Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change as Modified by Amendment No. 1 Thereto Relating to Fee Waivers, 39648-39650 [E7-13959]
Download as PDF
39648
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 138 / Thursday, July 19, 2007 / Notices
Office of Management and Budget,
Room 10102, New Executive Office
Building, Washington, DC 20503, or by
sending an e-mail to:
David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov; and (ii) R.
Corey Booth, Director/Chief Information
Officer, Securities and Exchange
Commission, C/O Shirley Martinson,
6432 General Green Way, Alexandria,
VA 22312, or by sending an e-mail to:
PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov. Comments must
be submitted to OMB within 30 days of
this notice.
Dated: July 12, 2007.
Nancy M. Morris,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7–13965 Filed 7–18–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
Upon Written Request, Copies Available
From: Securities and Exchange
Commission, Office of Filings and
Information Services, Washington, DC
20549.
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Extension:
Rule 15a–6, SEC File No. 270–0329, OMB
Control No. 3235–0371.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant
to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) has submitted to the
Office of Management and Budget a
request for extension of the previously
approved collection of information
discussed below.
Rule 15a–6 (17 CFR 240.15a–6) under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
U.S.C. 78a et seq.) provides, among
other things, an exemption from brokerdealer registration for foreign brokerdealers that effect trades with or for U.S.
institutional investors through a U.S.
registered broker-dealer, provided that
the U.S. broker-dealer obtains certain
information about, and consents to
service of process from, the personnel of
the foreign broker-dealer involved in
such transactions, and maintains certain
records in connection therewith.
These requirements are intended to
ensure (a) that the U.S. broker-dealer
will receive notice of the identity of,
and has reviewed the background of,
foreign personnel who will contact U.S.
institutional investors, (b) that the
foreign broker-dealer and its personnel
effectively may be served with process
in the event enforcement action is
necessary, and (c) that the Commission
has ready access to information
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:31 Jul 18, 2007
Jkt 211001
concerning these persons and their U.S.
securities activities.
In general, the records to be
maintained under Rule 15a–6 must be
kept for the applicable time periods as
set forth in Rule 17a–4 (17 CFR
240.17a–4) under the Exchange Act or,
with respect to the consents to service
of process, for a period of not less than
six years after the applicable person
ceases engaging in U.S. securities
activities. Reliance on the exemption set
forth in Rule 15a–6 is voluntary, but if
a foreign broker-dealer elects to rely on
such exemption, the collection of
information described therein is
mandatory. The collection does not
involve confidential information. Please
note that an agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid
control number.
It is estimated that approximately
2,000 respondents will incur an average
burden of three hours per year to
comply with this rule, for a total burden
of 6,000 hours. At an average cost per
hour of approximately $100, the
resultant total cost of compliance for the
respondents is $600,000 per year (2,000
entities × 3 hours/entity × $100/hour =
$600,000).
General comments regarding the
estimated burden hours should be
directed to the following persons: (i)
Desk Officer for the Securities and
Exchange Commission, Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget,
Room 10102, New Executive Office
Building, Washington, DC 20503 or
send an e-mail to:
David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov and (ii) R.
Corey Booth, Director/Chief Information
Officer, Securities and Exchange
Commission, C/O Shirley Martinson,
6432 General Green Way, Alexandria
VA 22312 or send an e-mail to:
PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov. Comments must
be submitted to OMB within 30 days of
this notice.
Dated: July 12, 2007.
Nancy M. Morris,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7–13966 Filed 7–18–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
PO 00000
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–56055; File No. SR–ISE–
2007–52]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
International Securities Exchange,
LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule
Change as Modified by Amendment
No. 1 Thereto Relating to Fee Waivers
July 12, 2007.
