Alerus Financial Corporation (ALRS) vs Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST)
A side-by-side comparison of Alerus Financial Corporation and Business First Bancshares, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Total return — ALRS vs BFST
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 8yALRS vs BFST: by the numbers
- •BFST is the larger company ($1.01B vs $816M market cap).
- •BFST trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.92 vs 30.05 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •BFST converts more revenue to profit (20.42% vs 8.33% net margin).
- •BFST grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.05% vs 5.76% CAGR).
- •ALRS pays the higher dividend yield (2.65% vs 1.94%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ALRS | BFST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 30.05 | 10.92 |
| Forward P/E | 10.76 | 10.24 |
| PEG ratio | N/A | 0.98 |
| P/S ratio | 2.45 | 2.21 |
| P/B ratio | 1.40 | 1.07 |
Profitability
| Metric | ALRS | BFST |
|---|---|---|
| Operating margin | 10.36% | 22.15% |
| Net margin | 8.33% | 20.42% |
| ROE | 4.75% | 9.22% |
Alerus Financial Corporation: Gross margin is not shown for a lender or insurer: its revenue is interest, premiums and fees rather than the sale of goods, so there is no cost of goods sold to measure it against.
Business First Bancshares, Inc.: Gross margin is not shown for a lender or insurer: its revenue is interest, premiums and fees rather than the sale of goods, so there is no cost of goods sold to measure it against.
Dividends
| Metric | ALRS | BFST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.65% | 1.94% |
| Payout ratio | 79.63% | 21.28% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ALRS | BFST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.76% | 17.05% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -23.13% | 11.08% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.67% | 7.54% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ALRS or BFST?
- BFST has the lower trailing P/E: ALRS trades at 30.05 and BFST at 10.92. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ALRS or BFST?
- Over the past five years, BFST grew revenue faster — ALRS at a 5.76% CAGR versus BFST at 17.05%.
- Does ALRS or BFST pay a bigger dividend?
- ALRS yields 2.65% and BFST yields 1.94% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ALRS or BFST more profitable?
- BFST runs the higher net margin — ALRS at 8.33% versus BFST at 20.42%.
- How have ALRS and BFST total returns compared?
- Over the past 5 years, ALRS delivered 4.67% and BFST delivered 7.54% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Alerus Financial & Business First Bancshares appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.