CUSIP NO. 83545G102                           13G                            Page 1 of 14

 

 

                                                                             UNITED STATES

                                                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                                                                    Washington, D.C. 20549

 

                                                                              SCHEDULE 13G

 

                                                 Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                                                                         (Amendment No. )*

 

                                                                    SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

                                                                          (Name of Issuer)

 

                                                      Class A Common Stock, $.01 Par Value

                                                            (Title of Class of Securities)

 

                                                                                 83545G102

                                                                            (CUSIP Number)

 

                                                                         December 31, 2010

 

                                   (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

  Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

 

    [X] Rule 13d‑1(b)

    [ ] Rule 13d‑1(c)

    [ ] Rule 13d‑1(d)

 

    *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial

    filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any

    subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in

    a prior cover page.

 

    The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be

    "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or

    otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to

    all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 


 

 

 

      CUSIP NO. 83545G102                           13G                            Page 2 of 14

 

 

          1.    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.    

 

                      Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

          2.    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 

                      (a)

                      (b) X

 

          3.    SEC USE ONLY

 

          4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

                      Delaware

 

          NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

 

                      5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

                      6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

                      7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

                      8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

          9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

                     3,519,520

 

          10.   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

                      CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

 

          11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

 

                      8.6%

 

          12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 

                      HC, CO (See Item 4)

 

 


 

 

 

      CUSIP NO. 83545G102                           13G                            Page 3 of 14

 

 

          1.    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.    

 

                      Charles B. Johnson

 

          2.    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 

                      (a)

                      (b) X

 

          3.    SEC USE ONLY

 

          4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

                      USA

 

          NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

 

                      5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

                      6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

                      7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

                      8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

          9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

                     

                     3,519,520

 

          10.   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

                      CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

 

          11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

 

                      8.6%

                     

 

          12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 

                      HC, IN (See Item 4)

 

 


 

 

 

      CUSIP NO. 83545G102                           13G                            Page 4 of 14

 

 

          1.    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.    

 

                      Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

 

          2.    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 

                      (a)

                      (b) X

 

          3.    SEC USE ONLY

 

          4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

                      USA

 

          NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

 

                      5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

                      6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

                      7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

                      8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

          9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

                     

                     3,519,520

 

          10.   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

                      CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

 

          11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

                      8.6%

                     

 

          12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 

                      HC, IN (See Item 4)

 

 


 

 

 

      CUSIP NO. 83545G102                           13G                            Page 5 of 14

 

 

          1.     NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.    

 

                        Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

 

          2.     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 

                        (a)

                        (b) X

          3.     SEC USE ONLY

 

          4.     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

                        Canada

 

                  NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

 

                      5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

 

                                  3,519,520

 

                      6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

 

                                   0

 

                      7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                  3,519,520

                      8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                   0

 

          9.     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

                       3,519,520

 

          10.    CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

                        CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

 

          11.    PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

 

                        8.6%

 

          12.    TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 

                        IA, CO (See Item 4)

 

 


 

 

 

      CUSIP NO. 83545G102                           13G                            Page 6 of 14

 

 

          Item 1.

 

          (a)   Name of Issuer

 

                      SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

 

          (b)   Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices

 

                      6415 Idlewild Road, Suite 109

           Charlotte, NC  28212

                     

 

                     

 

          Item 2.

 

          (a)   Name of Person Filing

 

                      (i):   Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

                      (ii):  Charles B. Johnson

 

                      (iii): Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

 

                      (iv):  Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

 

          (b)   Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence

 

                      (i), (ii), and (iii):

                      One Franklin Parkway

                      San Mateo, CA 94403‑1906

 

                     (iv): 200 King Street West, Suite 1500

                                  Toronto, Ontario, Canada  M5H 3T4

 

          (c)   Citizenship

 

                      (i): Delaware

                      (ii) and (iii): USA

                      (iv): Canada

 

          (d)   Title of Class of Securities

 

                      Class A Common Stock, $.01 Par Value

 

          (e)   CUSIP Number

 

                      83545G102

 

 


 

 

 

      CUSIP NO. 83545G102                           13G                            Page 7 of 14

 

 

          Item 3.  If this statement is filed pursuant to §§240.13d‑1(b) or 240.13d‑2(b) or (c),

                           check whether the person filing is a:

                        (a) [ ] Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o).

                        (b) [ ] Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).

                        (c) [ ] Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C.

