BFST (Business First Bancshares) Owner Earnings per Share (TTM): 2.44 (As of Mar. 2026) — 75% Below Median

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BFST Business First Bancshares Inc BFST
64 GF Score
Price $31.37
GF Value $25.78
Valuation Modestly Overvalued
! 6 Warning Signs
View Full Analysis

What is Business First Bancshares Owner Earnings per Share (TTM)?

Business First Bancshares BFST +2.99% 64 Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) is 2.44 as of Mar. 2026, which is 75% below its 10-year median of 9.65. GuruFocus rates BFST with a GF Score™ of 64/100 and a GF Value™ of $25.78 (Modestly Overvalued). The stock has 6 warning signs investors should review. Among 1,043 Banks companies, Business First Bancshares ranks worse than 62.03% on this metric.

In 1986 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Letter, Warren Buffett defined owner earnings as follows:

"These represent (a) reported earnings plus (b) depreciation, depletion, amortization, and certain other non-cash charges...less (c) the average annual amount of capitalized expenditures for plant and equipment, etc. that the business requires to fully maintain its long-term competitive position and its unit volume (If the business requires additional working capital to maintain its competitive position and unit volume, the increment also should be included in (c))...Our owner-earnings equation does not yield the deceptively precise figures provided by GAAP, since (c) must be a guess - and one sometimes very difficult to make. Despite this problem, we consider the owner earnings figure, not the GAAP figure, to be the relevant item for valuation purposes - both for investors in buying stocks and for managers in buying entire businesses...All of this points up the absurdity of the 'cash flow' numbers that are often set forth in Wall Street reports. These numbers routinely include (a) plus (b) - but do not subtract (c)."

Business First Bancshares's Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) ended in Mar. 2026 was $2.44. It's Price-to-Owner-Earnings ratio for today is 12.86.


The historical rank and industry rank for Business First Bancshares's Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) or its related term are showing as below:

BFST' s Price-to-Owner-Earnings Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: 5.08   Med: 9.65   Max: 48.76
Current: 12.9


During the past 11 years, the highest Price-to-Owner-Earnings ratio of Business First Bancshares was 48.76. The lowest was 5.08. And the median was 9.65.


BFST's Price-to-Owner-Earnings is ranked worse than
62.03% of 1043 companies
in the Banks industry
Industry Median: 10.34 vs BFST: 12.90

Business First Bancshares's Earnings per Share (Diluted) for the three months ended in Mar. 2026 was $0.68. Its Earnings per Share (Diluted) for the trailing twelve months (TTM) ended in Mar. 2026 was $2.82. It's PE Ratio (TTM) ratio for today is 11.12.

Business First Bancshares's EPS without NRI for the three months ended in Mar. 2026 was $0.73. Its EPS without NRI for the trailing twelve months (TTM) ended in Mar. 2026 was $2.90. It's PE Ratio without NRI ratio for today is 10.82.


Be Aware

Assumption: Companies usually do not report maintenance capital expenditures and growth capital expenditures separately. Here we use estimated numbers and average them over 5 years. The method to estimate maintenance capital expenditures can be found in above part 4.

Note: GuruFocus' Change In Working Capital is provided by Morningstar. It is calculated by adding the items under "Change in operating assets and liabilities" (may refer to a different name for different company) section in Cash Flow Statement from original financial report. And it includes non-current parts of assets and liabilities.


Business First Bancshares Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) Related Terms


Business First Bancshares Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) Historical Data

* Premium members only.

The historical data trend for Business First Bancshares's Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) can be seen below:

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

Business First Bancshares Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) Chart

Business First Bancshares Annual Data
Trend Dec16 Dec17 Dec18 Dec19 Dec20 Dec21 Dec22 Dec23 Dec24 Dec25
Owner Earnings per Share (TTM)
Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only 2.73 2.31 3.41 1.71 2.75

Business First Bancshares Quarterly Data
Jun21 Sep21 Dec21 Mar22 Jun22 Sep22 Dec22 Mar23 Jun23 Sep23 Dec23 Mar24 Jun24 Sep24 Dec24 Mar25 Jun25 Sep25 Dec25 Mar26
Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only 2.41 2.33 2.64 2.75 2.44

BFST vs FBAK, CCNE, AMTB: Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) Comparison

For the Banks - Regional subindustry, Business First Bancshares's Price-to-Owner-Earnings, along with its competitors' market caps and Price-to-Owner-Earnings data, can be viewed below:

* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.


