Business First Reports Q4 Credit Loss Provision of $3.1M
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 6d ago
0mins
Reports Q4 provision for credit losses $3.1M. Reports Q4 net charge-offs $6.8M. Reports Q4 net interest margin 3.71%. Reports Q4 book value per common share $27.95, tangible book value per common share $23.36. Loans held for investment increased $168.4M, or 2.80%. Deposits increased $191.7M, or 2.95%. "In the fourth quarter we continued to demonstrate increasing core profitability and tangible book value build as the logic of the investments we've made over the past few quarters becomes reality through our team's successful performance," said Jude Melville, chairman and CEO of Business First.
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Analyst Views on BFST
Wall Street analysts forecast BFST stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for BFST is 32.33 USD with a low forecast of 31.00 USD and a high forecast of 34.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
3 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 26.960
Low
31.00
Averages
32.33
High
34.00
Current: 26.960
Low
31.00
Averages
32.33
High
34.00
About BFST
Business First Bancshares, Inc., through its banking subsidiary b1BANK, operates banking centers and loan production offices in markets across Louisiana and Texas, providing commercial and personal banking products and services. The Company's personal banking products and services include personal checking, personal savings, digital banking, long term savings, personal lending and additional services. Its commercial products and services include commercial checking, commercial savings, commercial lending, online banking, and treasury management. The Company's wealth management products and services include investments, financial planning, and insurance. It also provides private client banking products and services. Its personal checking products include MAX Checking and FLEX Checking. Its personal savings products include MAX Money Market, FLEX Savings and AIM Savings. Its commercial checking products include Essential Business Checking, Aspire Checking, and MAX Business Checking.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Business First Bancshares (BFST) Declares $0.15 Quarterly Dividend with 2.13% Yield
- Dividend Declaration: Business First Bancshares has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, maintaining the previous level, which demonstrates the company's stable cash flow and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Yield Metrics: The forward yield of 2.13% not only attracts income-seeking investors but also reflects the company's financial health in the current market environment, indicating a solid investment opportunity.
- Shareholder Arrangement: The dividend is payable on February 18, with a record date of February 15 and an ex-dividend date of February 13, ensuring timely returns for shareholders and boosting investor confidence.
- Stock Repurchase Program: The company has also announced a $30 million stock repurchase program aimed at enhancing earnings per share by reducing the number of shares outstanding, thereby further increasing shareholder value.
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Business First Bancshares (BFST) Reports Q4 Earnings Growth to $21.01 Million
- Significant Earnings Growth: Business First Bancshares, Inc. reported fourth-quarter earnings of $21.01 million, or $0.71 per share, marking a substantial increase from last year's $15.14 million and $0.51 per share, indicating strong growth in profitability.
- Exceeding Market Expectations: The adjusted earnings of $23.52 million, or $0.79 per share, surpassed analysts' expectations of $0.68 per share, reflecting the company's better-than-expected performance in its core business and boosting investor confidence.
- Continued Revenue Growth: The company's revenue rose 7.1% year-over-year to $83.09 million, compared to $77.59 million last year, showcasing the company's competitive position and increased customer demand in the market.
- Improved Financial Health: With both earnings and revenue growth, Business First Bancshares' financial health has improved, potentially providing more funding support for future expansion and investments.
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