Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (SFST)

Over the last 12 months, Southern First Bancshares' stock price has increased by 55.44%, with a year-to-date return of 1.49%, but in the past month, the stock experienced a decrease of 4.88%. Key events impacting the stock price in the past six months include Southern First reporting its Second Quarter 2025 results, with EPS of $0.81, beating estimates. An article noted that SFST's earnings and book value were rising, with improving asset quality and potential for further margin expansion, leading to a "Buy" rating for the stock. The company reported Third Quarter 2025 results, with EPS of $1.07, surpassing analyst estimates of $0.89. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $46.62, having gained 12.3% over the prior month. A director, David G. Ellison, sold 1,000 shares of company stock. The stock crossed above its 50-day moving average. Zacks Research downgraded Southern First Bancshares from a "strong-buy" to a "hold" rating.

While there is no direct information detailing the seasonality of demand for Southern First Bancshares' specific banking products and services, historical stock performance data suggests some seasonal patterns. Over the last decade, the stock has shown an average gain of almost 10% in November. The company's annual report mentions a general risk of a decline in demand for its products and services, but does not specify any seasonal fluctuations in this demand. Banking products such as checking, savings, and various loans typically experience demand influenced more by economic cycles and interest rate environments rather than distinct seasonal trends.

Southern First Bancshares, Inc. is a regional bank holding company headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, established in 1999, operating as the holding company for Southern First Bank. It operates within the Financials sector, specifically in the Banking Services industry, categorized under Regional & Community Banks or Major Banks. The company's business model is relationship-driven, focusing on personalized service and local decision-making to serve small and midsize businesses, professionals, and individual customers. Its major products and services include a full spectrum of commercial and consumer banking offerings, including deposit products and lending solutions, cash management, treasury services, and digital banking platforms.

The company's branch network and services are primarily concentrated across the Southeastern United States, including Upstate South Carolina, with a strong presence in Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston markets. Southern First Bancshares has also expanded into select markets in neighboring North Carolina, including Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, and the Triangle and Triad regions, as well as Atlanta, Georgia. The bank operates through approximately 8 to 12 retail offices.

Southern First Bancshares aims to be a trusted financial partner for businesses and individuals, operating under a relationship-driven model that emphasizes personalized service and local decision-making. The company's mission centers on providing exceptional client service and building shareholder value through prudent management and organic growth. Southern First Bancshares has received a "Strong Buy" quant rating from Seeking Alpha and is ranked 11th out of 247 regional banks. MarketBeat evaluated the company as scoring higher than 48% of companies and ranking 638th out of 910 stocks in the finance sector.

Southern First Bancshares, Inc. is largely controlled by institutional shareholders, who own approximately 63% to 76.4% of the company's stock. Major institutional owners include FJ Capital Management LLC, T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc., BlackRock, Inc., Endeavour Capital Advisors Inc, Vanguard Group Inc, Dimensional Fund Advisors Lp, Ameriprise Financial Inc, and Rhino Investment Partners, Inc. Individual insiders hold about 6.04% to 7.06% of the stock, and in the past three months, insiders have sold more shares than they have bought.