SAH
Sonic Automotive, Inc.
Auto - Dealerships
Market Cap$2.69B
5Y Perf.+200.6%
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Stock Comparison
SAH vs PAG
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
PAG
Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
Auto - Dealerships
Market Cap$11.16B
5Y Perf.+374.6%
SAH vs PAG — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | SAH | PAG |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Auto - Dealerships | Auto - Dealerships |
| Market Cap | $2.69B | $11.16B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $15.15B | $32.07B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $119M | $926M |
| Gross Margin | 14.6% | 16.4% |
| Operating Margin | 3.6% | 3.9% |
| Forward P/E | 12.2x | 12.8x |
| Total Debt | $4.23B | $8.82B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $6M | $65M |
SAH vs PAG — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
SAH
PAG
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic Automotive, I… (SAH) | 100 | 300.6 | +200.6% |
| Penske Automotive G… (PAG) | 100 | 474.6 | +374.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SAH vs PAG
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: PAG leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. Sonic Automotive, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
SAH
Sonic Automotive, Inc.
The Growth Play
SAH is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 6.5%, EPS growth -44.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 2.7%
- 6.5% revenue growth vs PAG's -0.2%
- Lower P/E (12.2x vs 12.8x)
Best for: growth exposure
PAG
Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
The Income Pick
PAG carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 0.66, yield 3.1%
- 422.4% 10Y total return vs SAH's 387.7%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.66, current ratio 0.99x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | SAH | 6.5% revenue growth vs PAG's -0.2% |
| Value | SAH | Lower P/E (12.2x vs 12.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | PAG | 2.9% margin vs SAH's 0.8% |
| Stability / Safety | PAG | Beta 0.66 vs SAH's 1.05, lower leverage |
| Dividends | PAG | 3.1% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs SAH's 1.8% |
| Momentum (1Y) | SAH | +28.1% vs PAG's +12.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | PAG | 5.2% ROA vs SAH's 2.0%, ROIC 6.9% vs 7.8% |
SAH vs PAG — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
SAH vs PAG — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLPAGLAGGINGSAH
SAHSonic Automotive, Inc.
2leads
PAGPenske Automotive Gro…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs SAHMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
PAG5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
SAH4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
PAG5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
SAH4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
PAG2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
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Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PAG leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PAG is the larger business by revenue, generating $32.1B annually — 2.1x SAH's $15.2B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 2.9% (PAG) to 0.8% (SAH). On growth, PAG holds the edge at +3.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | SAHSonic Automotive,… | PAGPenske Automotive… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $15.2B | $32.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $705M | $1.4B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $119M | $926M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $425M | $465M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +14.6% | +16.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +3.6% | +3.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +0.8% | +2.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +2.8% | +1.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -0.6% | +3.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -18.6% | -2.7% |
PAG leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
SAH leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 12.0x trailing earnings, PAG trades at a 48% valuation discount to SAH's 23.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, SAH's 9.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than PAG's 13.7x.
| Metric | SAHSonic Automotive,… | PAGPenske Automotive… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2.7B | $11.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $6.9B | $19.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 23.10x | 12.01x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 12.20x | 12.82x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.75x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 9.80x | 13.71x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.18x | 0.35x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.57x | 2.01x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 6.43x | 15.08x |
SAH leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PAG leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PAG delivers a 16.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $16 in annual profit, vs $11 for SAH. PAG carries lower financial leverage with a 1.58x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SAH's 3.96x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PAG scores 7/9 vs SAH's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | SAHSonic Automotive,… | PAGPenske Automotive… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +11.2% | +16.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.0% | +5.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +7.8% | +6.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +16.3% | +11.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 3.96x | 1.58x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $4.2B | $8.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $6M | $65M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $4.2B | $8.8B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.89x | 6.37x |
PAG leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SAH leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in PAG five years ago would be worth $20,201 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $16,162 for SAH. Over the past 12 months, SAH leads with a +28.1% total return vs PAG's +12.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SAH at 27.3% vs PAG's 9.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | SAHSonic Automotive,… | PAGPenske Automotive… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +28.8% | +8.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +28.1% | +12.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +106.3% | +30.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +61.6% | +102.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +387.7% | +422.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +27.3% | +9.3% |
SAH leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PAG leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PAG is the less volatile stock with a 0.66 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SAH's 1.05 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | SAHSonic Automotive,… | PAGPenske Automotive… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.05x | 0.66x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $89.62 | $189.51 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $54.11 | $140.12 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +88.1% | +89.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 70.2 | 64.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 308K | 276K |
PAG leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — SAH and PAG each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates SAH as "Hold" and PAG as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 11.9% upside for PAG (target: $190) vs -14.8% for SAH (target: $67). For income investors, PAG offers the higher dividend yield at 3.06% vs SAH's 1.78%.
| Metric | SAHSonic Automotive,… | PAGPenske Automotive… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $67.33 | $190.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 16 | 26 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.8% | +3.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 10 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.41 | $5.19 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +3.1% | +1.4% |
Evenly matched — SAH and PAG each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
PAG leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). SAH leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallPenske Automotive Group, In… (PAG)Leads 3 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
SAH vs PAG: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SAH or PAG a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Sonic Automotive, Inc.
(SAH) is the stronger pick with 6. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 2% for Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG). Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG) offers the better valuation at 12. 0x trailing P/E (12. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG) a "Buy" — based on 26 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — SAH or PAG?
On trailing P/E, Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
(PAG) is the cheapest at 12. 0x versus Sonic Automotive, Inc. at 23. 1x. On forward P/E, Sonic Automotive, Inc. is actually cheaper at 12. 2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SAH or PAG?
Over the past 5 years, Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
(PAG) delivered a total return of +102. 0%, compared to +61. 6% for Sonic Automotive, Inc. (SAH). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PAG returned +422. 4% versus SAH's +387. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — SAH or PAG?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
(PAG) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 66β versus Sonic Automotive, Inc. 's 1. 05β — meaning SAH is approximately 58% more volatile than PAG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 158% versus 4% for Sonic Automotive, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — SAH or PAG?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Sonic Automotive, Inc.
(SAH) is pulling ahead at 6. 5% versus -0. 2% for Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Penske Automotive Group, Inc. grew EPS -2. 5% year-over-year, compared to -44. 7% for Sonic Automotive, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, PAG leads at 4. 6% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — SAH or PAG?
Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
(PAG) is the more profitable company, earning 2. 9% net margin versus 0. 8% for Sonic Automotive, Inc. — meaning it keeps 2. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PAG leads at 4. 0% versus 3. 6% for SAH. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PAG leads at 16. 4%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is SAH or PAG more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Sonic Automotive, Inc.
(SAH) trades at 12. 2x forward P/E versus 12. 8x for Penske Automotive Group, Inc. — 0. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PAG: 11. 9% to $190. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — SAH or PAG?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG) offers the highest yield at 3. 1%, versus 1. 8% for Sonic Automotive, Inc. (SAH).
09Is SAH or PAG better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
(PAG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 66), 3. 1% yield, +422. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (PAG: +422. 4%, SAH: +387. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between SAH and PAG?
Both stocks operate in the Consumer Cyclical sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: SAH is a small-cap quality compounder stock; PAG is a mid-cap deep-value stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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(SAH: -0.6% · PAG: 3.4%)P/E Ratio<
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