Business First Bancshares (BFST)


Market Price (11/6/2026): $32.3 | Market Cap: $1.0 BilSector: Financials | Industry: Regional Banks

Business First Bancshares (BFST)


Market Price (11/6/2026): $32.3
Market Cap: $1.0 Bil
Sector: Financials
Industry: Regional Banks

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Detailed financial logic regarding cash flow yields vs trend-riding momentum.

0

Attractive yield
Total YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 11%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 5.5%, FCF Yield is 11%

Cash is significant % of market cap
Net D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is -56%

Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 32%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 32%

Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 22%

Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Fintech & Digital Payments. Themes include Digital Payments, Online Banking & Lending, and Wealth Management Technology.

Trading close to highs
Dist 52W High is -2.1%, Dist 3Y High is -2.1%

Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -6.1%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -6.3%

Key risks
BFST key risks include [1] substantial commercial real estate (CRE) loan portfolio exposure and [2] a material weakness in IT internal controls for financial reporting.

0 Attractive yield
Total YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 11%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 5.5%, FCF Yield is 11%
1 Cash is significant % of market cap
Net D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is -56%
2 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 32%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 32%
3 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 22%
4 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Fintech & Digital Payments. Themes include Digital Payments, Online Banking & Lending, and Wealth Management Technology.
5 Trading close to highs
Dist 52W High is -2.1%, Dist 3Y High is -2.1%
6 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -6.1%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -6.3%
7 Key risks
BFST key risks include [1] substantial commercial real estate (CRE) loan portfolio exposure and [2] a material weakness in IT internal controls for financial reporting.

BFST in ETFs

Weight = BFST's share of each fund

VTI0.00%
ITOT0.00%
IWM0.03%
KRE0.26%
AVUV0.10%
IWN0.07%
VTWO0.03%
SCHA0.03%
+5 more covered ETFs

Valuation & Metrics

Price Chart

Why The Stock Moved

Qualitative Assessment

AI Analysis | Feedback

Updated on 11/1/2026

Business First Bancshares (BFST) stock has remained largely at the same level since 7/31/2026 because of the following key factors:

1. Strong Core Earnings and Operational Growth in Fiscal Q3 2026. Business First Bancshares reported core net income of $26 million, or $0.79 per diluted common share, for fiscal Q3 2026 (ended September 30, 2026), significantly exceeding the analyst consensus of $0.74 per share. This strong performance was supported by a 7.2% annualized increase in loans held for investment and a 7.7% annualized rise in deposits, alongside an expansion of its net interest margin by 12 to 13 basis points to 3.80% or 3.86%. The company also reduced its higher-cost brokered deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) borrowings, indicating improved funding management.

2. Strategic Capital Management with Share Repurchase Authorization. On October 29, 2026, Business First Bancshares authorized a new stock repurchase program, allowing for purchases of up to $30 million of common stock over a 24-month period. This move, which replaced a previous program, signaled management's confidence in the company's valuation and its commitment to enhancing shareholder value. The announcement led to a positive market reaction, with a 2% uptick in after-hours trading.

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Updated on 11/1/2026

Business First Bancshares (BFST) stock has remained largely at the same level since 7/31/2026 because of the following key factors:

1. Strong Core Earnings and Operational Growth in Fiscal Q3 2026. Business First Bancshares reported core net income of $26 million, or $0.79 per diluted common share, for fiscal Q3 2026 (ended September 30, 2026), significantly exceeding the analyst consensus of $0.74 per share. This strong performance was supported by a 7.2% annualized increase in loans held for investment and a 7.7% annualized rise in deposits, alongside an expansion of its net interest margin by 12 to 13 basis points to 3.80% or 3.86%. The company also reduced its higher-cost brokered deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) borrowings, indicating improved funding management.

2. Strategic Capital Management with Share Repurchase Authorization. On October 29, 2026, Business First Bancshares authorized a new stock repurchase program, allowing for purchases of up to $30 million of common stock over a 24-month period. This move, which replaced a previous program, signaled management's confidence in the company's valuation and its commitment to enhancing shareholder value. The announcement led to a positive market reaction, with a 2% uptick in after-hours trading.

3. Positive Analyst Sentiment and Price Targets. Analysts maintained a consensus "Buy" rating for BFST, with an average price target of $35.75. This average target represented a forecasted upside of 12.01% from the stock's price of $31.92. One firm, Hovde Group, specifically increased its price target for Business First Bancshares from $36.00 to $37.00 in August 2026, reinforcing a favorable outlook.

4. Cautious Broader Banking Sector Sentiment. Despite BFST's strong individual performance, the broader U.S. banking sector experienced some cautionary sentiment during the period. Reports indicated six U.S. bank failures in 2026, including Nano Banc in September, marking the highest number since 2017. Such macroeconomic concerns and sector-specific anxieties likely tempered significant upward movement for regional bank stocks, contributing to BFST's relatively stable price trend.

