LOCO vs SMBK: Correlation
How closely do El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) and SmartFinancial, Inc. (SMBK) trade together? Their weekly returns over three years give a correlation of 0.46, which is moderate.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are LOCO and SMBK?
On 3 years of weekly data the LOCO/SMBK correlation comes out at 0.46, moderate. The link has loosened recently: the 1-year correlation (0.31) runs below the 3-year figure (0.46). The 5-year figure is 0.46, and annualized covariance runs at 452.7 %².
Within LOCO's tracked universe of 12 assets, SMBK comes in at #4 by 3-year correlation. Twelve-month performance is nearly a tie, at +42.3% for LOCO and +37.6% for SMBK.
How is this computed?
Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.
LOCO vs SMBK: side by side
| LOCO (El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.) | SMBK (SmartFinancial, Inc.) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +42.3% | +37.6% |
| 5-year return | -3.0% | +113.7% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 33.9% | 28.9% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.82 | 0.84 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -35.9% | -26.4% |
| Market cap | $0.5B | $0.9B |
| P/E (trailing) | 13.3 | 14.9 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.65% |
| Sector / category | US Listed | US Listed |
Year-by-year returns
| Year | LOCO | SMBK |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -19.0% | +1.6% |
| 2023 | -11.4% | -9.7% |
| 2024 | +30.8% | +28.1% |
| 2025 | -9.4% | +20.5% |
| 2026 | +45.3% | +37.6% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are LOCO and SMBK good diversifiers for each other?
Yes, to a useful degree: a correlation of 0.46 leaves real independence between the two, which historically damped combined volatility.
FAQ
What is the correlation between LOCO and SMBK?
The LOCO/SMBK correlation stands at 0.46 on a 3-year window (1 year: 0.31, 5 years: 0.46), computed from weekly returns as of 2026-08-27.
Is SMBK a good diversifier for LOCO?
Yes, to a useful degree: a correlation of 0.46 leaves real independence between the two, which historically damped combined volatility.
What does a correlation of 0.46 mean?
Correlation ranges from −1 to +1. Values near +1 mean two assets move together, near 0 that they move independently, and negative values that they tend to move in opposite directions. It measures co-movement, not performance.
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Related comparisons
Hubs: LOCO correlations · SMBK correlations
