First Busey’s CFO departure ‘very surprising,’ says Piper Sandler
CFO Departure: First Busey announced the unexpected departure of CFO Jeff Jones, which was not related to any disagreements regarding the company's financials or operations, nor the acquisition of CrossFirst.
Market Reaction: Piper Sandler expressed surprise at Jones' exit but maintained an Overweight rating on First Busey stock with a price target of $28, noting that Jones was enthusiastic about the merger with CrossFirst.
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- Significant Profit Growth: First Busey Corp's Q4 net income reached $56.16 million, with earnings per share (EPS) of $0.63, a substantial increase from last year's $28.11 million and $0.49 EPS, indicating a marked improvement in profitability.
- Adjusted Earnings Exceed Expectations: Excluding special items, the company reported adjusted earnings of $60.60 million, or $0.68 per share, surpassing analysts' expectations of $0.62, reflecting strong performance in its core business operations.
- Revenue Surge: The company's Q4 revenue rose 71.4% year-over-year to $200.25 million, up from $116.80 million last year, demonstrating a robust recovery in market demand and sales.
- Increased Market Confidence: The earnings beat has bolstered investor confidence in First Busey Corp, potentially leading to positive impacts on its future stock performance.
Third Quarter Profit: First Busey Corp. reported a third-quarter profit of $51.97 million, or $0.58 per share, an increase from $32.00 million, or $0.55 per share, in the previous year.
Adjusted Earnings: The company’s adjusted earnings for the period were $57.37 million, or $0.64 per share, surpassing analysts' expectations of $0.62 per share.
Revenue Growth: First Busey Corp. experienced a significant revenue increase of 67.1%, reaching $197.32 million compared to $118.08 million last year.
Earnings Summary: Key earnings figures include $51.97 million in earnings, $0.58 EPS, and $197.32 million in revenue, all showing positive growth compared to the previous year.
Current Stock Performance: First Busey Corp (BUSE) shares have reached an oversold territory with an RSI of 28.4, trading at $22.525, compared to the S&P 500 ETF's RSI of 44.1.
Investment Opportunity: The low RSI reading may indicate that heavy selling is nearing exhaustion, potentially presenting a buying opportunity for bullish investors, with BUSE's 52-week range being $18.40 to $28.30.
52 Week Range: BUSE's stock has a 52-week low of $18.40 and a high of $28.30, with the last trade recorded at $23.15.
Market Analysis: The article mentions other dividend stocks that have recently fallen below their 200-day moving average.
Analyst Ratings Overview for First Busey
- Recent Analyst Actions: Six analysts evaluated First Busey in the last quarter, showing a mix of bullish and bearish sentiments. The ratings over the last 30 days indicate a shift, with 4 analysts somewhat bullish, 2 indifferent, and no bearish ratings.
- Price Target Insights: The average 12-month price target is $27.5, with a high of $30.00 and a low of $25.00. This represents a 4.76% increase from the previous average of $26.25.
Detailed Analyst Evaluations
- Analyst Actions: Notable changes include Daniel Tamayo from Raymond James raising his target from $27.00 to $28.00, while Damon Delmonte from Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered his target from $30.00 to $29.00. Other analysts have also made adjustments, reflecting a dynamic view of the company's performance.
- Rating System: Analysts use qualitative ratings such as 'Outperform' and 'Neutral' to express expectations for First Busey's performance relative to the market.
Financial Performance Metrics
- Market Capitalization: First Busey boasts a market capitalization that exceeds industry averages, indicating strong market presence.
- Revenue Growth: The company reported a remarkable revenue growth rate of 70.38% as of June 30, 2025, significantly outperforming peers in the Financials sector.
- Profitability Challenges: First Busey's net margin stands at 23.94%, which is below industry standards, suggesting potential issues with cost management.
- Return Metrics: The company’s Return on Equity (ROE) is 2.06% and Return on Assets (ROA) is 0.25%, both below industry averages, indicating challenges in capital efficiency and asset utilization.
- Debt Management: With a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, First Busey demonstrates a conservative approach to debt, suggesting a balanced financial strategy.
Understanding Analyst Ratings
- Role of Analysts: Analysts specialize in evaluating stocks and sectors, providing ratings based on comprehensive research, including financial statements and market conditions. Their insights can guide investors, although they are ultimately subjective opinions.
Market Outlook
- Future Potential: An analyst from Benzinga has identified a stock with potential for explosive growth, suggesting that significant market shifts could lead to substantial returns for investors.
Company Overview
- About First Busey: First Busey Corporation operates as a financial holding company, offering a range of banking services across several states, with a primary focus on retail and commercial banking.
Stock Performance Overview: BUSE's stock has a 52-week low of $18.40 and a high of $28.30, with the last trade recorded at $23.57.
Disclaimer on Opinions: The views expressed in the article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Nasdaq, Inc.









