Lifeway Foods posts slim 4th-quarter profit as sales improve

Lifeway Foods posts slim 4Q profit

MORTON GROVE, Ill. — Lifeway Foods Inc. posted a small profit in the fourth quarter and a jump in revenue, helped by a recent acquisition and improving sales of its health food drinks.

It earned $119,593, or a penny per share, compared with a loss of $742,965, or 4 cents per share, in the same quarter a year ago.

Revenue was up about 37 percent to $14.5 million from $10.6 million. The company said it saw improved sales of its flagship line of Kefir dairy drinks. Its acquisition of Fresh Made Dairy in February 2009 added $2.2 million in revenue.

The company’s stock edged up 3 cents to $11.90 in extended trading after closing down 9 cents.

Full-year net income came to $5.6 million, or 33 cents per share, compared with $1.9 million, or 11 cents per share, the year before.

Revenue for the year climbed 31 percent to $58.1 million from $44.5 million.