Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST) vs Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. (CGBD)

A side-by-side comparison of Business First Bancshares, Inc. and Carlyle Secured Lending, 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.

Compare

Total return — BFST vs CGBD

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 8y
BFST +46.0% (+4.8%/yr)CGBD +74.3% (+7.2%/yr)CGBD compounded faster over this window
50100150200250Start $1002020202220242026$146$174
BFST CGBD

BFST vs CGBD: by the numbers

  • •BFST is the larger company ($1.01B vs $738M market cap).
  • •BFST trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.98 vs 20.83 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •BFST converts more revenue to profit (20.42% vs 15.53% net margin).
  • •BFST grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.05% vs 4.70% CAGR).
  • •CGBD pays the higher dividend yield (14.68% vs 1.94%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricBFSTCGBD
P/E ratio10.9820.83
Forward P/E10.307.54
PEG ratio0.990.32
P/S ratio2.223.10
P/B ratio1.080.68

Profitability

MetricBFSTCGBD
Gross marginN/A70.90%
Operating margin22.15%86.18%
Net margin20.42%15.53%
ROE9.22%3.43%

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

MetricBFSTCGBD
Dividend yield1.94%14.68%
Payout ratio21.28%304.10%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBFSTCGBD
Revenue CAGR (5Y)17.05%4.70%
EPS CAGR (5Y)11.08%66.10%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.54%7.44%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, BFST or CGBD?
BFST has the lower trailing P/E: BFST trades at 10.98 and CGBD at 20.83. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, BFST or CGBD?
Over the past five years, BFST grew revenue faster — BFST at a 17.05% CAGR versus CGBD at 4.70%.
Does BFST or CGBD pay a bigger dividend?
BFST yields 1.94% and CGBD yields 14.68% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is BFST or CGBD more profitable?
BFST runs the higher net margin — BFST at 20.42% versus CGBD at 15.53%.

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.