22.09 USD
-0.64 (-2.82%)
LWAY gets a fundamental rating of 7 out of 10. The analysis compared the fundamentals against 87 industry peers in the Food Products industry. LWAY scores excellent points on both the profitability and health parts. This is a solid base for a good stock. LWAY is not valued too expensively and it also shows a decent growth rate. These ratings could make LWAY a good candidate for quality investing.
1. Profitability
1.1 Basic Checks
In the past year LWAY was profitable.
LWAY had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
In the past 5 years LWAY has always been profitable.
Each year in the past 5 years LWAY had a positive operating cash flow.
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 Return On Invested Capital of 10.12%. This is amongst the best in the industry. LWAY outperforms 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 28.02%.
| 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
With a decent Profit Margin value of 5.47%, LWAY is doing good in the industry, outperforming 73.56% of the companies in the same industry.
LWAY's Profit Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
The Operating Margin of LWAY (6.43%) is better than 68.97% of its industry peers.
In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of LWAY has grown nicely.
The Gross Margin of LWAY (26.82%) is better than 64.37% of its industry peers.
LWAY's Gross Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
| 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
With a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) just above the Cost of Capital (WACC), LWAY is creating some value.
Compared to 1 year ago, LWAY has more shares outstanding
The number of shares outstanding for LWAY has been reduced compared to 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
LWAY has an Altman-Z score of 11.45. 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 11.45, LWAY belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 94.25% of the companies in the same industry.
LWAY has no outstanding debt. Therefor its Debt/Equity and Debt/FCF ratios are 0 and belong to the best of the industry.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 0 | ||
| Debt/FCF | N/A | ||
| Altman-Z | 11.45 |
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.
The Current ratio of LWAY (2.30) is better than 67.82% of its industry peers.
A Quick Ratio of 1.83 indicates that LWAY should not have too much problems paying its short term obligations.
With an excellent Quick ratio value of 1.83, LWAY belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 83.91% of the companies in the same industry.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 2.3 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 1.83 |
3. Growth
3.1 Past
The earnings per share for LWAY have decreased strongly by -40.70% in the last year.
The Earnings Per Share has been growing by 81.84% on average over the past years. This is a very strong growth
LWAY shows quite a strong growth in Revenue. In the last year, the Revenue has grown by 12.14%.
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
LWAY is expected to show a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. In the coming years, the EPS will grow by 48.76% yearly.
Based on estimates for the next years, LWAY will show a quite strong growth in Revenue. The Revenue will grow by 13.02% on average per year.
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 43.31, which means the current valuation is very expensive for LWAY.
LWAY's Price/Earnings is on the same level as the industry average.
LWAY is valuated expensively when we compare the Price/Earnings ratio to 27.17, which is the current average of the S&P500 Index.
Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 16.92, the valuation of LWAY can be described as correct.
Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio, LWAY is valued a bit cheaper than the industry average as 62.07% 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 23.79.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 43.31 | ||
| Fwd PE | 16.92 |
4.2 Price Multiples
Compared to the rest of the industry, the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio of LWAY is on the same level as its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 19.04 |
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.
LWAY's earnings are expected to grow with 48.76% in the coming years. This may justify a more expensive valuation.
PEG (NY)0.53
PEG (5Y)0.53
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 (1/6/2026, 7:26:31 PM)
22.09
-0.64 (-2.82%)
Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorConsumer Staples
GICS IndustryGroupFood, Beverage & Tobacco
GICS IndustryFood Products
Earnings (Last)
Earnings (Next)
Inst Owners26.78%
Inst Owner Change0%
Ins Owners15.24%
Ins Owner Change-2.05%
Market Cap336.43M
Revenue(TTM)204.07M
Net Income(TTM)11.16M
Analysts82.5
Price Target34.68 (56.99%)
Short Float %5.18%
Short Ratio3.5
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)0%
EPS NQ rev (3m)5.36%
EPS NY rev (1m)0%
EPS NY rev (3m)-0.47%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)1.82%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0%
Revenue NY rev (3m)0.99%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 43.31 | ||
| Fwd PE | 16.92 | ||
| P/S | 1.65 | ||
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| P/OCF | 41.52 | ||
| P/B | 4.06 | ||
| P/tB | 5.17 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 19.04 |
EPS(TTM)0.51
EY2.31%
EPS(NY)1.31
Fwd EY5.91%
FCF(TTM)-0.19
FCFYN/A
OCF(TTM)0.53
OCFY2.41%
SpS13.4
BVpS5.43
TBVpS4.27
PEG (NY)0.53
PEG (5Y)0.53
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 | 11.45 |
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
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 5 / 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.
What is the valuation of LIFEWAY FOODS INC based on its PE and PB ratios?
The Price/Earnings (PE) ratio for LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) is 43.31 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 4.06.
Can you provide the dividend sustainability for LWAY stock?
The dividend rating of LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) is 0 / 10 and the dividend payout ratio is 0%.