5. Aggregate Insider Selling Activity. Over the past 12 months, insider activity showed net selling of $6.6 million in BFST shares. While not a single large transaction within the specified period, this aggregated insider selling, exceeding the $5 million threshold, suggests a lack of strong buying conviction from some within the company, which could have acted as a minor headwind against a more pronounced upward stock movement.

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Stock Movement Drivers

Fundamental Drivers

The 1.9% change in BFST stock from 7/31/2026 to 11/5/2026 was primarily driven by a 3.6% change in the company's Total Revenues ($ Mil).
(LTM values as of)731202611052026Change
Stock Price ($)31.6732.281.9%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)3443563.6%
Net Income Margin (%)27.0%26.5%-1.7%
P/E Multiple11.111.1-0.2%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)33330.3%
Cumulative Contribution1.9%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

7/31/2026 to 11/5/2026
ReturnCorrelation
BFST1.9% 
Market (SPY)-1.9%22.4%
Sector (XLF)1.0%62.9%

Fundamental Drivers

The 19.1% change in BFST stock from 4/30/2026 to 11/5/2026 was primarily driven by a 21.8% change in the company's P/E Multiple.
(LTM values as of)430202611052026Change
Stock Price ($)27.1032.2819.1%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)32035611.5%
Net Income Margin (%)27.5%26.5%-3.4%
P/E Multiple9.111.121.8%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)2933-9.3%
Cumulative Contribution19.1%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

4/30/2026 to 11/5/2026
ReturnCorrelation
BFST19.1% 
Market (SPY)2.3%15.7%
Sector (XLF)10.7%55.0%

Fundamental Drivers

The 34.5% change in BFST stock from 10/31/2025 to 11/5/2026 was primarily driven by a 28.2% change in the company's P/E Multiple.
(LTM values as of)1031202511052026Change
Stock Price ($)24.0032.2834.5%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)31435613.4%
Net Income Margin (%)26.1%26.5%1.8%
P/E Multiple8.611.128.2%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)3033-9.1%
Cumulative Contribution34.5%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

10/31/2025 to 11/5/2026
ReturnCorrelation
BFST34.5% 
Market (SPY)8.4%24.3%
Sector (XLF)11.1%50.5%

Fundamental Drivers

The 77.1% change in BFST stock from 10/31/2023 to 11/5/2026 was primarily driven by a 61.2% change in the company's P/E Multiple.
(LTM values as of)1031202311052026Change
Stock Price ($)18.2332.2877.1%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)24735644.2%
Net Income Margin (%)26.9%26.5%-1.3%
P/E Multiple6.911.161.2%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)2533-22.8%
Cumulative Contribution77.1%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

10/31/2023 to 11/5/2026
ReturnCorrelation
BFST77.1% 
Market (SPY)81.3%43.5%
Sector (XLF)85.5%61.4%

Return vs. Risk

Price Returns Compared

 202120222023202420252026Total [1]
Returns
BFST Return42%-20%14%7%4%25%80%
Peers Return35%-31%-4%-20%-11%-8%-42%
S&P 500 Return27%-19%24%23%16%12%105%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
BFST Win Rate67%33%58%58%58%64% 
Peers Win Rate62%48%52%40%56%50% 
S&P 500 Win Rate75%42%67%75%67%45% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
BFST Max Drawdown-12%-30%-38%-19%-23%-13% 
Peers Max Drawdown-24%-41%-51%-39%-38%-38% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-5%-25%-10%-8%-19%-9% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] Peers: NEWT, ATLO, GBC, SHFS, SMBC.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2026 data is for the year up to 11/5/2026 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

EventBFSTS&P 500
2025 US Tariff Shock
  % Loss-22.0%-18.8%
  % Gain to Breakeven28.3%23.1%
  Time to Breakeven246 days79 days
2023 SVB Regional Banking Crisis
  % Loss-33.6%-6.7%
  % Gain to Breakeven50.5%7.1%
  Time to Breakeven85 days31 days
2022 Inflation Shock & Fed Tightening
  % Loss-28.0%-24.5%
  % Gain to Breakeven38.9%32.4%
  Time to Breakeven857 days427 days
2020 COVID-19 Crash
  % Loss-62.3%-33.7%
  % Gain to Breakeven165.6%50.9%
  Time to Breakeven567 days140 days
Q4 2018 Fed Policy Error / Growth Scare
  % Loss-17.3%-19.2%
  % Gain to Breakeven21.0%23.8%
  Time to Breakeven421 days105 days

Compare to NEWT, ATLO, CLBK, GCBC, MBBC

In The Past

Business First Bancshares's stock fell -22.0% during the 2025 US Tariff Shock. Such a loss loss requires a 28.3% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

EventBFSTS&P 500
2025 US Tariff Shock
  % Loss-22.0%-18.8%
  % Gain to Breakeven28.3%23.1%
  Time to Breakeven246 days79 days
2023 SVB Regional Banking Crisis
  % Loss-33.6%-6.7%
  % Gain to Breakeven50.5%7.1%
  Time to Breakeven85 days31 days
2022 Inflation Shock & Fed Tightening
  % Loss-28.0%-24.5%
  % Gain to Breakeven38.9%32.4%
  Time to Breakeven857 days427 days
2020 COVID-19 Crash
  % Loss-62.3%-33.7%
  % Gain to Breakeven165.6%50.9%
  Time to Breakeven567 days140 days

