Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt New NASD Rule 5150 Relating to Trade-Throughs, 42698-42700 [E6-11984]

Download as PDF 42698 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 144 / Thursday, July 27, 2006 / Notices 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–2006–057 and should be submitted on or before August 17, 2006. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.11 Jill M. Peterson, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. E6–11982 Filed 7–26–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–54186; File No. SR–NASD– 2006–081] Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt New NASD Rule 5150 Relating to TradeThroughs July 20, 2006. 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 July 11, 2006, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (‘‘NASD’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the NASD. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The NASD is proposing to adopt, in anticipation of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (the ‘‘Nasdaq Exchange’’) beginning to trade non-Nasdaq exchange-listed securities on an unlisted trading privileges (‘‘UTP’’) basis, new NASD Rule 5150 to require an NASD member that is registered as a market maker with the Nasdaq Exchange in a non-Nasdaq exchangelisted security to comply with the provisions of NASD Rule 5262 relating to trade-throughs with respect to that security for trades reported to the NASD. Below is the text of the proposed 11 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:46 Jul 26, 2006 Jkt 208001 rule change. Proposed new language is in italics. * * * * * 5000. Other Nasdaq and NASD Markets * * * * * 5150. Applicability of Trade-Through Rule to Nasdaq Market Makers An NASD member shall comply with the provisions of Rule 5262 (TradeThroughs), as if it were an ITS/CAES market maker, for purposes of transactions that are reported to NASD in any ITS Security, as that term is defined in Rule 5210(c), in which such member is registered as a market maker with The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. For purposes of this Rule 5150, the term ‘‘Block Transaction’’ under Rule 5262(a)(7)(B) shall mean any trade that involves 10,000 or more shares of an ITS security or a quantity of any such security having a market value of $200,000 or more. * * * * * 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 NASD 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 NASD 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 The proposed rule change is filed in anticipation of the Nasdaq Exchange operating as a national securities exchange for purposes of trading nonNasdaq exchange-listed securities on a UTP basis. The NASD is proposing a new rule to require an NASD member that is registered as a market maker with the Nasdaq Exchange in an ITS Security, as defined Rule 5210(c), to comply with the provisions of NASD Rule 5262 (Trade-Throughs) with respect to that security for trades reported to the NASD. Background On July 11, 2005, the NASD filed with the Commission proposed rule change SR–NASD–2005–087, which, among other things, proposed amendments to PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 the Plan of Allocation and Delegation of Functions by the NASD to Subsidiaries, NASD By-Laws and NASD rules to reflect The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.’s (‘‘Nasdaq’’) separation from the NASD upon the Nasdaq Exchange’s operation as a national securities exchange.3 On June 15, 2006, the NASD filed Amendment No. 1 to SR–NASD–2005– 087, which, among other things, proposed the NASD’s and Nasdaq’s implementation strategy for Nasdaq’s operation as a national securities exchange. On June 30, 2006, the Commission approved SR–NASD–2005– 087, as amended, the effective date of which will be the date upon which the Nasdaq Exchange operates as an exchange for Nasdaq-listed securities.4 The NASD intends to file a second proposed rule change proposing an NASD facility for over-the-counter quoting and trading of non-Nasdaq exchange-listed securities, to be made available when the Nasdaq Exchange begins to trade such securities on a UTP basis. Currently, NASD Rule 5262, also known as the Trade-Through Rule, restricts a member registered as an NASD ITS/CAES Market Maker 5 in an ITS/CAES security 6 from purchasing or selling such security, whether as principal or agent, at a price that is lower than the bid or higher than the offer displayed from an ITS Participant Exchange or ITS/CAES Market Maker. Current NASD Rule 5262 applies to all over-the-counter trading by NASD ITS/ CAES Market Makers in that security, including trades executed outside of CAES and reported to the NASD. The Nasdaq Exchange established a substantially similar rule, Nasdaq Rule 5262, which, by its terms, would apply to market makers registered with the Nasdaq Exchange (‘‘Nasdaq market 3 The Commission approved the Nasdaq Exchange application on January 13, 2006. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53128 (January 13, 2006), 71 FR 3550 (January 23, 2006). 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54084 (June 30, 2006), 71 FR 38935 (July 10, 2006). 5 For purposes of NASD Rule 5262, ‘‘ITS/CAES Market Maker’’ is defined in NASD Rule 5210(e) as a member that is registered as a market maker for the purposes of participating in the Intermarket Trading System (‘‘ITS’’) through the Computer Assisted Execution System (‘‘CAES’’) with respect to one or more specified ITS securities in which the member is then actively registered. The term also includes members that meet the definition of electronic communications network or alternative trading network. CAES is an automated system that is currently operated by The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. NASD members can direct agency and principal orders in exchange-listed securities to CAES for automated execution in the third market. 6 The term ‘‘ITS Security’’ is defined in NASD Rule 5210(c) as ‘‘any security which may be traded through the [ITS] System by an ITS/CAES Market Maker.’’ E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 144 / Thursday, July 27, 2006 / Notices makers’’) in ITS Securities. However, because the ITS Plan does not require the Nasdaq Exchange, or any other exchange, to have a trade-through rule applicable to its individual market participants, the Nasdaq Exchange has proposed to delete the rule upon integration of the Nasdaq Market Center and Nasdaq’s Brut and INET systems into a single book.7 If approved, the Nasdaq Exchange’s rule would be replaced with a trade-through obligation imposed on the Nasdaq Exchange itself. Further, once the Nasdaq Exchange is operating as an exchange for nonNasdaq exchange-listed securities, it is expected that some of the current NASD ITS/CAES Market Makers will no longer be registered with the NASD in this capacity, but instead will become registered solely as Nasdaq Market Makers. As such, no trade-through rule would apply to over-the-counter trading activity by these Nasdaq market makers that are not also registered as NASD ITS/CAES market makers. Specifically, NASD Rule 5262 only applies to trading by NASD ITS/CAES market makers. Nasdaq Rule 5262 would be similarly limited in its application to Nasdaq market makers trading on or through the Nasdaq Exchange, and is expected to be eliminated altogether upon approval of the Nasdaq Exchange’s system integration. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES Proposed New NASD Rule 5150 The NASD is proposing new NASD Rule 5150 8 that would subject an NASD member registered as a market maker with the Nasdaq Exchange in an ITS Security to the provisions of NASD Rule 5262 for purposes of trades in that ITS Security reported to the NASD, as if such market maker were an ITS/CAES Market Maker. Thus, an NASD member that is a Nasdaq market maker trading ITS Securities otherwise than on an exchange—for example, through the Trade Reporting Facility approved as part of SR–NASD–2005–087—would be subject to the provisions of NASD Rule 5262, including its trade-through complaint procedures. All of the exclusions to the TradeThrough Rule applicable under NASD Rule 5262(a) would be available to Nasdaq market makers subject to proposed NASD Rule 5150 and would apply as they do today to ITS/CAES 7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53583 (March 31, 2006), 71 FR 19573 (April 14, 2006) (SR–NASDAQ–2006–001). 8 Pursuant to SR–NASD–2005–087, the NASD Rule 5000 Series will be renamed ‘‘Trading Otherwise Than On An Exchange’’ and for purposes of the NASD Rule 5000 Series, ‘‘otherwise than on an exchange’’ will mean a trade effected by an NASD member otherwise than on or through a national securities exchange. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:46 Jul 26, 2006 Jkt 208001 42699 Market Makers, with one limited exception. The NASD is proposing that, for purposes of applying the term ‘‘Block Transaction’’ under NASD Rule 5262(a)(7)(B) to Nasdaq market makers that are not NASD ITS/CAES Market Makers, the term mean any trade that involves 10,000 or more shares of an ITS security or a quantity of any such security having a market value of $200,000 or more. This limitation makes the term consistent with the definition of ‘‘block size’’ in Regulation NMS Rule 600, which currently serves to exempt certain NASD members from a requirement to become NASD ITS/CAES Market Makers under certain circumstances. As such, Nasdaq market makers that are not also NASD ITS/ CAES Market Makers would not be subject to the requirement in Rule 5264(a) to send commitments to other venues when executing block size trades or the other block transaction requirements in NASD Rule 5264(b)(2) and (3), such as the requirement to effect a block trade as a cross or at a price other than the ITS/CAES Market Maker’s quote. The NASD believes proposed NASD Rule 5150 is necessary to maintain the application of the Trade-Through Rule until implementation of Regulation NMS, and specifically the Order Protection Rule mandating intermarket protection against trade-throughs for all Nasdaq and exchange-listed securities.9 Effective upon the implementation of the Order Protection Rule, the NASD would repeal NASD Rule 5150 in favor of a more general rule complying with Regulation NMS. The effective date of the proposed rule change will be the date upon which the Nasdaq Exchange begins to trade non-Nasdaq exchange-listed securities on a UTP basis. investor protection by maintaining trade through protection for over-the-counter trades in exchange-listed securities. 2. Statutory Basis The NASD believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,10 which requires, among other things, that NASD rules be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. The NASD believes that the proposed rule change will enhance • 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–2006–081 on the subject line. 9 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 2005), 70 FR 37496 (June 29, 2005) (Final Rule). The effective date for NMS Rule 611, the Order Protection Rule, was August 29, 2005; however, the initial compliance date has been extended from June 29, 2006 to a series of five dates, beginning on October 16, 2006. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53829 (May 18, 2006), 71 FR 30038 (May 24, 2006). 10 15 U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(6). PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The NASD 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 Written comments were neither solicited nor received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will: (A) By order approve such proposed rule change, or (B) Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved. 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 Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NASD–2006–081. 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 E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1 42700 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 144 / Thursday, July 27, 2006 / Notices 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 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–2006–081 and should be submitted on or before August 17, 2006. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.11 J. Lynn Taylor, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. E6–11984 Filed 7–26–06; 8:45 am] thereunder,2 a proposal to list and trade Index-Linked Securities (the ‘‘Notes’’) of Barclays Bank PLC (‘‘Barclays’’) linked to the performance of the Goldman Sachs Crude Oil Total Return IndexTM (the ‘‘Index’’). On March 27, 2006, NYSE filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change.3 On May 26, 2006, NYSE filed Amendment No. 2 to the proposed rule change.4 The proposed rule change, as amended was published for comment in the Federal Register on June 16, 2006 for a 15-day comment period.5 The Commission received no comments regarding the proposal. This order approves the proposed rule change. II. Description of the Proposal The NYSE proposes to list and trade the Notes that will track the performance of the Index pursuant to § 703.19 (‘‘Other Securities’’) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual (‘‘Manual’’). Barclays intends to issue the Notes under the name ‘‘iPathSM Exchange-Traded Notes.’’ The Exchange believes that the Notes will conform to the initial listing standards for equity securities under Section 703.19 of the Manual because Barclays is an affiliate of Barclays PLC,6 an Exchange listed company in good standing. Under Section 703.19 of the Manual, the Exchange may approve for listing and 2 17 BILLING CODE 8010–01–P CFR 240.19b–4. Amendment No. 1, the Exchange noted Supplementary Material to NYSE Rule 1301B, which set forth the guidelines in NYSE Rules 1300B(b) and 1301 for specialists applicable to this product. The Exchange also made clarifying and technical change to this proposal in Amendment No. 1. 4 In Amendment No. 2, the Exchange inserted in the ‘‘Purpose’’ section of the Form 19b–4: (i) A description of the process by which the West Texas Intermediate (‘‘WTI’’) crude oil futures contract traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (the ‘‘NYMEX’’) that is included in the Index changes on a monthly basis to the contract with the closest expiration date; and (ii) a continued listing standard stating that the Exchange will delist the Notes if the Index ceases in whole or in part to be based on the WTI Crude Oil futures contract traded on the NYMEX. 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53967 (June 9, 2006), 71 FR 34976 (June 16, 2006) (SR– NYSE–2006–19) (‘‘Notice’’). 6 The issuer of the Notes, Barclays, is an affiliate of an Exchange-listed company (Barclays PLC) and not an Exchange-listed company itself. However, Barclays, though an affiliate of Barclays PLC, would exceed the Exchange’s earnings and minimum tangible net worth requirements in Section 102 of the Manual. Additionally, the Exchange states that the Notes, when combined with the original issue price of all other Note offerings of the issuer that are listed on a national securities exchange (or association), does not exceed 25% of the issuer’s net worth. Telephone conference between Florence E. Harmon, Senior Special Counsel, Division of Market Regulation (‘‘Division’’), Commission, and John Carey, Assistant General Counsel, Exchange, on April 11, 2006 (‘‘April 11 Telephone Conference’’). 3 In SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–54177; File No. SR–NYSE– 2006–19] Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (n/k/a New York Stock Exchange LLC); Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 Thereto To List and Trade IndexLinked Notes of Barclays Bank PLC Linked to the Performance of the Goldman Sachs Crude Oil Total Return IndexTM July 19, 2006. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES I. Introduction On March 13, 2006, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (n/k/a New York Stock Exchange LLC) (‘‘NYSE’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 11 17 1 15 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:46 Jul 26, 2006 Jkt 208001 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 trading securities not otherwise covered by the criteria of Sections 1 and 7 of the Manual, provided the issue is suited for auction market trading.7 The Notes will have a minimum life of one year, the minimum public market value of the Notes at the time of issuance will exceed $4 million, there will be at least one million Notes outstanding, and there will be at least 400 holders at the time of issuance. The Notes are a series of mediumterm debt securities of Barclays that provide for a cash payment at maturity or upon earlier exchange at the holder’s option, based on the performance of the Index. The principal amount of each Note is $50. The Notes will trade on the Exchange’s equity trading floor, and the Exchange’s existing equity trading rules will apply to trading in the Notes. The Notes will not have a minimum principal amount that will be repaid and, accordingly, payment on the Notes prior to or at maturity may be less than the original issue price of the Notes. In fact, the value of the Index must increase for the investor to receive at least the $50 principal amount per Note at maturity or upon exchange or redemption. If the value of the Index decreases or does not increase sufficiently to offset the investor fee (described below), the investor will receive less, and possibly significantly less, than the $50 principal amount per Note. In addition, holders of the Notes will not receive any interest payments from the Notes. The Notes will have a term of 30 years. The Notes are not callable.8 Description of ‘‘GSCI’’ and the Index The investment objective of the Notes is to track the Index, The Index is a subindex of the Goldman Sachs Commodity Index (the ‘‘GSCI’’) and reflects the excess returns that are potentially available through an unleveraged investment in the contracts comprising the relevant components of the Index (which currently includes only the WTI Crude Oil futures contract traded on the NYMEX), plus the Treasury Bill rate of interest that could be earned on funds committed to the trading of the underlying contracts.9 Both indexes are 7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 28217 (July 18, 1990), 55 FR 30056 (July 24, 1990) (SR– NYSE–90–30). 8 April 11 Telephone Conference. 9 The Treasury Bill rate of interest used for purposes of calculating the index on any day is the 91-day auction high rate for U.S. Treasury Bills, as reported on Telerate page 56, or any successor page, on the most recent of the weekly auction dates prior to such day. E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 144 (Thursday, July 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42698-42700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11984]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-54186; File No. SR-NASD-2006-081]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Association of Securities 
Dealers, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt New 
NASD Rule 5150 Relating to Trade-Throughs

