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Business First Bancshares (BFST) Competitors

Business First Bancshares logo
$31.16 +0.69 (+2.26%)
Closing price 07/24/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$31.16 0.00 (0.00%)
As of 07/24/2026 07:34 PM Eastern
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BFST vs. ABCB, BUSE, FMBH, FRME, and MBWM

Should you buy Business First Bancshares stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares Business First Bancshares with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with Business First Bancshares include Ameris Bancorp (ABCB), First Busey (BUSE), First Mid Bancshares (FMBH), First Merchants (FRME), and Mercantile Bank (MBWM). These companies are all part of the "finance" sector.

How does Business First Bancshares compare to Ameris Bancorp?

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

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.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Business First Bancshares$344.00M2.96$87.86M$2.8211.05
Ameris Bancorp$1.20B4.89$358.68M$6.3613.74

Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. Ameris Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Business First Bancshares pays out 21.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Ameris Bancorp pays out 12.6% 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. Business First Bancshares is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Business First Bancshares currently has a consensus target price of $34.00, suggesting a potential upside of 9.11%. Ameris Bancorp has a consensus target price of $92.67, suggesting a potential upside of 6.05%. Given Business First Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Business First Bancshares is more favorable than Ameris 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
Ameris Bancorp
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43

In the previous week, Business First Bancshares had 5 more articles in the media than Ameris Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 16 mentions for Business First Bancshares and 11 mentions for Ameris Bancorp. Business First Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 0.89 beat Ameris Bancorp's score of 0.62 indicating that Business First Bancshares is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Business First Bancshares
5 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Ameris Bancorp
6 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

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 11.31% beat Ameris Bancorp's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Business First Bancshares17.07% 11.31% 1.15%
Ameris Bancorp 21.46%9.57%1.32%

47.3% of Business First Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 91.6% of Ameris Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. 5.7% of Business First Bancshares shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 5.7% of Ameris Bancorp shares are held 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.

Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.78, indicating that its share price is 22% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Ameris Bancorp has a beta of 0.91, indicating that its share price is 9% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

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

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 superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, dividends, media sentiment, valuation, profitability and institutional ownership.

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 1.9%. First Busey pays out 46.2% 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 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$790.86M3.19$135.26M$2.2513.27
Business First Bancshares$344.00M2.96$87.86M$2.8211.05

First Busey has a net margin of 19.16% compared to Business First Bancshares' net margin of 17.07%. Business First Bancshares' return on equity of 11.31% beat First Busey's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Busey19.16% 10.19% 1.36%
Business First Bancshares 17.07%11.31%1.15%

First Busey currently has a consensus target price of $29.75, suggesting a potential downside of 0.34%. Business First Bancshares has a consensus target price of $34.00, suggesting a potential upside of 9.11%. Given Business First Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher possible 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)
2 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.83
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 a beta of 0.72, meaning that its share price is 28% 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.

56.5% of First Busey shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 47.3% of Business First Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. 3.8% of First Busey shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 5.7% of Business First Bancshares shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

In the previous week, Business First Bancshares had 9 more articles in the media than First Busey. MarketBeat recorded 16 mentions for Business First Bancshares and 7 mentions for First Busey. Business First Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 0.89 beat First Busey's score of 0.74 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 Busey
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Business First Bancshares
5 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

First Busey and Business First Bancshares tied by winning 10 of the 20 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 stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, profitability, media sentiment, valuation and analyst recommendations.

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 11.31% beat First Mid Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Mid Bancshares19.76% 11.17% 1.32%
Business First Bancshares 17.07%11.31%1.15%

First Mid Bancshares has a beta of 0.79, suggesting that its stock price is 21% 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.

First Mid Bancshares currently has a consensus price target of $49.50, indicating a potential downside of 2.94%. Business First Bancshares has a consensus price target of $34.00, indicating a potential upside of 9.11%. Given Business First Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly 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

First Mid Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $1.00 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 25.2% 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 higher revenue and earnings 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$466.04M2.91$91.75M$3.9712.85
Business First Bancshares$344.00M2.96$87.86M$2.8211.05

In the previous week, Business First Bancshares had 9 more articles in the media than First Mid Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 16 mentions for Business First Bancshares and 7 mentions for First Mid Bancshares. First Mid Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 1.43 beat Business First Bancshares' score of 0.89 indicating that First Mid Bancshares is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
First Mid Bancshares
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Business First Bancshares
5 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

