related to segment reporting. In addition, we provide the components of certain GAAP measures, such as site rental revenues and capital expenditures.

Our non-GAAP financial measures are presented as additional information because management believes these measures are useful indicators of the financial performance of our business. Among other things, management believes that:

  • Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors or other interested parties in evaluating our financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is the primary measure used by management (1) to evaluate the economic productivity of our operations and (2) for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to, and assessing the performance of, our operations. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA helps investors or other interested parties meaningfully evaluate and compare the results of our operations (1) from period to period and (2) to our competitors, by removing the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest charges from our outstanding debt) and asset base (primarily depreciation, amortization and accretion) from our financial results. Management also believes Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by investors or other interested parties in the evaluation of the communications infrastructure sector and other REITs to measure financial performance without regard to items such as depreciation, amortization and accretion, which can vary depending upon accounting methods and the book value of assets. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is similar to the measure of current financial performance generally used in our debt covenant calculations. Adjusted EBITDA should be considered only as a supplement to net income (loss) computed in accordance with GAAP as a measure of our performance.
  • AFFO, including per share amounts, is useful to investors or other interested parties in evaluating our financial performance. Management believes that AFFO helps investors or other interested parties meaningfully evaluate our financial performance as it includes (1) the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest expense on our outstanding debt and dividends on our preferred stock (in periods where applicable)) and (2) sustaining capital expenditures, and excludes the impact of our (1) asset base (primarily depreciation, amortization and accretion) and (2) certain non-cash items, including straight-lined revenues and expenses related to fixed escalations and rent free periods. GAAP requires rental revenues and expenses related to leases that contain specified rental increases over the life of the lease to be recognized evenly over the life of the lease. In accordance with GAAP, if payment terms call for fixed escalations or rent free periods, the revenues or expenses are recognized on a straight-lined basis over the fixed, non-cancelable term of the contract. Management notes that Crown Castle uses AFFO only as a performance measure. AFFO should be considered only as a supplement to net income (loss) computed in accordance with GAAP as a measure of our performance and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flow from operations or as residual cash flow available for discretionary investment.
  • FFO, including per share amounts, is useful to investors or other interested parties in evaluating our financial performance. Management believes that FFO may be used by investors or other interested parties as a basis to compare our financial performance with that of other REITs. FFO helps investors or other interested parties meaningfully evaluate financial performance by excluding the impact of our asset base (primarily real estate depreciation, amortization and accretion). FFO is not a key performance indicator used by Crown Castle. FFO should be considered only as a supplement to net income (loss) computed in accordance with GAAP as a measure of our performance and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flow from operations.
  • Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings (also referred to as organic growth) is useful to investors or other interested parties in understanding the components of the year-over-year changes in our site rental revenues computed in accordance with GAAP. Management uses Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings to assess year-over-year growth rates for our rental activities, to evaluate current performance, to capture trends in rental rates, core leasing activities and tenant non-renewals in our core business, as well as to forecast future results. Separately, we are also disclosing Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations (including by line of business), which is outside of ordinary course, to provide further insight into our results of operations and underlying trends. Management believes that identifying the impact for Sprint Cancellations provides increased transparency and comparability across periods. Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings (including as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations) is not meant as an alternative measure of revenue and should be considered only as a supplement in understanding and assessing the performance of our site rental revenues computed in accordance with GAAP.
  • Net Debt is useful to investors or other interested parties in evaluating our overall debt position and future debt capacity. Management uses Net Debt in assessing our leverage. Net Debt is not meant as an alternative measure of debt and should be considered only as a supplement in understanding and assessing our leverage.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus restructuring charges (credits), asset write-down charges, acquisition and integration costs, depreciation, amortization and accretion, amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments, interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net, (gains) losses on retirement of long-term obligations, net (gain) loss on interest rate swaps, (gains) losses on foreign currency swaps, impairment of available-for-sale securities, interest income, other (income) expense, (benefit) provision for income taxes, net (income) loss from discontinued operations, (gain) loss on sale of discontinued operations, cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle and stock-based compensation expense, net.

AFFO. We define AFFO as FFO before straight-lined revenues, straight-lined expenses, stock-based compensation expense, net, non-cash portion of tax provision, non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion, amortization of non-cash interest expense, other (income) expense, (gains) losses on retirement of long-term obligations, net (gain) loss on interest rate swaps, (gains) losses on foreign currency swaps, impairment of available-for-sale securities, acquisition and integration costs, restructuring charges (credits), net (income) loss from discontinued operations, (gain) loss on sale of discontinued operations, cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle and adjustments for noncontrolling interests, less sustaining capital expenditures.

AFFO per share. We define AFFO per share as AFFO divided by diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding.

FFO. We define FFO as net income (loss) plus real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion and asset write-down charges, less noncontrolling interest and cash paid for preferred stock dividends (in periods where applicable), and is a measure of funds from operations attributable to common stockholders.

FFO per share. We define FFO per share as FFO divided by diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding.

Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings. We define Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings (also referred to as organic growth) as the sum of the change in site rental revenues related to core leasing activity, escalators and payments for Sprint Cancellations, less non-renewals of tenant contracts and non-renewals associated with Sprint Cancellations. Additionally, Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations reflects Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings less payments for Sprint Cancellations, plus non-renewals associated with Sprint Cancellations (including by line of business).

Net Debt. We define Net Debt as (1) debt and other long-term obligations and (2) current maturities of debt and other obligations, excluding unamortized adjustments, net; less cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents.

Segment Measures

Segment site rental gross margin. We define segment site rental gross margin as segment site rental revenues less segment site rental costs of operations, excluding stock-based compensation expense, net and amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments recorded in consolidated site rental costs of operations.

Segment services and other gross margin. We define segment services and other gross margin as segment services and other revenues less segment services and other costs of operations, excluding stock-based compensation expense, net recorded in consolidated services and other costs of operations.

