23.89 USD
-0.38 (-1.57%)
Taking everything into account, LWAY scores 6 out of 10 in our fundamental rating. LWAY was compared to 87 industry peers in the Food Products industry. Both the health and profitability get an excellent rating, making LWAY a very profitable company, without any liquidiy or solvency issues. LWAY has a decent growth rate and is not valued too expensively. These ratings could make LWAY a good candidate for quality investing.
1. Profitability
1.1 Basic Checks
LWAY had positive earnings in the past year.
LWAY had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
Each year in the past 5 years LWAY has been profitable.
In the past 5 years LWAY always reported a positive cash flow from operatings.
1.2 Ratios
With an excellent Return On Assets value of 10.19%, LWAY belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 94.25% of the companies in the same industry.
Looking at the Return On Equity, with a value of 13.48%, LWAY belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 82.76% of the companies in the same industry.
LWAY has a better Return On Invested Capital (10.12%) than 89.66% of its industry peers.
Measured over the past 3 years, the Average Return On Invested Capital for LWAY is significantly below the industry average of 28.50%.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 10.19% | ||
| ROE | 13.48% | ||
| ROIC | 10.12% |
ROA(3y)8.4%
ROA(5y)7.01%
ROE(3y)11.08%
ROE(5y)9.36%
ROIC(3y)10.79%
ROIC(5y)9.06%
1.3 Margins
LWAY has a better Profit Margin (5.47%) than 72.41% of its industry peers.
In the last couple of years the Profit Margin of LWAY has grown nicely.
LWAY has a better Operating Margin (6.43%) than 68.97% of its industry peers.
In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of LWAY has grown nicely.
With a decent Gross Margin value of 26.82%, LWAY is doing good in the industry, outperforming 65.52% of the companies in the same industry.
In the last couple of years the Gross Margin of LWAY has grown nicely.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| OM | 6.43% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 5.47% | ||
| GM | 26.82% |
OM growth 3Y13.75%
OM growth 5YN/A
PM growth 3Y20.36%
PM growth 5Y55.37%
GM growth 3Y2.57%
GM growth 5Y1.97%
2. Health
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.
The number of shares outstanding for LWAY has been increased compared to 1 year ago.
Compared to 5 years ago, LWAY has less shares outstanding
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.
2.2 Solvency
LWAY has an Altman-Z score of 11.98. This indicates that LWAY is financially healthy and has little risk of bankruptcy at the moment.
Looking at the Altman-Z score, with a value of 11.98, LWAY belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 95.40% of the companies in the same industry.
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 | 11.98 |
ROIC/WACC1.15
WACC8.79%
2.3 Liquidity
LWAY has a Current Ratio of 2.30. This indicates that LWAY is financially healthy and has no problem in meeting its short term obligations.
LWAY has a Current ratio of 2.30. This is in the better half of the industry: LWAY outperforms 67.82% of its industry peers.
LWAY has a Quick Ratio of 1.83. This is a normal value and indicates that LWAY is financially healthy and should not expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
LWAY has a Quick ratio of 1.83. This is amongst the best in the industry. LWAY outperforms 83.91% of its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 2.3 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 1.83 |
3. Growth
3.1 Past
LWAY shows a strong negative growth in Earnings Per Share. In the last year the EPS decreased by -40.70%.
LWAY shows a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. Measured over the last years, the EPS has been growing by 81.84% yearly.
Looking at the last year, LWAY shows a quite strong growth in Revenue. The Revenue has grown by 12.14% in the last year.
LWAY shows quite a strong growth in Revenue. Measured over the last years, the Revenue has been growing by 14.80% yearly.
EPS 1Y (TTM)-40.7%
EPS 3Y39.44%
EPS 5Y81.84%
EPS Q2Q%21.05%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)12.14%
Revenue growth 3Y16.19%
Revenue growth 5Y14.8%
Sales Q2Q%23.97%
3.2 Future
Based on estimates for the next years, LWAY will show a very strong growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS will grow by 48.76% on average per year.
