STOCK TITAN

Lifeway Foods (LWAY) major shareholder Smolyansky sells 66,916 shares

Filing Impact
(Very High)
Filing Sentiment
(Negative)
Form Type
4

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Lifeway Foods, Inc. major shareholder Edward Smolyansky reported open-market sales totaling 66,916 shares of common stock on July 15, 2026, at weighted-average prices of $31.51 and $32.32 per share, executed in multiple transactions within stated price ranges. After these sales, he reports 902,642 shares held directly, plus additional indirect holdings through a trust, an LLC and shares held by his son, with footnotes stating that he disclaims beneficial ownership of certain indirect holdings.

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Insider SMOLYANSKY EDWARD
Role 10% Owner
Sold 66,916 shs ($2.14M)
Type Security Shares Price Value
Sale Common Stock, no par value 24,653 $31.51 $777K
Sale Common Stock, no par value 42,263 $32.32 $1.37M
holding Common Stock, no par value -- -- --
holding Common Stock, no par value -- -- --
holding Common Stock, no par value -- -- --
Holdings After Transaction: Common Stock, no par value — 1,047,056 shares (Indirect, See footnote); Common Stock, no par value — 902,642 shares (Direct)
Footnotes (1)
  1. The price reported in Column 4 is a weighted average price. These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging between $31.10 and $32.09, inclusive. The reporting person undertakes to provide to the issuer, any security holder of the issuer, or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price within the ranges set forth in this footnote (1) and in footnote (3). Beneficially held by the Edward Smolyansky Trust 2/2/16, of which the reporting person is the trustee. The price reported in Column 4 is a weighted average price. These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging between $32.10 and $33.09, inclusive. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by his son. Held by Smolyansky Holding LLC. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.
Total shares sold 66,916 shares Aggregate common shares sold in open-market transactions on July 15, 2026
Shares sold at $32.32 42,263 shares at $32.32 per share Non-derivative open-market sale on July 15, 2026
Shares sold at $31.51 24,653 shares at $31.51 per share Non-derivative open-market sale on July 15, 2026
Direct holdings after transactions 902,642 shares Common stock held directly by Edward Smolyansky following the reported trades
Indirect holdings by son 100,000 shares Shares owned by reporting person’s son; beneficial ownership disclaimed
Indirect holdings entry 500,000 shares Indirect common stock position through an entity associated with the reporting person
weighted average price financial
"The price reported in Column 4 is a weighted average price."
Weighted average price is the average price of a security where each trade or component is counted according to its size, so bigger trades pull the average more than smaller ones. Think of it like calculating the average cost of a grocery haul where items you bought more of have greater influence on the final per-item cost. Investors use it to understand the true average price paid or received, judge execution quality, and compare trading performance against market movement.
beneficially held financial
"Beneficially held by the Edward Smolyansky Trust 2/2/16, of which the reporting person is the trustee."
disclaims beneficial ownership financial
"The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by his son."
pecuniary interest financial
"disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein."
open-market sale financial
"Sale in open market or private transaction"
An open-market sale is when a shareholder sells existing shares directly on a public exchange to any willing buyer, rather than through a private deal. Think of it like putting goods on a busy market stall where price is set by supply and demand; for investors it matters because such sales increase available supply, can put short-term downward pressure on the stock price, and signal changes in liquidity or investor confidence.
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FAQ

What insider transaction did Lifeway Foods (LWAY) disclose for Edward Smolyansky?

Edward Smolyansky, a ten percent owner of Lifeway Foods, reported open-market sales of 66,916 shares of common stock on July 15, 2026. The trades were executed in multiple transactions at specified price ranges, as detailed in the Form 4.

How many Lifeway Foods (LWAY) shares did Edward Smolyansky sell and at what prices?

He sold a total of 66,916 shares, including 42,263 shares at a weighted-average price of $32.32 and 24,653 shares at a weighted-average price of $31.51. Footnotes state these were composed of multiple trades within disclosed price ranges.

What is Edward Smolyansky’s remaining direct ownership in Lifeway Foods (LWAY)?

After the reported sales, Edward Smolyansky reports 902,642 shares of Lifeway Foods common stock held directly. Separate indirect positions through a trust, an LLC and his son are also disclosed, with certain beneficial ownership disclaimed in the footnotes.

Were the Lifeway Foods (LWAY) insider sales made in multiple trades within price ranges?

Yes. Footnotes state the reported prices are weighted averages. The $31.51 tranche reflects trades between $31.10 and $32.09, and the $32.32 tranche reflects trades between $32.10 and $33.09. Detailed trade breakdowns are available on request.

Does Edward Smolyansky fully own all indirectly held Lifeway Foods (LWAY) shares?

No. He disclaims beneficial ownership of shares owned by his son and of shares held by Smolyansky Holding LLC except to the extent of any pecuniary interest. He is trustee of the Edward Smolyansky Trust 2/2/16, which beneficially holds additional shares.
SEC Form 4
FORM 4UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
OMB APPROVAL
OMB Number:3235-0287
Estimated average burden
hours per response:0.5
Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).
Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.
1. Name and Address of Reporting Person*
SMOLYANSKY EDWARD

(Last)(First)(Middle)
1219 N WELLS ST

(Street)
CHICAGO ILLINOIS 60610

(City)(State)(Zip)

UNITED STATES

(Country)
2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
Lifeway Foods, Inc. [ LWAY ]
5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)
DirectorX10% Owner
Officer (give title below)Other (specify below)
2a. Foreign Trading Symbol
3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
07/15/2026
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)
XForm filed by One Reporting Person
Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
CodeVAmount(A) or (D)Price
Common Stock, no par value07/15/2026S24,653D$31.51(1)1,047,056ISee footnote(2)
Common Stock, no par value07/15/2026S42,263D$32.32(3)1,004,793ISee footnote(2)
Common Stock, no par value902,642D
Common Stock, no par value100,000IBy son(4)
Common Stock, no par value500,000ISee footnote(5)
Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
(e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3) 2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4) 8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5) 9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
CodeV(A)(D)Date ExercisableExpiration DateTitleAmount or Number of Shares
Explanation of Responses:
1. The price reported in Column 4 is a weighted average price. These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging between $31.10 and $32.09, inclusive. The reporting person undertakes to provide to the issuer, any security holder of the issuer, or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price within the ranges set forth in this footnote (1) and in footnote (3).
2. Beneficially held by the Edward Smolyansky Trust 2/2/16, of which the reporting person is the trustee.
3. The price reported in Column 4 is a weighted average price. These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging between $32.10 and $33.09, inclusive.
4. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by his son.
5. Held by Smolyansky Holding LLC. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.
/s/ Edward Smolyansky07/16/2026
** Signature of Reporting PersonDate
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.
* Form 4: SEC 1474 (03-26)