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. The EchoPark segment sells used cars and light trucks; and arranges finance and insurance product sales for its guests in pre-owned vehicle specialty retail locations. The Powersports Segment sells new and used powersports vehicles, such as motorcycles, and personal watercraft and all-terrain vehicles; and offers finance and insurance services. Sonic Automotive, Inc. was incorporated in 1997 and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Sonic Automotive, Inc.

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) Thursday closed up +0.54%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) closed up +0.52%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed up +0.74%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU25) rose +0.59%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU25) rose +0.77%.
Stocks rallied on Thursday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indexes posting new record highs. Signs that the US economy is holding up, despite tariff uncertainty, boosted stocks. Positive economic news Thursday included a decline in weekly jobless claims to a 3-month low, a stronger-than-expected retail sales report, and a rise in the Philadelphia Fed index to a 5-month high.
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Stocks added to their gains Thursday afternoon on dovish comments from San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly, who said the most recent set of rate projections from Fed officials, issued in June, offered a "reasonable outlook" in pointing to two 25 bp rate cuts by year's end. She added that the Fed should not wait too long before moving on rates, because if they wait until inflation is 2%, they've "likely injured the economy in some way that was completely unnecessary."
On the negative side, health insurers retreated on Thursday, led by a -12% plunge in Elevance Health after the company cut its earnings outlook for the year. Also, hawkish comments from Fed Governor Adriana Kugler were bearish for stocks when she said the Fed should keep interest rates on hold "for some time," citing accelerating inflation as tariffs start to boost prices.
US weekly initial unemployment claims unexpectedly fell -7,000 to a 3-month low of 221,000, showing a stronger labor market than expectations of an increase to 233,000.
US June retail sales rose +0.6% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.1% m/m, and June retail sales ex-autos rose +0.5% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.3% m/m.
The US June import price index ex-petroleum was unchanged m/m, weaker than expectations of +0.2% m/m.
The US July Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey rose +19.9 to a 5-month high of 15.9, stronger than expectations of -1.0.
The US July NAHB housing market index rose +1 to 33, right on expectations.
On the trade front, President Trump said late Wednesday that he intends to send a tariff letter to more than 150 countries notifying them their tariff rates could be 10% or 15%, effective August 1, and that the group was "not big countries who don't do that much business with the US."
Also, signs that the US could ease some of its export restrictions on semiconductor chips to China are bullish for chip makers. Commerce Secretary Lutnick said Nvidia could soon resume sales of its less advanced H20 chips to China, and Advanced Micro Devices received similar assurances from the Commerce Department, a sign that the US may be in the process of negotiating a grand trade deal with China. Treasury Secretary Bessent is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, within "the next couple of weeks" and signaled the US will likely extend an August 12 deadline for the easing of sky-high tariffs.
However, stocks were undercut by negative trade news that emerged last week and during this past weekend. Over the weekend, President Trump announced that the US will impose 30% tariffs on US imports from the European Union and Mexico, effective August 1. Mr. Trump said last Thursday that a 35% tariff on some Canadian products would take effect on August 1, up from the current 25%. Last week, Mr. Trump imposed a 50% tariff on copper imports, which will include semi-finished goods, and stated that drug companies could face tariffs as high as 200% on imports if they don't relocate production to the US within the next year.
Federal funds futures prices are discounting the chances for a -25 bp rate cut at 3% at the July 29-30 FOMC meeting and 58% at the following meeting on September 16-17.
The markets will focus on any fresh news regarding tariffs or trade deals during the remainder of this week. On Friday, June housing starts are expected to climb +3.6% m/m to 1.300 million, and June building permits are expected to slip -0.5% m/m to 1.387 million. Also, the University of Michigan's US July consumer sentiment index is expected to climb +0.8 to 61.5.
Earnings season began in earnest this week with a focus on big bank earnings results. The consensus is for S&P 500 companies to show Q2 earnings growth of +2.8% y/y, the smallest increase in two years, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Also, only six of the eleven S&P 500 sectors are projected to post an increase in earnings, the fewest since Q1 of 2023, according to Yardeni Research.
Overseas stock markets on Thursday settled higher. The Euro Stoxx 50 closed up +1.49%. China's Shanghai Composite closed up +0.37%. Japan's Nikkei Stock 225 closed up +0.60%.
Interest Rates
September 10-year T-notes (ZNU25) on Thursday closed down -3.5 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield rose +0.8 bp to 4.463%. T-notes on Thursday posted modest losses following stronger-than-expected US economic news, including June retail sales, weekly initial unemployment claims, and the July Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey, which signaled a hawkish tone for Fed policy. Also, Thursday's rally in the S&P 500 to a new all-time high reduced safe-haven demand for T-notes. In addition, hawkish comments from Fed Governor Adriana Kugler weighed on T-notes when she said the Fed should keep interest rates on hold "for some time." Finally, rising inflation expectations undercut T-notes when the 10-year breakeven inflation rate rose to a 4.75-month high of 2.450% on Thursday.
