Banks - Regional
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Side-by-side financial analysisStock Comparison
CBFV vs BFST
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Banks - Regional
CBFV vs BFST — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Banks - Regional | Banks - Regional |
| Market Cap | $190M | $956M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $69M | $512M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $5M | $88M |
| Gross Margin | 62.5% | 60.9% |
| Operating Margin | 7.7% | 22.2% |
| Forward P/E | 12.6x | 9.8x |
| Total Debt | $35M | $551M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $32M | $411M |
CBFV vs BFST — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Jun 20 | Jun 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| CB Financial Servic… (CBFV) | 100 | 171.9 | +71.9% |
| Business First Banc… (BFST) | 100 | 190.5 | +90.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CBFV vs BFST
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
CBFV is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.41, yield 2.6%
- 114.0% 10Y total return vs BFST's 31.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.41, Low D/E 22.1%, current ratio 0.02x
BFST carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and bank quality.
- Rev growth 11.8%, EPS growth 23.0%
- NIM 3.3% vs CBFV's 3.3%
- 11.8% NII/revenue growth vs CBFV's -13.3%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 11.8% NII/revenue growth vs CBFV's -13.3% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (9.8x vs 12.6x) | |
| Quality / Margins | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs CBFV's 0.5% (lower = leaner) | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.41 vs BFST's 0.79, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 2.6% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs BFST's 1.9% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +34.6% vs BFST's +23.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs CBFV's 0.5% |
CBFV vs BFST — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
CBFV vs BFST — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CBFV leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BFST is the larger business by revenue, generating $512M annually — 7.5x CBFV's $69M. BFST is the more profitable business, keeping 17.2% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CBFV's 7.1%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $69M | $512M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $7M | $119M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $5M | $88M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $17M | $88M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +62.5% | +60.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +7.7% | +22.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +7.1% | +17.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +24.8% | +17.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +93.5% | +39.2% |
Valuation Metrics
BFST leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 10.5x trailing earnings, BFST trades at a 74% valuation discount to CBFV's 40.8x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, BFST's 9.2x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CBFV's 27.2x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $190M | $956M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $193M | $1.1B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 40.78x | 10.52x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 12.62x | 9.78x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.94x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 27.19x | 9.20x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.77x | 1.87x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.26x | 0.97x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 11.09x | 10.38x |
Profitability & Efficiency
BFST leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BFST delivers a 10.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $10 in annual profit, vs $3 for CBFV. CBFV carries lower financial leverage with a 0.22x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to BFST's 0.61x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), BFST scores 7/9 vs CBFV's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +3.2% | +10.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.3% | +1.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +2.1% | +6.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.9% | +8.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.22x | 0.61x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3M | $140M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $32M | $411M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $35M | $551M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.21x | 0.59x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CBFV leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CBFV five years ago would be worth $19,369 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $13,865 for BFST. Over the past 12 months, CBFV leads with a +34.6% total return vs BFST's +23.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CBFV at 26.8% vs BFST's 25.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +9.8% | +14.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +34.6% | +23.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +103.8% | +97.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +93.7% | +38.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +114.0% | +31.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +26.8% | +25.4% |
Risk & Volatility
CBFV leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CBFV is the less volatile stock with a 0.41 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than BFST's 0.79 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.41x | 0.79x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $37.92 | $30.32 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $27.11 | $22.52 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.9% | +96.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 67.1 | 64.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 4K | 175K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — CBFV and BFST each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CBFV as "Hold" and BFST as "Buy". For income investors, CBFV offers the higher dividend yield at 2.58% vs BFST's 1.94%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $32.33 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 3 | 4 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.6% | +1.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 7 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.97 | $0.57 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +3.6% | +0.4% |
CBFV leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). BFST leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). 1 tied.
CBFV vs BFST: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CBFV or BFST a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Business First Bancshares, Inc.
(BFST) is the stronger pick with 11. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -13. 3% for CB Financial Services, Inc. (CBFV). Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST) offers the better valuation at 10. 5x trailing P/E (9. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST) a "Buy" — based on 4 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — CBFV or BFST?
On trailing P/E, Business First Bancshares, Inc.
(BFST) is the cheapest at 10. 5x versus CB Financial Services, Inc. at 40. 8x. On forward P/E, Business First Bancshares, Inc. is actually cheaper at 9. 8x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CBFV or BFST?
Over the past 5 years, CB Financial Services, Inc.
(CBFV) delivered a total return of +93. 7%, compared to +38. 7% for Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CBFV returned +114. 0% versus BFST's +31. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CBFV or BFST?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CB Financial Services, Inc.
(CBFV) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 41β versus Business First Bancshares, Inc. 's 0. 79β — meaning BFST is approximately 92% more volatile than CBFV relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CB Financial Services, Inc. (CBFV) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 22% versus 61% for Business First Bancshares, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CBFV or BFST?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Business First Bancshares, Inc.
(BFST) is pulling ahead at 11. 8% versus -13. 3% for CB Financial Services, Inc. (CBFV). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Business First Bancshares, Inc. grew EPS 23. 0% year-over-year, compared to -61. 3% for CB Financial Services, Inc.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — CBFV or BFST?
Business First Bancshares, Inc.
(BFST) is the more profitable company, earning 17. 2% net margin versus 7. 1% for CB Financial Services, Inc. — meaning it keeps 17. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BFST leads at 22. 2% versus 7. 7% for CBFV. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CBFV leads at 62. 5%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is CBFV or BFST more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Business First Bancshares, Inc.
(BFST) trades at 9. 8x forward P/E versus 12. 6x for CB Financial Services, Inc. — 2. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — CBFV or BFST?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
CB Financial Services, Inc. (CBFV) offers the highest yield at 2. 6%, versus 1. 9% for Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST).
09Is CBFV or BFST better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, CB Financial Services, Inc.
(CBFV) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 41), 2. 6% yield, +114. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CBFV: +114. 0%, BFST: +31. 2%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between CBFV and BFST?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: CBFV is a small-cap quality compounder stock; BFST is a small-cap deep-value stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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