SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORP Fair Value Disclosure
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis—The Company’s asset retirement obligations are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs and are recorded in Other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of the asset retirement obligations is calculated using a discounted cash flow model.
Refer to Note 20 for discussion of the Company’s redeemable noncontrolling interests.
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis— The Company estimates the fair value of assets subject to impairment using a discounted cash flow ("DCF") (Level 3 input) analysis. Determining fair value requires the exercise of significant judgments, including the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, long-term growth rates, discount rates and relevant comparable earnings and trading multiples. The cash flows employed in the DCF analysis are based on estimates of future revenues, earnings, and cash flows after considering factors such as tower location demographics, timing of additions of new tenants, lease rates, rate and term of renewal, attrition, ongoing cash requirements, and market multiples. Each of the assumptions are applied based on the specific facts and circumstances of the identified assets at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. The DCF analysis used an average discount rate ranging from 7.1%- 8.0%.
Asset impairment and decommission costs for all periods presented and the related impaired assets primarily relate to the Company’s site leasing operating segment. The following summarizes the activity of asset impairment and decommission costs:
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| For the year | |||||||
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| ended December 31, | |||||||
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| 2025 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||
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Asset impairment (1) |
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| $ | 173,658 |
| $ | 73,848 |
| $ | 139,466 |
Write-off of carrying value of decommissioned towers |
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| 1,915 |
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| 15,452 |
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| 12,015 |
Other (including tower and equipment decommission costs) |
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| 8,592 |
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| 18,625 |
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| 17,906 |
Total asset impairment and decommission costs |
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| $ | 184,165 |
| $ | 107,925 |
| $ | 169,387 |
(1)Represents impairment charges resulting from the Company’s regular analysis of whether the anticipated future cash flows from certain towers are sufficient to recover the carrying value of the investment in those towers.
The Company’s long-term investments were $21.1 million and $20.8 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and are recorded in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The estimation of the fair value of the investment involves the use of Level 3 inputs. The Company evaluates these investments for indicators of impairment. The Company considers impairment indicators such as negative changes in industry and market conditions, financial performance, business prospects, and other relevant events and factors. If indicators exist and the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying amount, an impairment charge will be recorded. The Company did not recognize any impairment loss associated with its investments during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized an impairment loss of $4.7 million associated with its investments.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments— The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable, and short-term investments approximate their estimated fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments. The Company’s estimate of its short-term investments is based primarily upon Level 1 reported market values. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had $6.6 million and $254.5 million of short-term investments, respectively. The Company purchased $1.2 billion, $1.8 billion, and $1.3 billion of short-term investments during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. The Company sold $1.4 billion, $1.5 billion, and $1.3 billion of short-term investments during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
The Company determines fair value of its debt instruments utilizing various Level 2 sources including quoted prices and indicative quotes (non-binding quotes) from brokers that require judgment to interpret market information including implied credit spreads for similar borrowings on recent trades or bid/ask prices. The fair value of the Revolving Credit Facility is considered to approximate the carrying value because the Company does not believe its credit risk has changed materially from the date the applicable Term SOFR Rate was set for the Revolving Credit Facility (112.5 to 150.0 basis points). Refer to Note 11 for the fair values, principal balances, and carrying values of the Company’s debt instruments.
For discussion of the Company’s derivatives and hedging activities, refer to Note 2 and Note 21.Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 27, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Feb 26, 2025 | |
| 2023 | Feb 28, 2024 | |
| 2022 | Mar 1, 2023 | |
| 2021 | Mar 1, 2022 | |
| 2020 | Feb 25, 2021 | |
| 2019 | Feb 24, 2020 | |
| 2018 | Feb 28, 2019 | |
| 2017 | Mar 1, 2018 | |
| 2016 | Mar 1, 2017 | |
| 2015 | Feb 26, 2016 | |
About Fair Value Disclosures
Fair value disclosures classify all assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy: Level 1 (quoted market prices), Level 2 (observable inputs like yield curves), and Level 3 (unobservable inputs requiring management estimates). The proportion of Level 3 assets directly reflects how much of the balance sheet depends on internal models rather than market evidence.
Key signals: a growing Level 3 balance relative to total fair-value assets increases valuation uncertainty and earnings volatility risk. Watch for transfers between levels — assets moving from Level 2 to Level 3 often signal deteriorating market liquidity. Unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 positions flow through earnings or other comprehensive income, so large swings deserve scrutiny. For financial institutions, examine the sensitivity disclosures that show how Level 3 valuations change under alternative assumptions. Compare the fair value of debt against its carrying amount to gauge hidden leverage.