Lifeway Foods, Inc. (LWAY)

Lifeway Foods' stock price has been influenced by several events in the past six months. On May 13, 2025, Lifeway Foods reported Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) of $0.23, surpassing analysts' expectations. Q4 2024 earnings showed an EPS of -$0.01, missing the estimated $0.18. Q3 2024 earnings had an EPS of $0.19, missing the estimated $0.27. The company projected unaudited net sales for Q3 2025 to be between $55.8 million and $57.0 million. Lifeway Foods has been involved in an ongoing dispute with Danone, regarding what Lifeway's CEO Julie Smolyansky has characterized as a hostile takeover attempt. There have been reports of insider sales and a lobbying disclosure of $10,000 by Lifeway Foods Inc. On July 15, 2025, Lifeway Foods announced a record week, surpassing $5.5 million in gross sales.

Lifeway Foods actively employs a seasonal strategy to manage and capitalize on demand for its products. The company decided to rotate seasonal kefir flavors throughout the year, following the success of its Lowfat Watermelon Kefir. This strategy includes releasing seasonal varieties during the holiday season, and developing new spring flavors. The company has observed strong consumer demand for its flagship Lifeway Kefir and its high-protein Lifeway Farmer Cheese line.

Lifeway Foods, Inc., founded in 1986 and based in Illinois, is a leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products. The company's primary product is drinkable kefir, offered in various sizes, flavors, and types. Beyond kefir, Lifeway Foods produces European-style soft cheeses, cream, drinkable yogurt, and a line of kefir products specifically for children called ProBugs. The company also offers Fresh Made butter and sour cream, and manufactures and markets its products under the brand names Lifeway, Fresh Made, and Glen Oaks Farms, and also produces private label products for certain customers.

Lifeway Foods has a business presence across the Americas, including the United States and Mexico, as well as in France, Ireland, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. The company distributes its products through a direct sales force, brokers, and distributors. In the U.S., Lifeway products are available in nearly every major chain and are expanding into new channels such as corner stores, airports, and universities. Recent expansions in 2025 included thousands of new placements for Lifeway Kefir and Farmer Cheese across major U.S. retailers, including Winn-Dixie.

Lifeway Foods has been recognized as one of Forbes' Best Small Companies. On October 27, 2025, Lifeway Foods announced a strategic collaboration with Joe & The Juice to launch a limited-edition functional smoothie. Viral social media posts on platforms like TikTok and Instagram have generated robust demand for Lifeway's key product line. The ongoing hostile takeover attempt by Danone could potentially impact brand perception.

Lifeway Foods, Inc.'s ownership structure includes a mix of individual and institutional investors. Individuals hold 42.5% of the company's shares. Institutional investors hold approximately 4.62% to 29.01% of the stock, while insiders own 41.68%. Danone SA holds a significant stake of 23.32%. Julie Smolyansky, the CEO, owns the most shares among individual investors. Major institutional shareholders include Kanen Wealth Management LLC, Renaissance Technologies Llc, Vanguard Group Inc, BlackRock, Inc., Dimensional Fund Advisors Lp, TIG Advisors, LLC, VTSMX - Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares, Gamco Investors, Inc. Et Al, Slotnik Capital, LLC, IWM - iShares Russell 2000 ETF, Geode Capital Management, Llc, Tudor Investment Corp Et Al, Gabelli Funds Llc, Inspire Investing LLC, Lazard Asset Management LLC, BNP Paribas Financial Markets, Beryl Capital Management LLC, Bank of America Corp DE, Jane Street Group LLC, Raymond James Financial Inc., Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. Can, Marshall Wace LLP, First Trust Advisors LP and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ.