Question 1

Do analysts prefer BUSE or FRME?

Accepted Answer

First Busey presently has a consensus target price of $32.00, indicating a potential upside of 5.12%. First Merchants has a consensus target price of $49.00, indicating a potential upside of 19.19%. Given First Merchants' higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe First Merchants is more favorable than First Busey. Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score First Busey 0 Sell rating(s) 3 Hold rating(s) 4 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 2.57 First Merchants 0 Sell rating(s) 3 Hold rating(s) 3 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 2.50

Question 2

Is BUSE or FRME a better dividend stock?

Accepted Answer

First Busey pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.4%. First Merchants pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. First Busey pays out 43.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Merchants pays out 47.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Busey has raised its dividend for 10 consecutive years and First Merchants has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years. First Merchants is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Question 3

Which has preferable valuation & earnings, BUSE or FRME?

Accepted Answer

First Merchants has higher revenue and earnings than First Busey. First Busey is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Merchants, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Company Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio First Busey $789.53M 3.18 $135.26M $2.42 12.58 First Merchants $1.05B 2.45 $226M $3.12 13.18

Question 4

Do institutionals and insiders hold more shares of BUSE or FRME?

Accepted Answer

56.5% of First Busey shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 73.9% of First Merchants shares are held by institutional investors. 3.8% of First Busey shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.8% of First Merchants shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Question 5

Is BUSE or FRME more profitable?

Accepted Answer

First Busey has a net margin of 21.00% compared to First Merchants' net margin of 17.05%. First Busey's return on equity of 10.48% beat First Merchants' return on equity. Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets First Busey 21.00% 10.48% 1.40% First Merchants 17.05% 8.86% 1.12%

Question 6

Which has more risk and volatility, BUSE or FRME?

Accepted Answer

First Busey has a beta of 0.71, suggesting that its share price is 29% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Merchants has a beta of 0.84, suggesting that its share price is 16% less volatile than the broader market.

Question 7

Does the media prefer BUSE or FRME?

Accepted Answer

In the previous week, First Busey had 1 more articles in the media than First Merchants. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for First Busey and 3 mentions for First Merchants. First Merchants' average media sentiment score of 1.78 beat First Busey's score of 0.85 indicating that First Merchants is being referred to more favorably in the news media. Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment First Busey 1 Very Positive mention(s) 0 Positive mention(s) 2 Neutral mention(s) 0 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Positive First Merchants 2 Very Positive mention(s) 0 Positive mention(s) 0 Neutral mention(s) 0 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Very Positive

Question 8

Do analysts recommend CATY or FRME?

Accepted Answer

Cathay General Bancorp currently has a consensus price target of $62.25, suggesting a potential upside of 0.39%. First Merchants has a consensus price target of $49.00, suggesting a potential upside of 19.19%. Given First Merchants' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe First Merchants is more favorable than Cathay General Bancorp. Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Cathay General Bancorp 1 Sell rating(s) 4 Hold rating(s) 1 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 2.00 First Merchants 0 Sell rating(s) 3 Hold rating(s) 3 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 2.50

Question 9

Is CATY or FRME a better dividend stock?

Accepted Answer

Cathay General Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $1.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. First Merchants pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. Cathay General Bancorp pays out 29.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Merchants pays out 47.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Merchants has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years. First Merchants is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Question 10

Which has better valuation and earnings, CATY or FRME?

Accepted Answer

Cathay General Bancorp has higher revenue and earnings than First Merchants. Cathay General Bancorp is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Merchants, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Company Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Cathay General Bancorp $1.38B 2.99 $315.12M $5.12 12.11 First Merchants $1.05B 2.45 $226M $3.12 13.18

Question 11

Do insiders and institutionals hold more shares of CATY or FRME?

Accepted Answer

75.0% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 73.9% of First Merchants shares are held by institutional investors. 4.5% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.8% of First Merchants shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Question 12

Is CATY or FRME more profitable?

Accepted Answer

Cathay General Bancorp has a net margin of 24.66% compared to First Merchants' net margin of 17.05%. Cathay General Bancorp's return on equity of 11.71% beat First Merchants' return on equity. Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Cathay General Bancorp 24.66% 11.71% 1.43% First Merchants 17.05% 8.86% 1.12%

Question 13

Which has more risk & volatility, CATY or FRME?

