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

StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) in a research report released on Saturday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock.

Lifeway Foods Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of LWAY opened at $23.97 on Friday. Lifeway Foods has a twelve month low of $10.06 and a twelve month high of $28.61. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $22.15 and its 200-day simple moving average is $23.62. The company has a market cap of $364.42 million, a P/E ratio of 27.87 and a beta of 1.00.

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $48.00 million.

Insider Activity at Lifeway Foods

In related news, major shareholder Edward Smolyansky sold 20,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.23, for a total value of $464,600.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 1,251,642 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $29,075,643.66. This trade represents a 1.57 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 45,000 shares of Lifeway Foods stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.49, for a total transaction of $1,057,050.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 1,025,549 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $24,090,146.01. The trade was a 4.20 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 142,034 shares of company stock worth $3,261,817 in the last quarter. 18.86% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lifeway Foods

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LWAY. Algert Global LLC raised its stake in shares of Lifeway Foods by 8.1% during the fourth quarter. Algert Global LLC now owns 9,076 shares of the company’s stock valued at $225,000 after acquiring an additional 680 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC increased its holdings in Lifeway Foods by 11.0% during the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 7,127 shares of the company’s stock worth $176,000 after purchasing an additional 707 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its position in Lifeway Foods by 33.6% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 2,855 shares of the company’s stock valued at $71,000 after purchasing an additional 718 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Lifeway Foods by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 55,841 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,385,000 after buying an additional 868 shares during the period. Finally, Gamco Investors INC. ET AL grew its position in shares of Lifeway Foods by 0.9% during 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. 36.39% of the stock is currently owned by 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.