23.74 USD
-0.18 (-0.75%)
Taking everything into account, LWAY scores 6 out of 10 in our fundamental rating. LWAY was compared to 86 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. With these ratings, LWAY could be worth investigating further 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.
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
LWAY has a better Return On Assets (10.19%) than 94.19% of its industry peers.
The Return On Equity of LWAY (13.48%) is better than 80.23% of its industry peers.
LWAY has a better Return On Invested Capital (10.12%) than 86.05% of its industry peers.
The Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years for LWAY is significantly below the industry average of 28.77%.
| 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
Looking at the Profit Margin, with a value of 5.47%, LWAY is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 72.09% of the companies in the same industry.
In the last couple of years the Profit Margin of LWAY has grown nicely.
LWAY has a better Operating Margin (6.43%) than 67.44% of its industry peers.
LWAY's Operating Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
LWAY has a Gross Margin of 26.82%. This is in the better half of the industry: LWAY outperforms 62.79% 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.
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
LWAY has an Altman-Z score of 11.86. This indicates that LWAY is financially healthy and has little risk of bankruptcy at the moment.
LWAY has a better Altman-Z score (11.86) than 95.35% 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 | 11.86 |
ROIC/WACC1.16
WACC8.76%
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 better Current ratio (2.30) than 68.60% 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 better Quick ratio (1.83) than 83.72% 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%.
Measured over the past years, LWAY shows a very strong growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS has been growing by 81.84% on average per year.
Looking at the last year, LWAY shows a quite strong growth in Revenue. The Revenue has grown by 12.14% in the last year.
The Revenue has been growing by 14.80% on average over the past years. This is quite good.
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.
The Revenue is expected to grow by 13.02% on average over the next years. This is quite good.
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
Although the future EPS growth is still strong, it is not able to hold up the even more excellent growth rate of 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
Based on the Price/Earnings ratio of 46.55, the valuation of LWAY can be described as expensive.
LWAY's Price/Earnings is on the same level as the industry average.
The average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio is at 26.49. LWAY is valued rather expensively when compared to this.
A Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 18.18 indicates a rather expensive valuation of LWAY.
LWAY's Price/Forward Earnings ratio is a bit cheaper when compared to the industry. LWAY is cheaper than 62.79% of the companies in the same industry.
LWAY's Price/Forward Earnings ratio indicates a valuation a bit cheaper than the S&P500 average which is at 23.69.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 46.55 | ||
| Fwd PE | 18.18 |
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 | 20.11 |
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.
LWAY has an outstanding profitability rating, which 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)0.56
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 | N/A |
NASDAQ:LWAY (12/8/2025, 10:14:32 AM)
23.74
-0.18 (-0.75%)
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-2.27%
Market Cap361.56M
Revenue(TTM)204.07M
Net Income(TTM)11.16M
Analysts82.5
Price Target34.68 (46.08%)
Short Float %3.95%
Short Ratio1.81
Dividend
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | N/A |
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 | 46.55 | ||
| Fwd PE | 18.18 | ||
| P/S | 1.77 | ||
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| P/OCF | 44.63 | ||
| P/B | 4.37 | ||
| P/tB | 5.55 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 20.11 |
EPS(TTM)0.51
EY2.15%
EPS(NY)1.31
Fwd EY5.5%
FCF(TTM)-0.19
FCFYN/A
OCF(TTM)0.53
OCFY2.24%
SpS13.4
BVpS5.43
TBVpS4.27
PEG (NY)0.56
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 | 11.86 |
F-Score4
WACC8.76%
ROIC/WACC1.16
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 46.55 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 4.37.
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.