LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation
NASDAQ:LWAY • US5319141090
Current stock price
24.39 USD
-0.4 (-1.61%)
Last:
This LWAY fundamental analysis includes valuation metrics, fair value assessment, financial health analysis, profitability trends, growth metrics and dividend sustainability analysis.
1. LWAY Profitability Analysis
1.1 Basic Checks
- In the past year LWAY was profitable.
- In the past year LWAY had a positive cash flow from operations.
- Each year in the past 5 years LWAY has been profitable.
- LWAY had a positive operating cash flow in each of the past 5 years.
1.2 Ratios
- The Return On Assets of LWAY (13.12%) is better than 96.55% of its industry peers.
- LWAY's Return On Equity of 16.15% is amongst the best of the industry. LWAY outperforms 83.91% of its industry peers.
- Looking at the Return On Invested Capital, with a value of 12.27%, LWAY belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 93.10% of the companies in the same industry.
- LWAY had an Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years of 14.12%. This is significantly above the industry average of 6.76%.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 13.12% | ||
| ROE | 16.15% | ||
| ROIC | 12.27% |
ROA(3y)12.34%
ROA(5y)8.59%
ROE(3y)15.84%
ROE(5y)11.22%
ROIC(3y)14.12%
ROIC(5y)10.41%
1.3 Margins
- The Profit Margin of LWAY (6.52%) is better than 82.76% of its industry peers.
- In the last couple of years the Profit Margin of LWAY has grown nicely.
- The Operating Margin of LWAY (7.61%) is better than 65.52% of its industry peers.
- LWAY's Operating Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
- LWAY's Gross Margin of 27.39% is fine compared to the rest of the industry. LWAY outperforms 65.52% of its industry peers.
- In the last couple of years the Gross Margin of LWAY has remained more or less at the same level.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| OM | 7.61% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 6.52% | ||
| GM | 27.39% |
OM growth 3Y67.33%
OM growth 5Y9.64%
PM growth 3Y117.3%
PM growth 5Y15.76%
GM growth 3Y13.11%
GM growth 5Y0.76%
2. LWAY Health Analysis
2.1 Basic Checks
- The Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is just above the Cost of Capital (WACC), so LWAY is still creating some value.
- LWAY has more shares outstanding than it did 1 year ago.
- LWAY has less shares outstanding than it did 5 years ago.
- LWAY has no outstanding debt. Therefor its Debt/Equity and Debt/FCF ratios are 0 and belong to the best of the industry.
2.2 Solvency
- An Altman-Z score of 15.31 indicates that LWAY is not in any danger for bankruptcy at the moment.
- LWAY has a better Altman-Z score (15.31) than 100.00% of its industry peers.
- There is no outstanding debt for LWAY. This means it has a Debt/Equity and Debt/FCF ratio of 0 and it is amongst the best of the sector and industry.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 0 | ||
| Debt/FCF | N/A | ||
| Altman-Z | 15.31 |
ROIC/WACC1.37
WACC8.94%
2.3 Liquidity
- LWAY has a Current Ratio of 2.23. This indicates that LWAY is financially healthy and has no problem in meeting its short term obligations.
- Looking at the Current ratio, with a value of 2.23, LWAY is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 67.82% of the companies in the same industry.
- LWAY has a Quick Ratio of 1.51. This is a normal value and indicates that LWAY is financially healthy and should not expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
- LWAY's Quick ratio of 1.51 is fine compared to the rest of the industry. LWAY outperforms 78.16% of its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 2.23 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 1.51 |
3. LWAY Growth Analysis
3.1 Past
- The Earnings Per Share has grown by an nice 15.25% over the past year.
- The Earnings Per Share has been growing by 36.24% on average over the past years. This is a very strong growth
- Looking at the last year, LWAY shows a quite strong growth in Revenue. The Revenue has grown by 13.74% in the last year.
- The Revenue has been growing by 15.81% on average over the past years. This is quite good.
