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Southern First Bancshares (SFST) Competitors

Southern First Bancshares logo
$57.42 +1.24 (+2.20%)
As of 12:42 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

SFST vs. ABCB, CATY, CCNE, FMBH, and FRME

Should you buy Southern First Bancshares stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares Southern 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 Southern First Bancshares include Ameris Bancorp (ABCB), Cathay General Bancorp (CATY), CNB Financial (CCNE), First Mid Bancshares (FMBH), and First Merchants (FRME). These companies are all part of the "finance" sector.

How does Southern First Bancshares compare to Ameris Bancorp?

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

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Ameris Bancorp$1.20B4.76$358.68M$6.3613.39
Southern First Bancshares$224.62M2.42$30.37M$4.2813.42

91.6% of Ameris Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.0% of Southern First Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. 5.7% of Ameris Bancorp shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 6.9% of Southern First Bancshares shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Ameris Bancorp has a net margin of 21.46% compared to Southern First Bancshares' net margin of 15.21%. Southern First Bancshares' return on equity of 9.65% beat Ameris Bancorp's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Ameris Bancorp21.46% 9.57% 1.32%
Southern First Bancshares 15.21%9.65%0.79%

Ameris Bancorp currently has a consensus price target of $90.17, indicating a potential upside of 5.92%. Southern First Bancshares has a consensus price target of $64.00, indicating a potential upside of 11.45%. Given Southern First Bancshares' higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Southern 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
Southern First Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67

Ameris Bancorp has a beta of 0.91, meaning that its stock price is 9% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Southern First Bancshares has a beta of 0.68, meaning that its stock price is 32% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Ameris Bancorp and Ameris Bancorp both had 1 articles in the media. Southern First Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 0.94 beat Ameris Bancorp's score of 0.84 indicating that Southern First Bancshares is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Ameris Bancorp
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Southern First Bancshares
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

Ameris Bancorp beats Southern First Bancshares on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Southern First Bancshares compare to Cathay General Bancorp?

Cathay General Bancorp (NASDAQ:CATY) and Southern First Bancshares (NASDAQ:SFST) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, risk and media sentiment.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Cathay General Bancorp$1.38B2.81$315.12M$4.8511.99
Southern First Bancshares$224.62M2.42$30.37M$4.2813.42

Cathay General Bancorp has a beta of 0.86, meaning that its stock price is 14% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Southern First Bancshares has a beta of 0.68, meaning that its stock price is 32% less volatile than the broader market.

75.0% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.0% of Southern First Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. 4.5% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 6.9% of Southern First Bancshares shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Cathay General Bancorp has a net margin of 23.79% compared to Southern First Bancshares' net margin of 15.21%. Cathay General Bancorp's return on equity of 11.37% beat Southern First Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Cathay General Bancorp23.79% 11.37% 1.38%
Southern First Bancshares 15.21%9.65%0.79%

In the previous week, Cathay General Bancorp and Cathay General Bancorp both had 1 articles in the media. Cathay General Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 1.87 beat Southern First Bancshares' score of 0.94 indicating that Cathay General Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Cathay General Bancorp
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
Southern First Bancshares
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Cathay General Bancorp currently has a consensus price target of $51.75, indicating a potential downside of 10.98%. Southern First Bancshares has a consensus price target of $64.00, indicating a potential upside of 11.45%. Given Southern First Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Southern First Bancshares is more favorable than Cathay General Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Cathay General Bancorp
1 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00
Southern First Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67

Summary

Cathay General Bancorp beats Southern First Bancshares on 10 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Southern First Bancshares compare to CNB Financial?

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

52.4% of CNB Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.0% of Southern First Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.9% of CNB Financial shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 6.9% of Southern First Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
CNB Financial$432.51M2.10$66.13M$2.8110.89
Southern First Bancshares$224.62M2.42$30.37M$4.2813.42

CNB Financial has a net margin of 17.62% compared to Southern First Bancshares' net margin of 15.21%. CNB Financial's return on equity of 12.14% beat Southern First Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
CNB Financial17.62% 12.14% 1.16%
Southern First Bancshares 15.21%9.65%0.79%

In the previous week, CNB Financial and CNB Financial both had 1 articles in the media. CNB Financial's average media sentiment score of 1.38 beat Southern First Bancshares' score of 0.94 indicating that CNB Financial is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
CNB Financial
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Southern First Bancshares
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

CNB Financial presently has a consensus price target of $34.33, indicating a potential upside of 12.18%. Southern First Bancshares has a consensus price target of $64.00, indicating a potential upside of 11.45%. Given CNB Financial's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe CNB Financial is more favorable than Southern First Bancshares.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
CNB Financial
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.80
Southern First Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67

CNB Financial has a beta of 0.64, indicating that its share price is 36% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Southern First Bancshares has a beta of 0.68, indicating that its share price is 32% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

CNB Financial beats Southern First Bancshares on 9 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Southern First Bancshares compare to First Mid Bancshares?

