Rhumbline Advisers Boosts Stock Holdings in Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:LWAY)

Rhumbline Advisers boosted its position in shares of Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:LWAY) by 23.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,606 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 1,059 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers’ holdings in Lifeway Foods were worth $139,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in shares of Lifeway Foods by 71.2% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,778 shares of the company’s stock valued at $72,000 after purchasing an additional 1,155 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC grew its position in shares of Lifeway Foods by 40.5% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 6,420 shares of the company’s stock valued at $167,000 after purchasing an additional 1,849 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Lifeway Foods in the third quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Lifeway Foods by 1.8% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 115,971 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,006,000 after purchasing an additional 2,018 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Lifeway Foods by 451.4% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 10,576 shares of the company’s stock valued at $274,000 after purchasing an additional 8,658 shares in the last quarter. 36.39% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Lifeway Foods

In related news, major shareholder Ludmila Smolyansky sold 45,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.49, for a total value of $1,057,050.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 1,025,549 shares in the company, valued at approximately $24,090,146.01. This represents a 4.20 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 122,034 shares of company stock worth $2,797,217. Insiders own 18.86% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on Lifeway Foods in a research report on Thursday, March 6th. They issued a “hold” rating for the company.

Lifeway Foods Stock Performance

LWAY opened at $20.40 on Tuesday. Lifeway Foods, Inc. has a one year low of $10.06 and a one year high of $28.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $302.25 million, a PE ratio of 23.72 and a beta of 1.00. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $22.42 and its 200 day moving average price is $23.42.

Lifeway Foods Company Profile

Lifeway Foods, Inc produces and markets probiotic-based products in the United States and internationally. Its primary product is drinkable kefir, a cultured dairy product in various organic and non-organic sizes, flavors, and types. The company offers European-style soft cheeses; cream and other products; ProBugs, a line of kefir products designed for children; drinkable yogurt; and fresh made butter and sour cream.