Compare to NEWT, ATLO, CLBK, GCBC, MBBC

In The Past

Business First Bancshares's stock fell -22.0% during the 2025 US Tariff Shock. Such a loss loss requires a 28.3% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

About Business First Bancshares (BFST)

Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST) operates as the holding company for b1BANK, a community-focused bank offering a broad spectrum of financial products and services. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the company primarily serves a diverse clientele including businesses, real estate developers, and individual consumers. Its operations extend across Louisiana, and into the Dallas and Houston metropolitan areas, facilitated by approximately 48 full-service banking centers and additional loan production offices.

The company's main products and services encompass a comprehensive suite of deposit offerings, including checking, savings, money market, and time accounts. On the lending side, BFST specializes in various types of loans: commercial and industrial loans, construction and development loans, commercial and residential real estate loans (including mortgages and home equity lines), and consumer loans. For its business clients, it provides essential financial tools such as commercial lines of credit, equipment financing, treasury and cash management services, and merchant services.

Beyond traditional banking, Business First Bancshares also offers specialized services tailored to client needs. These include wealth management products like mutual funds, annuities, and individual retirement accounts, alongside fiduciary and private banking services. This diverse array of offerings enables the company to provide a full-service financial experience for both its corporate and individual customers within its regional markets.

AI Analysis | Feedback

Here are 1-3 brief analogies for Business First Bancshares (BFST):

  • A regional version of Bank of America or Wells Fargo, serving Louisiana and Texas.

  • Like a smaller-scale JPMorgan Chase, providing comprehensive banking services across the Gulf South.

AI Analysis | Feedback

  • Deposit Accounts: Offers various accounts including checking, savings, money market, time, and certificates of deposit for individuals and businesses.
  • Commercial Lending: Provides commercial and industrial loans, construction and development loans, and commercial real estate loans for businesses.
  • Residential Real Estate Loans: Offers first and second lien 1-4 family mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit.
  • Consumer Loans: Provides secured and unsecured installment and term loans for personal use.
  • Wealth Management: Delivers investment products such as mutual funds and annuities, individual retirement accounts, fiduciary services, and private banking.
  • Treasury and Cash Management: Offers business services including debit and credit cards, merchant services, ACH, lock-box, receivables factoring, and other treasury solutions.
  • Other Financial Services: Includes correspondent banking, employee and payroll benefits solutions, and various digital and convenience banking options.

AI Analysis | Feedback

Business First Bancshares (BFST) serves a diverse customer base, including both businesses and individuals, rather than having a few specific major corporate customers. Based on its services, its primary customer categories are:

  1. Commercial Clients (Businesses): This category includes various businesses, from small to medium-sized enterprises, that utilize BFST's commercial and industrial loans, construction and development loans, commercial real estate loans, treasury and cash management services, merchant services, automated clearing house (ACH), lock-box services, receivables factoring, correspondent banking, and employee and payroll benefits solutions.

  2. Individual Consumers: This segment consists of individual customers who use the bank for residential real estate loans (first and second lien 1-4 family mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit), consumer loans (secured and unsecured installment and term loans), and general deposit products such as checking, savings, money market, and time accounts.

  3. Wealth Management Clients (Affluent Individuals and Families): This category comprises individuals and families seeking wealth management products, including mutual funds, annuities, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), other financial products, and private banking services, indicating a focus on higher net-worth clients requiring more specialized financial planning and services.

AI Analysis | Feedback

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AI Analysis | Feedback

David R. "Jude" Melville, III - Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer

David R. "Jude" Melville, III has served as CEO of Business First Bancshares since March 2011 and as Chairman since July 2024. He has held management roles with the bank since its chartering in 2006. Prior to his banking career, Melville served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College and a Master of Science in Management from the London School of Economics, and is a graduate of LSU's Graduate School of Banking. Under his leadership, b1BANK has expanded its footprint and completed multiple whole-bank acquisitions. He was instrumental in launching Business First Bank (now b1BANK) with a focus on supporting entrepreneurs and small community businesses.

Gregory Robertson - Treasurer; Chief Financial Officer; Executive Vice President

Gregory Robertson serves as the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Business First Bancshares and b1BANK, and is an Executive Vice President of b1BANK. He is 53 years old (as of 2024 data).

N. Jerome Vascocu - President of b1BANK

N. Jerome Vascocu serves as the President of b1BANK. He previously held the title of Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of b1BANK. He is 51 years old (as of 2024 data).

Philip Jordan - Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer of b1BANK

Philip Jordan is the Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer of b1BANK. He is 52 years old (as of 2024 data).

Keith John Mansfield - Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of b1BANK

Keith John Mansfield serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer (COO) of b1BANK, a role he has held since January 2017. He joined the bank in April 2016, initially as Chief Information Officer. Mansfield has 26 years of banking experience and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Tennessee at Martin. He is 48 years old (as of 2024 data).