Segment operating profit. We define segment operating profit as segment site rental gross margin plus segment services and other gross margin, less segment selling, general and administrative expenses.

All of these measurements of profit or loss are exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion, which are shown separately. Additionally, certain costs are shared across segments and are reflected in our segment measures through allocations that management believes to be reasonable.

Other Definitions

Site rental billings. We define site rental billings as site rental revenues exclusive of the impacts from (1) straight-lined revenues, (2) amortization of prepaid rent in accordance with GAAP and (3) contribution from recent acquisitions until the one-year anniversary of such acquisitions.

Core leasing activity. We define core leasing activity as site rental revenues growth from tenant additions across our entire portfolio and renewals or extensions of tenant contracts, exclusive of (1) the impacts from both straight-lined revenues and amortization of prepaid rent in accordance with GAAP and (2) payments for Sprint Cancellations, where applicable.

Non-renewals. We define non-renewals of tenant contracts as the reduction in site rental revenues as a result of tenant churn, terminations and, in limited circumstances, reductions of existing lease rates, exclusive of non-renewals associated with Sprint Cancellations, where applicable.

Discretionary capital expenditures. We define discretionary capital expenditures as those capital expenditures made with respect to activities which we believe exhibit sufficient potential to enhance long-term stockholder value. They primarily consist of expansion or development of communications infrastructure (including capital expenditures related to (1) enhancing communications infrastructure in order to add new tenants for the first time or support subsequent tenant equipment augmentations or (2) modifying the structure of a communications infrastructure asset to accommodate additional tenants) and construction of new communications infrastructure. Discretionary capital expenditures also include purchases of land interests (which primarily relates to land assets under towers as we seek to manage our interests in the land beneath our towers), certain technology-related investments necessary to support and scale future customer demand for our communications infrastructure, and other capital projects.

Sustaining capital expenditures. We define sustaining capital expenditures as those capital expenditures not otherwise categorized as discretionary capital expenditures, such as (1) maintenance capital expenditures on our communications infrastructure assets that enable our tenants' ongoing quiet enjoyment of the communications infrastructure and (2) ordinary corporate capital expenditures.

Sprint Cancellations. We define Sprint Cancellations as lease cancellations related to the previously disclosed T-Mobile US, Inc. and Sprint network consolidation as described in our press release dated April 19, 2023.

Reconciliation of Historical Adjusted EBITDA:

 For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended For the Twelve
Months Ended
(in millions; totals may not sum due to rounding)June 30,
2024
 June 30,
2023
 June 30,
2024
 June 30,
2023
 December 31,
2023
Net income (loss)$251  $455  $562  $874  $1,502 
Adjustments to increase (decrease) net income (loss):         
Asset write-down charges 3   22   9   22   33 
Acquisition and integration costs    1      1   1 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 430   445   869   876   1,754 
Restructuring charges(a) 45      56      85 
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments 4   4   8   8   16 
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net(b) 230   208   456   410   850 
Interest income (4)  (5)  (8)  (7)  (15)
Other (income) expense 1   2   (1)  4   6 
(Benefit) provision for income taxes 7   7   14   14   26 
Stock-based compensation expense, net 40   50   78   91   157 
     Adjusted EBITDA(c)(d)$1,006  $1,188  $2,043  $2,292  $4,415 


Reconciliation of Current Outlook for Adjusted EBITDA:

 Full Year 2024
(in millions; totals may not sum due to rounding)Outlook(f)
Net income (loss)$1,125to$1,190
Adjustments to increase (decrease) net income (loss):   
Asset write-down charges$42to$52
Acquisition and integration costs$0to$6
Depreciation, amortization and accretion$1,680to$1,775
Restructuring charges(a)$100to$130
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments$15to$17
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net(e)$926to$971
(Gains) losses on retirement of long-term obligationsto
Interest income$(12)to$(11)
Other (income) expense$0to$9
(Benefit) provision for income taxes$20to$28
Stock-based compensation expense, net$142to$146
     Adjusted EBITDA(c)(d)$4,143to$4,193


(a)  Represents restructuring charges recorded for the periods presented related to (1) the Company's restructuring plan announced in July 2023, as further discussed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 ("2023 Restructuring Plan"), and (2) the Company's restructuring plan announced in June 2024, as further discussed in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 11, 2024 ("2024 Restructuring Plan"), as applicable for the respective period. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2024, there were $13 million and $43 million of restructuring charges related to the July 2023 Restructuring Plan and the June 2024 Restructuring Plan, respectively.
(b)  See the reconciliation of "Components of Interest Expense" for a discussion of non-cash interest expense.
(c)  See discussion and our definition of Adjusted EBITDA in this "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information."
(d)  The above reconciliation excludes line items included in our definition which are not applicable for the periods shown.
(e)  See the reconciliation of "Outlook for Components of Interest Expense" for a discussion of non-cash interest expense.
(f)  As issued on July 17, 2024.

Reconciliation of Historical FFO and AFFO:

  For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended For the Twelve
Months Ended
(in millions; totals may not sum due to rounding) June 30,
2024
 June 30,
2023
 June 30,
2024
 June 30,
2023
 December 31,
2023
Net income (loss) $251  $455  $562  $874  $1,502 
Real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion  415   424   841   841   1,692 
Asset write-down charges  3   22   9   22   33 
  FFO(a)(b) $669  $901  $1,412  $1,737  $3,227 
  Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted  435   434   435   434   434 
           
