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LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) Stock Fundamental Analysis

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

22.78 USD
+0.1 (+0.44%)
Last: 1/9/2026, 8:00:30 PM
22.78 USD
0 (0%)
After Hours: 1/9/2026, 8:00:30 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 decent growth rate and is not valued too expensively. These ratings would make LWAY suitable for quality investing!


Dividend Valuation Growth Profitability Health

8

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.
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 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 5M 10M 15M

1.2 Ratios

LWAY has a Return On Assets of 10.19%. This is amongst the best in the industry. LWAY outperforms 94.25% of its industry peers.
LWAY has a Return On Equity of 13.48%. This is amongst the best in the industry. LWAY outperforms 82.76% of its industry peers.
LWAY has a better Return On Invested Capital (10.12%) than 89.66% of its industry peers.
LWAY had an Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years of 10.79%. This is significantly below the industry average of 28.02%.
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 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 5 -5 10 15

1.3 Margins

Looking at the Profit Margin, with a value of 5.47%, LWAY is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 73.56% of the companies in the same industry.
LWAY's Profit Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
With a decent Operating Margin value of 6.43%, LWAY is doing good in the industry, outperforming 68.97% of the companies in the same industry.
LWAY's Operating Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
LWAY has a better Gross Margin (26.82%) than 64.37% of its industry peers.
LWAY's Gross Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
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 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.
The number of shares outstanding for LWAY has been increased compared to 1 year ago.
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 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 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 20M 40M 60M 80M

2.2 Solvency

An Altman-Z score of 11.44 indicates that LWAY is not in any danger for bankruptcy at the moment.
LWAY's Altman-Z score of 11.44 is amongst the best of 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 11.44
ROIC/WACC1.15
WACC8.8%
LWAY Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFLWAY Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFYearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCF 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.
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.
LWAY has a better Quick ratio (1.83) than 83.91% of its industry peers.
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 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 10M 20M 30M 40M

6

3. Growth

3.1 Past

The earnings per share for LWAY have decreased strongly by -40.70% in the last year.
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.
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

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.
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.
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.
LWAY Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesLWAY Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesYearly Revenue VS Estimates 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 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

4

4. Valuation

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

LWAY is valuated quite expensively with a Price/Earnings ratio of 44.67.
The rest of the industry has a similar Price/Earnings ratio as LWAY.
The average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio is at 27.19. LWAY is valued rather expensively when compared to this.
The Price/Forward Earnings ratio is 17.45, which indicates a rather expensive current valuation of LWAY.
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 23.88.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 44.67
Fwd PE 17.45
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
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

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.
A more expensive valuation may be justified as LWAY's earnings are expected to grow with 48.76% in the coming years.
PEG (NY)0.54
PEG (5Y)0.55
EPS Next 2Y48.76%
EPS Next 3YN/A

0

5. Dividend

5.1 Amount

No dividends for LWAY!.
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 0%

LIFEWAY FOODS INC

NASDAQ:LWAY (1/9/2026, 8:00:30 PM)

After market: 22.78 0 (0%)

22.78

+0.1 (+0.44%)

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 Change0%
Ins Owners15.24%
Ins Owner Change-2.05%
Market Cap346.94M
Revenue(TTM)204.07M
Net Income(TTM)11.16M
Analysts82.5
Price Target34.68 (52.24%)
Short Float %5.18%
Short Ratio3.5
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)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 RankSector Rank
PE 44.67
Fwd PE 17.45
P/S 1.7
P/FCF N/A
P/OCF 42.82
P/B 4.19
P/tB 5.33
EV/EBITDA 19
EPS(TTM)0.51
EY2.24%
EPS(NY)1.31
Fwd EY5.73%
FCF(TTM)-0.19
FCFYN/A
OCF(TTM)0.53
OCFY2.34%
SpS13.4
BVpS5.43
TBVpS4.27
PEG (NY)0.54
PEG (5Y)0.55
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 11.44
F-Score4
WACC8.8%
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 6 / 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.


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 44.67 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 4.19.


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%.