Latest Ratios: P/E Ratio 18.2x · EV/EBITDA 8.9x · ROE 11.1%. (1996–2025 historical series)
Price-based multiples — how expensive the stock is relative to earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Cap | $2.1B | $2.1B | $2.2B | $2.0B | $2.0B | $2.1B | $1.6B | $1.4B | $591M | $818M | $1.1B |
| Enterprise Value | $6.3B | $6.4B | $6.3B | $5.9B | $5.2B | $5.2B | $3.9B | $4.0B | $3.1B | $3.4B | $3.5B |
| P/E Ratio → | 18.24 | 18.09 | 10.25 | 11.33 | 22.09 | 6.14 | — | 9.37 | 11.47 | 8.83 | 11.28 |
| P/S Ratio | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.16 | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.13 | 0.06 | 0.08 | 0.11 |
| P/B Ratio | 2.03 | 2.01 | 2.09 | 2.26 | 2.19 | 1.99 | 2.01 | 1.43 | 0.72 | 1.04 | 1.45 |
| P/FCF | 4.97 | 5.14 | — | — | 12.71 | 4.25 | 3.81 | 244.54 | — | — | 19.83 |
| P/OCF | 3.66 | 3.78 | 22.69 | — | 5.13 | 2.67 | 2.94 | 10.33 | 4.66 | 3.91 | 4.06 |
P/E links to full P/E history page with 30-year chart
Enterprise-value multiples — capital-structure-neutral measures of total business value
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV / Revenue | — | 0.42 | 0.44 | 0.41 | 0.37 | 0.42 | 0.40 | 0.38 | 0.31 | 0.34 | 0.36 |
| EV / EBITDA | 8.94 | 9.04 | 10.23 | 9.07 | 6.84 | 8.07 | 32.24 | 9.95 | 11.27 | 11.12 | 11.11 |
| EV / EBIT | 11.64 | 17.60 | 13.86 | 13.81 | 16.59 | 9.96 | 124.75 | 13.14 | 17.24 | 17.00 | 15.34 |
| EV / FCF | — | 15.25 | — | — | 33.88 | 10.25 | 9.12 | 714.18 | — | — | 65.16 |
Margins and return-on-capital ratios measuring operating efficiency
Full margin charts and quarterly trend are on the Earnings History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Margin | 15.7% | 15.7% | 15.4% | 15.6% | 16.5% | 15.4% | 14.6% | 14.5% | 14.5% | 14.8% | 14.7% |
| Operating Margin | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3.3% | 3.5% | 4.5% | 4.3% | 0.3% | 2.9% | 1.8% | 2.1% | 2.4% |
| Net Profit Margin | 0.8% | 0.8% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.6% | 2.8% | -0.5% | 1.4% | 0.5% | 0.9% | 1.0% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE | 11.1% | 11.1% | 22.1% | 19.9% | 9.0% | 36.9% | -5.8% | 16.3% | 6.4% | 12.3% | 12.8% |
| ROA | 2.0% | 2.0% | 3.8% | 3.4% | 1.8% | 8.0% | -1.3% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 2.5% | 2.6% |
| ROIC | 7.8% | 7.8% | 7.1% | 8.5% | 11.5% | 11.2% | 0.8% | 6.7% | 4.0% | 4.9% | 5.7% |
| ROCE | 16.3% | 16.3% | 14.7% | 16.2% | 20.4% | 21.5% | 1.7% | 16.0% | 9.6% | 11.9% | 13.9% |
Solvency and debt-coverage ratios — lower is generally safer
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt / Equity | 3.96 | 3.96 | 3.89 | 4.33 | 3.89 | 3.08 | 3.01 | 2.79 | 3.01 | 3.23 | 3.32 |
| Debt / EBITDA | 6.00 | 6.00 | 6.70 | 5.99 | 4.58 | 5.19 | 20.16 | 6.62 | 9.12 | 8.43 | 7.74 |
| Net Debt / Equity | — | 3.95 | 3.85 | 4.30 | 3.64 | 2.81 | 2.80 | 2.75 | 3.00 | 3.22 | 3.32 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 5.99 | 5.99 | 6.63 | 5.94 | 4.28 | 4.72 | 18.75 | 6.54 | 9.10 | 8.41 | 7.73 |
| Debt / FCF | — | 10.11 | — | — | 21.17 | 6.00 | 5.30 | 469.63 | — | — | 45.33 |
