Business First Bancshares announces a $30 million stock repurchase program effective from October 28, 2025, to October 28, 2027.
Quiver AI Summary
Business First Bancshares, Inc. announced a new stock repurchase program allowing the company to repurchase up to $30 million of its common stock over a 24-month period starting from October 28, 2025. The repurchases may occur through open market transactions or privately negotiated deals, with decisions made based on market conditions and the company's financial health. The program is flexible, as Business First is not obligated to repurchase shares and can modify or terminate the program at any time. As of September 30, 2025, the company, through its banking subsidiary b1BANK, reported assets of $8.0 billion, providing various banking services in Louisiana and Texas.
Potential Positives
- Business First Bancshares has authorized a stock repurchase program with an aggregate purchase price of up to $30 million, demonstrating confidence in the company's value and financial health.
- The program allows flexibility in repurchases, which indicates proactive management aimed at enhancing shareholder value.
- The company reported significant assets of $8.0 billion and $5.7 billion in assets under management, underlining its robust financial position.
- b1BANK's recognition as a 2024 Mastercard “Innovation Award” winner reflects its commitment to innovation and excellence in the banking industry.
Potential Negatives
- The stock repurchase program may raise concerns among investors regarding the company’s capital allocation strategy, as it indicates a lack of profitable investment opportunities for growth.
- The lack of obligation to repurchase shares may lead to uncertainty among shareholders about the company's commitment to enhancing shareholder value.
- The program's modification, suspension, or termination at the Board's discretion could signal potential volatility or instability in the company’s financial outlook.
FAQ
What is the stock repurchase program approved by Business First Bancshares?
Business First Bancshares has authorized a stock repurchase program to buy back up to $30 million in shares over 24 months.
When does the stock repurchase program take effect?
The stock repurchase program begins on October 28, 2025, and will end on October 28, 2027.
How will Business First Bancshares conduct the share repurchases?
Repurchases may occur in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, following SEC regulations.
Is the stock repurchase program mandatory for Business First?
No, the program does not obligate Business First to repurchase shares, and it may be modified or suspended at any time.
What are the financials of Business First Bancshares as of September 2025?
As of September 30, 2025, Business First Bancshares has $8.0 billion in assets and $5.7 billion in assets under management.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.
$BFST Insider Trading Activity
$BFST insiders have traded $BFST stock on the open market 5 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 2 have been purchases and 3 have been sales.
Here’s a breakdown of recent trading of $BFST stock by insiders over the last 6 months:
- JAMES J. III BUQUET sold 5,164 shares for an estimated $119,185
- SAUNDRA STRONG (EVP & General Counsel) sold 2,363 shares for an estimated $59,972
- JOHN P. DUCREST purchased 2,225 shares for an estimated $52,554
- GREG ROBERTSON (EVP and CFO) sold 1,086 shares for an estimated $25,759
- ROLFE H. JR. MCCOLLISTER purchased 680 shares for an estimated $15,911
To track insider transactions, check out Quiver Quantitative's insider trading dashboard.
$BFST Hedge Fund Activity
We have seen 71 institutional investors add shares of $BFST stock to their portfolio, and 53 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.
Here are some of the largest recent moves:
- JANUS HENDERSON GROUP PLC added 270,779 shares (+37.0%) to their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $6,674,702
- BASSWOOD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C. removed 182,114 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $4,489,110
- DIMENSIONAL FUND ADVISORS LP added 94,070 shares (+10.5%) to their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $2,318,825
- GEODE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC added 82,349 shares (+13.4%) to their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $2,029,902
- BANC FUNDS CO LLC removed 61,029 shares (-15.0%) from their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $1,504,364
- MILLENNIUM MANAGEMENT LLC added 53,261 shares (+33.4%) to their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $1,312,883
- NORTHERN TRUST CORP added 52,142 shares (+23.0%) to their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $1,285,300
To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Quiver Quantitative's institutional holdings dashboard.
$BFST Analyst Ratings
Wall Street analysts have issued reports on $BFST in the last several months. We have seen 1 firms issue buy ratings on the stock, and 0 firms issue sell ratings.
Here are some recent analyst ratings:
- DA Davidson issued a "Buy" rating on 07/29/2025
To track analyst ratings and price targets for $BFST, check out Quiver Quantitative's $BFST forecast page.
$BFST Price Targets
Multiple analysts have issued price targets for $BFST recently. We have seen 2 analysts offer price targets for $BFST in the last 6 months, with a median target of $31.0.
Here are some recent targets:
- Kevin Fitzsimmons from DA Davidson set a target price of $32.0 on 07/29/2025
- Matt Olney from Stephens & Co. set a target price of $30.0 on 07/08/2025
Full Release
BATON ROUGE, La., Oct. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Business First Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BFST) (Business First), the holding company for b1BANK, announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the company to repurchase shares of its common stock with an aggregate purchase price of up to $30 million during the 24-month period beginning Oct. 28, 2025, and ending Oct. 28, 2027.
Repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities and Exchange Commission or through privately negotiated transactions at prices management considers to be attractive and in the best interests of Business First and its shareholders.
Any repurchases will be conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and will depend on general market and economic conditions, the financial and regulatory condition of Business First and b1BANK, liquidity requirements and other factors management considers relevant. The program does not obligate Business First to repurchase shares of its common stock, and there is no assurance that it will do so. The program may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board.
About Business First Bancshares, Inc.
As of September 30, 2025, Business First Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BFST), through its banking subsidiary b1BANK, has $8.0 billion in assets and $5.7 billion in assets under management through b1BANK’s affiliate Smith Shellnut Wilson LLC (SSW), excluding $0.9 billion of b1BANK assets managed by SSW. b1BANK operates banking centers and loan production offices in markets across Louisiana and Texas, providing commercial and personal banking products and services. b1BANK is a 2024 Mastercard “Innovation Award” winner and multiyear winner of American Banker Magazine’s “Best Banks to Work For.” Visit b1BANK.com for more information.
Misty Albrecht
b1BANK
225.286.7879
[email protected]