July 20, 2006.
    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 July 11, 2006, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. 
(``NASD'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, 
and III below, which Items have been prepared by the NASD. 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.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The NASD is proposing to adopt, in anticipation of The NASDAQ Stock 
Market LLC (the ``Nasdaq Exchange'') beginning to trade non-Nasdaq 
exchange-listed securities on an unlisted trading privileges (``UTP'') 
basis, new NASD Rule 5150 to require an NASD member that is registered 
as a market maker with the Nasdaq Exchange in a non-Nasdaq exchange-
listed security to comply with the provisions of NASD Rule 5262 
relating to trade-throughs with respect to that security for trades 
reported to the NASD. Below is the text of the proposed rule change. 
Proposed new language is in italics.
* * * * *

5000. Other Nasdaq and NASD Markets

* * * * *

5150. Applicability of Trade-Through Rule to Nasdaq Market Makers

    An NASD member shall comply with the provisions of Rule 5262 
(Trade-Throughs), as if it were an ITS/CAES market maker, for purposes 
of transactions that are reported to NASD in any ITS Security, as that 
term is defined in Rule 5210(c), in which such member is registered as 
a market maker with The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. For purposes of this 
Rule 5150, the term ``Block Transaction'' under Rule 5262(a)(7)(B) 
shall mean any trade that involves 10,000 or more shares of an ITS 
security or a quantity of any such security having a market value of 
$200,000 or more.
* * * * *

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 NASD 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 NASD 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
    The proposed rule change is filed in anticipation of the Nasdaq 
Exchange operating as a national securities exchange for purposes of 
trading non-Nasdaq exchange-listed securities on a UTP basis. The NASD 
is proposing a new rule to require an NASD member that is registered as 
a market maker with the Nasdaq Exchange in an ITS Security, as defined 
Rule 5210(c), to comply with the provisions of NASD Rule 5262 (Trade-
Throughs) with respect to that security for trades reported to the 
NASD.

