Dec 2 (Reuters) - Waddell & Reed Financial Inc WDR.N :
* MACQUARIE GROUP TO ACQUIRE WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC. FOR $1.7 BILLION
* WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL INC - DEAL FOR $25.00 PER SHARE IN CASH
* WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL INC - MACQUARIE GROUP TO SELL WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC. WEALTH MANAGEMENT PLATFORM TO LPL FINANCIAL FOR $300 MILLION
* WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL - ON COMPLETION OF TRANSACTION, MACQUARIE HAS AGREED TO SELL CO'S WEALTH MANAGEMENT PLATFORM TO LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC
* WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL INC - TRANSACTION HAS BEEN APPROVED BY BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC., MACQUARIE GROUP AND LPL