AI Analysis | Feedback

Here are the key risks to Business First Bancshares (BFST):

  1. Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting: Business First Bancshares faces a significant risk due to a material weakness identified in their internal control over financial reporting, specifically related to IT general controls concerning change management and segregation of duties. Deficiencies stemming from outsourced IT systems allow multiple users to both install changes and develop source code, which could potentially lead to material misstatements in financial statements. If not effectively remediated, this weakness could harm the company's reputation, affect its share price, and result in violations of securities laws or credit facility covenants.
  2. Geographic Concentration: The company faces significant risks due to its geographic concentration in Louisiana, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston. This concentration may magnify the impact of regional economic downturns, particularly those affecting the real estate and energy sectors.
  3. Interest Rate Risks: Business First Bancshares is exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates, which could impact its financial performance. A significant portion of its assets and liabilities are variable rate, and while the company employs an asset-liability management strategy, external factors such as governmental monetary policies and economic conditions are beyond its control and could affect its results.

AI Analysis | Feedback

  • The rise of digital-only banks (neobanks and challenger banks) that operate with significantly lower overhead due to the absence of physical branches, offering competitive rates, lower fees, and superior digital user experiences. These entities directly threaten BFST's deposit acquisition and retention, particularly among tech-savvy customers and younger demographics, by providing a compelling alternative to traditional banking.
  • Online lending platforms that specialize in various loan types (commercial, real estate, consumer) and leverage technology to offer streamlined application processes, faster approval times, and often more flexible terms. These platforms directly compete with BFST's traditional lending services, potentially siphoning off loan demand by offering a more agile and convenient borrowing experience.
  • Fintech payment providers and digital wallet services (e.g., Square/Block, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay) that are increasingly displacing traditional banking services for payments, merchant services, and even offering banking-like features to small businesses. This threatens BFST's revenue from treasury and cash management, merchant services, and traditional payment processing by bypassing conventional bank channels.

AI Analysis | Feedback

Business First Bancshares (BFST) operates primarily across Louisiana and in the Dallas and Houston markets. The addressable markets for its main products and services in these regions are sized as follows:

Deposits

  • Louisiana: The total deposits held by banks in Louisiana were approximately $131 billion as of Q2 2024.
  • Texas: The total deposits in all banks in Texas were approximately $1.45 trillion.
  • Dallas-Fort Worth: Banks in the Dallas-Fort Worth region held a cumulative total of $714.7 billion in deposits as of June 30, 2023.
  • Houston: The Houston market accounted for $348 billion of bank deposits as of March 10, 2026.

Commercial and Industrial Loans (included in Commercial Banking)

  • Louisiana: The market size of the Commercial Banking industry in Louisiana, which includes receiving deposits and issuing consumer, commercial, and industrial loans, is projected to be $10.2 billion in 2026.
  • Texas: The market size of the Commercial Banking industry in Texas, encompassing deposits and the issuance of consumer, commercial, and industrial loans, is projected to be $108.7 billion in 2026.

Commercial Real Estate Loans and Construction and Development Loans

  • Louisiana: The commercial real estate market in Louisiana generated an annual transaction volume of approximately $10 billion. The Real Estate Loans & Collateralized Debt industry in Louisiana is projected to be $2.4 billion in 2026.
  • Texas: The Real Estate Loans & Collateralized Debt industry in Texas is projected to be $76.1 billion in 2026.
  • Houston: Houston's commercial real estate market faces over $10.6 billion in loan maturities in 2024, with a cumulative total exceeding $49.9 billion maturing over the next five years.

Residential Real Estate Loans (Mortgages and Home Equity Lines of Credit)

  • Louisiana: New home loans booked in Louisiana totaled $7.2 billion in 2024.
  • Texas: The overall residential mortgage volume in Texas experienced growth in home purchase lending, with the number of purchase loans rising slightly from 328,504 in 2023 to 329,866 in 2024. Refinancing activity in Texas more than doubled in loan count, increasing by approximately 104%, while its total loan value jumped nearly 148% during the same period.
  • Dallas: Total dollar originations for purchase loans in Dallas are forecast to grow by $10.97 billion from 2023 to 2026, with a total purchase loan volume of more than $47 billion projected for 2025.

Consumer Loans

  • Louisiana: The average personal loan balance in Louisiana was approximately $5,275.
  • Texas: Texans carried an estimated $28–$30 billion in unsecured personal loan debt by early 2025. In 2023, lenders booked $9.2 billion statewide in new consumer loans.

Wealth Management

  • North America: The wealth management industry in North America held the largest share of the global market in 2020.
  • Dallas-Fort Worth: The Dallas/Fort Worth market had over 2,330 ultra-high net worth households with $30 million or more in net worth as of July 2020.

