First Eagle Investment Management LLC Has $8.37 Million Stock Position in Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH)

First Eagle Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH - Free Report) by 12.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 132,106 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 14,600 shares during the period. First Eagle Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.39% of Sonic Automotive worth $8,369,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC acquired a new position in Sonic Automotive during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $252,000. Swiss National Bank grew its stake in shares of Sonic Automotive by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 30,500 shares of the company's stock worth $1,932,000 after buying an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Pacific Global Investment Management Co. grew its stake in shares of Sonic Automotive by 4.1% during the fourth quarter. Pacific Global Investment Management Co. now owns 4,554 shares of the company's stock worth $288,000 after buying an additional 179 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Sonic Automotive by 515.4% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 480 shares of the company's stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 402 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Denali Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Sonic Automotive by 111.2% during the fourth quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 87,100 shares of the company's stock worth $5,518,000 after buying an additional 45,857 shares during the last quarter. 46.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Sonic Automotive from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Needham & Company LLC decreased their target price on shares of Sonic Automotive from $100.00 to $93.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Sonic Automotive from $74.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. Stephens boosted their target price on shares of Sonic Automotive from $83.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of Sonic Automotive from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $77.80.

Sonic Automotive Trading Up 1.8 %

Shares of Sonic Automotive stock traded up $1.05 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $60.86. The company's stock had a trading volume of 274,185 shares, compared to its average volume of 178,007. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.35. Sonic Automotive, Inc. has a 52 week low of $47.82 and a 52 week high of $76.78. The stock has a market cap of $2.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.85 and a beta of 1.70. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $69.06 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $63.89.

Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The company reported $1.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Sonic Automotive, Inc. will post 6.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sonic Automotive Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be issued a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.30%. Sonic Automotive's payout ratio is 22.65%.

Sonic Automotive Profile

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.