Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ:BFST) Releases Earnings Results

Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ:BFST) posted its earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $0.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.70 by $0.01, FiscalAI reports. Business First Bancshares had a net margin of 17.07% and a return on equity of 11.31%. The business had revenue of $91.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $91.31 million.

Here are the key takeaways from Business First Bancshares’ conference call:

• Management said Q2 was a solid quarter, with net interest margin expanding 8 bps and core earnings showing strong profitability metrics, including a 105 core ROAA and 63.9% core efficiency ratio.
• The bank made notable progress on credit quality, with non-performing loans down about 30% and management expecting further improvement through the rest of the year as problem credits continue to resolve.
• Loan growth was temporarily masked by a sizable loan sale, but management expects to redeploy the proceeds and build on a strong pipeline, especially in Houston, with high single-digit annualized loan growth targeted in coming quarters.
• Deposits declined in the quarter due to a mix of seasonal outflows and a deliberate reduction in higher-cost brokered deposits, and management said balances had already begun to recover in July.
• Management highlighted multiple growth catalysts, including the upcoming Progressive Bank conversion, expected expense savings later in the year, and a long-term opportunity from major Louisiana economic investment tied to data centers and related infrastructure.

Business First Bancshares Stock Up 2.3%

BFST opened at $31.16 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $1.02 billion, a PE ratio of 11.05 and a beta of 0.78. Business First Bancshares has a twelve month low of $22.56 and a twelve month high of $31.57. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $29.39 and a 200 day moving average price of $28.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39.

Business First Bancshares Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 31st. Investors of record on Saturday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. Business First Bancshares’s dividend payout ratio is 21.28%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Stephens lifted their price target on Business First Bancshares from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday. Hovde Group raised their price objective on Business First Bancshares from $32.50 to $36.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Business First Bancshares in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Finally, DA Davidson reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $33.00 target price on shares of Business First Bancshares in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Business First Bancshares currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $34.00.

Key Business First Bancshares News

Here are the key news stories impacting Business First Bancshares this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Business First reported Q2 EPS of $0.71, slightly ahead of Wall Street’s $0.70 estimate, while revenue of $91.0 million came in roughly in line; investors also saw solid profitability metrics, including a 17.02% net margin and 11.10% return on equity. Business First Bancshares earnings report
• Positive Sentiment: Stephens raised its price target on BFST from $34 to $36 and reiterated an overweight rating, signaling confidence in additional upside. Stephens price target raise
• Positive Sentiment: Hovde Group also lifted its target from $32.50 to $36 and maintained an outperform rating, reinforcing the bullish post-earnings tone. Hovde Group price target raise
• Positive Sentiment: The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, which supports the stock’s income appeal for shareholders. Business First Bancshares Q2 2026 results and dividend announcement
• Neutral Sentiment: Sector commentary has also been constructive, with regional banks broadly reporting solid loan and deposit growth and improved credit quality, which adds a favorable backdrop for BFST. Zacks BFST Q2 metrics analysis

Insider Transactions at Business First Bancshares

In other Business First Bancshares news, Director George W. Cummings III sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.54, for a total transaction of $428,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 281,180 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,024,877.20. This represents a 5.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 36,595 shares of company stock valued at $1,031,732. Insiders own 5.67% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Business First Bancshares

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Business First Bancshares by 15,600.0% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,099 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,092 shares during the last quarter. FWL Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Business First Bancshares during the third quarter worth $42,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in shares of Business First Bancshares by 389.7% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,669 shares of the company’s stock worth $66,000 after buying an additional 2,124 shares in the last quarter. Virtus Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Business First Bancshares in the third quarter valued at about $123,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP raised its position in shares of Business First Bancshares by 43.3% in the second quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 5,914 shares of the company’s stock valued at $146,000 after buying an additional 1,786 shares during the last quarter. 47.35% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Business First Bancshares

Business First Bancshares, Inc is the bank holding company for Business First Bank, a regional community bank headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, the company provides a full suite of commercial and retail banking services to small and medium-sized businesses, professionals and individual consumers. Business First Bancshares operates under a community-focused model, emphasizing personalized service, local decision-making and relationship banking.

The company’s primary business activities include commercial lending, treasury and cash management, and deposit services.