LIFEWAY FOODS INC (LWAY) Stock Fundamental Analysis

NASDAQ:LWAY • US5319141090

22.56 USD
+0.77 (+3.53%)
Last: Feb 25, 2026, 04:30 PM
Overview Stock Chart Technical Analysis Fundamental Analysis Analyst Ratings Earnings Estimates Financials Ownership News
Fundamental Rating

6

Overall LWAY gets a fundamental rating of 6 out of 10. We evaluated LWAY against 88 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 is not valued too expensively and it also shows a decent growth rate. With these ratings, LWAY could be worth investigating further 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.
  • 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

  • Looking at the Return On Assets, with a value of 10.19%, LWAY belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 94.32% of the companies in the same industry.
  • LWAY has a better Return On Equity (13.48%) than 81.82% of its industry peers.
  • LWAY has a Return On Invested Capital of 10.12%. This is amongst the best in the industry. LWAY outperforms 89.77% of its industry peers.
  • The Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years for LWAY is significantly below the industry average of 28.12%.
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 73.86% 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 68.18% of its industry peers.
  • LWAY's Operating Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
  • The Gross Margin of LWAY (26.82%) is better than 64.77% 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

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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.
  • The number of shares outstanding for LWAY has been increased compared to 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.
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

  • LWAY has an Altman-Z score of 11.13. This indicates that LWAY is financially healthy and has little risk of bankruptcy at the moment.
  • The Altman-Z score of LWAY (11.13) is better than 96.59% 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 11.13
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

  • A Current Ratio of 2.30 indicates that LWAY has no problem at all paying its short term obligations.
  • LWAY's Current ratio of 2.30 is fine compared to the rest of the industry. LWAY outperforms 65.91% of its industry peers.
  • 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 81.82% 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.
  • 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

  • Based on estimates for the next years, LWAY will show a very strong growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS will grow by 39.79% on average per year.
  • 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

More info and screens

Find the best growth stocksShow best growing peers

4

4. Valuation

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

  • With a Price/Earnings ratio of 44.24, LWAY can be considered very expensive at the moment.
  • LWAY's Price/Earnings is on the same level as the industry average.
  • The average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio is at 27.05. LWAY is valued rather expensively when compared to this.
  • A Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 17.98 indicates a rather expensive valuation of LWAY.
  • Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of LWAY indicates a somewhat cheap valuation: LWAY is cheaper than 68.18% of the companies listed in the same industry.
  • When comparing the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of LWAY to the average of the S&P500 Index (28.03), we can say LWAY is valued slightly cheaper.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 44.24
Fwd PE 17.98
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 ratio is in line with the industry average.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF N/A
EV/EBITDA 18.2
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 39.79% in the coming years. This may justify a more expensive valuation.
PEG (NY)0.55
PEG (5Y)0.54
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

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

More info and screens

Find the best dividend stocksShow peers with best dividend

LIFEWAY FOODS INC

NASDAQ:LWAY (2/25/2026, 4:30:00 PM)

22.56

+0.77 (+3.53%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorConsumer Staples
GICS IndustryGroupFood, Beverage & Tobacco
GICS IndustryFood Products
Earnings (Last)11-12
Earnings (Next)03-19
Inst Owners26.78%
Inst Owner Change5.5%
Ins Owners15.24%
Ins Owner Change-1.94%
Market Cap343.59M
Revenue(TTM)204.07M
Net Income(TTM)11.16M
Analysts82.5
Price Target34.68 (53.72%)
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)0%
EPS NQ rev (3m)1.79%
EPS NY rev (1m)0%
EPS NY rev (3m)-1.42%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)0%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0%
Revenue NY rev (3m)0.5%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 44.24
Fwd PE 17.98
P/S 1.68
P/FCF N/A
P/OCF 42.41
P/B 4.15
P/tB 5.28
EV/EBITDA 18.2
EPS(TTM)0.51
EY2.26%
EPS(NY)1.25
Fwd EY5.56%
FCF(TTM)-0.19
FCFYN/A
OCF(TTM)0.53
OCFY2.36%
SpS13.4
BVpS5.43
TBVpS4.27
PEG (NY)0.55
PEG (5Y)0.54
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 44.24 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 4.15.


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%.