Core Viewpoint - LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA) has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Commonwealth Financial Network for approximately $2.7 billion in an all-cash transaction, despite a 2.9% decline in LPLA shares during the trading session following the announcement [1]. Group 1: Deal Details - LPL Financial will acquire 100% of Commonwealth Financial's shares, with the deal expected to close in the second half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions [2]. - The integration of Commonwealth Financial is planned to be completed by mid-2026 [2]. Group 2: Commonwealth Financial Overview - Commonwealth Financial, based in Waltham, MA, is the largest independently owned wealth management firm in the U.S., founded in 1979 [3]. - As of December 31, 2024, Commonwealth Financial managed approximately $285 billion in assets and had client cash sweep balances of about $6 billion [3]. Group 3: Management and Integration - Upon completion of the deal, Wayne Bloom, CEO of Commonwealth Financial, will join LPL Financial's management committee and continue to lead the Commonwealth community [4]. - LPL Financial plans to launch an office of Advisor Advocacy in collaboration with Bloom and its leadership team [4]. Group 4: Financing and Costs - LPL Financial intends to finance the acquisition through a mix of corporate cash, debt, and equity, including a public offering of nearly 4.7 million shares at $320 per share, expected to close on April 2, 2025 [5]. - The company anticipates incurring approximately $485 million in one-time onboarding and integration expenses, with around $155 million allocated for technology expenses [7]. Group 5: Strategic Rationale - The acquisition is expected to expand LPL Financial's advisor base and enhance the advisory experience, thereby strengthening its position in the independent advisory space [6]. - The deal is projected to be accretive to LPLA's adjusted earnings per share in the low single-digit range for 2026, with an estimated EBITDA accretion of approximately $415 million post-integration [8]. Group 6: Growth Strategy - This acquisition aligns with LPL Financial's inorganic growth strategy, following previous acquisitions of The Investment Center Inc. in March 2025 and Atria Wealth Solutions in October 2024 [9].