Logo image of LWAY

LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) Stock Fundamental Analysis

USA - Nasdaq - NASDAQ:LWAY - US5319141090 - Common Stock

23.78 USD
+0.52 (+2.24%)
Last: 12/16/2025, 4:02:30 PM
23.78 USD
0 (0%)
After Hours: 12/16/2025, 4:02:30 PM
Fundamental Rating

6

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. LWAY gets an excellent profitability rating and is at the same time showing great financial health properties. LWAY has a correct valuation and a medium growth rate. These ratings would make LWAY suitable for quality investing!


Dividend Valuation Growth Profitability Health

8

1. Profitability

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.
LWAY Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFLWAY Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFYearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCF 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 5M 10M 15M

1.2 Ratios

The Return On Assets of LWAY (10.19%) is better than 94.25% of its industry peers.
Looking at the Return On Equity, with a value of 13.48%, LWAY belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 81.61% of the companies in the same industry.
With an excellent Return On Invested Capital value of 10.12%, LWAY belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 87.36% of the companies in the same industry.
The Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years for LWAY is significantly below the industry average of 28.26%.
Industry RankSector 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%
LWAY Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICLWAY Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICYearly ROA, ROE, ROIC 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 5 -5 10 15

1.3 Margins

With a decent Profit Margin value of 5.47%, LWAY is doing good in the industry, outperforming 72.41% 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 67.82% of its industry peers.
LWAY's Operating Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
LWAY's Gross Margin of 26.82% is fine compared to the rest of the industry. LWAY outperforms 64.37% of its industry peers.
In the last couple of years the Gross Margin of LWAY has grown nicely.
Industry RankSector 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%
LWAY Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsLWAY Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsYearly Profit, Operating, Gross Margins 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 10 20

8

2. Health

2.1 Basic Checks

LWAY has a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), which is just above the Cost of Capital (WACC), which means it 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.
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.
LWAY Yearly Shares OutstandingLWAY Yearly Shares OutstandingYearly Shares Outstanding 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 5M 10M 15M
LWAY Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsLWAY Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsYearly Total Debt VS Total Assets 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 20M 40M 60M 80M

2.2 Solvency

An Altman-Z score of 11.63 indicates that LWAY is not in any danger for bankruptcy at the moment.
LWAY has a Altman-Z score of 11.63. This is amongst the best in the industry. LWAY outperforms 94.25% 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 RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0
Debt/FCF N/A
Altman-Z 11.63
ROIC/WACC1.15
WACC8.81%
LWAY Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFLWAY Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFYearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCF 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 20M 40M 60M

2.3 Liquidity

A Current Ratio of 2.30 indicates that LWAY has no problem at all paying its short term obligations.
Looking at the Current ratio, with a value of 2.30, 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 1.83. This is a normal value and indicates that LWAY is financially healthy and should not expect problems in meeting 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 RankSector Rank
Current Ratio 2.3
Quick Ratio 1.83
LWAY Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesLWAY Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesYearly Current Assets VS Current Liabilites 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 10M 20M 30M 40M

6

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.
Measured over the past years, LWAY shows a quite strong growth in Revenue. The Revenue has been growing by 14.80% on average per year.
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

The Earnings Per Share is expected to grow by 48.76% on average over the next years. This is a very strong growth
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

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.
LWAY Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesLWAY Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesYearly Revenue VS Estimates 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 50M 100M 150M 200M
LWAY Yearly EPS VS EstimatesLWAY Yearly EPS VS EstimatesYearly EPS VS Estimates 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 0 1 2 3

4

4. Valuation

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

The Price/Earnings ratio is 46.63, which means the current valuation is very expensive for LWAY.
LWAY's Price/Earnings ratio is in line with the industry average.
The average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio is at 26.55. LWAY is valued rather expensively when compared to this.
Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 18.21, the valuation of LWAY can be described as rather expensive.
Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio, LWAY is valued a bit cheaper than the industry average as 64.37% of the companies are valued more expensively.
The average S&P500 Price/Forward Earnings ratio is at 23.78. LWAY is valued slightly cheaper when compared to this.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 46.63
Fwd PE 18.21
LWAY Price Earnings VS Forward Price EarningsLWAY Price Earnings VS Forward Price Earnings ChartPrice Earnings - Forward Price Earnings PE FPE 10 20 30 40

4.2 Price Multiples

The rest of the industry has a similar Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio as LWAY.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF N/A
EV/EBITDA 19.52
LWAY Per share dataLWAY EPS, Sales, OCF, FCF, BookValue per sharePer Share Data Per Share 0 2 4 6 8 10

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 48.76% in the coming years. This may justify a more expensive valuation.
PEG (NY)0.57
PEG (5Y)0.57
EPS Next 2Y48.76%
EPS Next 3YN/A

0

5. Dividend

5.1 Amount

LWAY does not give a dividend.
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 0%

LIFEWAY FOODS INC

NASDAQ:LWAY (12/16/2025, 4:02:30 PM)

After market: 23.78 0 (0%)

23.78

+0.52 (+2.24%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorConsumer Staples
GICS IndustryGroupFood, Beverage & Tobacco
GICS IndustryFood Products
Earnings (Last)11-12 2025-11-12/bmo
Earnings (Next)03-12 2026-03-12/bmo
Inst Owners26.78%
Inst Owner Change35.09%
Ins Owners15.21%
Ins Owner Change-2.27%
Market Cap362.17M
Revenue(TTM)204.07M
Net Income(TTM)11.16M
Analysts82.5
Price Target34.68 (45.84%)
Short Float %4.43%
Short Ratio2.49
Dividend
Industry RankSector 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 RankSector Rank
PE 46.63
Fwd PE 18.21
P/S 1.77
P/FCF N/A
P/OCF 44.7
P/B 4.38
P/tB 5.56
EV/EBITDA 19.52
EPS(TTM)0.51
EY2.14%
EPS(NY)1.31
Fwd EY5.49%
FCF(TTM)-0.19
FCFYN/A
OCF(TTM)0.53
OCFY2.24%
SpS13.4
BVpS5.43
TBVpS4.27
PEG (NY)0.57
PEG (5Y)0.57
Graham Number7.9
Profitability
Industry RankSector 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 RankSector 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 11.63
F-Score4
WACC8.81%
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 46.63 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 4.38.


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.