Quantbot Technologies LP Trims Holdings in Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH)

Quantbot Technologies LP trimmed its position in Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH - Free Report) by 48.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,278 shares of the company's stock after selling 5,835 shares during the quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP's holdings in Sonic Automotive were worth $398,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Teacher Retirement System of Texas raised its position in Sonic Automotive by 34.4% during the 4th quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 10,334 shares of the company's stock worth $655,000 after buying an additional 2,645 shares during the last quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Sonic Automotive by 12.4% during the fourth quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 132,106 shares of the company's stock valued at $8,369,000 after purchasing an additional 14,600 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC acquired a new stake in Sonic Automotive during the 4th quarter worth about $252,000. Swiss National Bank raised its stake in shares of Sonic Automotive by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 30,500 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,932,000 after buying an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pacific Global Investment Management Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Sonic Automotive by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Pacific Global Investment Management Co. now owns 4,554 shares of the company's stock valued at $288,000 after buying an additional 179 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 46.92% of the company's stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on SAH shares. StockNews.com cut shares of Sonic Automotive from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Sonic Automotive from $80.00 to $65.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Needham & Company LLC reduced their price target on Sonic Automotive from $100.00 to $93.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 19th. Finally, Stephens raised their price objective on Sonic Automotive from $83.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $74.80.

Sonic Automotive Price Performance

SAH stock traded up $1.98 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $59.84. The stock had a trading volume of 224,306 shares, compared to its average volume of 190,886. Sonic Automotive, Inc. has a twelve month low of $47.82 and a twelve month high of $76.78. The company's 50-day moving average price is $67.48 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $64.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.68 and a beta of 1.70.

Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The company reported $1.51 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.46 by $0.05. Sonic Automotive had a return on equity of 19.96% and a net margin of 1.52%. As a group, research analysts predict that Sonic Automotive, Inc. will post 6.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sonic Automotive Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. Sonic Automotive's dividend payout ratio is currently 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.