COMPARE · Reviewed August 3, 2026
OPLN vs SAH
Verdict: Side-by-side breakdown using the Bull Rankings model. OPLN scored 65.4, SAH scored 67.8 — SAH leads.
Compare another set
Different reporting periods. SAH's fundamentals are as of June 2026, but OPLN's are as of March 2026 — a 3-month gap. Growth, margin and valuation figures below therefore describe different windows and aren't strictly like-for-like.
OPLN
OPENLANE, Inc.
65.4
$39.65 · $4.2B
fundamentals as of
Score gap
2.4
SAH leads
SAH
Sonic Automotive, Inc.
67.8
$87.28 · $2.8B
fundamentals as of
The model, pillar by pillar (0–100 each)
OPLN
stronger →← stronger
SAH
68
Qualityreturns · margins · balance sheet
65
69
Growthrevenue & earnings expansion
70
59
Valuevaluation vs sector peers
68
SAH is stronger on 2 of 3 pillars.
Fundamentals, head-to-head
OPLN
SAH
$693mC+
FCF
$245mC
+10.1%B
Rev
+5.3%C+
1.49C+
D/E
4.56D
2.1xC+
P/S
—
1.22B
PEG
0.44A
—
P/E
13.9xA-
Winner per row is the stronger grade in our model; a tie or a missing value shows no highlight.
Valuation · DCF cross-check
OPLN
SAH
65% below
Price vs fair valuelower is cheaper
40% below
~-14%/yr
Growth the price implies10-yr FCF · lower = less priced in
~-5%/yr
+131%
1-yr DCF upside
+53%
+182%
5-yr DCF upside
+67%
+275%
10-yr DCF upside
+90%
The DCF is a cross-check on intrinsic value, separate from the quality-growth score above.
Model signals
OPLN
No notable signals flagged.
SAH
Why this score
- Raising its dividend
The companies
OPLNOPENLANE, Inc.
Why now
Auto & Truck Dealerships · market cap $4.2b. 8% off the 52-week high of $42.90. Revenue growing +10%, comfortably above the S&P median. 9 sell-side analysts rate this a Buy with a mean 1-yr target of $42.11 (implying +6% upside).
Moat
ROE 15% sits above Buffett's preferred 15% threshold — the equity base is compounding at a rate the market struggles to discount accurately. Free cash flow runs well ahead of reported net income — non-cash charges (depreciation, intangible amortization) are holding down GAAP earnings while cash generation stays strong.
Risk
Higher-variance name — the thesis leans on growth and valuation rather than a long, settled track record, so it depends on execution continuing. Position size accordingly; a deep drawdown shouldn't change the thesis.
SAHSonic Automotive, Inc.
Why now
Auto & Truck Dealerships · market cap $2.8b. Down 23% from 52-week high of $113.67 — deep drawdown territory. PEG 0.44 — paying under fair value for the growth rate. 11 sell-side analysts rate this a Buy with a mean 1-yr target of $98.18 (implying +12% upside).
Moat
ROE 21% sits above Buffett's preferred 15% threshold — the equity base is compounding at a rate the market struggles to discount accurately. FCF converts 115% of net income — earnings translate cleanly into cash, a sign that working capital and capex are well-disciplined.
Risk
D/E 4.56 is elevated — limits strategic flexibility and raises refinancing exposure if rates stay higher for longer. Net margin 1.4% is thin — operating leverage cuts both ways; input-cost inflation or pricing pressure hits the bottom line first.
Verdict — model-derived comparison
Generating verdict… typically 5–10 seconds
Not investment advice. The Bull Rankings publishes a quantitative ranking model and accompanying analysis for general informational purposes only. Nothing on this page is a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security; nothing is personalized to your circumstances, risk tolerance, or tax situation. Investing carries the risk of loss — invest at your own risk and consider consulting a licensed financial professional before acting on anything you read here. See terms and methodology for full disclosures.