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

First Mid Bancshares has a net margin of 19.95% compared to Southern First Bancshares' net margin of 15.21%. First Mid Bancshares' return on equity of 10.44% beat Southern First Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Mid Bancshares19.95% 10.44% 1.23%
Southern First Bancshares 15.21%9.65%0.79%

In the previous week, Southern First Bancshares had 1 more articles in the media than First Mid Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 1 mentions for Southern First Bancshares and 0 mentions for First Mid Bancshares. First Mid Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 1.44 beat Southern First Bancshares' score of 0.94 indicating that First Mid Bancshares is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
First Mid Bancshares Positive
Southern First Bancshares Positive

47.6% of First Mid Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.0% of Southern First Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. 6.0% of First Mid Bancshares shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 6.9% of Southern First Bancshares shares are held 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 revenue and earnings than Southern First Bancshares. First Mid Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Southern First 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$466.04M2.53$91.75M$3.9711.17
Southern First Bancshares$224.62M2.42$30.37M$4.2813.42

First Mid Bancshares currently has a consensus price target of $49.50, suggesting a potential upside of 11.66%. Southern First Bancshares has a consensus price target of $64.00, suggesting a potential upside of 11.45%. Given First Mid Bancshares' higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe First Mid Bancshares is more favorable than Southern First 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
Southern First Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67

First Mid Bancshares has a beta of 0.8, indicating that its share price is 20% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Southern First Bancshares has a beta of 0.68, indicating that its share price is 32% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

First Mid Bancshares beats Southern First Bancshares on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Southern First Bancshares compare to First Merchants?

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

Southern First Bancshares has a beta of 0.68, suggesting that its share price is 32% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Merchants has a beta of 0.85, suggesting that its share price is 15% less volatile than the broader market.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Southern First Bancshares$224.62M2.42$30.37M$4.2813.42
First Merchants$1.05B2.40$226M$3.4011.76

75.0% of Southern First Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 73.9% of First Merchants shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.9% of Southern 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 company will outperform the market over the long term.

First Merchants has a net margin of 18.87% compared to Southern First Bancshares' net margin of 15.21%. Southern First Bancshares' return on equity of 9.65% beat First Merchants' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Southern First Bancshares15.21% 9.65% 0.79%
First Merchants 18.87%9.58%1.21%

Southern First Bancshares currently has a consensus price target of $64.00, indicating a potential upside of 11.45%. First Merchants has a consensus price target of $48.33, indicating a potential upside of 20.84%. Given First Merchants' higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe First Merchants is more favorable than Southern First Bancshares.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Southern First Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67
First Merchants
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33

In the previous week, Southern First Bancshares had 1 more articles in the media than First Merchants. MarketBeat recorded 1 mentions for Southern First Bancshares and 0 mentions for First Merchants. First Merchants' average media sentiment score of 1.87 beat Southern First Bancshares' score of 0.94 indicating that First Merchants is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Southern First Bancshares Positive
First Merchants Very Positive

Summary

Southern First Bancshares beats First Merchants on 8 of the 15 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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SFST vs. The Competition

MetricSouthern First BancsharesBANKS IndustryFinance SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$543.24M$1.85B$13.58B$12.42B
Dividend YieldN/A2.51%5.75%5.22%
P/E Ratio13.4216.0419.8924.35
Price / Sales2.422.51143.14119.30
Price / Cash13.5812.2919.8757.13
Price / Book1.281.242.196.74
Net Income$30.37M$146.81M$1.13B$337.03M
7 Day Performance-0.67%0.15%0.07%0.24%
1 Month PerformanceN/AN/AN/A-1.60%
1 Year Performance62.95%25.05%12.00%34.04%

Southern First Bancshares Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
SFST
Southern First Bancshares
3.7454 of 5 stars
$57.43
+2.2%
$64.00
+11.4%
+57.2%$543.24M$224.62M13.42290
ABCB
Ameris Bancorp
3.3622 of 5 stars
$84.67
+1.8%
$90.17
+6.5%
+34.5%$5.70B$1.20B16.252,850
CATY
Cathay General Bancorp
2.5 of 5 stars
$57.70
+2.1%
$51.75
-10.3%
+30.7%$3.79B$1.38B11.901,268
CCNE
CNB Financial
4.636 of 5 stars
$30.76
+2.0%
$34.33
+11.6%
+36.9%$893.61M$432.51M10.95760
FMBH
First Mid Bancshares
4.2614 of 5 stars
$44.26
+2.1%
$49.50
+11.8%
+19.8%$1.15B$466.04M11.151,170

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This page (NASDAQ:SFST) was last updated on 6/4/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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