Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) Coverage Initiated at StockNews.com

Stock analysts at StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) in a report released on Saturday. The brokerage set a “hold” rating on the stock.

Lifeway Foods Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:LWAY opened at $23.36 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $23.72 and its 200-day moving average is $21.59. 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 $346.20 million, a PE ratio of 27.16 and a beta of 1.02.

Insider Transactions at Lifeway Foods

In other news, major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 45,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, January 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.49, for a total value of $1,057,050.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,025,549 shares in the company, valued at approximately $24,090,146.01. This trade represents a 4.20 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 112,034 shares of company stock valued at $2,584,117. Corporate insiders own 18.86% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lifeway Foods

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its stake in shares of Lifeway Foods by 71.2% during the third 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 lifted its holdings 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 buying an additional 1,849 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd bought a new position in Lifeway Foods in the 3rd quarter valued at $50,000. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Lifeway Foods by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 115,971 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,006,000 after buying an additional 2,018 shares during the period. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers boosted its holdings in Lifeway Foods by 2,334.0% in the second 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 last quarter. Institutional investors 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.