Sonic Automotive (NYSE: SAH) is expected to report Q2 earnings on July 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 increase 5.5% and EPS will expand 13.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $2.31 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.52.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Sonic Automotive recorded revenue of $2.08 billion. GAAP reported sales were 8.1% 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 $0.41. GAAP EPS of $0.40 for Q1 were 14% 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 15.0%, 80 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 2.6%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.0%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $9.00 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.01.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 86 members out of 121 rating the stock outperform, and 35 members rating it underperform. Among 49 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 40 give Sonic Automotive a green thumbs-up, and nine 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 $24.75.

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