LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation
NASDAQ:LWAY • US5319141090
Current stock price
24.4 USD
+0.63 (+2.65%)
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.
- LWAY had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
- LWAY had positive earnings in each of the past 5 years.
- Each year in the past 5 years LWAY had a positive operating cash flow.
1.2 Ratios
- LWAY's Return On Assets of 13.12% is amongst the best of the industry. LWAY outperforms 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.
- LWAY has a Return On Invested Capital of 12.27%. This is amongst the best in the industry. LWAY outperforms 93.10% of its industry peers.
- Measured over the past 3 years, the Average Return On Invested Capital for LWAY is significantly above the industry average of 6.75%.
| 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
- Looking at the Profit Margin, with a value of 6.52%, LWAY belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 82.76% of the companies in the same industry.
- In the last couple of years the Profit Margin of LWAY has grown nicely.
- LWAY has a Operating Margin of 7.61%. This is in the better half of the industry: LWAY outperforms 65.52% of its industry peers.
- In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of LWAY has grown nicely.
- Looking at the Gross Margin, with a value of 27.39%, LWAY is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 65.52% of the companies in the same industry.
- LWAY's Gross Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
| 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
- With a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) just above the Cost of Capital (WACC), LWAY is creating some value.
- LWAY has more shares outstanding than it did 1 year ago.
- Compared to 5 years ago, LWAY has less shares outstanding
- 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 14.84 indicates that LWAY is not in any danger for bankruptcy at the moment.
- Looking at the Altman-Z score, with a value of 14.84, LWAY belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 100.00% 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 | 14.84 |
ROIC/WACC1.37
WACC8.95%
2.3 Liquidity
- A Current Ratio of 2.23 indicates that LWAY has no problem at all paying its short term obligations.
- LWAY has a better Current ratio (2.23) than 67.82% of its industry peers.
- A Quick Ratio of 1.51 indicates that LWAY should not have too much problems paying its short term obligations.
- LWAY has a Quick ratio of 1.51. This is in the better half 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.
- LWAY shows a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. Measured over the last years, the EPS has been growing by 36.24% yearly.
- The Revenue has grown by 13.74% in the past year. This is quite good.
- 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
- Based on estimates for the next years, LWAY will show a very strong growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS will grow by 52.97% on average per year.
- 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
- The EPS growth rate is accelerating: in the next years the growth will be better than in the last years.
- 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
- The Price/Earnings ratio is 35.88, which means the current valuation is very expensive for LWAY.
- The rest of the industry has a similar Price/Earnings ratio as LWAY.
- The average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio is at 27.18. LWAY is valued slightly more expensive when compared to this.
- A Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 20.10 indicates a rather expensive valuation of LWAY.
- LWAY's Price/Forward Earnings is on the same level as the industry average.
- When comparing the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of LWAY to the average of the S&P500 Index (37.96), we can say LWAY is valued slightly cheaper.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 35.88 | ||
| Fwd PE | 20.1 |
4.2 Price Multiples
- LWAY's Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio is in line with the industry average.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 17.59 |
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 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
- LWAY does not give a dividend.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 0% |
LWAY Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics
NASDAQ:LWAY (4/13/2026, 6:35:01 PM)
24.4
+0.63 (+2.65%)
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 Cap369.66M
Revenue(TTM)212.50M
Net Income(TTM)13.86M
Analysts82.5
Price Target34.68 (42.13%)
Short Float %4.11%
Short Ratio4.6
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 | 35.88 | ||
| Fwd PE | 20.1 | ||
| P/S | 1.74 | ||
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| P/OCF | 33.77 | ||
| P/B | 4.31 | ||
| P/tB | 5.41 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 17.59 |
EPS(TTM)0.68
EY2.79%
EPS(NY)1.21
Fwd EY4.97%
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 Number9.31
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 | 14.84 |
F-Score5
WACC8.95%
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.