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Business First Bancshares (BFST) Competitors

Business First Bancshares logo
$27.84 0.00 (0.00%)
Closing price 05/22/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$27.84 +0.00 (+0.02%)
As of 05/22/2026 05:36 PM Eastern
Extended trading is trading that happens on electronic markets outside of regular trading hours. This is a fair market value extended hours price provided by Massive. Learn more.

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

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 Independent Bank (IBCP). These companies are all part of the "finance" sector.

How does Business First Bancshares compare to Ameris Bancorp?

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

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 2.2%. Ameris Bancorp pays out 12.6% 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.

In the previous week, Business First Bancshares had 2 more articles in the media than Ameris Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 2 mentions for Business First Bancshares and 0 mentions for Ameris Bancorp. Business First Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 0.27 beat Ameris Bancorp's score of 0.00 indicating that Business First Bancshares is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Ameris Bancorp Neutral
Business First Bancshares Neutral

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
Ameris Bancorp$1.20B4.74$358.68M$6.3613.32
Business First Bancshares$516.55M1.76$87.86M$2.829.87

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 hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Ameris Bancorp has a beta of 0.93, indicating that its stock price is 7% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.79, indicating that its stock price is 21% less volatile than the broader market.

Ameris Bancorp currently has a consensus price target of $90.17, indicating a potential upside of 6.43%. Business First Bancshares has a consensus price target of $32.33, indicating a potential upside of 16.14%. Given Business First Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly 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)
2 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67
Business First Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00

Ameris Bancorp has a net margin of 21.46% compared to Business First Bancshares' net margin of 17.02%. Business First Bancshares' return on equity of 11.10% beat Ameris Bancorp's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Ameris Bancorp21.46% 9.57% 1.32%
Business First Bancshares 17.02%11.10%1.12%

Summary

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

How does Business First Bancshares compare to First Busey?

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

Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. First Busey pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Business First Bancshares pays out 21.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Busey pays out 46.2% 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 raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years and First Busey has raised its dividend for 10 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
Business First Bancshares$516.55M1.76$87.86M$2.829.87
First Busey$1.04B2.19$135.26M$2.2512.04

47.4% of Business First Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 56.5% of First Busey shares are held by institutional investors. 5.7% of Business First Bancshares shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 3.8% of First Busey shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.79, meaning that its share price is 21% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Busey has a beta of 0.72, meaning that its share price is 28% less volatile than the broader market.

First Busey has a net margin of 19.16% compared to Business First Bancshares' net margin of 17.02%. Business First Bancshares' return on equity of 11.10% beat First Busey's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Business First Bancshares17.02% 11.10% 1.12%
First Busey 19.16%10.19%1.36%

Business First Bancshares presently has a consensus target price of $32.33, suggesting a potential upside of 16.14%. First Busey has a consensus target price of $27.50, suggesting a potential upside of 1.55%. Given Business First Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Business First Bancshares is more favorable than First Busey.

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

In the previous week, First Busey had 3 more articles in the media than Business First Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for First Busey and 2 mentions for Business First Bancshares. First Busey's average media sentiment score of 1.23 beat Business First Bancshares' score of 0.27 indicating that First Busey is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Business First Bancshares
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
First Busey
4 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

First Busey beats Business First Bancshares on 11 of the 18 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 superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation, risk, institutional ownership, profitability, media sentiment and dividends.

47.6% of First Mid Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 47.4% 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 large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

First Mid Bancshares has a net margin of 19.95% compared to Business First Bancshares' net margin of 17.02%. Business First Bancshares' return on equity of 11.10% beat First Mid Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Mid Bancshares19.95% 10.44% 1.23%
Business First Bancshares 17.02%11.10%1.12%

In the previous week, Business First Bancshares had 2 more articles in the media than First Mid Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 2 mentions for Business First Bancshares and 0 mentions for First Mid Bancshares. Business First Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 0.27 beat First Mid Bancshares' score of 0.00 indicating that Business First Bancshares is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Overall Sentiment
First Mid Bancshares Neutral
Business First Bancshares Neutral

First Mid Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. 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 raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years and Business First Bancshares has raised 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 beta of 0.79, indicating that its stock price is 21% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.79, indicating that its stock price is 21% less volatile than the broader market.

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$466.04M2.49$91.75M$3.9710.98
Business First Bancshares$516.55M1.76$87.86M$2.829.87

First Mid Bancshares currently has a consensus target price of $49.50, indicating a potential upside of 13.53%. Business First Bancshares has a consensus target price of $32.33, indicating a potential upside of 16.14%. Given Business First Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher probable 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)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00

Summary

First Mid Bancshares beats Business First Bancshares on 10 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 superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, media sentiment, risk, valuation, earnings and dividends.

