Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) Coverage Initiated by Analysts at StockNews.com

Equities researchers at StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday. The brokerage set a “hold” rating on the stock.

Lifeway Foods Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ LWAY opened at $21.03 on Wednesday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $22.76 and a 200-day simple moving average of $23.20. Lifeway Foods has a twelve month low of $10.06 and a twelve month high of $28.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $311.58 million, a PE ratio of 24.45 and a beta of 1.01.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Lifeway Foods news, major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 45,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, January 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.49, for a total value of $1,057,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 1,025,549 shares in the company, valued at $24,090,146.01. The trade was a 4.20 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders have sold 122,034 shares of company stock worth $2,797,217 over the last three months. Company insiders own 18.86% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of LWAY. Covestor Ltd purchased a new stake in Lifeway Foods during the 3rd quarter worth about $50,000. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its position in shares of Lifeway Foods by 33.6% during the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 2,855 shares of the company’s stock worth $71,000 after buying an additional 718 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its stake in shares of Lifeway Foods by 71.2% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,778 shares of the company’s stock worth $72,000 after buying an additional 1,155 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in Lifeway Foods by 23.3% in the fourth quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 5,606 shares of the company’s stock valued at $139,000 after acquiring an additional 1,059 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC lifted its stake in Lifeway Foods by 40.5% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 6,420 shares of the company’s stock worth $167,000 after acquiring an additional 1,849 shares during the last quarter. 36.39% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.