This paper presents a new extremum-seeking controller (ESC) derived from a statistical interpretation of conventional ESC. The proposed ESC replaces the gradient feedback variable with a normalized correlation coefficient. The algorithm, as presented, can be fully configured with knowledge of only the open-loop response time of the system being optimized and the amplitude of the dither signal. Simulation tests show that the new algorithm has fast convergence times compared with other types of ESC algorithms. The paper also shows that the proposed method is not limited to a periodic dither signal and that it can also utilize a stochastic signal to similar efficacy. The purpose of the paper is to describe the new algorithm and present a practical implementation along with results from simulation tests. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.