Lifeway Foods, Inc. (LWAY)

In the past six months, Lifeway Foods' stock has been impacted by earnings reports and a proxy contest. For Q3 2025, Lifeway reported an EPS that missed analysts' expectations but announced record net sales. Lifeway announced estimated unaudited net sales for the first two months of Q3, representing an increase compared to the same period last year. The company has been involved in a proxy contest and governance disputes, involving the Smolyansky family. Over the past year, Lifeway has experienced a change of -5.040%, with a 52-week range between $19.500 and $34.200.

Lifeway Foods has implemented a strategy to address demand seasonality for its products by rotating seasonal flavors of its kefir throughout the year. Seasonal Pumpkin Spice, Eggnog, and Cranberry Creme Brulee kefir varieties are released in small batches in September, November, and December, respectively, with a new spring flavor planned for March. This approach aims to vary the menu for regular kefir drinkers and attract new customers with unique flavor profiles.

Lifeway Foods, Inc. is a public company based in Morton Grove, Illinois, specializing in the manufacturing and distribution of probiotic-based food products, operating within the Food Processing sector. Its primary product is drinkable kefir, offered in various options, and it also produces European-style soft cheeses and a line of kefir products for children. The company markets its products under the Lifeway, Glen Oaks, and Fresh Made brand names, as well as private labels.

Lifeway Foods distributes and sells its products across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and France, utilizing brokers, a direct sales force, online networks, and distributors. In 2025, Lifeway expanded its farmer cheese distribution to 2,000 Walmart stores and entered 1,400 Albertsons stores across the U.S.

In the past year, Lifeway Foods has received several positive recognitions, highlighting its strong brand reputation. Lifeway Foods and its CEO, Julie Smolyansky, were named Dairy Foods' Processor of the Year 2025. The company was named to Inc. magazine's 2025 Best in Business list in the Best Challenger Brands category. Lifeway Foods was awarded on TIME's America's Growth Leaders 2026 Ranking. Lifeway has engaged in social-first kefir campaigns and supports GENYOUth's End Student Hunger initiative. Despite positive brand recognition, the ongoing proxy contest and governance disputes could potentially impact brand reputation.

Lifeway Foods, Inc. has a mixed ownership structure comprising the founding family, institutional investors, and public shareholders. The Smolyansky family plays a significant role in the company's ownership and management. Lifeway Foods, Inc. has 182 institutional owners and shareholders who have filed 13D/G or 13F forms with the SEC, holding a total of 4,137,368 shares. Danone SA holds 22.69% of the equities.