Lifeway Foods, Inc. Announces 16.6% Sales Increase for Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2021

MORTON GROVE, Ill., Aug. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lifeway Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWAY) (“Lifeway” or “the Company”), the leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products to support the microbiome, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.

“I am proud to report that the second quarter of 2021 marked yet another consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth, highlighted by our strong 16.6% increase in net sales when compared to the second quarter of 2020,” commented Julie Smolyansky, Lifeway’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Throughout the quarter, we remained focused on advertising and customer acquisition strategies with elevated digital engagement and marketing programs, including our first Spanish-language campaign. This increased marketing, combined with the improving execution of our previously outlined Lifeway 2.0 strategy, have contributed to our accelerating growth. I am excited for the remainder of 2021, as current consumer trends towards healthy eating alongside the continued efficient execution of our growth strategy should provide a strong platform for Lifeway moving forwards.”

Smolyansky added, “I would also like to highlight two pivotal events that indicate Lifeway’s commitment to growth. On July 1, 2021, we announced the brand’s first expansion of kefir distribution into the French market with our first listing in France. We are very excited to capitalize on this expansion, and the French market is a perfect target, as fermented dairy foods like kefir have been prevalent in the country’s diet for generations. In addition, on August 3, 2021, we announced the intended acquisition of the assets of GlenOaks Farms. GlenOaks’ product offering includes six different flavors of their popular, probiotic drinkable yogurt, a tremendous strategic complement to our kefir products. The acquisition further solidifies our position in California and the West, and we look forward to integrating the GlenOaks brand and expanding its reach.”

A pre-recorded conference call and webcast with Lifeway CEO Julie Smolyansky discussing these results with additional comments and details will be available on August 16, 2021 at approximately 9:00 a.m. ET. The webcast will be available over the Internet through the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website at https://lifewaykefir.com/webinars-reports/.

Second Quarter 2021 Results

Net sales were $29.2 million for the second quarter, an increase of $4.1 million or 16.6% from the same period in 2020. The net sales increase was primarily driven by higher volumes of our branded drinkable kefir.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 26.3% for the second quarter, compared to 27.7% during the same period in 2020. The decrease versus the prior year was primarily due to the unfavorable impact of milk pricing, and to a lesser extent the increased pricing of other inputs, partially offset by decreasing in depreciation expense.

Selling expenses decreased $0.1 million, or 5.7%, to $2.6 million for the second quarter from $2.7 million in the second quarter of 2020. The decrease was primarily due to favorable compensation expense.

General and administrative expenses decreased $0.1 million, or 4.2% to $2.6 million for the second quarter of 2021 from $2.7 million during the same period in 2020. The decrease is primarily a result of lower compensation expense due to organizational changes made in 2020 and lower professional fees.

Income tax expense was $0.7 million for the second quarter of 2021, compared to $0.4 million during the same period in 2020.

The Company reported net income of $1.6 million or $0.10 per basic and diluted common share for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 compared to a net income of $1.0 million or $0.06 per basic and diluted common share in the prior year period.

About Lifeway Foods, Inc.

Lifeway Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of Forbes' Best Small Companies, is America's leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable kefir, the company also produces cheese and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway's tart and tangy fermented dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, France and the United Kingdom. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at lifewayfoods.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release) contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, future operating and financial performance, product development, market position, business strategy and objectives. These statements use words, and variations of words, such as “continue,” “build,” “future,” “increase,” “drive,” “believe,” “look,” “ahead,” “confident,” “deliver,” “outlook,” “expect,” and “predict.” Other examples of forward looking statements may include, but are not limited to, (i) statements of Company plans and objectives, including the introduction of new products, or estimates or predictions of actions by customers or suppliers, (ii) statements of future economic performance, and (III) statements of assumptions underlying other statements and statements about Lifeway or its business. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events and thus are inherently subject to uncertainty. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Lifeway’s expectations and projections. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include: price competition; the decisions of customers or consumers; the actions of competitors; changes in the pricing of commodities; the effects of government regulation; possible delays in the introduction of new products; and customer acceptance of products and services. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties, and other factors can be found in Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC. Copies of these filings are available online at https://www.sec.gov, http://lifewaykefir.com/investor-relations/, or on request from Lifeway. Information in this release is as of the dates and time periods indicated herein, and Lifeway does not undertake to update any of the information contained in these materials, except as required by law. Accordingly, YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE ACCURACY OF ANY OF THE STATEMENTS OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED IN ANY ARCHIVED PRESS RELEASE.