FFO (from above) $669  $901  $1,412  $1,737  $3,227 
Adjustments to increase (decrease) FFO:          
Straight-lined revenues  (56)  (80)  (116)  (163)  (274)
Straight-lined expenses  17   18   33   39   73 
Stock-based compensation expense, net  40   50   78   91   157 
Non-cash portion of tax provision  (2)  (6)  5   4   8 
Non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion  15   21   28   35   62 
Amortization of non-cash interest expense  3   4   6   7   14 
Other (income) expense  1   2   (1)  4   6 
Acquisition and integration costs     1      1   1 
Restructuring charges(c)  45      56      85 
Sustaining capital expenditures  (27)  (18)  (49)  (33)  (83)
  AFFO(a)(b) $704  $891  $1,453  $1,720  $3,277 
  Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted  435   434   435   434   434 


(a)  See discussion and our definitions of FFO and AFFO in this "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information."
(b)  The above reconciliation excludes line items included in our definition which are not applicable for the periods shown.
(c)  Represents restructuring charges recorded for the periods presented related to the 2023 Restructuring Plan and the 2024 Restructuring Plan, as applicable for the respective period. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2024, there were $13 million and $43 million of restructuring charges related to the July 2023 Restructuring Plan and the June 2024 Restructuring Plan, respectively.

Reconciliation of Historical FFO and AFFO per share:

  For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended For the Twelve
Months Ended
(in millions, except per share amounts; totals may not sum due to rounding) June 30,
2024
 June 30,
2023
 June 30,
2024
 June 30,
2023
 December 31,
2023
Net income (loss) $0.58  $1.05  $1.29  $2.01  $3.46 
Real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion  0.95   0.98   1.93   1.94   3.90 
Asset write-down charges  0.01   0.05   0.02   0.05   0.08 
  FFO(a)(b) $1.54  $2.08  $3.25  $4.00  $7.43 
  Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted  435   434   435   434   434 
           
FFO (from above) $1.54  $2.08  $3.25  $4.00  $7.43 
Adjustments to increase (decrease) FFO:          
Straight-lined revenues  (0.13)  (0.18)  (0.27)  (0.38)  (0.63)
Straight-lined expenses  0.04   0.04   0.08   0.09   0.17 
Stock-based compensation expense, net  0.09   0.12   0.18   0.21   0.36 
Non-cash portion of tax provision     (0.01)  0.01   0.01   0.02 
Non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion  0.03   0.05   0.06   0.08   0.14 
Amortization of non-cash interest expense  0.01   0.01   0.01   0.02   0.03 
Other (income) expense           0.01   0.01 
Acquisition and integration costs               
Restructuring charges(c)  0.10      0.13      0.20 
Sustaining capital expenditures  (0.06)  (0.04)  (0.11)  (0.08)  (0.19)
  AFFO(a)(b) $1.62  $2.05  $3.34  $3.96  $7.55 
  Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted  435   434   434   434   434 


(a)  See discussion and our definitions of FFO and AFFO, including per share amounts, in this "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information."
(b)  The above reconciliation excludes line items included in our definition which are not applicable for the periods shown.
(c)  Represents restructuring charges recorded for the periods presented related to the 2023 Restructuring Plan and the 2024 Restructuring Plan, as applicable for the respective period. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2024, there were $13 million and $43 million of restructuring charges related to the July 2023 Restructuring Plan and the June 2024 Restructuring Plan, respectively.

Reconciliation of Current Outlook for FFO and AFFO:

  Full Year 2024 Full Year 2024
(in millions; totals may not sum due to rounding) Outlook(a) Outlook per share(a)
Net income (loss) $1,125to$1,190 $2.59to$2.74
Real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion $1,634to$1,714 $3.76to$3.94
Asset write-down charges $42to$52 $0.10to$0.12
  FFO(b)(c) $2,863to$2,893 $6.58to$6.65
  Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted 435 435
         
FFO (from above) $2,863to$2,893 $6.58to$6.65
Adjustments to increase (decrease) FFO:        
Straight-lined revenues $(187)to$(162) $(0.43)to$(0.37)
Straight-lined expenses $55to$75 $0.13to$0.17
Stock-based compensation expense, net $142to$146 $0.33to$0.34
Non-cash portion of tax provision $2to$17 $0.00to$0.04
Non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion $46to$61 $0.11to$0.14
Amortization of non-cash interest expense $9to$19 $0.02to$0.04
Other (income) expense $0to$9 $0.00to$0.02
(Gains) losses on retirement of long-term obligations to to
Acquisition and integration costs $0to$6 $0.00to$0.01
Restructuring charges(d) $100to$130 $0.23to$0.30
Sustaining capital expenditures $(85)to$(65) $(0.20)to$(0.15)
  AFFO(b)(c) $3,005to$3,055 $6.91to$7.02
  Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted 435 435


(a)  As issued on July 17, 2024.
(b)  See discussion and our definitions of FFO and AFFO, including per share amounts, in this "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information."
(c)  The above reconciliation excludes line items included in our definition which are not applicable for the periods shown.
(d)  Represents restructuring charges recorded for the periods presented related to 2023 Restructuring Plan and 2024 Restructuring Plan, as applicable for the respective period.


Components of Changes in Site Rental Revenues for the Quarters Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

  Three Months Ended June 30,
(dollars in millions; totals may not sum due to rounding)  2024   2023 
Components of changes in site rental revenues:    
Prior year site rental billings excluding payments for Sprint Cancellations(a) $1,354  $1,304 
Prior year payments for Sprint Cancellations(a)(b)  106    
     Prior year site rental billings(a)  1,460   1,304 
     
Core leasing activity(a)  76   73 
Escalators  24   24 
Non-renewals(a)  (37  (42
     Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations(a)  63   54 
Payments for Sprint Cancellations(a)(b)  (105)   106 
Non-renewals associated with Sprint Cancellations(a)(b)  (1  (6
     Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings(a)  (44)   155 
Straight-lined revenues  56   80 
Amortization of prepaid rent  107   188 
Acquisitions(c)     1 
Total site rental revenues $1,580  $1,728 
       
Year-over-year changes in revenues:      
Site rental revenues as a percentage of prior year site rental revenues  (8.6)%   10.3
Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations as a percentage of prior year site rental billings excluding payments for Sprint Cancellations(a)  4.7  4.2
Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as a percentage of prior year site rental billings(a)  (3.0)%   11.9


(a)  See our definitions of site rental billings, core leasing activity, non-renewals, Sprint Cancellations, Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings and Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations in this "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information."
(b)  In the second quarter 2023, we received $101 million and $5 million of payments for Sprint Cancellations that related to small cells and fiber solutions, respectively. These payments are non-recurring and therefore reduce full year 2024 Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings by the same amount. Additionally, during the second quarter 2023, there were $4 million and $2 million of non-renewals associated with Sprint Cancellations that related to small cells and fiber solutions, respectively.
(c)  Represents the contribution from recent acquisitions. The financial impact of recent acquisitions is excluded from Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings, including as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations, until the one-year anniversary of such acquisitions.

