Lifeway Foods (LWAY) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 13, 2025 09:00 AM ET Speaker0 Good morning. Welcome to LifeWay Foods Fourth Quarter and Full Year twenty twenty four Conference Call. On the call with me today is Julie Smolansky, President and Chief Executive Officer. By now, everyone should have access to the press release that went out this morning. If you have not received the release, it is available on the Investor Relations portion of LifeWay's website at www.lifewayfoods.com. A recording of this call wi ...

Financial Performance - Net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025, were $46,091, an increase of $1,457 or 3.3% compared to the same period in 2024[83]. - Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 24.0% in Q1 2025 from 25.8% in Q1 2024, primarily due to unfavorable milk pricing and increased trade promotions[84]. - Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $3,540, compared to $2,426 in the same period in 2024, reflecting a net income margin increase from 5.4% to 7.8%[82]. Expenses - Selling expenses increased by $998 to $4,698 in Q1 2025, representing 10.2% of net sales, up from 8.3% in Q1 2024, driven by marketing investments[85]. - General and administrative expenses rose by $492 to $4,628 in Q1 2025, influenced by professional fees related to stockholder actions and an unsolicited purchase proposal[86]. Cash Flow - Net cash used in operating activities was $150 in Q1 2025, a decrease from $1,546 provided in Q1 2024, primarily due to lower cash earnings[93]. - Net cash provided by investing activities was $2,933 in Q1 2025, compared to net cash used of $2,469 in Q1 2024, reflecting proceeds from the sale of an investment[94]. Taxation - The effective tax rate for Q1 2025 was 28.7%, down from 30.8% in Q1 2024, mainly due to changes in non-deductible compensation[87]. Future Outlook - The Company expects the accelerating consumer focus on health and wellness to drive increased demand for its products[80]. Credit Facilities - The Company had $0 outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 2025, with $25,000 available for future borrowings[96]. Market Risk - Not applicable for quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk[101].

CHICAGO, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Edward Smolyansky, who together with Ludmila Smolyansky, beneficially own approximately 27% of outstanding shares of Lifeway Foods common stock, today issued the following statement in response to Lifeway's amended 2024 Annual Report and its latest disclosures on executive and director compensation.Apparent Delay of 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders On March 13, Edward Smolyansky submitted a full slate of Board nominees for Lifeway's 2025 Annual Meeting. To date, Lifew ...

Company Overview - Lifeway Foods, Inc. is a leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products, recognized as one of Forbes' Best Small Companies [4] - The company offers a variety of products including drinkable kefir, cheeses, and a ProBugs line for children, with sales across multiple countries [4] Financial Performance - Lifeway achieved gross sales exceeding $5 million for the week ending April 27, 2025, marking a 35% increase compared to the same week in the previous year [1] - The company is set to report its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, on May 13, 2025, before market hours [2] Communication and Investor Relations - A pre-recorded conference call and webcast featuring Julie Smolyanksy, Lifeway's President and CEO, will be available on the company's website following the release of the first quarter results [3]

Core Insights - The termination of Amy Feldman, a key executive at Lifeway Foods, is viewed as a significant misstep that undermines the company's strategic vision and employee morale [1][2][3] - Edward Smolyansky and Ludmila Smolyansky, who own approximately 28% of Lifeway's outstanding shares, are advocating for immediate changes in leadership and governance following Feldman's dismissal [1][3] Company Actions and Reactions - Lifeway Foods dismissed Amy Feldman on February 28, 2025, despite her pivotal role in developing the company's sales strategy, which has raised concerns among employees and shareholders [1][2] - The Board recently awarded CEO Julie Smolyansky a substantial cash bonus and stock options, which has sparked controversy, especially as it represents over 94% of the company's net income for 2024 [2][3] - The Smolyanskys have submitted a full slate of Board nominees for the 2025 Annual Meeting, emphasizing the need for leadership change and improved governance [3][4] Demands for Change - The Smolyanskys are calling for a transparent explanation regarding Feldman's termination and whether the Board was involved in the decision [5] - They demand the rescission of the recent share award to CEO Julie Smolyansky, proposing that the equity be redistributed to Lifeway's employees through an incentive plan [5] - There is a call for an end to the current corporate culture perceived as anti-shareholder and anti-employee, which is believed to be detrimental to Lifeway's foundational values [5] - The immediate release of Lifeway's preliminary Q1 2025 financial reports is requested to restore investor confidence and transparency [5]

Lifeway notes that Edward Smolyansky was previously terminated for cause as an officer of the companyMORTON GROVE, Ill., March 24, 2025 /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, which recently reported record full-year earnings for 2024 and delivered its 22nd consecutive quarter of growth, has issued the following statement regarding Edward Smolyansky's nomination notice with r ...

