Free cash flow
SBA Communications Free cash flow decreased by 14.3% to $206.69M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 18.9%, from $255.00M to $206.69M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows relatively stable performance with a 0.2% CAGR. This decline may warrant attention — for this metric, higher values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $321.95M | $218.02M | $255.28M | $254.47M | $319.15M | $275.09M | $222.54M | $262.03M | $423.49M | $252.29M | $369.89M | $236.58M | $375.62M | $239.90M | $254.62M | $255.00M | $312.23M | $257.98M | $241.30M | $206.69M |
| QoQ Change | — | -32.3% | +17.1% | -0.3% | +25.4% | -13.8% | -19.1% | +17.7% | +61.6% | -40.4% | +46.6% | -36.0% | +58.8% | -36.1% | +6.1% | +0.2% | +22.4% | -17.4% | -6.5% | -14.3% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -0.9% | +26.2% | -12.8% | +3.0% | +32.7% | -8.3% | +66.2% | -9.7% | -11.3% | -4.9% | -31.2% | +7.8% | -16.9% | +7.5% | -5.2% | -18.9% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is SBA Communications's free cash flow?
- SBA Communications (SBAC) reported free cash flow of $206.69M in Q1 2026.
- How has SBA Communications's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- SBA Communications's free cash flow decreased by 18.9% year-over-year, from $255.00M to $206.69M.
- What is the long-term trend for SBA Communications's free cash flow?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), SBA Communications's free cash flow has grown at a 0.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $1.06B to $1.07B.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.