Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Revisions to the Study Outline and Selection Specifications for the Limited Principal-Registered Options (Series 4) Examination Program, 74395-74397 [E5-7367]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 240 / Thursday, December 15, 2005 / Notices
Nasdaq listing standards, or raise public
interest concerns. Nasdaq believes,
however, that the authority to issue
public reprimand letters would provide
Nasdaq with the ability to impose lesser
sanctions on issuers in limited
circumstances, when delisting is not
appropriate.
2. Statutory Basis
Nasdaq believes that the proposed
rule change is consistent with the
provisions of section 15A of the Act,12
in general, and with section 15A(b)(6) of
the Act,13 in particular, in that it is
designed to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, to
promote just and equitable principles of
trade, remove impediments to a free and
open market and a national market
system, and, in general, to protect
investors and the public interest.
Nasdaq believes that this proposed rule
change would increase the objectivity
and transparency of its process of
sanctioning companies for violations of
listing standards and would promote
public confidence in Nasdaq and the
quality of Nasdaq’s listed companies.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
Nasdaq does not believe that the
proposed rule change would result in
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
Nasdaq neither solicited nor received
written comments.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
This proposal has become effective
pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
Act 14 and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule
19b–4 thereunder 15 because the
proposal: (1) Does not significantly
affect the protection of investors or the
public interest, (2) does not impose any
significant burden on competition, and
(3) by its terms does not become
operative for 30 days after the date of
this filing, or such shorter time as the
Commission may designate, if
consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest.
Nasdaq has requested that the
Commission waive the requirement that
12 15
U.S.C. 78o–3.
U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(6).
14 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
15 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
13 15
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17:24 Dec 14, 2005
Jkt 208001
the proposed rule change not become
operative for 30 days after the date of
the filing. The Commission notes that
the proposed rule change is
substantially similar to New York Stock
Exchange Rule 303A.13,16 which was
previously approved by the Commission
after notice and comment and, therefore,
does not raise any new regulatory
issues.17 For this reason, the
Commission designates the proposal to
be effective and operative upon filing
with the Commission.18
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of the proposed rule change, the
Commission may summarily abrogate
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 e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–NASD–2005–136 on the
subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
Station Place, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549–9303.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–NASD–2005–136. This file
number should be included on the
subject line if e-mail 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
16 See Securities Exchange Release No. 48745
(November 4, 2003), 68 FR 64154 (November 12,
2003) (SR–NYSE–2002–33).
17 Rule 19b–4(f)(6) also requires a self-regulatory
organization to give written notice of a proposed
rule change filed pursuant to this subsection at least
five business days prior to filing. Nasdaq complied
with this requirement.
18 For purposes only of waiving the operative
delay for this proposal, the Commission has
considered the proposed rule’s impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15
U.S.C. 78c(f).
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74395
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 inspection and copying in
the Commission’s Public Reference
Room. Copies of such filing also will be
available for inspection and copying at
the principal office of the NASD. 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 available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File
Number SR–NASD–2005–136 and
should be submitted on or before
January 5, 2006.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated
authority.19
Jonathan G. Katz,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5–7384 Filed 12–14–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–52921; File No. SR–NYSE–
2005–84]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; New
York Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
Proposed Rule Change Relating to
Revisions to the Study Outline and
Selection Specifications for the
Limited Principal—Registered Options
(Series 4) Examination Program
December 7, 2005.
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 November
30, 2005, the New York Stock Exchange,
Inc. (‘‘NYSE’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with
the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’)
the proposed rule change as described
in Items I, II, and III below, which Items
have been prepared by the Exchange.
The Exchange has designated the
proposed rule change as constituting a
stated policy, practice, or interpretation
with respect to the meaning,
19 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
E:\FR\FM\15DEN1.SGM
15DEN1
74396
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 240 / Thursday, December 15, 2005 / Notices
administration, or enforcement of an
existing rule of the self-regulatory
organization pursuant to section
19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–
4(f)(1) thereunder,4 which renders the
proposal effective upon filing with the
Commission. 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 is filing with the
Commission revisions to the study
outline and selection specifications for
the Limited Principal—Registered
Options (Series 4) examination program.
The proposed revisions update the
material to reflect changes to the laws,
rules, and regulations covered by the
examination, as well as modify the
content of the examination program to
track more closely the functional
workflow of a Series 4 Limited
Principal.
