ClearAlpha Technologies LP Makes New $248,000 Investment in Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:LWAY)

ClearAlpha Technologies LP purchased a new stake in Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:LWAY) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 10,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $248,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its holdings in Lifeway Foods by 1.4% in 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 during the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL boosted its position in shares of Lifeway Foods by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 120,350 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,985,000 after buying an additional 1,050 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Lifeway Foods by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 115,971 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,006,000 after acquiring an additional 2,018 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in Lifeway Foods by 712.8% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 85,959 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,132,000 after acquiring an additional 75,383 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. increased its holdings in Lifeway Foods by 27.7% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 69,302 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,719,000 after acquiring an additional 15,046 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 36.39% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Lifeway Foods in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. They issued a “hold” rating on the stock.

Insider Activity at Lifeway Foods

In related news, major shareholder Edward Smolyansky sold 20,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction 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 directly owns 1,251,642 shares in the company, valued at approximately $29,075,643.66. This represents a 1.57 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.51, for a total value of $235,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 955,823 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,471,398.73. The trade was a 1.04 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 66,324 shares of company stock valued at $1,539,957. Company insiders own 18.86% of the company’s stock.

Lifeway Foods Stock Performance

Lifeway Foods stock opened at $23.07 on Tuesday. Lifeway Foods, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $10.06 and a fifty-two week high of $28.61. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $22.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $23.67. The company has a market capitalization of $350.73 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.83 and a beta of 0.93.

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) last announced its earnings results on Friday, March 14th. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share 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 firm had revenue of $46.93 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $48.00 million.

Lifeway Foods 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.