AI Analysis | Feedback

Business First Bancshares (BFST) is expected to drive future revenue growth over the next 2-3 years through several key strategies:

Expected Drivers of Future Revenue Growth for Business First Bancshares (BFST)

  • Continued Loan and Deposit Growth: Business First Bancshares anticipates sustained growth in its loan and deposit portfolios. The company reported an increase in total loans held for investment by $168.4 million, an 11.1% annualized growth on a linked-quarter basis, and $191.7 million in deposit growth in Q4 2025, attributed to improved demand and reduced paydowns. Management has set a target of mid-single-digit loan growth for 2026.
  • Net Interest Margin (NIM) Expansion and Improvement: The company expects to continue expanding its net interest margin through disciplined loan pricing and managing funding costs. In Q4 2025, the GAAP-reported net interest margin increased by three basis points to 3.71% linked-quarter, while the non-GAAP core net interest margin rose by one basis point to 3.64%. This trend of margin expansion was also noted in Q1 2025, driven by improved funding costs and strategic loan pricing.
  • Growth in Non-Interest Income: Contributions from non-interest income are a significant driver of profitability. This includes strong swap fees, gains from SBA loan sales, and income from various SBIC investments. The correspondent banking group is also making a meaningful contribution to this segment. Core non-interest income is projected to be in the mid-to-high $13 million range per quarter.
  • Strategic Market Expansion and Acquisitions: Business First Bancshares is focused on expanding its presence in existing markets and exploring opportunistic growth in new areas, particularly along key corridors in Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama. The acquisition of Progressive Bank, completed at the beginning of 2026, is expected to enhance both non-interest income and deposit strength.
  • Deepening Existing Customer Relationships: A strategic focus for the company is to deepen relationships with its current customer base. This approach is expected to lead to increased profitability, greater tangible book value, and ultimately an enhanced share price.

AI Analysis | Feedback

Capital Allocation Decisions for Business First Bancshares (BFST)

Share Repurchases

  • A stock repurchase program was approved on October 28, 2025, authorizing the company to repurchase up to $30 million of its common stock during a 24-month period ending October 28, 2027.
  • The company initiated a stock repurchase in Q4 2025, buying back approximately 150,000 shares at around $24.70, totaling about $3.7 million.

Share Issuance

  • On October 12, 2022, Business First Bancshares conducted an underwritten public offering of 2,500,000 shares of its common stock at $20.00 per share, generating gross proceeds of $50 million.
  • On September 1, 2022, the company successfully raised $72.0 million through a self-managed private placement of preferred stock.
  • In connection with the acquisition of Progressive Bancorp, completed on January 5, 2026, Business First expected to issue approximately 3,050,490 shares of common stock to Progressive shareholders.

Outbound Investments

  • Business First Bancshares completed the acquisition of Progressive Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary Progressive Bank on January 5, 2026. This acquisition was expected to increase Business First's total assets to approximately $8.7 billion. The agreement for this acquisition was initially announced on July 7, 2025.
  • The company has pursued growth through strategic acquisitions, including the merger with Progressive Bank and the acquisition of Waterstone and Oakwood, to expand its footprint in Texas and Louisiana.

Capital Expenditures

  • Business First Bancshares invested -$1.6 million in capital expenditures in Q4 2025.
  • Management plans to invest in new technology to improve efficiency and customer experience, with a focus on optimizing existing systems in 2026.