The revised study outline is available
on the Exchange’s Web site (https://
www.nyse.com), at the NYSE, and at the
Commission. However, the Exchange
has omitted the Series 4 selection
specifications from this filing and has
submitted the specifications under
separate cover to the Commission with
a request for confidential treatment
pursuant to Rule 24b–2 5 under the Act.
The Exchange will announce the
proposed rule change and the
implementation date to its members and
member organizations in an Information
Memo to be published no later than 30
days after SEC Notice of this filing.
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
Exchange 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 these
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 aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
Pursuant to section 6(c)(3)(B) 6 of the
Act, which requires the Exchange to
prescribe standards of training,
experience, and competence for persons
associated with Exchange members and
member organizations, the Exchange has
developed examinations, and
administers examinations developed by
other self-regulatory organizations
(‘‘SROs’’), that are designed to establish
that persons associated with Exchange
members and member organizations
have attained specified levels of
competence and knowledge. The
Exchange periodically reviews the
content of the examinations to
determine whether revisions are
necessary or appropriate in view of
changes pertaining to the subject matter
covered by the examinations.
NYSE Rule 345 (‘‘Employees—
Registration, Approval, Records’’)
requires member firms to register with
the NYSE any individuals who regularly
perform duties customarily performed
by a direct supervisor of a registered
representative.
NYSE Rule 720 (‘‘Registration of
Options Principals’’) provides, in part,
that no member organization may
conduct a public options business
unless those engaged in the
management of the business pertaining
to options are registered with and
approved by the Exchange as Options
Principals. Among other things, an
Options Principal is required to
successfully complete an examination
prescribed by the Exchange for the
purpose of demonstrating an adequate
knowledge of options trading. The
Series 4 examination is such an
examination.
The Series 4 examination, an
industry-wide examination, qualifies an
individual to function as a Registered
Options and Security Futures Principal,
but only for purposes of supervising a
member firm’s options activities.7
The Series 4 examination tests a
candidate’s knowledge of options
trading generally, the industry rules
applicable to trading of option contracts,
and the rules of registered clearing
agencies for options. The Series 4
examination covers, among other things,
6 15
U.S.C. 78f(c)(3)(B).
Registered Options and Security Futures
Principal also must complete a firm-element
continuing education program that addresses
security futures and a principal’s responsibilities
for security futures before such person can
supervise security futures activities.
7A
3 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(1).
5 17 CFR 240.24b–2.
4 17
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17:24 Dec 14, 2005
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
equity options, foreign currency
options, index options, and options on
government and mortgage-backed
securities.
The Series 4 examination program is
shared by the Exchange and the
following SROs: the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
the American Stock Exchange LLC, the
Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc.,
the Pacific Exchange, Inc., and the
Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. A
committee of industry representatives,
together with the staff of the Exchange
and the other SROs, recently undertook
a periodic review of the Series 4
examination program.
As a result of this review and as part
of an ongoing effort to align the
examination more closely to the
supervisory duties of a Series 4 Limited
Principal, the Exchange is proposing to
modify the content of the examination
to track the functional workflow of a
Series 4 Limited Principal. More
specifically, the Exchange is proposing
to revise the main section headings and
the number of questions on each section
of the Series 4 study outline as follows:
Options Investment Strategies,
decreased from 35 to 34 questions;
Supervision of Sales Activities and
Trading Practices, increased from 71 to
75 questions; and Supervision of
Employees, Business Conduct, and
Recordkeeping and Reporting
Requirements, decreased from 19 to 16
questions. The Exchange is further
proposing revisions to the study outline
to reflect the SEC short sale
requirements. The revised examination
continues to cover the areas of
knowledge required to supervise
options activities.
The Exchange is proposing these
changes to the entire content of the
Series 4 examination, including the
selection specifications and question
bank. The number of questions on the
Series 4 examination will remain at 125,
and candidates will continue to have
three hours to complete the exam. Also,
each question will continue to count
one point, and each candidate must
correctly answer 70 percent of the
questions to receive a passing grade.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
section 6(c)(3)(B) 8 of the Act, in that it
provides for the prescription by NYSE
of standards of training, experience, and
competence for persons associated with
NYSE members and member
organizations.
8 15
E:\FR\FM\15DEN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78f(c)(3)(B).
15DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 240 / Thursday, December 15, 2005 / Notices
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will result in
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
Comments were neither solicited nor
received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The proposed rule change has become
effective pursuant to section
19(b)(3)(A)(i) 9 of the Act and Rule 19b–
4(f)(1) thereunder,10 in that the
proposed rule change constitutes a
stated policy, practice, or interpretation
with respect to the meaning,
administration, or enforcement of an
existing rule of the self-regulatory
organization. The Exchange will
announce the implementation date to its
members and member organizations in
an Information Memo to be published
no later than 30 days after SEC Notice
of this filing.
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of the proposed rule change, the
Commission may summarily abrogate
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:
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
20549–9303.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–NYSE–2005–84. This file
number should be included on the
subject line if e-mail 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 inspection and copying in
the Commission’s Public Reference
Room. Copies of such filing also will be
available for inspection and copying at
the principal office of the NYSE. 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 available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File
Number SR–NYSE–2005–84 and should
be submitted on or before January 5,
2006.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated
authority.11
Jonathan G. Katz,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5–7367 Filed 12–14–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–52927; File No. SR–PCX–
2005–128]
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–NYSE–2005–84 on the
subject line.
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Pacific
Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change Clarifying the Hours
Certain Vanguard International Equity
Index Funds Are Eligible To Trade on
the Archipelago Exchange
Paper Comments
December 8, 2005.
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
notice is hereby given that on November
22, 2005, the Pacific Exchange, Inc.
(‘‘PCX’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) 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 Exchange. The Exchange filed the
proposed rule change as a ‘‘noncontroversial’’ rule change under Rule
19b–4(f)(6) under the Act,3 which
rendered the proposal effective upon
filing with the Commission. 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, through its wholly
owned subsidiary PCX Equities, Inc.
(‘‘PCXE’’), proposes to amend its rules
governing the Archipelago Exchange
(‘‘ArcaEx’’), the equity trading facility of
PCXE. With this filing, the Exchange
proposes to clarify the hours under
PCXE Rule 7.34 that three exchange
traded funds based on Vanguard
International Equity Indices—Morgan
Stanley Capital International Inc.
(‘‘MSCI’’) Europe Index (ticker symbol:
VGK), MSCI Pacific Index (ticker
symbol: VPL), and MSCI Emerging
Markets Select Index (ticker symbol:
VWO) (the ‘‘Funds’’)—are eligible to
trade on ArcaEx pursuant to unlisted
trading privileges (‘‘UTP’’). A copy of
the proposed rule change is available on
the PCX Web site (https://
www.pacificex.com), at the PCX’s Office
of the Secretary, and at the
Commission’s Public Reference Room.
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
Exchange 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 these
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 aspects of such
statements.
11 17
9 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i).
10 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(1).
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17:24 Dec 14, 2005
1 15
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74397
3 17
E:\FR\FM\15DEN1.SGM
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
15DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 240 (Thursday, December 15, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74395-74397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-7367]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-52921; File No. SR-NYSE-2005-84]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange, Inc.;
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change
Relating to Revisions to the Study Outline and Selection Specifications
for the Limited Principal--Registered Options (Series 4) Examination
Program
December 7, 2005.
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 November 30, 2005, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (``NYSE'' or
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in
Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the
Exchange. The Exchange has designated the proposed rule change as
constituting a stated policy, practice, or interpretation with respect
to the meaning,
[[Page 74396]]
administration, or enforcement of an existing rule of the self-
regulatory organization pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act
\3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(1) thereunder,\4\ which renders the proposal
effective upon filing with the Commission. 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.
\3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i).
\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange is filing with the Commission revisions to the study
outline and selection specifications for the Limited Principal--
Registered Options (Series 4) examination program. The proposed
revisions update the material to reflect changes to the laws, rules,
and regulations covered by the examination, as well as modify the
content of the examination program to track more closely the functional
workflow of a Series 4 Limited Principal.
The revised study outline is available on the Exchange's Web site
(https://www.nyse.com), at the NYSE, and at the Commission. However, the
Exchange has omitted the Series 4 selection specifications from this
filing and has submitted the specifications under separate cover to the
Commission with a request for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule
24b-2 \5\ under the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ 17 CFR 240.24b-2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange will announce the proposed rule change and the
implementation date to its members and member organizations in an
Information Memo to be published no later than 30 days after SEC Notice
of this filing.
