For the quarter ended June 2026, Southern First (SFST Quick QuoteSFST - Free Report) reported revenue of $35.88 million, up 25.3% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $1.20, compared to $0.81 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $36.16 million, representing a surprise of -0.78%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +0.84%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $1.19.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Southern First performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Efficiency ratio: 56.8% versus 56.1% estimated by two analysts on average.
• Net Interest Margin: 2.9% compared to the 3% average estimate based on two analysts.
• Total Noninterest Income: $3.51 million versus $3.75 million estimated by two analysts on average.
• Net Interest Income: $32.37 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $32.34 million.

View all Key Company Metrics for Southern First here>>>

Shares of Southern First have returned +4.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.6% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.