EPS 1Y (TTM)15.25%
EPS 3Y145.88%
EPS 5Y36.24%
EPS Q2Q%1700%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)13.74%
Revenue growth 3Y14.49%
Revenue growth 5Y15.81%
Sales Q2Q%17.96%
3.2 Future
- The Earnings Per Share is expected to grow by 52.97% on average over the next years. This is a very strong growth
- Based on estimates for the next years, LWAY will show a quite strong growth in Revenue. The Revenue will grow by 15.18% on average per year.
EPS Next Y78.5%
EPS Next 2Y52.97%
EPS Next 3YN/A
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue Next Year15.14%
Revenue Next 2Y15.18%
Revenue Next 3YN/A
Revenue Next 5YN/A
3.3 Evolution
- When comparing the EPS growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is accelerating.
- When comparing the Revenue growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is stable.
4. LWAY Valuation Analysis
4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio
- LWAY is valuated quite expensively with a Price/Earnings ratio of 35.87.
- The rest of the industry has a similar Price/Earnings ratio as LWAY.
- Compared to an average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio of 27.33, LWAY is valued a bit more expensive.
- The Price/Forward Earnings ratio is 20.09, which indicates a rather expensive current valuation of LWAY.
- Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of LWAY is on the same level as its industry peers.
- The average S&P500 Price/Forward Earnings ratio is at 38.16. LWAY is valued slightly cheaper when compared to this.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 35.87 | ||
| Fwd PE | 20.09 |
4.2 Price Multiples
- The rest of the industry has a similar Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio as LWAY.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 18.36 |
4.3 Compensation for Growth
- The low PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates a rather cheap valuation of the company.
- LWAY has an outstanding profitability rating, which may justify a higher PE ratio.
- LWAY's earnings are expected to grow with 52.97% in the coming years. This may justify a more expensive valuation.
PEG (NY)0.46
PEG (5Y)0.99
EPS Next 2Y52.97%
EPS Next 3YN/A
5. LWAY Dividend Analysis
5.1 Amount
- No dividends for LWAY!.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 0% |
LWAY Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics
NASDAQ:LWAY (4/15/2026, 9:56:50 AM)
24.39
-0.4 (-1.61%)
Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorConsumer Staples
GICS IndustryGroupFood, Beverage & Tobacco
GICS IndustryFood Products
Earnings (Last)03-17 2026-03-17/bmo
Earnings (Next)05-14 2026-05-14
Inst Owners32.92%
Inst Owner Change0.1%
Ins Owners15.44%
Ins Owner Change-0.64%
Market Cap369.51M
Revenue(TTM)212.50M
Net Income(TTM)13.86M
Analysts82.5
Price Target34.68 (42.19%)
Short Float %4.36%
Short Ratio4.08
Dividend
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 0% |
Yearly DividendN/A
Dividend Growth(5Y)N/A
DP0%
Div Incr Years0
Div Non Decr Years0
Ex-DateN/A
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)0
Avg EPS beat(2)-32.21%
Min EPS beat(2)-44.96%
Max EPS beat(2)-19.47%
EPS beat(4)1
Avg EPS beat(4)-26.69%
Min EPS beat(4)-94.84%
Max EPS beat(4)52.51%
EPS beat(8)2
Avg EPS beat(8)-31.82%
EPS beat(12)5
Avg EPS beat(12)2.04%
EPS beat(16)N/A
Avg EPS beat(16)N/A
Revenue beat(2)1
Avg Revenue beat(2)0.27%
Min Revenue beat(2)-1.32%
Max Revenue beat(2)1.86%
Revenue beat(4)1
Avg Revenue beat(4)-1.65%
Min Revenue beat(4)-6.83%
Max Revenue beat(4)1.86%
Revenue beat(8)3
Avg Revenue beat(8)-1.3%
Revenue beat(12)7
Avg Revenue beat(12)0.01%
