Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) Earns Hold Rating from Analysts at StockNews.com

StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) in a report published on Friday morning. The firm issued a hold rating on the stock.

Lifeway Foods Stock Performance

Lifeway Foods stock opened at $20.06 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $22.09 and a 200-day simple moving average of $23.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $297.21 million, a P/E ratio of 23.33 and a beta of 1.00. Lifeway Foods has a one year low of $10.06 and a one year high of $28.61.

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, March 14th. The company reported ($0.01) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.18 by ($0.19). The firm had revenue of $46.93 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $48.00 million. Lifeway Foods had a return on equity of 19.97% and a net margin of 7.23%.

Insider Transactions at Lifeway Foods

In related news, major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.31, for a total value of $213,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 17,343 shares in the company, valued at $369,579.33. This represents a 36.57 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 122,034 shares of company stock worth $2,797,217. Insiders own 18.86% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lifeway Foods

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Covestor Ltd bought a new position in Lifeway Foods in the 3rd quarter valued at about $50,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in Lifeway Foods by 71.2% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,778 shares of the company’s stock valued at $72,000 after buying an additional 1,155 shares in the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its position in Lifeway Foods by 33.6% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 2,855 shares of the company’s stock valued at $71,000 after buying an additional 718 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its position in shares of Lifeway Foods by 23.3% during the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 5,606 shares of the company’s stock valued at $139,000 after purchasing an additional 1,059 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC boosted its position in shares of Lifeway Foods by 40.5% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 6,420 shares of the company’s stock valued at $167,000 after purchasing an additional 1,849 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 36.39% of the company’s stock.

Lifeway Foods Company Profile

Lifeway Foods, Inc produces and markets probiotic-based products in the United States and internationally. Its primary product is drinkable kefir, a cultured dairy product in various organic and non-organic sizes, flavors, and types. The company offers European-style soft cheeses; cream and other products; ProBugs, a line of kefir products designed for children; drinkable yogurt; and fresh made butter and sour cream.