                                        78c).

                        (d) [ ] Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company

                                        Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C 80a‑8).

                        (e) [X] An investment adviser in accordance with §240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii)(E);

                        (f) [ ] An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with

                                        §240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii)(F);

                        (g) [X] A parent holding company or control person in accordance with

                                       §240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii)(G);

                        (h) [ ] A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit

                                       Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);

                        (i) [ ] A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment

                                       company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15

                                       U.S.C. 80a‑3);

                        (j) [ ] A non‑U.S. institution in accordance with §240.13d‑1(b)(ii)(J);

                        (k) [ ] Group, in accordance with §240.13d 1(b)(1)(ii)(K).

 

              If filing as a non‑U.S. institution in accordance with §240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii)(J). please

              specify the type of institution:

 

          Item 4.   Ownership

 

          The securities reported herein (the “Securities”) are beneficially owned by one or

          more open‑ or closed‑end investment companies or other managed accounts that are

          investment management clients of investment managers that are direct and indirect

          subsidiaries (each, an “Investment Management Subsidiary” and, collectively, the

          “Investment Management Subsidiaries”) of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“FRI”), including

          the Investment Management Subsidiaries listed in Item 7.  Investment management

          contracts grant to the Investment Management Subsidiaries all investment and/or

          voting power over the securities owned by such investment management clients, unless

          otherwise noted in this Item 4.  Therefore, for purposes of Rule 13d‑3 under the Act,

          the Investment Management Subsidiaries may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of

          the Securities.

 

          Beneficial ownership by Investment Management Subsidiaries and other affiliates of

          FRI is being reported in conformity with the guidelines articulated by the SEC staff

          in Release No. 34‑39538 (January 12, 1998) relating to organizations, such as FRI,

          where related entities exercise voting and investment powers over the securities

          being reported independently from each other.  The voting and investment powers held

          by Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC (“FMA”), an indirect wholly‑owned Investment

          Management Subsidiary, are exercised independently from FRI and from all other

          Investment Management Subsidiaries (FRI, its affiliates and the Investment Management

          Subsidiaries other than FMA are collectively, “FRI affiliates”).  Furthermore,

          internal policies and procedures of FMA and FRI establish informational barriers that

          prevent the flow between FMA and the FRI affiliates of information that relates to

          the voting and investment powers over the securities owned by their respective

          investment management clients.  Consequently, FMA and the FRI affiliates report the

          securities over which they hold investment and voting power separately from each

          other for purposes of Section 13 of the Act.

 

 


 

 

 

      CUSIP NO. 83545G102                           13G                            Page 8 of 14

 

 

        Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. (the “Principal Shareholders”) each own

        in excess of 10% of the outstanding common stock of FRI and are the principal

        stockholders of FRI.  FRI and the Principal Shareholders may be deemed to be, for

        purposes of Rule 13d‑3 under the Act, the beneficial owners of securities held by

        persons and entities for whom or for which FRI subsidiaries provide investment

        management services.  The number of shares that may be deemed to be beneficially

        owned and the percentage of the class of which such shares are a part are reported in

        Items 9 and 11 of the cover pages for FRI and each of the Principal Shareholders. 

        FRI, the Principal Shareholders and each of the Investment Management Subsidiaries

        disclaim any pecuniary interest in any of the Securities.  In addition, the filing of

        this Schedule 13G on behalf of the Principal Shareholders, FRI and FRI affiliates, as

        applicable, should not be construed as an admission that any of them is, and each of

        them disclaims that it is, the beneficial owner, as defined in Rule 13d‑3, of any of

        the Securities.

 

        FRI, the Principal Shareholders, and each of the Investment Management Subsidiaries

        believe that they are not a “group” within the meaning of Rule 13d‑5 under the Act

        and that they are not otherwise required to attribute to each other the beneficial

        ownership of the Securities held by any of them or by any persons or entities for

        whom or for which the Investment Management Subsidiaries provide investment

        management services.

