Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH) Major Shareholder Buys 1,119 Shares of Company Stock

Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH) major shareholder Paul Rusnak bought 1,119 shares of Sonic Automotive stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 6th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $59.90 per share, for a total transaction of $67,028.10. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider owned 5,150,520 shares in the company, valued at approximately $308,516,148. The trade was a 0.02% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Large shareholders that own 10% or more of a company’s shares are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC.

Sonic Automotive Trading Down 0.8%

NYSE:SAH traded down $0.47 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $60.52. 452,914 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 288,546. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.65, a P/E/G ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 0.92. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $76.08 and its 200-day moving average is $78.21. Sonic Automotive, Inc. has a 12-month low of $54.11 and a 12-month high of $113.67. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.88.

Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.75 by $0.07. Sonic Automotive had a net margin of 1.37% and a return on equity of 20.75%. The business had revenue of $3.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.78 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.19 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Sonic Automotive, Inc. will post 6.92 EPS for the current year.

Sonic Automotive Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be given a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 15th. Sonic Automotive’s dividend payout ratio is 26.16%.

Key Headlines Impacting Sonic Automotive

Here are the key news stories impacting Sonic Automotive this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Major shareholder Paul Rusnak purchased 27,756 shares for approximately $1.66 million at an average price of $59.76, following a separate purchase of 21,645 shares worth about $1.29 million. The combined buying increased his stake by roughly 1%, signaling confidence at current valuation levels. Insider purchase report
• Neutral Sentiment: Sonic Automotive scheduled its third-quarter 2026 results for October 29 before the market open, followed by a management conference call. Investors will be looking for updates on dealership demand, used-vehicle trends, margins and guidance. Third-quarter earnings release schedule
• Neutral Sentiment: Barclays maintained its Hold rating, while broader sell-side opinion remains mixed. The company’s latest reported quarter showed revenue growth and an earnings beat, but earnings were below the prior-year period, leaving investors focused on whether profitability can improve. Barclays Hold rating
• Negative Sentiment: UBS reduced its price target to $74 from $107 but retained a Buy rating. The sharp target reduction indicates materially lower expectations for valuation or operating performance, despite UBS continuing to see upside potential. UBS price target reduction
• Negative Sentiment: JPMorgan lowered its target to $64 from $72 and assigned an Underweight rating, reinforcing concerns about Sonic Automotive’s near-term outlook. Recent target reductions from other firms, including Morgan Stanley and Barclays, add to the valuation pressure on SAH. JPMorgan price target reduction

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sonic Automotive

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SAH. A&I Financial Services LLC lifted its position in Sonic Automotive by 0.9% during the second quarter. A&I Financial Services LLC now owns 11,755 shares of the company’s stock worth $997,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its holdings in Sonic Automotive by 14.5% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 4,594 shares of the company’s stock valued at $390,000 after buying an additional 582 shares during the period. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sonic Automotive during the 2nd quarter valued at about $88,000. State of Wyoming acquired a new position in shares of Sonic Automotive during the 1st quarter valued at about $79,000. Finally, Quantinno Capital Management LP lifted its holdings in shares of Sonic Automotive by 13.3% during the 1st quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 10,043 shares of the company’s stock worth $689,000 after acquiring an additional 1,178 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 46.92% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Sonic Automotive from $72.00 to $57.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday. Needham & Company LLC raised their price target on Sonic Automotive from $90.00 to $139.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Stephens set a $89.00 price objective on shares of Sonic Automotive in a research note on Monday, July 13th. UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Sonic Automotive from $107.00 to $74.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Sonic Automotive from $91.00 to $108.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $90.12.

About Sonic Automotive

Sonic Automotive, Inc is an automotive retailer headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company operates franchised dealerships that sell new and used cars and light trucks from a range of manufacturers, along with related automotive products and services.

Its dealership operations provide vehicle financing and insurance products, parts and maintenance services, collision repair, and other after-sales support. Sonic Automotive also operates EchoPark Automotive, a used-vehicle retail business focused on providing a broad selection of pre-owned vehicles and related services.

Founded in 1997 by automotive entrepreneur O.