Revenue beat(16)N/A
Avg Revenue beat(16)N/A
PT rev (1m)0%
PT rev (3m)0%
EPS NQ rev (1m)-6.98%
EPS NQ rev (3m)-6.98%
EPS NY rev (1m)-3.25%
EPS NY rev (3m)-7.03%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)-3.64%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)-3.64%
Revenue NY rev (1m)1.25%
Revenue NY rev (3m)1.25%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 35.87 | ||
| Fwd PE | 20.09 | ||
| P/S | 1.74 | ||
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| P/OCF | 33.75 | ||
| P/B | 4.31 | ||
| P/tB | 5.41 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 18.36 |
EPS(TTM)0.68
EY2.79%
EPS(NY)1.21
Fwd EY4.98%
FCF(TTM)-1.08
FCFYN/A
OCF(TTM)0.72
OCFY2.96%
SpS14.03
BVpS5.66
TBVpS4.51
PEG (NY)0.46
PEG (5Y)0.99
Graham Number9.3096 (-61.83%)
Profitability
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 13.12% | ||
| ROE | 16.15% | ||
| ROCE | 18.18% | ||
| ROIC | 12.27% | ||
| ROICexc | 13.09% | ||
| ROICexgc | 16.57% | ||
| OM | 7.61% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 6.52% | ||
| GM | 27.39% | ||
| FCFM | N/A |
ROA(3y)12.34%
ROA(5y)8.59%
ROE(3y)15.84%
ROE(5y)11.22%
ROIC(3y)14.12%
ROIC(5y)10.41%
ROICexc(3y)17.08%
ROICexc(5y)12.49%
ROICexgc(3y)24.77%
ROICexgc(5y)18.53%
ROCE(3y)20.92%
ROCE(5y)15.42%
ROICexgc growth 3Y51.19%
ROICexgc growth 5Y9.12%
ROICexc growth 3Y63.16%
ROICexc growth 5Y12.17%
OM growth 3Y67.33%
OM growth 5Y9.64%
PM growth 3Y117.3%
PM growth 5Y15.76%
GM growth 3Y13.11%
GM growth 5Y0.76%
F-Score5
Asset Turnover2.01
Health
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 0 | ||
| Debt/FCF | N/A | ||
| Debt/EBITDA | 0 | ||
| Cap/Depr | 687.46% | ||
| Cap/Sales | 12.88% | ||
| Interest Coverage | 278.83 | ||
| Cash Conversion | 54.33% | ||
| Profit Quality | N/A | ||
| Current Ratio | 2.23 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 1.51 | ||
| Altman-Z | 15.31 |
F-Score5
WACC8.94%
ROIC/WACC1.37
Cap/Depr(3y)340.95%
Cap/Depr(5y)241.18%
Cap/Sales(3y)6.39%
Cap/Sales(5y)4.65%
Profit Quality(3y)N/A
Profit Quality(5y)N/A
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)15.25%
EPS 3Y145.88%
EPS 5Y36.24%
EPS Q2Q%1700%
EPS Next Y78.5%
EPS Next 2Y52.97%
EPS Next 3YN/A
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue 1Y (TTM)13.74%
Revenue growth 3Y14.49%
Revenue growth 5Y15.81%
Sales Q2Q%17.96%
Revenue Next Year15.14%
Revenue Next 2Y15.18%
Revenue Next 3YN/A
Revenue Next 5YN/A
EBIT growth 1Y16.75%
EBIT growth 3Y91.58%
EBIT growth 5Y26.97%
EBIT Next Year73.26%
EBIT Next 3YN/A
EBIT Next 5YN/A
FCF growth 1Y-361.98%
FCF growth 3YN/A
FCF growth 5YN/A
OCF growth 1Y-15.54%
OCF growth 3Y40%
OCF growth 5Y11.37%
LIFEWAY FOODS INC / LWAY Fundamental Analysis FAQ
What is the ChartMill fundamental rating of LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) stock?
ChartMill assigns a fundamental rating of 7 / 10 to LWAY.
What is the valuation status for LWAY stock?
ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 4 / 10 to LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY). This can be considered as Fairly Valued.
Can you provide the profitability details for LIFEWAY FOODS INC?
LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) has a profitability rating of 8 / 10.
Can you provide the financial health for LWAY stock?
The financial health rating of LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) is 8 / 10.
What is the expected EPS growth for LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) stock?
The Earnings per Share (EPS) of LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) is expected to grow by 78.5% in the next year.