The first-quarter results for Business First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:BFST) were released last week, making it a good time to revisit its performance. Revenues were US$78m, approximately in line with expectations, although statutory earnings per share (EPS) performed substantially better. EPS of US$0.65 were also better than expected, beating analyst predictions by 11%. The analysts typically update their forecasts at each earnings report, and we can judge from their estimates whether their view of the company has changed or if there are any new concerns to be aware of. So we gathered the latest post-earnings forecasts to see what estimates suggest is in store for next year.

We've discovered 1 warning sign about Business First Bancshares. View them for free.

Taking into account the latest results, the most recent consensus for Business First Bancshares from five analysts is for revenues of US$320.6m in 2025. If met, it would imply a solid 16% increase on its revenue over the past 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are predicted to ascend 18% to US$2.67. Before this earnings report, the analysts had been forecasting revenues of US$323.0m and earnings per share (EPS) of US$2.63 in 2025. The consensus analysts don't seem to have seen anything in these results that would have changed their view on the business, given there's been no major change to their estimates.

Check out our latest analysis for Business First Bancshares

With no major changes to earnings forecasts, the consensus price target fell 5.1% to US$29.90, suggesting that the analysts might have previously been hoping for an earnings upgrade. The consensus price target is just an average of individual analyst targets, so - it could be handy to see how wide the range of underlying estimates is. The most optimistic Business First Bancshares analyst has a price target of US$32.00 per share, while the most pessimistic values it at US$28.00. With such a narrow range of valuations, the analysts apparently share similar views on what they think the business is worth.

One way to get more context on these forecasts is to look at how they compare to both past performance, and how other companies in the same industry are performing. It's clear from the latest estimates that Business First Bancshares' rate of growth is expected to accelerate meaningfully, with the forecast 22% annualised revenue growth to the end of 2025 noticeably faster than its historical growth of 17% p.a. over the past five years. Compare this with other companies in the same industry, which are forecast to grow their revenue 7.1% annually. Factoring in the forecast acceleration in revenue, it's pretty clear that Business First Bancshares is expected to grow much faster than its industry.

The Bottom Line

The most important thing to take away is that there's been no major change in sentiment, with the analysts reconfirming that the business is performing in line with their previous earnings per share estimates. Fortunately, they also reconfirmed their revenue numbers, suggesting that it's tracking in line with expectations. Additionally, our data suggests that revenue is expected to grow faster than the wider industry. The consensus price target fell measurably, with the analysts seemingly not reassured by the latest results, leading to a lower estimate of Business First Bancshares' future valuation.

With that in mind, we wouldn't be too quick to come to a conclusion on Business First Bancshares. Long-term earnings power is much more important than next year's profits. At Simply Wall St, we have a full range of analyst estimates for Business First Bancshares going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here..

Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Business First Bancshares that you should be aware of.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.