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Retained earnings is the accumulated portion of net income that is not distributed to shareholders. El Pollo Loco Holdings's retained earnings for the quarter that ended in Mar. 2026 was $51.7 Mil.
El Pollo Loco Holdings's quarterly retained earnings
increased
from Sep. 2025 ($37.0 Mil) to Dec. 2025 ($43.6 Mil) and
increased
from Dec. 2025 ($43.6 Mil) to Mar. 2026 ($51.7 Mil).
El Pollo Loco Holdings's annual retained earnings
increased
from Dec. 2023 ($14.0 Mil) to Dec. 2024 ($18.9 Mil) and
increased
from Dec. 2024 ($18.9 Mil) to Dec. 2025 ($43.6 Mil).
El Pollo Loco Holdings (NAS:LOCO) Retained Earnings Explanation
Historically profitable companies sometimes have negative retained earnings. This is because they have cumulatively paid out more to shareholders than they reported in profits.
For example, in 2011, Microsoft had negative retained earnings. This does not mean the company lost more money than it made over the years. It just means it paid out more money than it earned.
If a company has negative retained earnings, investors should check the 10-year financial results. They should not assume that negative retained earnings prove a company has generally lost money in the past.
Of course, many companies with negative retained earnings have indeed lost money in the past.
Retained Earnings: Warren Buffett's Secret.
One of the most important indicators of durable competitive advantage. Net earnings can be paid out as dividends, used to buy back shares or retained for growth.
If the company loses more than it has accumulated, retained earnings is negative.
If a company isn't adding to its retained earnings, it isn't growing its net worth.
Rate of growth of retained earnings is good indicator whether it's benefiting from a competitive advantage.
Microsoft is negative because it chose to buyback stock and pay dividends.
The more earnings retained, the faster it grows and increases growth rate for future earnings.
El Pollo Loco Holdings Retained Earnings Historical Data
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The historical data trend for El Pollo Loco Holdings's Retained Earnings can be seen below:
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
El Pollo Loco Holdings Retained Earnings Calculation
Retained Earnings is the accumulated portion of net income that is not distributed to shareholders. Because the net income was not distributed to shareholders, shareholders' equity is increased by the same amount.
Of course, if a company loses, it is called retained losses, or accumulated losses.
El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO) has a Retained Earnings of $51.7 Mil as of Mar. 2026. Retained earnings is the amount of net income not issued to shareholders. View historical data on El Pollo Loco Holdings and its competitors.
Is El Pollo Loco Holdings' Retained Earnings too high?
El Pollo Loco Holdings' current Retained Earnings is $51.7 Mil. Overall, El Pollo Loco Holdings has a GF Score™ of 70/100 and is considered Significantly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does El Pollo Loco Holdings' Retained Earnings compare to DIN and NATH?
El Pollo Loco Holdings' Retained Earnings of $51.7 Mil can be compared against companies in the Restaurants industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Retained Earnings for a Restaurants company?
A good Retained Earnings depends on the Restaurants industry context. However, Retained Earnings should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Retained Earnings mean?
A high Retained Earnings can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Retained earnings is the amount of net income not issued to shareholders. View historical data on El Pollo Loco Holdings and its competitors. El Pollo Loco Holdings's current Retained Earnings is $51.7 Mil. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is El Pollo Loco Holdings stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO) is currently considered Significantly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $11.66, compared to a current price of $16.13 — trading 38.3% above its estimated fair value. The current Retained Earnings is $51.7 Mil. El Pollo Loco Holdings' overall GF Score™ is 70/100 with 7 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Retained Earnings calculated?
Retained Earnings is calculated from a company's financial statements. For El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO), the current Retained Earnings is $51.7 Mil as of Mar. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is El Pollo Loco Holdings (LOCO) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, El Pollo Loco Holdings stock appears to be overvalued.
The current stock price of $16.13 is trading 38.3% above its estimated GF Value™ of $11.66.
GuruFocus considers El Pollo Loco Holdings to be Significantly Overvalued.
Key valuation signals for LOCO:
Retained Earnings: $51.7 Mil
GF Value™: $11.66 vs. price of $16.13 (38.3% above fair value)
No single metric tells the full story. See the LOCO stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc operates and franchises hundreds of fast-casual chicken restaurants in the United States. It specializes in fire-grilling citrus-marinated chicken and operates in the limited service restaurant market segment. Its offerings include Mexican-inspired menu items, including burritos, tostadas, bowls, salads, and bone-in chicken meals in various portion sizes. It also offers citrus-marinated fire-grilled chicken, along with a range of salsas and dressings that allow customers to customize their meals. The company operates in one operating segment. The majority of the company's revenue is derived from company-operated restaurant revenue.
70GF Score
Get the complete analysis for LOCO
Retained Earnings is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
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