Sonic Automotive (NYSE: SAH) is expected to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 23. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

The 10-second takeaway
 Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Sonic Automotive's revenues will grow 11.1% and EPS will expand 21.2%.

The average estimate for revenue is $2.21 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.40.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Sonic Automotive notched revenue of $2.19 billion. GAAP reported sales were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.95 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 Last quarter, non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.46. GAAP EPS of $0.47 for Q2 were 34% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.35 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Recent performance
 For the preceding quarter, gross margin was 14.7%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 2.7%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.3%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $8.59 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.67.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 84 members out of 121 rating the stock outperform, and 37 members rating it underperform. Among 42 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 35 give Sonic Automotive a green thumbs-up, and seven give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Sonic Automotive is outperform, with an average price target of $20.83.

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