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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES (BFST) Stock Fundamental Analysis

NASDAQ:BFST - Nasdaq - US12326C1053 - Common Stock - Currency: USD

25.4  -0.26 (-1.01%)

After market: 25.4 0 (0%)

Fundamental Rating

4

Overall BFST gets a fundamental rating of 4 out of 10. We evaluated BFST against 396 industry peers in the Banks industry. BFST has a bad profitability rating. Also its financial health evaluation is rather negative. BFST is not priced too expensively while it is growing strongly. Keep and eye on this one!


Dividend Valuation Growth Profitability Health

3

1. Profitability

1.1 Basic Checks

In the past year BFST was profitable.
BFST had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
BFST had positive earnings in each of the past 5 years.
BFST had a positive operating cash flow in each of the past 5 years.
BFST Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFBFST Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFYearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCF 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 20M 40M 60M 80M

1.2 Ratios

BFST has a Return On Assets (0.86%) which is in line with its industry peers.
BFST has a Return On Equity of 8.07%. This is comparable to the rest of the industry: BFST outperforms 48.48% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 0.86%
ROE 8.07%
ROIC N/A
ROA(3y)0.88%
ROA(5y)0.89%
ROE(3y)8.92%
ROE(5y)9.22%
ROIC(3y)N/A
ROIC(5y)N/A
BFST Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICBFST Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICYearly ROA, ROE, ROIC 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2 4 6 8 10

1.3 Margins

BFST has a Profit Margin of 23.00%. This is comparable to the rest of the industry: BFST outperforms 46.46% of its industry peers.
BFST's Profit Margin has declined in the last couple of years.
BFST does not have Operating Margin and Gross Margin available, so we won't be analyzing them here.
Industry RankSector Rank
OM N/A
PM (TTM) 23%
GM N/A
OM growth 3YN/A
OM growth 5YN/A
PM growth 3Y-7.15%
PM growth 5Y-3.43%
GM growth 3YN/A
GM growth 5YN/A
BFST Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsBFST Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsYearly Profit, Operating, Gross Margins 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 5 10 15 20 25

3

2. Health

2.1 Basic Checks

BFST does not have a ROIC to compare to the WACC, probably because it is not profitable.
Compared to 1 year ago, BFST has more shares outstanding
Compared to 5 years ago, BFST has more shares outstanding
Compared to 1 year ago, BFST has an improved debt to assets ratio.
BFST Yearly Shares OutstandingBFST Yearly Shares OutstandingYearly Shares Outstanding 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 5M 10M 15M 20M 25M
BFST Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsBFST Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsYearly Total Debt VS Total Assets 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2B 4B 6B

2.2 Solvency

BFST has a debt to FCF ratio of 1.46. This is a very positive value and a sign of high solvency as it would only need 1.46 years to pay back of all of its debts.
BFST's Debt to FCF ratio of 1.46 is fine compared to the rest of the industry. BFST outperforms 62.88% of its industry peers.
BFST has a Debt/Equity ratio of 0.14. This is a healthy value indicating a solid balance between debt and equity.
The Debt to Equity ratio of BFST (0.14) is comparable to the rest of the industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.14
Debt/FCF 1.46
Altman-Z N/A
ROIC/WACCN/A
WACC17.47%
BFST Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFBFST Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFYearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCF 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 200M 400M 600M

2.3 Liquidity

Industry RankSector Rank
Current Ratio N/A
Quick Ratio N/A
BFST Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesBFST Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesYearly Current Assets VS Current Liabilites 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 20M 40M 60M 80M

7

3. Growth

3.1 Past

The Earnings Per Share has been growing slightly by 2.33% over the past year.
Measured over the past 5 years, BFST shows a small growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS has been growing by 6.62% on average per year.
BFST shows quite a strong growth in Revenue. In the last year, the Revenue has grown by 15.23%.
BFST shows a strong growth in Revenue. Measured over the last years, the Revenue has been growing by 24.47% yearly.
EPS 1Y (TTM)2.33%
EPS 3Y3.76%
EPS 5Y6.62%
EPS Q2Q%30%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)15.23%
Revenue growth 3Y12.7%
Revenue growth 5Y24.47%
Sales Q2Q%30.13%

