Business First BancsharesBFST +2.00%64 Dividend Payout Ratio is 0.21 as of Mar. 2026, which is 11% above its 10-year median of 0.19. GuruFocus rates BFST with a GF Score™ of 64/100 and a GF Value™ of $25.70 (Modestly Overvalued). The stock has 5 warning signs investors should review. Among 1,169 Banks companies, Business First Bancshares ranks better than 78.7% on this metric.
The Dividend Payout Ratio is the measure of dividends paid out to shareholders relative to the company's net income. It is calculated as the Dividends per Share divided by the Earnings per Share (Diluted) during the same time period. Business First Bancshares's Dividend Payout Ratio for the
months ended in Mar. 2026 was 0.21.
The historical rank and industry rank for Business First Bancshares's Dividend Payout Ratio or its related term are showing as below:
BFST'
s Dividend Payout Ratio Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: 0.17 Med: 0.19 Max: 0.23
Current: 0.2
During the past 11 years, the highest Dividend Payout Ratio of Business First Bancshares was 0.23. The lowest was 0.17. And the median was 0.19.
BFST's Dividend Payout Ratio is ranked better than 78.7% of 1169
companies
in the Banks industry
Industry Median: 0.32
vs BFST: 0.20
During the past 11 years, the highest Trailing Annual Dividend Yield of Business First Bancshares was 3.82%. The lowest was 0.30%. And the median was 2.09%.
During the past 12 months, Business First Bancshares's average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 3.60% per year.
During the past 3 years, the average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 5.90% per year.
During the past 5 years, the average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 7.10% per year.
During the past 11 years, the highest 3-Year average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate of Business First Bancshares was 24.20% per year. The lowest was 5.90% per year. And the median was 7.70% per year.
The growth rate is calculated with least square regression.
For more information regarding to dividend, please check our Dividend Page.
* Please note that "special dividend" is not included in the calculation of dividend per share and related fields.
Business First Bancshares (NAS:BFST) Dividend Payout Ratio Explanation
In dividends investing, Dividend Payout Ratio and Dividend Growth Rate are the two most important variables for consideration. A lower payout ratio may indicate that the company has more room to increase its dividends.
Business First Bancshares Dividend Payout Ratio Related Terms
Business First Bancshares Dividend Payout Ratio Historical Data
* 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 Dividend Payout Ratio Chart
BFST vs MCBS, FMCB, MBWM: Dividend Payout Ratio Comparison
For the Banks - Regional subindustry, Business First Bancshares's Dividend Payout Ratio, along with its competitors' market caps and Dividend Payout Ratio 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 Dividend Payout Ratio vs Banks Industry
For the Banks industry and Financial Services sector, Business First Bancshares's Dividend Payout Ratio distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Business First Bancshares's Dividend Payout Ratio falls into.
Business First Bancshares Dividend Payout Ratio Calculation
The Dividend Payout Ratio is the measure of dividends paid out to shareholders relative to the company's net income. It is calculated as the Dividends per Share divided by the Earnings per Share (Diluted) during the same time period.
Business First Bancshares's Dividend Payout Ratio for the fiscal year that ended in Dec. 2025 is calculated as
* 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 (BFST) has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0.21 as of Mar. 2026. Dividend payout ratio is the percent of company earnings paid out as dividends. View historical data on Business First Bancshares and its competitors. This is 11% above median its historical median of 0.19. Over the past decade, Business First Bancshares' Dividend Payout Ratio has ranged from 0.17 to 0.23. According to the industry distribution chart, Business First Bancshares ranks #249 out of 1169 companies in the Banks industry, placing it in the top 21.3%.
Is Business First Bancshares' Dividend Payout Ratio too high?
Business First Bancshares' current Dividend Payout Ratio of 0.21 is 11% above median its 10-year median of 0.19. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 0.17 to a high of 0.23. The Banks industry median Dividend Payout Ratio is 0.32. Business First Bancshares' value of 0.21 is 34.4% below this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Business First Bancshares ranks #249 out of 1169 companies in the Banks industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. 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' Dividend Payout Ratio compare to MCBS and FMCB?
According to the Banks industry distribution chart, Business First Bancshares ranks #249 out of 1169 companies for Dividend Payout Ratio. This places Business First Bancshares in the top 21% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. The industry median Dividend Payout Ratio is 0.32. Business First Bancshares' value of 0.21 is 34.4% below this benchmark. Historically, Business First Bancshares' own Dividend Payout Ratio has ranged from 0.17 to 0.23 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 0.19 vs. the industry median of 0.32, 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 Dividend Payout Ratio for a Banks company?
The median Dividend Payout Ratio among Banks companies is 0.32, based on 1,169 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Dividend Payout Ratio significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Dividend Payout Ratio should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Business First Bancshares's current Dividend Payout Ratio of 0.21 is 34.4% 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 Dividend Payout Ratio mean?
A high Dividend Payout Ratio can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Dividend payout ratio is the percent of company earnings paid out as dividends. View historical data on Business First Bancshares and its competitors. For the Banks industry, the median Dividend Payout Ratio is 0.32 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Business First Bancshares's current Dividend Payout Ratio is 0.21, which is 11% above median its own 10-year median of 0.19. 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 $25.70, compared to a current price of $30.15 — trading 17.3% above its estimated fair value. The current Dividend Payout Ratio is 0.21, which is 11% above median its 10-year median of 0.19 and 34.4% below the Banks industry median of 0.32. Business First Bancshares' overall GF Score™ is 64/100 with 5 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Dividend Payout Ratio calculated?
Dividend Payout Ratio is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Business First Bancshares (BFST), the current Dividend Payout Ratio is 0.21 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 $30.15 is trading 17.3% above its estimated GF Value™ of $25.70.
GuruFocus considers Business First Bancshares to be Modestly Overvalued.
Key valuation signals for BFST:
Dividend Payout Ratio: 0.21 (11% above median its 10-year median of 0.19)
GF Value™: $25.70 vs. price of $30.15 (17.3% above fair value)
Industry Position: 34.4% below the Banks median (#249 of 1169)
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 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
Dividend Payout Ratio is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
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