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Upturn AI Summary - About
Business First Bancshares Inc(BFST)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for BFST
11/06/2026: BFST (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Business First Bancshares Inc is a regional bank holding company centered in Louisiana and Texas, focusing on commercial and consumer banking services. The company has successfully grown through a blend of organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions, establishing a strong regional footprint. Its primary growth opportunity lies in expanding its commercial banking presence into high-growth Texas markets. However, it faces risks related to geographic concentration, interest rate sensitivity, and competition from much larger national banking institutions. The stock may suit value-oriented or dividend-seeking investors, but should be monitored for credit quality shifts and the effectiveness of management’s geographic diversification strategy in a volatile rate environment.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | Growth is largely driven by regional expansion and M&A rather than explosive organic scaling. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | This stock typically moves in correlation with regional bank sector trends rather than short-term momentum signals. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | Often trades at multiples consistent with other regional banks, potentially offering value for long-term holders. |
| Dividend investor | Strong fit | Provides consistent income through dividends typical of stable regional banking institutions. |
| Low-risk investor | Mixed fit | Banking stocks carry inherent risks related to economic cycles and interest rate sensitivity. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium | Bank stocks are sensitive to macro-economic data and interest rate shifts. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | Earnings multiples can contract if market confidence in the regional banking sector weakens. |
| Competition risk (Regional Banking) | Medium / high | Intense competition from larger banks can compress margins. |
| Business quality | Medium | The bank has a solid reputation but lacks the scale of national competitors. |
| Dividend income | Medium | Dividend sustainability depends on consistent net interest income. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Successful integration of future acquisitions is required for sustained growth. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Smooth
The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -16.85% | Avg. Invested days 31 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 11/06/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 1.04B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 11.57 | 1Y Target Price 37.05 |
Price to earnings Ratio 11.57 | 1Y Target Price 37.05 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 188.6K shares | Beta 0.73 | 52 Weeks Range 23.82 - 33.69 | Updated Date 11/05/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 23.82 - 33.69 | Updated Date 11/05/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 1.82% | Basic EPS (TTM) 2.79 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Banking | Interest income from business loans and fee income from treasury services. | The bank makes most of its money by lending to local businesses and charging for cash management services. |
| Retail/Consumer Banking | Interest on consumer loans and mortgage services. | Interest earned on personal loans and home mortgages contributes to the bottom line. |
| Geography (LA/TX) | Operations concentrated in the Gulf South. | Performance is highly dependent on the regional economic health of Louisiana and Texas. |
Earnings Date
Report Date 2026-10-26 | When Before Market | Estimate 0.74 | Actual 0.79 |
Profitability
Profit Margin 27.24% | Operating Margin (TTM) 35.26% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 1.12% | Return on Equity (TTM) 10.06% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 11.57 | Forward PE 9.68 | Enterprise Value 919.73M | Price to Sales(TTM) 3 |
Enterprise Value 919.73M | Price to Sales(TTM) 3 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 4.19 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA - | Shares Outstanding 32.24M | Shares Floating 30.74M |
Shares Outstanding 32.24M | Shares Floating 30.74M | ||
Percent Insiders 4.62 | Percent Institutions 60.32 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
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