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Investing.com - JPMorgan downgraded Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH) from Overweight to Underweight while raising its price target to $72.00 from $65.00 on Thursday. The $2.89 billion market cap automotive retailer has shown strong momentum, with shares up 26% over the past six months.
The downgrade comes despite Sonic’s EchoPark division showing resilience in a challenging used car supply environment, with strong gross profit per unit and effective SG&A cost control.
JPMorgan noted that Sonic has recently demonstrated an ability to separate its unit growth and profit trends from broader used car market conditions, though questions remain about maintaining this performance in an uneven SAAR environment.
The investment bank cited valuation concerns as a key factor in the downgrade, pointing out that SAH shares now trade at approximately 20% premium versus peers on forward P/E metrics, compared to their historical 10% discount.
JPMorgan also highlighted Sonic’s above-average balance sheet leverage as contributing to an "unattractive" risk-reward profile, particularly given what it described as an "unfavorable broader industry/macro environment."
In other recent news, Sonic Automotive reported its first-quarter 2025 financial results, achieving a record consolidated total revenue of $3.7 billion, surpassing the expected $3.47 billion. The company’s adjusted earnings per share (EPS) came in at $1.48, slightly below the forecast of $1.42. Sonic Automotive also expanded its luxury footprint with the acquisition of four Jaguar Land Rover dealerships in California, adding approximately $500 million in annual sales. CFRA raised its price target for Sonic Automotive to $85 from $65, maintaining a Hold rating, citing the company’s strong performance and potential for growth through acquisitions.
Benchmark analyst Michael Albanese reiterated a Buy rating on Sonic Automotive with a $76.00 price target, highlighting the benefits of the luxury mix to the company’s used vehicle business. Additionally, Sonic Automotive held its annual stockholders meeting, confirming the reelection of all nine board members and the ratification of its independent auditor. The company also approved executive compensation for the previous fiscal year. These developments reflect Sonic Automotive’s strategic initiatives and corporate governance efforts as it continues to navigate market challenges and opportunities.
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