Background

    On July 11, 2005, the NASD filed with the Commission proposed rule 
change SR-NASD-2005-087, which, among other things, proposed amendments 
to the Plan of Allocation and Delegation of Functions by the NASD to 
Subsidiaries, NASD By-Laws and NASD rules to reflect The Nasdaq Stock 
Market, Inc.'s (``Nasdaq'') separation from the NASD upon the Nasdaq 
Exchange's operation as a national securities exchange.\3\ On June 15, 
2006, the NASD filed Amendment No. 1 to SR-NASD-2005-087, which, among 
other things, proposed the NASD's and Nasdaq's implementation strategy 
for Nasdaq's operation as a national securities exchange. On June 30, 
2006, the Commission approved SR-NASD-2005-087, as amended, the 
effective date of which will be the date upon which the Nasdaq Exchange 
operates as an exchange for Nasdaq-listed securities.\4\ The NASD 
intends to file a second proposed rule change proposing an NASD 
facility for over-the-counter quoting and trading of non-Nasdaq 
exchange-listed securities, to be made available when the Nasdaq 
Exchange begins to trade such securities on a UTP basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Commission approved the Nasdaq Exchange application on 
January 13, 2006. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53128 
(January 13, 2006), 71 FR 3550 (January 23, 2006).
    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54084 (June 30, 
2006), 71 FR 38935 (July 10, 2006).
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    Currently, NASD Rule 5262, also known as the Trade-Through Rule, 
restricts a member registered as an NASD ITS/CAES Market Maker \5\ in 
an ITS/CAES security \6\ from purchasing or selling such security, 
whether as principal or agent, at a price that is lower than the bid or 
higher than the offer displayed from an ITS Participant Exchange or 
ITS/CAES Market Maker. Current NASD Rule 5262 applies to all over-the-
counter trading by NASD ITS/CAES Market Makers in that security, 
including trades executed outside of CAES and reported to the NASD.
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    \5\ For purposes of NASD Rule 5262, ``ITS/CAES Market Maker'' is 
defined in NASD Rule 5210(e) as a member that is registered as a 
market maker for the purposes of participating in the Intermarket 
Trading System (``ITS'') through the Computer Assisted Execution 
System (``CAES'') with respect to one or more specified ITS 
securities in which the member is then actively registered. The term 
also includes members that meet the definition of electronic 
communications network or alternative trading network. CAES is an 
automated system that is currently operated by The Nasdaq Stock 
Market, Inc. NASD members can direct agency and principal orders in 
exchange-listed securities to CAES for automated execution in the 
third market.
    \6\ The term ``ITS Security'' is defined in NASD Rule 5210(c) as 
``any security which may be traded through the [ITS] System by an 
ITS/CAES Market Maker.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Nasdaq Exchange established a substantially similar rule, 
Nasdaq Rule 5262, which, by its terms, would apply to market makers 
registered with the Nasdaq Exchange (``Nasdaq market

[[Page 42699]]

makers'') in ITS Securities. However, because the ITS Plan does not 
require the Nasdaq Exchange, or any other exchange, to have a trade-
through rule applicable to its individual market participants, the 
Nasdaq Exchange has proposed to delete the rule upon integration of the 
Nasdaq Market Center and Nasdaq's Brut and INET systems into a single 
book.\7\ If approved, the Nasdaq Exchange's rule would be replaced with 
a trade-through obligation imposed on the Nasdaq Exchange itself.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53583 (March 31, 
2006), 71 FR 19573 (April 14, 2006) (SR-NASDAQ-2006-001).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, once the Nasdaq Exchange is operating as an exchange for 
non-Nasdaq exchange-listed securities, it is expected that some of the 
current NASD ITS/CAES Market Makers will no longer be registered with 
the NASD in this capacity, but instead will become registered solely as 
Nasdaq Market Makers. As such, no trade-through rule would apply to 
over-the-counter trading activity by these Nasdaq market makers that 
are not also registered as NASD ITS/CAES market makers. Specifically, 
NASD Rule 5262 only applies to trading by NASD ITS/CAES market makers. 
Nasdaq Rule 5262 would be similarly limited in its application to 
Nasdaq market makers trading on or through the Nasdaq Exchange, and is 
expected to be eliminated altogether upon approval of the Nasdaq 
Exchange's system integration.

