Rankings Autos & parts Sonic Automotive
Sonic Automotive
73
15070100
A view of the same findings, not a new score. How it works
A strong score: the model found few serious problems, but analysts see limited upside from here.
Biggest deductions
- Debt−5
- Margin−4
- Multiples vs own history−4
Strengths
- Insider buying+3
- Stable aftermarket business+1
How the score is built
From 100 to 73, step by step: points off for the business, the price and the cracks, back for documented strengths, then three data adjustments.
Start
Score
Hover or select a step to see what drove it. Steps with findings open them below.
Key numbers
As of 2 Nov 2026. Analyst targets tend to be optimistic; read upside as a hint, not a forecast.
- Price
- 63.61 USD
- Median analyst target
- 75.00 USD
- Upside to median
- +17.9%
- Analysts
- 12
- Target range
- 57.00 – 105.00 USD
- 52-week change
- +0%
- P/E (trailing)
- 10.2
- Forward P/E
- 9.3
- PEG
- 1.20
Findings
Every deduction and every plus, with its source. Open a step to read them.
Business
Is the company getting stronger, not just bigger? · 5 findings−14 of −30
- −4MarginGross profit per new car (same-store) fell 16% to USD 2,872 and per used car 13% in Q2; adjusted SG&A rose to 72.0% of gross profit from 69.2%, and operating margin is 3.4% vs 4.5% in FY22.
- −3Quality of growthRevenue rose 8% in Q2, but adjusted EPS fell 17% to USD 1.82 and the dealer segment's profit 23%; growth comes from volume and acquisitions, not earnings.
- −2ROICROIC 6.8% vs 11.7% in FY21 and 8.8-9.0% in FY23-FY24; the return is falling while capital grows.
- −3Future segment (EchoPark)EchoPark (used cars) has a history of large losses and closures; segment profit fell 38% to USD 7.2m in Q2, and the full-year target is adjusted EBITDA of 35-40m on about 2.2bn in revenue (under 2%). Even so, the expansion restarts from Q4 2026.
- −2Capital allocationBuybacks of 180m + dividends of USD 50m over the last 12 months vs negative FCF (-31m); net debt rose from 3.9 to 4.4bn in the first half.
Price
Today's multiples against the company's own history and its peers. · 2 findings−5 of −35
- −4Multiples vs own historyForward P/E 9.3 and EV/EBITDA 9.7 are at the upper end of own history (5.8-10.7 and 5.9-9.6 in FY21-FY25), while earnings per car are falling.
- −1PeersForward P/E 9.3 vs AutoNation's 7.2; EV/EBITDA 9.7 vs 11.0 - overall no discount to the largest peer.
Cracks
Cash flow, customers, debt, insiders, guidance and what sits behind the headline numbers. · 4 findings−12 of −35
- −5DebtDebt excluding floor plan about 1.76bn USD (own calculation) or about 2.7x TTM EBITDA of 656m, plus 0.67bn in leases; interest cover 2.6 and current ratio 1.0.
- −3Governance and controlThe Smith family controls the company through about 12m B shares with 10 votes each (about 86% of the votes); David Bruton Smith is both chairman and CEO.
- −2InventoryInventory rose from USD 2.01bn to 2.33bn (+15%) in the first half, and inventory turnover has fallen from 9.4 in FY22 to 5.9 - risk of price cuts if demand weakens.
- −2Tariffs and car pricesTariffs on imported cars and parts pressure car prices and consumers' ability to pay; the company cites tariffs as a forward-looking risk, and a rising share of EVs gives lower margin per car.
Plus
Only documented strengths. · 2 findings+4 of +15
- +3Insider buying10% owner Paul Rusnak bought 76,776 shares on the open market on 1-14 Oct 2026 at USD 59.50-59.90 (about USD 4.6m), including 12,555 shares for about USD 752,000 on 14 Oct (Form 4, code P); he now owns 5.18m shares and also bought in February.
- +1Stable aftermarket businessRecord gross profit from service and parts (fixed operations) in Q2, and Powersports grew 53% - a less cyclical earnings base.
Caveats
What the score does not capture, or where the data is weak.
Q3 2026 has NOT been reported yet (29 Oct 2026), so figures run to 30 Jun 2026. Stockanalysis' debt (USD 4.67bn) includes floor plan financing of car inventory (about USD 2.2bn); FCF and EV/FCF are distorted because part of the floor plan is carried under financing. Debt excluding floor plan (about USD 1.76bn) and leverage of about 2.7x are own calculations from the balance sheet; the company's own leverage ratio was not found. FY2025 GAAP EPS is depressed by impairments of USD 172m in Q2 2025. Industry: car dealer placed under 'Cars & car parts' (closest); not flagged cyclical, as service and F&I carry most of the gross profit, but new-car profit follows the inventory cycle. Paul Rusnak is a 10% owner, not management. 13F purchases give no points.
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