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

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

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

Lifeway Foods Price Performance

NASDAQ:LWAY opened at $24.18 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $25.09 and a 200 day moving average of $18.93. The company has a market capitalization of $358.35 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.12 and a beta of 1.05. Lifeway Foods has a 1-year low of $9.93 and a 1-year high of $28.61.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 15,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.19, for a total value of $272,850.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 1,110,133 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $20,193,319.27. This trade represents a 1.33 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 18.86% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Lifeway Foods

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of LWAY. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Lifeway Foods during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,237,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Lifeway Foods by 184.0% during the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 46,184 shares of the company’s stock valued at $589,000 after buying an additional 29,922 shares in the last quarter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. purchased a new position in Lifeway Foods during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $539,000. American Century Companies Inc. purchased a new position in Lifeway Foods during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $593,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP grew its holdings in Lifeway Foods by 48.5% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 100,217 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,280,000 after buying an additional 32,742 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.