Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Amex LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Amending NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B, Which Governs the Allocation of Securities to DMMs, 82344-82346 [2011-33582]

Download as PDF 82344 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 251 / Friday, December 30, 2011 / Notices Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–NYSE–2011–66 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NYSE–2011–66. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make publicly available. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NYSE– 2011–66 and should be submitted on or before January 20, 2012. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.10 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–33583 Filed 12–29–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–66044; File No. SR– NYSEAmex–2011–100] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Amex LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Amending NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B, Which Governs the Allocation of Securities to DMMs December 23, 2011. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on December 15, 2011, NYSE Amex LLC (‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE Amex’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B, which governs the allocation of securities to DMMs. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange, the Commission’s Public Reference Room, and www.nyse.com. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B, which governs the allocation of securities to DMMs. Specifically, as described in more detail below, the Exchange 1 15 10 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:02 Dec 29, 2011 2 17 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. Frm 00077 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 proposes to extend the effective period of an allocation decision from six to twelve months, to permit an issuer to submit a written letter to an Exchange Selection Panel (‘‘ESP’’) expressing a preference for a DMM if the issuer has delegated authority to the Exchange to select the DMM unit, align the quiet period rule, and to make other conforming changes. First, the Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103(VI)(H), the Allocation Sunset Policy, to extend the effective period of an allocation decision from six to twelve months. The Exchange believes that extending the time period that allocation decisions remain effective is necessary because in some instances it is taking initial public offerings (‘‘IPOs’’) longer than six months to occur after the allocation process. Extending the effective period to twelve months will eliminate the need for a new IPO listing to repeat the allocation process if the six-month effective period has lapsed and thereby contribute to efficiency in the allocation process. Second, in those instances in which an issuer has delegated authority to the Exchange to select the DMM unit for the issuer under NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B(III)(B), the Exchange proposes to permit the ESP to consider, as part of the selection process, written submissions from the issuer that express the issuer’s preference.3 The written submission from the issuer would be non-binding on the ESP. The Exchange previously allowed a listing company to supply a letter to an allocation committee, but eliminated this part of the rule when the Exchange streamlined the allocation process.4 The Exchange believes that allowing the issuer to provide a non-binding, written submission would better inform the ESP during the allocation process. Third, the Exchange also proposes to align the quiet period rule text so that the quiet period is triggered at the appropriate point, whether the issuer selects the DMM unit itself or delegates authority to the Exchange to select the DMM unit. Currently, NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B(III)(A)(2) provides that, if the issuer selects the DMM unit, no DMM unit, or any individuals acting on its behalf, may have any contact with any listing company once the Exchange provides written notice to DMM units that the listing company is listing on the 3 Under NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B(III), an issuer may either select its DMM unit directly or delegate authority to the Exchange to select its DMM unit. 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59022 (November 26, 2008), 73 FR 73683 (December 3, 2008) (SR–NYSEALTR–2008–10). E:\FR\FM\30DEN1.SGM 30DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 251 / Friday, December 30, 2011 / Notices srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Exchange. NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B(III)(B)(1) provides that if the DMM unit is selected by the Exchange, then individuals associated with the DMM units may not communicate about the DMM unit selection process with members of the ESP from the time the issuer delegates the assignment responsibility to the Exchange until the ESP announces its assignment decision, but doesn’t address communication with the issuer. To make the quiet periods more consistent regardless of the issuer’s election, the Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B(III) to provide that after the Exchange provides written notice to DMM units that the issuer is listing on the Exchange, no individual associated with a DMM unit may contact the issuer, or the ESP if applicable, until the allocation is made, except as otherwise provided in the Rule (e.g., as permitted during the interview). The Exchange further proposes to add that, consistent with the manner by which the issuer selects a DMM unit, the ESP may also interview individuals associated with the DMM unit. The Exchange proposes a conforming change to delete the current quiet period text in NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B(III)(A)(2) and NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B(III)(B)(1). Finally, the Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B(III)(B)(1). Currently, the Rule provides that an ESP consist of: (a) At least