Losses in T-notes were limited Thursday on carryover support from late Wednesday when President Trump said he has "no plans" on firing Fed Chair Powell. T-notes also found support on signs of easing price pressures after Thursday's news showed the June import price index ex-petroleum rose less than expected.
European government bond yields on Thursday were mixed. The 10-year German bund yield fell -1.3 bp to 2.675%. The 10-year UK gilt yield rose to a 6-week high of 4.678% and finished up +1.7 bp to 4.655%.
Swaps are discounting the chances at 1% for a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at the July 24 policy meeting.
US Stock Movers
United Airlines Holdings (UAL) closed up more than +3% to lead airline stocks higher after CEO Kirby said the second half of the year has become more predictable and the company has potential "upside" to beat its earnings targets as customers returned to booking flights. Also, Alaska Air Group (ALK) closed up more than +3% and American Airlines Group (AAL) closed up more than +2%. In addition, Delta Air Lines (DAL) closed up more than +1%.
PepsiCo (PEP) closed up more than +7% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100 after reporting Q2 net revenue of $22.73 billion, above the consensus of $22.32 billion.
Snap-on (SNA) closed up more than +7% after reporting Q2 net sales of $1.18 billion, stronger than the consensus of $1.16 billion.
Steven Madden Ltd (SHOO) closed up more than +6% after Citigroup upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $32.
CSX Corp (CSX) closed up more than +4% after Semafor reported that Union Pacific is exploring an acquisition of the company.
Travelers Cos (TRV) closed up more than +3% to lead gainers in the Dow Jones Industrials after reporting Q1 core EPS of $6.51, well above the consensus of $3.60.
Mondelez International (MDLZ) closed up more than +3% after Jefferies upgraded the stock to buy from hold with a price target of $78.
Health insurance providers are sliding today, led by a -12% plunge in Elevance Health (ELV) to lead losers in the S&P 500 after cutting its earnings outlook for the year to "approximately" $30 per share, well below a previous forecast of $34.15 to $34.85 per share. Also, Molina Healthcare (MOH) closed down more than -5% and Centene (CNC) closed down more than -4%. In addition, Cigna Group (CI) closed down more than -2% and Humana (HUM) closed down more than -1%. Finally, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) closed down more than -1% to lead losers in the Dow Jones Industrials.
Sonic Automotive (SAH) closed down -10% after JPMorgan Chase downgraded the stock to underweight from overweight with a price target of $72.
Abbott Laboratories (ABT) closed down more than -8% after reporting Q2 organic sales of +6.90%, below the consensus of +7.03% and forecasting full-year organic sales of +6% to +7%, weaker than the consensus of +7.37%.
Starwood Property Trust (STWD) closed down more than -5% after selling over 25.5 million shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering overnight between $19.91 to $20.33 a share, below Wednesday's closing price of $20.85.
Shake Shack (SHAK) closed down more than -1% after Jeffries downgraded the stock to underperform from hold with a price target of $120.
Zoetis (ZTS) closed down -1% after Leerink Partners downgraded the stock to market perform from outperform.
Earnings Reports (7/18/2025)
3M Co (MMM), Ally Financial Inc (ALLY), American Express Co (AXP), Charles Schwab Corp/The (SCHW), Comerica Inc (CMA), Euronet Worldwide Inc (EEFT), Huntington Bancshares Inc/OH (HBAN), MarketAxess Holdings Inc (MKTX), Regions Financial Corp (RF), Schlumberger NV (SLB), Southern Copper Corp (SCCO), Truist Financial Corp (TFC).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Rally to Record Highs on a Resilient US Economy

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is up +0.25%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) is up +0.19%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is up +0.47%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU25) are up +0.25%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU25) are up +0.51%.
Stocks are climbing today on signs the US economy is holding up, despite tariff uncertainty. Positive economic news today included a decline in weekly jobless claims to a 3-month low, a stronger-than-expected retail sales report, and a rise in the Philadelphia Fed index to a 5-month high.
Join 200K+ Subscribers: Find out why the midday Barchart Brief newsletter is a must-read for thousands daily.
Strength in airline stocks is also lifting the broader market, as United Airlines Holdings jumped more than 3% after CEO Kirby said the second half of the year has become more predictable and the company has potential “upside” to beat its earnings targets, as customers return to booking flights.
On the negative side, health insurers are retreating today, led by an -11% plunge in Elevance Health after the company cut its earnings outlook for the year. Also, hawkish comments from Fed Governor Adriana Kugler were bearish for stocks when she said the Fed should keep interest rates on hold “for some time,” citing accelerating inflation as tariffs start to boost prices.
US weekly initial unemployment claims unexpectedly fell -7,000 to a 3-month low of 221,000, showing a stronger labor market than expectations of an increase to 233,000.
