Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST) To Go Ex-Dividend on May 15th

Business First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:BFST) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, April 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be given a dividend of 0.15 per share on Friday, May 29th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 15th.

Business First Bancshares has increased its dividend by an average of 0.1%per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 2 consecutive years. Business First Bancshares has a dividend payout ratio of 20.8% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Business First Bancshares to earn $3.27 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.60 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 18.3%.

Business First Bancshares Stock Down 0.4%

NASDAQ BFST traded down $0.10 on Wednesday, hitting $26.98. The stock had a trading volume of 22,483 shares, compared to its average volume of 176,086. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $27.38 and its 200 day moving average price is $27.03. The stock has a market cap of $881.67 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.56 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.98. Business First Bancshares has a 52-week low of $22.51 and a 52-week high of $30.32.

Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ:BFST) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 27th. The company reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $89.25 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $90.99 million. Business First Bancshares had a return on equity of 11.10% and a net margin of 17.02%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Business First Bancshares will post 3 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BFST has been the subject of a number of research reports. Weiss Ratings raised Business First Bancshares from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Stephens set a $33.00 target price on shares of Business First Bancshares in a report on Monday, April 27th. Finally, DA Davidson restated a “buy” rating and set a $33.00 price target on shares of Business First Bancshares in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $32.33.

Business First Bancshares Company Profile

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.