LWAY is expected to show quite a strong growth in Revenue. In the coming years, the Revenue will grow by 13.02% yearly.
EPS Next Y82.39%
EPS Next 2Y48.76%
EPS Next 3YN/A
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue Next Year12.86%
Revenue Next 2Y13.02%
Revenue Next 3YN/A
Revenue Next 5YN/A
3.3 Evolution
The estimated forward EPS growth is still strong, although it is decreasing when compared to the stronger growth in the past years.
The Revenue growth rate is stable: in the next years the growth will be about the same than in the last years.
4. Valuation
4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio
The Price/Earnings ratio is 46.84, which means the current valuation is very expensive for LWAY.
Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Earnings ratio of LWAY is on the same level as its industry peers.
When comparing the Price/Earnings ratio of LWAY to the average of the S&P500 Index (26.50), we can say LWAY is valued expensively.
With a Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 18.30, LWAY is valued on the expensive side.
Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio, LWAY is valued a bit cheaper than the industry average as 63.22% of the companies are valued more expensively.
LWAY's Price/Forward Earnings ratio indicates a valuation a bit cheaper than the S&P500 average which is at 23.93.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 46.84 | ||
| Fwd PE | 18.3 |
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 | 20.42 |
4.3 Compensation for Growth
LWAY's low PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates a rather cheap valuation of the company.
The excellent profitability rating of LWAY may justify a higher PE ratio.
A more expensive valuation may be justified as LWAY's earnings are expected to grow with 48.76% in the coming years.
PEG (NY)0.57
PEG (5Y)0.57
EPS Next 2Y48.76%
EPS Next 3YN/A
5. Dividend
5.1 Amount
No dividends for LWAY!.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 0% |
NASDAQ:LWAY (12/23/2025, 6:16:33 PM)
23.89
-0.38 (-1.57%)
Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorConsumer Staples
GICS IndustryGroupFood, Beverage & Tobacco
GICS IndustryFood Products
Earnings (Last)
Earnings (Next)
Inst Owners26.78%
Inst Owner Change35.09%
Ins Owners15.21%
Ins Owner Change-2.44%
Market Cap363.84M
Revenue(TTM)204.07M
Net Income(TTM)11.16M
Analysts82.5
Price Target34.68 (45.17%)
Short Float %4.43%
Short Ratio2.49
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)1
Avg EPS beat(2)16.52%
Min EPS beat(2)-19.47%
Max EPS beat(2)52.51%
EPS beat(4)1
Avg EPS beat(4)-41.62%
Min EPS beat(4)-104.67%
Max EPS beat(4)52.51%
EPS beat(8)3
Avg EPS beat(8)-23.52%
EPS beat(12)5
Avg EPS beat(12)3.29%
EPS beat(16)N/A
Avg EPS beat(16)N/A
Revenue beat(2)1
Avg Revenue beat(2)0.78%
Min Revenue beat(2)-0.29%
Max Revenue beat(2)1.86%
Revenue beat(4)1
Avg Revenue beat(4)-2.35%
Min Revenue beat(4)-6.83%
Max Revenue beat(4)1.86%
Revenue beat(8)4
Avg Revenue beat(8)-0.74%
Revenue beat(12)7
Avg Revenue beat(12)-0.71%
Revenue beat(16)N/A
Avg Revenue beat(16)N/A
PT rev (1m)3.03%
PT rev (3m)3.03%
EPS NQ rev (1m)5.36%
EPS NQ rev (3m)5.36%
EPS NY rev (1m)-0.47%
EPS NY rev (3m)-0.47%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)1.82%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)1.82%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0.99%