US June retail sales rose +0.6% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.1% m/m, and June retail sales ex-autos rose +0.5% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.3% m/m.
The US June import price index ex-petroleum was unchanged m/m, weaker than expectations of +0.2% m/m.
The US July Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey rose +19.9 to a 5-month high of 15.9, stronger than expectations of -1.0.
The US July NAHB housing market index rose +1 to 33, right on expectations.
On the trade front, President Trump said late Wednesday that he intends to send a tariff letter to more than 150 countries notifying them their tariff rates could be 10% or 15%, effective August 1, and that the group was “not big countries who don’t do that much business with the US.”
Also, signs that the US could ease some of its export restrictions on semiconductor chips to China are bullish for chip makers. Commerce Secretary Lutnick said Nvidia could soon resume sales of its less advanced H20 chips to China, and Advanced Micro Devices received similar assurances from the Commerce Department, a sign that the US may be in the process of negotiating a grand trade deal with China. Treasury Secretary Bessent is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, within “the next couple of weeks” and signaled the US will likely extend an August 12 deadline for the easing of sky-high tariffs.
However, stocks were undercut by negative trade news that emerged last week and during this past weekend. Over the weekend, President Trump announced that the US will impose 30% tariffs on US imports from the European Union and Mexico, effective August 1. Mr. Trump said last Thursday that a 35% tariff on some Canadian products would take effect on August 1, up from the current 25%. Last week, Mr. Trump imposed a 50% tariff on copper imports, which will include semi-finished goods, and stated that drug companies could face tariffs as high as 200% on imports if they don’t relocate production to the US within the next year.
Federal funds futures prices are discounting the chances for a -25 bp rate cut at 3% at the July 29-30 FOMC meeting and 58% at the following meeting on Sep 16-17.
The markets will focus on any fresh news regarding tariffs or trade deals during the remainder of this week. Later today, the July NAHB housing market index is expected to rise +1 to 33. On Friday, June housing starts are expected to climb +3.3% m/m to 1.298 million, and June building permits are expected to slip -0.6% m/m to 1.386 million. Also, the University of Michigan’s US July consumer sentiment index is expected to climb +0.8 to 61.5.
Earnings season began in earnest this week with a focus on big bank earnings results. The consensus is for S&P 500 companies to show Q2 earnings growth of +2.8% y/y, the smallest increase in two years, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Also, only six of the eleven S&P 500 sectors are projected to post an increase in earnings, the fewest since Q1 of 2023, according to Yardeni Research.
Overseas stock markets today are higher. The Euro Stoxx 50 is up +1.23%. China’s Shanghai Composite closed up +0.37%. Japan’s Nikkei Stock 225 closed up +0.60%.
Interest Rates
September 10-year T-notes (ZNU25) today are up +3 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield is down -2.4 bp to 4.431%. T-notes recovered from early losses today and moved higher on carryover support from late Wednesday when President Trump said he has “no plans” on firing Fed Chair Powell. T-notes also found support on signs of easing price pressures after today’s news showed the June import price index ex-petroleum rose less than expected.
T-notes initially moved lower today on stronger-than-expected US economic news, including June retail sales, weekly initial unemployment claims, and the July Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey, which signaled strength in the US economy that was hawkish for Fed policy. Also, strength in stocks today has reduced safe-haven demand for T-notes. In addition, hawkish comments from Fed Governor Adriana Kugler limited gains in T-notes when she said the Fed should keep interest rate on hold “for some time.”
European government bond yields today are moving lower. The 10-year German bund yield is down -2.0 bp to 2.667%. The 10-year UK gilt yield fell from a 6-week high of 4.678% and is down -0.1 bp to 4.638%.
Swaps are discounting the chances at 1% for a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at the July 24 policy meeting.
US Stock Movers
United Airlines Holdings (UAL) is up more than +3% to lead airline stocks higher after CEO Kirby said the second half of the year has become more predictable and the company has potential “upside” to beat its earnings targets as customers returned to booking flights. Also, Alaska Air Group (ALK) is up more than +3% and American Airlines Group (AAL) is up more than +2%. In addition, Delta Air Lines (DAL) is up more than +1%.
PepsiCo (PEP) is up more than +6% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 after reporting Q2 net revenue of $22.73 billion, above the consensus of $22.32 billion.
Snap-on (SNA) is up more than +5% after reporting Q2 net sales of $1.18 billion, stronger than the consensus of $1.16 billion.
CSX Corp (CSX) is up more than +2% after Semafor reported that Union Pacific is exploring an acquisition of the company.
Steven Madden Ltd (SHOO) is up more than +5% after Citigroup upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $32.
Travelers Cos (TRV) is up more than +2% to lead gainers in the Dow Jones Industrials after reporting Q1 core EPS of $6.51, well above the consensus of $3.60.
