Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY) Coverage Initiated at StockNews.com

Equities researchers at StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ:LWAY - Get Free Report) in a note issued to investors on Friday. The firm set a "hold" rating on the stock.

Separately, Noble Financial lowered shares of Lifeway Foods from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 24th.

Lifeway Foods Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ LWAY traded up $0.03 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $22.42. The company had a trading volume of 45,532 shares, compared to its average volume of 73,720. The company has a market capitalization of $332.26 million, a PE ratio of 26.04 and a beta of 1.02. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $23.79 and its 200 day simple moving average is $21.02. Lifeway Foods has a 1-year low of $9.93 and a 1-year high of $28.61.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 30,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.24, for a total transaction of $667,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 995,549 shares in the company, valued at $22,141,009.76. The trade was a 2.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 90,000 shares of company stock worth $2,086,050. Corporate insiders own 18.86% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lifeway Foods

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Covestor Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Lifeway Foods during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $50,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its position in Lifeway Foods by 71.2% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,778 shares of the company's stock valued at $72,000 after acquiring an additional 1,155 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers grew its holdings in shares of Lifeway Foods by 2,334.0% during the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 4,868 shares of the company's stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 4,668 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC grew its holdings in shares of Lifeway Foods by 40.5% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 6,420 shares of the company's stock worth $167,000 after purchasing an additional 1,849 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cutter & CO Brokerage Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Lifeway Foods during the third quarter worth about $212,000. 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.