Business First Bancshares Inc. reported third-quarter profit of $24.6 million, or 71 cents per share, while adjusted earnings excluding merger-related and non-recurring costs reached 79 cents per share. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based bank exceeded the 74-cent average earnings forecast from three analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research. Revenue totaled $140 million, while revenue net of interest expense was $93.2 million, below the $93.6 million average estimate from four Zacks-surveyed analysts. Business First shares have gained 22% since the start of the year and 27% over the past 12 months.