one member of the Exchange’s Senior Management, as designated by the Chief Executive Officer of the Exchange or his or her designee; (b) any combination of two Exchange Senior Management or Exchange Floor Operations Staff, to be designated by the Executive Vice-President of Exchange Floor Operations or his/her designee; and (c) any combination of three nonDMM Executive Floor Governors or non-DMM Floor Governors for a total of six members. The Exchange proposes to eliminate the reference to including non-DMM Executive Floor Governors in order to streamline the Rule. Executive Floor Governors are considered a subset of Floor Governors, and therefore both references are not necessary in the Rule. 2. Statutory Basis The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’),5 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),6 in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and 5 15 6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:02 Dec 29, 2011 equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system. Specifically, the Exchange believes that extending the sunset period from six to 12 months will foster cooperation and coordination with person engaged in facilitating securities transactions and will remove impediments to a free and open market because it recognizes that all IPOs may not be brought to market in a six month period and avoids repeating administrative steps in the listing process, thereby promoting efficient use of the Exchange’s resources. The proposed rule change also supports just and equitable principles of trade by providing issuers with a greater opportunity for input in the allocation process. In addition, aligning the quiet periods under the Rule will promote consistency, fairness, and objectivity in the allocation process. Finally, the Exchange believes that the change to the rule text concerning the composition of the ESP is technical in nature and simply removes a redundancy. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 7 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.8 Because the proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative prior to 30 days from the date on which it was filed, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to 7 15 8 17 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). Frm 00078 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 82345 Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–NYSEAmex–2011–100 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NYSEAmex–2011–100. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s Internet Web site (https:// www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from E:\FR\FM\30DEN1.SGM 30DEN1 82346 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 251 / Friday, December 30, 2011 / Notices submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make publicly available. All submissions should refer to File Number SR– NYSEAmex–2011–100 and should be submitted on or before January 20, 2012. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.9 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–33582 Filed 12–29–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 7746] Assistance to the Autonomous Government of Southern Sudan and the United States Contribution to the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) for Fiscal Year 2010 Department of State. Notice of a Waiver Determination under Section 202(d)(4)(A)(ii) of the United States Leadership against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003, as amended, for Fiscal Year 2010. AGENCY: ACTION: This is a notice of a waiver determination under Section 202(d)(4)(A)(ii) of the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003, as amended by the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 (the ‘‘Leadership Act’’). The Leadership Act requires that the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator withhold from the U.S. contribution to the Global Fund an amount equal to expenditures by the Global Fund in the previous fiscal year to governments of countries that have been determined to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism in accordance with section 6(j)(1) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2405 (j)(1)) (the ‘‘6(j) list’’). The government of the Republic of Sudan is designated on the ‘‘6(j) list.’’ Thus, Global Fund expenditures to the Government of the Republic of Sudan trigger a withholding requirement from the U.S. contribution to the Global Fund, subject to the waiver authority provided for Global Fund expenditures in Southern Sudan. During FY 2009, $1,162,902 was provided to government srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: 9 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:02 Dec 29, 2011 Jkt 226001 entities in Southern Sudan under HIV/ AIDS grants, thus triggering a potential withholding requirement in this amount from the FY 2010 U.S. contribution to the Global Fund. These funds were used to support HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and surveillance activities under six active grants. Under the Leadership Act, the President has authority to waive the withholding requirement for assistance overseen by the Southern Sudan Country Coordinating Mechanism (SSCCM) if such an action is justified by the national interest or for humanitarian reasons. This authority has been delegated to the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. The United States places a high priority on ensuring appropriate disbursement and expenditure of foreign development and humanitarian funding. Following consultations with the relevant Congressional committees, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator has determined waiver of the withholding requirement for assistance by the Global Fund to the Autonomous Government of Southern Sudan through the Global Fund SSCCM is justified for humanitarian reasons. The application of the withholding requirement of Section 202(d)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act is hereby waived with respect to such assistance, allowing for the additional contribution of $1,162,902 to the Global Fund from the FY 2010 appropriations for the U.S. contribution to the Global Fund. This notice of waiver determination is published in the Federal Register in compliance with Section 202(d)(4)(A)(ii) of the Leadership Act. DATES: Date Effective: January 13, 2012. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Guinnevere Roberts, Director, Multilateral Diplomacy, Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, (202) 663– 2586. 2459), Executive Order 12047 of March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et seq.), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of October 1, 1999, Delegation of Authority No. 236–3 of August 28, 2000 (and, as appropriate, Delegation of Authority No. 257 of April 15, 2003), I hereby determine that the objects to be included in the exhibition ‘‘Alina Szapocznikow: Sculpture Undone, 1955–1972’’ imported from abroad for temporary exhibition within the United States, are of cultural significance. The objects are imported pursuant to loan agreements with the foreign owners or custodians. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit objects at the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, CA, from on or about February 5, 2012, until on or about April 29, 2012; the Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH, from on or about May 18, 2012, until on or about August 8, 2012; The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, from on or about October 7, 2012, until on or about January 28, 2013, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. I have ordered that Public Notice of these Determinations be published in the Federal Register. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, including a list of the exhibit objects, contact Julie Simpson, Attorney-Adviser, Office of the Legal Adviser, U.S. Department of State (telephone: (202) 632–6467). The mailing address is U.S. Department of State, SA–5, L/PD, Fifth Floor (Suite 5H03), Washington, DC 20522–0505. Dated: December 13, 2011. Eric P. Goosby, Ambassador, Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, Department of State. [FR Doc. 2011–33617 Filed 12–29–11; 8:45 am] [FR Doc. 2011–33613 Filed 12–29–11; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF STATE BILLING CODE 4710–10–P [Public Notice 7745] DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 7747] Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: ‘‘Alina Szapocznikow: Sculpture Undone, 1955–1972’’ Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: December 22, 2011. J. Adam Ereli, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of State. BILLING CODE 4710–05–P Determination and Waiver Under the United States Leadership Against HIV/ AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003, as Amended, Relating to Assistance to the Autonomous Government of Southern Sudan and the United States Contribution to the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for Fiscal Year 2010 Pursuant to Section 202(d)(4)(A)(ii) of the United States Leadership Against E:\FR\FM\30DEN1.SGM 30DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 251 (Friday, December 30, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 82344-82346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33582]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-66044; File No. SR-NYSEAmex-2011-100]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Amex LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Amending NYSE 
Amex Equities Rule 103B, Which Governs the Allocation of Securities to 
DMMs

December 23, 2011.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on December 15, 2011, NYSE Amex LLC (``Exchange'' or ``NYSE Amex'') 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the 
proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items 
have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Commission 
is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule 
change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B, which 
governs the allocation of securities to DMMs. The text of the proposed 
rule change is available at the Exchange, the Commission's Public 
Reference Room, and www.nyse.com.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization 
included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the 
proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the 
proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at 
the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared 
summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most 
significant parts of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B, which 
governs the allocation of securities to DMMs. Specifically, as 
described in more detail below, the Exchange proposes to extend the 
effective period of an allocation decision from six to twelve months, 
to permit an issuer to submit a written letter to an Exchange Selection 
Panel (``ESP'') expressing a preference for a DMM if the issuer has 
delegated authority to the Exchange to select the DMM unit, align the 
quiet period rule, and to make other conforming changes.
    First, the Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Amex Equities Rule 
103(VI)(H), the Allocation Sunset Policy, to extend the effective 
period of an allocation decision from six to twelve months. The 
Exchange believes that extending the time period that allocation 
decisions remain effective is necessary because in some instances it is 
taking initial public offerings (``IPOs'') longer than six months to 
occur after the allocation process. Extending the effective period to 
twelve months will eliminate the need for a new IPO listing to repeat 
the allocation process if the six-month effective period has lapsed and 
thereby contribute to efficiency in the allocation process.
    Second, in those instances in which an issuer has delegated 
authority to the Exchange to select the DMM unit for the issuer under 
NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B(III)(B), the Exchange proposes to permit 
the ESP to consider, as part of the selection process, written 
submissions from the issuer that express the issuer's preference.\3\ 
The written submission from the issuer would be non-binding on the ESP. 