Peer Outperformance in Regional Banks

BFST has trailed 65% of its 262 Regional Banks peers over 5Y. Among the peers that beat it are WTFC, MBIN and ASB. Regional Banks ranks 8th of 18 industries in Financials by median 5Y return.
Share of Regional Banks constituents that BFST has outperformed, by holding period. Peers without a full price history over a given window are excluded from that window.
1Y
56%
of 281 industry peers · 32.1% return
3Y
31%
of 273 industry peers · 66.9% return
5Y
35%
of 262 industry peers · 29.8% return
Regional Banks peers with revenue growth within 4pp of BFST's that beat it on at least 2 of 3 windows, and by at least 20pp over 5Y. Growth is matched by construction, so the gap is largely a re-rating gap. The multiple column is the context for it.
Ticker Name Rev Growth 3Y Avg P/E 1Y3Y5Y 5Y Gap
BFST Business First Bancshares 12.9% 11.1x 32.1%66.9%29.8% —
WTFC Wintrust Financial 9.1% 11.1x 19.0%98.3%77.6% +48pp
MBIN Merchants Bancorp 14.6% 8.9x 64.6%68.2%71.6% +42pp
ASB Associated Banc-Corp 11.3% 10.8x 24.5%96.3%61.2% +31pp
ONB Old National Bancorp 14.4% 9.9x 24.1%88.5%59.4% +30pp
TRMK Trustmark 12.6% 11.2x 19.8%121.4%53.1% +23pp
Price returns, excluding dividends. P/E shown for context only and not used for matching.
Median price return by industry across the Financials sector, ranked by 5Y. Regional Banks is BFST's own industry. Use this to see which corners of the sector have carried the returns.
Industry Names 1Y med3Y med5Y med Top 3 by 5Y
Reinsurance 6 33.1%75.7%125.1% SPNT 168% · RGA 162% · RNR 141%
Investment Banking & Brokerage 13 -3.9%89.1%93.1% IBKR 305% · SNEX 152% · GS 141%
Diversified Banks 12 30.0%140.4%90.3% CM 144% · RY 129% · JPM 127%
Life & Health Insurance 20 14.3%52.3%75.4% JXN 514% · UNM 224% · FG 188%
Property & Casualty Insurance 42 18.9%76.8%66.8% TRV 178% · PGR 172% · ACGL 168%
Multi-Sector Holdings 3 10.1%53.8%59.4% BRK-B 99% · VOYA 59% · JEF 37%
Multi-line Insurance 9 9.5%71.4%59.4% AIZ 105% · GNW 104% · L 98%
Regional Banks ← 263 30.0%87.5%46.7% CBC 268% · FCNCA 176% · NIC 136%
Insurance Brokers 15 5.5%13.4%33.4% LIFE 287% · ARX 89% · WTW 56%
Financial Exchanges & Data 15 20.6%37.2%27.9% CBOE 183% · VIRT 131% · CME 71%
Asset Management & Custody Banks 83 -5.9%22.8%12.3% VCTR 210% · AAMI 207% · WT 205%
Consumer Finance 30 2.9%81.0%8.1% ENVA 330% · FCFS 130% · ECPG 111%
Commercial & Residential Mortgage Finance 14 -46.5%36.8%2.5% FNMA 327% · FMCC 293% · ACT 158%
Diversified Financial Services 4 -1.6%20.1%-1.1% FRHC 153% · EQH 71%
Specialized Finance 3 15.8%31.5%-19.7% HASI -20% · CACC -24%
Transaction & Payment Processing Services 17 19.3%9.1%-29.4% V 103% · MA 94% · CPAY 83%
Mortgage REITs 35 -18.0%-6.1%-37.2% RITM 36% · DX 17% · AGNC 10%
Diversified Capital Markets 20 -47.1%-8.5%-70.1% LPLA 83% · TW 38% · RIOT -53%
Median of constituents with a full price history over each window. Top names are limited to companies above $2B market cap.

Recent Active Movers

Peer Comparisons

Peers to compare with:

Financials

BFSTNEWTATLOGBCSHFSSMBCMedian
NameBusiness.NewtekOneAmes Nat.Georgia .SHF Southern. 
Mkt Price32.3010.6034.0033.770.0469.8733.03
Mkt Cap1.00.30.3---0.3
Rev LTM35627773---277
Op Inc LTM-------
FCF LTM115-74021---21
FCF 3Y Avg87-37317---17
CFO LTM115-73922---22
CFO 3Y Avg90-37319---19

Growth & Margins

BFSTNEWTATLOGBCSHFSSMBCMedian
NameBusiness.NewtekOneAmes Nat.Georgia .SHF Southern. 
Rev Chg LTM13.4%7.8%21.3%---13.4%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg12.9%26.8%8.1%---12.9%
Rev Chg Q15.5%7.0%18.5%---15.5%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM3.6%1.7%4.3%---3.6%
Op Inc Chg LTM-------
Op Inc Chg 3Y Avg-------
Op Mgn LTM-------
Op Mgn 3Y Avg-------
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM-------
CFO/Rev LTM32.1%-267.4%30.3%---30.3%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg28.9%-138.6%30.2%---28.9%
FCF/Rev LTM32.1%-267.5%28.9%---28.9%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg27.7%-138.7%27.9%---27.7%

Valuation

BFSTNEWTATLOGBCSHFSSMBCMedian
NameBusiness.NewtekOneAmes Nat.Georgia .SHF Southern. 
Mkt Cap1.00.30.3---0.3
P/S2.91.14.2---2.9
P/Op Inc-------
P/EBIT-------
P/E11.14.613.1---11.1
P/CFO9.2-0.413.7---9.2
Total Yield10.8%31.6%10.2%---10.8%
Dividend Yield1.8%10.0%2.6%---2.6%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg11.1%-103.1%8.5%---8.5%
D/E0.41.80.1---0.4
Net D/E-0.60.6-1.6----0.6

Returns

BFSTNEWTATLOGBCSHFSSMBCMedian
NameBusiness.NewtekOneAmes Nat.Georgia .SHF Southern. 
1M Rtn5.1%-5.3%5.4%-11.8%-94.8%-2.4%-3.9%
3M Rtn2.3%-27.9%9.0%-11.8%-98.3%-10.0%-10.9%
6M Rtn18.3%-20.1%20.8%-11.8%-99.3%1.1%-5.3%
12M Rtn32.1%7.5%64.7%-11.8%-99.9%31.9%19.7%
3Y Rtn67.0%-15.6%114.9%-11.8%-100.0%67.3%27.6%
1M Excs Rtn7.6%-1.7%8.1%-10.3%-92.1%-0.1%-0.9%
3M Excs Rtn3.4%-19.4%10.5%-10.9%-97.0%-8.2%-9.6%
6M Excs Rtn13.5%-24.8%16.0%-16.6%-105.9%-3.6%-10.1%
12M Excs Rtn20.5%-5.9%55.1%-25.3%-118.5%17.7%5.9%
3Y Excs Rtn-6.2%-90.5%42.6%-95.2%-214.6%-0.6%-48.3%

