AutoNation (AN) vs Sonic Automotive (SAH)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Sonic Automotive (SAH) has outperformed AutoNation (AN) over the past year, losing 16.5% versus a loss of 27.4%. Over five years, AN leads with a +33.8% price change compared with +16.1% for SAH. AutoNation is the larger company by market cap ($5.19 billion vs $1.94 billion), about 2.7 times the size.
On valuation, AutoNation trades at a lower forward P/E (6.5x vs 8.4x for Sonic Automotive). Sonic Automotive pays a dividend yielding 2.52%, while AutoNation does not currently pay one.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AN | SAH |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $157.07 | $61.51 |
| Market cap | $5.19B | $1.94B |
| 1-day change | +0.55% | +1.64% |
| YTD return | -24.35% | -2.17% |
| 1-year return | -27.40% | -16.48% |
| 5-year return | +33.84% | +16.09% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 7.28 | 9.81 |
| Forward P/E | 6.52 | 8.37 |
| EPS (TTM) | $21.59 | $6.27 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.52% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.55 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $27.63B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.24% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $649.10M | — |
| Gross margin | 17.91% | — |
| Operating margin | 4.49% | — |
| Net margin | 2.35% | — |
| 52-week high | $235.81 | $113.67 |
| 52-week low | $152.86 | $54.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -33.39% | -45.89% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +46.70% | +55.03% |
| Average volume | 498.94K | 309.61K |
| Shares outstanding | 33.06M | 19.59M |
| Employees | 24,800 | 11,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations | Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- AutoNation is about 2.7 times larger than Sonic Automotive by market value ($5.19B vs $1.94B).
- SAH has outperformed AN by 10.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Sonic Automotive trades at a higher earnings multiple (9.8x vs 7.3x trailing P/E).
- Sonic Automotive offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.52% vs 0.00%).
About AutoNation
AN stock →AutoNation, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Domestic, Import, Premium Luxury, and AutoNation Finance.
Consumer Discretionary · Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations · 24,800 employees
About Sonic Automotive
SAH stock →Sonic Automotive, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. It operates in three segments: Franchised Dealerships, EchoPark, and Powersports.
Consumer Discretionary · Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations · 11,000 employees
AN vs SAH FAQ
Which is bigger, AutoNation or Sonic Automotive?
AutoNation (AN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.19B compared with $1.94B for Sonic Automotive (SAH).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AN or SAH?
SAH returned -16.48% over the past 12 months, compared with -27.40% for AN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AN or SAH?
AN has the lower trailing P/E at 7.3, versus 9.8 for SAH. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, AutoNation or Sonic Automotive?
Sonic Automotive pays a dividend yielding 2.52%, while AutoNation does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are AutoNation and Sonic Automotive in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.