Seaport Res Ptn Analysts Increase Earnings Estimates for SAH

Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH - Free Report) - Seaport Res Ptn increased their FY2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Sonic Automotive in a note issued to investors on Sunday, April 20th. Seaport Res Ptn analyst G. Chin now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $6.00 for the year, up from their previous forecast of $5.84. The consensus estimate for Sonic Automotive's current full-year earnings is $6.14 per share.

Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.02. Sonic Automotive had a net margin of 1.52% and a return on equity of 19.96%. The firm had revenue of $3.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.47 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.36 EPS. The business's revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis.

Several other brokerages have also issued reports on SAH. Needham & Company LLC lowered their price target on Sonic Automotive from $93.00 to $74.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Stephens boosted their price target on shares of Sonic Automotive from $83.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective 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. StockNews.com raised shares of Sonic Automotive from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Finally, Citigroup initiated coverage on Sonic Automotive in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. They set a "neutral" rating and a $64.00 price objective on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $69.83.

Sonic Automotive Stock Performance

Shares of SAH traded down $0.13 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $60.11. The company's stock had a trading volume of 76,533 shares, compared to its average volume of 193,232. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.03 billion, a PE ratio of 9.73 and a beta of 1.43. Sonic Automotive has a one year low of $48.80 and a one year high of $76.78. The stock's 50-day moving average is $61.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $64.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a current ratio of 1.09.

Sonic Automotive Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 13th will be paid a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 13th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.33%. Sonic Automotive's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.94%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sonic Automotive

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in SAH. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Sonic Automotive by 515.4% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 480 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 402 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new position in shares of Sonic Automotive in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $51,000. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in Sonic Automotive during the 4th quarter worth approximately $72,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd lifted its stake in Sonic Automotive by 1,429.7% in the fourth quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 1,545 shares of the company's stock valued at $98,000 after buying an additional 1,444 shares in the last quarter. Finally, KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new position in shares of Sonic Automotive in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $185,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 46.92% of the company's stock.

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.