Southern First Bancshares (SFST) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: $301.27M
• Dividend Yield: N/A
• Average Volume (3M): 15.38K
• Price to Earnings (P/E): 16.4
• Beta (1Y): 0.82
• Revenue Growth: 8.57%
• EPS Growth: 37.95%
• Country: US
• Employees: 297
• Sector: Financial
• Sector Strength: 81
• Industry: Banks - Regional
• EPS (TTM): 0.65
• Shares Outstanding: 8,168,865
• 10 Day Avg. Volume: 14,822
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 15,385
• PEG Ratio: 0.90
• Price to Book (P/B): 0.86
• Price to Sales (P/S): 0.00
• P/FCF Ratio: 9.28
• Enterprise Value/Market Cap: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Revenue: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Gross Profit: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Ebitda: N/A
• 1Y Price Target: N/A
• Price Target Upside: N/A
• Rating Consensus: Hold
• Number of Analyst Covering: 0

• Rating: 69 Neutral
• Price Target: ―

Southern First Bancshares exhibits strong financial performance with robust revenue growth and zero debt, providing a solid foundation for growth. The technical indicators show mixed momentum, which warrants close monitoring. The stock is fairly valued, enhancing its attractiveness. Recent positive corporate events further boost the outlook, reflecting effective management and strategic growth positioning. Overall, SFST presents a balanced investment opportunity with strengths in financial stability and growth potential, offset by neutral technical signals.

Southern First Bancshares Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

Southern First Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Southern First Bank that provides various banking products and services to general public in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. It operates through three segments: Commercial and Retail Banking, Mortgage Banking, and Corporate Operations. The company accepts various deposit products that include checking accounts, commercial checking accounts, and savings accounts, as well as other time deposits, including daily money market accounts and long-term certificates of deposit. Its loan portfolio comprises commercial real estate loans; construction real estate loans; commercial business loans for various lines of businesses, such as the manufacturing, service industry, and professional service areas; consumer real estate and home equity loans; and other consumer loans, including secured and unsecured installment loans and revolving lines of credit. In addition, the company provides other bank services, such as internet banking, cash management, safe deposit boxes, direct deposit, automatic drafts, bill payment, and mobile banking services. It operates through eight retail offices located in Greenville, Charleston, and Columbia; three retail offices located in Raleigh, Greensboro, and Charlotte markets; and one retail office located in Atlanta. The company was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina.

How the Company Makes Money

Southern First Bancshares generates revenue primarily through the traditional banking model, which involves earning interest income from loans and other interest-earning assets. The company earns a significant portion of its revenue by charging interest on loans provided to individuals and businesses, including commercial loans, consumer loans, and residential mortgages. Additionally, Southern First earns money from non-interest income sources such as fees for banking services, transaction fees, and charges related to account maintenance and management. The company's earnings are also influenced by the interest rate environment, as well as its ability to manage credit risk and operational efficiency. Partnerships with other financial institutions and service providers may also contribute to its revenue, though specific details on such partnerships are not available.

Southern First Bancshares Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Southern First Bancshares demonstrates robust revenue growth and operational efficiency improvements. The balance sheet is strong, with zero debt and a solid equity foundation, but there's room for enhancing returns on equity. Cash flow management is positive, with strong operating cash flows and strategic investments. The company displays financial stability and growth potential, though it should focus on improving net profitability and optimizing returns on equity.

Income Statement

Southern First Bancshares exhibited solid revenue growth from 2023 to 2024, with total revenue more than doubling. The Gross Profit Margin remained strong at 100%, indicative of efficient cost management. However, the Net Profit Margin declined compared to 2023, reflecting higher expenses or other factors affecting net income. EBIT Margin improved significantly year-over-year, suggesting enhanced operational efficiency. The absence of EBITDA in 2024 limits full profitability analysis.

Balance Sheet

The company maintains a strong equity position with a high Equity Ratio, reflecting financial stability. The Debt-to-Equity Ratio improved to zero, indicating no outstanding debt, which is favorable for financial health. Return on Equity decreased slightly compared to previous years, possibly due to lower net income growth relative to equity. Overall, the balance sheet reflects a stable financial foundation with potential for further improvement in ROE.

Cash Flow

Southern First Bancshares demonstrated positive Free Cash Flow growth, driven by increased operating cash flow. The Operating Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio indicates strong cash generation relative to net income, though Free Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio suggests potential variability in cash flow management. The cash flow from investing activities was negative, signaling significant investments or asset purchases, while financing cash flow remained positive, reflecting effective capital management.

