Major LWAY holder Smolyansky sells 49,000 shares, retains large stake in Lifeway Foods (LWAY)
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
4
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Lifeway Foods, Inc. insider Edward Smolyansky, identified as a ten percent owner, reported open-market sales of a total of 49,000 shares of common stock over two days. On May 14–15, 2026, he sold shares at weighted average prices ranging from about $23.73 to $26.99 per share, according to price-range footnotes. After these sales, he continues to hold a substantial position in Lifeway Foods both directly and indirectly through a trust and an LLC, while formally disclaiming beneficial ownership of shares held by his son and limiting beneficial ownership claims on certain LLC-held shares.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Form 4 shows a net sale of 49,000 shares by a large shareholder, with substantial holdings retained.
Edward Smolyansky, a ten percent owner of Lifeway Foods, reported open‑market sales totaling 49,000 common shares. Transactions occurred on May 14–15, 2026 at weighted average prices within ranges from $23.73 to $26.99 per share, indicating routine liquidity activity rather than option exercises or grants.
The filing also details indirect holdings: 500,000 shares in a trust for which he is trustee, 100,000 shares owned by his son (disclaimed), and 1,233,333 shares held by an LLC where he disclaims beneficial ownership except for any pecuniary interest. With no derivative positions reported and significant equity still held, this filing primarily updates ownership structure and recent selling activity.
Insider Trade Summary
Net Seller: 49,000 shares ($1,230,302)
Net Sell
7 txns
Insider
SMOLYANSKY EDWARD
Role
null
Sold
49,000 shs ($1.23M)
| Type | Security | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sale | Common Stock, no par value | 11,388 | $24.21 | $276K |
| Sale | Common Stock, no par value | 12,612 | $25.46 | $321K |
| Sale | Common Stock, no par value | 22,818 | $25.25 | $576K |
| Sale | Common Stock, no par value | 2,182 | $26.28 | $57K |
| 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 — 1,065,254 shares (Direct, null);
Common Stock, no par value — 1,233,333 shares (Indirect, See footnote)
Footnotes (1)
- The price reported in Column 4 is a weighted average price. These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging between $25.00 and $25.99, 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 footnotes (1) - (4). The price reported in Column 4 is a weighted average price. These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging between $26.00 and $26.99, inclusive. The price reported in Column 4 is a weighted average price. These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging between $23.73 and $24.72, inclusive. The price reported in Column 4 is a weighted average price. These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging between $24.725 and $25.71, inclusive. Beneficially held by the Edward Smolyansky Trust 2/2/16, of which the reporting person is the trustee. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by his son. /s/ Edward Smolyansky 05/18/2026. Held by Smolyansky Holding LLC. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.
Key Figures
Shares sold (net): 49,000 shares
Sale price range (F3 footnote): $23.73–$24.72 per share
Sale price range (F4 footnote): $24.725–$25.71 per share
+5 more
8 metrics
Shares sold (net)
49,000 shares
Total open-market sales reported for May 14–15, 2026
Sale price range (F3 footnote)
$23.73–$24.72 per share
Weighted average sales range for one set of May 15, 2026 trades
Sale price range (F4 footnote)
$24.725–$25.71 per share
Weighted average sales range for another set of May 15, 2026 trades
Sale price range (F1 footnote)
$25.00–$25.99 per share
Weighted average sales range for May 14, 2026 trades
Sale price range (F2 footnote)
$26.00–$26.99 per share
Additional weighted average sales range for May 14, 2026 trades
Trust holdings
500,000 shares
Held by Edward Smolyansky Trust 2/2/16 as of May 14, 2026
Son’s holdings
100,000 shares
Shares owned by his son, with beneficial ownership disclaimed
LLC holdings
1,233,333 shares
Held by Smolyansky Holding LLC, beneficial ownership largely disclaimed
Key Terms
weighted average price, ten percent owner, beneficial ownership, pecuniary interest, +1 more
5 terms
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.
ten percent owner regulatory
"the reporting person is identified as a ten percent owner"
beneficial ownership regulatory
"The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by his son."
Beneficial ownership means the person or entity that actually enjoys the benefits of owning shares or other assets — such as receiving dividends, voting rights, or price gains — even if the legal title is held in another name. For investors it matters because knowing who truly controls and profits from a company reveals who can influence decisions, exposes potential conflicts of interest or hidden concentration of power, and affects transparency and risk in the stock.
pecuniary interest financial
"disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein."
open-market sale financial
"transaction_action is listed as open-market sale for the stock transactions."
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.
FAQ
What indirect LWAY holdings are associated with Edward Smolyansky?
Indirect interests include 500,000 shares in a trust where he serves as trustee, 100,000 shares owned by his son, and 1,233,333 shares held by Smolyansky Holding LLC. He disclaims beneficial ownership of his son’s shares and of LLC shares except for any pecuniary interest.
Does the LWAY Form 4 mention any stock options or derivative exercises?
The Form 4 does not report any option or derivative exercises. The derivative section is empty, and all listed transactions involve sales of common stock, indicating the filing reflects straightforward share sales and updated ownership positions rather than changes in derivative holdings.