SAN DIEGO, Aug.  18, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LPL Financial LLC announced today that financial advisor Chris Stockton, CEPA, has joined LPL Financial’s broker-dealer and Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) platform.

LPLA

LPL Financial Welcomes Advisor Chris Stockton

LPL Welcomes $160M-Asset Advisor, Expands Midwest Presence and Platform

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    <h3>Information</h3>
    <p>SAN DIEGO, Aug.  18, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LPL Financial LLC announced today that financial advisor Chris Stockton, CEPA, has joined LPL Financial’s broker-dealer and Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) platform.</p>
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  <section data-block="ai-summary-paragraph">
    <h3>AI Summary</h3>
    <p>LPL Financial announced Chris Stockton, CEPA, joined its broker-dealer/RIA platform from Edward Jones, bringing about $160 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement-plan assets through Guidepost Wealth Management in Stillwater, OK. Stockton cites independence, stability, advanced planning tools, and back-office support as key reasons for the move, underscoring LPL’s appeal to midwestern advisors and potential asset growth.</p>
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  <section data-block="ai-summary-bullets">
    <h3>Key Points</h3>
    <ul><li>LPL welcomes Chris Stockton, CEPA, joining from Edward Jones with about $160M assets.</li><li>Stockton founded Guidepost Wealth Management; based in Stillwater, OK.</li><li>Stockton cites independence, stability, technology, and back-office support as reasons for LPL move.</li><li>Move signals LPL’s continued Midwest advisor recruiting and regional asset growth.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="companies-mentioned">
    <h3>Companies Mentioned</h3>
    <ul><li><strong>LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA)</strong>: Announces addition of advisor; supports expansion of advisor network and AUM growth.</li><li><strong>Edward Jones (N/A)</strong>: Previous employer; competitor; potential shifts in client flows due to advisor transition.</li><li><strong>Guidepost Wealth Management (N/A)</strong>: Private firm; Stockton founded it; now joining LPL platform.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="category">
    <h3>Corporate Developments</h3>
    <p>Category: Corporate Developments. This piece centers on an advisor recruitment move and network expansion for LPL, illustrating growth through platform recruitment and the strategic diversification of its regional advisor base.</p>
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  <section data-block="market-moving">
    <h3>Market-Moving</h3>
    <ul><li>Ongoing advisor recruitment at LPL supports potential AUM growth and revenue expansion.</li><li>Midwest regional expansion may drive incremental client inflows and cross-sell opportunities.</li><li>$160M added assets signals recruiting momentum, though impact is modest relative to total AUM.</li><li>Near-term stock impact likely limited; longer-term upside depends on sustained advisor growth.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="key-facts">
    <h3>Key Facts</h3>
    <ul><li>Date of release: Aug 18, 2026.</li><li>$160 million in assets joined (advisory, brokerage, retirement plans).</li><li>Based in Stillwater, OK; Guidepost Wealth Management founder is Chris Stockton; 7 years of experience.</li><li>LPL serves &gt;32,000 financial advisors, ~1,100 institutions, ~$2.6 trillion in assets, ~8 million Americans.</li><li>Stockton cited independence, stability, advanced technology, and back-office support as reasons for joining LPL.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="trading-thesis">
    <h3>Trading Thesis</h3>
    <p>Moderate positive, with potential AUM growth and revenue uplift in the next 3–6 months.</p>
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<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/styles/gnw_nitf.css"></link><p>SAN DIEGO, Aug.  18, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=4f5aj5yB6iNxmlrnKcbysjWoBXKSb1pKqKMut2Ur2DyZJntaIz67dFf4iGIp39PPiZqeIIUQQ6apnMIemrIkZg==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LPL Financial LLC</a> announced today that financial advisor Chris Stockton, CEPA, has joined LPL Financial’s broker-dealer and Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) platform. Stockton reported serving approximately $160 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement plan assets&#x2A; and joins LPL from Edward Jones.</p>  <p>Based in Stillwater, Okla., Stockton is the founder of Guidepost Wealth Management and brings seven years of industry experience serving individuals, families, business owners and retirees. A graduate of Oklahoma State University with degrees in finance and management, Stockton built his practice around a simple philosophy: helping clients navigate life’s financial decisions with clarity, confidence and personalized guidance.</p>  <p>"We chose the name Guidepost because our goal is to provide clarity for the path ahead," Stockton said. "That philosophy is rooted in the principles of Philippians 2:4, which emphasizes putting the interests of others first. Whether we’re helping clients navigate retirement, the sale of a business or another major life transition, our mission is to simplify complex financial decisions and serve people with genuine care."</p>  <p>Guidepost Wealth Management serves a diverse client base, including business owners, growing families, retirees and individuals navigating significant life transitions. Stockton is particularly passionate about helping clients through complex financial and personal events, from the sale of a business to the loss of a loved one, with a focus on simplifying financial planning and providing support during times of uncertainty.