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

HOUSTON, April 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE: CCI) (“Crown Castle”) today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 and maintained its full year 2024 outlook, as reflected in the table below.

(a)   Reflects midpoint of full year 2024 Outlook as issued on April 17, 2024 and unchanged from previous full year 2024 Outlook issued on January 24, 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.

“I’m pleased the team was able to continue to serve our customers well and deliver solid financial and operating results in the first quarter, and we remain on track to meet our full year 2024 outlook,” said Tony Melone, who served as Crown Castle’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). “At the same time, we made significant progress on the fiber strategic review and appointed Steven Moskowitz, a proven leader with deep industry experience, as Crown Castle’s new President and CEO. With over 25 years of demonstrated operating experience and a successful track record of value creation, I believe Steven’s leadership will enable Crown Castle to execute its strategic and operating plans and grow value for all shareholders.”

RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER
The table below sets forth select financial results for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023.

(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. Site rental revenues declined 2%, or $36 million, from first quarter 2023 to first quarter 2024, with an increase of approximately $17 million in Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings, more than offset by a $24 million decrease in straight-lined revenues, and a $30 million decrease in amortization of prepaid rent. The $17 million in Organic Contributions to Site Rental Billings represents 1.2% growth, or 5.0% when adjusting for a $50 million decrease to Site Rental Billings related to the previously disclosed Sprint Cancellations.
• Net income. Net income for the first quarter 2024 was $311 million compared to $418 million for the first quarter 2023.
• Adjusted EBITDA. First quarter 2024 Adjusted EBITDA was $1.04 billion compared to $1.10 billion for the first quarter 2023. The decrease in the quarter was primarily a result of the lower contribution from site rental revenues and $26 million of lower services contribution.
• AFFO and AFFO per share. First quarter 2024 AFFO was $749 million, or $1.72 per share, each representing a decrease from the first quarter 2023 of 10%. The decrease in the quarter was primarily a result of the lower contribution from Adjusted EBITDA and higher interest expense compared to first quarter 2023.
• Capital expenditures. Capital expenditures during the quarter were $320 million, comprised of $298 million of discretionary capital expenditures and $22 million of sustaining capital expenditures. Discretionary capital expenditures included approximately $259 million attributable to Fiber and $33 million attributable to Towers.
• Common stock dividend. During the quarter, Crown Castle paid common stock dividends of approximately $688 million in the aggregate, or $1.565 per common share, unchanged on a per share basis compared to the same period a year ago.

“With first quarter results in line with expectations, we remain on track to meet our full year guidance as we continue to focus on executing for our customers and shareholders,” said Dan Schlanger, Crown Castle’s Chief Financial Officer. “In the first quarter we delivered 5.0% consolidated core organic growth with solid performance across each line of business as demand for our tower, small cell, and fiber solutions shared infrastructure continues to grow. In addition, our balance sheet remains well-positioned to provide stability and flexibility as we evaluate strategic paths forward. We finished the first quarter with more than 90% fixed rate debt, a weighted average maturity of 7 years, only 8% of our debt maturing through 2025, and $6 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.

(a)   As issued on April 17, 2024 and unchanged from the previous full year 2024 Outlook issued on January 24, 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.
(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, 13% from small cells, and 3% from fiber solutions.

• The chart below reconciles the components contributing to the year over year change to 2024 AFFO.

• The full year 2024 Outlook for discretionary capital expenditures and prepaid rent additions remains unchanged. Expected discretionary capital expenditures are $1.5 billion to $1.6 billion, including approximately $1.4 billion in the Fiber segment and $180 million in the Towers segment, and prepaid rent additions are expected to be approximately $430 million in 2024, including $350 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, April 17, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its first 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, April 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 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, 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 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.

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:

Reconciliation of Current Outlook for Adjusted EBITDA:

(a)   For information regarding the Company’s restructuring plan announced in July 2023, see Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
(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 April 17, 2024 and unchanged from previous full year 2024 Outlook issued on January 24, 2024.

Reconciliation of Historical FFO and AFFO:

(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)   For information regarding the Company’s restructuring plan announced in July 2023, see Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

Reconciliation of Historical FFO and AFFO per share:

(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)   For information regarding the Company’s restructuring plan announced in July 2023, see Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

Reconciliation of Current Outlook for FFO and AFFO:

(a)   As issued on April 17, 2024 and unchanged from previous full year 2024 Outlook issued on January 24, 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)   For information regarding the Company’s restructuring plan announced in July 2023, see Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

Components of Changes in Site Rental Revenues for the Quarters Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

(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 first quarter 2023, we received $48 million of payments for Sprint Cancellations that related to fiber solutions. These payments are non-recurring and therefore reduce full year 2024 Organic Contribution to Site Rental Billings by the same amount.
(c)   The $48 million of payments received in the first quarter 2023 and not recurring in 2024 were partially offset by approximately $3 million of fiber solutions-related payments for Sprint Cancellations received in the first quarter 2024. There were $2 million of non-renewals associated with Sprint Cancellations that related to fiber solutions in the first quarter 2023. There were $5 million and $1 million of non-renewals associated with Sprint Cancellations that related to small cells and fiber solutions, respectively, in the first quarter 2024.
(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.

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

(a)   As issued on April 17, 2024 and unchanged from previous full year 2024 Outlook issued on January 24, 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 Outlook, where applicable.

Components of Capital Expenditures:^(a)

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

Components of Interest Expense:

Outlook for Components of Interest Expense:

(a)   See our definitions of discretionary capital expenditures and sustaining capital expenditures in this “Non-GAAP Measures and Other Information.”
(b)   As issued on April 17, 2024 and unchanged from previous full year 2024 Outlook issued on January 24, 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)   Outlook reflects discretionary capital expenditures, exclusive of 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 March 31, 2024:

(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)   As of March 31, 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 March 31, 2024 ranged from 0.080% to 0.300%, based on the Company’s senior unsecured debt rating, per annum.
(e)   The 2016 Term Loan A principal amortizes over a period ending in July 2027.
(f)   As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $0.9 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.
(g)   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 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) site rental billings, (16) fiber strategic review and the potential impacts and benefits therefrom, and (17) the contribution from the recently appointed President and CEO. 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.”

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

(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 $8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $4 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. Segment selling, general and administrative expenses and other selling, general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense, net of $31 million and $33 million for the three months ended March 31, 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)   For information regarding the Company’s restructuring plan announced in July 2023, see Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
(e)   See condensed consolidated statement of operations for further information.

Charts accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6a13c9fe-af99-4823-8c2c-c13e903866a5

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38639640-869a-4d64-9e0e-051690f4390c

Bay Street News