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

StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) in a research note released on Wednesday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock.

Lifeway Foods Stock Performance

Shares of LWAY stock opened at $21.15 on Wednesday. Lifeway Foods has a 52-week low of $10.06 and a 52-week high of $28.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $313.36 million, a P/E ratio of 24.59 and a beta of 1.01. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $22.73 and a 200 day moving average price of $23.18.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 45,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.49, for a total transaction of $1,057,050.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,025,549 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $24,090,146.01. This trade represents a 4.20 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In the last three months, insiders sold 122,034 shares of company stock valued at $2,797,217. Insiders own 18.86% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lifeway Foods

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of LWAY. Beryl Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Lifeway Foods during the 4th quarter valued at $3,607,000. TIG Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Lifeway Foods during the 4th quarter valued at $3,512,000. Divisadero Street Capital Management LP bought a new stake in Lifeway Foods during the 4th quarter valued at $2,925,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in Lifeway Foods by 712.8% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 85,959 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,132,000 after purchasing an additional 75,383 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Slotnik Capital LLC bought a new stake in Lifeway Foods during the 4th quarter valued at $1,314,000. 36.39% of the stock is 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.