| Interest Coverage | 1.86 | 1.86 | 2.23 | 2.34 | 2.54 | 8.20 | 0.45 | 2.89 | 1.73 | 2.29 | 3.10 |
Short-term solvency ratios and asset-utilisation metrics
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 1.09 | 1.09 | 1.09 | 1.10 | 1.20 | 1.10 | 1.03 | 0.98 | 1.02 | 1.03 | 1.05 |
| Quick Ratio | 0.32 | 0.32 | 0.35 | 0.41 | 0.54 | 0.44 | 0.35 | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.26 | 0.24 |
| Cash Ratio | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.12 | 0.16 | 0.09 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Asset Turnover | — | 2.54 | 2.41 | 2.68 | 2.81 | 2.49 | 2.61 | 2.57 | 2.62 | 2.58 | 2.67 |
| Inventory Turnover | 6.34 | 6.34 | 6.15 | 7.68 | 9.60 | 8.31 | 6.69 | 5.89 | 5.56 | 5.56 | 5.29 |
| Days Sales Outstanding | — | 11.30 | 12.72 | 13.41 | 12.05 | 11.81 | 13.89 | 15.11 | 16.07 | 17.83 | 16.14 |
Earnings, FCF, buyback, and dividend yields — total returns to shareholders
Full dividend history and growth charts are on the Dividend History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 2.0% | 1.8% | 0.9% | 1.0% | 1.1% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.8% |
| Payout Ratio | 41.1% | 41.1% | 18.9% | 22.4% | 39.0% | 5.2% | — | 10.8% | 19.0% | 9.5% | 9.3% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Yield | 5.5% | 5.5% | 9.8% | 8.8% | 4.5% | 16.3% | — | 10.7% | 8.7% | 11.3% | 8.9% |
| FCF Yield | 20.1% | 19.4% | — | — | 7.9% | 23.5% | 26.2% | 0.4% | — | — | 5.0% |
| Buyback Yield | 4.0% | 3.8% | 1.6% | 8.8% | 13.4% | 4.4% | 4.4% | 0.2% | 4.1% | 4.6% | 9.5% |
| Total Shareholder Yield | 6.2% | 6.1% | 3.4% | 10.8% | 15.2% | 5.2% | 5.4% | 1.3% | 5.7% | 5.6% | 10.3% |
| Shares Outstanding | — | $35M | $35M | $36M | $40M | $43M | $42M | $44M | $43M | $44M | $46M |
Includes 30+ ratios · 30 years · Updated daily
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Quick answers to the most common questions about buying SAH stock.
Sonic Automotive, Inc.'s current P/E ratio is 18.2x. The historical average is 12.4x. This places it at the 93th percentile of its historical range.
Sonic Automotive, Inc.'s current EV/EBITDA is 8.9x. This enterprise value multiple compares the company's total value (equity + debt - cash) to its EBITDA. The historical average is 12.4x.
Sonic Automotive, Inc.'s return on equity (ROE) is 11.1%. The historical average is 9.4%.
Based on historical data, Sonic Automotive, Inc. is trading at a P/E of 18.2x. This is at the 93th percentile of its historical P/E range. Compare with industry peers and growth rates for a complete picture.
Sonic Automotive, Inc.'s current dividend yield is 2.25% with a payout ratio of 41.1%.
Sonic Automotive, Inc. has 15.7% gross margin and 3.6% operating margin.
Sonic Automotive, Inc.'s Debt/EBITDA ratio is 6.0x, indicating high leverage. A ratio above 4x may signal elevated financial risk.
Key Metrics
Top Statement Risk
High leverage and thin liquidity
Metrics are mathematically derived from official filings.
Deep Value or Cyclical Trap?
Sonic's forward P/E of 11.61 and EV/EBITDA of 9.81 appear cheap versus peers, but trailing P/E of 23.63 reflects earnings volatility, per recent filings.
