First Merchants (FRME) News Today

First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, August 16th. Investors of record on Friday, September 6th will be paid a dividend of 0.35 per share by the bank on Friday, September 20th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.67%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th.

Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 246,847 shares of the bank's

Principal Financial Group Inc. trimmed its stake in shares of First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Free Report) by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 874,567 shares of the bank's stock afte

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $45.00 price target on shares of First Merchants in a research report on Wednesday.

First Merchants Corp lifted its position in shares of First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Free Report) by 457.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 581,863 shares of the bank's stock after purchasing an additional 4

First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the five brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recomm

First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totalling 716,900 shares, a growth of 14.7% from the July 15th total of 625,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 252,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.8 days.

Hovde Group began coverage on shares of First Merchants in a research report on Monday. They set a "market perform" rating and a $38.00 target price for the company.

Stephens cut shares of First Merchants from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and cut their price target for the stock from $45.00 to $38.00 in a report on Wednesday.

Boston Partners cut its stake in shares of First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Free Report) by 3.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 828,212 shares of the bank's stock after selling 32,394 shares duri

Vanguard Group Inc. decreased its position in First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Free Report) by 0.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,530,311 shares of the bank's stock after selling 41,228 shares during the quart

Shares of First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of "Buy" from the four ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 12 month price o

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods restated an "outperform" rating and set a $45.00 price target (up from $43.00) on shares of First Merchants in a report on Monday.

Piper Sandler raised their target price on shares of First Merchants from $41.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday.

First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totalling 625,200 shares, a growth of 24.6% from the June 30th total of 501,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 248,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.5 days.

First Merchants (NASDAQ:FRME - Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The bank reported $0.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.78 by ($0.10). First Merchants had a return on equity of 9.20% and a net margin of 17.77%. The firm had revenue of $267.72 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $156.35 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.02 EPS.

State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System boosted its stake in shares of First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Free Report) by 84.1% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 31,082 sh

First Merchants (NASDAQ:FRME) Hits New 52-Week High at $40.21

Sei Investments Co. trimmed its position in shares of First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Free Report) by 29.8% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 203,450 shares of the bank's stock after selling 86,385 shar

BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. grew its position in shares of First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Free Report) by 21.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 154,379 shares of the bank's

First Merchants (NASDAQ:FRME) will be releasing earnings before the market opens on Thursday, July 25, Zacks reports. (Register for Conference Call at http://mmm.wallstreethorizon.com/u.asp?u=606206)

First Merchants (NASDAQ:FRME) Hits New 52-Week High at $38.29

First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 501,700 shares, an increase of 26.0% from the June 15th total of 398,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 233,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.1 days.

Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in shares of First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Free Report) by 40.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 184,862 shares of the bank's stock after acquiring an additional 53,463 shares during the quarter. Empow

Denali Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Free Report) by 37.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 146,377 shares of the bank's stock after acquiring

Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Free Report) by 0.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,571,539 shares of the bank's stock after purchasing an additional 32,12

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company decreased its holdings in shares of First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Free Report) by 8.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 733,092 shares of the ban

Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado lifted its position in First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Free Report) by 4,586.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 700,711 shares of the bank

First Merchants (NASDAQ:FRME) Sees Strong Trading Volume

Norges Bank purchased a new stake in First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 388,340 shares of the bank's stock, valued at approximately $14,400,000. Norges B

Elizabeth Park Capital Advisors Ltd. bought a new position in First Merchants Co. (NASDAQ:FRME - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 52,989 shares of the bank's stock, valued at approximately $1,9