Lifeway Foods, Inc. (LWAY) vs MGP Ingredients, Inc. (MGPI)
A side-by-side comparison of Lifeway Foods, Inc. and MGP Ingredients, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
LWAY
Lifeway Foods, Inc.
$20.71Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 12:25 PM EDT
MGPI
MGP Ingredients, Inc.
$13.05Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 12:25 PM EDT
Total return — LWAY vs MGPI
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yLWAY +18.6% (+1.7%/yr)MGPI -66.4% (-10.3%/yr)LWAY compounded faster over this window
LWAY MGPI
LWAY vs MGPI: by the numbers
- •LWAY is the larger company ($316M vs $279M market cap).
- •LWAY is profitable (4.48% net margin) while MGPI runs a net loss (-48.40%).
- •LWAY grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.09% vs 0.52% CAGR).
- •MGPI pays a dividend (3.71% yield), while LWAY is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | LWAY | MGPI |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 29.66 | N/A |
| Forward P/E | 39.84 | 7.92 |
| PEG ratio | 0.89 | N/A |
| P/S ratio | 1.31 | 0.56 |
| P/B ratio | 3.74 | 0.47 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.60 | N/A |
| FCF yield | N/A | 0.32% |
Profitability
| Metric | LWAY | MGPI |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 26.01% | 35.55% |
| Operating margin | 6.49% | -17.64% |
| Net margin | 4.48% | -48.40% |
| ROE | 12.85% | -40.96% |
| ROIC | 10.06% | -27.09% |
Dividends
| Metric | LWAY | MGPI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 3.71% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | LWAY | MGPI |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 17.09% | 0.52% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 34.09% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 17.78% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 30.78% | -27.55% |
Frequently asked
- Which has grown faster, LWAY or MGPI?
- Over the past five years, LWAY grew revenue faster — LWAY at a 17.09% CAGR versus MGPI at 0.52%.
- Does LWAY or MGPI pay a bigger dividend?
- MGPI pays a dividend (3.71% yield), while LWAY is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
- Is LWAY or MGPI more profitable?
- LWAY runs the higher net margin — LWAY at 4.48% versus MGPI at -48.40%.
- How have LWAY and MGPI total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, LWAY delivered 3.30% and MGPI delivered -10.49% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Lifeway Foods P/E ratioMGP Ingredients dividend yieldLifeway Foods ROEMGP Ingredients ROELifeway Foods operating marginMGP Ingredients operating marginLifeway Foods revenue growthMGP Ingredients revenue growthLifeway Foods free cash flowMGP Ingredients free cash flow
Lifeway Foods & MGP Ingredients appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.