Lifeway Foods major shareholder sells over 22,000 shares

Edward Smolyansky reduces stake in the probiotic dairy company

Mar. 19, 2026 at 1:18pm

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Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:LWAY) major shareholder Edward Smolyansky sold 22,313 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.10, for a total transaction of $448,491.30. Following the sale, Smolyansky now directly owns 1,115,995 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,431,499.50.

Why it matters

As a major shareholder, Smolyansky's sale represents a 1.96% decrease in his position in Lifeway Foods. Large shareholders who own 10% or more of a company's shares are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC, providing insight into insider trading activity.

The details

The sale comes as Lifeway Foods' stock price has declined from a 52-week high of $34.20 to the current trading price of around $18.49. The company, which specializes in probiotic-rich cultured dairy products, has seen its shares fluctuate amid broader market volatility.

  • The shares were sold on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026.

The players

Edward Smolyansky

A major shareholder of Lifeway Foods, Inc. and the father of the company's CEO, Julie Smolyansky.

Lifeway Foods, Inc.

A Chicago-based food company specializing in probiotic-rich cultured dairy products, including its flagship kefir product.

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The takeaway

Smolyansky's sale of over 22,000 Lifeway Foods shares, representing a nearly 2% decrease in his stake, provides a glimpse into the trading activity of a major investor in the company. While the reasons behind the sale are not explicitly stated, it highlights the importance of monitoring insider transactions for publicly traded companies.