3.2 Future

The Earnings Per Share is expected to grow by 9.78% on average over the next years. This is quite good.
BFST is expected to show quite a strong growth in Revenue. In the coming years, the Revenue will grow by 15.05% yearly.
EPS Next Y10.05%
EPS Next 2Y9.78%
EPS Next 3YN/A
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue Next Year19.55%
Revenue Next 2Y15.05%
Revenue Next 3YN/A
Revenue Next 5YN/A

3.3 Evolution

When comparing the EPS growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is accelerating.
Although the future Revenue growth is still strong, it is not able to hold up the even more excellent growth rate of the past years.
BFST Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesBFST Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesYearly Revenue VS Estimates 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 100M 200M 300M
BFST Yearly EPS VS EstimatesBFST Yearly EPS VS EstimatesYearly EPS VS Estimates 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

6

4. Valuation

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

Based on the Price/Earnings ratio of 9.66, the valuation of BFST can be described as reasonable.
Based on the Price/Earnings ratio, BFST is valued cheaply inside the industry as 83.08% of the companies are valued more expensively.
Compared to an average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio of 28.04, BFST is valued rather cheaply.
BFST is valuated reasonably with a Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 8.50.
Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio, BFST is valued a bit cheaper than 74.49% of the companies in the same industry.
The average S&P500 Price/Forward Earnings ratio is at 37.64. BFST is valued rather cheaply when compared to this.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 9.66
Fwd PE 8.5
BFST Price Earnings VS Forward Price EarningsBFST Price Earnings VS Forward Price Earnings ChartPrice Earnings - Forward Price Earnings PE FPE 10 20 30

4.2 Price Multiples

68.69% of the companies in the same industry are more expensive than BFST, based on the Price/Free Cash Flow ratio.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF 9.42
EV/EBITDA N/A
BFST Per share dataBFST EPS, Sales, OCF, FCF, BookValue per sharePer Share Data Per Share 5 10 15 20 25

4.3 Compensation for Growth

The low PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates a rather cheap valuation of the company.
PEG (NY)0.96
PEG (5Y)1.46
EPS Next 2Y9.78%
EPS Next 3YN/A

5

5. Dividend

5.1 Amount

BFST has a Yearly Dividend Yield of 2.14%.
BFST's Dividend Yield is slightly below the industry average, which is at 3.27.
BFST's Dividend Yield is comparable with the S&P500 average which is at 2.35.
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 2.14%

5.2 History

On average, the dividend of BFST grows each year by 14.14%, which is quite nice.
BFST has been paying a dividend for over 5 years, so it has already some track record.
BFST has not decreased its dividend in the past 5 years, so it has a somewhat stable track record.
Dividend Growth(5Y)14.14%
Div Incr Years6
Div Non Decr Years6
BFST Yearly Dividends per shareBFST Yearly Dividends per shareYearly Dividends per share 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5

5.3 Sustainability

31.16% of the earnings are spent on dividend by BFST. This is a low number and sustainable payout ratio.
The dividend of BFST is growing, but the earnings are growing slower. This means the dividend growth is not sustainable.
DP31.16%
EPS Next 2Y9.78%
EPS Next 3YN/A
BFST Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendBFST Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendYearly Income VS Free CF VS Dividend 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 20M 40M 60M 80M
BFST Dividend Payout.BFST Dividend Payout, showing the Payout Ratio.BFST Dividend Payout.PayoutRetained Earnings

BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES

NASDAQ:BFST (7/25/2025, 4:30:02 PM)

After market: 25.4 0 (0%)

