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Business First Bancshares (BFST) Competitors

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$30.35 -0.32 (-1.04%)
Closing price 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$30.38 +0.02 (+0.08%)
As of 07:30 PM Eastern
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BFST vs. BUSE, FMBH, FRME, STBA, and THFF

Should you buy Business First Bancshares stock or one of its competitors? Business First Bancshares's main competitors and comparable companies include First Busey (BUSE), First Mid Bancshares (FMBH), First Merchants (FRME), S&T Bancorp (STBA), and First Financial Corporation Indiana (THFF). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "regional banks" industry.

How does Business First Bancshares compare to First Busey?

First Busey (NASDAQ:BUSE) and Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ:BFST) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk, valuation, earnings, dividends, media sentiment and profitability.

56.5% of First Busey shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 47.4% of Business First Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.8% of First Busey shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 5.7% of Business First Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, First Busey had 1 more articles in the media than Business First Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 1 mentions for First Busey and 0 mentions for Business First Bancshares. First Busey's average media sentiment score of 0.50 beat Business First Bancshares' score of 0.00 indicating that First Busey is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
First Busey Positive
Business First Bancshares Neutral

First Busey has a beta of 0.71, suggesting that its share price is 29% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.77, suggesting that its share price is 23% less volatile than the broader market.

First Busey pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. First Busey pays out 43.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Business First Bancshares pays out 21.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Busey has raised its dividend for 10 consecutive years and Business First Bancshares has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. First Busey is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

First Busey has a net margin of 21.00% compared to Business First Bancshares' net margin of 17.07%. Business First Bancshares' return on equity of 11.03% beat First Busey's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Busey21.00% 10.48% 1.40%
Business First Bancshares 17.07%11.03%1.13%

First Busey currently has a consensus target price of $32.00, suggesting a potential upside of 7.96%. Business First Bancshares has a consensus target price of $34.75, suggesting a potential upside of 14.50%. Given Business First Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Business First Bancshares is more favorable than First Busey.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
First Busey
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57
Business First Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
5 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00

First Busey has higher revenue and earnings than Business First Bancshares. Business First Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Busey, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Busey$1.04B2.34$135.26M$2.4212.25
Business First Bancshares$516.55M1.91$87.86M$2.8210.76

Summary

First Busey beats Business First Bancshares on 11 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Business First Bancshares compare to First Mid Bancshares?

First Mid Bancshares (NASDAQ:FMBH) and Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ:BFST) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, media sentiment, profitability, risk and earnings.

First Mid Bancshares has a beta of 0.78, suggesting that its stock price is 22% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.77, suggesting that its stock price is 23% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, First Mid Bancshares had 1 more articles in the media than Business First Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 1 mentions for First Mid Bancshares and 0 mentions for Business First Bancshares. First Mid Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 0.00 equaled Business First Bancshares'average media sentiment score.

Company Overall Sentiment
First Mid Bancshares Neutral
Business First Bancshares Neutral

47.6% of First Mid Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 47.4% of Business First Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.0% of First Mid Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 5.7% of Business First Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

First Mid Bancshares has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Business First Bancshares. Business First Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Mid Bancshares, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Mid Bancshares$375.21M3.45$91.75M$4.0312.09
Business First Bancshares$516.55M1.91$87.86M$2.8210.76

First Mid Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. First Mid Bancshares pays out 25.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Business First Bancshares pays out 21.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Mid Bancshares has increased its dividend for 3 consecutive years and Business First Bancshares has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years. First Mid Bancshares is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

First Mid Bancshares has a net margin of 19.76% compared to Business First Bancshares' net margin of 17.07%. Business First Bancshares' return on equity of 11.03% beat First Mid Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Mid Bancshares19.76% 10.86% 1.29%
Business First Bancshares 17.07%11.03%1.13%

First Mid Bancshares currently has a consensus price target of $54.63, indicating a potential upside of 12.14%. Business First Bancshares has a consensus price target of $34.75, indicating a potential upside of 14.50%. Given Business First Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Business First Bancshares is more favorable than First Mid Bancshares.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
First Mid Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
Business First Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
5 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00

Summary

First Mid Bancshares beats Business First Bancshares on 12 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Business First Bancshares compare to First Merchants?

Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ:BFST) and First Merchants (NASDAQ:FRME) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, media sentiment, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings and dividends.

Business First Bancshares has a net margin of 17.07% compared to First Merchants' net margin of 17.05%. Business First Bancshares' return on equity of 11.03% beat First Merchants' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Business First Bancshares17.07% 11.03% 1.13%
First Merchants 17.05%8.86%1.12%

Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. First Merchants pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.7%. Business First Bancshares pays out 21.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Merchants pays out 47.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Business First Bancshares has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years and First Merchants has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years. First Merchants is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.77, indicating that its share price is 23% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Merchants has a beta of 0.84, indicating that its share price is 16% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, First Merchants had 3 more articles in the media than Business First Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 3 mentions for First Merchants and 0 mentions for Business First Bancshares. Business First Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 0.00 equaled First Merchants'average media sentiment score.

Company Overall Sentiment
Business First Bancshares Neutral
First Merchants Neutral

First Merchants has higher revenue and earnings than Business First Bancshares. Business First Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Merchants, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Business First Bancshares$516.55M1.91$87.86M$2.8210.76
First Merchants$1.05B2.39$226M$3.1212.83

Business First Bancshares currently has a consensus price target of $34.75, suggesting a potential upside of 14.50%. First Merchants has a consensus price target of $49.00, suggesting a potential upside of 22.41%. Given First Merchants' higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe First Merchants is more favorable than Business First Bancshares.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Business First Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
5 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00
First Merchants
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

47.4% of Business First Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 73.9% of First Merchants shares are owned by institutional investors. 5.7% of Business First Bancshares shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.8% of First Merchants shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

First Merchants beats Business First Bancshares on 11 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Business First Bancshares compare to S&T Bancorp?

Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ:BFST) and S&T Bancorp (NASDAQ:STBA) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, risk, media sentiment, dividends, valuation and earnings.

Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. S&T Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Business First Bancshares pays out 21.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. S&T Bancorp pays out 39.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Business First Bancshares has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years and S&T Bancorp has increased its dividend for 13 consecutive years. S&T Bancorp is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

47.4% of Business First Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 65.2% of S&T Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. 5.7% of Business First Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of S&T Bancorp shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

In the previous week, S&T Bancorp had 2 more articles in the media than Business First Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 2 mentions for S&T Bancorp and 0 mentions for Business First Bancshares. S&T Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 0.81 beat Business First Bancshares' score of 0.00 indicating that S&T Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Business First Bancshares Neutral
S&T Bancorp Positive

Business First Bancshares currently has a consensus target price of $34.75, suggesting a potential upside of 14.50%. S&T Bancorp has a consensus target price of $51.60, suggesting a potential upside of 5.09%. Given Business First Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Business First Bancshares is more favorable than S&T Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Business First Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
5 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00
S&T Bancorp
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57

Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.77, meaning that its share price is 23% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, S&T Bancorp has a beta of 0.84, meaning that its share price is 16% less volatile than the broader market.

S&T Bancorp has a net margin of 24.51% compared to Business First Bancshares' net margin of 17.07%. Business First Bancshares' return on equity of 11.03% beat S&T Bancorp's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Business First Bancshares17.07% 11.03% 1.13%
S&T Bancorp 24.51%9.74%1.42%

S&T Bancorp has higher revenue and earnings than Business First Bancshares. Business First Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than S&T Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Business First Bancshares$516.55M1.91$87.86M$2.8210.76
S&T Bancorp$568.51M3.05$134.23M$3.7613.06

Summary

S&T Bancorp beats Business First Bancshares on 14 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Business First Bancshares compare to First Financial Corporation Indiana?

First Financial Corporation Indiana (NASDAQ:THFF) and Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ:BFST) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends and earnings.

72.7% of First Financial Corporation Indiana shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 47.4% of Business First Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. 5.0% of First Financial Corporation Indiana shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 5.7% of Business First Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

First Financial Corporation Indiana has a net margin of 23.32% compared to Business First Bancshares' net margin of 17.07%. First Financial Corporation Indiana's return on equity of 13.02% beat Business First Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Financial Corporation Indiana23.32% 13.02% 1.43%
Business First Bancshares 17.07%11.03%1.13%

First Financial Corporation Indiana currently has a consensus price target of $88.00, indicating a potential upside of 18.12%. Business First Bancshares has a consensus price target of $34.75, indicating a potential upside of 14.50%. Given First Financial Corporation Indiana's higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe First Financial Corporation Indiana is more favorable than Business First Bancshares.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
First Financial Corporation Indiana
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40
Business First Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
5 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00

First Financial Corporation Indiana has a beta of 0.41, suggesting that its share price is 59% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.77, suggesting that its share price is 23% less volatile than the broader market.

Business First Bancshares has higher revenue and earnings than First Financial Corporation Indiana. First Financial Corporation Indiana is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Business First Bancshares, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Financial Corporation Indiana$347.56M2.55$79.21M$7.1410.43
Business First Bancshares$516.55M1.91$87.86M$2.8210.76

In the previous week, First Financial Corporation Indiana had 4 more articles in the media than Business First Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for First Financial Corporation Indiana and 0 mentions for Business First Bancshares. First Financial Corporation Indiana's average media sentiment score of 0.40 beat Business First Bancshares' score of 0.00 indicating that First Financial Corporation Indiana is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
First Financial Corporation Indiana Neutral
Business First Bancshares Neutral

First Financial Corporation Indiana pays an annual dividend of $2.24 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. First Financial Corporation Indiana pays out 31.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Business First Bancshares pays out 21.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Financial Corporation Indiana has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years and Business First Bancshares has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years.

Summary

First Financial Corporation Indiana beats Business First Bancshares on 11 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding BFST and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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BFST vs. The Competition

MetricBusiness First BancsharesBanks IndustryFinance SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$987.89M$23.17B$13.56B$13.10B
Dividend Yield1.95%3.08%5.94%13.00%
P/E Ratio10.7626.8925.2325.69
Price / Sales1.919.39510.5385.88
Price / Cash9.7715.5246.7852.02
Price / Book1.091.352.716.32
Net Income$87.86M$2.58B$1.31B$359.73M
7 Day Performance-2.00%-1.02%0.06%1.35%
1 Month Performance-2.57%-0.97%-0.79%-3.68%
1 Year Performance25.67%21.12%8.58%5.56%

Business First Bancshares Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
BFST
Business First Bancshares
4.026 of 5 stars
$30.35
-1.0%
$34.75
+14.5%
+27.4%$987.89M$516.55M10.76842
BUSE
First Busey
3.6932 of 5 stars
$30.24
-1.0%
$32.00
+5.8%
+21.0%$2.50B$1.04B12.501,948
FMBH
First Mid Bancshares
2.9213 of 5 stars
$50.18
-1.7%
$54.63
+8.9%
+26.0%$1.33B$466.04M12.451,170
FRME
First Merchants
4.2877 of 5 stars
$41.06
-1.6%
$49.00
+19.3%
+2.0%$2.58B$1.05B13.162,086
STBA
S&T Bancorp
3.9619 of 5 stars
$49.86
-1.4%
$51.60
+3.5%
+27.4%$1.76B$568.51M13.261,209

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This page (NASDAQ:BFST) was last updated on 9/23/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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