Core Insights - Charles Schwab Corp. has agreed to acquire Forge Global Holdings Inc. for approximately $660 million, paying $45 per share, which represents a 72% premium over Forge's closing price on Wednesday [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition marks the first deal for Schwab under CEO Rick Wurster, who aims to enhance customer access to private companies as they remain private longer [2]. - Forge Global is a marketplace for trading shares of private companies, aligning with Schwab's strategy to provide retail investors with direct access to these firms [3]. Group 2: Market Performance - Schwab's shares have increased by 27% this year, outperforming the S&P 500's 16% gain, while Forge's shares have surged by 87%, giving it a market capitalization of $355 million [4]. - Following the acquisition announcement, Forge's stock price jumped 63% in early trading on Thursday [4]. Group 3: Industry Context - The acquisition occurs amid a trend where there are more private companies and fewer public companies, highlighting the need for retail investors to access private market opportunities [3]. - Schwab has recently reported strong earnings, with over 1 million new brokerage accounts opened for the fourth consecutive quarter, indicating robust consumer interest in investing [3].