Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (LFCR) Stock Analysis

Why this analysis is different

• A sector-relative MoonshotScore — five pillars (business quality, financial safety, valuation, growth durability, momentum) re-ranked nightly against the full universe of US-listed common stocks.
• An AI Council read across up to eight perspectives — value, macro, quantitative, and momentum lenses — that shows where they disagree instead of averaging the tension away.
• Figures come straight from FMP and Yahoo Finance filings data. The AI writes the narrative around the numbers — it never edits the numbers.

Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (LFCR) Healthcare & Pipeline Overview

Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. operates as an integrated CDMO, manufacturing pharmaceutical-grade sodium hyaluronate (HA) and providing formulation and filling services. The company also has a presence in the food industry, processing and selling olive oils, wine vinegars, and avocado products, differentiating it from pure-play pharmaceutical manufacturers.

What Is the Investment Thesis for LFCR?

Lifecore Biomedical presents a mixed investment thesis. The company's expertise in HA manufacturing and formulation provides a stable revenue stream, particularly within the growing market for injectable medical products. However, the negative profit margin of -25.2% raises concerns about profitability and operational efficiency. Growth catalysts include expanding CDMO services and potential partnerships within the pharmaceutical sector. The company's beta of 0.88 suggests lower volatility compared to the broader market. Investors should closely monitor Lifecore's ability to improve its profit margins and capitalize on growth opportunities in the pharmaceutical and food segments. The company's diversification into food products adds complexity to the investment profile, requiring careful evaluation of both segments' performance and synergies.

Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis

LFCR Key Highlights

Market capitalization of $153M reflects its position as a smaller player in the pharmaceutical and food manufacturing industries.

• Gross margin of 31.2% indicates the profitability of its products before considering operating expenses.
• Negative profit margin of -25.2% signals potential challenges in managing costs and achieving overall profitability.
• Beta of 0.88 suggests the stock is less volatile than the overall market.
• The company operates as an integrated contract development and manufacturing organization, providing services for HA-based and non-HA based products, as well as processing and selling olive oils, wine vinegars, guacamole, and avocado food products.

Who Are LFCR's Competitors?

LFCR is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.

AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance This table mixes two scoring engines — compare a number only with others carrying the same tag.

What Are LFCR's Key Strengths?

Expertise in HA manufacturing and formulation

• Integrated CDMO services
• Established relationships with pharmaceutical companies and retailers
• Brand recognition in the food market

What Are LFCR's Weaknesses?

Negative profit margin

• Dependence on a limited number of customers
• Exposure to commodity price fluctuations in the food segment
• Limited geographic diversification

What Could Drive LFCR Stock Higher?

Potential new partnerships with pharmaceutical companies to expand CDMO services.

• Increasing demand for HA-based injectable products in ophthalmology and orthopedics.
• Expansion of private label business in the Curation Foods segment.

What Are the Key Risks for LFCR?

Financial-distress signal — its Altman Z-Score of -0.39 sits in the distress zone (elevated bankruptcy risk).

• Inconsistent delivery — missed Wall Street EPS estimates in 5 of the last 8 reported quarters.
• Competition from other CDMOs and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
• Regulatory changes affecting the pharmaceutical and food industries.
• Negative profit margin impacting financial performance.
• Supply chain disruptions affecting the availability of raw materials.

What Are the Growth Opportunities for LFCR?

• Expansion of CDMO Services: Lifecore can leverage its expertise in HA manufacturing and formulation to expand its CDMO services to pharmaceutical companies. The global pharmaceutical CDMO market is projected to reach $108.9 billion by 2028, presenting a significant opportunity for Lifecore to increase its revenue and market share. This expansion could involve offering services for a wider range of injectable products and therapeutic areas, potentially leading to long-term contracts and recurring revenue streams.
• Strategic Partnerships: Forming strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies can provide Lifecore with access to new markets and technologies. These partnerships could involve co-development agreements, licensing deals, or joint ventures. By collaborating with established players in the pharmaceutical industry, Lifecore can accelerate its growth and expand its product portfolio. These partnerships can also provide access to funding and resources, enabling Lifecore to invest in research and development and expand its manufacturing capabilities.
• Product Innovation: Investing in research and development to develop new HA-based products and formulations can drive growth and differentiation. The market for HA-based products is constantly evolving, with new applications and technologies emerging. By innovating and developing new products, Lifecore can capture a larger share of the market and create a competitive advantage. This could involve developing new injectable treatments for ophthalmic, orthopedic, or other medical conditions.
• Geographic Expansion: Expanding its geographic presence can enable Lifecore to tap into new markets and customer bases. The global market for pharmaceutical products and food products is vast, with significant opportunities in emerging markets. By establishing a presence in new regions, Lifecore can diversify its revenue streams and reduce its reliance on existing markets. This could involve establishing sales offices, distribution networks, or manufacturing facilities in new countries.
• Increased Focus on Private Label Growth in Curation Foods: The Curation Foods segment can focus on expanding its private label business for olive oils, wine vinegars, guacamole, and avocado food products. The private label market is growing as retailers seek to offer high-quality products at competitive prices. By partnering with retailers to develop and manufacture private label products, Lifecore can increase its sales volume and market share. This could involve offering customized formulations, packaging, and branding options to meet the specific needs of retailers.

