Raymond James Reiterates Buy Rating on First Busey Corporation

On July 1, 2026, Raymond James reiterated its buy rating on First Busey Corporation (NasdaqGS: BUSE), setting a price target of $32. Analyst Daniel Tamayo continues to see potential in the regional bank, which is trading near $29.5 as of Wednesday.

Other Institutional Activity in First Busey Corporation

Several institutional investors have recently adjusted their holdings in First Busey. Wellington Management Group reduced its stake by 767,991 shares, leaving it with about 6.98 million shares valued at $176.36 million, a 9.9% decrease. BlackRock, Inc. trimmed its position slightly by 20,703 shares, ending with roughly 6.97 million shares worth $176.25 million, a 0.3% decrease. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings by 194,343 shares, bringing its total to approximately 5.07 million shares valued at $128.05 million, a 4.0% increase. Vanguard Capital Management LLC opened a new position with about 3.63 million shares valued at $91.61 million. State Street Corp grew its stake by 166,649 shares, now holding about 3.09 million shares valued at $78.07 million, a 5.7% increase.

First Busey Corporation Stock Down 2.6%

Shares of First Busey Corporation (NasdaqGS: BUSE) traded near $29.5 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of around $2.50 billion and a P/E ratio of 12.14, with a forward P/E of 10.87. First Busey has a beta of 0.72, indicating lower volatility compared to the broader market. The stock's 52-week range spans from $21.63 to $30.05, with a 50-day moving average of $27.25 and a 200-day moving average of $25.17.

Recent Earnings

First Busey Corporation reported revenue of approximately $780.66 million, reflecting a modest growth rate of 1.43%. The company achieved a net margin of 27.57% and a return on equity of 9.37%. Earnings per share stood at $2.43. The next earnings report is scheduled for July 28, 2026.

Dividend

The company pays an annual dividend rate of $1.04, yielding 3.53%. Its dividend payout ratio is 41.56%, and the ex-dividend date was not specified.

Insider Buying and Selling at First Busey Corporation

Recent insider activity includes planned sales by Michael David Cassens, who sold 6,278 shares at an average price of $28.99 on June 15, 2026, and 750 shares at $26.11 on May 15, 2026. On the buy side, Stanley Bradshaw purchased 600 shares at $25.99 on May 12, 2026, while Chief Accounting Officer Scott Phillips bought 5,000 shares at $25.90 on May 4, 2026. CFO Christopher H.M. Chan and EVP & General Counsel John Joseph Powers also made smaller purchases on May 1, 2026.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

On July 1, 2026, Raymond James maintained its buy rating with a $32 price target. Piper Sandler also reiterated their buy rating, setting the same target on June 26, 2026. Stephens & Co. maintained a hold rating with a $28 target on April 30, 2026. The consensus among analysts is a buy rating with a mean price target of $29.57 based on seven opinions.

About First Busey Corporation

First Busey Corporation, headquartered in Leawood, Kansas, operates as the bank holding company for Busey Bank. It provides a wide range of retail and commercial banking services, including loans, deposits, and wealth management. The company serves individual, corporate, institutional, and governmental clients across the United States. Founded in 1868, it employs about 1,832 people and is led by CEO Van A. Dukeman.

Bottom Line

First Busey Corporation remains a focus for analysts, with Raymond James reiterating a buy rating. The company's solid financials, including a strong net margin and steady revenue growth, make it a noteworthy player in the regional banking sector. Institutional investors and insiders have been active, indicating a dynamic investment landscape. As always, remember that 13F filings, like those from institutional investors, are backward-looking and may not reflect current positions.