First Merchants Corporation Overview and Industry Comparison

First Merchants Corporation is a bank holding company with a long history dating back to 1893. It has a presence in the Midwest, with a significant number of locations in Indiana.

The company operates as a community bank, focusing on providing financial services to individuals, businesses, and organizations in its local markets. First Merchants has a strong commitment to community development and philanthropy.

First Merchants has a relatively small market capitalization compared to other large banks.

First Merchants Corporation is trading at a significant discount to its estimated fair value, with a stock price that's 47.1% below what analysts think it's worth.

The company has a history of paying a reliable dividend, offering investors a consistent return of 3.15% per year.

First Merchants Corporation has shown impressive financial growth over the years. The company's current share price is $44.44.

The 52-week high for First Merchants stock is $46.13, which is a significant milestone in the company's history. This indicates that the stock has reached a peak value within the past year.

However, the stock has also hit a 52-week low of $30.55, showing that it has fluctuated greatly in value. This volatility can be a concern for investors.

The beta of First Merchants stock is 1.07, which means it is slightly more volatile than the overall market. This is a crucial factor for investors to consider.

In the past month, the stock has experienced a 11.41% increase in value. This is a notable gain for investors who have held onto their shares.

Over the past three months, the stock has seen a 20.14% increase in value. This is a significant boost in a relatively short period.

The stock has also seen a 31.71% increase in value over the past year. This is a substantial gain for investors who have held onto their shares.

Here is a summary of the stock's performance over different time periods:

First Merchants Corporation has a history of paying dividends to its shareholders. The company has been paying quarterly cash dividends since at least 2021.

The dividend payment schedule has been consistent, with dividends typically paid in December, March, June, and September. In 2024, the quarterly dividend was $0.35 per share, with the first payment made on December 20, 2024.

The dividend payment is made to shareholders of record as of the record date, which is typically 10-15 days before the payment date. For example, the dividend payment made on December 20, 2024, was made to shareholders of record as of December 6, 2024.

Here's a summary of the dividend payments made by First Merchants Corporation in 2024:

The company's preferred stock also pays a quarterly cash dividend, with the current dividend rate being $46.88 per share on its 7.50% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock Series A.

Let's take a closer look at the shareholder returns of FRME and how they compare to the broader market and industry. FRME has seen a significant increase in shareholder returns over the past year, with a 31.7% return.

The 7-day return for FRME is 10.1%, which is a notable gain. In contrast, the US Banks industry has seen a 1.4% return over the same period, while the US Market has actually declined by 0.5%.

Here's a summary of the shareholder returns for FRME and its industry peers:

FRME's 1-year return of 31.7% is impressive, but it's worth noting that the US Banks industry actually outperformed FRME with a 42.2% return. On the other hand, FRME exceeded the US Market's 24.3% return over the same period.

First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company that pays a reliable dividend. The company's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol FRME.

First Merchants has declared a cash dividend of $0.35 per share, as well as a quarterly cash dividend of $46.88 per share on its 7.50% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock Series A. The dividend payment for the preferred stock is scheduled for February 15, 2025.

The ex-dividend date for the common stock is set for December 5, 2024, and the dividend will be payable on December 20, 2024. This is a quarterly dividend, and the company has a history of paying dividends on this schedule.

Here is a list of past dividends on First Merchants Corporation:

First Merchants Bank has received numerous recognitions for its excellence in banking and employment practices. It was ranked as one of America's Best Banks by Forbes for the 5th year in a row in June 2022.

First Merchants Bank has also been recognized for being a great employer, being voted 4th in "Great Employers to Work for in Indiana" by the Best Companies Group in May 2022. This is in addition to being listed as one of the “Best Places to Work in Indiana” by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce in 2018 and 2019.

Comparably gives First Merchants Bank an A+ on Culture Score with a 4.7 out of 5 star rating based on 133+ employee survey responses as of June 2022.

First Merchants Bank has been consistently recognized for its excellence in various areas. It was ranked as one of America's Best Banks by Forbes in June 2022, marking the 5th year in a row it received this award.

First Merchants Bank has also been recognized as a top U.S. bank by Forbes, with this ranking being consecutive for the 4th year in March 2021. It was ranked #2 on the “America's Best Bank list in January 2019.

The bank was voted 4th in "Great Employers to Work for in Indiana" by the Best Companies Group in May 2022. First Merchants Bank was listed as one of the “Best Places to Work in Indiana” by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce in 2018 and 2019.

First Merchants Bank has received numerous awards for being a great place to work. Comparably gives the bank an A+ on Culture Score with a 4.7 out of 5 star rating based on 133+ employee survey responses as of June 2022.

First Merchants Bank was rated as one of the best "In-State Banks" by Forbes and Statistica in June 2022. It was also rated as one of the top big banks in the USA by Newsweek magazine in 2022.

Upcoming events are always exciting, and First Merchants Corporation has some notable ones on the horizon. Their Q1 2025 Earnings Release is projected for April 23, 2025.

First Merchants Corporation has several earnings releases scheduled for the upcoming year. The Q2 2025 Earnings Release is projected for July 23, 2025.

You can mark your calendars for these important events. The Q3 2025 Earnings Release is projected for October 27, 2025.

Here are the upcoming earnings release dates for First Merchants Corporation:

Their Q4 2025 Earnings Release is projected for January 21, 2026.

First Merchants Corporation is a leading financial services company in the Midwest. It operates over 130 locations across Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Florida.

The company's banking services include personal and business checking, savings, and loan options, as well as investment and insurance products. First Merchants has a strong presence in the region, with a large network of branches and ATMs.

First Merchants is a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol FRME.

FRME's price volatility is a crucial aspect to consider when evaluating its performance. The company's average weekly movement is 5.8%, which is relatively stable compared to the market average of 6.5%.

The banks industry average movement is 5.1%, indicating that FRME's price volatility is slightly higher than its peers. However, this is still a relatively low volatility compared to the 10% most volatile stocks in the US market, which average a weekly movement of 18.8%.

FRME's weekly volatility has been stable over the past year, with a consistent average weekly movement of 6%. This suggests that investors can expect a relatively stable share price.

Here's a comparison of FRME's volatility with the market and industry averages:

Overall, FRME's price volatility is relatively stable, making it an attractive option for investors seeking a lower-risk investment.

In the banking sector, upgrades and earnings calls are key indicators of a company's performance. Hovde Group upgraded First Merchants to Outperform from Market Perform.

First Merchants Corporation held its Q4 2024 Earnings Call on January 30, 2025. This event likely provided valuable insights into the company's financial performance.

The price target for First Merchants was adjusted to $50 from $42 by Hovde Group. This suggests a significant increase in the company's valuation.