CHICAGO, March 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Edward Smolyansky, who, together with Ludmila Smolyansky, beneficially owns 4,163,141 shares of common stock, today launched a formal campaign to stop the further eroding of value taking place at Lifeway Foods, Inc (NASDAQ: LWAY) by submitting and filing a Notice regarding Planned Nominees for election at the upcoming 2025 Annual Meeting.Lifeway Foods has reached an inflection point. The Board's continued deference to the CEO has raised serious governance concerns, an ...

Financial Performance - Lifeway's net sales for 2024 reached $186.82 million, a 16.7% increase from $160.12 million in 2023[22] - Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2024, were $186,820,000, an increase of 16.7% compared to $160,123,000 in 2023[186] - Net income for 2024 was $9,025,000, a decrease of 20.5% from $11,367,000 in 2023[186] - Gross profit for 2024 was $48,574,000, representing a gross margin of 25.9%, compared to $42,441,000 in 2023[186] - Cash provided by operating activities decreased to $12,962,000 in 2024 from $16,941,000 in 2023, reflecting a decline of 23.1%[191] - The effective income tax rate increased to 35.4% in 2024 from 31.7% in 2023, influenced by non-deductible compensation expenses[144] - The company recognized a provision for income taxes of $4,944,000 for 2024, compared to $5,282,000 in 2023, a decrease of 6.4%[186] - Total cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2024 increased to $16,728,000, up from $13,198,000 at the end of 2023, representing a growth of 26.5%[191] Sales and Revenue Sources - Drinkable kefir accounted for 82% of total net sales in 2024, up from 80% in 2023, with sales of $153.49 million[22] - The company derived approximately 94% of its revenue from products manufactured in its own facilities in 2024[26] - Lifeway's distribution outside the U.S. represented approximately 3% of net sales for the year ended 2024[32] - Two customers accounted for 25% of total net sales during the year ended December 31, 2024[42] - Approximately 6% of revenue in 2024 was derived from products manufactured by co-packers, down from 7% in 2023[27] Marketing and Product Development - Lifeway's ongoing product innovation includes new flavors and formulations, leveraging existing staff for research and development[24][25] - Lifeway's marketing efforts focus on digital and social media, print advertising, and event marketing to enhance brand awareness and consumption of kefir[39] - The Company began rolling out new lactose-free products in October 2024, including Organic Whole Milk Flavor Fusion items, to attract health-conscious consumers[134] - Expansion of Kefir distribution was announced for the South African market in September 2024 and for Dubai and the UAE in November 2024, with shipments expected to begin in Q1 2025[135] Operational Challenges - The company faces significant competition in its product categories, particularly from major competitors like Danone, General Mills, and Nestle, which could impact sales and growth[58] - The company relies on a limited number of production and distribution facilities, making it vulnerable to disruptions that could impair operations[70] - The company may face challenges in maintaining consumer interest and demand due to rapidly changing tastes and preferences[63] - Labor-related disruptions, including strikes, could impair manufacturing and distribution, adversely affecting sales and financial results[81] - The company relies on independent distributors for sales, and disruptions in their business could harm operations[99] Financial Position and Debt - The company has no outstanding debt as of December 31, 2024, and its financial condition may be affected by future financing needs[73] - The company’s Revolving Credit Facility bears interest at variable rates, which could increase debt service requirements if market interest rates rise[76] - The Company entered into a Fifth Modification of its Credit Agreement, increasing the revolving loan commitment from $5,000 to $25,000 and extending the termination date to February 5, 2028[133] - As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $5,000 available for future borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, with no outstanding borrowings[158] Legal and Regulatory Risks - The company faces risks related to potential claims of intellectual property infringement, which could result in significant legal costs and operational disruptions[83] - Ongoing litigation regarding the Stockholders' Agreement may be protracted and costly, potentially impacting business operations[90] - The company is subject to various food, environmental, and health and safety laws, which may increase compliance costs and liabilities[110] - The company has incurred and may continue to incur fees related to Danone's acquisition proposals, which could lead to significant fluctuations in stock price[86] Shareholder Matters - A significant portion of the company's common stock is held by the Smolyansky family and Danone, with ownership stakes of approximately 18%, 21%, 8%, and 23% respectively as of December 31, 2024[84] - Danone made an unsolicited acquisition proposal of $25.00 per share in September 2024, which was revised to $27.00 per share in November 2024, both of which were deemed to undervalue the company[85] - The company adopted a Shareholder Rights Agreement on November 4, 2024, which could discourage any person or entity from acquiring 20% or more of the outstanding shares[91] Cost and Margin Pressures - Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 26.0% in 2024 from 26.5% in 2023, attributed to unfavorable milk pricing and increased input costs[140] - Selling expenses increased by $2,967 to $14,743 in 2024, representing 7.9% of net sales, up from 7.4% in 2023, due to investments in marketing activities[141] - General and administrative expenses rose by $6,309 to $19,439 in 2024, with legal fees related to stockholder actions accounting for approximately 75% of the increase[142] - Increased costs of conventional and organic milk could reduce gross margin and profit, with higher prices observed in fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year[105] - The dairy industry faces periodic imbalances in the supply and demand for organic milk, impacting competitive pressure and input costs[106] - The company experienced modest cost increases in 2024 due to inflationary pressures, impacting profitability[107] Equity and Assets - The total assets increased to $90,547,000 as of December 31, 2024, up from $81,654,000 in 2023, reflecting a growth of 10.3%[184] - The total stockholders' equity increased to $71,911,000 in 2024, up from $60,436,000 in 2023, marking an increase of 18.9%[184] - The company’s total liabilities decreased to $4,632,000 in 2024 from $14,052,000 in 2023, a reduction of 67.1%[189] - The company had accrued discounts and allowances of $1,590,000 as of December 31, 2024, compared to $1,270,000 in 2023, indicating an increase of 25.4%[169] Tax Matters - The provision for income taxes includes federal, state, local, and foreign income taxes currently payable, as well as deferred taxes due to temporary differences[217] - Deferred tax assets or liabilities are computed based on differences between financial statement and tax bases using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the year of realization[217] - Lifeway recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination[218] - The Company applies a threshold of greater than 50% likelihood for recognizing tax benefits from uncertain positions[218] - Changes in judgment regarding uncertain tax positions will affect earnings in the period of such change[218] - The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits can change due to audit settlements and tax examination activities[218] - Lifeway recognizes penalties and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes[218]