Proposed New NASD Rule 5150

    The NASD is proposing new NASD Rule 5150 \8\ that would subject an 
NASD member registered as a market maker with the Nasdaq Exchange in an 
ITS Security to the provisions of NASD Rule 5262 for purposes of trades 
in that ITS Security reported to the NASD, as if such market maker were 
an ITS/CAES Market Maker. Thus, an NASD member that is a Nasdaq market 
maker trading ITS Securities otherwise than on an exchange--for 
example, through the Trade Reporting Facility approved as part of SR-
NASD-2005-087--would be subject to the provisions of NASD Rule 5262, 
including its trade-through complaint procedures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ Pursuant to SR-NASD-2005-087, the NASD Rule 5000 Series will 
be renamed ``Trading Otherwise Than On An Exchange'' and for 
purposes of the NASD Rule 5000 Series, ``otherwise than on an 
exchange'' will mean a trade effected by an NASD member otherwise 
than on or through a national securities exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All of the exclusions to the Trade-Through Rule applicable under 
NASD Rule 5262(a) would be available to Nasdaq market makers subject to 
proposed NASD Rule 5150 and would apply as they do today to ITS/CAES 
Market Makers, with one limited exception. The NASD is proposing that, 
for purposes of applying the term ``Block Transaction'' under NASD Rule 
5262(a)(7)(B) to Nasdaq market makers that are not NASD ITS/CAES Market 
Makers, the term mean any trade that involves 10,000 or more shares of 
an ITS security or a quantity of any such security having a market 
value of $200,000 or more. This limitation makes the term consistent 
with the definition of ``block size'' in Regulation NMS Rule 600, which 
currently serves to exempt certain NASD members from a requirement to 
become NASD ITS/CAES Market Makers under certain circumstances. As 
such, Nasdaq market makers that are not also NASD ITS/CAES Market 
Makers would not be subject to the requirement in Rule 5264(a) to send 
commitments to other venues when executing block size trades or the 
other block transaction requirements in NASD Rule 5264(b)(2) and (3), 
such as the requirement to effect a block trade as a cross or at a 
price other than the ITS/CAES Market Maker's quote.
    The NASD believes proposed NASD Rule 5150 is necessary to maintain 
the application of the Trade-Through Rule until implementation of 
Regulation NMS, and specifically the Order Protection Rule mandating 
intermarket protection against trade-throughs for all Nasdaq and 
exchange-listed securities.\9\ Effective upon the implementation of the 
Order Protection Rule, the NASD would repeal NASD Rule 5150 in favor of 
a more general rule complying with Regulation NMS.
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    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 
2005), 70 FR 37496 (June 29, 2005) (Final Rule). The effective date 
for NMS Rule 611, the Order Protection Rule, was August 29, 2005; 
however, the initial compliance date has been extended from June 29, 
2006 to a series of five dates, beginning on October 16, 2006. See 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53829 (May 18, 2006), 71 FR 
30038 (May 24, 2006).
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    The effective date of the proposed rule change will be the date 
upon which the Nasdaq Exchange begins to trade non-Nasdaq exchange-
listed securities on a UTP basis.
2. Statutory Basis
    The NASD believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,\10\ which requires, 
among other things, that NASD rules be designed to prevent fraudulent 
and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the 
public interest. The NASD believes that the proposed rule change will 
enhance investor protection by maintaining trade through protection for 
over-the-counter trades in exchange-listed securities.
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    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The NASD 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

    Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

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

    Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may 
designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to 
be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
    (A) By order approve such proposed rule change, or
    (B) Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be disapproved.

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-NASD-2006-081 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASD-2006-081. 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

[[Page 42700]]

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 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-2006-081 and should be 
submitted on or before August 17, 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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J. Lynn Taylor,
Assistant Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E6-11984 Filed 7-26-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P
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