First Merchants (FRME Quick QuoteFRME - Free Report) reported $205.33 million in revenue for the quarter ended September 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 23.6%. EPS of $1.10 for the same period compares to $0.99 a year ago.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +0.67% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $203.97 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $1.04, the EPS surprise was +5.77%.

While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how First Merchants performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Efficiency Ratio: 54.6% compared to the 55.1% average estimate based on four analysts.
• Net Interest Margin (FTE): 3.4% versus the four-analyst average estimate of 3.4%.
• Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) as % of Average Loans (Annualized): 0.8% compared to the 0.8% average estimate based on three analysts.
• Average Balance - Total Earning Assets: $19.43 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $19.7 billion.
• Net gains and fees on sales of loans: $7.43 million compared to the $7.37 million average estimate based on four analysts.
• Total Non-Interest Income: $38.01 million versus $37.35 million estimated by four analysts on average.
• Other income: $1.39 million compared to the $1.06 million average estimate based on three analysts.
• Other customer fees: $0.58 million versus $0.81 million estimated by three analysts on average.
• Net Interest Income (FTE): $167.33 million versus $166.6 million estimated by three analysts on average.
• Derivative hedge fees: $1.08 million versus $1.17 million estimated by three analysts on average.
• Card payment fees: $5.61 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $5.39 million.
• Earnings on bank-owned life insurance: $2.35 million versus $2.31 million estimated by three analysts on average.

View all Key Company Metrics for First Merchants here>>>

Shares of First Merchants have returned -1.3% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.