Company achieves 2024 net sales of $186.8 million; up 17% year-over-year 21st consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth Growing consumer interest in probiotic foods with bioavailable nutrients continues to drive strong demand for Lifeway products MORTON GROVE, Ill., March 14, 2025 /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, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and ...

Financial Projections - Lifeway forecasts annual Adjusted EBITDA to grow from $22 million in 2023 to between $45 million and $50 million in 2027[4]. - For the three-month period ended December 31, 2024, net sales are expected to range between $45.1 million and $46.6 million, up from $42.1 million for the same period in 2023[4]. - Full-year 2024 net sales are projected to be between $185.0 million and $186.5 million, an increase from $160.1 million in 2023[4]. - Lifeway has achieved 21 consecutive quarters of growth through Q4 2024, with double-digit year-over-year revenue growth in 2024[8]. Shareholder Returns - Total shareholder returns for Lifeway have been 788% and 270% over the past five and three years, respectively[8]. Management and Strategy - The Amended and Restated Employment Agreement for CEO Ms. Smolyansky does not increase her annual base salary or bonus entitlement from 2023 levels[7]. - The Company continues to execute its strategy and deliver substantial value for shareholders despite Danone's unsolicited offers[4]. - Lifeway's financial advisors have engaged with Danone's advisors regarding potential value-maximizing transactions[4]. - The Board emphasizes that it is not opposed to the sale of the Company at any price, provided it reflects fair value[4]. Shareholder Agreement Concerns - The Danone-Lifeway Shareholder Agreement is argued to cause "prejudice" to minority shareholders, impacting their rights to receive a fair price[20]. - The Shareholder Agreement is claimed to be barred by Section 7.71 of the Illinois Business Corporation Act, which does not permit such agreements that impinge on the rights of all shareholders[21]. - The interpretation of Section 7.71 is that it is mandatory, not permissive, contradicting the assertion that it allows non-unanimous shareholder agreements[22]. - The argument that subsection (e) permits shareholder agreements affecting all shareholders is rejected, emphasizing the need for fiduciary duties to benefit all shareholders[23]. - The existence of subsection (b) is clarified to ensure that agreements entered unanimously do not harm later transferees, reinforcing the requirement for unanimity[24]. - The Shareholder Agreement is described as anticompetitive, with Danone's right of first refusal seen as a tool to thwart transactions with competitors[26]. - The claim that the Shareholder Agreement provides safeguards against the dilution of Danone's equity stake is challenged, as it persists even without an equity stake[26]. - The anticompetitive nature of the Shareholder Agreement undermines its statutory authority, rendering it void ab initio[27]. - Lifeway reserves all rights regarding the Shareholder Agreement and does not waive any[28].