The market is pricing Sonic at a significant discount on forward earnings, implying expectations of margin recovery or sustained revenue growth. However, the wide gap between trailing and forward P/E suggests analysts forecast a sharp earnings rebound, which may be optimistic given the cyclical nature of auto retail. Compared to peers like AutoNation (P/E 12.29) and Lithia (P/E 11.68), Sonic's forward multiple is in line, but its lower ROE and higher leverage warrant a discount that is not fully reflected.
Margins Squeezed by Cost Pressures
Gross margin held near 15.7% in 2026Q2, but operating margin of 3.3% and net margin of 1.5% remain thin, per quarterly data.
Sonic's gross margin has been stable around 15.5-16.5% over the past ten quarters, but operating margin has consistently hovered between 3.1% and 4.1%, indicating that SG&A expenses consume most of the gross profit. The 2025Q2 net loss of -1.2% highlights earnings fragility, and the recent 2026Q2 net margin of 1.5% is below the peer average of ~2.3%. This suggests limited pricing power and high fixed costs, making profitability highly sensitive to volume fluctuations.
Returns on Capital Remain Subdued
ROIC has stayed below 2.2% for ten quarters, with 2026Q2 at 1.8%, while ROE fluctuates around 5%, per reported figures.
Sonic's ROIC has been consistently low, ranging from 1.6% to 2.2%, which is far below the cost of capital and peer averages (e.g., AutoNation at 8.5%). This indicates that the company is not generating sufficient returns on its invested capital, partly due to high asset intensity and thin margins. ROE has been volatile, swinging from -4.3% in 2025Q2 to 7.6% in 2024Q3, reflecting earnings instability rather than a compounding trend. The stagnant equity base and rising debt suggest that capital returns are not being reinvested efficiently.
Working Capital Cycle Lengthens
Cash conversion cycle extended to 66 days in 2026Q2, driven by DIO of 61 days and DPO of just 4 days, per quarterly data.
Sonic's CCC has deteriorated from 60 days in 2024Q1 to 66 days in 2026Q2, primarily due to rising inventory days (DIO up from 52 to 61) while days payable outstanding (DPO) remains extremely low at 4-6 days. This indicates that Sonic is holding inventory longer and paying suppliers quickly, which ties up cash and increases financing needs. The negative FCF margin in 2026Q2 (-5.5%) reflects this working capital strain, as cash is absorbed into inventory and receivables.
Leverage at Critical Levels
Debt-to-equity hit 4.56 in 2026Q2, with D/EBITDA at 51.0, while interest coverage fell to 6.3x, per SEC filings.
Sonic's leverage has escalated over the past ten quarters, with total debt rising to $4.7B against just $19.2M cash. The D/EBITDA ratio of 51.0 in 2026Q2 is alarming, though this may be distorted by low EBITDA in that quarter; the trailing average is around 25x, still high versus peers. Interest coverage of 6.3x in 2026Q2 appears comfortable, but it was negative in 2025Q2, indicating that earnings can be insufficient to cover interest costs. The thin cash buffer and high debt load suggest refinancing risk, especially if interest rates remain elevated.
Liquidity Buffer Wears Thin
Current ratio slipped to 1.01 in 2026Q2, with quick ratio at 0.25, leaving minimal cushion against short-term obligations, per balance sheet data.
Sonic's current ratio has declined from 1.11 in 2024Q3 to 1.01 in 2026Q2, indicating that current assets barely cover current liabilities. The quick ratio of 0.25 is extremely low, reflecting heavy reliance on inventory to meet short-term obligations. With cash of only $19.2M, the company would struggle to absorb a sudden downturn or unexpected cash outflow. This thin liquidity position, combined with high leverage, makes the balance sheet vulnerable to stress.
Misapplied EV/EBITDA Multiple
EV/EBITDA is often used for auto dealers, but Sonic's high debt and volatile EBITDA make this multiple misleading, per reported figures.
The EV/EBITDA ratio of 9.81 appears reasonable, but it fails to capture the cyclicality of EBITDA and the heavy debt load. In 2025Q2, EBITDA was negative, rendering the multiple meaningless. A more appropriate metric is EV/EBITDAR (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and rent), which adjusts for the significant rental expenses in dealership operations. Additionally, investors should focus on free cash flow yield, which at 6.45x P/FCF is more telling, but FCF has been volatile. Using EV/EBITDA alone can understate the risk of Sonic's capital structure and earnings instability.