Inceptionr LLC Sells 5,060 Shares of Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH)

Inceptionr LLC lessened its stake in Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH) by 54.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,242 shares of the company’s stock after selling 5,060 shares during the period. Inceptionr LLC’s holdings in Sonic Automotive were worth $269,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pacific Global Investment Management Co. boosted 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 in the last quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System grew its holdings in Sonic Automotive by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 25,935 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,643,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Sonic Automotive by 515.4% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 480 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 402 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. boosted its position in shares of Sonic Automotive by 4.6% in the 3rd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 11,400 shares of the company’s stock worth $667,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. grew its stake in Sonic Automotive by 100.3% during the 3rd quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. now owns 1,196 shares of the company’s stock worth $70,000 after buying an additional 599 shares during the last quarter. 46.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on SAH shares. Seaport Res Ptn raised Sonic Automotive from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Stephens lifted 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. Needham & Company LLC upped their price target on shares of Sonic Automotive from $74.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective 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. Finally, StockNews.com raised Sonic Automotive from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. One 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, Sonic Automotive presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $79.20.

Sonic Automotive Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE SAH opened at $66.56 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $2.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.77 and a beta of 1.70. Sonic Automotive, Inc. has a 12 month low of $47.82 and a 12 month high of $76.78. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $69.25 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $63.90. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75.

Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The company reported $1.51 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%. As a group, analysts predict that Sonic Automotive, Inc. will post 6.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Sonic Automotive Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.10%. Sonic Automotive’s payout ratio is 22.65%.

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.