Question 1

Do analysts prefer ABCB or BFST?

Accepted Answer

Ameris Bancorp presently has a consensus price target of $91.67, indicating a potential upside of 2.22%. Business First Bancshares has a consensus price target of $34.50, indicating a potential upside of 7.48%. Given Business First Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Business First Bancshares is more favorable than Ameris Bancorp. Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Ameris Bancorp 0 Sell rating(s) 4 Hold rating(s) 3 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 2.43 Business First Bancshares 0 Sell rating(s) 0 Hold rating(s) 5 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 3.00

Question 2

Is ABCB or BFST a better dividend stock?

Accepted Answer

Ameris Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. Ameris Bancorp pays out 14.5% 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. Business First Bancshares has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Business First Bancshares is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Question 3

Which has better earnings & valuation, ABCB or BFST?

Accepted Answer

Ameris Bancorp has higher revenue and earnings than Business First Bancshares. Business First Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ameris Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Company Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Ameris Bancorp $1.23B 4.90 $358.68M $5.53 16.22 Business First Bancshares $516.55M 2.02 $87.86M $2.82 11.38

Question 4

Do institutionals & insiders have more ownership in ABCB or BFST?

Accepted Answer

91.6% of Ameris Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 47.4% of Business First Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. 5.7% of Ameris Bancorp shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 5.7% of Business First Bancshares shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Question 5

Is ABCB or BFST more profitable?

Accepted Answer

Ameris Bancorp has a net margin of 21.46% compared to Business First Bancshares' net margin of 17.07%. Business First Bancshares' return on equity of 11.03% beat Ameris Bancorp's return on equity. Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Ameris Bancorp 21.46% 9.57% 1.32% Business First Bancshares 17.07% 11.03% 1.13%

Question 6

Which has more risk and volatility, ABCB or BFST?

Accepted Answer

Ameris Bancorp has a beta of 0.92, suggesting that its stock price is 8% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.78, suggesting that its stock price is 22% less volatile than the broader market.

Question 7

Does the media favor ABCB or BFST?

Accepted Answer

In the previous week, Business First Bancshares had 3 more articles in the media than Ameris Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for Business First Bancshares and 2 mentions for Ameris Bancorp. Ameris Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 1.03 beat Business First Bancshares' score of 0.95 indicating that Ameris Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the media. Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment Ameris Bancorp 2 Very Positive mention(s) 0 Positive mention(s) 0 Neutral mention(s) 0 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Positive Business First Bancshares 2 Very Positive mention(s) 1 Positive mention(s) 0 Neutral mention(s) 0 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Positive

Question 8

Do analysts recommend BUSE or BFST?

Accepted Answer

First Busey presently has a consensus target price of $32.00, indicating a potential upside of 2.47%. Business First Bancshares has a consensus target price of $34.50, indicating a potential upside of 7.48%. Given Business First Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly 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) 2 Hold rating(s) 4 Buy rating(s) 1 Strong Buy rating(s) 2.86 Business First Bancshares 0 Sell rating(s) 0 Hold rating(s) 5 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 3.00

Question 9

Is BUSE or BFST a better dividend stock?

Accepted Answer

First Busey pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. 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 increased its dividend for 10 consecutive years and Business First Bancshares has increased 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.

Question 10

Which has higher valuation and earnings, BUSE or BFST?

Accepted Answer

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. Company Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio First Busey $1.04B 2.47 $135.26M $2.42 12.90 Business First Bancshares $516.55M 2.02 $87.86M $2.82 11.38

Question 11

Do insiders and institutionals have more ownership in BUSE or BFST?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

Is BUSE or BFST more profitable?

Accepted Answer

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 Busey 21.00% 10.42% 1.41% Business First Bancshares 17.07% 11.03% 1.13%

Question 13

Which has more risk and volatility, BUSE or BFST?

Accepted Answer

First Busey has a beta of 0.72, suggesting that its stock price is 28% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.78, suggesting that its stock price is 22% less volatile than the broader market.

Question 14

Does the media favor BUSE or BFST?

Accepted Answer

In the previous week, First Busey and First Busey both had 5 articles in the media. First Busey's average media sentiment score of 1.17 beat Business First Bancshares' score of 0.95 indicating that First Busey is being referred to more favorably in the media. Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment First Busey 2 Very Positive mention(s) 1 Positive mention(s) 1 Neutral mention(s) 0 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Positive Business First Bancshares 2 Very Positive mention(s) 1 Positive mention(s) 0 Neutral mention(s) 0 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Positive

Question 15

Do analysts rate FMBH or BFST?

Accepted Answer

First Mid Bancshares currently has a consensus price target of $54.63, suggesting a potential upside of 4.63%. Business First Bancshares has a consensus price target of $34.50, suggesting a potential upside of 7.48%. 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

Question 16

Is FMBH or BFST a better dividend stock?

Accepted Answer

First Mid Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. 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.

Question 17

Which has stronger valuation & earnings, FMBH or BFST?

