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Sonic Automotive Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results

In This Article:

Fourth Quarter Results Include All-Time Record Quarterly Revenues of $3.9 Billion

All-Time Record Annual EchoPark Segment Adjusted EBITDA*

The Company Exceeded Its Technician Hiring Goal, Increasing Headcount By 335 Technicians In 2024

CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 12, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sonic Automotive, Inc. ("Sonic Automotive," "Sonic," the "Company," "we," "us" or "our") (NYSE:SAH), one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Summary

  • All-time record quarterly total revenues of $3.9 billion, up 9% year-over-year; total gross profit of $574.0 million, up 6% year-over-year

  • Reported net income of $58.6 million, up 51% year-over-year ($1.67 earnings per diluted share, up 50% year-over-year)

    • Reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2024 includes the effect of a $10.0 million pre-tax gain from cyber insurance proceeds and a $2.7 million net pre-tax acquisition and disposition related gain, offset partially by a $3.2 million pre-tax storm damage charge, a $1.5 million pre-tax charge related to non-cash impairment charges, and a $0.5 million pre-tax long-term compensation charge (collectively, these items are partially offset by a $2.0 million tax expense on the above net benefit). Reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2023 includes the effect of a $16.7 million pre-tax charge related to non-cash impairment charges (partially offset by a $4.3 million tax benefit on the charge) and a one time income tax charge of $5.8 million related to certain non-deductible tax items.

    • Excluding these items, adjusted fourth quarter net income* was $53.1 million, down 7% year-over-year ($1.51 adjusted earnings per diluted share*, down 7% year-over-year)

  • Total reported selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses as a percentage of gross profit of 69.6% (67.3% on a Franchised Dealerships Segment basis, 87.0% on an EchoPark Segment basis, and 113.2% on a Powersports Segment basis)

    • Total adjusted SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit* of 71.2% (69.3% on a Franchised Dealerships Segment basis, 85.5% on an EchoPark Segment basis, and 106.6% on a Powersports Segment basis)

  • All-time record quarterly Franchised Dealerships Segment revenues of $3.4 billion, up 12% year-over-year; Franchised Dealerships Segment gross profit of $517.4 million, up 5% year-over-year

  • EchoPark Segment revenues of $506.2 million, down 9% year-over-year; fourth quarter record EchoPark Segment gross profit of $49.0 million, up 14% year-over-year; EchoPark Segment retail used vehicle unit sales volume of 16,674 units, down 5% year-over-year

  • Reported EchoPark Segment loss of $2.6 million, an 84% improvement year-over-year, and adjusted EchoPark Segment loss* of $1.8 million, an 89% improvement year-over-year

  • EchoPark Segment adjusted EBITDA* of $4.2 million, up 146% year-over-year, as compared to a $9.1 million adjusted EBITDA* loss in the prior year period

    • Excluding the impact from closed stores, EchoPark Segment adjusted EBITDA* was $4.9 million, a 178% improvement from an adjusted EBITDA* loss of $6.3 million in the prior year period

  • During the fourth quarter, Sonic acquired the remaining 50% equity in a joint venture in North Point Volvo, in addition to acquiring Audi New Orleans and Motorcycles of Charlotte & Greensboro, which collectively are expected to add approximately $145.0 million in annualized revenues

  • Subsequent to December 31, 2024, Sonic’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share, payable on April 15, 2025 to all stockholders of record on March 14, 2025