Hsbc Holdings PLC Makes New Investment in Business First Bancshares, Inc. $BFST

Key Points

• Hsbc Holdings PLC acquired 60,396 BFST shares worth approximately $1.64 million during the first quarter, representing about 0.18% of Business First Bancshares. Institutional investors collectively own 47.35% of the company.
• Business First Bancshares reported quarterly EPS of $0.71, exceeding the $0.70 consensus estimate, while revenue reached $91 million. Analysts maintain a consensus “Buy” rating with an average price target of $34.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, equivalent to $0.60 annually and a 1.9% yield; however, insiders sold 36,595 shares worth approximately $1.03 million over the past 90 days.

Hsbc Holdings PLC purchased a new stake in Business First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:BFST - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 60,396 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,636,000. Hsbc Holdings PLC owned approximately 0.18% of Business First Bancshares as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in BFST. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Business First Bancshares by 1.1% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,591,098 shares of the company's stock worth $37,566,000 after acquiring an additional 17,690 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Business First Bancshares by 5.8% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,083,887 shares of the company's stock worth $28,333,000 after purchasing an additional 59,639 shares during the period. Royce & Associates LP increased its holdings in Business First Bancshares by 27.0% during the 4th quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 823,364 shares of the company's stock worth $21,523,000 after purchasing an additional 175,284 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Business First Bancshares by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 731,206 shares of the company's stock valued at $19,119,000 after purchasing an additional 14,576 shares during the period. Finally, Mendon Capital Advisors Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Business First Bancshares by 5.7% in the second quarter. Mendon Capital Advisors Corp now owns 280,000 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,902,000 after purchasing an additional 15,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 47.35% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Business First Bancshares news, Director George W. Cummings III sold 15,000 shares of the business's 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 transaction, the director owned 281,180 shares of the company's stock, valued at $8,024,877.20. The trade was a 5.06% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders sold 36,595 shares of company stock valued at $1,031,732 in the last ninety days. 5.67% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Business First Bancshares News Roundup

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

Business First Bancshares Stock Performance

Business First Bancshares stock opened at $31.16 on Monday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $29.39 and a 200-day moving average of $28.25. Business First Bancshares, Inc. has a one year low of $22.56 and a one year high of $31.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.98. The company has a market cap of $1.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.05 and a beta of 0.78.

Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ:BFST - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The company reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.70 by $0.01. Business First Bancshares had a return on equity of 11.31% and a net margin of 17.07%.The company had revenue of $91.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $91.31 million. On average, equities analysts expect that Business First Bancshares, Inc. will post 3.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Business First Bancshares Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 31st. Shareholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. Business First Bancshares's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.28%.

Business First Bancshares Profile

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.

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