 

 (a) Amount beneficially owned:

 

 

 

 

   3,519,520

 

 

 

 

(b) Percent of class:

 

 

 

 

   8.6%

 

 

 

 

(c) Number of shares as to which the person has:

 

 

 

(i)

Sole power to vote or to direct the vote

 

 

 

 Franklin Resources, Inc.:

0

 

 

 

 Charles B. Johnson:

0

 

 

 

 Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.:

0

 

 

 

 Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.:

3,519,520

 

 

 

(ii)

Shared power to vote or to direct the vote

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

(iii)

Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

 

 

 

 Franklin Resources, Inc.:

0

 

 

 

 Charles B. Johnson:

0

 

 

 

 Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.:

0

 

 

 

 

Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.:

3,519,520

 

 

 

(iv)

Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 


 

 

 

      CUSIP NO. 83545G102                           13G                            Page 9 of 14

 

          Item 5.  Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

 

                            If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date

                            hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more

                            than five percent of the class of securities, check the following [ ].

 

          Item 6.  Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person

 

                            The clients of the Investment Management Subsidiaries, including investment

                            companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other

                            managed accounts, have the right to receive or power to direct the receipt of

                            dividends from, and the proceeds from the sale of, the Securities. 

 

 

          Item 7.  Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the

                            Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company

 

                            See Attached Exhibit C

 

          Item 8.  Identification and Classification of Members of the Group

 

                            Not Applicable

 

          Item 9.  Notice of Dissolution of Group

 

                            Not Applicable

 

 


 

 

 

      CUSIP NO. 83545G102                           13G                            Page 10 of 14

 

          Item 10. Certification

          By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the

          securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of

          business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect

          of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not

          acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction

          having that purpose or effect.

 

          This report shall not be construed as an admission by the persons filing the report

          that they are the beneficial owner of any securities covered by this report.

 

          Exhibits.

                            Exhibit A Joint Filing Agreement

                            Exhibit B Limited Powers of Attorney for Section 13 Reporting Obligations

                            Exhibit C Item 7 Identification and Classification of Subsidiaries

 

                                                                                  SIGNATURE

 

          After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that

          the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

          Dated:  January 27, 2011

 

          Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

          Charles B. Johnson

 

          Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

 

          Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

 

                        

           By:    /s/ROBERT C. ROSSELOT

                         ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

                         Robert C. Rosselot

                         Assistant Secretary of Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

                         Attorney‑in‑Fact for Charles B. Johnson pursuant to Power of Attorney

                         attached to this Schedule 13G

 

                         Attorney‑in‑Fact for Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. pursuant to Power of Attorney

                         attached to this Schedule 13G

 

    

     Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

                        

          By:     /s/BRAD G. BEUTTENMILLER

                         ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

                         Brad G. Beuttenmiller

                         Senior Vice President, Chief Counsel, Canada & Corporate Secretary

 


 

 

 

      CUSIP NO. 83545G102                           13G                            Page 11 of 14

 

          EXHIBIT A

 

          JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

 

          In accordance with Rule 13d‑1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as

          amended, the undersigned hereby agree to the joint filing with each other of the

          attached statement on Schedule 13G and to all amendments to such statement and that

          such statement and all amendments to such statement are made on behalf of each of

          them.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this agreement on

          January 27, 2011.

 

          Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

          Charles B. Johnson

 

          Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

 

           Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

 

                      

          By:    /s/ROBERT C. ROSSELOT

                       ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

                       Robert C. Rosselot

                       Assistant Secretary of Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

                       Attorney‑in‑Fact for Charles B. Johnson pursuant to Power of Attorney

                       attached to this Schedule 13G

 

                       Attorney‑in‑Fact for Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. pursuant to Power of Attorney

                       attached to this Schedule 13G

 

   

    Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

 

        By:     /s/BRAD G. BEUTTENMILLER

                       ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

                       Brad G. Beuttenmiller

                       Senior Vice President, Chief Counsel, Canada & Corporate Secretary

 

 

 


 

 

 

      CUSIP NO. 83545G102                           13G                            Page 12 of 14

 

 

          EXHIBIT B

 

                                                                      LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                                                                                            FOR

                                                               SECTION 13 REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

 

                  Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby makes, constitutes

          and appoints each of Robert Rosselot and Maria Gray, each acting individually, as the

          undersigned’s true and lawful attorney‑in‑fact, with full power and authority as

          hereinafter described on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the

          undersigned to:

 

          (1)     prepare, execute, acknowledge, deliver and file Schedules 13D and 13G

          (including any amendments thereto or any related documentation) with the United

          States Securities and Exchange Commission, any national securities exchanges and

          Franklin Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Reporting Entity”), as

          considered necessary or advisable under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of

          1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to

          time (the “Exchange Act”); and

 

          (2)     perform any and all other acts which in the discretion of such

          attorney‑in‑fact are necessary or desirable for and on behalf of the undersigned in

          connection with the foregoing.