Accepted Answer

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. Company Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio First Mid Bancshares $375.21M 3.70 $91.75M $4.03 12.96 Business First Bancshares $516.55M 2.02 $87.86M $2.82 11.38

Question 18

Do institutionals and insiders hold more shares of FMBH or BFST?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

Is FMBH or BFST more profitable?

Accepted Answer

First Mid Bancshares has a net margin of 19.76% compared to Business First Bancshares' net margin of 17.07%. First Mid Bancshares' return on equity of 11.17% beat Business First Bancshares' return on equity. Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets First Mid Bancshares 19.76% 11.17% 1.32% Business First Bancshares 17.07% 11.03% 1.13%

Question 20

Which has more risk and volatility, FMBH or BFST?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 21

Does the media prefer FMBH or BFST?

Accepted Answer

In the previous week, Business First Bancshares had 4 more articles in the media than First Mid Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for Business First Bancshares and 1 mentions for First Mid Bancshares. First Mid Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 1.89 beat Business First Bancshares' score of 0.95 indicating that First Mid Bancshares is being referred to more favorably in the media. Company Overall Sentiment First Mid Bancshares Very Positive Business First Bancshares Positive

Question 22

Do analysts rate FRME or BFST?

Accepted Answer

First Merchants presently has a consensus price target of $49.00, suggesting a potential upside of 12.08%. Business First Bancshares has a consensus price target of $34.50, suggesting a potential upside of 7.48%. 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 First Merchants 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

Question 23

Is FRME or BFST a better dividend stock?

Accepted Answer

First Merchants pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.4%. Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. First Merchants pays out 47.4% 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 Merchants has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years and Business First Bancshares has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. First Merchants is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Question 24

Which has better valuation & earnings, FRME or BFST?

Accepted Answer

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. Company Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio First Merchants $1.05B 2.61 $226M $3.12 14.01 Business First Bancshares $516.55M 2.02 $87.86M $2.82 11.38

Question 25

Do insiders and institutionals hold more shares of FRME or BFST?

Accepted Answer

73.9% of First Merchants shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 47.4% of Business First Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.8% of First Merchants 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 stock is poised for long-term growth.

Question 26

Is FRME or BFST more profitable?

Accepted Answer

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 First Merchants 17.05% 8.86% 1.12% Business First Bancshares 17.07% 11.03% 1.13%

Question 27

Which has more risk and volatility, FRME or BFST?

Accepted Answer

First Merchants has a beta of 0.84, suggesting that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.78, suggesting that its stock price is 22% less volatile than the broader market.

Question 28

Does the media favor FRME or BFST?

Accepted Answer

In the previous week, Business First Bancshares had 1 more articles in the media than First Merchants. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for Business First Bancshares and 4 mentions for First Merchants. Business First Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 0.95 beat First Merchants' score of 0.35 indicating that Business First Bancshares is being referred to more favorably in the news media. Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment First Merchants 0 Very Positive mention(s) 1 Positive mention(s) 1 Neutral mention(s) 1 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Neutral Business First Bancshares 2 Very Positive mention(s) 1 Positive mention(s) 0 Neutral mention(s) 0 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Positive

Question 29

Do analysts rate MBWM or BFST?

Accepted Answer

Mercantile Bank currently has a consensus price target of $60.40, indicating a potential downside of 1.30%. Business First Bancshares has a consensus price target of $34.50, indicating a potential upside of 7.48%. Given Business First Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Business First Bancshares is more favorable than Mercantile Bank. Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Mercantile Bank 0 Sell rating(s) 4 Hold rating(s) 3 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 2.43 Business First Bancshares 0 Sell rating(s) 0 Hold rating(s) 5 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 3.00

Question 30

Is MBWM or BFST a better dividend stock?

Accepted Answer

Mercantile Bank pays an annual dividend of $1.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. Mercantile Bank pays out 27.5% 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. Mercantile Bank has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years and Business First Bancshares has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Mercantile Bank is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Question 31

Which has stronger valuation and earnings, MBWM or BFST?

Accepted Answer

Mercantile Bank has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Business First Bancshares. Mercantile Bank 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. Company Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Mercantile Bank $371.80M 2.85 $88.75M $5.68 10.77 Business First Bancshares $516.55M 2.02 $87.86M $2.82 11.38

Question 32

Do insiders and institutionals hold more shares of MBWM or BFST?

Accepted Answer

58.6% of Mercantile Bank shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 47.4% of Business First Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.5% of Mercantile Bank 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, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Question 33

Is MBWM or BFST more profitable?

Accepted Answer

Mercantile Bank has a net margin of 24.75% compared to Business First Bancshares' net margin of 17.07%. Mercantile Bank's return on equity of 13.66% beat Business First Bancshares' return on equity. Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Mercantile Bank 24.75% 13.66% 1.46% Business First Bancshares 17.07% 11.03% 1.13%

Question 34

Which has more risk and volatility, MBWM or BFST?

Accepted Answer

Mercantile Bank has a beta of 0.79, suggesting that its share price is 21% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.78, suggesting that its share price is 22% less volatile than the broader market.

Question 35

Does the media prefer MBWM or BFST?

