Lifeway Foods® Announces Record Results for the Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

Lifeway Foods (Nasdaq: LWAY) reported record results for Q2 2024, with net sales of $49.2 million, up 25.3% year-over-year. This marks the company's 19th consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth. The increase was primarily driven by higher volumes of branded drinkable kefir. Gross profit margin was 27.0%, while SG&A expenses were 15.8% of net sales. Net income reached $3.8 million, or $0.26 per basic share and $0.25 per diluted share, compared to $3.2 million in Q2 2023. CEO Julie Smolyansky highlighted the strong demand for bioavailable foods like Lifeway Kefir and Farmer Cheese, and the effectiveness of their sales and marketing investments in driving trial and capturing new customers.

Positive

• Record net sales of $49.2 million, up 25.3% year-over-year
• 19th consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth
• Net income increased to $3.8 million from $3.2 million in Q2 2023
• Strong volume growth in flagship Lifeway drinkable kefir
• Improved profitability profile with solid gross margins

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Lifeway Foods' Q2 2024 results showcase impressive growth, with net sales reaching $49.2 million, a 25.3% year-over-year increase. This marks their 19th consecutive quarter of growth, driven primarily by volume increases in their core kefir product. The company's gross profit margin of 27.0% and net income of $3.8 million ($0.26 per basic share) demonstrate solid profitability.

The 25.3% sales growth significantly outpaces the average food industry growth rate, indicating strong market positioning and consumer demand for probiotic products. With SG&A expenses at 15.8% of net sales, Lifeway appears to be managing costs effectively while investing in growth. The company's ability to maintain profitability while achieving rapid expansion is particularly noteworthy in the current inflationary environment.

Market Research Analyst

The soaring demand for bioavailable foods like kefir reflects a broader consumer shift towards functional foods and gut health products. Lifeway's success in this niche positions them well in a growing market segment. The company's ability to achieve 19 consecutive quarters of growth suggests a sustainable trend rather than a short-term fad.

Lifeway's focus on their core kefir product and strategic marketing investments appear to be paying off, driving both new customer acquisition and increased product velocity. This strategy of doubling down on their strengths while expanding their customer base could lead to continued market share gains. The challenge will be maintaining this growth trajectory as they approach and surpass the $50 million quarterly sales milestone, which may require new product innovations or market expansions.

Demand for Bioavailable Foods like Kefir Soars

Net sales of $49.2 million; up 25.3% year-over-year driven by volume growth of Lifeway Kefir

19^th consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth

MORTON GROVE, Ill., Aug. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifeway Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWAY) ("Lifeway" or "the Company"), a leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products to support the microbiome, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

"Our incredible momentum continued in the second quarter as we delivered our 19^th consecutive quarter of net sales growth and our 5^th consecutive quarter breaking the Lifeway record on the topline," commented Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifeway Foods. "Our record net sales of $49.2 million were up more than 25% year-over-year, driven by continued volume growth in our flagship Lifeway drinkable kefir. Demand for bioavailable foods like Lifeway Kefir and Farmer Cheese is soaring and our customers further demonstrated their loyalty to our premium, healthy offerings. Notably, we delivered nearly $50 million in net sales, a remarkable milestone that we look forward to surpassing, and we also outperformed our previous quarterly sales record by more than 10%. Our amazing results on the topline demonstrate the effectiveness of our sales and marketing investments at driving trial, capturing new customers and accelerating velocities of our core products. Accompanying the very strong, volume-led topline growth, we continued to enhance our profitability profile with solid gross margins and strong net income growth, a testament to the seamless operational execution of our whole Lifeway team. We are thrilled with our results in the first half of 2024, and will continue to strategically invest behind the Lifeway brand to drive velocities, win new customers and position ourself to deliver more outstanding performances through the second half of this year and beyond."

Second Quarter 2024 Results

Net sales were $49.2 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, an increase of $10.0 million or 25.3% from the same period in 2023. The net sales increase was primarily driven by higher volumes of our branded drinkable kefir.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 27.0% for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 15.8% for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

The Company reported net income of $3.8 million or $0.26 per basic and $0.25 per diluted common share for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 compared to net income of $3.2 million or $0.22 per basic and $0.21 per diluted common share during the same period in 2023.

Conference Call and Webcast
A pre-recorded conference call and webcast with Julie Smolyansky discussing these results with additional comments and details is available through the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at https://lifewaykefir.com/webinars-reports/  and will also be available for replay.

About Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Lifeway Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of Forbes' Best Small Companies, is America's leading 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. Lifeway's tart and tangy fermented dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland and France. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at lifewayfoods.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release) contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, future operating and financial performance, product development, market position, business strategy and objectives. These statements use words, and variations of words, such as "continue," "build," "future," "increase," "drive," "believe," "look," "ahead," "confident," "deliver," "outlook," "expect," and "predict." Other examples of forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, (i) statements of Company plans and objectives, including the introduction of new products, or estimates or predictions of actions by customers or suppliers, (ii) statements of future economic performance, and (III) statements of assumptions underlying other statements and statements about Lifeway or its business. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events and thus are inherently subject to uncertainty. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Lifeway's expectations and projections. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include: price competition; the decisions of customers or consumers; the actions of competitors; changes in the pricing of commodities; the effects of government regulation; possible delays in the introduction of new products; and customer acceptance of products and services. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties, and other factors can be found in Lifeway's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and the Company's subsequent filings with the SEC. Copies of these filings are available online at https://www.sec.gov, http://lifewaykefir.com/investor-relations/, or on request from Lifeway. Information in this release is as of the dates and time periods indicated herein, and Lifeway does not undertake to update any of the information contained in these materials, except as required by law. Accordingly, YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE ACCURACY OF ANY OF THE STATEMENTS OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED IN ANY ARCHIVED PRESS RELEASE.

