Lifeway Foods® Announces Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2023
Net sales increase 11.2% year-over-year to $37.9 million; up 29.0% compared to 2021
Delivers 14th straight quarter of year-over-year net sales growth
MORTON GROVE, Ill., May 15, 2023 /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, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.
"Following our record fiscal year 2022, I am very pleased to announce our momentum continued into the first quarter of 2023 with our 14th consecutive quarter of strong year-over-year topline expansion," commented Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifeway Foods. "The net sales growth of 11.2% reflects meaningfully positive volumes accompanied by increased pricing, which illustrates our expanded reach and the loyalty of our consumers who are searching for premium, better-for-you offerings. Further, our gross profit margin increased 530 basis points year-over-year, an important metric that highlights our incredible focus and fiscal discipline. I believe Lifeway is poised to capitalize as macro trends encourage consumers to look for high quality products at an exceptional value, and in the first quarter of 2023, this market trend has been confirmed by the accelerating unit velocities of our core kefir line. We made marketing investments in both retail and branding initiatives in the first quarter that showed positive results and we will continue to build upon those successes in 2023. This year, we will further explore options for productivity and profitability optimizations through advanced promotions software and AI-powered marketing and operations tools. These emergent technologies will support the progress toward our goal of increasing access to Lifeway's best-in-class offerings and growing shareholder value as we reach more consumers through distribution and marketing efforts."
First Quarter 2023 Results
Net sales were $37.9 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $3.8 million or 11.2% from the same period of 2022. The net sales increase was primarily driven by higher volumes of our branded drinkable kefir and the impact of price increases implemented during the fourth quarter of 2022.
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 21.7% for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to 16.4% in the same period of 2022. The 530 basis point increase versus the prior year was primarily due to the impact of price increases implemented during the fourth quarter of 2022 and higher volumes of our branded product, and to a lesser extent the favorable impact of milk pricing and favorable transportation costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 17.5% for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to 19.1% in the same period of 2022.
The Company reported net income of $0.8 million or $0.06 per basic and diluted common share for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023 compared to net loss of $(0.9) million or $(0.06) per basic and diluted common share during the same period in 2022.
Conference Call and Webcast
A pre-recorded conference call and webcast with Julie Smolyansky discussing these results with additional comments and details is available through the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at https://lifewaykefir.com/webinars-reports/ and will also be available for replay.
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, probiotic oat milk, and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway's tart and tangy fermented dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland and France. 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, 2022, 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.
Media:
Derek Miller
Vice President of Communications, Lifeway Foods
Email: derekm@lifeway.net
General inquiries:
Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Phone: 847-967-1010
Email: info@lifeway.net
LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||
Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||||
March 31, 2023 and 2022 | ||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
Unaudited | 2022 | |||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 5,209 | $ | 4,444 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and discounts & allowances | 11,985 | 11,414 | ||||||
Inventories, net | 9,292 | 9,631 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,068 | 1,445 | ||||||
Refundable income taxes | – | 44 | ||||||
Total current assets | 27,554 | 26,978 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 22,140 | 20,905 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use asset | 154 | 174 | ||||||
Goodwill | 11,704 | 11,704 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net | 7,303 | 7,438 | ||||||
Other assets | 1,800 | 1,800 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 70,655 | $ | 68,999 | ||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Current portion of note payable | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,250 | ||||
Accounts payable | 9,146 | 7,979 | ||||||
Accrued expenses | 3,228 | 3,813 | ||||||
Accrued income taxes | 416 | – | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 13,790 | 13,042 | ||||||
Line of credit | 2,777 | 2,777 | ||||||
Note payable | 2,228 | 2,477 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities | 88 | 104 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes, net | 3,029 | 3,029 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 21,912 | 21,429 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) | – | – | ||||||
Stockholders' equity | ||||||||
Preferred stock, no par value; 2,500 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at | – | – | ||||||
Common stock, no par value; 40,000 shares authorized; 17,274 shares issued; 14,645 | 6,509 | 6,509 | ||||||
Paid-in capital | 3,967 | 3,624 | ||||||
Treasury stock, at cost | (16,993) | (16,993) | ||||||
Retained earnings | 55,260 | 54,430 | ||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 48,743 | 47,570 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 70,655 | $ | 68,999 | ||||
LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Operations | ||||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 | ||||||||
(In thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Net Sales | $ | 37,904 | $ | 34,099 | ||||
Cost of goods sold | 29,030 | 27,863 | ||||||
Depreciation expense | 648 | 656 | ||||||
Total cost of goods sold | 29,678 | 28,519 | ||||||
Gross profit | 8,226 | 5,580 | ||||||
Selling expense | 3,519 | 3,202 | ||||||
General and administrative expense | 3,135 | 3,292 | ||||||
Amortization expense | 135 | 135 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 6,789 | 6,629 | ||||||
Income (loss) from operations | 1,437 | (1,049) | ||||||
Other (expense) income: | ||||||||
Interest expense | (104) | (42) | ||||||
Other (expense) income, net | 5 | (1) | ||||||
Total other (expense) income | (99) | (43) | ||||||
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes | 1,338 | (1,092) | ||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 508 | (197) | ||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 830 | $ | (895) | ||||
Earnings (loss) per common share: | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.06 | $ | (0.06) | ||||
Diluted | $ | 0.06 | $ | (0.06) | ||||
Weighted average common shares: | ||||||||
Basic | 14,645 | 15,435 | ||||||
Diluted | 15,030 | 15,435 | ||||||
LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 | ||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||
Three months ended March 31, | ||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 830 | $ | (895) | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to operating cash flow: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 783 | 791 | ||||||
Non-cash interest expense | 2 | 2 | ||||||
Deferred revenue | – | (8) | ||||||
Stock-based compensation | 343 | 315 | ||||||
(Increase) decrease in operating assets: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | (572) | (1,458) | ||||||
Inventories | 339 | (364) | ||||||
Refundable income taxes | 44 | (159) | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 377 | 188 | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | 1,046 | 2,109 | ||||||
Accrued expenses | (581) | (643) | ||||||
Accrued income taxes | 416 | (526) | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 3,027 | (648) | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (1,762) | (348) | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (1,762) | (348) | ||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
Repayment of note payable | (500) | (250) | ||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (500) | (250) | ||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 765 | (1,246) | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period | 4,444 | 9,233 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | $ | 5,209 | $ | 7,987 | ||||
Supplemental cash flow information: | ||||||||
Cash paid for income taxes, net | $ | 47 | $ | 95 | ||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | 130 | $ | 40 | ||||
Non-cash investing activities | ||||||||
Accrued purchase of property and equipment | $ | 122 | $ | 17 | ||||
Increase in right-of-use assets and operating lease obligations | $ | 19 | $ | 36 | ||||
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SOURCE Lifeway Foods, Inc.
