LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) Stock Fundamental Analysis

NASDAQ:LWAY • US5319141090

21.78 USD
-0.2 (-0.91%)
At close: Feb 17, 2026
21.78 USD
0 (0%)
After Hours: 2/17/2026, 8:00:02 PM
Overview Stock Chart Technical Analysis Fundamental Analysis Analyst Ratings Earnings Estimates Financials Ownership News
Fundamental Rating

6

LWAY gets a fundamental rating of 6 out of 10. The analysis compared the fundamentals against 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 could make LWAY a good candidate 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.
  • In the past 5 years LWAY has always been profitable.
  • In the past 5 years LWAY always reported a positive cash flow from operatings.
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's Return On Equity of 13.48% is amongst the best of the industry. LWAY outperforms 81.61% of its industry peers.
  • 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.
  • The Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years for LWAY is significantly below the industry average of 28.07%.
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

  • The Profit Margin of LWAY (5.47%) is better than 73.56% of its industry peers.
  • In the last couple of years the Profit Margin of LWAY has grown nicely.
  • LWAY's Operating Margin of 6.43% is fine compared to the rest of the industry. LWAY outperforms 67.82% of its industry peers.
  • LWAY's Operating Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
  • With a decent Gross Margin value of 26.82%, LWAY is doing good in the industry, outperforming 64.37% of the companies in the same industry.
  • 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

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ROAROEROICOperating and Profit MarginShow most profitable peers

8

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.
  • 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 11.13 indicates that LWAY is not in any danger for bankruptcy at the moment.
  • Looking at the Altman-Z score, with a value of 11.13, LWAY belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 96.55% 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 RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0
Debt/FCF N/A
Altman-Z 11.13
ROIC/WACC1.17
WACC8.66%
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

  • 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.
  • Looking at the Current ratio, with a value of 2.30, LWAY is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 66.67% of the companies in the same industry.
  • A Quick Ratio of 1.83 indicates that LWAY should not have too much problems paying its short term obligations.
  • The Quick ratio of LWAY (1.83) is better than 81.61% 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

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WACCDebt/EquityHow to determine the health of a companyAltman-Z scoreShow peers with great health

6

3. Growth

3.1 Past

  • The earnings per share for LWAY have decreased strongly by -40.70% in the last year.
  • 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.
  • The Revenue has grown by 12.14% in the past year. This is quite good.
  • 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 39.79% yearly.
  • LWAY is expected to show quite a strong growth in Revenue. In the coming years, the Revenue will grow by 13.67% yearly.
EPS Next Y80.66%
EPS Next 2Y45.82%
EPS Next 3Y39.79%
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue Next Year12.32%
Revenue Next 2Y13.02%
Revenue Next 3Y13.67%
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.
  • 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 2027 50M 100M 150M 200M 250M
LWAY Yearly EPS VS EstimatesLWAY Yearly EPS VS EstimatesYearly EPS VS Estimates 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 0 0.5 1 1.5

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Find the best growth stocksShow best growing peers

4

4. Valuation

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

  • With a Price/Earnings ratio of 42.71, LWAY can be considered very expensive at the moment.
  • The rest of the industry has a similar Price/Earnings ratio as LWAY.
  • When comparing the Price/Earnings ratio of LWAY to the average of the S&P500 Index (27.16), we can say LWAY is valued expensively.
  • LWAY is valuated rather expensively with a Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 17.36.
  • LWAY's Price/Forward Earnings ratio is a bit cheaper when compared to the industry. LWAY is cheaper than 63.22% of the companies in the same industry.
  • When comparing the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of LWAY to the average of the S&P500 Index (28.10), we can say LWAY is valued slightly cheaper.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 42.71
Fwd PE 17.36
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

  • LWAY's Enterprise Value to EBITDA is on the same level as the industry average.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF N/A
EV/EBITDA 18.19
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 39.79% in the coming years.
PEG (NY)0.53
PEG (5Y)0.52
EPS Next 2Y45.82%
EPS Next 3Y39.79%

More info and screens

Price/EarningsPrice/FCFFCF per shareEV/EBITDAPEG RATIOShow best valued peers

0

5. Dividend

5.1 Amount

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

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Find the best dividend stocksShow peers with best dividend

LIFEWAY FOODS INC

NASDAQ:LWAY (2/17/2026, 8:00:02 PM)

After market: 21.78 0 (0%)

21.78

-0.2 (-0.91%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorConsumer Staples
GICS IndustryGroupFood, Beverage & Tobacco
GICS IndustryFood Products
Earnings (Last)11-12
Earnings (Next)03-12
Inst Owners26.78%
Inst Owner Change-21.59%
Ins Owners15.24%
Ins Owner Change-1.94%
Market Cap331.71M
Revenue(TTM)204.07M
Net Income(TTM)11.16M
Analysts82.5
Price Target34.68 (59.23%)
Short Float %4.93%
Short Ratio4.53
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)0%
PT rev (3m)3.03%
EPS NQ rev (1m)-3.39%
EPS NQ rev (3m)1.79%
EPS NY rev (1m)-0.95%
EPS NY rev (3m)-1.42%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)-1.79%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)0%
Revenue NY rev (1m)-0.48%
Revenue NY rev (3m)0.5%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 42.71
Fwd PE 17.36
P/S 1.63
P/FCF N/A
P/OCF 40.94
P/B 4.01
P/tB 5.09
EV/EBITDA 18.19
EPS(TTM)0.51
EY2.34%
EPS(NY)1.25
Fwd EY5.76%
FCF(TTM)-0.19
FCFYN/A
OCF(TTM)0.53
OCFY2.44%
SpS13.4
BVpS5.43
TBVpS4.27
PEG (NY)0.53
PEG (5Y)0.52
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 11.13
F-Score4
WACC8.66%
ROIC/WACC1.17
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 Y80.66%
EPS Next 2Y45.82%
EPS Next 3Y39.79%
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue 1Y (TTM)12.14%
Revenue growth 3Y16.19%
Revenue growth 5Y14.8%
Sales Q2Q%23.97%
Revenue Next Year12.32%
Revenue Next 2Y13.02%
Revenue Next 3Y13.67%
Revenue Next 5YN/A
EBIT growth 1Y-30.54%
EBIT growth 3Y32.17%
EBIT growth 5YN/A
EBIT Next Year54.46%
EBIT Next 3Y33.64%
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 42.71 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 4.01.


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%.