What Are LFCR's Competitive Advantages?

• Specialized Expertise: Lifecore's expertise in HA manufacturing and formulation creates a barrier to entry for competitors.
• Integrated Services: The company's ability to offer integrated CDMO services, from technology development to manufacturing, provides a competitive advantage.
• Established Relationships: Long-standing relationships with pharmaceutical companies and retailers provide a stable customer base.
• Brand Recognition: The O, Yucatan, and Cabo Fresh brands provide a competitive advantage in the food market.

What Does LFCR Do?

Lifecore Biomedical, Inc., established in 1986 and formerly known as Landec Corporation until November 2022, is an integrated contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). Headquartered in Chaska, USA, Lifecore operates both domestically and internationally, serving the pharmaceutical and food industries. The company's Lifecore segment focuses on the production of pharmaceutical-grade sodium hyaluronate (HA) in bulk form, as well as formulated and filled syringes and vials for injectable products. These products are used in various medical applications, including ophthalmic and orthopedic treatments. Lifecore also provides a range of services to its partners, including technology development, material component changes, analytical method development, formulation development, pilot studies, stability studies, process validation, and production of materials for clinical studies, catering to both HA-based and non-HA based aseptically formulated and filled products. The Curation Foods segment is involved in the processing, marketing, and selling of olive oils and wine vinegars under the O brand, as well as guacamole and avocado food products under the Yucatan and Cabo Fresh brands, alongside various private label agreements. This diversified approach allows Lifecore to serve multiple markets and leverage its manufacturing expertise across different sectors.

What Products and Services Does LFCR Offer?

• Manufactures pharmaceutical-grade sodium hyaluronate (HA) in bulk form.
• Formulates and fills syringes and vials for injectable products.
• Provides technology development and analytical method development services.
• Conducts pilot and stability studies.
• Offers process validation and production of materials for clinical studies.
• Processes, markets, and sells olive oils and wine vinegars under the O brand.
• Processes, markets, and sells guacamole and avocado food products under the Yucatan and Cabo Fresh brands.
• Provides private label manufacturing for food products.

How Does LFCR Make Money?

• Contract manufacturing of HA-based and non-HA based injectable products for pharmaceutical companies.
• Sale of bulk HA to pharmaceutical companies.
• Sale of branded olive oils, wine vinegars, guacamole, and avocado food products.
• Private label manufacturing of food products for retailers.

What Industry Does LFCR Operate In?

Lifecore Biomedical operates within the specialty pharmaceutical and food manufacturing industries. The pharmaceutical CDMO market is experiencing growth driven by increased outsourcing from pharmaceutical companies seeking to reduce costs and focus on core competencies. The market for HA-based products is also expanding, fueled by demand for injectable treatments in ophthalmology and orthopedics. In the food sector, the market for olive oils, wine vinegars, and avocado products is competitive, with established players and increasing consumer demand for healthy and convenient food options. Lifecore's competitive positioning is influenced by its ability to offer integrated manufacturing services and its presence in both the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Who Are LFCR's Key Customers?

• Pharmaceutical companies seeking contract manufacturing services.
• Hospitals and clinics using HA-based injectable products.
• Retailers selling branded and private label food products.
• Consumers purchasing branded food products through retail channels.

Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (LFCR) Valuation Context

Valued at $153M, LFCR is classified as a micro-cap stock. Analyst price targets span from $6.50 to $6.50, with a consensus of $6.50. At the current price of $4.09, that implies approximately 59% upside potential. Relative to its peer group, LFCR's quantitative score of 23/100 is below the peer average of 43/100.

LFCR Revenue & Earnings Trend

In Q4 FY2026, LFCR generated $34.2M in top-line revenue, marking a sequential increase of 0.0%. The company recorded a net loss of $6.2M, with diluted EPS of $-0.16. Quarter-over-quarter revenue has been mixed, typical for a micro-cap company operating in Healthcare. Across the four most recent quarters, LFCR averaged $-0.25 in diluted EPS.

Company Profile

Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. operates in the Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic industry within the Healthcare sector. It is headquartered in Chaska, US. The company is led by CEO Paul Josephs. LFCR has traded publicly since 1996.

Key Financial Metrics

Return on assets is -16.2%, showing how much profit it generates from its asset base. Its free cash flow yield is -0.0%, a gauge of the cash the business throws off relative to its market value. A current ratio of 3.87 indicates the company holds enough short-term assets to cover its near-term obligations. Its earnings yield is -21.0%, the inverse of the P/E and a quick read on earnings relative to price.

Lifecore Biomedical, Inc.'s Piotroski F-Score is 4/9, a 9-point checklist of profitability, leverage and efficiency — a middling fundamental profile. Its Altman Z-Score of -0.39 places it in the distress zone, a signal of elevated financial risk.

Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. has missed Wall Street's EPS estimate in 5 of its last 8 reported quarters — a mixed record worth weighing. Reported results have landed about 40.9% below estimates on average.

Over the past six months, Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. insiders filed 10 SEC Form 4 transactions — 2 sales and 8 purchases. On net that is roughly 142K shares acquired (about $313K) — insiders putting money in tends to read as conviction.

LFCR Financials

LFCR Latest News

LFCR Analyst Consensus

LFCR MoonshotScore

What Investors Ask About Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (LFCR) — Healthcare

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.

Official Resources