Revenue NY rev (3m)0.99%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 46.84 | ||
| Fwd PE | 18.3 | ||
| P/S | 1.78 | ||
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| P/OCF | 44.91 | ||
| P/B | 4.4 | ||
| P/tB | 5.59 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 20.42 |
EPS(TTM)0.51
EY2.13%
EPS(NY)1.31
Fwd EY5.47%
FCF(TTM)-0.19
FCFYN/A
OCF(TTM)0.53
OCFY2.23%
SpS13.4
BVpS5.43
TBVpS4.27
PEG (NY)0.57
PEG (5Y)0.57
Graham Number7.9
Profitability
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 10.19% | ||
| ROE | 13.48% | ||
| ROCE | 15.24% | ||
| ROIC | 10.12% | ||
| ROICexc | 13.81% | ||
| ROICexgc | 19.17% | ||
| OM | 6.43% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 5.47% | ||
| GM | 26.82% | ||
| FCFM | N/A |
ROA(3y)8.4%
ROA(5y)7.01%
ROE(3y)11.08%
ROE(5y)9.36%
ROIC(3y)10.79%
ROIC(5y)9.06%
ROICexc(3y)13.51%
ROICexc(5y)11.16%
ROICexgc(3y)20.52%
ROICexgc(5y)17.09%
ROCE(3y)16.23%
ROCE(5y)13.64%
ROICexgc growth 3Y19.7%
ROICexgc growth 5YN/A
ROICexc growth 3Y25.21%
ROICexc growth 5YN/A
OM growth 3Y13.75%
OM growth 5YN/A
PM growth 3Y20.36%
PM growth 5Y55.37%
GM growth 3Y2.57%
GM growth 5Y1.97%
F-Score4
Asset Turnover1.86
Health
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 0 | ||
| Debt/FCF | N/A | ||
| Debt/EBITDA | 0 | ||
| Cap/Depr | 283.67% | ||
| Cap/Sales | 5.35% | ||
| Interest Coverage | 291.6 | ||
| Cash Conversion | 47.73% | ||
| Profit Quality | N/A | ||
| Current Ratio | 2.3 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 1.83 | ||
| Altman-Z | 11.98 |
F-Score4
WACC8.79%
ROIC/WACC1.15
Cap/Depr(3y)150.52%
Cap/Depr(5y)115.42%
Cap/Sales(3y)2.91%
Cap/Sales(5y)2.44%
Profit Quality(3y)80.06%
Profit Quality(5y)98.16%
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)-40.7%
EPS 3Y39.44%
EPS 5Y81.84%
EPS Q2Q%21.05%
EPS Next Y82.39%
EPS Next 2Y48.76%
EPS Next 3YN/A
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue 1Y (TTM)12.14%
Revenue growth 3Y16.19%
Revenue growth 5Y14.8%
Sales Q2Q%23.97%
Revenue Next Year12.86%
Revenue Next 2Y13.02%
Revenue Next 3YN/A
Revenue Next 5YN/A
EBIT growth 1Y-30.54%
EBIT growth 3Y32.17%
EBIT growth 5YN/A
EBIT Next Year39.88%
EBIT Next 3YN/A
EBIT Next 5YN/A
FCF growth 1Y-133.24%
FCF growth 3Y19.84%
FCF growth 5Y18.96%
OCF growth 1Y-35.13%
OCF growth 3Y32.6%
OCF growth 5Y27.75%
LIFEWAY FOODS INC / LWAY FAQ
Can you provide the ChartMill fundamental rating for LIFEWAY FOODS INC?
ChartMill assigns a fundamental rating of 6 / 10 to LWAY.
What is the valuation status of LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) stock?
ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 4 / 10 to LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY). This can be considered as Fairly Valued.
How profitable is LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) stock?
LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) has a profitability rating of 8 / 10.
Can you provide the PE and PB ratios for LWAY stock?
The Price/Earnings (PE) ratio for LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) is 46.84 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 4.4.
Can you provide the expected EPS growth for LWAY stock?
The Earnings per Share (EPS) of LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) is expected to grow by 82.39% in the next year.