Accepted Answer

Cathay General Bancorp has a beta of 0.85, indicating that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Merchants has a beta of 0.84, indicating that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the broader market.

Question 14

Does the media prefer CATY or FRME?

Accepted Answer

In the previous week, Cathay General Bancorp and Cathay General Bancorp both had 3 articles in the media. First Merchants' average media sentiment score of 1.78 beat Cathay General Bancorp's score of 1.69 indicating that First Merchants is being referred to more favorably in the news media. Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment Cathay General Bancorp 2 Very Positive mention(s) 0 Positive mention(s) 0 Neutral mention(s) 0 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Very Positive First Merchants 2 Very Positive mention(s) 0 Positive mention(s) 0 Neutral mention(s) 0 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Very Positive

Question 15

Do analysts rate EFSC or FRME?

Accepted Answer

Enterprise Financial Services presently has a consensus price target of $70.00, indicating a potential upside of 9.15%. First Merchants has a consensus price target of $49.00, indicating a potential upside of 19.19%. Given First Merchants' higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe First Merchants is more favorable than Enterprise Financial Services. Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Enterprise Financial Services 0 Sell rating(s) 1 Hold rating(s) 4 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 2.80 First Merchants 0 Sell rating(s) 3 Hold rating(s) 3 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 2.50

Question 16

Is EFSC or FRME a better dividend stock?

Accepted Answer

Enterprise Financial Services pays an annual dividend of $1.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. First Merchants pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. Enterprise Financial Services pays out 27.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Merchants pays out 47.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Enterprise Financial Services has raised its dividend for 11 consecutive years and First Merchants has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years. First Merchants is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Question 17

Which has preferable earnings & valuation, EFSC or FRME?

Accepted Answer

First Merchants has higher revenue and earnings than Enterprise Financial Services. Enterprise Financial Services is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Merchants, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Company Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Enterprise Financial Services $1.00B 2.32 $201.37M $5.03 12.75 First Merchants $1.05B 2.45 $226M $3.12 13.18

Question 18

Do institutionals and insiders believe in EFSC or FRME?

Accepted Answer

72.2% of Enterprise Financial Services shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 73.9% of First Merchants shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.2% of Enterprise Financial Services shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.8% of First Merchants shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Question 19

Is EFSC or FRME more profitable?

Accepted Answer

Enterprise Financial Services has a net margin of 18.72% compared to First Merchants' net margin of 17.05%. Enterprise Financial Services' return on equity of 9.70% beat First Merchants' return on equity. Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Enterprise Financial Services 18.72% 9.70% 1.11% First Merchants 17.05% 8.86% 1.12%

Question 20

Which has more risk & volatility, EFSC or FRME?

Accepted Answer

Enterprise Financial Services has a beta of 0.78, meaning that its share price is 22% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Merchants has a beta of 0.84, meaning that its share price is 16% less volatile than the broader market.

Question 21

Does the media refer more to EFSC or FRME?

Accepted Answer

In the previous week, Enterprise Financial Services and Enterprise Financial Services both had 3 articles in the media. First Merchants' average media sentiment score of 1.78 beat Enterprise Financial Services' score of 0.97 indicating that First Merchants is being referred to more favorably in the news media. Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment Enterprise Financial Services 2 Very Positive mention(s) 0 Positive mention(s) 0 Neutral mention(s) 0 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Positive First Merchants 2 Very Positive mention(s) 0 Positive mention(s) 0 Neutral mention(s) 0 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Very Positive

Question 22

Do analysts rate FRME or FFBC?

Accepted Answer

First Merchants currently has a consensus target price of $49.00, suggesting a potential upside of 19.19%. First Financial Bancorp. has a consensus target price of $33.67, suggesting a potential upside of 3.59%. Given First Merchants' higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe First Merchants is more favorable than First Financial Bancorp.. Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score First Merchants 0 Sell rating(s) 3 Hold rating(s) 3 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 2.50 First Financial Bancorp. 0 Sell rating(s) 4 Hold rating(s) 4 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 2.50

Question 23

Is FRME or FFBC a better dividend stock?

Accepted Answer

First Merchants pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. First Merchants pays out 47.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 36.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Merchants has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years and First Financial Bancorp. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. First Merchants is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Question 24

Which has preferable valuation and earnings, FRME or FFBC?

