Advertisement
AN vs SAH
Which Stock Would AI Choose? AutoNation (AN) vs. Sonic Automotive (SAH) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- AutoNation (AN) and Sonic Automotive (SAH) are both U.S. automotive retailers, but they differ sharply in scale, capital strategy, and growth mix.
- AN delivered a Q3 adjusted EPS beat and record after-sales profit, while SAH posted record revenue but missed on adjusted EPS.
- Both companies lean on higher-margin "fixed operations" (parts, service, and collision repair) to offset softer new-vehicle demand.
- AN has been shrinking its share count aggressively to support per-share earnings; SAH pays a growing dividend with a yield near 2.7%.
- Tickeron AI Verdict: AN is the current ticker of choice, reflecting more consistent trend stability and clearer catalysts relative to SAH.
- For deeper context, explore AN Major News and AN Today's Price Move, as well as SAH Major News and SAH Today's Price Move.
- Interested in data-driven strategies? Explore Trending AI Robots to see which automated systems are currently favored.
Introduction
AutoNation (AN) and Sonic Automotive (SAH) are two of the largest publicly traded automotive retailers in the United States, yet they occupy different positions within the same cyclical industry. This stock comparison is relevant for investors seeking to understand how scale, business mix, and capital-allocation strategy shape relative performance in an environment defined by elevated interest rates, affordability pressures, and softer vehicle volumes. Both companies generate the bulk of their gross profit from recurring service and finance operations rather than vehicle sales alone, making the contrast between their models useful for value-oriented and dividend-focused investors alike.
AN Overview and Recent Performance
AutoNation is the largest automotive retailer in the U.S., operating domestic, import, and premium-luxury franchise dealerships alongside its AutoNation USA used-vehicle stores and a growing captive finance arm. In recent weeks, AN has drawn attention for a third-quarter report that combined resilient recurring earnings with visible pressure in core vehicle retailing. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rose modestly year over year, extending a multi-quarter streak, while revenue was essentially flat. Record after-sales gross profit and a rapidly expanding AutoNation Finance loan portfolio provided ballast, but retail unit volumes declined and same-store gross profit contracted. Aggressive share repurchases — roughly $620 million year-to-date with an additional $1 billion authorization — have been a key driver of per-share growth even as adjusted net income declined. The stock has shown improving technical momentum recently, reclaiming its 50-day moving average, though longer-term performance remains below prior highs.
SAH Overview and Recent Performance
Sonic Automotive is a diversified automotive retailer operating three segments: Franchised Dealerships, the used-vehicle-focused EchoPark brand, and a growing Powersports business. Recent market activity has been more turbulent for SAH. The company reported all-time record quarterly revenue and gross profit, supported by 22% year-over-year EchoPark retail unit growth and record Powersports results, but its adjusted EPS came in below analyst expectations. The stock has experienced a meaningful pullback over the past month, contributing to negative short-term and one-year returns despite stronger multi-year performance. Sonic continues to emphasize fixed operations, which now represent a substantial majority of total gross profit, and it maintains an 11-year streak of dividend increases. Recent analyst actions have been mixed, with some firms maintaining buy ratings while others have adopted more cautious stances.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron maintains a large library of AI Trading Bots that collectively trade thousands of different tickers across varied strategies, timeframes, and risk profiles. Rather than promoting every available system, Tickeron curates a focused selection on its Trending AI Robots page, highlighting only the bots best suited to current market conditions. These systems differ meaningfully in trading style, holding period, performance statistics, and the specific tickers they monitor, allowing traders to match a bot's approach to their own objectives. Because market conditions shift, the featured selection is reviewed and updated to reflect which strategies are presently demonstrating the most relevant signals. Exploring this curated list can help traders and investors evaluate how automated, data-driven approaches are positioned across the current environment.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The two companies diverge most clearly on scale and strategy. AutoNation is significantly larger by market capitalization and revenue, with a national footprint and a heavy emphasis on buybacks as its primary capital-return tool. Sonic Automotive is a smaller-cap operator with a more diversified model — EchoPark targets the used-vehicle value segment, while Powersports adds exposure to a distinct demand cycle — and returns cash to shareholders through a growing dividend. On recent momentum, AN has shown steadier price behavior, while SAH's sharp drawdown reflects a market reassessment following its earnings miss. Both face similar macro risks, including high financing costs, softer consumer affordability, and inventory pressures, but their growth drivers differ: AN's captive finance arm is scaling quickly, whereas SAH is leaning on EchoPark and Powersports expansion. Valuation is broadly comparable on a price-to-earnings basis, leaving relative positioning and catalyst clarity as the primary differentiators.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including trend consistency, earnings resilience, and relative market positioning, Tickeron's AI would currently favor AN over SAH. AutoNation's combination of a steadier recent price trend, a seventh consecutive quarter of adjusted EPS growth, record recurring-revenue contribution from after-sales and finance, and disciplined capital allocation presents a more stable catalyst profile. Sonic Automotive's growth engines are notable, but its recent earnings miss and sharper near-term volatility introduce greater uncertainty. This assessment reflects a probabilistic, model-driven comparison of current conditions rather than a definitive prediction, and relative positioning could shift as new data emerges.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is AN is a Buy and SAH is a StrongBuy.
