Home / Leaderboard / First Merchants Bank
First Merchants Bank
Marcos Nogués · Bank/Insurer · Value
First Merchants Bank is a prominent financial institution headquartered in Muncie, Indiana, with a history dating back to 1893. As a leading financial holding company in the Midwest, it operates over 100 locations across Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. The bank provides a full spectrum of services, including commercial and personal banking, as well as specialized trust and investment advisory services through its Private Wealth Advisors division. Known for its community-focused approach, First Merchants emphasizes personal service and localized decision-making to enhance the financial wellness of the diverse communities and businesses it serves.
Simulated Performance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total return | +21.6% |
| YTD return | +11.9% |
| Sharpe ratio | 3.89 |
| Win rate | 68% |
| AUM | $0.6B |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Updated | Sep 4, 2026 |
Institution Status
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| AUM | $0.6B |
| Turnover | Low (<15%) |
| Avg holding | 18 Months |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Website | https://www.firstmerchants.com |
Current Holdings
Updated on Sep 4, 2026.
| Ticker | Name | Portfolio % | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOOGL | Alphabet Inc Class A | 10.2% | +32.8% |
| LLY | Eli Lilly and Company | 9.6% | +29.5% |
| AAPL | Apple Inc | 9.4% | +22.3% |
| AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 8.8% | +5.1% |
| MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 8.0% | +1.8% |
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 5.8% | +21.1% |
| AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 5.6% | +13.0% |
| LRCX | Lam Research Corp | 5.5% | +80.7% |
| APH | Amphenol Corporation | 5.0% | +30.2% |
| JPM | JPMorgan Chase & Co | 5.0% | +14.6% |
| V | Visa Inc. Class A | 3.9% | +8.4% |
| FRME | First Merchants Corporation | 3.6% | +10.7% |
| SYK | Stryker Corporation | 3.3% | -14.7% |
| WMT | Walmart Inc. Common Stock | 2.7% | +3.4% |
| FTNT | Fortinet Inc | 2.5% | +13.1% |
| TJX | The TJX Companies Inc | 2.5% | -9.4% |
| ABBV | AbbVie Inc | 2.3% | +0.2% |
| CB | Chubb Ltd | 2.2% | +4.2% |
| SCHW | Charles Schwab Corp | 2.2% | -1.4% |
| COST | Costco Wholesale Corp | 2.1% | -1.7% |
Recent activity
| Date | Action | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 2026 | SELL | CB | 2.3% → 2.2% |
| Aug 17, 2026 | BUY | MSFT | 8.1% → 8.0% |
| Aug 17, 2026 | SELL | NVDA | 5.7% → 5.8% |
| Aug 17, 2026 | BUY | LLY | 9.3% → 9.6% |
| Aug 17, 2026 | SELL | APH | 4.9% → 5.0% |
Investment Style Analysis
First Merchants Bank is widely recognized for employing a Value strategy. As of Sep 4, 2026, the firm oversees approximately $0.6B in assets under management (AUM). The portfolio demonstrates a clear preference for the Semiconductors and Drug Manufacturers - General sectors, reflecting a high-conviction approach to capital allocation.
Recent Market Moves
During the latest rebalancing period ending Aug 17, First Merchants Bank made a significant move by reducing the position in CB. This adjustment aligns with the fund's dynamic approach to risk management and capital deployment in current market conditions.
Investment Philosophy
First Merchants Bank follows a disciplined, long-term, and value-oriented investment philosophy. Their equity strategy primarily focuses on selecting common stocks from the Russell 1000 universe, utilizing a combination of internal proprietary research and external data from leading investment firms. The institution treats fixed-income investments as a vital source of current income and a tool for reducing overall portfolio market price volatility. To achieve optimal diversification, they employ an open-architecture approach, selecting best-in-class mutual fund and ETF managers to provide exposure to specialized asset classes like international equities and commercial real estate.
Disclaimer
The content provided on this page, including the simulated portfolio performance, holdings analysis, and AI-generated insights, is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. All data is derived from historical SEC 13F filings and other public disclosures, which have a reporting lag. The "Simulated Performance" is a hypothetical reconstruction based on past disclosures and does not represent the actual returns of the institution. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Tritonix.ai is not affiliated with First Merchants Bank.
Similar Investment Style
Based on Value.
- Corstar Holdings, Inc. — Jeffrey J. Michael · 3M +14.0%
- Systematic Financial Management LP — Kenneth Burgess · 3M -7.0%
- Penn Capital Management Company, LLC — Richard A. Hocker · 3M -3.9%
- Reinhart Partners, LLC — James Reinhart · 3M +5.5%
Frequently asked questions
How is the simulated portfolio for First Merchants Bank constructed?
This simulation is powered by Tritonix AI using official SEC filings. We focus on the "Best Ideas" by filtering for only the Top 20 largest holdings and rebalancing them to 100%. The simulation tracks performance starting from Oct 1, 2025. Our AI monitors for updates every Monday to capture major shifts. This concentrated approach highlights the manager's true stock-picking skill and mirrors their actual investment returns.
What is First Merchants Bank's largest holding?
As of the latest filing, First Merchants Bank's top position is Alphabet Inc Class A (GOOGL), representing 10.2% of the portfolio. This reflects a high-conviction bet by the institution.
What is First Merchants Bank's historical performance and risk profile?
Our simulation indicates a total return of +21.6% with a win rate of 68%. Notably, the portfolio maintains a Sharpe Ratio of 3.89, suggesting an exceptional level of risk-adjusted returns compared to the broader market.
What sectors does First Merchants Bank primarily invest in?
First Merchants Bank has a strong preference for the Semiconductors sector, which makes up 14.5% of their disclosed assets. The portfolio also has exposure to Drug Manufacturers - General, indicating a specific thematic focus.
Is First Merchants Bank's portfolio concentrated or diversified?
First Merchants Bank runs a moderately concentrated portfolio with 20 disclosed positions. The top 3 holdings alone account for 29.2% of the total portfolio weight, suggesting a strategy that favors broader market exposure.
How has First Merchants Bank performed in 2026?
Our AI-simulated model portfolio for First Merchants Bank tracks a Year-to-Date (YTD) return of +11.9%. This metric helps investors gauge the institution's effectiveness in the current market environment.
Does Marcos Nogués manage First Merchants Bank directly?
Yes, Marcos Nogués serves as the key portfolio manager for First Merchants Bank, overseeing the investment strategy and final capital allocation decisions.