SBA Communications cuts annual revenue forecast, signals slower 5G leasing activity

(Reuters) - Wireless tower operator SBA Communications trimmed its annual revenue forecast again on Monday, after missing Wall Street estimates for second-quarter revenue, indicating a slower 5G leasing activity.

Shares of Florida-based SBA Communications fell more than 4% in extended trading.

High interest rates have forced wireless carriers to keep a tight leash on their budgets after the initial roll-out of 5G network, hitting demand for companies such as SBA Communications.

"New business execution in the US continued at a similar pace to the levels we have experienced the last few quarters, and internationally we saw a pick-up in new leasing activity," CEO Brendan Cavanagh said in a statement.

SBA, which leases space and manages tower sites for wireless carriers including AT&T, T-Mobile US and Verizon Communications, now forecast annual revenue to be between $2.64 billion and $2.67 billion, compared with its earlier expectations of between $2.66 billion and $2.70 billion.

In April, SBA had already cut its annual revenue forecast.

The real estate investment trust competes with other tower companies such as Crown Castle and American Tower.

SBA's second-quarter revenue fell about 3% to $660.5 million from a year earlier, missing analysts' average estimate of $665.1 million, according to LSEG data.

Adjusted funds from operations - a key measure of cash flow for REITs - came in at $3.29 per share, 1.5% higher than a year earlier.

In the reported quarter, site leasing revenue stood at $626.5 million, compared with estimates of $629.5 million.

(Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)