Insider Selling: Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:LWAY) Major Shareholder Sells $78,047.20 in Stock

Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:LWAY) major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 3,620 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.56, for a total value of $78,047.20. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 1,254,753 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $27,052,474.68. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Major shareholders that own more than 10% of a company’s stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC.

Ludmila Smolyansky also recently made the following trade(s):

• On Tuesday, April 23rd, Ludmila Smolyansky sold 21,968 shares of Lifeway Foods stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.33, for a total value of $446,609.44.
• On Wednesday, April 17th, Ludmila Smolyansky sold 10,000 shares of Lifeway Foods stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.04, for a total value of $200,400.00.
• On Monday, April 15th, Ludmila Smolyansky sold 2,193 shares of Lifeway Foods stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.50, for a total transaction of $44,956.50.
• On Friday, April 5th, Ludmila Smolyansky sold 5,000 shares of Lifeway Foods stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.56, for a total transaction of $97,800.00.
• On Monday, April 8th, Ludmila Smolyansky sold 5,000 shares of Lifeway Foods stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.40, for a total transaction of $102,000.00.
• On Tuesday, March 26th, Ludmila Smolyansky sold 13,000 shares of Lifeway Foods stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.71, for a total transaction of $243,230.00.
• On Friday, March 22nd, Ludmila Smolyansky sold 3,852 shares of Lifeway Foods stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.80, for a total value of $60,861.60.
• On Wednesday, March 20th, Ludmila Smolyansky sold 13,000 shares of Lifeway Foods stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.87, for a total value of $167,310.00.
• On Monday, February 26th, Ludmila Smolyansky sold 13,542 shares of Lifeway Foods stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.34, for a total value of $167,108.28.
• On Thursday, February 8th, Ludmila Smolyansky sold 22,747 shares of Lifeway Foods stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.61, for a total value of $264,092.67.

Lifeway Foods Stock Performance

Shares of LWAY opened at $24.87 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $365.34 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.72 and a beta of 1.33. Lifeway Foods, Inc. has a 52-week low of $5.61 and a 52-week high of $24.95. The company has a quick ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 2.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $15.85 and a 200 day moving average price of $13.91.

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 20th. The company reported $0.26 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.21 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $42.09 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $40.00 million. Lifeway Foods had a net margin of 7.10% and a return on equity of 20.92%. Research analysts predict that Lifeway Foods, Inc. will post 1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently weighed in on LWAY. StockNews.com cut shares of Lifeway Foods from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, April 6th. Noble Financial restated a “market perform” rating on shares of Lifeway Foods in a report on Wednesday, March 27th. Finally, Lake Street Capital started coverage on shares of Lifeway Foods in a research note on Friday, April 5th. They set a “buy” rating and a $25.00 target price for the company.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lifeway Foods

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. EAM Investors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lifeway Foods during the third quarter worth about $1,353,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new position in Lifeway Foods during the third quarter worth approximately $405,000. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Lifeway Foods by 15.6% in the fourth quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 235,097 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,153,000 after buying an additional 31,813 shares during the last quarter. Navellier & Associates Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Lifeway Foods in the third quarter valued at approximately $250,000. Finally, Jump Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lifeway Foods during the fourth quarter worth approximately $303,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 36.39% of the company’s stock.

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.