Short Interest in Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:LWAY) Decreases By 27.9%

Key Points

• Short interest in Lifeway Foods, Inc. decreased by 27.9% in August to a total of 142,500 shares, indicating positive market sentiment.
• The company's stock price rose to $31.26, with a market capitalization of $476.09 million and a PE ratio of 45.31.
• Analysts have improved their outlook on Lifeway Foods, raising the stock's rating from "hold" to "buy" and providing a consensus target price of $33.00.

Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:LWAY - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totaling 142,500 shares, adropof27.9% from the July 31st total of 197,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 54,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.6 days. Approximately3.7% of the company's shares are short sold. Approximately3.7% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 54,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.6 days.

Lifeway Foods Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:LWAY traded up $0.14 during trading on Monday, hitting $31.26. The company's stock had a trading volume of 56,567 shares, compared to its average volume of 53,499. The company has a market capitalization of $476.09 million, a PE ratio of 45.31 and a beta of 0.45. Lifeway Foods has a fifty-two week low of $19.50 and a fifty-two week high of $32.19. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $27.68 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $24.80.

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 12th. The company reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $53.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $54.00 million. Lifeway Foods had a return on equity of 14.32% and a net margin of 5.49%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on LWAY. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Lifeway Foods from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 16th. Lake Street Capital upped their target price on Lifeway Foods from $30.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $33.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Lifeway Foods news, Director Jason Scott Scher sold 16,366 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.24, for a total transaction of $396,711.84. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 1 shares in the company, valued at $24.24. The trade was a 99.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 18.86% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Lifeway Foods

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its holdings in shares of Lifeway Foods by 577.3% in the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,551 shares of the company's stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 1,322 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Lifeway Foods in the 2nd quarter worth about $40,000. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division acquired a new position in shares of Lifeway Foods in the 2nd quarter valued at about $49,000. Byrne Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lifeway Foods during the 2nd quarter valued at about $53,000. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its stake in 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. 36.39% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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