Mondelez International (MDLZ) is up more than +2% after Jefferies upgraded the stock to buy from hold with a price target of $78.
Health insurance providers are sliding today, led by an -11% plunge in Elevance Health (ELV) to lead losers in the S&P 500 after cutting its earnings outlook for the year to “approximately” $30 per share, well below a previous forecast of $34.15 to $34.85 per share. Also, Molina Healthcare (MOH) is down more than -3%. In addition, Humana (HUM), Centene (CNC), and Cigna Group (CI) are down more than -2%. Finally, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is down more than -1% to lead losers in the Dow Jones Industrials.
Sonic Automotive (SAH) is down more than -8% after JPMorgan Chase downgraded the stock to underweight from overweight with a price target of $72.
Abbott Laboratories (ABT) is down more than -7% after reporting Q2 organic sales of +6.90%, below the consensus of +7.03% and forecasting full-year organic sales of +6% to +7%, weaker than the consensus of +7.37%.
Starwood Property Trust (STWD) is down more than -4% after selling over 25.5 million shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering overnight between $19.91 to $20.33 a share, below Wednesday’s closing price of $20.85.
Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) is down more than -2% after President Trump said Coca-Cola has agreed to use “real cane sugar” in Coke soda in the US, which could reduce demand for ADM’s corn syrup and hurt its corn-processing business.
Shake Shack (SHAK) is down more than -2% after Jeffries downgraded the stock to underperform from hold with a price target of $120.
MP Materials (MP) is down more than -1% after it said it commenced a $500 million underwritten public offering of its common stock to fund its expansion.
Earnings Reports (7/17/2025)
PepsiCo Inc (PEP), Travelers Cos Inc/The (TRV), Abbott Laboratories (ABT), Elevance Health Inc (ELV), Cintas Corp (CTAS), Marsh & McLennan Cos Inc (MMC), US Bancorp (USB), Snap-on Inc (SNA), General Electric Co (GE), Citizens Financial Group Inc (CFG), Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB), Netflix Inc (NFLX).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Stocks Supported by Signs of US Economic Strength

In trading on Thursday, auto dealerships shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 1.7%. Helping drag down the group were shares of Sonic Automotive, down about 8.7% and shares of Group 1 Automotive, down about 8.4% on the day.
Also lagging the market Thursday are cigarettes & tobacco shares, down on the day by about 1.5% as a group, led down by British American Tobacco, trading lower by about 2.2% and Philip Morris International, trading lower by about 2%.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Thursday Sector Laggards: Auto Dealerships, Cigarettes & Tobacco Stocks

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is up +0.30%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) is up +0.35%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is up +0.40%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU25) are up +0.08%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU25) are up +0.18%.
Stocks are climbing today on signs the US economy is holding up, despite tariff uncertainty. Positive economic news today included a decline in weekly jobless claims to a 3-month low, a stronger-than-expected retail sales report, and a rise in the Philadelphia Fed index to a 5-month high.
Join 200K+ Subscribers: Find out why the midday Barchart Brief newsletter is a must-read for thousands daily.
Strength in airline stocks is also lifting the broader market as United Airlines Holdings jumped more than +6% after CEO Kirby said the second half of the year has become more predictable, and the company has potential "upside" to beat its earnings targets as customers returned to booking flights.
On the negative side, health insurers are retreating today, led by an -11% plunge in Elevance Health after the company cut its earnings outlook for the year.
US weekly initial unemployment claims unexpectedly fell -7,000 to a 3-month low of 221,000, showing a stronger labor market than expectations of an increase to 233,000.
US June retail sales rose +0.6% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.1% m/m, and June retail sales ex-autos rose +0.5% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.3% m/m.
The US June import price index ex-petroleum was unchanged m/m, weaker than expectations of +0.2% m/m.
The US July Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey rose +19.9 to a 5-month high of 15.9, stronger than expectations of -1.0.
On the trade front, President Trump said late Wednesday that he intends to send a tariff letter to more than 150 countries notifying them their tariff rates could be 10% or 15%, effective August 1, and that the group was "not big countries who don't do that much business with the US."
Also, signs that the US could ease some of its export restrictions on semiconductor chips to China are bullish for chip makers. Commerce Secretary Lutnick said Nvidia could soon resume sales of its less advanced H20 chips to China, and Advanced Micro Devices received similar assurances from the Commerce Department, a sign that the US may be in the process of negotiating a grand trade deal with China. Treasury Secretary Bessent is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, within "the next couple of weeks" and signaled the US will likely extend an August 12 deadline for the easing of sky-high tariffs.
However, stocks were undercut by negative trade news that emerged last week and during this past weekend. Over the weekend, President Trump announced that the US will impose 30% tariffs on US imports from the European Union and Mexico, effective August 1. Mr. Trump said last Thursday that a 35% tariff on some Canadian products would take effect on August 1, up from the current 25%. Last week, Mr. Trump imposed a 50% tariff on copper imports, which will include semi-finished goods, and stated that drug companies could face tariffs as high as 200% on imports if they don't relocate production to the US within the next year.