25.4

-0.26 (-1.01%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorFinancials
GICS IndustryGroupBanks
GICS IndustryBanks
Earnings (Last)04-24 2025-04-24/amc
Earnings (Next)07-28 2025-07-28/amc
Inst Owners49.21%
Inst Owner Change0.07%
Ins Owners4.91%
Ins Owner Change-0.13%
Market Cap754.63M
Analysts85.45
Price Target31.11 (22.48%)
Short Float %0.9%
Short Ratio2.49
Dividend
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 2.14%
Yearly Dividend0.74
Dividend Growth(5Y)14.14%
DP31.16%
Div Incr Years6
Div Non Decr Years6
Ex-Date05-15 2025-05-15 (0.14)
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)2
Avg EPS beat(2)19.75%
Min EPS beat(2)6.35%
Max EPS beat(2)33.14%
EPS beat(4)4
Avg EPS beat(4)19.84%
Min EPS beat(4)6.35%
Max EPS beat(4)33.14%
EPS beat(8)7
Avg EPS beat(8)15.13%
EPS beat(12)11
Avg EPS beat(12)11.77%
EPS beat(16)13
Avg EPS beat(16)8.93%
Revenue beat(2)2
Avg Revenue beat(2)0.96%
Min Revenue beat(2)0.16%
Max Revenue beat(2)1.77%
Revenue beat(4)4
Avg Revenue beat(4)1.34%
Min Revenue beat(4)0.16%
Max Revenue beat(4)3.06%
Revenue beat(8)6
Avg Revenue beat(8)0.62%
Revenue beat(12)9
Avg Revenue beat(12)0.77%
Revenue beat(16)10
Avg Revenue beat(16)1.58%
PT rev (1m)2.01%
PT rev (3m)-6.73%
EPS NQ rev (1m)0%
EPS NQ rev (3m)-0.62%
EPS NY rev (1m)0.05%
EPS NY rev (3m)0.03%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)-0.03%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)-1.17%
Revenue NY rev (1m)-0.01%
Revenue NY rev (3m)-0.85%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 9.66
Fwd PE 8.5
P/S 2.6
P/FCF 9.42
P/OCF 9.14
P/B 0.91
P/tB 1.1
EV/EBITDA N/A
EPS(TTM)2.63
EY10.35%
EPS(NY)2.99
Fwd EY11.77%
FCF(TTM)2.7
FCFY10.62%
OCF(TTM)2.78
OCFY10.94%
SpS9.76
BVpS27.81
TBVpS23.16
PEG (NY)0.96
PEG (5Y)1.46
Profitability
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 0.86%
ROE 8.07%
ROCE N/A
ROIC N/A
ROICexc N/A
ROICexgc N/A
OM N/A
PM (TTM) 23%
GM N/A
FCFM 27.64%
ROA(3y)0.88%
ROA(5y)0.89%
ROE(3y)8.92%
ROE(5y)9.22%
ROIC(3y)N/A
ROIC(5y)N/A
ROICexc(3y)N/A
ROICexc(5y)N/A
ROICexgc(3y)N/A
ROICexgc(5y)N/A
ROCE(3y)N/A
ROCE(5y)N/A
ROICexcg growth 3YN/A
ROICexcg growth 5YN/A
ROICexc growth 3YN/A
ROICexc growth 5YN/A
OM growth 3YN/A
OM growth 5YN/A
PM growth 3Y-7.15%
PM growth 5Y-3.43%
GM growth 3YN/A
GM growth 5YN/A
F-Score5
Asset Turnover0.04
Health
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.14
Debt/FCF 1.46
Debt/EBITDA N/A
Cap/Depr 43.22%
Cap/Sales 0.83%
Interest Coverage N/A
Cash Conversion N/A
Profit Quality 120.17%
Current Ratio N/A
Quick Ratio N/A
Altman-Z N/A
F-Score5
WACC17.47%
ROIC/WACCN/A
Cap/Depr(3y)146.85%
Cap/Depr(5y)125.99%
Cap/Sales(3y)2.87%
Cap/Sales(5y)2.54%
Profit Quality(3y)113.37%
Profit Quality(5y)105.74%
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)2.33%
EPS 3Y3.76%
EPS 5Y6.62%
EPS Q2Q%30%
EPS Next Y10.05%
EPS Next 2Y9.78%
EPS Next 3YN/A
EPS Next 5YN/A
Revenue 1Y (TTM)15.23%
Revenue growth 3Y12.7%
Revenue growth 5Y24.47%
Sales Q2Q%30.13%
Revenue Next Year19.55%
Revenue Next 2Y15.05%
Revenue Next 3YN/A
Revenue Next 5YN/A
EBIT growth 1YN/A
EBIT growth 3YN/A
EBIT growth 5YN/A
EBIT Next YearN/A
EBIT Next 3YN/A
EBIT Next 5YN/A
FCF growth 1Y19.42%
FCF growth 3Y4.48%
FCF growth 5Y23.94%
OCF growth 1Y12.96%
OCF growth 3Y2.85%
OCF growth 5Y20.25%