Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) Now Covered by Analysts at StockNews.com

StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) in a research report sent to investors on Saturday. The firm issued a hold rating on the stock.

Lifeway Foods Stock Performance

Lifeway Foods stock opened at $23.36 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $346.20 million, a PE ratio of 27.16 and a beta of 1.02. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $23.72 and a 200 day moving average of $21.52. Lifeway Foods has a one year low of $9.93 and a one year high of $28.61.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 12,034 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.55, for a total transaction of $271,366.70. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 965,823 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $21,779,308.65. This trade represents a 1.23 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders sold 112,034 shares of company stock worth $2,584,117 in the last three months. 18.86% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lifeway Foods

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in LWAY. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in Lifeway Foods by 71.2% during the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,778 shares of the company’s stock worth $72,000 after purchasing an additional 1,155 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC lifted its position in shares of Lifeway Foods by 40.5% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 6,420 shares of the company’s stock valued at $167,000 after acquiring an additional 1,849 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd acquired a new position in Lifeway Foods during the third quarter worth about $50,000. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Lifeway Foods by 1.8% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 115,971 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,006,000 after purchasing an additional 2,018 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers increased its stake 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 worth $62,000 after acquiring an additional 4,668 shares during the last quarter. 36.39% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other 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.