GSA Capital Partners LLP Has $1.89 Million Holdings in Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH)

GSA Capital Partners LLP lifted its position in shares of Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH - Free Report) by 163.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 32,235 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 20,010 shares during the period. GSA Capital Partners LLP owned 0.09% of Sonic Automotive worth $1,885,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC acquired a new position in Sonic Automotive during the first quarter worth approximately $30,000. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sonic Automotive in the 2nd quarter worth $41,000. AM Squared Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Sonic Automotive in the 2nd quarter valued at $82,000. Point72 DIFC Ltd increased its stake in Sonic Automotive by 6.9% in the 2nd quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd now owns 2,900 shares of the company's stock worth $158,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Sonic Automotive during the second quarter valued at about $228,000. 46.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

SAH has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Sonic Automotive from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and boosted their price target for the company from $40.00 to $58.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Needham & Company LLC raised their price target on shares of Sonic Automotive from $73.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Sonic Automotive from $63.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. Stephens started coverage on shares of Sonic Automotive in a report on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $64.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Bank of America decreased their price target on Sonic Automotive from $67.00 to $66.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 14th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $67.40.

Sonic Automotive Stock Up 1.2 %

NYSE SAH traded up $0.75 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $65.60. 200,467 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 197,668. The company's 50-day moving average is $57.50 and its two-hundred day moving average is $57.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.87, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a current ratio of 1.11. Sonic Automotive, Inc. has a one year low of $47.82 and a one year high of $67.15. The company has a market capitalization of $2.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.68 and a beta of 1.61.

Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The company reported $1.26 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.43 by ($0.17). Sonic Automotive had a net margin of 1.41% and a return on equity of 21.27%. The firm had revenue of $3.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.55 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.02 EPS. The company's revenue was down 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Sonic Automotive, Inc. will post 5.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sonic Automotive Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 13th. This is a positive change from Sonic Automotive's previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.13%. Sonic Automotive's payout ratio is currently 21.35%.

Sonic Automotive Company 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.