Lifeway Foods, Inc.
LWAYConsumer DefensiveNASDAQPackaged Foods
Scan Results
Daily timeframeLifeway Foods, Inc. produces and markets probiotic-based products in North America. The company carries a $490.4M market cap, placing it firmly in the small-cap category. The company's primary product is drinkable kefir, a cultured dairy product in various organic and non-organic sizes, flavors, and milk types.
Market Cap
$490.4M
Beta
0.45
P/E (TTM)
32.74
P/E (Fwd)
23.42
EPS (TTM)
$0.98
EPS (Fwd)
$1.37
ROE
18.2%
ROA
12.2%
Cash
$5.6M
Total Debt
$7.5M
Free CF
-$22.6M
52W Change
28.1%
Annual Financials
Cash vs Debt
On the balance sheet, LWAY has $5.6M in cash with $7.5M in obligations. The ability to service this debt comfortably depends on continued operational cash generation. Free cash flow is running at -$22.6M, which bears watching. Negative free cash flow can be acceptable during heavy investment periods but needs to improve over time. Return on equity stands at 18.2%, which is strong for the sector. ROE measures how effectively a company uses shareholder capital to generate profits. Return on assets of 12.2% further supports the picture of efficient asset utilization. Revenue has grown from $141.6M (2022) to $212.5M (2025), reflecting a 50% increase over the period.
With a beta below 0.7, Lifeway Foods, Inc. typically sees smaller price swings than the overall market, offering a degree of stability during turbulent periods. The company is burning cash at the operating level, which is not unusual for growth-phase companies but adds risk if it persists. These risk factors are not exhaustive — macroeconomic shifts, regulatory changes, and competitive dynamics can all influence Lifeway Foods, Inc.'s trajectory.