Lifeway Foods (LWAY) Nominates New Directors Amid Governance Concerns with 26.17% Shareholder Support
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Source: Newsfilter
Updated: 54 minutes ago0mins
- Shareholder Nominations: Edward Smolyansky, holding a 26.17% stake in Lifeway Foods, has nominated himself and George Sent for board positions to address long-standing governance failures and enhance shareholder value.
- Inadequate Governance Agreement: The Cooperation Agreement with Danone, while mandating board refreshment, fails to ensure an effective board composition, risking continued shareholder harm by retaining certain legacy directors.
- CEO Compensation Controversy: In 2024, the CEO received $8.5 million in compensation, representing 94% of net income, which has sparked shareholder discontent and raised trust issues, with Institutional Shareholder Services advising against it.
- Delayed Shareholder Meeting: The postponement of the 2025 annual meeting from June to December, without the customary 45-day notice, highlights ongoing governance failures and poor communication with shareholders.
LWAY.O
$0.0000%Past 6 months
Line
|
Candle
1D
5D
1M
3M
6M
YTD
1Y
5Y
No Data
Powered By
Intellectia
Analyst Views on LWAY
Wall Street analysts forecast LWAY stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for LWAY is 34.00 USD with a low forecast of 33.00 USD and a high forecast of 35.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
2 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 24.080
Low
33.00
Averages
34.00
High
35.00
Current: 24.080
Low
33.00
Averages
34.00
High
35.00
Benchmark
Ben Klieve
Buy
initiated
$35
2025-11-13
Reason
Benchmark
Ben Klieve
Price Target
$35
2025-11-13
initiated
Buy
Reason
Benchmark analyst Ben Klieve initiated coverage of Lifeway Foods with a Buy rating and $35 price target. The firm views the company as a "high growth investment opportunity" that remains overlooked by investors. Lifeway 's recent challenges with major shareholders are tempering, which should provide a greater focus on the value proposition of its fundamentals, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Benchmark likes the company's "dominant" market share in a high growth category.
Lake Street
Buy
maintain
$30 -> $33
2025-08-13
Reason
Lake Street
Price Target
$30 -> $33
2025-08-13
maintain
Buy
Reason
Lake Street raised the firm's price target on Lifeway Foods to $33 from $30 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm's increased target reflects an unchanged multiple applied to its FY26 estimates after the company delivered "healthy" 10% revenue growth and a return of mid-teen EBITDA margins in Q2, the analyst noted. The firm believes Lifeway could approach a peer valuation without the complications from its major owners, but assumes a discounted multiple for the time being until the outcome of the standstill agreement is understood, the analyst added.
See All Ratings
About LWAY
Lifeway Foods, Inc. is a supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as Kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable Kefir, the Company also produces a variety of cheeses and a ProBugs line for kids. Its primary product is drinkable kefir, a cultured dairy product. Lifeway kefir is tart and tangy, high in protein, calcium and vitamin D. It manufactures products under the Lifeway, Fresh Made and GlenOaks Farms brand names, as well as under private labels on behalf of certain customers. Its product categories are Drinkable kefir; European-style soft cheeses, including farmer cheese, white cheese, and Sweet Kiss; Cream and others, which consist primarily of cream, a byproduct of making its kefir; Drinkable yogurt, sold in a variety of sizes and flavors; ProBugs, a line of kefir products designed for children; and Other dairy, which consists primarily of Fresh Made butter and sour cream. The Company’s dairy products are sold across the United States, Mexico, and other countries.
About the author
Preview
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Sigh Up to Get Intellectia Insights
What is the purpose of Edward Smolyansky's Preliminary Proxy Statement filing?
Who are the independent director nominees proposed in the proxy statement?
How might the proposed board changes impact Lifeway Foods' governance structure?
What are the potential outcomes if shareholders vote for the GREEN Proxy Card?