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

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

Lifeway Foods Stock Performance

Shares of Lifeway Foods stock opened at $24.03 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $23.17 and its 200-day moving average price is $23.45. Lifeway Foods has a 52-week low of $10.06 and a 52-week high of $28.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $365.33 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.94 and a beta of 0.75.

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) last posted its earnings results on Friday, March 14th. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates 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 Activity at Lifeway Foods

In other Lifeway Foods news, major shareholder Edward Smolyansky sold 20,000 shares of the 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 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.31, for a total transaction of $213,100.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 17,343 shares in the company, valued at approximately $369,579.33. This trade represents a 36.57 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 75,885 shares of company stock worth $1,766,840 over the last quarter. 18.86% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of LWAY. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its stake 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 last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers raised its position in shares of Lifeway Foods by 23.3% in the 4th 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 last quarter. Barclays PLC grew its position in 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 during the last quarter. Sagefield Capital LP purchased a new position in Lifeway Foods in the fourth quarter worth about $211,000. Finally, Janus Henderson Group PLC bought a new position in shares of Lifeway Foods in the fourth quarter worth approximately $221,000. 36.39% of the stock is 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.