Business First Bancshares Price-to-Owner-Earnings vs Banks Industry

For the Banks industry and Financial Services sector, Business First Bancshares's Price-to-Owner-Earnings distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where Business First Bancshares's Price-to-Owner-Earnings falls into.


BFST
64GF Score
Business First Bancshares Inc BFST
Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
View Full Analysis

Business First Bancshares Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) Calculation

In 1986 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Letter, Warren Buffett defined owner earnings as follows:

"These represent (a) reported earnings plus (b) depreciation, depletion, amortization, and certain other non-cash charges...less (c) the average annual amount of capitalized expenditures for plant and equipment, etc. that the business requires to fully maintain its long-term competitive position and its unit volume. (If the business requires additional working capital to maintain its competitive position and unit volume, the increment also should be included in (c))...Our owner-earnings equation does not yield the deceptively precise figures provided by GAAP, since (c) must be a guess - and one sometimes very difficult to make. Despite this problem, we consider the owner earnings figure, not the GAAP figure, to be the relevant item for valuation purposes - both for investors in buying stocks and for managers in buying entire businesses...All of this points up the absurdity of the 'cash flow' numbers that are often set forth in Wall Street reports. These numbers routinely include (a) plus (b) - but do not subtract (c)."

To make it simple, then you will have:

Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) = (Net Income + Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization + Change In Deferred Tax - 5Y Average of Maintenance Capital Expenditure + Change In Working Capital) / Shares Outstanding (Diluted Average)

Business First Bancshares's Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) Calculation:

TTM / Last Quarter Average of Last 20 Quarters
Net Income 90.9
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 5.9
Change In Deferred Tax -2.5
5Y Average of Maintenance Capital Expenditure 4.7
Change In Working Capital -9.6
Shares Outstanding (Diluted Average) 32.8

1. Start with "Net Income" from income statement. Business First Bancshares's Net Income for the trailing twelve months (TTM) ended in Mar. 2026 was $90.9 Mil.

2. "Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization" is from cashflow statement. Business First Bancshares's Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization for the trailing twelve months (TTM) ended in Mar. 2026 was $5.9 Mil. This needs to be added back because company does not actually need to pay cash for it. It is a non-cash item.

3. Other non-cash charges usually include "Stock Based Compensation" and "Change In Deferred Tax":
However, to be conservative, GuruFocus will not add Stock Based Compensation back to net income. Business First Bancshares's Change In Deferred Tax for the trailing twelve months (TTM) ended in Mar. 2026 was $-2.5 Mil.

4. Average maintenance capital expenditure over a business/industry cycle: 5-Year Average Maintenance Capital Expenditure = $4.7 Mil

It is usually best to take a long-term average of maintenance capital expenditure. Ideally this would be as long as 10 years and include at least one economic downturn. However, since many companies do not have as long as 10-year history, here GuruFocus uses the latest 5 years data to do the calculation. To smooth out unusual years but reflect recent developments, we take an average of the 5 year maintenance capital expenditure.

The following shows how to get maintenance capital expenditure.

First, calculate the revenue change regarding to the previous quarter. If the revenue decreased from the previous quarter, then the Maintenance Capital Expenditure = Capital Expenditure (positive).
Second, if the revenue increased from the previous quarter, then calculate the percentage of Net PPE as of corresponding Revenue.
Growth Capital Expenditure = Percentage of Property, Plant and Equipment as of corresponding Revenue * Revenue Increase
Third, calculate Capital Expenditure (positive) - Growth Capital Expenditure.
If [Capital Expenditure (positive) - Growth Capital Expenditure] was negative, then the Maintenance Capital Expenditure = Capital Expenditure (positive).
If [Capital Expenditure (positive) - Growth Capital Expenditure] was positive, then the Maintenance Capital Expenditure = Capital Expenditure (positive) - Growth Capital Expenditure.
Fourth, get the average of the 5 years maintenance capital expenditure.

Business First Bancshares's 5-Year Average Maintenance Capital Expenditure = $4.7 Mil

5. "Change In Working Capital" is from cashflow statement. Business First Bancshares's Change In Working Capital for the trailing twelve months (TTM) ended in Mar. 2026 was $-9.6 Mil.
Note: GuruFocus' Change in Working Capital is provided by Morningstar. It is calculated by adding the items under "Change in operating assets and liabilities" (may refer to a different name for different company) section in Cash Flow Statement from original financial report. And sometimes it includes non-current parts of assets and liabilities.