Comparison Analyses

null

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment
$ Mil20252024202320222021
Community banking320270247228187
Total320270247228187


Price Behavior

Price Behavior
Market Price$32.28 
Market Cap ($ Bil)1.0 
First Trading Date04/11/2018 
Distance from 52W High-2.1% 
   50 Days200 Days
DMA Price$31.21$29.29
DMA Trendindeterminateup
Distance from DMA3.4%10.2%
 3M1YR
Volatility16.6%21.8%
Downside Capture-8.1420.16
Upside Capture19.6554.08
Correlation (S&P 500)6.0%22.5%
BFST Betas & Captures as of 10/31/2026

 1M2M3M6M1Y3Y
Beta-0.190.080.070.110.370.85
Up Beta-1.43-0.870.08-0.120.490.84
Down Beta-0.24-0.24-0.27-0.190.170.94
Up Capture39%40%15%41%44%58%
Bmk +ve Days12182862130427
Stock +ve Days12192762123370
Down Capture-49%18%16%10%31%93%
Bmk -ve Days10253664121325
Stock -ve Days10233663125374

[1] Upside and downside betas calculated using positive and negative benchmark daily returns respectively
Based On 1-Year Data
Annualized
Return
Annualized
Volatility
Sharpe
Ratio
Correlation
with BFST
BFST34.1%21.8%1.25-
Sector ETF (XLF)11.1%15.2%0.4750.7%
Equity (SPY)9.5%13.6%0.4124.2%
Gold (GLD)3.6%28.7%0.11-0.4%
Commodities (DBC)37.7%21.2%1.40-34.1%
Real Estate (VNQ)12.0%14.2%0.5544.8%
Bitcoin (BTCUSD)-20.8%43.3%-0.424.2%

Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How
Based On 5-Year Data
Annualized
Return
Annualized
Volatility
Sharpe
Ratio
Correlation
with BFST
BFST6.4%31.8%0.23-
Sector ETF (XLF)9.1%18.4%0.3656.8%
Equity (SPY)11.3%17.3%0.4843.8%
Gold (GLD)17.5%19.1%0.74-0.1%
Commodities (DBC)8.0%19.6%0.291.8%
Real Estate (VNQ)1.2%18.9%-0.0542.5%
Bitcoin (BTCUSD)5.9%51.5%0.2916.7%

Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How
Based On 10-Year Data
Annualized
Return
Annualized
Volatility
Sharpe
Ratio
Correlation
with BFST
BFST4.3%40.1%0.25-
Sector ETF (XLF)13.3%22.1%0.5458.5%
Equity (SPY)14.9%18.0%0.7047.8%
Gold (GLD)12.0%16.5%0.591.4%
Commodities (DBC)7.6%18.1%0.3314.4%
Real Estate (VNQ)5.7%20.7%0.2348.2%
Bitcoin (BTCUSD)61.3%66.2%1.0113.8%

Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date10152026
Short Interest: Shares Quantity1.2 Mil
Short Interest: % Change Since 9302026-4.6%
Average Daily Volume0.2 Mil
Days-to-Cover Short Interest6.0 days
Basic Shares Quantity32.5 Mil
Short % of Basic Shares3.6%

Earnings Returns History

Updated 11/4/2026
Expand for More
 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
10/26/20260.1%0.0% 
7/23/20262.3%4.8%2.7%
4/27/2026-4.4%-2.7%0.3%
1/22/2026-3.2%-2.0%-0.5%
10/23/20256.9%4.9%10.6%
7/28/2025-2.4%-9.8%-0.4%
4/24/2025-3.8%-2.3%0.4%
1/23/20258.8%6.8%2.4%
...
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive121414
# Negative12109
Median Positive2.6%4.6%6.6%
Median Negative-2.2%-2.9%-3.7%
Max Positive23.2%22.1%19.1%
Max Negative-5.1%-13.4%-8.0%
Collapse to Preview
 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
10/26/20260.1%0.0% 
7/23/20262.3%4.8%2.7%
4/27/2026-4.4%-2.7%0.3%
1/22/2026-3.2%-2.0%-0.5%
10/23/20256.9%4.9%10.6%
7/28/2025-2.4%-9.8%-0.4%
4/24/2025-3.8%-2.3%0.4%
1/23/20258.8%6.8%2.4%
10/24/20243.7%4.6%13.9%
7/25/20244.0%-4.2%-3.7%
4/25/2024-5.1%-4.0%-2.8%
1/23/2024-1.6%1.3%-6.6%
10/26/20232.9%8.8%9.3%
7/27/202323.2%22.1%19.1%
4/27/2023-2.3%-13.4%-5.1%
1/25/2023-0.4%0.4%-1.6%
10/26/20221.1%2.2%3.4%
7/26/20221.7%5.8%6.1%
4/26/2022-0.3%-2.5%-4.8%
1/25/2022-2.2%-1.0%-8.0%
10/21/2021-0.2%1.2%10.1%
7/26/20211.7%0.0%4.2%
4/22/20211.5%4.7%7.1%
1/25/2021-1.0%-3.1%12.0%
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive121414
# Negative12109
Median Positive2.6%4.6%6.6%
Median Negative-2.2%-2.9%-3.7%
Max Positive23.2%22.1%19.1%
Max Negative-5.1%-13.4%-8.0%

