Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) Now Covered by StockNews.com

Investment analysts at StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) in a note issued to investors on Monday. The firm set a “hold” rating on the stock.

Lifeway Foods Price Performance

LWAY opened at $22.92 on Monday. Lifeway Foods has a one year low of $10.06 and a one year high of $28.61. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $22.47 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $23.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $348.45 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.65 and a beta of 0.93.

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

Insider Activity

In other news, major shareholder Edward Smolyansky sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.23, for a total value of $464,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 1,251,642 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $29,075,643.66. This represents a 1.57 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 30,000 shares of Lifeway Foods stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.24, for a total value of $667,200.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 995,549 shares in the company, valued at $22,141,009.76. This represents a 2.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 82,034 shares of company stock valued at $1,842,967. Corporate insiders own 18.86% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lifeway Foods

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its position in shares of Lifeway Foods by 33.6% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 2,855 shares of the company’s stock worth $71,000 after buying an additional 718 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in Lifeway Foods by 71.2% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,778 shares of the company’s stock worth $72,000 after purchasing an additional 1,155 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers grew its holdings in Lifeway Foods by 23.3% in the fourth quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 5,606 shares of the company’s stock worth $139,000 after purchasing an additional 1,059 shares during the period. Barclays PLC increased its stake in shares of Lifeway Foods by 40.5% during the third 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. Finally, Sagefield Capital LP purchased a new position in shares of Lifeway Foods during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $211,000. Institutional investors own 36.39% of the company’s stock.

About Lifeway Foods

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.