Towers Segment Components of Changes in Site Rental Revenues for the Quarters Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

  Three Months Ended June 30,
(dollars in millions; totals may not sum due to rounding)  2024   2023 
Components of changes in site rental revenues:    
     Prior year site rental billings(a) $929  $877 
     
Core leasing activity(a)  26   38 
Escalators  23   22 
Non-renewals(a)  (7)  (8)
     Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings(a)  42   51 
Straight-lined revenues  54   84 
Amortization of prepaid rent  39   67 
Acquisitions(b)     1 
Other      
Total site rental revenues $1,064  $1,080 
     
Year-over-year changes in revenues:    
Site rental revenues as a percentage of prior year site rental revenues  (1.5)%  0.2%
Changes in revenues as a percentage of prior year site rental billings:    
     Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings(a)  4.4%  5.8%
         

(a)  See our definitions of site rental billings, core leasing activity, non-renewals, Sprint Cancellations, Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings and Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations in this "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information."
(b)  Represents the contribution from recent acquisitions. The financial impact of recent acquisitions is excluded from Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings, including as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations, until the one-year anniversary of such acquisitions.

Fiber Segment Components of Changes in Site Rental Revenues by Line of Business for the Quarters Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Small Cells  Three Months Ended June 30,
(dollars in millions; totals may not sum due to rounding)  2024   2023 
Components of changes in site rental revenues:    
Prior year site rental billings excluding payments for Sprint Cancellations(a) $110  $109 
Prior year payments for Sprint Cancellations(a)(b)  101    
     Prior year site rental billings(a)  211   109 
     
Core leasing activity(a)  11   6 
Escalators  2   2 
Non-renewals(a)  (1)  (2)
     Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations(a)  12   5 
Payments for Sprint Cancellations(a)(b)  (101)  101 
Non-renewals associated with Sprint Cancellations(a)(b)  (1)  (4)
     Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings(a)  (90)  102 
Straight-lined revenues  (1)  (6)
Amortization of prepaid rent  50   102 
Acquisitions(c)      
Total site rental revenues $170  $308 
     
Year-over-year changes in revenues:    
Site rental revenues as a percentage of prior year site rental revenues  (44.8)%  97.4%
Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations as a percentage of prior year site rental billings excluding payments for Sprint Cancellations(a)  10.9%  5.0%
Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as a percentage of prior year site rental billings(a)  (42.5)%  93.6%


(a)  See our definitions of site rental billings, core leasing activity, non-renewals, Sprint Cancellations, Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings and Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations in this "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information."
(b)  In the second quarter 2023, we received $101 million of payments for Sprint Cancellations that related to small cells, which will not recur in 2024. In second quarter 2023, there were $4 million of non-renewals associated with Sprint Cancellations that related to small cells.
(c)  Represents the contribution from recent acquisitions. The financial impact of recent acquisitions is excluded from Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings, including as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations, until the one-year anniversary of such acquisitions.

Fiber Segment Components of Changes in Site Rental Revenues by Line of Business for the Quarters Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Fiber Solutions Three Months Ended June 30,
(dollars in millions; totals may not sum due to rounding)  2024   2023 
Components of changes in site rental revenues:    
Prior year site rental billings excluding payments for Sprint Cancellations(a) $314  $318 
Prior year payments for Sprint Cancellations(a)(b)  5    
     Prior year site rental billings(a)  319   318 
     
Core leasing activity(a)  39   30 
Escalators      
Non-renewals(a)  (29)  (32)
     Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations(a)  10   (2)
Payments for Sprint Cancellations(a)(b)  (4)  5 
Non-renewals associated with Sprint Cancellations(a)(b)  (1)  (2)
     Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings(a)  5   1 
Straight-lined revenues  3   2 
Amortization of prepaid rent  18   19 
Acquisitions(c)      
Total site rental revenues $346  $340 
     
Year-over-year changes in revenues:    
Site rental revenues as a percentage of prior year site rental revenues  1.8%  2.1%
Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations as a percentage of prior year site rental billings excluding payments for Sprint Cancellations(a)  3.2%  (0.7)%
Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as a percentage of prior year site rental billings(a)  1.7%  0.4%


Outlook for Components Changes in Site Rental Revenues by Line of Business

  Full Year 2024 Outlook(d)
  Towers Fiber Segment
(in millions)     Small Cells Fiber Solutions
Core leasing activity (a) $105to$115 $65to$75 $135to$145
Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations as a percentage of prior year site rental billings excluding payments for Sprint Cancellations(a)(e)(f) 4.5% 15% 2%
Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as a percentage of prior year site rental billings(a)(e) 4.5% (8)% (4)%


(a)  See our definitions of site rental billings, core leasing activity, non-renewals, Sprint Cancellations, Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings and Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations in this "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information."
(b)  In the second quarter 2023, we received $5 million of payments for Sprint Cancellations that related to fiber solutions, which will not recur in 2024. In the second quarter 2023, there were $2 million of non-renewals associated with Sprint Cancellations that related to fiber solutions.
(c)  Represents the contribution from recent acquisitions. The financial impact of recent acquisitions is excluded from Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings, including as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations, until the one-year anniversary of such acquisitions.
(d)  As issued on July 17, 2024.
(e)  Calculated based on midpoint of full year 2024 Outlook.
(f)  In full year 2023, we received $104 million and $66 million of payments for Sprint Cancellations that related to small cells and fiber solutions, respectively.

