Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST) vs OceanFirst Financial Corp. (OCFC)
A side-by-side comparison of Business First Bancshares, Inc. and OceanFirst Financial Corp. 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 — BFST vs OCFC
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 8yBFST vs OCFC: by the numbers
- •OCFC is the larger company ($1.01B vs $1.00B market cap).
- •BFST trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.90 vs 19.78 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •BFST converts more revenue to profit (20.42% vs 6.77% net margin).
- •BFST grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.05% vs 11.24% CAGR).
- •OCFC pays the higher dividend yield (4.76% vs 1.94%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | BFST | OCFC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 10.90 | 19.78 |
| Forward P/E | 10.22 | 9.52 |
| PEG ratio | 0.98 | 7.11 |
| P/S ratio | 2.21 | 1.43 |
| P/B ratio | 1.07 | 0.42 |
Profitability
| Metric | BFST | OCFC |
|---|---|---|
| Operating margin | 22.15% | 9.04% |
| Net margin | 20.42% | 6.77% |
| ROE | 9.22% | 1.99% |
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.
OceanFirst Financial Corp.: 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 | BFST | OCFC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.94% | 4.76% |
| Payout ratio | 21.28% | 94.46% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | BFST | OCFC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 17.05% | 11.24% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.08% | 2.78% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.54% | -0.94% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, BFST or OCFC?
- BFST has the lower trailing P/E: BFST trades at 10.90 and OCFC at 19.78. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, BFST or OCFC?
- Over the past five years, BFST grew revenue faster — BFST at a 17.05% CAGR versus OCFC at 11.24%.
- Does BFST or OCFC pay a bigger dividend?
- BFST yields 1.94% and OCFC yields 4.76% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is BFST or OCFC more profitable?
- BFST runs the higher net margin — BFST at 20.42% versus OCFC at 6.77%.
- How have BFST and OCFC total returns compared?
- Over the past 5 years, BFST delivered 7.54% and OCFC delivered -0.94% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Business First Bancshares & OceanFirst Financial 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.