Benchmark reiterates Buy rating on Sonic Auto stock amid Amazon’s auto expansion

Published 22/08/2025, 14:22
Benchmark reiterates Buy rating on Sonic Auto stock amid Amazon’s auto expansion

Investing.com - Benchmark maintained its Buy rating and $80.00 price target on Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH) as Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) continues expanding its automotive marketplace presence.

Amazon launched Amazon Autos this summer, partnering with Hyundai (OTC:HYMTF) to enable customers to purchase new vehicles through its platform. While not selling cars directly, Amazon acts as a listing agent facilitating transactions between buyers and participating dealerships across approximately 70 markets.

The e-commerce giant has also entered the used car space, recently announcing a partnership with Hertz (NASDAQ:HTZ). Customers within 75 miles of Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle can now search for used vehicles on Amazon.com, with plans to expand to 45 locations nationwide.

Hertz shares jumped over 6% following the partnership announcement, while franchised dealers including Sonic Automotive, Penske Automotive Group (NYSE:PAG), and Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD) remained flat in trading.

Digital used car retailers like CarMax (NYSE:KMX) and Carvana (NYSE:CVNA) saw low single-digit percentage declines as Amazon’s automotive marketplace expansion potentially threatens their business models. Despite market concerns, Carvana maintains strong fundamentals with 39.48% revenue growth and a substantial market cap of $73.89 billion. According to InvestingPro analysis, Carvana’s stock has delivered an impressive 121.59% return over the past year, though it currently trades at a relatively high P/E ratio of 79.06. InvestingPro offers 16 additional investment tips and comprehensive analysis for Carvana, available through their detailed Pro Research Report.

In other recent news, Carvana has reported strong second-quarter 2025 results, which have led several analyst firms to raise their stock price targets. JPMorgan noted that Carvana’s adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $601 million, surpassing both its own estimate of $530 million and the Bloomberg consensus of $551 million. Needham raised its price target to $500, citing Carvana as a leading profitable growth story with a unique model in a fragmented industry. BTIG also increased its price target to $450, highlighting the company’s strong retail gross profit per unit and operational efficiency. JMP Securities raised its target to $460, acknowledging Carvana’s revenue and EBITDA exceeding consensus expectations by 6% and 9%, respectively. DA Davidson adjusted its price target to $380 while maintaining a Neutral rating, recognizing Carvana’s year-over-year growth in used vehicle units. These developments reflect a positive reception from analysts regarding Carvana’s recent performance and potential for future growth.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.