6. Business First Bancshares's Shares Outstanding (Diluted Average) for the months ended in Mar. 2026 was 32.786 Mil.

Business First Bancshares's Onwer Earnings Per Share for Mar. 2026 is calculated as:

Owner Earnings per Share (TTM)
=( Net Income+Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization+Change In Deferred Tax
=( 90.882 +5.867+-2.496
-5Y Avg of Maintenance CAPEX+Change In Working Capital )/Shares Outstanding (Diluted Average)
-4.7163398523819+-9.597)/32.786
=2.44

Price-to-Owner-Earnings=Current Price/Owner Earnings per Share (TTM)
=31.37/2.44
=12.86

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

What does a Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) of 2.44 mean?
Business First Bancshares (BFST) has a Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) of 2.44 as of Mar. 2026. Warren Buffett defined owner earnings as reported earnings plus depreciation less average maintenance capital expenditure. View historical data on Business First Bancshares. This is 75% below median its historical median of 9.65. Over the past decade, Business First Bancshares' Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) has ranged from 5.08 to 48.76. According to the industry distribution chart, Business First Bancshares ranks #647 out of 1043 companies in the Banks industry, placing it in the top 62%.
Is Business First Bancshares' Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) too high?
Business First Bancshares' current Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) of 2.44 is 75% below median its 10-year median of 9.65. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 5.08 to a high of 48.76. The Banks industry median Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) is 10.34. Business First Bancshares' value of 2.44 is 76.4% below this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Business First Bancshares ranks #647 out of 1043 companies in the Banks industry, which is below the industry midpoint. Overall, Business First Bancshares has a GF Score™ of 64/100 and is considered Modestly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Business First Bancshares' Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) compare to FBAK and CCNE?
According to the Banks industry distribution chart, Business First Bancshares ranks #647 out of 1043 companies for Owner Earnings per Share (TTM). This places Business First Bancshares in the lower half of its industry. The industry median Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) is 10.34. Business First Bancshares' value of 2.44 is 76.4% below this benchmark. Historically, Business First Bancshares' own Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) has ranged from 5.08 to 48.76 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 9.65 vs. the industry median of 10.34, Business First Bancshares has consistently been below the industry average. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) for a Banks company?
The median Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) among Banks companies is 10.34, based on 1,043 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Business First Bancshares's current Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) of 2.44 is 76.4% below the industry median. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) mean?
A high Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Warren Buffett defined owner earnings as reported earnings plus depreciation less average maintenance capital expenditure. View historical data on Business First Bancshares. For the Banks industry, the median Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) is 10.34 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Business First Bancshares's current Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) is 2.44, which is 75% below median its own 10-year median of 9.65. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Business First Bancshares stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Business First Bancshares (BFST) is currently considered Modestly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $25.78, compared to a current price of $31.37 — trading 21.7% above its estimated fair value. The current Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) is 2.44, which is 75% below median its 10-year median of 9.65 and 76.4% below the Banks industry median of 10.34. Business First Bancshares' overall GF Score™ is 64/100 with 6 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) calculated?
Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Business First Bancshares (BFST), the current Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) is 2.44 as of Mar. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Is Business First Bancshares (BFST) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Business First Bancshares stock appears to be overvalued. The current stock price of $31.37 is trading 21.7% above its estimated GF Value™ of $25.78. GuruFocus considers Business First Bancshares to be Modestly Overvalued.

Key valuation signals for BFST:

  • Owner Earnings per Share (TTM): 2.44 (75% below median its 10-year median of 9.65)
  • GF Value™: $25.78 vs. price of $31.37 (21.7% above fair value)
  • GF Score™: 64/100 with 6 warning signs
  • Industry Position: 76.4% below the Banks median (#647 of 1043)

No single metric tells the full story. See the BFST stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.


Business First Bancshares Business Description

Address 500 Laurel Street, Suite 101, Baton Rouge, LA, USA, 70801
Business First Bancshares Inc is a bank holding company. The company's services include personal and commercial banking, treasury management, and wealth solutions. It provides a range of financial services to small-to-midsized businesses and professionals. The company generates the majority of its revenues from interest income on loans, customer service and loan fees, and interest income from securities.
64GF Score

Get the complete analysis for BFST

Owner Earnings per Share (TTM) is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

$31.37
Price
$25.78
GF Value