Business First Bancshares reports Q4 EPS 66c, consensus 60c

For the quarter ended December 31, Business First reported net income available to common shareholders of $14.5 M or 57c per diluted common share, decreases of $4.6 M and 19c, respectively, from the quarter ended September 30. On a non-GAAP basis, core net income for the quarter ended December 31 which excludes certain income and expenses, was $16.8 million or 66c per diluted common share, decreases of $1.1 million and $0.05, respectively, compared to the linked quarter. For the quarter ended December 31, 2023, net interest income totaled $53.8M and net interest margin and net interest spread were 3.50% and 2.53%, respectively, compared to $55.3 M, 3.61% and 2.68% for the linked quarter. Non-GAAP net interest margin and net interest spread were 3.38% and 2.40%, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31 , compared to 3.46% and 2.53% for the linked quarter.