Components of Changes in Site Rental Revenues for Full Year 2024 Outlook:

(dollars in millions; totals may not sum due to rounding) Full Year 2024
Outlook(a)
Components of changes in site rental revenues:  
Prior year site rental billings excluding payments for Sprint Cancellations(b) $5,505
Prior year payments for Sprint Cancellations(b)(c) $170
     Prior year site rental billings(b) $5,675
   
Core leasing activity(b) $305to$335
Escalators $95to$105
Non-renewals(b) $(165)to$(145)
     Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations(b) $245to$285
Payments for Sprint Cancellations(b)(c) $(170)to$(160)
Non-renewals associated with Sprint Cancellations(b)(c) $(10)to$(10)
     Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings(b) $70to$110
Straight-lined revenues $162to$187
Amortization of prepaid rent $392to$417
Acquisitions(d) 
Total site rental revenues $6,317to$6,362
   
Year-over-year changes in revenues:(e)  
Site rental revenues as a percentage of prior year site rental revenues (3.0)%
Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations as a percentage of prior year site rental billings excluding payments for Sprint Cancellations(b) 4.8%
Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as a percentage of prior year site rental billings(b) 1.6%


(a)  As issued on July 17, 2024.
(b)  See our definitions of site rental billings, core leasing activity, non-renewals, Sprint Cancellations, Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings, and Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations in this "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information."
(c)  In 2023, we received $104 million and $66 million of payments for Sprint Cancellations that related to small cells and fiber solutions, respectively, and $14 million and $7 million of non-renewals associated with Sprint Cancellations that related to small cells and fiber solutions, respectively. These payments are non-recurring and therefore reduce full year 2024 Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings by the same amount.
(d)  Represents the contribution from recent acquisitions. The financial impact of recent acquisitions is excluded from Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings, including as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations, until the one-year anniversary of such acquisitions.
(e)  Calculated based on midpoint of full year 2024 Outlook, where applicable.
 

Components of Capital Expenditures:(a)

  For the Three Months Ended
  June 30, 2024 June 30, 2023
(in millions) TowersFiberOtherTotal TowersFiberOtherTotal
Discretionary capital expenditures:          
Communications infrastructure improvements and other capital projects $15$271$5$291 $34$298$6$338
Purchases of land interests  11   11  23   23
Sustaining capital expenditures  3 18 6 27  4 8 6 18
Total capital expenditures $29$289$11$329 $61$306$12$379
           
  For the Six Months Ended
  June 30, 2024 June 30, 2023
(in millions) TowersFiberOtherTotal TowersFiberOtherTotal
Discretionary capital expenditures:          
Communications infrastructure improvements and other capital projects $35$530$11$576 $67$570$12$649
Purchases of land interests  24   24  38   38
Sustaining capital expenditures  5 32 12 49  6 15 12 33
Total capital expenditures $64$562$23$649 $111$585$24$720


Outlook for Discretionary Capital Expenditures Less Prepaid Rent Additions:
(d)

(in millions) Full Year 2023 Full Year 2024
Outlook(b)
Discretionary capital expenditures $1,341 $1,230to$1,330
Less: Prepaid rent additions(c) $348 ~$355
Discretionary capital expenditures less prepaid rent additions  $993 $875to$975


Components of Interest Expense:

  For the Three Months Ended
(in millions) June 30, 2024 June 30, 2023
Interest expense on debt obligations $227  $205 
Amortization of deferred financing costs and adjustments on long-term debt  8   7 
Capitalized interest  (5)  (4)
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net $230  $208 


Outlook for Components of Interest Expense:

(in millions) Full Year 2024
Outlook(b)
Interest expense on debt obligations $915to$955
Amortization of deferred financing costs and adjustments on long-term debt $20to$30
Capitalized interest $(17)to$(7)
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net $926to$971


(a)  See our definitions of discretionary capital expenditures and sustaining capital expenditures in this "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information." 
(b)  As issued on July 17, 2024.
(c)  Reflects up-front consideration from long-term tenant contracts (commonly referred to as prepaid rent) that are amortized and recognized as revenue over the associated estimated lease term in accordance with GAAP.
(d)  Excludes sustaining capital expenditures. See "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information" for our definitions of discretionary capital expenditures and sustaining capital expenditures.

Debt Balances and Maturity Dates as of June 30, 2024:

(in millions) Face Value(a) Final Maturity
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents $331  
     
Senior Secured Notes, Series 2009-1, Class A-2(b)  36 Aug. 2029
Senior Secured Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2(c)  700 May 2045
Senior Secured Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2018-2(c)  750 July 2048
Finance leases and other obligations(d)  295 Various
Total secured debt $1,781  
2016 Revolver(e)   July 2027
2016 Term Loan A(f)  1,155 July 2027
Commercial Paper Notes(g)  1,438 Various
3.200% Senior Notes  750 Sept. 2024
1.350% Senior Notes  500 July 2025
4.450% Senior Notes  900 Feb. 2026
3.700% Senior Notes  750 June 2026
1.050% Senior Notes  1,000 July 2026
2.900% Senior Notes  750 Mar. 2027
4.000% Senior Notes  500 Mar. 2027
3.650% Senior Notes  1,000 Sept. 2027
5.000% Senior Notes  1,000 Jan. 2028
3.800% Senior Notes  1,000 Feb. 2028
4.800% Senior Notes  600 Sept. 2028
4.300% Senior Notes  600 Feb. 2029
5.600% Senior Notes  750 June 2029
3.100% Senior Notes  550 Nov. 2029
3.300% Senior Notes  750 July 2030
2.250% Senior Notes  1,100 Jan. 2031
2.100% Senior Notes  1,000 Apr. 2031
2.500% Senior Notes  750 July 2031
5.100% Senior Notes  750 May 2033
5.800% Senior Notes  750 Mar. 2034
2.900% Senior Notes  1,250 Apr. 2041
4.750% Senior Notes  350 May 2047
5.200% Senior Notes  400 Feb. 2049
4.000% Senior Notes  350 Nov. 2049
4.150% Senior Notes  500 July 2050
3.250% Senior Notes  900 Jan. 2051
Total unsecured debt $22,093  
Net Debt(h) $23,543  