47.6% of First Mid Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 47.3% of Business First Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. 6.0% of First Mid Bancshares 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, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

First Mid Bancshares beats Business First Bancshares on 12 of the 19 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 superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, risk, media sentiment, valuation, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

In the previous week, First Merchants had 1 more articles in the media than Business First Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 17 mentions for First Merchants and 16 mentions for Business First Bancshares. Business First Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 0.89 beat First Merchants' score of 0.20 indicating that Business First Bancshares is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Business First Bancshares
5 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
First Merchants
3 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

47.3% 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, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Business First Bancshares currently has a consensus price target of $34.00, indicating a potential upside of 9.11%. First Merchants has a consensus price target of $49.00, indicating a potential upside of 13.48%. Given First Merchants' higher probable 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)
4 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33

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 11.31% beat First Merchants' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Business First Bancshares17.07% 11.31% 1.15%
First Merchants 17.05%9.02%1.14%

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

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$344.00M2.96$87.86M$2.8211.05
First Merchants$1.05B2.59$226M$3.4012.70

Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. First Merchants pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.4%. Business First Bancshares pays out 21.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Merchants pays out 43.5% 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 First Merchants has increased 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.

Summary

First Merchants beats Business First Bancshares on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Business First Bancshares compare to Mercantile Bank?

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

47.3% of Business First Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 58.6% of Mercantile Bank shares are held by institutional investors. 5.7% of Business First Bancshares shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.5% of Mercantile Bank shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, Mercantile Bank had 5 more articles in the media than Business First Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 21 mentions for Mercantile Bank and 16 mentions for Business First Bancshares. Business First Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 0.89 beat Mercantile Bank's score of 0.73 indicating that Business First Bancshares is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Business First Bancshares
5 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Mercantile Bank
5 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Business First Bancshares currently has a consensus target price of $34.00, suggesting a potential upside of 9.11%. Mercantile Bank has a consensus target price of $60.40, suggesting a potential upside of 3.25%. Given Business First Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Business First Bancshares is more favorable than Mercantile Bank.

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
Mercantile Bank
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43

Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. Mercantile Bank pays an annual dividend of $1.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. Business First Bancshares pays out 21.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Mercantile Bank pays out 28.2% 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 Mercantile Bank has increased its dividend for 14 consecutive years. Mercantile Bank is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.78, indicating that its stock price is 22% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Mercantile Bank has a beta of 0.8, indicating that its stock price is 20% less volatile than the broader market.

Mercantile Bank has lower revenue, but higher earnings 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.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Business First Bancshares$344.00M2.96$87.86M$2.8211.05
Mercantile Bank$260.81M3.87$88.75M$5.6810.30

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 13.90% beat Business First Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Business First Bancshares17.07% 11.31% 1.15%
Mercantile Bank 24.75%13.90%1.47%

Summary

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

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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$995.70M$1.21B$14.35B$12.26B
Dividend Yield1.97%2.50%5.72%9.79%
P/E Ratio11.0518.9420.4223.71
Price / Sales2.962.7945.2075.59
Price / Cash9.6924.8219.2159.64
Price / Book1.121.302.256.07
Net Income$87.86M$75.93M$1.14B$331.84M
7 Day Performance0.87%0.19%-0.47%-1.53%
1 Month Performance3.56%2.32%1.21%-2.46%
1 Year Performance22.68%28.85%12.28%13.66%

Business First Bancshares Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
BFST
Business First Bancshares
4.3439 of 5 stars
$31.16
+2.3%
$34.00
+9.1%
+21.4%$995.70M$344.00M11.05750
ABCB
Ameris Bancorp
3.82 of 5 stars
$89.79
-1.0%
$92.67
+3.2%
+33.1%$6.04B$1.20B17.232,850
BUSE
First Busey
4.3114 of 5 stars
$29.60
-1.0%
$29.60
+27.9%$2.50B$790.86M13.161,948
FMBH
First Mid Bancshares
3.3346 of 5 stars
$48.50
-1.6%
$49.50
+2.1%
+31.0%$1.29B$466.04M12.221,170
FRME
First Merchants
4.3317 of 5 stars
$43.75
-0.6%
$49.00
+12.0%
+8.7%$2.76B$1.05B12.872,086

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This page (NASDAQ:BFST) was last updated on 7/25/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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