Divisadero Street Capital Management LP Invests $2.93 Million in Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:LWAY)

Divisadero Street Capital Management LP purchased a new position in Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:LWAY - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 117,951 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,925,000. Divisadero Street Capital Management LP owned 0.80% of Lifeway Foods at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its position in shares of Lifeway Foods by 33.6% during the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 2,855 shares of the company's stock worth $71,000 after acquiring an additional 718 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers increased its holdings in Lifeway Foods by 23.3% during the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 5,606 shares of the company's stock worth $139,000 after purchasing an additional 1,059 shares during the period. Barclays PLC raised its position in Lifeway Foods by 40.5% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 6,420 shares of the company's stock valued at $167,000 after purchasing an additional 1,849 shares in the last quarter. Algert Global LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Lifeway Foods by 8.1% in the 4th quarter. Algert Global LLC now owns 9,076 shares of the company's stock worth $225,000 after buying an additional 680 shares during the period. Finally, ClearAlpha Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of Lifeway Foods during the 4th quarter worth $248,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 36.39% of the company's stock.

Lifeway Foods Stock Performance

NASDAQ:LWAY traded up $0.12 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $24.15. The company's stock had a trading volume of 30,242 shares, compared to its average volume of 116,820. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $23.24 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $23.43. The company has a market capitalization of $367.15 million, a P/E ratio of 28.08 and a beta of 0.75. Lifeway Foods, Inc. has a 12 month low of $10.06 and a 12 month high of $28.61.

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, March 14th. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.18 by ($0.19). The company had revenue of $46.93 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $48.00 million. Lifeway Foods had a net margin of 7.23% and a return on equity of 19.97%.

Insider Activity

In other news, major shareholder Edward Smolyansky sold 20,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.23, for a total transaction of $464,600.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 1,251,642 shares in the company, valued at $29,075,643.66. This represents a 1.57 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.31, for a total transaction of $213,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 17,343 shares of the company's stock, valued at $369,579.33. The trade was a 36.57 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 75,885 shares of company stock worth $1,766,840. Corporate insiders own 18.86% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Lifeway Foods in a research note on Friday. They issued a "hold" rating for the company.

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.