(a)  Net of required principal amortizations.
(b)  The Senior Secured Notes, 2009-1, Class A-2 principal amortizes over a period ending in August 2029.
(c)  If the respective series of Tower Revenue Notes are not paid in full on or prior to an applicable anticipated repayment date, then the Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture) of the issuers of such notes will be used to repay principal of the applicable series, and additional interest (of an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the respective series. The Senior Secured Tower Revenue Notes, 2015-2 and 2018-2 have anticipated repayment dates in 2025 and 2028, respectively. Notes are prepayable at par if voluntarily repaid within eighteen months of maturity; earlier prepayment may require additional consideration.
(d)  $8 million represents obligations under finance leases as of June 30, 2024.
(e)  As of June 30, 2024, the undrawn availability under the $7.0 billion 2016 Revolver was $7.0 billion. The Company pays a commitment fee on the undrawn available amount, which as of June 30, 2024 ranged from 0.080% to 0.300%, based on the Company's senior unsecured debt rating, per annum.
(f)  The 2016 Term Loan A principal amortizes over a period ending in July 2027.
(g)  As of June 30, 2024, the Company had $0.6 billion available for issuance under its $2.0 billion unsecured commercial paper program. The maturities of the Commercial Paper Notes, when outstanding, may vary but may not exceed 397 days from the date of issue.
(h)  See further information on, and our definition and calculation of, Net Debt in this "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information."

Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on our management's current expectations as of the date of this news release. Statements that are not historical facts are hereby identified as forward-looking statements. In addition, words such as "estimate," "see," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "intend," "believe," "expect," "likely," "predicted," "positioned," "continue," "target," "focus," and any variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include our full year 2024 Outlook and plans, projections, expectations and estimates regarding (1) the value of our business model and strategy, the durability and performance of our business and the demand for our communications infrastructure, (2) revenue growth and its driving factors, (3) net income (loss) (including on a per share basis), (4) AFFO (including on a per share basis) and its components and growth, (5) Adjusted EBITDA and its components and growth, (6) Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings (including as Adjusted for Impact of Sprint Cancellations) and its components and growth, (7) site rental revenues and its components and growth, (8) interest expense, (9) the impact of Sprint Cancellations on our operating and financial results, (10) services contribution, (11) the growth in our business and its driving factors, (12) discretionary capital expenditures, (13) prepaid rent additions and amortization, (14) core leasing activity, (15) increase in our expenses, including its driving factors, (16) fiber strategic review and the potential impacts and benefits therefrom, (17) changes to our operating plans for the Fiber segment and the impacts therefrom, (18) operating cost reductions, including cost savings and other resulting benefits, (19) debt and debt maturities, (20) payment of advisory fees, including timing, and the impact on our results and (21) fiber solutions and small cell opportunities and the potential impacts and benefits therefrom. All future dividends are subject to declaration by our board of directors.

Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including prevailing market conditions and the following:

  • Our business depends on the demand for our communications infrastructure (including towers, small cells and fiber), driven primarily by demand for data, and we may be adversely affected by any slowdown in such demand. Additionally, a reduction in the amount or change in the mix of network investment by our tenants may materially and adversely affect our business (including reducing demand for our communications infrastructure or services).
  • A substantial portion of our revenues is derived from a small number of tenants, and the loss, consolidation or financial instability of any of such tenants may materially decrease revenues, reduce demand for our communications infrastructure and services and impact our dividend per share growth.
  • The expansion or development of our business, including through acquisitions, increased product offerings or other strategic opportunities, may cause disruptions in our business, which may have an adverse effect on our business, operations or financial results.
  • Our Fiber segment has expanded, and the Fiber business model contains certain differences from our Towers business model, resulting in different operational risks. If we do not successfully operate our Fiber business model or identify or manage the related operational risks, such operations may produce results that are lower than anticipated.
  • Our review of potential strategic alternatives may not result in an executed or consummated transaction or other strategic alternative, and the process of reviewing strategic alternatives or the outcome could adversely affect our business. There is no guarantee that any transaction resulting from the strategic review will ultimately benefit our shareholders.
  • Failure to timely, efficiently and safely execute on our construction projects could adversely affect our business.
  • New technologies may reduce demand for our communications infrastructure or negatively impact our revenues.
  • If we fail to retain rights to our communications infrastructure, including the rights to land under our towers and the right-of-way and other agreements related to our small cells and fiber, our business may be adversely affected.
  • Our services business has historically experienced significant volatility in demand, which reduces the predictability of our results.
  • If radio frequency emissions from wireless handsets or equipment on our communications infrastructure are demonstrated to cause negative health effects, potential future claims could adversely affect our operations, costs or revenues.
  • Cybersecurity breaches or other information technology disruptions could adversely affect our operations, business, and reputation.
  • Our business may be adversely impacted by climate-related events, natural disasters, including wildfires, and other unforeseen events.
  • As a result of competition in our industry, we may find it more difficult to negotiate favorable rates on our new or renewing tenant contracts.
  • New wireless technologies may not deploy or be adopted by tenants as rapidly or in the manner projected.
  • Our focus on and disclosure of our Environmental, Social and Governance position, metrics, strategy, goals and initiatives expose us to potential litigation and other adverse effects to our business.
  • Failure to attract, recruit and retain qualified and experienced employees could adversely affect our business, operations and costs.
  • Changes to management, including turnover of our top executives, could have an adverse effect on our business.
  • Actions that we are taking to restructure our business in alignment with our strategic priorities may not be as effective as anticipated.
  • Actions of activist stockholders could impact the pursuit of our business strategies and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, or stock price.
  • Our substantial level of indebtedness could adversely affect our ability to react to changes in our business, and the terms of our debt instruments limit our ability to take a number of actions that our management might otherwise believe to be in our best interests. In addition, if we fail to comply with our covenants, our debt could be accelerated.
  • We have a substantial amount of indebtedness. In the event we do not repay or refinance such indebtedness, we could face substantial liquidity issues and might be required to issue equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities, or sell some of our assets, possibly on unfavorable terms, to meet our debt payment obligations.
  • Sales or issuances of a substantial number of shares of our common stock or securities convertible into shares of our common stock may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
  • Certain provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation amended and restated by-laws and operative agreements, and domestic and international competition laws may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us or for us to acquire control of a third party, even if such a change in control would be beneficial to our stockholders.
  • If we fail to comply with laws or regulations which regulate our business and which may change at any time, we may be fined or even lose our right to conduct some of our business.
  • Future dividend payments to our stockholders will reduce the availability of our cash on hand available to fund future discretionary investments, and may result in a need to incur indebtedness or issue equity securities to fund growth opportunities. In such event, the then current economic, credit market or equity market conditions will impact the availability or cost of such financing, which may hinder our ability to grow our per share results of operations.
  • Remaining qualified to be taxed as a Real Estate Investment Trust ("REIT") involves highly technical and complex provisions of the Code. Failure to remain qualified as a REIT would result in our inability to deduct dividends to stockholders when computing our taxable income, thereby increasing our tax obligations and reducing our available cash.
  • Complying with REIT requirements, including the 90% distribution requirement, may limit our flexibility or cause us to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities, including certain discretionary investments and potential financing alternatives.
  • REIT related ownership limitations and transfer restrictions may prevent or restrict certain transfers of our capital stock.