Accepted Answer

First Financial Bancorp. has higher revenue and earnings than First Merchants. First Financial Bancorp. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Merchants, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Company Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio First Merchants $1.05B 2.45 $226M $3.12 13.18 First Financial Bancorp. $1.26B 2.71 $255.60M $2.83 11.48

Question 25

Do insiders & institutionals believe in FRME or FFBC?

Accepted Answer

73.9% of First Merchants shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by institutional investors. 1.8% of First Merchants shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Question 26

Is FRME or FFBC more profitable?

Accepted Answer

First Financial Bancorp. has a net margin of 20.77% compared to First Merchants' net margin of 17.05%. First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity of 11.13% beat First Merchants' return on equity. Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets First Merchants 17.05% 8.86% 1.12% First Financial Bancorp. 20.77% 11.13% 1.49%

Question 27

Which has more volatility and risk, FRME or FFBC?

Accepted Answer

First Merchants has a beta of 0.84, meaning that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.91, meaning that its stock price is 9% less volatile than the broader market.

Question 28

Does the media prefer FRME or FFBC?

Accepted Answer

In the previous week, First Financial Bancorp. had 1 more articles in the media than First Merchants. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for First Financial Bancorp. and 3 mentions for First Merchants. First Merchants' average media sentiment score of 1.78 beat First Financial Bancorp.'s score of 1.41 indicating that First Merchants is being referred to more favorably in the media. Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment First Merchants 2 Very Positive mention(s) 0 Positive mention(s) 0 Neutral mention(s) 0 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Very Positive First Financial Bancorp. 3 Very Positive mention(s) 0 Positive mention(s) 0 Neutral mention(s) 0 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Positive

Question 29

Do analysts prefer FRME or FULT?

Accepted Answer

First Merchants currently has a consensus price target of $49.00, suggesting a potential upside of 19.19%. Fulton Financial has a consensus price target of $24.75, suggesting a potential upside of 4.87%. Given First Merchants' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe First Merchants is more favorable than Fulton Financial. Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score First Merchants 0 Sell rating(s) 3 Hold rating(s) 3 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 2.50 Fulton Financial 0 Sell rating(s) 4 Hold rating(s) 2 Buy rating(s) 0 Strong Buy rating(s) 2.33

Question 30

Is FRME or FULT a better dividend stock?

Accepted Answer

First Merchants pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. Fulton Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.76 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. First Merchants pays out 47.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Fulton Financial pays out 36.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Merchants has increased its dividend for 13 consecutive years and Fulton Financial has increased its dividend for 4 consecutive years. First Merchants is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Question 31

Which has stronger valuation and earnings, FRME or FULT?

Accepted Answer

Fulton Financial has higher revenue and earnings than First Merchants. Fulton Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Merchants, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Company Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio First Merchants $1.05B 2.45 $226M $3.12 13.18 Fulton Financial $1.89B 2.38 $391.61M $2.09 11.29

Question 32

Do insiders & institutionals believe in FRME or FULT?

Accepted Answer

73.9% of First Merchants shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.0% of Fulton Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.8% of First Merchants shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.0% of Fulton Financial shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Question 33

Is FRME or FULT more profitable?

Accepted Answer

Fulton Financial has a net margin of 20.63% compared to First Merchants' net margin of 17.05%. Fulton Financial's return on equity of 12.68% beat First Merchants' return on equity. Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets First Merchants 17.05% 8.86% 1.12% Fulton Financial 20.63% 12.68% 1.30%

Question 34

Which has more risk & volatility, FRME or FULT?

Accepted Answer

First Merchants has a beta of 0.84, indicating that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Fulton Financial has a beta of 0.78, indicating that its stock price is 22% less volatile than the broader market.

Question 35

Does the media prefer FRME or FULT?

Accepted Answer

In the previous week, Fulton Financial had 1 more articles in the media than First Merchants. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for Fulton Financial and 3 mentions for First Merchants. First Merchants' average media sentiment score of 1.78 beat Fulton Financial's score of 0.64 indicating that First Merchants is being referred to more favorably in the media. Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment First Merchants 2 Very Positive mention(s) 0 Positive mention(s) 0 Neutral mention(s) 0 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Very Positive Fulton Financial 1 Very Positive mention(s) 1 Positive mention(s) 1 Neutral mention(s) 0 Negative mention(s) 0 Very Negative mention(s) Positive

