SCHEDULE: Fourthstone Discloses 7.09% Passive Stake in Investar Holding

Fourthstone LLC and its affiliates have reported a passive beneficial ownership of 7.09% of Investar Holding Corp's common stock as of December 31, 2025.

Summary

• Fourthstone LLC, along with its affiliated entities and L. Phillip Stone, IV, collectively reported beneficial ownership of 695,992 shares of Investar Holding Corp's common stock.
• This stake represents 7.09% of the total outstanding common stock of Investar Holding Corp.
• The ownership is held for investment purposes in the ordinary course of business and not with the intent to influence or change control of the issuer.
• The percentage is calculated based on 9,810,435 shares outstanding as of November 3, 2025, as reported in Investar Holding Corp's Form 10-Q filed on November 5, 2025.
• Fourthstone Master Opportunity Fund Ltd holds 549,944 shares (5.61%), Fourthstone GP LLC holds 146,048 shares (1.49%), Fourthstone QP Opportunity Fund LP holds 144,396 shares (1.47%), and Fourthstone Small-Cap Financials Fund LP holds 1,652 shares (0.02%).

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this filing as moderately positive, as it indicates a significant, passive institutional investment in Investar Holding Corp, suggesting confidence from a professional investment adviser without the immediate threat of activist intervention.

Positives

• Increased institutional ownership by Fourthstone LLC and its affiliates may signal confidence in Investar Holding Corp's long-term prospects.
• The passive nature of the investment (Schedule 13G filing) indicates that Fourthstone is not seeking to influence management or control, which can be viewed positively by current management.

Future Outlook

NA

Management Comments

• The securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under §§ 240.14a-11.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that institutional filings like this Schedule 13G provide transparency into significant ownership stakes, which can be a bellwether for investor sentiment in the financial services sector. A new or increased passive stake by an investment adviser like Fourthstone LLC typically suggests a belief in the long-term value of the underlying company without immediate intentions for corporate activism.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: May view the significant institutional ownership as a positive signal of confidence in the company's value.
• Management: The passive nature of the investment suggests no immediate challenge to current management or strategic direction.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Schedule 13G filing primarily serves as a disclosure of a significant passive ownership stake by Fourthstone LLC and its affiliates. While institutional investment can be a positive signal, the filing itself does not provide new financial performance data, strategic shifts, or other material information that would warrant a change in investment recommendation. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate, maintaining existing positions based on broader company fundamentals rather than this specific ownership disclosure.

Keywords

Investar Holding Corp, Fourthstone LLC, Beneficial Ownership, Schedule 13G, Common Stock, Institutional Investor, Financial Services, Banking Sector