Contact:

Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Phone: 847-967-1010
Email: info@lifeway.net

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020
(In thousands)

		June 30, 2021 (Unaudited)				December 31, 2020
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	10,412			$	7,926
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and discounts & allowances of $1,190 and $1,350 at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 respectively			9,157				8,002
Inventories, net			7,291				6,930
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			908				1,163
Refundable income taxes			354				31
Total current assets			28,122				24,052
Property, plant and equipment, net			20,671				21,048
Operating lease right-of-use asset			226				345
Intangible assets
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles			12,824				12,824
Other intangible assets, net			–				–
Total intangible assets			12,824				12,824
Other assets			1,800				1,800
Total assets		$	63,643			$	60,069
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	5,285			$	5,592
Accrued expenses			3,587				2,196
Accrued income taxes			106				653
Total current liabilities			8,978				8,441
Line of credit			2,777				2,768
Operating lease liabilities			107				165
Deferred income taxes, net			1,764				1,764
Other long-term liabilities			12				77
Total liabilities			13,638				13,215
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, no par value; 2,500 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020			–				–
Common stock, no par value; 40,000 shares authorized; 17,274 shares issued; 15,650 and 15,604 outstanding at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively			6,509				6,509
Paid-in capital			2,488				2,600
Treasury stock, at cost			(12,111	)			(12,450	)
Retained earnings			53,119				50,195
Total stockholders' equity			50,005				46,854
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	63,643			$	60,069

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)

		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
Net sales		$	29,162			$	25,014			$	58,538			$	50,402
Cost of goods sold			20,846				17,279				41,358				35,903
Depreciation expense			639				807				1,454				1,574
Total cost of goods sold			21,485				18,086				42,812				37,477
Gross profit			7,677				6,928				15,726				12,925
Selling expenses			2,566				2,720				5,788				5,295
General and administrative			2,617				2,731				5,508				5,876
Amortization expense			–				39				–				78
Total operating expenses			5,183				5,490				11,296				11,249
Income from operations			2,494				1,438				4,430				1,676
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(20	)			(30	)			(42	)			(69	)
Gain on investments			–				4				2				4
Loss on sale of property and equipment			(76	)			(33	)			(83	)			(28	)
Other (expense) income, net			(49	)			5				(59	)			2
Total other income (expense)			(145	)			(54	)			(182	)			(91	)
Income before provision for income taxes			2,349				1,384				4,248				1,585
Provision for income taxes			731				404				1,324				459
Net income		$	1,618			$	980			$	2,924			$	1,126
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic		$	0.10			$	0.06			$	0.19			$	0.07
Diluted		$	0.10			$	0.06			$	0.19			$	0.07
Weighted average common shares:
Basic			15, 639				15,560				15, 622				15,591
Diluted			15, 793				15,586				15, 772				15,607

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(In thousands) 

		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2021				2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	2,924			$	1,126
Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating cash flow:
Depreciation and amortization			1,454				1,652
Non-cash interest expense			9				12
Non-cash rent expense			51				(38	)
Bad debt expense			(1	)			(4	)
Deferred revenue			(15	)			(48	)
Stock-based compensation			301				232
Deferred income taxes			–				369
Loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment			83				28
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
Accounts receivable			(1,154	)			(1,041	)
Inventories			(361	)			(262	)
Refundable income taxes			(323	)			65
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			255				502
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Accounts payable			(305	)			(172	)
Accrued expenses			1,276				(448	)
Accrued income taxes			(547	)			(62	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			3,647				1,911
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment			(1,161	)			(728	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment			–				5
Net cash used in investing activities			(1,161	)			(723	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock			–				(405	)
Net cash used in financing activities			–				(405	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents			2,486				783
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period			7,926				3,836
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period		$	10,412			$	4,619
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of (refunds)		$	2,194			$	82
Cash paid for interest		$	33			$	61
Non-cash investing activities
Increase (decrease) in right-of-use assets and operating lease obligations		$	27			$	(58	)
Non-cash financing activities
Issuance of common stock under equity incentive plans		$	–			$	522