AN in upward trend: price rose above 50-day moving average on October 30, 2026
AN moved above its 50-day moving average on October 30, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend. In 50 of 62 similar past instances, the stock price increased further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 81%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 22, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on AN as a result. In 64 of 89 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 72%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for AN just turned positive on October 09, 2026. Looking at past instances where AN's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 29 of 43 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 67%.
Following a +9.78% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where AN advanced for three days, in 221 of 339 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 65%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for AN moved out of overbought territory on November 03, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 30 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 24 of the 30 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 80%.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 4 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where AN declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 61%.
AN broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 29, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for AN entered a downward trend on October 23, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 31 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 50 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 82, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 58 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.685) is normal, around the industry mean (1.497). P/E Ratio (8.416) is within average values for comparable stocks, (12.247). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.444) is also within normal values, averaging (0.695). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.011) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (0.255) is also within normal values, averaging (0.919).
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 58 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. AN’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 80 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
SAH sees its Stochastic Oscillator ascends from oversold territory
On October 26, 2026, the Stochastic Oscillator for SAH moved out of oversold territory and this could be a bullish sign for the stock. Traders may want to buy the stock or buy call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 49 instances where the indicator left the oversold zone. In 39 of the 49 cases the stock moved higher in the following days. This puts the odds of a move higher at over 80%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where SAH's RSI Oscillator exited the oversold zone, 13 of 21 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 62%.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on November 04, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on SAH as a result. In 66 of 88 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 75%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for SAH just turned positive on October 05, 2026. Looking at past instances where SAH's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 33 of 42 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 79%.
Following a +5.93% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where SAH advanced for three days, in 227 of 317 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 72%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 50-day moving average for SAH moved below the 200-day moving average on October 13, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where SAH declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 72%.
The Aroon Indicator for SAH entered a downward trend on October 09, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 46 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 61 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (1.974) is normal, around the industry mean (1.497). P/E Ratio (10.039) is within average values for comparable stocks, (12.247). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.597) is also within normal values, averaging (0.695). Dividend Yield (0.026) settles around the average of (0.011) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (0.159) is also within normal values, averaging (0.919).
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 72 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly worse than average price growth. SAH’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 80 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. SAH’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 82, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 87 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
AN | SAH | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 25 | 21 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 58 Fair valued | 61 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 80 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 31 | 46 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 58 | 72 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 80 | 87 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
AN's Valuation (58) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as SAH (61). This means that AN’s stock grew similarly to SAH’s over the last 12 months.
AN's Profit vs Risk Rating (50) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as SAH (80). This means that AN’s stock grew similarly to SAH’s over the last 12 months.
AN's SMR Rating (31) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as SAH (46). This means that AN’s stock grew similarly to SAH’s over the last 12 months.
AN's Price Growth Rating (58) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as SAH (72). This means that AN’s stock grew similarly to SAH’s over the last 12 months.
AN's P/E Growth Rating (80) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as SAH (87). This means that AN’s stock grew similarly to SAH’s over the last 12 months.
| AN | SAH | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 80% | 4 days ago 62% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 80% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 72% | 2 days ago 75% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 79% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 74% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 72% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 65% | 21 days ago 72% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 11 days ago 61% | 11 days ago 72% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | N/A |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 59% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
AN’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green while SAH’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- AN’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- SAH’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
AN’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while SAH’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AN’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- SAH’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
AN (@Automotive Aftermarket) experienced а +11.75% price change this week, while SAH (@Automotive Aftermarket) price change was +1.47% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Automotive Aftermarket industry was -0.03%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.28%, and the average quarterly price growth was -18.68%.
Reported Earning Dates
AN is expected to report earnings on Feb 16, 2027.
SAH is expected to report earnings on Feb 17, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Automotive Aftermarket (-0.03% weekly)The Automotive Aftermarket consists of the manufacturing, remanufacturing, distribution, retailing, and installation of vehicle parts and accessories, after the sale of the automobile by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to the consumer. The aftermarket parts many not be manufactured by the OEM. According to a Technavio study, the US automotive parts aftermarket size is estimated to grow by USD 24.33 billion during 2018-2022 (CAGR 3%). Like many other industries, the automotive aftermarket is also being intensely penetrated by the digital boom. The online auto parts sales market is predicted to exceed $13B by 2020 (according to a study by Mirakl).
Advertisement
AN and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, AN has been closely correlated with PAG. These tickers have moved in lockstep 79% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if AN jumps, then PAG could also see price increases.
SAH and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, SAH has been closely correlated with AN. These tickers have moved in lockstep 74% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if SAH jumps, then AN could also see price increases.
| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| SGDM | 70.90 | 5.63 | +8.63% |
| Sprott Gold Miners ETF (SGDM) | |||
| INDA | 50.03 | 1.33 | +2.73% |
| iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) | |||
| YDEC | 28.30 | 0.49 | +1.77% |
| FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December (YDEC) | |||
| WEEL | 19.85 | 0.25 | +1.27% |
| Peerless Option Income Wheel ETF (WEEL) | |||
| XA | 42.12 | -0.35 | -0.83% |
| Corgi AI Cybersecurity ETF (XA) | |||