The Exchange previously allowed a listing company to supply a letter to 
an allocation committee, but eliminated this part of the rule when the 
Exchange streamlined the allocation process.\4\ The Exchange believes 
that allowing the issuer to provide a non-binding, written submission 
would better inform the ESP during the allocation process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Under NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B(III), an issuer may 
either select its DMM unit directly or delegate authority to the 
Exchange to select its DMM unit.
    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59022 (November 26, 
2008), 73 FR 73683 (December 3, 2008) (SR-NYSEALTR-2008-10).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Third, the Exchange also proposes to align the quiet period rule 
text so that the quiet period is triggered at the appropriate point, 
whether the issuer selects the DMM unit itself or delegates authority 
to the Exchange to select the DMM unit. Currently, NYSE Amex Equities 
Rule 103B(III)(A)(2) provides that, if the issuer selects the DMM unit, 
no DMM unit, or any individuals acting on its behalf, may have any 
contact with any listing company once the Exchange provides written 
notice to DMM units that the listing company is listing on the

[[Page 82345]]

Exchange. NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B(III)(B)(1) provides that if the 
DMM unit is selected by the Exchange, then individuals associated with 
the DMM units may not communicate about the DMM unit selection process 
with members of the ESP from the time the issuer delegates the 
assignment responsibility to the Exchange until the ESP announces its 
assignment decision, but doesn't address communication with the issuer. 
To make the quiet periods more consistent regardless of the issuer's 
election, the Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Amex Equities Rule 
103B(III) to provide that after the Exchange provides written notice to 
DMM units that the issuer is listing on the Exchange, no individual 
associated with a DMM unit may contact the issuer, or the ESP if 
applicable, until the allocation is made, except as otherwise provided 
in the Rule (e.g., as permitted during the interview). The Exchange 
further proposes to add that, consistent with the manner by which the 
issuer selects a DMM unit, the ESP may also interview individuals 
associated with the DMM unit. The Exchange proposes a conforming change 
to delete the current quiet period text in NYSE Amex Equities Rule 
103B(III)(A)(2) and NYSE Amex Equities Rule 103B(III)(B)(1).
    Finally, the Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Amex Equities Rule 
103B(III)(B)(1). Currently, the Rule provides that an ESP consist of: 
(a) At least one member of the Exchange's Senior Management, as 
designated by the Chief Executive Officer of the Exchange or his or her 
designee; (b) any combination of two Exchange Senior Management or 
Exchange Floor Operations Staff, to be designated by the Executive 
Vice-President of Exchange Floor Operations or his/her designee; and 
(c) any combination of three non-DMM Executive Floor Governors or non-
DMM Floor Governors for a total of six members. The Exchange proposes 
to eliminate the reference to including non-DMM Executive Floor 
Governors in order to streamline the Rule. Executive Floor Governors 
are considered a subset of Floor Governors, and therefore both 
references are not necessary in the Rule.
2. Statutory Basis
    The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act''),\5\ in general, and 
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),\6\ in particular, in that 
it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and 
practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating 
transactions in securities, and to remove impediments to and perfect 
the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system. 
Specifically, the Exchange believes that extending the sunset period 
from six to 12 months will foster cooperation and coordination with 
person engaged in facilitating securities transactions and will remove 
impediments to a free and open market because it recognizes that all 
IPOs may not be brought to market in a six month period and avoids 
repeating administrative steps in the listing process, thereby 
promoting efficient use of the Exchange's resources. The proposed rule 
change also supports just and equitable principles of trade by 
providing issuers with a greater opportunity for input in the 
allocation process. In addition, aligning the quiet periods under the 
Rule will promote consistency, fairness, and objectivity in the 
allocation process. Finally, the Exchange believes that the change to 
the rule text concerning the composition of the ESP is technical in 
nature and simply removes a redundancy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the 
proposed rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \7\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\8\ 
Because the proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the 
protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any 
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative prior to 
30 days from the date on which it was filed, the proposed rule change 
has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and 
Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \8\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-NYSEAmex-2011-100 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEAmex-2011-100. This 
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To 
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing will also be available for 
inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from

[[Page 82346]]

submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make 
publicly available. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-
NYSEAmex-2011-100 and should be submitted on or before January 20, 
2012.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-33582 Filed 12-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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