</p>  <p>The practice also includes Administrative Assistant Ashley Mayfield. Stockton’s approach combines comprehensive financial planning with a deeply personal service model. In addition to working with clients on investment and retirement strategies, he regularly assists with broader financial decisions and financial education initiatives within the Stillwater community, including speaking to college students about financial awareness and long-term planning.</p>  <p><strong>Why Chris Stockton Chose LPL</strong></p>  <p>Stockton selected LPL for its combination of independence, stability, advanced technology and robust back-office support. He was particularly drawn to LPL’s scale and long-standing reputation, as well as the ability to access modern planning tools while maintaining the flexibility to serve clients according to his own vision.</p>  <p>"Joining LPL allows me to pair the independence my clients expect with the resources and technology needed to serve them at an even higher level," Stockton said. "From sophisticated financial planning capabilities to estate planning resources and innovative client solutions, LPL provides the support and flexibility to help me continue growing my practice while staying focused on what matters most — serving my clients."</p>  <p>&#34;What stands out about Chris is his genuine commitment to helping clients navigate both the financial and personal milestones that shape their lives,&#34; said Marc Cohen, chief growth officer at LPL Financial. &#34;He has built Guidepost Wealth Management on a foundation of trust, service and clarity during times of change. We are excited to welcome Chris and Guidepost Wealth Management to LPL and support their continued impact in the Stillwater community.&#34;</p>  <p><strong><u>Related</u></strong></p>  <p>Advisors, learn how LPL Financial can help <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=rY2KUhkj30FXw93Quxt4IxXA3DY3-VSOUuRHfgHwj473Ud6zDT4ku12bnjRgTgupVbMnWVC67GD_mvY7McWojjgCJt7vKGVEksLWXOxayarvFqQ_JADTUvrShKkztuZbsNsCIEJEvqySwfjBwj98AUjfTTP_4aCmlHCS0uqo0vw=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">take your business to the next level</a>.</p>  <p><strong><u>About LPL Financial</u></strong></p>  <p>LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LPLA">LPLA</a>) is among the fastest growing wealth management firms in the U.S. As a leader in the financial advisor-mediated marketplace, LPL supports more than 32,000 financial advisors and the wealth management practices of approximately 1,100 financial institutions, servicing and custodying approximately $2.6 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets on behalf of approximately 8 million Americans. The firm provides a wide range of advisor affiliation models, investment solutions, fintech tools and practice management services, ensuring that advisors and institutions have the flexibility to choose the business model, services, and technology resources they need to run thriving businesses. For further information about LPL, please visit <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=Ru4P6ezZPJvHQaGcTuOPZHYz5kwyg1FoSr6B3w4MWzMYu8VhmP6mN2IoXbgmjuuDtedBoTvjb8yn_gE8GRuFAg==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.lpl.com</a>.</p>  <p><strong>Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial LLC ("LPL Financial"), a registered investment adviser and broker-dealer. Member FINRA/SIPC. </strong>Guidepost Wealth Management and LPL Financial are separate entities.</p>  <p>Throughout this communication, the terms &#34;financial advisors&#34; and &#34;advisors&#34; are used to refer to registered representatives and/or investment advisor representatives affiliated with LPL Financial.</p>  <p>We routinely disclose information that may be important to shareholders in the &#34;<a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=G4-w1c94EvQ2L5tp62gCU0Q_BswNilHavIzyTkZ2TieJ2XsIaBWLeFXvyBeKH-UFKPWasgnl29pLpiTAkaH1Zj2hxLP7Vfv-hesLh-tSLqc=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Investor Relations</a>&#34; or &#34;<a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=YIHQNmD-gbdi61LqafsjVW-E3NiakQoMh5SrgWp-otYe-ZlaPaG0b0h3hTsRWlCUYNA6fmPef7mEvny3ksFy667l8YY1mI0mzuK2TB2THqDAEI22xRtDrzX4gdJWgAgI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Press Releases</a>&#34; section of our website.</p>  <p><em>&#x2A;Value approximated based on asset and holding details provided to LPL from end of year, 2025.</em></p>  <p><strong><u>Media Contact:</u></strong> <br></br><a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=_iLz--oTkUA2gvVu5dTNq_3oY9j_e_GpjWYxsqgWLGfCPU36Gx6cksugCib97L6Z5kk5JgksMXlF2BrX49tQVnBpb7BWyjdM_BORWvqP-eDgH_x5Y9m3OIxijRRkLBbQt5FQqBUExmoXSSAsnNszOQ==" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Media.relations@LPLFinancial.com</a> <br></br></p>  <p>Tracking #1155126</p> <img alt="" class="__GNW8366DE3E__IMG" src="https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ti?nf=OTgxMTY3MSM3NzgwNTE5IzIwMTkxNDA="></img> <br></br><img alt="" src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/MTAyNmQxMmMtN2MyYS00ZTA2LWI4ZWMtM2I1NzYxNzVlNWZmLTEwMzA3MTMtMjAyNi0wOC0xOC1lbg==/tiny/LPL-Financial-Holdings-Inc-.png" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></img><p><a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/53e1e8c9-85a6-4959-822d-a2cead7e0840"><img src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/53e1e8c9-85a6-4959-822d-a2cead7e0840/small/lpl-financial-logo.jpg" border="0" width="150" height="35" alt="Primary Logo"></img></a></p>

LPL Financial announced Chris Stockton, CEPA, joined its broker-dealer/RIA platform from Edward Jones, bringing about $160 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement-plan assets through Guidepost Wealth Management in Stillwater, OK. Stockton cites independence, stability, advanced planning tools, and back-office support as key reasons for the move, underscoring LPL’s appeal to midwestern advisors and potential asset growth.

News insight

LPL Financial Welcomes Advisor Chris Stockton

AI summary

Sentiment rationale

Key facts

Corporate Developments