Every material Form 8-K Sonic Automotive filed with the SEC in 2026, read and summarized by AI: what happened, the key figures, whether it reads positive or negative for shareholders, and how big a deal it is (impact 1-5). Newest first; each brief links to its own page and to the filing on SEC.gov.
Sonic Automotive reported record third-quarter 2026 total revenues of $4.0 billion, up 0.4% year-over-year, but net income fell 12% to $41.1 million and diluted earnings per share fell 4% to $1.28. The board also approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.41 per share, up from $0.38 a year earlier, payable January 15, 2027.
Total revenues of $4.0 billion, up 0.4%; gross profit of $617.5 million, up 0.3%
Net income of $41.1 million, down 12%; diluted EPS of $1.28, down 4%; adjusted diluted EPS of $1.30, down 8%
EchoPark retail used vehicle unit sales volume of 19,923, up 22%
Quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share, payable January 15, 2027 to holders of record December 15, 2026
Sonic Automotive reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of $3.9 billion, up 8% year over year, and gross profit of $616.2 million, up 2%. Reported net income rose to $57.4 million from a loss of $45.6 million a year earlier, which included impairment charges, but adjusted net income fell 23% to $58.3 million. The Board also approved a quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share.
Total revenues $3.9 billion, up 8%; gross profit $616.2 million, up 2%
Reported diluted EPS $1.79 versus a loss of $1.34 a year earlier; adjusted diluted EPS $1.82, down 17%
EchoPark retail used unit volume up 17% to 19,601; EchoPark segment income $7.2 million, down 38%
Quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share, payable October 15, 2026, to holders of record on September 15, 2026
Sonic Automotive's Compensation Committee approved performance-based restricted stock unit grants to three executive officers, effective May 6, 2026. The awards are tied to the company's adjusted earnings per share for 2026 and vest in installments through February 2029, so they align executive pay with future per-share results.
Grants: David Bruton Smith 69,872 units; Jeff Dyke 38,175 units; Heath R. Byrd 26,183 units
Awards are subject to forfeiture based on achievement of defined adjusted EPS measures for calendar year 2026
Vesting: 25% on March 31, 2027; 30% on February 11, 2028; 45% on February 11, 2029, subject to the performance condition
At its April 29, 2026 annual meeting, Sonic Automotive stockholders approved a new 2026 Equity Incentive Plan, which replaces the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan, and re-elected all nine director nominees. The filing also reports approval of the auditor, an advisory say-on-pay vote, and an amended director restricted stock plan, so shareholders should note the new share reserve for future equity awards.
The 2026 Equity Incentive Plan reserves 2,318,148 Class A shares, including 318,148 shares left available under the 2012 plan, and runs until February 10, 2036.
The equity plan received 133,026,040 votes for and 5,662,777 votes against, with 2,955 abstentions and 1,961,571 broker non-votes.
The advisory vote on fiscal 2025 executive pay received 133,238,802 votes for and 5,439,356 against.
Grant Thornton LLP was ratified as the independent auditor for fiscal 2026 with 140,643,605 votes for and 1,535 against.
Sonic Automotive reported first quarter 2026 results, with total revenues of $3.7 billion, up 1%, and gross profit of $598.8 million, up 6%. Net income fell 14% to $60.8 million, and diluted earnings per share fell 12% to $1.79, though the prior-year quarter included a $30.0 million pre-tax cyber insurance gain. The board also raised the quarterly dividend 8% and approved an additional $500 million share repurchase authorization.
Total revenues $3.7 billion, up 1%; gross profit $598.8 million, up 6%
Net income $60.8 million, down 14%; diluted EPS $1.79, down 12%; adjusted diluted EPS $1.62, up 9%
Quarterly dividend raised 8% to $0.41 per share, payable July 15, 2026 to holders of record June 15, 2026
Board approved $500 million in added buyback authority; total unused repurchase authority is $528 million
Sonic Automotive entered into a Bridge Facility Credit Agreement with PNC Bank on March 27, 2026, and borrowed the full $150 million available under it. The loan matures on the earlier of 364 days after closing or a refinancing of its existing PNC Mortgage Facility, and carries interest of Term SOFR plus 2.50% or a base rate plus 1.50%. For shareholders, this adds $150 million of short-term debt, with the filing noting customary covenants that could restrict dividends and other payments.
Bridge facility totals $150 million, fully drawn on March 27, 2026, from PNC Bank as administrative agent and lender
Loan matures on the earlier of 364 days after closing or a refinancing of the PNC Mortgage Facility
Interest is Term SOFR plus 2.50% per annum or base rate plus 1.50%, at the company's option
Facility can be prepaid without premium or penalty; covenants could restrict indebtedness and dividends
Sonic Automotive reported fourth-quarter 2025 revenue of $3.9 billion, down 1%, and net income of $46.9 million, down 20%, while full-year revenue rose 7% to a record $15.2 billion. Full-year net income fell 45% to $118.7 million, reflecting a $173.8 million non-cash impairment charge, and the board approved a $0.38 quarterly dividend payable April 15, 2026.
Q4 2025 diluted EPS was $1.36, down 19%; adjusted diluted EPS was $1.52, up 1%
Q4 gross profit was a record $598.7 million, up 4%
Full-year 2025 diluted EPS was $3.42, down 45%, including a $173.8 million second-quarter impairment charge
Quarterly dividend of $0.38 per share is payable April 15, 2026 to holders of record on March 13, 2026
Sonic Automotive's Compensation Committee set 2026 performance criteria for cash bonuses for Chairman and CEO David Bruton Smith, President Jeff Dyke, and CFO Heath R. Byrd. Bonus amounts will be determined after the performance period ends and paid by March 15, 2027, so the filing does not show a financial result or a payout amount.
Bonus parameters were set February 11, 2026 for the January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 performance period.
Bonuses are tied to adjusted earnings per share goals and customer satisfaction goals based on the share of dealerships meeting manufacturer objectives.
Actual bonus amounts will be determined by the Compensation Committee and paid no later than March 15, 2027.
Briefs are written by AI from the filing text (each brief's own page names the model) and can contain mistakes — open the filing before acting on anything. Impact (1-5) and tone are the model's reading of the filing for shareholders, not a price forecast. Not investment advice.
Only material 8-Ks get a brief: results, deals, executive changes, restructuring, impairments, delisting notices, restatements, cybersecurity incidents and other disclosed events. Routine filings (vote results, exhibits only) are skipped. Every Sonic Automotive filing is on SEC EDGAR ↗. 8-K briefs of other companies →