Business First Bancshares Q2 profit rises on higher loan yields

Business First Bancshares

23/07/2026 21:32

    

    Overview
  
US regional bank's Q2 net income and EPS rose slightly from prior quarter
Company completed American Planning Corporation acquisition, expanding advisory platform
Repurchased $4.8 mln in shares during Q2 as part of stock buyback program

    

    Outlook
  
Business First expects a strong second half of the year driven by recent developments
Company sees opportunities from Meta's $40 bln investment in Northeast Louisiana and Houston pipeline growth

    

    Result Drivers
  
MARGIN EXPANSION - Net interest margin rose 8 bps to 3.73%, driven by improved loan yields and deposit cost management
ASSET QUALITY - Nonperforming loan and asset ratios declined, reflecting resolution of previously identified commercial real estate and business loans
LOAN PORTFOLIO CHANGES - Organic loan production was offset by sale of $100.3 mln lower-yielding acquired loans and resolution of a $21 mln nonperforming loan

    
Company press release: ID:nGNXbzySW5

    

    Key Details
  

            Metric
          

            Beat/Miss
          

            Actual
          

            Consensus Estimate
          
Q2 EPS
 
$0.7
 
Q2 Adjusted Net Income
 
$23.3 mln
 
Q2 Net Interest Income
 
$77.8 mln
 

    

    Analyst Coverage
  
The current average analyst rating on the shares is "buy" and the breakdown of recommendations is 5 "strong buy" or "buy", no "hold" and no "sell" or "strong sell"
The average consensus recommendation for the banks peer group is "buy"
Wall Street's median 12-month price target for Business First Bancshares Inc is $32.50, about 6.6% above its July 22 closing price of $30.49
The stock recently traded at 10 times the next 12-month earnings vs. a P/E of 9 three months ago

    

    Reuters Recommended Reads
  
July 21 - Hancock Whitney Q2 profit rises as net interest income grows
July 20 - ServisFirst Bancshares Q2 EPS rises 40% on loan growth, higher net interest margin
July 21 - Bank First's Q2 net interest income rises, boosted by Centre acquisition

    
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(This story was created using Reuters automation and AI based on LSEG and company data. It was checked and edited by a Reuters journalist prior to publication.)