Southern First Bancshares (SFST) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: $319.40M
• Dividend Yield: N/A
• Average Volume (3M): 16.35K
• Price to Earnings (P/E): 17.3
• Beta (1Y): 0.85
• 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: 18,957
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 16,346
• PEG Ratio: 0.89
• Price to Book (P/B): 0.85
• Price to Sales (P/S): 0.00
• P/FCF Ratio: 8.21
• Enterprise Value/Market Cap: 1.61
• Enterprise Value/Revenue: 0.61
• Enterprise Value/Gross Profit: 5.29
• Enterprise Value/Ebitda: 5.20
• 1Y Price Target: $43.00
• Price Target Upside: 9.19% Upside
• Rating Consensus: Moderate Buy
• Number of Analyst Covering: 1

• Rating: 76 Outperform
• Price Target: $44.00 ▲(11.73%Upside)

Southern First Bancshares earns a solid score driven by robust financial performance and positive technical indicators. The stock's moderate valuation and absence of a dividend provide a mixed appeal. Corporate events indicate potential for improved governance and strategic direction, though these factors were excluded from the weighting. Investors should watch for improvements in cost management and maintain awareness of market conditions given the potential for short-term corrections.

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 interest income from a variety of lending activities, including commercial and residential loans. The company earns interest by charging borrowers higher rates than it pays depositors. Additionally, Southern First collects non-interest income from service charges on deposit accounts, mortgage banking activities, and other financial services. The company also benefits from strategic partnerships and local market expertise, which help enhance its growth and profitability in the competitive banking sector.

Southern First Bancshares Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Southern First Bancshares shows 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	215.06M	213.32M	187.46M	127.64M	110.26M	122.17M
Gross Profit	97.27M	93.33M	86.25M	101.05M	117.23M	77.56M
EBITDA	28.20M	24.72M	22.24M	41.81M	63.12M	26.01M
Net Income	18.27M	15.53M	13.43M	29.11M	46.71M	18.33M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets	4.28B	4.09B	4.06B	3.69B	2.93B	2.48B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	41.91M	34.87M	46.29M	162.94M	200.61M	173.67M
Total Debt	264.90M	264.90M	311.32M	211.21M	36.11M	61.00M
Total Liabilities	3.95B	3.76B	3.74B	3.40B	2.65B	2.25B
Stockholders Equity	337.60M	330.44M	312.47M	294.51M	277.90M	228.29M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow	35.42M	24.77M	16.41M	36.35M	51.56M	13.34M
Operating Cash Flow	36.06M	25.56M	17.65M	50.30M	78.07M	20.62M
Investing Cash Flow	-47.04M	-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: 39.38
• 50DMA: Positive
• 100DMA: Positive
• 200DMA: Positive
• MACD: Negative
• RSI: Neutral
• STOCH: Negative

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 39.38 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 36.32, above the 50-day MA of 35.95, and above the 200-day MA of 36.52, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.54 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 58.98 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 81.10 is Negative, 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
FNLC	80 Outperform	$292.16M	10.36	11.19%	5.52%	13.08%	1.42%
CBAN	78 Outperform	$296.89M	11.87	9.20%	2.79%	6.61%	14.29%
OBT	78 Outperform	$347.13M	10.98	14.76%	2.01%	6.08%	-23.52%
SFST	76 Outperform	$319.40M	17.34	5.60%	―	8.57%	37.95%
PCB	75 Outperform	$308.79M	11.12	7.60%	3.81%	14.10%	11.51%
CZFS	73 Outperform	$294.25M	10.34	9.62%	3.34%	9.53%	63.45%
Sector *	64 Neutral	$6.58B	10.88	6.59%	5.04%	24.65%	0.99%

Southern First Bancshares Corporate Events

Southern First Bancshares Announces Share Repurchase Plan

Southern First Bancshares, Inc. has announced a share repurchase plan authorizing the buyback of up to $5 million, or approximately 2%, of its common stock. This initiative is aimed at providing capital management opportunities, with the flexibility to adjust based on market conditions, stock prices, and regulatory requirements, although the company is not obligated to repurchase any shares.

The most recent analyst rating on (SFST) stock is a Buy with a $43.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Southern First Bancshares stock, see the SFST Stock Forecast page.

Southern First Bancshares Appoints Three New Directors

On June 1, 2025, Southern First Bancshares, Inc. and Southern First Bank announced the appointment of three new directors: Ms. Jennifer S. Cluverius, Mr. Darrin Goss, Sr., and Mr. William M. McClatchey, Jr. These appointments are expected to enhance the company’s governance through their diverse expertise. Ms. Cluverius will serve on the Compensation Committee, Mr. Goss on the Audit Committee, and Mr. McClatchey on the Risk Committee. The new directors bring valuable skills from their respective fields, which are anticipated to positively impact the company’s strategic direction and operational oversight.

Southern First Bancshares Annual Shareholders’ Meeting Highlights

On May 20, 2025, Southern First Bancshares held its Annual Shareholders’ Meeting where 90.38% of the shares were represented. Shareholders approved the election of eight directors for a one-year term, endorsed the executive compensation policies, decided on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation, and ratified the appointment of Elliott Davis, LLC as the independent public accountant.

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.