Southern First Bancshares, Inc.
$56.19
-3.5%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.
At a Glance
Live SnapshotIntrinsic Alpha Methodology
Thesis Lenses
Signal
High confidenceValuation multiple is mid-range (P/E 14.9).
Valuation inputs: P/E 14.9, earnings yield +6.7%, momentum -3.5%.
If multiples stay elevated while momentum fades, downside repricing risk rises.
Driver
High confidenceReturn profile is soft (ROE +8.2%, ROIC -0.9%).
Profitability stack: net margin +13.5%, ROE +8.2%, ROIC -0.9%.
Quality deterioration often appears in margins before it shows up in headline EPS.
Risk
High confidenceDownside profile is elevated and scenario stress-testing is essential.
Risk factors: liabilities/assets +91.6%, momentum -3.5%, net margin +13.5%.
Higher leverage with weak momentum and thin margins can amplify drawdown severity.
Southern First Bancshares, Inc. Market vs Earnings Trajectory
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Southern First Bancshares, Inc. Fair Value Envelope
Southern First Bancshares, Inc. Profit Bridge
Profitability Analysis
Gross Margin
Exceptional pricing power and cost management. The company retains over half of revenue after direct costs.
Operating Margin
Healthy operating margins demonstrate effective cost control and strong business fundamentals.
Net Profit Margin
Strong net margins indicate efficient operations and favorable tax/interest management.
Effective Tax Rate
Moderate tax rate typical for most corporations. Represents standard tax burden on profits.
Profitability Insight
Room for improvement: Moderate profitability with opportunities to enhance margins through better cost management or pricing strategy.
Southern First Bancshares, Inc. Cash Conversion Engine
Cash Flow Quality Analysis
FCF Conversion Rate
Strong cash conversion. Most reported earnings translate into actual cash flow, suggesting solid fundamentals.
CapEx Intensity
Asset-light business model. Low capital requirements leave more cash available for shareholders and growth investments.
FCF Growth Trend
Strong FCF growth demonstrates improving cash generation and business momentum. Positive signal for sustainability.
Working Capital Impact
Minimal working capital impact on FCF. Changes in operating assets and liabilities well-managed.
Cash Flow Quality Insight
Asset-light with strong cash conversion: Low capital requirements combined with efficient cash generation creates significant shareholder value through dividends, buybacks, or strategic investments.
Southern First Bancshares, Inc. Funding & Solvency Profile
Financial Health Analysis
Current Ratio
Warning: Liquidity concerns. Current assets may not be sufficient to cover short-term obligations.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
High financial leverage. Heavy reliance on debt may indicate increased financial risk and potential solvency concerns.
Working Capital
Negative working capital indicates short-term liabilities exceed short-term assets—potential liquidity stress.
Asset Composition
Capital-intensive business with significant long-term investments in property, equipment, or intangibles.
Financial Health Insight
Financial stress indicators: Both liquidity and leverage metrics raise concerns. The company may face challenges meeting obligations and should focus on strengthening its balance sheet.
Southern First Bancshares, Inc. Street Expectations Map
Wall Street analysts project that SFST stock may rise significantly over the coming 12 months. The consensus 1-year price target stands at 64.00, with estimates ranging from a low of 64.00 to a high of 64.00.
The consensus 1-year price target stands at 64.00, with estimates ranging from a low of 64.00 to a high of 64.00.
Analyst Consensus Analysis
Upside Potential
Moderate upside. Analysts expect positive returns but with limited margin of safety. Consider entry timing.
Analyst Agreement
High analyst agreement. Narrow target range indicates strong consensus on valuation, suggesting clear investment thesis and predictable outlook.
Analyst Conviction
Positive outlook with reasonable agreement. Analysts generally optimistic about prospects with manageable uncertainty.
Market Sentiment Insight
Monitor and evaluate: Current analyst consensus suggests limited conviction or near-term catalysts. Stay informed on company developments and reassess positioning as new information emerges.
Southern First Bancshares, Inc. Insider Positioning
During the last 12 months, insiders have purchased $44K and sold $888K worth of SFST shares, resulting in $844K of net selling activity.
3 Months
400
20.94K
0
0.00
+21K
+$21K
3-6 Months
0
0.00
13.6K
763.50K
-764K
-$764K
6-9 Months
525
23.01K
1.3K
66.30K
-43K
-$43K
9-12 Months
0
0.00
1.6K
57.77K
-58K
-$58K
Top Buyers
Maner William Iv
Director
$21K
Ellison David G
Director
$13K
Locke Anna T
Director
$10K
Top Sellers
Seaver R Arthur Jr
Director, Officer: Chief Executive Officer
$551K
King Silvia T
Officer: Chief Human Resources Officer
$159K
Fairchild Julie Ann
Officer: Chief Accounting Officer
$66K
Ellison David G
Director
$53K
Cubbage Leighton M
Director
$40K
Insider Activity Analysis
Net Insider Sentiment
Strong bearish signal with $844K net selling. Heavy insider selling may indicate concerns about valuation or near-term prospects.
Buy/Sell Ratio
Very poor ratio. Heavy selling with minimal buying suggests insiders may be concerned about valuation or outlook.
Recent Trend (3 Months)
Very strong recent buying momentum. Recent insider purchases significantly outpace sales, suggesting near-term optimism.
Insider Participation
5 insider sellers vs. 3 buyers. More insiders selling than buying suggests cautious or negative sentiment.
No Dividend Yield Data
SFST has not reported any dividend yield values in the available annual periods.
sfst Dividend History
Learning Layer
Related Guides
Build conviction on SFST by pairing this stock hub with focused valuation guides.
Research Paths
Snapshot
Start with context, operating signals, and key market metrics.
Value Model
Stress test fair value across bear, base, and bull assumptions.
Statements
Validate revenue quality, margins, and balance sheet durability.
Earnings Call
Read management commentary and compare it with reported outcomes.
Dividends
Check payout sustainability and long-term distribution behavior.
Analyst Expectations
Review consensus spread and where estimate risk is concentrated.