Q1 EPS Estimate for Sonic Automotive Increased by Analyst

Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH) – Stock analysts at Seaport Res Ptn lifted their Q1 2025 earnings estimates for Sonic Automotive in a note issued to investors on Sunday, April 20th. Seaport Res Ptn analyst G. Chin now expects that the company will post earnings of $1.33 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $1.26. The consensus estimate for Sonic Automotive’s current full-year earnings is $6.14 per share. Seaport Res Ptn also issued estimates for Sonic Automotive’s Q2 2025 earnings at $1.45 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $1.44 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $1.78 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $6.66 EPS.

Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The company reported $1.51 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.46 by $0.05. Sonic Automotive had a net margin of 1.52% and a return on equity of 19.96%.

Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Stephens raised their target price on Sonic Automotive from $83.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Needham & Company LLC reduced their price objective on shares of Sonic Automotive from $100.00 to $93.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Sonic Automotive from $80.00 to $65.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Sonic Automotive from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $74.80.

Sonic Automotive Trading Down 1.0 %

NYSE:SAH opened at $58.13 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $1.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.41 and a beta of 1.43. Sonic Automotive has a 1 year low of $48.61 and a 1 year high of $76.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.35. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $63.08 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $64.16.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Sonic Automotive by 515.4% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 480 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 402 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new position in shares of Sonic Automotive in the fourth quarter worth about $51,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in Sonic Automotive during the 4th quarter valued at about $72,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd grew its position in Sonic Automotive by 1,429.7% during the 4th quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 1,545 shares of the company’s stock worth $98,000 after acquiring an additional 1,444 shares during the last quarter. Finally, KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new stake in Sonic Automotive in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $185,000. 46.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Sonic Automotive Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th were given a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.41%. Sonic Automotive’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.65%.

About Sonic Automotive

Sonic Automotive, Inc operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. It operates in three segments, Franchised Dealerships, EchoPark, and Powersports. The Franchised Dealerships segment is involved in the sale of new and used cars and light trucks, and replacement parts; provision of vehicle maintenance, manufacturer warranty repair, and paint and collision repair services; and arrangement of extended warranties, service contracts, financing, insurance, and other aftermarket products for its guests.