Self-Regulatory Organizations; Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Priority of Synthetic Option Orders in Open Outcry, 39875-39877 [E7-14024]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 139 / Friday, July 20, 2007 / Notices 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 the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Phlx. 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–Phlx–2007–46 and should be submitted on or beforeAugust 10, 2007. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.18 Florence E. Harmon, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E7–14023 Filed 7–19–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–56076; File No. SR–Phlx– 2007–46] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Priority of Synthetic Option Orders in Open Outcry mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES July 16, 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 26, 2007, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. (‘‘Phlx’’ 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 the Phlx. The Exchange filed the proposed rule change pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder,4 which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the 18 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 1 15 VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:19 Jul 19, 2007 Jkt 211001 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 Phlx proposes to adopt, on a permanent basis, Exchange Rule 1033(e), which is currently subject to a pilot program (the ‘‘pilot’’) scheduled to expire June 30, 2007. Exchange Rule 1033(e) affords priority to synthetic option orders (as defined below) traded in open outcry over bids and offers in the trading crowd but not over bids (offers) of public customers on the limit order book and not over crowd participants who are willing to participate in the synthetic option order at the net debit or credit price. The rule applies to orders for 100 contracts or more. The Exchange proposes to adopt the rule on a permanent basis. The text of the proposed rule change is set forth below. Brackets indicate deletions; italics indicate new text. Bids and Offers—Premium Rule 1033.(a)–(d) No change. (e) Synthetic Option Orders. When a member holding a synthetic option order, as defined in Rule 1066, and bidding or offering on the basis of a total credit or debit for the order has determined that the order may not be executed by a combination of transactions at or within the bids and offers established in the marketplace, then the order may be executed as a synthetic option order at the total credit or debit with one other member, provided that, the member executes the option leg at a better price than the established bid or offer for that option contract, in accordance with Rule 1014. [Subject to a pilot expiring June 30, 2007, s] Synthetic option orders in open outcry, in which the option component is for a size of 100 contracts or more, have priority over bids (offers) of crowd participants who are bidding (offering) only for the option component of the synthetic option order, but not over bids (offers) of public customers on the limit order book, and not over crowd participants that are willing to participate in the synthetic option order at the net debit or credit price. (f)–(i) No change. 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 Phlx included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 39875 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 Phlx 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 purpose of the proposed rule change is to adopt, on a permanent basis, Exchange Rule 1033(e), which facilitates the execution of option orders that are represented in the crowd together with a stock component, known under the Exchange’s rules as synthetic option orders,5 which by virtue of the stock component may be difficult to execute without a limited exception to current Exchange priority rules. The pilot was originally adopted in July 2005,6 extended for an additional six-month period through June 30, 2006,7 and subsequently extended for one year, which is scheduled to expire June 30, 2007.8 Currently, Exchange Rule 1033(e) provides that, if an Exchange member who is holding a synthetic option order and is bidding or offering on a net debit or credit basis determines that such synthetic option order cannot be executed at the net debit or credit against the established bids and offers in the crowd, the member bidding for or offering the synthetic option on a net debit or credit basis may execute the synthetic option order with one other crowd participant, provided that the option portion of the synthetic option order is executed at a price that is better 5 Exchange Rule 1066(g) currently defines a synthetic option order as an order to buy or sell a stated number of option contracts and buy or sell the underlying stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share in an amount that would offset (on a one-forone basis) the option position. For example: (1) Buy-write: An example of a buy-write is an order to sell one call and buy 100 shares of the underlying stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share. (2) Synthetic put: An example of a synthetic put is an order to buy one call and sell 100 shares of the underlying stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share. (3) Synthetic call: An example of a synthetic call is an order to buy (or sell) one put and buy (or sell) 100 shares of the underlying stock or ExchangeTraded Fund Share. 6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 52140 (July 27, 2005), 70 FR 45481 (August 5, 2005) (SR– Phlx–2005–31). 7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53004 (December 22, 2005), 70 FR 77234 (December 29, 2005) (SR–Phlx–2005–78). 