StockNews.com Begins Coverage on Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY)

Stock analysts at StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Sunday. The firm set a “hold” rating on the stock.

Lifeway Foods Price Performance

Lifeway Foods stock opened at $24.45 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $371.71 million, a PE ratio of 28.43 and a beta of 1.00. Lifeway Foods has a 1-year low of $10.06 and a 1-year high of $28.61. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $22.36 and its 200 day moving average price is $23.74.

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) last announced 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). Lifeway Foods had a return on equity of 19.97% and a net margin of 7.23%. The firm had revenue of $46.93 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $48.00 million.

Insider Buying and Selling at Lifeway Foods

In other news, major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 15,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.12, for a total transaction of $361,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 1,040,549 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $25,098,041.88. This represents a 1.42 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, major shareholder Edward Smolyansky sold 20,000 shares of Lifeway Foods stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.23, for a total transaction of $464,600.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 1,251,642 shares in the company, valued at $29,075,643.66. This represents a 1.57 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 142,034 shares of company stock worth $3,261,817. 18.86% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of LWAY. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its stake in shares of Lifeway Foods by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 436,371 shares of the company’s stock valued at $10,822,000 after purchasing an additional 6,189 shares in the last quarter. Beryl Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lifeway Foods in the fourth quarter worth $3,607,000. TIG Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lifeway Foods during the 4th quarter worth $3,512,000. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL grew its position in shares of Lifeway Foods by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 120,350 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,985,000 after purchasing an additional 1,050 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Divisadero Street Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Lifeway Foods in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $2,925,000. 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.