Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST) vs Oaktree Specialty Lending Corporation (OCSL)

A side-by-side comparison of Business First Bancshares, Inc. and Oaktree Specialty Lending Corporation 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 OCSL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 8y
BFST +46.0% (+4.8%/yr)OCSL +116.7% (+10.2%/yr)OCSL compounded faster over this window
50100150200250Start $1002020202220242026$146$217
BFST OCSL

BFST vs OCSL: by the numbers

  • •OCSL is the larger company ($1.04B vs $1.01B market cap).
  • •BFST trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.95 vs 24.40 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •BFST converts more revenue to profit (20.42% vs 15.13% net margin).
  • •OCSL grew revenue faster over the past five years (30.70% vs 17.05% CAGR).
  • •OCSL pays the higher dividend yield (12.40% vs 1.94%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricBFSTOCSL
P/E ratio10.9524.40
Forward P/E10.268.67
PEG ratio0.98N/A
P/S ratio2.223.72
P/B ratio1.080.75

Profitability

MetricBFSTOCSL
Gross marginN/A80.54%
Operating margin22.15%44.09%
Net margin20.42%15.13%
ROE9.22%3.05%

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

MetricBFSTOCSL
Dividend yield1.94%12.40%
Payout ratio21.28%303.91%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBFSTOCSL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)17.05%30.70%
EPS CAGR (5Y)11.08%-14.02%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.54%0.13%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, BFST or OCSL?
BFST has the lower trailing P/E: BFST trades at 10.95 and OCSL at 24.40. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, BFST or OCSL?
Over the past five years, OCSL grew revenue faster — BFST at a 17.05% CAGR versus OCSL at 30.70%.
Does BFST or OCSL pay a bigger dividend?
BFST yields 1.94% and OCSL yields 12.40% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is BFST or OCSL more profitable?
BFST runs the higher net margin — BFST at 20.42% versus OCSL at 15.13%.
How have BFST and OCSL total returns compared?
Over the past 5 years, BFST delivered 7.54% and OCSL delivered 0.13% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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.