SEC Filings

Expand for More
Report DateFiling DateFiling
09/30/202611/03/202610-Q
06/30/202607/31/202610-Q
03/31/202605/01/202610-Q
12/31/202502/26/202610-K
09/30/202510/30/202510-Q
06/30/202508/05/202510-Q
03/31/202505/02/202510-Q
12/31/202403/07/202510-K
09/30/202410/31/202410-Q
06/30/202407/31/202410-Q
03/31/202405/02/202410-Q
12/31/202303/01/202410-K
09/30/202311/02/202310-Q
06/30/202308/03/202310-Q
03/31/202305/04/202310-Q
12/31/202203/02/202310-K
Collapse to Preview
Report DateFiling DateFiling
09/30/202611/03/202610-Q
06/30/202607/31/202610-Q
03/31/202605/01/202610-Q
12/31/202502/26/202610-K
09/30/202510/30/202510-Q
06/30/202508/05/202510-Q
03/31/202505/02/202510-Q
12/31/202403/07/202510-K
09/30/202410/31/202410-Q
06/30/202407/31/202410-Q
03/31/202405/02/202410-Q
12/31/202303/01/202410-K
09/30/202311/02/202310-Q
06/30/202308/03/202310-Q
03/31/202305/04/202310-Q
12/31/202203/02/202310-K
09/30/202211/03/202210-Q
06/30/202208/04/202210-Q
03/31/202205/04/202210-Q
12/31/202103/01/202210-K
09/30/202111/04/202110-Q
06/30/202108/05/202110-Q
03/31/202105/06/202110-Q
12/31/202003/05/202110-K
09/30/202011/06/202010-Q
06/30/202008/10/202010-Q
03/31/202005/08/202010-Q
12/31/201903/12/202010-K

Insider Activity

Updated 11/2/2026
Expand for More
#OwnerTitleHoldingActionFiling DatePriceSharesTransacted
Value
Value of
Held Shares
Form
1Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell1102202631.7318,373582,9755,247,254Form
2Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell825202631.3310,000313,3005,756,731Form
3Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell825202631.274,200131,3346,058,406Form
4Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell821202631.803,235102,8736,294,651Form
5Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell819202631.7810,000317,8006,393,500Form
Collapse to Preview
#OwnerTitleHoldingActionFiling DatePriceSharesTransacted
Value
Value of
Held Shares
Form
1Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell1102202631.7318,373582,9755,247,254Form
2Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell825202631.3310,000313,3005,756,731Form
3Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell825202631.274,200131,3346,058,406Form
4Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell821202631.803,235102,8736,294,651Form
5Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell819202631.7810,000317,8006,393,500Form
6Carter, Donald ChadEVP, Correspondent BankingDirectSell807202631.641,87559,325399,993Form
7Hall, William G By: Align Capital, LLCSell807202631.979,723  Form
8Hall, William G By: Align Opportunities, LPSell807202631.971,66653,262113,494Form
9Strong, SaundraEVP & General CounselDirectSell806202631.981,00031,980155,998Form
10Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell805202631.8710,000318,7006,730,307Form
11Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell731202631.5010,000315,0006,967,170Form
12Mansfield, KeithEVP&COO of b1BankDirectSell731202632.084,200134,7362,474,619Form
13Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell731202632.0810,000320,8007,416,254Form
14Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell730202631.8810,000318,8007,688,818Form
15Johnson, Joseph Vernon DirectSell730202631.152,00062,3005,360,074Form
16Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell730202631.8610,000318,6008,002,595Form
17Johnson, Joseph Vernon DirectSell730202631.7510,000317,5005,526,818Form
18Day, Rick D DirectBuy729202631.611,50047,4158,531,571Form
19Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell612202628.785,000143,9007,516,760Form
20Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell612202628.8915,000433,3507,689,940Form
21Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell609202628.5415,000428,1008,024,877Form
22Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell528202627.9211,595323,7328,269,346Form
23Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell527202627.9910,000279,9008,614,622Form
24Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell306202627.6011,000303,6008,770,590Form
25Cummings, George W Iii DirectSell227202628.0020,000560,0009,485,700Form
26Folse, Mark P DirectSell211202629.514,854143,2421,572,470Form
27Folse, Mark P DirectSell211202629.755,146153,0941,729,665Form
28Carter, Donald ChadEVP, Correspondent BankingDirectSell130202627.273,778103,026378,044Form
29Day, Rick D DirectBuy127202627.551,50041,3257,366,457Form
30Robertson, GregEVP and CFODirectSell1202202526.411,40036,9741,791,522Form
Core Cache Last Updated: 11/5/2026