Business First Bancshares (BFST) to Release Earnings on Monday
by Jessica Moore · The Cerbat GemBusiness First Bancshares (NASDAQ:BFST – Get Free Report) is expected to post its Q1 2026 results before the market opens on Monday, April 27th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.7230 per share and revenue of $92.4460 million for the quarter. Parties can check the company’s upcoming Q1 2026 earning summary page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Monday, April 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET.
Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ:BFST – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The company reported $0.79 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.07. Business First Bancshares had a net margin of 17.01% and a return on equity of 11.25%. The business had revenue of $69.44 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $81.41 million. On average, analysts expect Business First Bancshares to post $3 EPS for the current fiscal year and $3 EPS for the next fiscal year.
Business First Bancshares Price Performance
Shares of BFST opened at $28.26 on Friday. Business First Bancshares has a fifty-two week low of $22.25 and a fifty-two week high of $30.32. The company has a market capitalization of $923.82 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.13 and a beta of 0.82. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $27.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $26.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.01.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
BFST has been the subject of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Business First Bancshares from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Raymond James Financial increased their price target on shares of Business First Bancshares from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. DA Davidson increased their price target on shares of Business First Bancshares from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, January 26th. Finally, Stephens increased their price target on shares of Business First Bancshares from $34.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Business First Bancshares currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $33.00.
Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Business First Bancshares
Insider Buying and Selling at Business First Bancshares
In other Business First Bancshares news, EVP Donald Chad Carter sold 3,778 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.27, for a total value of $103,026.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 13,863 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $378,044.01. This trade represents a 21.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Mark P. Folse sold 5,146 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.75, for a total transaction of $153,093.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 58,140 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,729,665. This trade represents a 8.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders sold 13,778 shares of company stock valued at $399,361. Corporate insiders own 5.68% of the company’s stock.
Institutional Inflows and Outflows
A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BFST. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Business First Bancshares by 15,600.0% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,099 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 1,092 shares in the last quarter. FWL Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Business First Bancshares in the third quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in shares of Business First Bancshares by 389.7% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,669 shares of the company’s stock valued at $66,000 after purchasing an additional 2,124 shares during the last quarter. Virtus Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Business First Bancshares in the third quarter valued at approximately $123,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP grew its position in shares of Business First Bancshares by 43.3% in the second quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 5,914 shares of the company’s stock valued at $146,000 after purchasing an additional 1,786 shares during the last quarter. 47.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
About Business First Bancshares
Business First Bancshares, Inc is the bank holding company for Business First Bank, a regional community bank headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, the company provides a full suite of commercial and retail banking services to small and medium-sized businesses, professionals and individual consumers. Business First Bancshares operates under a community-focused model, emphasizing personalized service, local decision-making and relationship banking.
The company’s primary business activities include commercial lending, treasury and cash management, and deposit services.