Lifeway Foods' Q4 Sales Tops Estimates; Stock Up

(RTTNews) - Lifeway Foods Inc. (LWAY), a supplier of cultured dairy products known as kefir and organic kefir, said Tuesday its fourth-quarter consolidated net sales increased 25% to $26.3 million from $21 million last year.

On average, two analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected sales of $23.42 million for the quarter.

The company said the growth is due to increased sales and awareness of its flagship line, Kefir, as well as ProBugs Organic Kefir for kids and BioKefir.

"Distribution of Lifeway's kefir products continues to grow in new and existing markets, and we believe the strategic investments made in 2013 will enable us to further increase our capacity to meet the strong demand for kefir in 2014 and beyond," said CEO Julie Smolyansky.

The company will report full financial results for the fourth quarter in late March or early April 2014.

Lifeway shares are trading at $15.24, up $1.29 or 9.25%, on the Nasdaq.