StockNews.com Begins Coverage on Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY)

Stock analysts at StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday. The brokerage set a “hold” rating on the stock.

Separately, Noble Financial downgraded shares of Lifeway Foods from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 24th.

Lifeway Foods Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of Lifeway Foods stock opened at $22.45 on Friday. Lifeway Foods has a 52-week low of $9.93 and a 52-week high of $28.61. The company has a market capitalization of $332.71 million, a P/E ratio of 26.10 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a 50 day moving average of $23.77 and a 200 day moving average of $21.15.

Insider Buying and Selling at Lifeway Foods

In other Lifeway Foods news, major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 15,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.12, for a total transaction of $361,800.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 1,040,549 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $25,098,041.88. This trade represents a 1.42 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold 112,034 shares of company stock worth $2,584,117 over the last three months. Insiders own 18.86% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Lifeway Foods

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in LWAY. Covestor Ltd purchased a new stake in Lifeway Foods in the third quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Rhumbline Advisers increased its holdings in shares of Lifeway Foods by 2,334.0% in the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 4,868 shares of the company’s stock valued at $62,000 after acquiring an additional 4,668 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its position in Lifeway Foods by 71.2% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,778 shares of the company’s stock valued at $72,000 after purchasing an additional 1,155 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC boosted its stake in Lifeway Foods by 40.5% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 6,420 shares of the company’s stock worth $167,000 after purchasing an additional 1,849 shares during the period. Finally, Cutter & CO Brokerage Inc. purchased a new position in Lifeway Foods during the 3rd quarter worth $212,000. 36.39% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Lifeway Foods Company 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.