Federal funds futures prices are discounting the chances for a -25 bp rate cut at 3% at the July 29-30 FOMC meeting and 58% at the following meeting on Sep 16-17.
The markets will focus on any fresh news regarding tariffs or trade deals during the remainder of this week. Later today, the July NAHB housing market index is expected to rise +1 to 33. On Friday, June housing starts are expected to climb +3.3% m/m to 1.298 million, and June building permits are expected to slip -0.6% m/m to 1.386 million. Also, the University of Michigan's US July consumer sentiment index is expected to climb +0.8 to 61.5.
Earnings season began in earnest this week with a focus on big bank earnings results. The consensus is for S&P 500 companies to show Q2 earnings growth of +2.8% y/y, the smallest increase in two years, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Also, only six of the eleven S&P 500 sectors are projected to post an increase in earnings, the fewest since Q1 of 2023, according to Yardeni Research.
Overseas stock markets today are higher. The Euro Stoxx 50 is up +1.11%. China's Shanghai Composite closed up +0.37%. Japan's Nikkei Stock 225 closed up +0.60%.
Interest Rates
September 10-year T-notes (ZNU25) today are up +4 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield is down -2.2 bp to 4.433%. T-notes recovered from early losses today and moved higher on carryover support from late Wednesday when President Trump said he has "no plans” on firing Fed Chair Powell. T-notes also found support on signs of easing price pressures after today's news showed the Jun import price index ex-petroleum rose less than expected.
T-notes initially moved lower today on stronger-than-expected US economic news, including June retail sales, weekly initial unemployment claims, and the July Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey, which signaled strength in the US economy that was hawkish for Fed policy. Also, strength in stocks today has reduced safe-haven demand for T-notes.
European government bond yields today are moving higher. The 10-year German bund yield is up +0.4 bp to 2.691%. The 10-year UK gilt yield climbed to a 6-week high of 4.678% and is up +2.2 bp to 4.660%.
Swaps are discounting the chances at 1% for a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at the July 24 policy meeting.
US Stock Movers
United Airlines Holdings (UAL) is up more than +6% to lead airline stocks higher after CEO Kirby said the second half of the year has become more predictable and the company has potential "upside" to beat its earnings targets as customers returned to booking flights. Also, American Airlines Group (AAL) is up more than +5% and Alaska Air Group (ALK) is up more than +3%. In addition, Delta Air Lines (DAL) is up more than +2% and Southwest Airlines (LUV) is up more than +1%.
Snap-on (SNA) is up more than +6% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 after reporting Q2 net sales of $1.18 billion, stronger than the consensus of $1.16 billion.
PepsiCo (PEP) is up more than +6% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100 after reporting Q2 net revenue of $22.73 billion, above the consensus of $22.32 billion.
CSX Corp (CSX) is up more than +3% after Semafor reported that Union Pacific is exploring an acquisition of the company.
Steven Madden Ltd (SHOO) is up more than +7% after Citigroup upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $32.
Toast (TOST) is up more than +3% after Deutsche Bank upgraded the stock to buy from not rated with a price target of $54.
Mondelez International (MDLZ) is up more than +1% after Jefferies upgraded the stock to buy from hold with a price target of $78.
Health insurance providers are sliding today, led by an -11% plunge in Elevance Health (ELV) to lead losers in the S&P 500 after cutting its earnings outlook for the year to "approximately" $30 per share, well below a previous forecast of $34.15 to $34.85 per share. Also, Molina Healthcare (MOH) is down more than -5%. In addition, Humana (HUM), Centene (CNC), and Cigna Group (CI) are down more than -2%. Finally, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is down more than -1% to lead losers in the Dow Joens Industrials.
Sonic Automotive (SAH) is down more than -6% after JPMorgan Chase downgraded the stock to underweight from overweight with a price target of $72.
Starwood Property Trust (STWD) is down more than -4% after selling over 25.5 million shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering overnight between $19.91 to $20.33 a share, below Wednesday's closing price of $20.85.
MP Materials (MP) is down more than -2% after it said it commenced a $500 million underwritten public offering of its common stock to fund its expansion.
Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) is down more than -1% after President Trump said Coca-Cola has agreed to use "real cane sugar" in Coke soda in the US, which could reduce demand for ADM's corn syrup and hurt its corn-processing business.
Shake Shack (SHAK) is down more than -1% after Jeffries downgraded the stock to underperform from hold with a price target of $120.