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 June 27,
2007, the International Securities
Exchange, LLC (‘‘ISE’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’)
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 substantially prepared by the
Exchange. On July 11, 2007, the
Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the
proposed rule change. ISE has
designated this proposal as one
establishing or changing a due, fee, or
other charge imposed by ISE under
Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act 3 and
Rule 19b–4(f)(2) 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, as amended, from interested
persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
ISE proposes to amend its Schedule of
Fees to extend two fee waivers. The text
of the proposed rule change is available
at the Commission’s Public Reference
Room, at the Exchange, and on its Web
site at https://www.ise.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
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
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
2 17
Frm 00044
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\19JYN1.SGM
19JYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 138 / Thursday, July 19, 2007 / Notices
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
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
1. Purpose
The purpose of this proposed rule
change is to extend two fee waivers.
First, ISE currently waives most
customer transaction fees, with such
waiver scheduled to expire on June 30,
2007.5 In order to remain competitive in
the marketplace, the Exchange proposes
to extend this waiver through June 30,
2008.
Second, ISE currently has a pilot
program that: (1) Caps and waives
execution and comparison fees for
transactions in options on the
NASDAQ–100 Index Tracking Stock
(‘‘QQQQ’’) 6 and the iShares Russell
2000 Index Fund (‘‘IWM’’) 7 when a
member transacts a certain number of
QQQQ and IWM option contracts; and
(2) reduces and waives the facilitation
execution and comparison fees when a
member transacts a certain number of
contracts through the Exchange’s
Facilitation Mechanism.
The Exchange’s fee discount program
applies to ISE Market Maker orders and
Firm Proprietary orders in QQQQ and
IWM options. The Exchange’s current
transaction fees for these order types are
as follows: for ISE Market Maker orders,
the transaction fees range from $.21 to
$.12 per contract, depending on the
Exchange’s trading volume, plus a
comparison fee of $.03 per contract; and
for Firm Proprietary orders, the
transaction fee is $.15 per contract, plus
a comparison fee of $.03 per contract.
Under the QQQQ pilot program, when
a member’s average daily volume
(‘‘A.D.V.’’) in QQQQ options reaches
10,000 contracts, the member’s
execution fee for the next 2,000 QQQQ
option contracts is reduced by $.10 per
contract. Further, when a member’s
monthly A.D.V. in QQQQ options
reaches 12,000 contracts, the Exchange
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53954
(June 7, 2006), 71 FR 34651 (June 15, 2006) (SR–
ISE–2006–29).
6 The Exchange instituted this pilot program in
November 2003 and has since extended it on
numerous occasions. See Securities Exchange Act
Release Nos. 49147 (January 29, 2004), 69 FR 5629
(February 5, 2004) (SR–ISE–2003–32); 49853 (June
14, 2004), 69 FR 35087 (June 23, 2004) (SR–ISE–
2004–15); 50900 (December 21, 2004), 69 FR 78075
(December 29, 2004) (SR–ISE–2004–36); 52934
(December 9, 2005), 70 FR 74859 (December 16,
2005) (SR–ISE–2005–53); 54841 (November 30,
2006), 71 FR 71006 (December 6, 2006) (SR–ISE–
2006–69).
7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55973
(June 28, 2007), 72 FR 37063 (July 6, 2007) (SR–
ISE–2007–39).
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:31 Jul 18, 2007
Jkt 211001
waives the entire execution fee and the
comparison fee for each QQQQ option
contract traded thereafter. Under the
IWM pilot program, when a member’s
A.D.V. in IWM options reaches 8,000
contracts, the member’s execution fee
for the next 2,000 IWM option contracts
is reduced by $.10 per contract. Further,
when a member’s monthly A.D.V. in
IWM options reaches 12,000 contracts,
the Exchange waives the entire
execution fee and the comparison fee for
each IWM option contract traded
thereafter.
The structure of the reduction and
waiver of the facilitation execution fee
and the comparison fee is based on the
structure of the reduction and waiver of
the QQQQ and IWM execution and
comparison fees noted above. That is,
when a member’s monthly A.D.V. in the
Facilitation Mechanism reaches 15,000
contracts, the member’s facilitation
execution fee for the next 5,000
contracts transacted in the Facilitation
Mechanism are reduced by $.10 per
contract. Further, when a member’s
monthly A.D.V. in the Facilitation
Mechanism reaches 20,000 contracts,
the Exchange waives the entire
facilitation execution fee and the
comparison fee for each contract
transacted in the Facilitation
Mechanism thereafter.