Breakdown
TTM	Dec 2024	Dec 2023	Dec 2022	Dec 2021	Dec 2020
Income Statement		Total Revenue
152.69M	201.21M	86.25M	101.05M	117.23M	77.56M
	Gross Profit
152.25M	93.33M	86.25M	101.05M	117.23M	77.56M
	EBIT
77.54M	197.40M	17.43M	39.80M	62.34M	26.42M
	EBITDA
13.84M	0.00	22.24M	41.81M	63.12M	26.01M
	Net Income Common Stockholders
18.27M	15.53M	13.43M	29.11M	46.71M	18.33M
Balance Sheet		Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
156.19M	154.68M	162.72M	165.07M	162.01M	88.09M
	Total Assets
4.28B	4.09B	4.06B	3.69B	2.93B	2.48B
	Total Debt
0.00	264.90M	311.32M	211.21M	36.11M	61.00M
	Net Debt
-24.90M	230.49M	274.50M	46.14M	-125.90M	-27.09M
	Total Liabilities
3.95B	3.76B	3.74B	211.21M	36.11M	36.00M
	Stockholders Equity
337.60M	330.44M	312.47M	294.51M	277.90M	228.29M
Cash Flow		Free Cash Flow
31.78M	24.77M	16.41M	36.35M	51.56M	13.34M
	Operating Cash Flow
32.43M	25.56M	17.65M	50.30M	78.07M	20.62M
	Investing Cash Flow
-43.41M	-28.86M	-378.57M	-792.58M	-410.63M	-230.77M
	Financing Cash Flow
148.73M	9.99M	346.22M	745.94M	399.08M	183.02M

Southern First Bancshares Technical Analysis

• Technical Analysis Sentiment: Positive
• Last Price: 36.88
• 50DMA: Positive
• 100DMA: Positive
• 200DMA: Positive
• MACD: Positive
• RSI: Neutral
• STOCH: Neutral

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SFST, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 36.88 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 36.49, above the 50-day MA of 34.15, and above the 200-day MA of 35.96, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.81 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 56.41 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 20.72 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for SFST.

Southern First Bancshares Peers Comparison

Name	Overall Rating	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	ROE	Dividend Yield	Revenue Growth	EPS Growth
CBAN	81 Outperform	$266.01M	10.64	9.20%	2.97%	6.61%	14.29%
FNLC	78 Outperform	$275.35M	9.77	11.19%	6.08%	13.25%	1.46%
OBT	77 Outperform	$286.30M	10.42	14.76%	1.93%	6.08%	-23.52%
CZFS	75 Outperform	$291.05M	10.23	9.62%	3.32%	9.53%	63.45%
PCB	75 Outperform	$280.55M	10.05	8.00%	3.79%	14.10%	11.76%
SFST	69 Neutral	$301.27M	16.36	5.60%	―	8.57%	37.95%
Sector *	64 Neutral	$12.67B	9.74	7.58%	17015.08%	12.21%	-6.96%

Southern First Bancshares Corporate Events

Southern First Bancshares Reports Strong Q1 2025 Results

Southern First Bancshares reported strong financial results for the first quarter of 2025, with significant growth in loans and deposits, and a notable increase in net income by 109% compared to the same period in 2024. The company is well-positioned for future growth, maintaining excellent asset quality and strong capital ratios, despite potential economic uncertainties due to recent trade and tariff events.

Spark’s Take on SFST Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, SFST is a Neutral.

Southern First Bancshares demonstrates solid financial performance with strong revenue growth and zero debt, though room remains for enhancing profitability. The stock’s technical indicators suggest a neutral trend, and it is fairly valued with a reasonable P/E ratio. Positive corporate events, including strong Q4 results, enhance the overall outlook. The overall score reflects a balanced view of strengths in financial stability and growth potential against neutral technical signals and valuation.

To see Spark’s full report on SFST stock, click here.

Southern First Bancshares Announces CRO Resignation

On March 10, 2025, Southern First Bancshares announced the resignation of William M. Aiken, III, its Chief Risk Officer, effective March 31, 2025. Mr. Aiken, who has been with the company since 2020, expressed mixed emotions about leaving but is optimistic about his future opportunities. His departure marks a significant change in the company’s leadership, with CEO Art Seaver acknowledging Aiken’s contributions and expressing gratitude for his partnership over the years.