8 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54017 (June 19, 2006), 71 FR 36596 (June 27, 2006) (SR– Phlx–2006–38). E:\FR\FM\20JYN1.SGM 20JYN1 39876 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 139 / Friday, July 20, 2007 / Notices than the established bid or offer for the option. Thus, if the desired net debit or credit amount cannot be achieved by way of executing against the established bids and offers in the crowd, the member may elect to trade at the desired net debit or credit amount with one other member, provided that there is price improvement for the option component of the synthetic option order. Exchange Rule 1033(e) affords synthetic option orders priority over bids (offers) of the trading crowd but not over bids (offers) of public customers on the limit order book and not over crowd participants who are willing to participate in the synthetic option order at the net debit or credit price. The effect of the rule is that a crowd participant bidding or offering for the synthetic option order has priority over other crowd participants that are bidding or offering only for the option component of the order. The rule applies only to synthetic option orders of 100 contracts or more. In addition, the rule provides that members bidding and offering for synthetic option orders of 100 contracts or more do not have priority over bids (offers) of public customers on the limit order book.9 Therefore, if members of the trading crowd wish to trade a synthetic option order that is marketable against public customer orders on the limit order book, public customers would have priority. Multiple public customer orders at the same price are accorded priority based on time. The Exchange believes that Exchange Rule 1033(e), which provides a limited exception to the Exchange’s priority rules only with respect to controlled accounts 10 competing at the same price, should enable Floor Brokers representing synthetic option orders to provide best executions to customers placing such orders and should enable the Exchange to provide liquid markets and compete for order flow in such orders. As stated above, the rule applies only to synthetic option orders in which the option component is for a size of 100 contracts or more that are represented in the trading crowd in open outcry. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act 11 in general and furthers the objectives of section 6(b)(5) of the Act 12 in particular in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest, by adopting a limited exception to the Exchange’s priority rules concerning synthetic option orders. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were either solicited or received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, it has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 13 and Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) thereunder.14 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.15 The Exchange requests that the Commission waive the 30-day operative period under Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) 16 in 11 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 14 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 15 As required by Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) under the Act, the Exchange provided the Commission with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description of the text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the date of the filing of the proposed rule change. 16 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 12 15 9 See Exchange Rule 1080, Commentary .02. controlled account includes any account controlled by or under common control with a broker-dealer. Customer accounts are all other accounts. Orders of controlled accounts are required to yield priority to customer orders when competing at the same price. Orders of controlled accounts generally are not required to yield priority to other controlled account orders. See Exchange Rule 1014(g)(i)(A). mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES 10 A VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:19 Jul 19, 2007 Jkt 211001 PO 00000 13 15 Frm 00093 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 order to ensure the continuity of the rule. The Commission believes that it is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest to waive the 30-day operative delay.17 The Commission believes that the waiver of the 30-day operative delay will allow the Exchange to continue, without interruption, the existing operation of its rule. 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–Phlx–2007–46 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–Phlx–2007–46. 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, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Phlx. All 17 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay of this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). E:\FR\FM\20JYN1.SGM 20JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 139 / Friday, July 20, 2007 / Notices 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–Phlx–2007–46 and should be submitted on or before August 10, 2007. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.18 Florence E. Harmon, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E7–14024 Filed 7–19–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration [Docket No. FAA–2007–28041] Notice of Availability and Public Comment Period for the Draft Air Quality General Conformity Determination (DGCD) for Proposed Operations of Lynx Aviation, Inc. at Denver International Airport, Denver, CO Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft Air Quality General Conformity Determination and notice of public comment period. AGENCY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public that FAA has prepared a Draft Air Quality General Conformity Determination (DGCD) for Proposed Operations of Lynx Aviation, Inc. (Lynx Aviation) at Denver International Airport (DEN) and to request comments from the public on the DGCD. In accordance with Section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act, FAA has assessed whether the emissions that would result from FAA’s action in approving the proposed operation specifications (OPSPECS) for Lynx Aviation’s proposed operations at DEN conform to the applicable Colorado State Implementation Plans (SIPs). The DGCD contains this assessment. DATES: Submit comments on or before August 20, 2007. ADDRESSES: Interested parties may view hard copies of the document in Denver, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time at Environmental Services Section, Department of Aviation, City and mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES SUMMARY: 18 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:19 Jul 19, 2007 Jkt 211001 County of Denver, Elrey B. Jeppesen Terminal Building, Level 6, Room 6619– ˜ 20, 8400 Pena Boulevard, Denver, CO 80249. Please contact Ms. Aimee Fenlon at 303–342–2636 for appointments. To request mailed hard copies of the Draft GCD, contact Mr. Dennis Harn, Operations Specialist, Safety Evaluation and Analysis Branch, ANM–240, FAA Northwest Mountain Region Headquarters, 1601 Lind Ave., SW., Suite 560, Renton, WA 98057; telephone: 425–227–2560; e-mail: Dennis.Harn@faa.gov. The DGCD is also available for review electronically on the Department of Transportation’s Docket Management System (DMS) at https://dms.dot.gov/. Do a simple search for docket number 28041. You may submit comments, identified by docket number FAA–2007–28041, by any of the following methods: 1. By mail to: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590– 0001. 2. By hand delivery to Docket Management Facility, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays; 3. By fax to the Docket Management Facility at 202–493–2251; or 4. By electronic submission through the DMS Web site at https://dms.dot.gov/ submit/. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for additional information about electronic filing. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dennis Harn, telephone: 425–277–2560; e-mail; Dennis.Harn@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Denver Metropolitan Area is an EPAdesignated attainment/maintenance area for the criteria pollutants carbon monoxide, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of 10 micrometers or less (PM10), and ozone (1-hour standard). In addition, DEN is located in an Early Action Compact area for the 8-hour ozone standard. The FAA demonstrates in the DGCD that the sum of the existing aircraft operations at DEN plus the proposed aircraft operations by Lynx Aviation is below the forecast values incorporated into the State Implementation Plan (SIP), and therefore aircraft emissions attributed to flights by Lynx Aviation are already accounted for in the SIP emissions inventories. As a result, the FAA can demonstrate that the proposed action conforms to the SIP. Comment Filing Instructions All submissions received must include the agency name and docket PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 39877 number or Regulatory Information Number (RIN). You may submit comments electronically through the DMS Web site at https://dms.dot.gov/submit/. You have the option of submitting comments either by typing your comment into the DMS or by uploading a previously completed comment document as a file. If you upload a file it must be in one of the following file format types: MS Word (Versions 95–97); MS Word for Mac (Versions 6–8); Rich Text File (RTF); American Standard Code Information Interchange (ASCII) (TXT); Portable Document Format (PDF); or Word Perfect (WPD) (Versions 7–8). See the Electronic Submission Help and Guidelines screen at https://dms.dot.gov/ help/es_help.cfm for additional guidance. The FAA will accept comments on the DCGD until August 20, 2007. Written comments must be postmarked and electronic submissions received by not later than midnight, August 20, 2007. After FAA reviews and addresses all comments, FAA will publish a notice of availability of the Final General Conformity Determination. Issued in Washington, DC on July 16, 2007. John M. Allen, Acting Director, Flight Standards Service. [FR Doc. 07–3540 Filed 07–19–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–M DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2007–28534] Notice of Request for Information (RFI): Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Risk Factor Study Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice; request for information. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This information collection is associated with the agency’s study by a research contractor which will investigate commercial motor vehicle driver risk factors. This information collection will aid FMCSA in developing future safety initiatives by examining a wide array of driver and situational factors to determine if they are associated with increased or decreased crash and incident E:\FR\FM\20JYN1.SGM 20JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 139 (Friday, July 20, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39875-39877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14024]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-56076; File No. SR-Phlx-2007-46]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc.; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change 
Relating to Priority of Synthetic Option Orders in Open Outcry

July 16, 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 26, 2007, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. (``Phlx'' 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 the Phlx. 