Accepted Answer

In the previous week, Business First Bancshares had 4 more articles in the media than Mercantile Bank. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for Business First Bancshares and 1 mentions for Mercantile Bank. Mercantile Bank's average media sentiment score of 1.23 beat Business First Bancshares' score of 0.95 indicating that Mercantile Bank is being referred to more favorably in the media. Company Overall Sentiment Mercantile Bank Positive Business First Bancshares Positive

Metric	Business First Bancshares	Banks Industry	Finance Sector	NASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap	$1.05B	$23.92B	$14.08B	$13.02B
Dividend Yield	1.86%	3.15%	5.88%	10.72%
P/E Ratio	11.39	28.30	29.55	25.25
Price / Sales	2.02	9.63	512.15	101.05
Price / Cash	10.24	16.25	39.97	50.75
Price / Book	1.12	1.39	3.70	6.33
Net Income	$87.86M	$2.57B	$1.31B	$347.81M
7 Day Performance	1.39%	1.07%	0.69%	0.90%
1 Month Performance	6.36%	3.73%	1.72%	0.89%
1 Year Performance	31.82%	27.26%	12.22%	20.36%

Company	MarketRank	Share Price	Analysts' Price Target	1Y Price Performance	Market Cap	Revenue	P/E Ratio	Employee Count	Indicator(s)
BFST Business First Bancshares	4.7107 of 5 stars	$32.10 -0.6%	$34.50 +7.5%	+31.0%	$1.05B	$516.55M	11.39	750
ABCB Ameris Bancorp	3.5456 of 5 stars	$88.91 -0.6%	$91.67 +3.1%	+24.8%	$5.98B	$1.23B	17.07	2,850	Positive News
BUSE First Busey	4.6017 of 5 stars	$31.37 -0.7%	$32.00 +2.0%	+31.8%	$2.65B	$1.04B	12.96	1,948
FMBH First Mid Bancshares	3.4732 of 5 stars	$52.32 -0.3%	$54.63 +4.4%	+33.6%	$1.39B	$375.21M	12.98	1,170
FRME First Merchants	4.316 of 5 stars	$43.37 -0.3%	$49.00 +13.0%	+9.9%	$2.72B	$1.05B	13.90	2,086

Business First Bancshares (BFST) Competitors

BFST vs. ABCB, BUSE, FMBH, FRME, and MBWM

How does Business First Bancshares compare to Ameris Bancorp?

Summary

How does Business First Bancshares compare to First Busey?

Summary

How does Business First Bancshares compare to First Mid Bancshares?

Summary

How does Business First Bancshares compare to First Merchants?

Summary

How does Business First Bancshares compare to Mercantile Bank?

Summary

New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

Media Sentiment Over Time

BFST vs. The Competition

Business First Bancshares Competitors List

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Business First Bancshares (BFST) Competitors

BFST vs. ABCB, BUSE, FMBH, FRME, and MBWM

How does Business First Bancshares compare to Ameris Bancorp?

Which has better earnings & valuation, ABCB or BFST?

Which has more risk and volatility, ABCB or BFST?

Is ABCB or BFST more profitable?

Do analysts prefer ABCB or BFST?

Does the media favor ABCB or BFST?

Do institutionals & insiders have more ownership in ABCB or BFST?

Is ABCB or BFST a better dividend stock?

Summary

How does Business First Bancshares compare to First Busey?

Is BUSE or BFST a better dividend stock?

Do insiders and institutionals have more ownership in BUSE or BFST?

Which has higher valuation and earnings, BUSE or BFST?

Which has more risk and volatility, BUSE or BFST?

Is BUSE or BFST more profitable?

Do analysts recommend BUSE or BFST?

Does the media favor BUSE or BFST?

Summary

How does Business First Bancshares compare to First Mid Bancshares?

Is FMBH or BFST more profitable?

Do analysts rate FMBH or BFST?

Do institutionals and insiders hold more shares of FMBH or BFST?

Which has stronger valuation & earnings, FMBH or BFST?

Does the media prefer FMBH or BFST?

Is FMBH or BFST a better dividend stock?

Which has more risk and volatility, FMBH or BFST?

Summary

How does Business First Bancshares compare to First Merchants?

Does the media favor FRME or BFST?

Is FRME or BFST a better dividend stock?

Which has more risk and volatility, FRME or BFST?

Which has better valuation & earnings, FRME or BFST?

Do analysts rate FRME or BFST?

Is FRME or BFST more profitable?

Do insiders and institutionals hold more shares of FRME or BFST?

Summary

How does Business First Bancshares compare to Mercantile Bank?

Do insiders and institutionals hold more shares of MBWM or BFST?

Do analysts rate MBWM or BFST?

Is MBWM or BFST a better dividend stock?

Which has more risk and volatility, MBWM or BFST?

Does the media prefer MBWM or BFST?

Which has stronger valuation and earnings, MBWM or BFST?

Is MBWM or BFST more profitable?

Summary

New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

Media Sentiment Over Time

BFST vs. The Competition

Business First Bancshares Competitors List

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Best-in-Class Portfolio Monitoring

Stock Ideas and Recommendations

Advanced Stock Screeners and Research Tools