Earnings Reports (7/17/2025)
PepsiCo Inc (PEP), Travelers Cos Inc/The (TRV), Abbott Laboratories (ABT), Elevance Health Inc (ELV), Cintas Corp (CTAS), Marsh & McLennan Cos Inc (MMC), US Bancorp (USB), Snap-on Inc (SNA), General Electric Co (GE), Citizens Financial Group Inc (CFG), Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB), Netflix Inc (NFLX).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Signs of Economic Strength Boost Stocks

In trading on Friday, shares of Sonic Automotive, Inc. (Symbol: SAH) crossed above their 200 day moving average of $62.28, changing hands as high as $63.27 per share. Sonic Automotive, Inc. shares are currently trading up about 0.8% on the day. The chart below shows the one year performance of SAH shares, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, SAH's low point in its 52 week range is $51.27 per share, with $76.78 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $62.17.
Click here to find out which 9 other dividend stocks recently crossed above their 200 day moving average »
Also see:
Funds Holding RDAC
Valero Energy MACD
Funds Holding JHMF
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Bullish Two Hundred Day Moving Average Cross - SAH

Fintel reports that on April 23, 2025, Citigroup initiated coverage of Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH) with a Neutral recommendation.
Analyst Price Forecast Suggests 37.35% Upside
As of April 2, 2025, the average one-year price target for Sonic Automotive is $81.16/share. The forecasts range from a low of $60.60 to a high of $97.65. The average price target represents an increase of 37.35% from its latest reported closing price of $59.09 / share.
See our leaderboard of companies with the largest price target upside.
The projected annual revenue for Sonic Automotive is 16,046MM, an increase of 12.81%. The projected annual non-GAAP EPS is 7.13.
What is the Fund Sentiment?
There are 449 funds or institutions reporting positions in Sonic Automotive. This is unchanged over the last quarter. Average portfolio weight of all funds dedicated to SAH is 0.10%, an increase of 5.05%. Total shares owned by institutions decreased in the last three months by 2.70% to 20,043K shares. The put/call ratio of SAH is 0.25, indicating a bullish outlook.
What are Other Shareholders Doing?
IJR - iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF holds 948K shares representing 4.34% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 930K shares , representing an increase of 1.86%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in SAH by 8.61% over the last quarter.
Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management holds 889K shares representing 4.07% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 825K shares , representing an increase of 7.26%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in SAH by 17.01% over the last quarter.
Macquarie Group holds 759K shares representing 3.48% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 762K shares , representing a decrease of 0.32%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in SAH by 0.57% over the last quarter.
DCCAX - Delaware Small Cap Core Fund holds 622K shares representing 2.85% ownership of the company. No change in the last quarter.
Invesco holds 600K shares representing 2.75% ownership of the company. In its prior filing, the firm reported owning 625K shares , representing a decrease of 4.12%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in SAH by 91.00% over the last quarter.
Sonic Automotive Background Information
(This description is provided by the company.)
Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 500 company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the nation's largest automotive retailers.
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Citigroup Initiates Coverage of Sonic Automotive (SAH) with Neutral Recommendation

Carvana CVNA has staged a jaw-dropping comeback from once being on the verge of collapse. Year 2023 marked Carvana’s remarkable revival after a 98% plunge in 2022, and the rally continued in 2024 as well. The used-car e-commerce player defied the odds, bouncing back through deep cost cuts and a debt overhaul—reviving investor interest in one of the pandemic era’s most dramatic stories.
Over the past year, CVNA stock has rocketed 196%. In contrast, its closest competitor CarMax KMX declined 5% in the same timeframe. Meanwhile, another peer Sonic Automotive SAH rose 19% over the past year.
1-Year Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Given Carvana’s massive run-up, investors may be wondering whether to take profits or buy for further gains. Let’s look at the fundamentals to find out.
4 Key Growth Drivers for Carvana
Retail Sales Increasing: Retail sales volumes have been on the rise, with the company selling more than 100,000 cars in each of the last three reported quarters. In the final quarter of 2024, retail units sold jumped 50% year over year, and Carvana expects continued sequential growth in the first quarter of 2025 and significant expansion throughout the year. Comparatively, CarMax saw a 6.2% increase in retail used unit sales. For Sonic Automotive, used vehicle units retailed in the last reported quarter were up 5% in the Franchised dealerships segment and down 5% in the EchoPark segment.
Cost Cut Efforts Paying Off: Carvana’s three-step plan—achieving positive adjusted EBITDA, boosting EBITDA per unit, and returning to growth with a leaner model—is delivering. The company has cut retail reconditioning and inbound transport costs, driving significant margin improvement. In 2024, Carvana reported record adjusted EBITDA of $1.4 billion and an industry-leading 10.1% margin. It expects further gains in 2025 from ongoing efficiency efforts. In comparison, Sonic Automotive posted a 4% adjusted EBITDA margin in 2024, and CarMax also recorded a 4% EBITDA margin in fiscal 2025 (ended Feb 28, 2025).