The Exchange notes that the current
pilot program is set to expire on June 30,
2007. The Exchange now proposes to
extend the pilot program for another
year, until June 30, 2008. ISE seeks to
extend this pilot program for
competitive reasons. This pilot program
was initiated and extended in an
attempt to increase the Exchange’s
market share in QQQQ and IWM
options and to also encourage members
to use the Exchange’s Facilitation
Mechanism.
2. Statutory Basis
The basis under the Act for this
proposed rule change is the requirement
under Section 6(b)(4) of the Act 8 that an
exchange have an equitable allocation of
reasonable dues, fees, and other charges
among its members and other persons
using its facilities. In particular, these
fees would extend current waivers, thus
effectively maintaining low fees.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The proposed rule change does not
impose any burden on competition that
is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
PO 00000
8 15
U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
Frm 00045
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
39649
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange has not solicited, and
does not intend to solicit, comments on
this proposed rule change. The
Exchange has not received any
unsolicited written comments from
members or other interested parties.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing proposed rule change
has been designated as a fee change
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the
Act 9 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2) 10 thereunder,
because it establishes or changes a due,
fee, or other charge imposed by the
Exchange. Accordingly, the proposal
took effect upon filing with the
Commission. At any time within 60
days of the filing of such 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.11
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–ISE–2007–52 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–ISE–2007–52. This file
number should be included on the
subject line if e-mail is used. To help the
9 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
11 For purposes of calculating the 60-day period
within which the Commission may summarily
abrogate the proposed rule change under Section
19(b)(3)(C) of the Act, the Commission considers
the period to commence on July 11, 2007, the date
on which ISE filed Amendment No. 1. See 15 U.S.C.
78s(b)(3)(C).
10 17
E:\FR\FM\19JYN1.SGM
19JYN1
39650
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 138 / Thursday, July 19, 2007 / Notices
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, 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 available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File
Number SR–ISE–2007–52 and should be
submitted on or before August 9, 2007.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated
authority.12
Nancy M. Morris,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7–13959 Filed 7–18–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–56067; File No. SR–NSX–
2007–08]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
National Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness
of Proposed Rule Change To Extend
the Effective Period for Rule 2.12
Regarding Third-Party Routing
Services in Respect of Orders Entered
Into NSX BLADE
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
July 13, 2007.
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 June 29,
2007, the National Stock Exchange, Inc.
(‘‘NSX’’ 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
substantially prepared by NSX. The
Exchange has filed the proposal as a
‘‘non-controversial’’ rule change
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder,4
which renders it 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 proposing to extend
the effective period for Rule 2.12, which
describes the terms under which the
Exchange provides routing services
procured from a third party with respect
to orders entered into its new state of
the art trading system, NSX BLADE. The
text of the proposed rule change is
available at NSX, the Commission’s
Public Reference Room, and https://
www.nsx.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,
NSX 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. NSX 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 Exchange is proposing to amend
Exchange Rules 2.11 and 2.12 to extend
the effective period for Rule 2.12
(relating to the Exchange’s use of a third
party to provide outbound routing of
orders from the Exchange to other
trading centers (‘‘Routing Services’’))
through September 30, 2007, and to
delay the effectiveness of Rule 2.11
(relating to the outbound routing
function of the Exchange’s affiliate, NSX
Securities, LLC (‘‘NSX Securities’’))
until October 1, 2007.
