** Shares of lender First Merchants Corporation FRME.O down 6% at $41.1

** FRME on late Wednesday posted Q2 adjusted net income of $46.4 million, below analysts' estimates of $65 million - data compiled by LSEG

** Provision for credit losses increased to $33 million vs $5.6 million a year earlier

** Analysts at Raymond James said credit metrics softened as two commercial loans placed on nonaccrual drove a higher loss provision

** Four of six analysts rate stock "buy" and two "hold"; their median PT is $48 - data compiled by LSEG

** Including session's move, stock up 9.3% YTD