Strategic Buyout: Carvana’s acquisition of ADESA’s U.S. operations has strengthened its logistics, auction and reconditioning capabilities. Leveraging ADESA’s infrastructure, Carvana can significantly scale its refurbishment processes — boosting both vehicle quality and volume. At full utilization, the deal is expected to unlock around 3 million units of annual reconditioning capacity, up from the current 1.3 million.
Ample Market Opportunity: Carvana—being the second largest used car retailer in the country—still holds only a 1% share of the highly fragmented U.S. automotive retail market. This suggests that there is enough room for the company to expand, especially as more consumers gravitate toward online car buying.
CVNA’s Premium Valuation Justified?
Carvana is trading at a forward sales multiple of 2.5X, way above its median of 1.95X, over the past five years. Meanwhile, KMX and SAH’s forward sales multiple sits at 0.36X and 0.14X, respectively.
CVNA's P/S Vs. KMX & SAH
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Carvana does seem pricey. But its valuations also reflect its high growth expectations and improving profitability. If the company sustains its execution, the premium could be warranted.
What Do Zacks Estimates for CVNA Say?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CVNA’s 2025 sales and EPS calls for a year-over-year uptick of 24% and 119%, respectively. The consensus mark for CVNA’s 2025 and 2026 EPS estimates has moved north over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Carvana is a Buy Now
Carvana’s streamlined operations, scalable platform and distinctive business model — which includes the first fully-automated, coin-operated car vending machine in the United States —position it well for long-term growth. Despite near-term economic headwinds, the company’s operational discipline and improving fundamentals suggest more upside ahead. The company carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) currently.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here
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CarMax, Inc. (KMX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

CVNA Stock Skyrockets 196% in a Year: Is it Still Worth Buying?

Looking at the universe of stocks we cover at Dividend Channel, on 3/14/25, TKO Group Holdings Inc (Symbol: TKO), Sonic Automotive, Inc. (Symbol: SAH), and Dominos Pizza Inc. (Symbol: DPZ) will all trade ex-dividend for their respective upcoming dividends. TKO Group Holdings Inc will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.38 on 3/31/25, Sonic Automotive, Inc. will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.35 on 4/15/25, and Dominos Pizza Inc. will pay its quarterly dividend of $1.74 on 3/28/25. As a percentage of TKO's recent stock price of $145.15, this dividend works out to approximately 0.26%, so look for shares of TKO Group Holdings Inc to trade 0.26% lower — all else being equal — when TKO shares open for trading on 3/14/25. Similarly, investors should look for SAH to open 0.54% lower in price and for DPZ to open 0.40% lower, all else being equal.
When an S&P 1500 component reaches 20 years of dividend increases, it becomes a contender to join the elite "Dividend Aristocrats" index. Dominos Pizza Inc. (Symbol: DPZ) is a "future dividend aristocrats contender," with 14+ years of increases.
Below are dividend history charts for TKO, SAH, and DPZ, showing historical dividends prior to the most recent ones declared.
TKO Group Holdings Inc (Symbol: TKO):
Sonic Automotive, Inc. (Symbol: SAH):
Dominos Pizza Inc. (Symbol: DPZ):
In general, dividends are not always predictable, following the ups and downs of company profits over time. Therefore, a good first due diligence step in forming an expectation of annual yield going forward, is looking at the history above, for a sense of stability over time. This can help in judging whether the most recent dividends from these companies are likely to continue. If they do continue, the current estimated yields on annualized basis would be 1.05% for TKO Group Holdings Inc, 2.14% for Sonic Automotive, Inc., and 1.62% for Dominos Pizza Inc..
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In Wednesday trading, TKO Group Holdings Inc shares are currently up about 2.1%, Sonic Automotive, Inc. shares are down about 0.9%, and Dominos Pizza Inc. shares are down about 2.1% on the day.
Click here to learn which 25 S.A.F.E. dividend stocks should be on your radar screen »
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Ex-Dividend Reminder: TKO Group Holdings, Sonic Automotive and Dominos Pizza

(RTTNews) - Sonic Automotive, Inc. (SAH), an automotive retailer, Thursday said it acquired Audi New Orleans from the Bohn Brothers Automotive Group, a long-established dealership operation in Louisiana. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The acquired business is located in Metairie, Louisiana, and serves the greater New Orleans area.
The acquisition adds to the Company's wide range of automotive brands. It is Sonic Automotive's 10th Audi dealership and their first franchise dealership in Louisiana. With this addition, the Company now operates 108 franchise dealerships across the country.
Audi New Orleans was opened in June 2009, continuing the tradition of automotive sales and service started by George Bohn, Sr. over 100 years ago in the New Orleans area. Kerrigan Advisors helped the Bohn Brothers Automotive Group with the acquisition.
