El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc (LOCO)vsLowe's Companies Inc (LOW)
LOCO
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc
$13.82
-0.14%
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · Cap: $426.07M
LOW
Lowe's Companies Inc
$210.74
-0.23%
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · Cap: $115.86B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Lowe's Companies Inc generates 17692% more annual revenue ($88.43B vs $497.05M). LOW leads profitability with a 7.5% profit margin vs 5.9%. LOCO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.16. LOCO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 67/100 (B-).
LOCO
Strong Buy67
out of 100
Grade: B-
LOW
Hold50
out of 100
Grade: D+
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+2.4%
Fair Value
$10.97
Current Price
$13.82
$2.85 discount
Margin of Safety
-50.6%
Fair Value
$139.97
Current Price
$210.74
$70.77 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Reasonable price relative to book value
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Earnings expanding 43.3% YoY
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Large-cap with strong market position
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Generating 2.8B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Distress zone — elevated risk
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
5.9% margin — thin
Grey zone — moderate risk
ROE of 0.0% — below average capital efficiency
7.5% margin — thin
Weak financial health signals
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : LOCO
The strongest argument for LOCO centers on Price/Book, P/E Ratio, EPS Growth. PEG of 1.16 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : LOW
The strongest argument for LOW centers on Debt/Equity, Market Cap, P/E Ratio. Revenue growth of 10.3% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 1.36 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bear Case : LOCO
The primary concerns for LOCO are Altman Z-Score, Market Cap, Profit Margin.
Bear Case : LOW
The primary concerns for LOW are Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity, Profit Margin.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
LOW carries more volatility with a beta of 0.90 — expect wider price swings.
LOW is growing revenue faster at 10.3% — sustainability is the question.
LOW generates stronger free cash flow (2.8B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor RESTAURANTS industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
LOCO scores higher overall (67/100 vs 50/100). Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · RESTAURANTS · USA
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiary El Pollo Loco, Inc., develops, franchises, licenses and operates quick service restaurants under the name El Pollo Loco. The company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California.
Lowe's Companies Inc
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAIL · USA
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is an American retail company specializing in home improvement. Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, the company operates a chain of retail stores in the United States and Canada.
Visit Website →Compare with Other RESTAURANTS Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?