Should one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. More information about potential risk factors which could affect our results is included in our filings with the SEC. Our filings with the SEC are available through the SEC website at www.sec.gov or through our investor relations website at investor.crowncastle.com. We use our investor relations website to disclose information about us that may be deemed to be material. We encourage investors, the media and others interested in us to visit our investor relations website from time to time to review up-to-date information or to sign up for e-mail alerts to be notified when new or updated information is posted on the site.

As used in this release, the term "including," and any variation thereof, means "including without limitation."

CROWN CASTLE INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in millions, except par values)


  June 30,
2024
 December 31,
2023
ASSETS    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $155  $105 
Restricted cash and cash equivalents  171   171 
Receivables, net  420   481 
Prepaid expenses  155   103 
Deferred site rental receivables  129   116 
Other current assets  51   56 
Total current assets  1,081   1,032 
Deferred site rental receivables  2,341   2,239 
Property and equipment, net  15,698   15,666 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  5,930   6,187 
Goodwill  10,085   10,085 
Other intangible assets, net  2,974   3,179 
Other assets, net  137   139 
Total assets $38,246  $38,527 
     
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY    
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable $225  $252 
Accrued interest  228   219 
Deferred revenues  509   605 
Other accrued liabilities  359   342 
Current maturities of debt and other obligations  865   835 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities  308   332 
Total current liabilities  2,494   2,585 
Debt and other long-term obligations  22,854   22,086 
Operating lease liabilities  5,354   5,561 
Other long-term liabilities  1,892   1,914 
Total liabilities  32,594   32,146 
Commitments and contingencies    
Stockholders' equity:    
Common stock, 0.01 par value; 1,200 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding: June 30, 2024—435 and December 31, 2023—434  4   4 
Additional paid-in capital  18,347   18,270 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  (5)  (4)
Dividends/distributions in excess of earnings  (12,694)  (11,889)
Total equity  5,652   6,381 
Total liabilities and equity $38,246  $38,527 
 


CROWN CASTLE INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)


  Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
   2024   2023   2024   2023 
Net revenues:        
Site rental $1,580  $1,728  $3,168  $3,352 
Services and other  46   139   99   288 
Net revenues  1,626   1,867   3,267   3,640 
Operating expenses:        
Costs of operations:(a)        
Site rental  432   424   862   839 
Services and other  27   98   61   202 
Selling, general and administrative  204   210   387   405 
Asset write-down charges  3   22   9   22 
Acquisition and integration costs     1      1 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion  430   445   869   876 
Restructuring charges  45      56    
     Total operating expenses  1,141   1,200   2,244   2,345 
Operating income (loss)  485   667   1,023   1,295 
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net  (230)  (208)  (456)  (410)
Interest income  4   5   8   7 
Other income (expense)  (1)  (2)  1   (4)
Income (loss) before income taxes  258   462   576   888 
Benefit (provision) for income taxes  (7)  (7)  (14)  (14)
Net income (loss) $251  $455  $562  $874 
         
Net income (loss), per common share:        
Basic $0.58  $1.05  $1.29  $2.02 
Diluted $0.58  $1.05  $1.29  $2.01 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:        
Basic  435   434   434   433 
Diluted  435   434   435   434 
                 

(a)  Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.