 

                  The undersigned acknowledges that:

 

          (1)   this Limited Power of Attorney authorizes, but does not require, each such

          attorney‑in‑fact to act in their discretion on information provided to such

          attorney‑in‑fact without independent verification of such information;

          (2)   any documents prepared and/or executed by either such attorney‑in‑fact on

          behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Limited Power of Attorney will be in such

          form and will contain such information and disclosure as such attorney‑in‑fact, in

          his or her discretion, deems necessary or desirable;

          (3)   neither the Reporting Entity nor either of such attorneys‑in‑fact assumes (i)

          any liability for the undersigned’s responsibility to comply with the requirements of

          the Exchange Act or (ii) any liability of the undersigned for any failure to comply

          with such requirements; and

          (4)   this Limited Power of Attorney does not relieve the undersigned from

          responsibility for compliance with the undersigned’s obligations under the Exchange

          Act, including without limitation the reporting requirements under Section 13 of the

          Exchange Act.

                The undersigned hereby gives and grants each of the foregoing attorneys‑in‑fact

          full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever

          requisite, necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the foregoing matters as

          fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if present,

          hereby ratifying all that each such attorney‑in‑fact of, for and on behalf of the

          undersigned, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Limited Power of

          Attorney.

 

                This Limited Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until revoked

          by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to each such attorney‑in‑fact.

 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Limited Power of Attorney to be

          executed as of this      30th      day of          April        , 2007

 

                                                                                                                              /s/Charles B. Johnson

                                                                                                                              Signature

 

                                                                                                                              Charles B. Johnson

                                                                                                                              Print Name

 


 

 

 

      CUSIP NO. 83545G102                           13G                            Page 13 of 14

 

 

                                                                      LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                                                                                            FOR

                                                               SECTION 13 REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

 

                  Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby makes, constitutes

          and appoints each of Robert Rosselot and Maria Gray, each acting individually, as the

          undersigned’s true and lawful attorney‑in‑fact, with full power and authority as

          hereinafter described on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the

          undersigned to:

 

          (1)     prepare, execute, acknowledge, deliver and file Schedules 13D and 13G

          (including any amendments thereto or any related documentation) with the United

          States Securities and Exchange Commission, any national securities exchanges and

          Franklin Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Reporting Entity”), as

          considered necessary or advisable under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of

          1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to

          time (the “Exchange Act”); and

 

          (2)     perform any and all other acts which in the discretion of such

          attorney‑in‑fact are necessary or desirable for and on behalf of the undersigned in

          connection with the foregoing.

 

                  The undersigned acknowledges that:

 

          (1)   this Limited Power of Attorney authorizes, but does not require, each such

          attorney‑in‑fact to act in their discretion on information provided to such

          attorney‑in‑fact without independent verification of such information;

          (2)   any documents prepared and/or executed by either such attorney‑in‑fact on

          behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Limited Power of Attorney will be in such

          form and will contain such information and disclosure as such attorney‑in‑fact, in

          his or her discretion, deems necessary or desirable;

          (3)   neither the Reporting Entity nor either of such attorneys‑in‑fact assumes (i)

          any liability for the undersigned’s responsibility to comply with the requirements of

          the Exchange Act or (ii) any liability of the undersigned for any failure to comply

          with such requirements; and

          (4)   this Limited Power of Attorney does not relieve the undersigned from

          responsibility for compliance with the undersigned’s obligations under the Exchange

          Act, including without limitation the reporting requirements under Section 13 of the

          Exchange Act.

 

                The undersigned hereby gives and grants each of the foregoing attorneys‑in‑fact

          full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever

          requisite, necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the foregoing matters as

          fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if present,

          hereby ratifying all that each such attorney‑in‑fact of, for and on behalf of the

          undersigned, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Limited Power of

          Attorney.

 

                This Limited Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until revoked

          by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to each such attorney‑in‑fact.

 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Limited Power of Attorney to be

          executed as of this         25th         day of      April         , 2007

 

                                                                                                                        /s/ Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

                                                                                                                        Signature

 

                                                                                                                        Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

                                                                                                                        Print Name

 


 

 

 

      CUSIP NO. 83545G102                           13G                            Page 14 of 14

 

          EXHIBIT C

 

          Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.                        Item 3 Classification: 3(e)