Metric	First Merchants	Banks Industry	Finance Sector	NASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap	$2.58B	$23.86B	$14.01B	$12.71B
Dividend Yield	3.60%	3.17%	5.94%	11.16%
P/E Ratio	13.18	27.19	25.67	25.27
Price / Sales	2.45	9.64	509.92	88.20
Price / Cash	9.29	16.13	40.16	51.44
Price / Book	0.97	1.39	2.75	6.20
Net Income	$226M	$2.58B	$1.32B	$358.27M
7 Day Performance	-2.26%	-0.52%	-1.17%	-2.36%
1 Month Performance	-4.93%	-0.02%	0.26%	-2.77%
1 Year Performance	2.70%	23.58%	9.27%	7.64%

Company	MarketRank	Share Price	Analysts' Price Target	1Y Price Performance	Market Cap	Revenue	P/E Ratio	Employee Count	Indicator(s)
FRME First Merchants	4.741 of 5 stars	$41.11 +0.0%	$49.00 +19.2%	+1.8%	$2.58B	$1.05B	13.18	2,086	Positive News
BUSE First Busey	3.6903 of 5 stars	$30.55 -0.4%	$32.00 +4.8%	+23.6%	$2.52B	$1.04B	12.62	1,948	Positive News
CATY Cathay General Bancorp	2.7608 of 5 stars	$62.20 -0.8%	$62.25 +0.1%	+25.9%	$4.15B	$870.57M	12.15	1,268	Positive News
EFSC Enterprise Financial Services	4.0159 of 5 stars	$64.35 -0.5%	$70.00 +8.8%	+4.7%	$2.33B	$1.00B	12.79	1,418
FFBC First Financial Bancorp.	2.8613 of 5 stars	$32.83 -0.5%	$33.67 +2.6%	+24.3%	$3.45B	$1.26B	11.60	2,199	News Coverage

First Merchants (FRME) Competitors

FRME vs. BUSE, CATY, EFSC, FFBC, and FULT

How does First Merchants compare to First Busey?

Summary

How does First Merchants compare to Cathay General Bancorp?

Summary

How does First Merchants compare to Enterprise Financial Services?

Summary

How does First Merchants compare to First Financial Bancorp.?

Summary

How does First Merchants compare to Fulton Financial?

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First Merchants (FRME) Competitors

FRME vs. BUSE, CATY, EFSC, FFBC, and FULT

How does First Merchants compare to First Busey?

Is BUSE or FRME more profitable?

Do institutionals and insiders hold more shares of BUSE or FRME?

Do analysts prefer BUSE or FRME?

Does the media prefer BUSE or FRME?

Which has preferable valuation & earnings, BUSE or FRME?

Is BUSE or FRME a better dividend stock?

Which has more risk and volatility, BUSE or FRME?

Summary

How does First Merchants compare to Cathay General Bancorp?

Does the media prefer CATY or FRME?

Which has better valuation and earnings, CATY or FRME?

Which has more risk & volatility, CATY or FRME?

Is CATY or FRME a better dividend stock?

Is CATY or FRME more profitable?

Do analysts recommend CATY or FRME?

Do insiders and institutionals hold more shares of CATY or FRME?

Summary

How does First Merchants compare to Enterprise Financial Services?

Is EFSC or FRME a better dividend stock?

Do institutionals and insiders believe in EFSC or FRME?

Does the media refer more to EFSC or FRME?

Which has preferable earnings & valuation, EFSC or FRME?

Do analysts rate EFSC or FRME?

Is EFSC or FRME more profitable?

Which has more risk & volatility, EFSC or FRME?

Summary

How does First Merchants compare to First Financial Bancorp.?

Do analysts rate FRME or FFBC?

Is FRME or FFBC more profitable?

Which has more volatility and risk, FRME or FFBC?

Is FRME or FFBC a better dividend stock?

Does the media prefer FRME or FFBC?

Do insiders & institutionals believe in FRME or FFBC?

Which has preferable valuation and earnings, FRME or FFBC?

Summary

How does First Merchants compare to Fulton Financial?

Is FRME or FULT a better dividend stock?

Is FRME or FULT more profitable?

Do analysts prefer FRME or FULT?

Does the media prefer FRME or FULT?

Do insiders & institutionals believe in FRME or FULT?

Which has more risk & volatility, FRME or FULT?

Which has stronger valuation and earnings, FRME or FULT?

Summary

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Media Sentiment Over Time

FRME vs. The Competition

First Merchants Competitors List

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