Towerview LLC Boosts Stake in Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:LWAY)

Key Points

• Towerview LLC increased its stake in Lifeway Foods by 107.1%, acquiring an additional 37,500 shares, which now constitutes 1.3% of its portfolio.
• Lifeway Foods' stock rose 2.1% to $26.47, with a market cap of $402.34 million and a notable trading volume increase.
• Insider transactions included the sale of 66,366 shares by Director Jason Scott Scher and CEO Julie Smolyansky, indicating a significant decrease in their holdings.

Towerview LLC grew its holdings in shares of Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:LWAY - Free Report) by 107.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 72,500 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 37,500 shares during the period. Lifeway Foods accounts for about 1.3% of Towerview LLC's holdings, making the stock its 12th largest holding. Towerview LLC owned about 0.48% of Lifeway Foods worth $1,773,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of LWAY. Beryl Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lifeway Foods in the 4th quarter valued at about $3,607,000. TIG Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lifeway Foods in the 4th quarter valued at about $3,512,000. Divisadero Street Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Lifeway Foods in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,925,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Lifeway Foods by 712.8% in 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Slotnik Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lifeway Foods in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,314,000. 36.39% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Wall Street Zen raised Lifeway Foods to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, July 12th.

Lifeway Foods Trading Down 0.4%

Shares of Lifeway Foods stock traded down $0.10 on Monday, hitting $26.38. The stock had a trading volume of 6,331 shares, compared to its average volume of 48,789. The stock has a market cap of $400.90 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.96 and a beta of 0.75. Lifeway Foods, Inc. has a 52-week low of $10.06 and a 52-week high of $27.29. The company's 50 day moving average price is $24.36 and its 200 day moving average price is $23.36.

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 13th. The company reported $0.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.19 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $46.09 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $48.50 million. Lifeway Foods had a return on equity of 14.20% and a net margin of 5.39%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Lifeway Foods news, CEO Julie Smolyansky sold 50,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.07, for a total transaction of $1,103,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 2,132,483 shares in the company, valued at approximately $47,063,899.81. The trade was a 2.29% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Pol Sikar sold 3,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.35, for a total value of $67,050.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 23,858 shares in the company, valued at $533,226.30. The trade was a 11.17% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 88,127 shares of company stock worth $2,015,554. Insiders own 18.86% 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.