 
CROWN CASTLE INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In millions of dollars)


  Six Months Ended June 30,
   2024   2023 
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net income (loss) $562  $874 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:    
Depreciation, amortization and accretion  869   876 
(Gains) losses on retirement of long-term obligations      
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest  18   14 
Stock-based compensation expense, net  78   91 
Asset write-down charges  9   22 
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision  5   1 
Other non-cash adjustments, net  8   2 
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:    
Increase (decrease) in liabilities  (99)  (35)
Decrease (increase) in assets  (83)  (120)
     Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities  1,367   1,725 
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Capital expenditures  (649)  (720)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired  (1)  (89)
Other investing activities, net     3 
     Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities  (650)  (806)
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt     2,347 
Principal payments on debt and other long-term obligations  (36)  (39)
Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt      
Borrowings under revolving credit facility     2,113 
Payments under revolving credit facility  (670)  (2,739)
Net borrowings (repayments) under commercial paper program  1,438   (1,024)
Payments for financing costs     (23)
Purchases of common stock  (30)  (29)
Dividends/distributions paid on common stock  (1,368)  (1,364)
     Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities  (666)  (758)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash  51   161 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash  (1)   
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  281   327 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period $331  $488 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:    
Interest paid  441   367 
Income taxes paid (refunded)  9   10 
         


CROWN CASTLE INC.
SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS (UNAUDITED)
(In millions of dollars)


SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS
  Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
  Towers Fiber Other Total Towers Fiber Other Total
Segment site rental revenues $1,064 $516   $1,580 $1,080 $648   $1,728
Segment services and other revenues  43  3    46  124  15    139
Segment revenues  1,107  519    1,626  1,204  663    1,867
Segment site rental costs of operations  245  178    423  243  171    414
Segment services and other costs of operations  23  2    25  92  3    95
Segment costs of operations(a)(b)  268  180    448  335  174    509
Segment site rental gross margin(c)  819  338    1,157  837  477    1,314
Segment services and other gross margin(c)  20  1    21  32  12    44
Segment selling, general and administrative expenses(b)  16  50    66  30  51    81
Segment operating profit(c)  823  289    1,112  839  438    1,277
Other selling, general and administrative expenses(b)     $105  105     $88  88
Stock-based compensation expense, net      40  40      50  50
Depreciation, amortization and accretion      430  430      445  445
Restructuring charges(d)      45  45        
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net      230  230      208  208
Other (income) expenses to reconcile to income (loss) before income taxes(e)      4  4      24  24
Income (loss) before income taxes       $258       $462

(a)  Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.
(b)  Segment costs of operations exclude (1) stock-based compensation expense, net of $7 million and $9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $4 million for each of the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. Segment selling, general and administrative expenses and other selling, general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense, net of $33 million and $41 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(c)  See "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information" for a discussion and our definitions of segment site rental gross margin, segment services and other gross margin and segment operating profit.
(d)  Represents restructuring charges recorded for the periods presented related to the 2023 Restructuring Plan and the 2024 Restructuring Plan, as applicable for the respective period. For the three-month period ended June 30, 2024, there were $2 million and $43 million of restructuring charges related to the July 2023 Restructuring Plan and the June 2024 Restructuring Plan, respectively.
(e)  See condensed consolidated statement of operations for further information.

SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS
  Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
  Towers Fiber Other Total Towers Fiber Other Total
Segment site rental revenues $2,132 $1,036   $3,168 $2,161 $1,191   $3,352
Segment services and other revenues  89  10    99  270  18    288
Segment revenues  2,221  1,046    3,267  2,431  1,209    3,640
Segment site rental costs of operations  483  360    843  477  343    820
Segment services and other costs of operations  51  7    58  191  5    196
Segment costs of operations(a)(b)  534  367    901  668  348    1,016
Segment site rental gross margin(c)  1,649  676    2,325  1,684  848    2,532
Segment services and other gross margin(c)  38  3    41  79  13    92
Segment selling, general and administrative expenses(b)  37  97    134  61  100    161
Segment operating profit(c)  1,650  582    2,232  1,702  761    2,463
Other selling, general and administrative expenses(b)     $189  189     $170  170
Stock-based compensation expense, net      78  78      91  91
Depreciation, amortization and accretion      869  869      876  876
Restructuring charges(d)      56  56        
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net      456  456      410  410
Other (income) expenses to reconcile to income (loss) before income taxes(e)      8  8      28  28
Income (loss) before income taxes       $576       $888


(a)  Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.
(b)  Segment costs of operations exclude (1) stock-based compensation expense, net of $14 million and $17 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $8 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. Segment selling, general and administrative expenses and other selling, general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense, net of $64 million and $74 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.
(c)  See "Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information" for a discussion and our definitions of segment site rental gross margin, segment services and other gross margin and segment operating profit.
(d)  Represents restructuring charges recorded for the periods presented related to the 2023 Restructuring Plan and the 2024 Restructuring Plan, as applicable for the respective period. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2024, there were $13 million and $43 million of restructuring charges related to the July 2023 Restructuring Plan and the June 2024 Restructuring Plan, respectively.
(e)  See condensed consolidated statement of operations for further information.

Contacts: Dan Schlanger, CFO
 Kris Hinson, VP Corp Finance & Treasurer
 Crown Castle Inc.
 713-570-3050




Charts accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6ad8aaa2-7a63-4fd1-b143-496a0907f87d

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2b201b76-99ab-441b-a83e-b7bf20986459


FAQ

What was Crown Castle's (CCI) organic growth rate in Q2 2024?

Crown Castle reported an organic growth rate of 4.7% in Site Rental Billings for Q2 2024, excluding the impact of Sprint Cancellations.

How much did Crown Castle's (CCI) site rental revenues decrease in Q2 2024?

Crown Castle's site rental revenues decreased by 9% year-over-year to $1,580 million in Q2 2024.

What is Crown Castle's (CCI) projected AFFO per share for full year 2024?

Crown Castle maintains its full year 2024 outlook with a projected AFFO per share of $6.97.

How much cost savings does Crown Castle (CCI) expect from its recent operational changes?

Crown Castle expects approximately $100 million of annualized run-rate operating cost savings from its recent operational changes, including staff reductions.

Crown Castle Inc.

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