American Tower 1Q Net Up 39% On Demand Gains, Lower Costs

American Tower Corp.'s (AMT) first-quarter net income jumped 39% as the cell-tower operator reported continued demand to put new antennas on its facilities.

Cell-tower operators have benefited from volume increases, which has prompted wireless carriers to spend more to upgrade their equipment. In response to the growing demand, the operators are constantly investing capital into new projects. American Tower, for example, said last week said it wants to strengthen its presence in India, as it plans to enter other Asian markets.

The company, which has communications sites in the U.S., Mexico, Brazil and India, reported net income of $58.6 million, or 15 cents a share, up from $42.2 million, or 10 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue grew 6.9% to $408.7 million.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected per-share earnings of 14 cents on revenue of $408 million.

Beyond the revenue gain, earnings were also boosted by lower interest and tax costs.

American Tower noted that the currencies in Brazil and Mexico are so far weaker than what American Tower was projecting for the year. If current rates are sustained, it would impact 2009 expectations by around 1%.

Shares closed Tuesday at $32.54 and were inactive premarket.

   
   -By John Kell, Dow Jones Newswires, 201-938-5285, [e-mail]