In the previous week, First Merchants had 7 more articles in the media than Business First Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 9 mentions for First Merchants and 2 mentions for Business First Bancshares. First Merchants' average media sentiment score of 0.30 beat Business First Bancshares' score of 0.27 indicating that First Merchants is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

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

Business First Bancshares currently has a consensus price target of $32.33, indicating a potential upside of 16.14%. First Merchants has a consensus price target of $48.33, indicating a potential upside of 20.41%. Given First Merchants' higher possible upside, analysts plainly 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)
4 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

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$516.55M1.76$87.86M$2.829.87
First Merchants$659.76M3.83$226M$3.4011.81

Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.79, suggesting that its stock price is 21% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Merchants has a beta of 0.86, suggesting that its stock price is 14% less volatile than the broader market.

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 large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. 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 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 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.

First Merchants has a net margin of 18.87% compared to Business First Bancshares' net margin of 17.02%. Business First Bancshares' return on equity of 11.10% beat First Merchants' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Business First Bancshares17.02% 11.10% 1.12%
First Merchants 18.87%9.58%1.21%

Summary

First Merchants beats Business First Bancshares on 14 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Business First Bancshares compare to Independent Bank?

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

Business First Bancshares currently has a consensus target price of $32.33, indicating a potential upside of 16.14%. Independent Bank has a consensus target price of $37.00, indicating a potential upside of 9.14%. Given Business First Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Business First Bancshares is more favorable than Independent Bank.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Business First Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00
Independent Bank
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33

Business First Bancshares has a beta of 0.79, indicating that its stock price is 21% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Independent Bank has a beta of 0.71, indicating that its stock price is 29% less volatile than the broader market.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Business First Bancshares$516.55M1.76$87.86M$2.829.87
Independent Bank$315.38M2.22$68.54M$3.3510.12

Independent Bank has a net margin of 22.02% compared to Business First Bancshares' net margin of 17.02%. Independent Bank's return on equity of 14.15% beat Business First Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Business First Bancshares17.02% 11.10% 1.12%
Independent Bank 22.02%14.15%1.27%

In the previous week, Business First Bancshares had 1 more articles in the media than Independent Bank. MarketBeat recorded 2 mentions for Business First Bancshares and 1 mentions for Independent Bank. Business First Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 0.27 beat Independent Bank's score of 0.00 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
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Independent Bank
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Business First Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Independent Bank pays an annual dividend of $1.12 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. Business First Bancshares pays out 21.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Independent Bank pays out 33.4% 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 Independent Bank has raised its dividend for 11 consecutive years. Independent Bank 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 held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 79.4% of Independent Bank shares are held by institutional investors. 5.7% of Business First Bancshares shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 5.9% of Independent Bank 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.

Summary

Independent Bank beats Business First Bancshares on 10 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$909.81M$1.10B$13.57B$12.32B
Dividend Yield2.16%2.69%5.84%5.28%
P/E Ratio9.8718.4223.9625.66
Price / Sales1.762.45150.5598.33
Price / Cash8.8623.8420.1556.67
Price / Book0.991.162.157.14
Net Income$87.86M$75.93M$1.13B$335.98M
7 Day Performance2.24%1.32%0.60%3.56%
1 Month Performance-1.49%1.20%-0.07%2.54%
1 Year Performance18.02%25.22%12.01%35.05%

Business First Bancshares Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
BFST
Business First Bancshares
4.0072 of 5 stars
$27.84
flat
$32.33
+16.1%
+18.0%$909.81M$516.55M9.87750
ABCB
Ameris Bancorp
3.0625 of 5 stars
$82.91
-1.3%
$90.17
+8.7%
+38.5%$5.58B$1.20B15.912,850
BUSE
First Busey
4.2709 of 5 stars
$25.93
-0.8%
$27.50
+6.1%
+25.3%$2.19B$1.04B11.521,948
FMBH
First Mid Bancshares
4.1526 of 5 stars
$42.18
-1.3%
$49.50
+17.4%
+24.7%$1.12B$466.04M10.621,170
FRME
First Merchants
4.8231 of 5 stars
$39.45
-1.2%
$48.33
+22.5%
+7.5%$2.49B$659.76M11.602,086

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This page (NASDAQ:BFST) was last updated on 5/25/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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