Sonic Automotive (NYSE: SAH) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 20. 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 expand 11.3% and EPS will grow 16.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $2.30 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.50.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Sonic Automotive reported revenue of $2.15 billion. GAAP reported sales were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.93 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 $0.40. GAAP EPS of $0.18 for Q3 were 45% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.33 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 14.3%, 90 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 2.7%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 0.5%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $8.57 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.68.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 84 members out of 119 rating the stock outperform, and 35 members rating it underperform. Among 45 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 38 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 hold, with an average price target of $22.00.

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