Wednesday, SAH had closed 0.03 cents or 0.04% less at $67.20 on the New York Stock Exchange. In the pre-market trading, SAH is 1.79 lesser further at $66.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Sonic Automotive Buys Audi New Orleans To Expand Dealership In Louisiana

During the 2020-2021 pandemic, a select group of companies experienced unprecedented growth and Carvana CVNA was one of them. Carvana, an e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars, thrived when pandemic restrictions limited in-person car shopping. The company's stock soared during these years, reflecting heightened consumer demand and growth potential.
However, as the world returned to normalcy in 2022, Carvana's fortunes took a stark downturn. It faced a perfect storm of challenges in the form of rising interest rates, ballooning vehicle prices, heavy debt burdens and eroded profit margins. These factors led Carvana’s stock to plunge nearly 98% that year, leaving many investors questioning the company’s survival.
But against all odds, 2023 turned into a year of remarkable revival for Carvana, with the stock surging over 1,000% amid aggressive cost-cutting and a strategic debt restructuring. And the growth story just doesn’t seem to end. Year to date, the stock has rallied 354%, breezing past the broader market and its close peers, including CarMax KMX, AutoNation AN and Sonic Automotive SAH.
YTD Price Performance Comparison
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Carvana’s Strategy Shift Paying Off
Carvana’s CEO, Ernie Garcia, recognized that for the company to thrive again, it had to pivot from its aggressive growth focus toward operational efficiency and cash flow. The company rolled out a three-step strategic plan. The first step was achieving positive adjusted EBITDA, the second was boosting EBITDA per unit and the third step was returning to growth but with a leaner operating model. This shift in focus has been crucial to Carvana’s financial turnaround, restoring investor confidence and driving its meteoric stock rebound.
The transformation is visible in Carvana’s enhanced financial and operational metrics. A notable highlight is Carvana’s gross profit per unit (GPU), a key metric in the automotive retail industry. In the third quarter of 2024, CVNA’s GPU reached $7,685, an impressive increase from $6,396 in the year-ago period and $7,344 in the second quarter of 2024. To put this growth into perspective, Carvana’s GPU in 2016 was just $1,347.
Several factors contributed to the substantial rise in Carvana’s GPU. First, the company managed to cut retail reconditioning and inbound transportation costs by adopting in-house third-party services, streamlining staffing and standardizing processes. Additionally, proprietary software developments and better logistics network utilization helped reduce transportation distances, leading to further savings. Beyond these operational efficiencies, Carvana expanded customer sourcing options and added new revenue streams from value-added services, further boosting GPU.
As a result of these efforts, Carvana posted a record adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.7% in the last reported quarter, setting a new standard among public automotive retailers. With this margin in place, Carvana is on track to exceed its 2024 EBITDA guidance of $1 to $1.2 billion—up significantly from $339 million in 2023. The company’s ability to optimize costs associated with operations, inventory and labor—a challenging feat in the automotive industry—has played a vital role in achieving this impressive margin.
Surging Demand and Market Share Potential of CVNA
Demand for Carvana’s vehicles has remained strong. In the third quarter of 2024, Carvana’s retail units sold grew by 34%. The company anticipates sequential growth in retail unit sales in the fourth quarter of 2024. What’s important to note here is that Carvana, now the second-largest used car retailer in the United States, holds only about a 1% share in the highly fragmented used car market. This limited market share leaves significant room for expansion, particularly as consumer preferences shift toward online car buying — a trend that plays directly into Carvana’s strengths.
The macroeconomic backdrop could also support Carvana’s growth trajectory. With the Federal Reserve starting to cut interest rate cuts, financing used vehicles may become more affordable, boosting consumer demand. This environment would allow Carvana to capitalize on its e-commerce model and capture additional market share in the growing online auto retail sector.
A Look at Carvana’s Valuation
Carvana’s stock is trading at a premium valuation, reflecting high growth expectations.It's trading at a forward 12-month sales multiple of 3.17, higher than its peer group and its own 5-year median. But that pricey valuation is reflective of investors’ big growth expectations.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What Do Our Estimates for CVNA Say?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CVNA’s 2024 EPS calls for a 39% uptick alongside a 24% sales increase. The consensus mark for CVNA’s 2025 sales and EPS implies a year-over-year improvement of 20% and 150%, respectively. Its EPS estimates have been northbound over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CVNA: Still a Compelling Buy
The price movement of CVNA's shares is truly astonishing, especially given how the company was largely overlooked post-pandemic. From trading below $5 at the end of 2022 to now hovering around $240 per share, this surge is nothing short of a fairy tale comeback.
Carvana’s turnaround story is a testament to its resilience and adaptability. In the span of just a couple of years, the company went from a pandemic darling on the brink of collapse to an e-commerce powerhouse driving record profits. As Carvana continues to optimize operations and scale its platform, its growth narrative remains compelling.
CVNA carries a Growth Score of A. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Carvana’s differentiated business model, operational efficiencies and substantial market potential suggest that its current rally may still have room to run.
The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Sonic Automotive, Inc.

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