Rule 2.11 provides for certain terms
and conditions under which NSX
Securities, an affiliate of the Exchange,
12 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
15:31 Jul 18, 2007
3 15
4 17
Jkt 211001
PO 00000
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
Frm 00046
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
will provide Routing Services. Rule 2.11
was approved by the Commission in
connection with the approval of the
Exchange’s new trading rules relating to
NSX BLADE on August 31, 2006.5 The
Exchange filed and received approval
for the addition of Rule 2.12, which
provides for terms and conditions of the
Exchange’s use of a third party to
provide Routing Services.6 The
Exchange subsequently filed and
received approval to extend the effective
period for Rule 2.12.7
Rule 2.12 currently provides that it is
effective through June 30, 2007, with
Rule 2.11 becoming effective on July 1,
2007. In connection with the rule filing
adding Rule 2.12,8 the Exchange
requested this finite period of
effectiveness so that the Exchange could
offer routing services through NSX
BLADE while NSX Securities completed
its registration process as a brokerdealer with the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (and thus
became available to provide routing
services),9 and while the Exchange
evaluated its options for providing
routing services to ETP Holders.
In the instant rule filing, the Exchange
is proposing to extend the effectiveness
of Rule 2.12 through September 30,
2007, and to delay the effectiveness of
Rule 2.11 until October 1, 2007, in order
to allow the Exchange more time to
evaluate its options for providing
routing services to ETP Holders. The
ability to route orders entered into NSX
BLADE to away markets for execution at
the best available prices is a key feature
of NSX’s new system.
The Exchange intends to provide
routing services in accordance with
Rule 2.12 until September 30, 2007,
unless the Exchange, with the
Commission’s approval, amends Rule
2.12 before such date. During such time
period, the Exchange intends to evaluate
its options for providing routing
services. At the conclusion of such time
period, the Exchange may decide to (i)
continue the approach provided for in
Rule 2.12 on a permanent basis, and not
use NSX Securities as the outbound
router (by filing a proposed rule change
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54391
(August 31, 2006), 71 FR 52836 (September 7, 2006)
(SR–NSX–2006–08).
6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54808
(November 21, 2006), 71 FR 69163 (November 29,
2006) (SR–NSX–2006–15).
7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55624
(April 12, 2007), 72 FR 19732 (April 19, 2007) (SR–
NSX–2007–04).
8 Id.
9 In January 2007, NSX Securities’ application for
registration as a broker-dealer was approved by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. To
date, the Exchange has not used NSX Securities for
routing services.
E:\FR\FM\19JYN1.SGM
19JYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 138 (Thursday, July 19, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39648-39650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13959]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-56055; File No. SR-ISE-2007-52]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange,
LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule
Change as Modified by Amendment No. 1 Thereto Relating to Fee Waivers
July 12, 2007.
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 June 27, 2007, the International Securities Exchange, LLC (``ISE''
or ``Exchange'') 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 substantially prepared by the
Exchange. On July 11, 2007, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the
proposed rule change. ISE has designated this proposal as one
establishing or changing a due, fee, or other charge imposed by ISE
under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(2)
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, as amended, 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)(ii).
\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
ISE proposes to amend its Schedule of Fees to extend two fee
waivers. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the
Commission's Public Reference Room, at the Exchange, and on its Web
site at https://www.ise.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 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
[[Page 39649]]
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 purpose of this proposed rule change is to extend two fee
waivers. First, ISE currently waives most customer transaction fees,
with such waiver scheduled to expire on June 30, 2007.\5\ In order to
remain competitive in the marketplace, the Exchange proposes to extend
this waiver through June 30, 2008.
Second, ISE currently has a pilot program that: (1) Caps and waives
execution and comparison fees for transactions in options on the
NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock[supreg] (``QQQQ'') \6\ and the iShares
Russell 2000[supreg] Index Fund (``IWM'') \7\ when a member transacts a
certain number of QQQQ and IWM option contracts; and (2) reduces and
waives the facilitation execution and comparison fees when a member
transacts a certain number of contracts through the Exchange's
Facilitation Mechanism.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53954 (June 7,
2006), 71 FR 34651 (June 15, 2006) (SR-ISE-2006-29).
