Penn Capital Management Company LLC Makes New Investment in Business First Bancshares, Inc. $BFST

Key Points

• Penn Capital Management Company LLC acquired 23,023 shares of Business First Bancshares, Inc., valued at approximately $561,000, during the first quarter.
• The company reported a net margin of 15.47% and a return on equity of 11.21%, with earnings per share beating estimates.
• Business First Bancshares announced a quarterly dividend of $0.14, representing a yield of 2.2%, payable on August 31st.

Penn Capital Management Company LLC bought a new position in Business First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:BFST - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 23,023 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $561,000. Penn Capital Management Company LLC owned approximately 0.08% of Business First Bancshares at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its stake in Business First Bancshares by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 13,719 shares of the company's stock worth $353,000 after purchasing an additional 492 shares in the last quarter. Gator Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Business First Bancshares by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Gator Capital Management LLC now owns 42,804 shares of the company's stock worth $1,042,000 after purchasing an additional 522 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in Business First Bancshares by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 43,328 shares of the company's stock worth $1,114,000 after purchasing an additional 545 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP lifted its stake in Business First Bancshares by 15.2% in the 1st quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 4,128 shares of the company's stock worth $101,000 after purchasing an additional 546 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its stake in Business First Bancshares by 8.2% in the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 16,615 shares of the company's stock worth $427,000 after purchasing an additional 1,253 shares in the last quarter. 47.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Business First Bancshares

In related news, CFO Greg Robertson sold 1,086 shares of Business First Bancshares stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.72, for a total value of $25,759.92. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 69,235 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,642,254.20. This trade represents a 1.54% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director John P. Ducrest bought 2,225 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 31st. The stock was bought at an average price of $23.62 per share, with a total value of $52,554.50. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 13,716 shares in the company, valued at $323,971.92. The trade was a 19.36% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 5.68% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Business First Bancshares Stock Up 5.4%

Business First Bancshares stock opened at $25.42 on Friday. Business First Bancshares, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $20.07 and a fifty-two week high of $30.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.02. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $24.64 and a 200 day moving average price of $24.46. The company has a market capitalization of $752.43 million, a PE ratio of 10.13 and a beta of 0.85.

Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ:BFST - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The company reported $0.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.65 by $0.01. Business First Bancshares had a net margin of 15.47% and a return on equity of 11.21%. The firm had revenue of $103.01 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $78.94 million. Research analysts expect that Business First Bancshares, Inc. will post 2.72 earnings per share for the current year.

Business First Bancshares Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, August 31st. Investors of record on Friday, August 15th will be issued a $0.14 dividend. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. Business First Bancshares's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.31%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on BFST shares. Stephens reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $30.00 price target on shares of Business First Bancshares in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. DA Davidson lifted their price target on shares of Business First Bancshares from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Business First Bancshares currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $30.75.

Business First Bancshares Company Profile

Business First Bancshares, Inc operates as the bank holding company for b1BANK that provides various banking products and services in Louisiana and Texas. It offers various deposit products and services, including checking, demand, money market, time, and savings accounts; and certificates of deposits, remote deposit capture, and direct deposit services.

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