Media:
Derek Miller
Vice President of Communications, Lifeway Foods
Email: derekm@lifeway.net 

General inquiries:
Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Phone: 847-967-1010
Email: info@lifeway.net

 

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
		June 30, 2024				December 31,
		(Unaudited)				2023
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	14,633			$	13,198
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses and discounts & allowances of      $1,550 and $1,270 at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 respectively			14,526				13,875
Inventories, net			8,454				9,104
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			1,488				2,019
Refundable income taxes			180				–
Total current assets			39,281				38,196
Property, plant and equipment, net			25,276				22,764
Operating lease right-of-use asset			154				192
Goodwill			11,704				11,704
Intangible assets, net			6,628				6,898
Other assets			1,900				1,900
Total assets		$	84,943			$	81,654
Current liabilities
Current portion of note payable		$	–			$	1,250
Accounts payable			9,370				9,976
Accrued expenses			4,487				4,916
Accrued income taxes			–				474
Total current liabilities			13,857				16,616
Note payable			–				1,483
Operating lease liabilities			88				118
Deferred income taxes, net			3,001				3,001
Total liabilities			16,946				21,218
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, no par value; 2,500 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding      at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023			–				–
Common stock, no par value; 40,000 shares authorized; 17,274 shares issued; 14,791      outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023			6,509				6,509
Paid-in capital			5,532				4,825
Treasury stock, at cost			(16,050)				(16,695)
Retained earnings			72,006				65,797
Total stockholders' equity			67,997				60,436
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	84,943			$	81,654

 

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net sales		$	49,157			$	39,230			$	93,791			$	77,134
Cost of goods sold			35,181				27,299				67,619				56,329
Depreciation expense			701				651				1,362				1,299
Total cost of goods sold			35,882				27,950				68,981				57,628
Gross profit			13,275				11,280				24,810				19,506
Selling expense			3,577				2,571				7,277				6,090
General and administrative expense			4,177				3,808				8,313				6,943
Amortization expense			135				135				270				270
Total operating expenses			7,889				6,514				15,860				13,303
Income from operations			5,386				4,766				8,950				6,203
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(47)				(109)				(98)				(213)
Gain on sale of property and equipment			–				33				–				33
Other income (expense), net			20				(5)				15				–
Total other income (expense)			(27)				(81)				(83)				(180)
Income before provision for income taxes			5,359				4,685				8,867				6,023
Provision for income taxes			1,576				1,529				2,658				2,037
Net income		$	3,783			$	3,156			$	6,209			$	3,986
Net earnings per common share:
Basic		$	0.26			$	0.22			$	0.42			$	0.27
Diluted		$	0.25			$	0.21			$	0.41			$	0.26
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic			14,727				14,654				14,709				14,649
Diluted			15,197				15,084				15,176				15,058

 

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
		Six months ended June 30,
		2024				2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	6,209			$	3,986
Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating cash flow:
Depreciation and amortization			1,632				1,569
Stock-based compensation			1,296				655
Non-cash interest expense			17				3
Bad debt expense			–				2
Gain on sale of equipment			–				(33)
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
Accounts receivable			(651)				91
Inventories			650				(39)
Refundable income taxes			(180)				40
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			531				232
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Accounts payable			(574)				(2,526)
Accrued expenses			(366)				451
Accrued income taxes			(474)				1,024
Net cash provided by operating activities			8,090				5,455
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment			(3,905)				(1,990)
Proceeds from sales or equipment			–				40
Net cash used in investing activities			(3,905)				(1,950)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of note payable			(2,750)				(500)
Net cash used in financing activities			(2,750)				(500)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents			1,435				3,005
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period			13,198				4,444
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period		$	14,633			$	7,449
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of (refunds)		$	3,312			$	973
Cash paid for interest		$	89			$	238
Non-cash investing activities
Accrued purchase of property and equipment		$	106			$	110

 

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SOURCE Lifeway Foods, Inc.

FAQ

What were Lifeway Foods' (LWAY) Q2 2024 net sales?

Lifeway Foods reported record net sales of $49.2 million for Q2 2024, representing a 25.3% increase year-over-year.

How many consecutive quarters of growth has Lifeway Foods (LWAY) achieved?

Lifeway Foods has achieved 19 consecutive quarters of year-over-year growth as of Q2 2024.

What was Lifeway Foods' (LWAY) net income for Q2 2024?

Lifeway Foods reported a net income of $3.8 million for Q2 2024, compared to $3.2 million in the same period of 2023.

What was the main driver of Lifeway Foods' (LWAY) sales growth in Q2 2024?

The primary driver of Lifeway Foods' sales growth was higher volumes of their branded drinkable kefir products.