MORTON GROVE, Ill., March 25, 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 fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.

“I am very pleased to report another exciting and strong year of growth here at Lifeway, particularly in light of this difficult year defined by the COVID-19 pandemic,” commented Julie Smolyansky, CEO and President of Lifeway. “Of note, our net sales grew 8.9% to $102.0 million compared to 2019, and our net income increased from $0.5 million in 2019 to $3.2 million in 2020. The food retail environment has been majorly reshaped this year, and our decision to focus on digital engagement has paid dividends in continuing to attract more and more consumers to our multi-serve, immune supporting products. I am very encouraged by the ongoing market trends towards healthy products like Lifeway’s, and I believe this momentum will carry on far past just 2021. Our current retail partnerships are seeing gains, illustrated by our strong results, as we continue to enhance category growth, and we plan on both expanding the current and identifying new profitable relationships in the year ahead. Finally, this year we will continue to invest in customer acquisition strategies because we want more and more people to hear the Lifeway story. We are looking forward to an outstanding 2021.”

Full Year 2020 Results

Net sales were $102.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $8.4 million or 8.9% versus prior year. The net sales increase was primarily driven by higher volumes of our branded drinkable kefir, partially offset by lower cream revenues associated with a decline in the market price of butter fat.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 26.4% for the year ended December 31, 2020 from 23.6% during the same period in 2019. The increase versus the prior year was primarily due to the impact of favorable milk pricing, and to a lesser extent favorable freight costs.

Selling expenses decreased $0.9 million, or 7.8%, to $10.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $11.1 million in 2019. Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales were 10.0% in 2020 compared to 11.8% in 2019.

General and administrative expenses decreased $1.2 million, or 9.1%, to $11.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $12.8 million during the same period in 2019. The decrease is primarily a result of lower compensation expense due to organizational changes made in 2019 and lower incentive compensation, partially offset by increased professional fee expense.

Income tax expense was $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $0.8 million during the same period in 2019. Our effective income tax rate (ETR) for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 33.1% compared to an ETR of 63.3% in the same period last year.

The Company reported net income of $3.2 million or $0.21 per basic and diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to a net income of $0.5 million or $0.03 per basic and diluted common share in 2019.

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 frozen kefir, specialty cheeses, and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway’s tart and tangy fermented dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland and the United Kingdom, with limited distribution in additional countries. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at www.lifewaykefir.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
December 31, 2020 and 2019
(In thousands)

	December 31,
	2020			2019
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,926		$	3,836
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and discounts & allowances of $1,350 and $1,100 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively		8,002			6,692
Inventories, net		6,930			6,392
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,163			1,598
Refundable income taxes		31			681
Total current assets		24,052			19,199

Property, plant and equipment, net		21,048			22,274
Operating lease right-of use asset		345			738

Intangible assets
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles		12,824			12,824
Other intangible assets, net		–			152
Total intangible assets		12,824			12,976

Other Assets		1,800			1,800
Total assets	$	60,069		$	56,987

Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	5,592		$	5,282
Accrued expenses		2,196			4,087
Accrued income taxes		653			154
Total current liabilities		8,441			9,523
Line of credit		2,768			2,745
Operating lease liabilities		165			488
Deferred income taxes, net		1,764			922
Other long-term liabilities		77			58
Total liabilities		13,215			13,736

Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, no par value; 2,500 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at 2020 and 2019		–			–
Common stock, no par value; 40,000 shares authorized; 17,274 shares issued; 15,604 and 15,710 shares outstanding at 2020 and 2019		6,509			6,509
Paid-in capital		2,600			2,380
Treasury stock, at cost		(12,450	)		(12,601	)
Retained earnings		50,195			46,963
Total stockholders’ equity		46,854			43,251

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	60,069		$	56,987

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
(In thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended December 31,						Twelve months Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2020			2019

Net sales	$	25,585		$	23,165		$	102,026		$	93,662

Cost of goods sold		18,393			17,144			72,006			68,367
Depreciation expense		761			911			3,087			3,146
Total cost of goods sold		19,154			18,055			75,093			71,513

Gross profit		6,431			5,110			26,933			22,149

Selling expenses		2,786			2,553			10,197			11,062
General and administrative		2,980			3,728			11,661			12,828
Amortization expense		35			40			152			192
Total operating expenses		5,801			6,321			22,010			24,082

Income (loss) income from operations		630			(1,211	)		4,923			(1,933	)

Other income (expense):
Interest expense		(22	)		(47	)		(118	)		(249	)
Fair value gain on investments		–			1,731			–			1,731
Realized gain on investments, net		–			1,413			4			1,413
Loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment		–			6			(28	)		189
Other income		45			2			47			84
Total other (expense) income		23			3,105			(95	)		3,168

Income before provision for income taxes		653			1,894			4,828			1,235

Provision for income taxes		373			840			1,596			782

Net income	$	280		$	1,054		$	3,232		$	453

Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.02		$	0.07		$	0.21		$	0.03
Diluted	$	0.02		$	0.07		$	0.21		$	0.03

Weighted average common shares:
Basic		15,604			15,709			15,597			15,748
Diluted		15,797			15,821			15,766			15,804

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
(In thousands)

	2020			2019

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	3,232		$	453
*Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating cash flow:*
Depreciation and amortization		3,239			3,338
Non-cash interest expense		23			23
Non-cash rent expense		(37	)		(17	)
Bad debt expense		(6	)		7
Deferred Revenue		(91	)		(97	)
Reserve for inventory obsolescence		–			(52	)
Stock-based compensation		393			838
Deferred income taxes		841			533
Fair value gain on investment		–			(1,731	)
Net gain on sale of investment		–			(1,413	)
(Loss) gain on sale of property and equipment		28			(189	)
*(Increase) decrease in operating assets:*
Accounts receivable		(1,304	)		(423	)
Inventories		(538	)		(523	)
Refundable income taxes		649			2,067
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		423			(526	)
*Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:*
Accounts payable		311			710
Accrued expenses		(1,278	)		783
Operating lease asset amortization/liability		–			(17	)
Accrued income taxes		500			47
Net cash provided by operating activities		6,385			3,811

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments		–			(15	)
Proceeds from sale of investments		–			1,509
Purchases of property and equipment		(1,895	)		(1,178	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		5			522
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(1,890	)		838

Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock		(405	)		(538	)
Repayment of line of credit		–			(3,273	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(405	)		(3,811	)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		4,090			838
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period		3,836			2,998
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$	7,926		$	3,836

Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of (refunds)	$	(426	)	$	(1,865	)
Cash paid for interest		99			259
Non-cash investing activities
Right-of-use assets recognized at ASU 2016-02 transition		–			944
Operating lease liability recognized at ASU 2016-02 transition		–			997
Increase (decrease) in right-of-use assets and operating lease obligations recognized after ASU 2016-02 transition		(44	)		305
Non-cash financing activities
Issuance of common stock under equity incentive plans		522			–

Lifeway Foods, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year Ended December 31, 2020 Lifeway Foods, Inc.