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 Exchange 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 these 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 aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
Pursuant to section 6(c)(3)(B) \6\ of the Act, which requires the
Exchange to prescribe standards of training, experience, and competence
for persons associated with Exchange members and member organizations,
the Exchange has developed examinations, and administers examinations
developed by other self-regulatory organizations (``SROs''), that are
designed to establish that persons associated with Exchange members and
member organizations have attained specified levels of competence and
knowledge. The Exchange periodically reviews the content of the
examinations to determine whether revisions are necessary or
appropriate in view of changes pertaining to the subject matter covered
by the examinations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(c)(3)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NYSE Rule 345 (``Employees--Registration, Approval, Records'')
requires member firms to register with the NYSE any individuals who
regularly perform duties customarily performed by a direct supervisor
of a registered representative.
NYSE Rule 720 (``Registration of Options Principals'') provides, in
part, that no member organization may conduct a public options business
unless those engaged in the management of the business pertaining to
options are registered with and approved by the Exchange as Options
Principals. Among other things, an Options Principal is required to
successfully complete an examination prescribed by the Exchange for the
purpose of demonstrating an adequate knowledge of options trading. The
Series 4 examination is such an examination.
The Series 4 examination, an industry-wide examination, qualifies
an individual to function as a Registered Options and Security Futures
Principal, but only for purposes of supervising a member firm's options
activities.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ A Registered Options and Security Futures Principal also
must complete a firm-element continuing education program that
addresses security futures and a principal's responsibilities for
security futures before such person can supervise security futures
activities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Series 4 examination tests a candidate's knowledge of options
trading generally, the industry rules applicable to trading of option
contracts, and the rules of registered clearing agencies for options.
The Series 4 examination covers, among other things, equity options,
foreign currency options, index options, and options on government and
mortgage-backed securities.
The Series 4 examination program is shared by the Exchange and the
following SROs: the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
the American Stock Exchange LLC, the Chicago Board Options Exchange,
Inc., the Pacific Exchange, Inc., and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange,
Inc. A committee of industry representatives, together with the staff
of the Exchange and the other SROs, recently undertook a periodic
review of the Series 4 examination program.
As a result of this review and as part of an ongoing effort to
align the examination more closely to the supervisory duties of a
Series 4 Limited Principal, the Exchange is proposing to modify the
content of the examination to track the functional workflow of a Series
4 Limited Principal. More specifically, the Exchange is proposing to
revise the main section headings and the number of questions on each
section of the Series 4 study outline as follows: Options Investment
Strategies, decreased from 35 to 34 questions; Supervision of Sales
Activities and Trading Practices, increased from 71 to 75 questions;
and Supervision of Employees, Business Conduct, and Recordkeeping and
Reporting Requirements, decreased from 19 to 16 questions. The Exchange
is further proposing revisions to the study outline to reflect the SEC
short sale requirements. The revised examination continues to cover the
areas of knowledge required to supervise options activities.
The Exchange is proposing these changes to the entire content of
the Series 4 examination, including the selection specifications and
question bank. The number of questions on the Series 4 examination will
remain at 125, and candidates will continue to have three hours to
complete the exam. Also, each question will continue to count one
point, and each candidate must correctly answer 70 percent of the
questions to receive a passing grade.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with section 6(c)(3)(B) \8\ of the Act, in that it provides for the
prescription by NYSE of standards of training, experience, and
competence for persons associated with NYSE members and member
organizations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(c)(3)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 74397]]
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
result in 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
Comments were neither solicited nor received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to section
19(b)(3)(A)(i) \9\ of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(1) thereunder,\10\ in
that the proposed rule change constitutes a stated policy, practice, or
interpretation with respect to the meaning, administration, or
enforcement of an existing rule of the self-regulatory organization.
The Exchange will announce the implementation date to its members and
member organizations in an Information Memo to be published no later
than 30 days after SEC Notice of this filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i).
\10\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission may summarily abrogate 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 e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include
File Number SR-NYSE-2005-84 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-9303.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2005-84. This file
number should be included on the subject line if e-mail 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 inspection and
copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such
filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the
principal office of the NYSE. 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 available publicly. All submissions should refer to
File Number SR-NYSE-2005-84 and should be submitted on or before
January 5, 2006.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation,
pursuant to delegated authority.\11\
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\11\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Jonathan G. Katz,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5-7367 Filed 12-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P