\6\ The Exchange instituted this pilot program in November 2003
and has since extended it on numerous occasions. See Securities
Exchange Act Release Nos. 49147 (January 29, 2004), 69 FR 5629
(February 5, 2004) (SR-ISE-2003-32); 49853 (June 14, 2004), 69 FR
35087 (June 23, 2004) (SR-ISE-2004-15); 50900 (December 21, 2004),
69 FR 78075 (December 29, 2004) (SR-ISE-2004-36); 52934 (December 9,
2005), 70 FR 74859 (December 16, 2005) (SR-ISE-2005-53); 54841
(November 30, 2006), 71 FR 71006 (December 6, 2006) (SR-ISE-2006-
69).
\7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55973 (June 28,
2007), 72 FR 37063 (July 6, 2007) (SR-ISE-2007-39).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange's fee discount program applies to ISE Market Maker
orders and Firm Proprietary orders in QQQQ and IWM options. The
Exchange's current transaction fees for these order types are as
follows: for ISE Market Maker orders, the transaction fees range from
$.21 to $.12 per contract, depending on the Exchange's trading volume,
plus a comparison fee of $.03 per contract; and for Firm Proprietary
orders, the transaction fee is $.15 per contract, plus a comparison fee
of $.03 per contract.
Under the QQQQ pilot program, when a member's average daily volume
(``A.D.V.'') in QQQQ options reaches 10,000 contracts, the member's
execution fee for the next 2,000 QQQQ option contracts is reduced by
$.10 per contract. Further, when a member's monthly A.D.V. in QQQQ
options reaches 12,000 contracts, the Exchange waives the entire
execution fee and the comparison fee for each QQQQ option contract
traded thereafter. Under the IWM pilot program, when a member's A.D.V.
in IWM options reaches 8,000 contracts, the member's execution fee for
the next 2,000 IWM option contracts is reduced by $.10 per contract.
Further, when a member's monthly A.D.V. in IWM options reaches 12,000
contracts, the Exchange waives the entire execution fee and the
comparison fee for each IWM option contract traded thereafter.
The structure of the reduction and waiver of the facilitation
execution fee and the comparison fee is based on the structure of the
reduction and waiver of the QQQQ and IWM execution and comparison fees
noted above. That is, when a member's monthly A.D.V. in the
Facilitation Mechanism reaches 15,000 contracts, the member's
facilitation execution fee for the next 5,000 contracts transacted in
the Facilitation Mechanism are reduced by $.10 per contract. Further,
when a member's monthly A.D.V. in the Facilitation Mechanism reaches
20,000 contracts, the Exchange waives the entire facilitation execution
fee and the comparison fee for each contract transacted in the
Facilitation Mechanism thereafter.
The Exchange notes that the current pilot program is set to expire
on June 30, 2007. The Exchange now proposes to extend the pilot program
for another year, until June 30, 2008. ISE seeks to extend this pilot
program for competitive reasons. This pilot program was initiated and
extended in an attempt to increase the Exchange's market share in QQQQ
and IWM options and to also encourage members to use the Exchange's
Facilitation Mechanism.
2. Statutory Basis
The basis under the Act for this proposed rule change is the
requirement under Section 6(b)(4) of the Act \8\ that an exchange have
an equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges
among its members and other persons using its facilities. In
particular, these fees would extend current waivers, thus effectively
maintaining low fees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The proposed rule change does not 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
The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit,
comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received
any unsolicited written comments from members or other interested
parties.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing proposed rule change has been designated as a fee
change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act \9\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(2) \10\ thereunder, because it establishes or changes a due, fee,
or other charge imposed by the Exchange. Accordingly, the proposal took
effect upon filing with the Commission. At any time within 60 days of
the filing of such 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.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
\10\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
\11\ For purposes of calculating the 60-day period within which
the Commission may summarily abrogate the proposed rule change under
Section 19(b)(3)(C) of the Act, the Commission considers the period
to commence on July 11, 2007, the date on which ISE filed Amendment
No. 1. See 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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-ISE-2007-52 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-ISE-2007-52. This file
number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To
help the
[[Page 39650]]
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, 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 available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR-ISE-2007-52 and should be submitted on
or before August 9, 2007.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation,
pursuant to delegated authority.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nancy M. Morris,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7-13959 Filed 7-18-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P