The Exchange filed the proposed rule change pursuant to section 
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 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.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Phlx proposes to adopt, on a permanent basis, Exchange Rule 
1033(e), which is currently subject to a pilot program (the ``pilot'') 
scheduled to expire June 30, 2007. Exchange Rule 1033(e) affords 
priority to synthetic option orders (as defined below) traded in open 
outcry over bids and offers in the trading crowd but not over bids 
(offers) of public customers on the limit order book and not over crowd 
participants who are willing to participate in the synthetic option 
order at the net debit or credit price. The rule applies to orders for 
100 contracts or more. The Exchange proposes to adopt the rule on a 
permanent basis. The text of the proposed rule change is set forth 
below. Brackets indicate deletions; italics indicate new text.
Bids and Offers--Premium
    Rule 1033.(a)-(d) No change.
    (e) Synthetic Option Orders. When a member holding a synthetic 
option order, as defined in Rule 1066, and bidding or offering on the 
basis of a total credit or debit for the order has determined that the 
order may not be executed by a combination of transactions at or within 
the bids and offers established in the marketplace, then the order may 
be executed as a synthetic option order at the total credit or debit 
with one other member, provided that, the member executes the option 
leg at a better price than the established bid or offer for that option 
contract, in accordance with Rule 1014. [Subject to a pilot expiring 
June 30, 2007, s] Synthetic option orders in open outcry, in which the 
option component is for a size of 100 contracts or more, have priority 
over bids (offers) of crowd participants who are bidding (offering) 
only for the option component of the synthetic option order, but not 
over bids (offers) of public customers on the limit order book, and not 
over crowd participants that are willing to participate in the 
synthetic option order at the net debit or credit price.
    (f)-(i) No change.

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 Phlx 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 Phlx 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 purpose of the proposed rule change is to adopt, on a permanent 
basis, Exchange Rule 1033(e), which facilitates the execution of option 
orders that are represented in the crowd together with a stock 
component, known under the Exchange's rules as synthetic option 
orders,\5\ which by virtue of the stock component may be difficult to 
execute without a limited exception to current Exchange priority rules. 
The pilot was originally adopted in July 2005,\6\ extended for an 
additional six-month period through June 30, 2006,\7\ and subsequently 
extended for one year, which is scheduled to expire June 30, 2007.\8\
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    \5\ Exchange Rule 1066(g) currently defines a synthetic option 
order as an order to buy or sell a stated number of option contracts 
and buy or sell the underlying stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share 
in an amount that would offset (on a one-for-one basis) the option 
position. For example:
    (1) Buy-write: An example of a buy-write is an order to sell one 
call and buy 100 shares of the underlying stock or Exchange-Traded 
Fund Share.
    (2) Synthetic put: An example of a synthetic put is an order to 
buy one call and sell 100 shares of the underlying stock or 
Exchange-Traded Fund Share.
    (3) Synthetic call: An example of a synthetic call is an order 
to buy (or sell) one put and buy (or sell) 100 shares of the 
underlying stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share.
    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 52140 (July 27, 
2005), 70 FR 45481 (August 5, 2005) (SR-Phlx-2005-31).
    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53004 (December 22, 
2005), 70 FR 77234 (December 29, 2005) (SR-Phlx-2005-78).
    \8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54017 (June 19, 
2006), 71 FR 36596 (June 27, 2006) (SR-Phlx-2006-38).
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    Currently, Exchange Rule 1033(e) provides that, if an Exchange 
member who is holding a synthetic option order and is bidding or 
offering on a net debit or credit basis determines that such synthetic 
option order cannot be executed at the net debit or credit against the 
established bids and offers in the crowd, the member bidding for or 
offering the synthetic option on a net debit or credit basis may 
execute the synthetic option order with one other crowd participant, 
provided that the option portion of the synthetic option order is 
executed at a price that is better

[[Page 39876]]

than the established bid or offer for the option. Thus, if the desired 
net debit or credit amount cannot be achieved by way of executing 
against the established bids and offers in the crowd, the member may 
elect to trade at the desired net debit or credit amount with one other 
member, provided that there is price improvement for the option 
component of the synthetic option order.
    Exchange Rule 1033(e) affords synthetic option orders priority over 
bids (offers) of the trading crowd but not over bids (offers) of public 
customers on the limit order book and not over crowd participants who 
are willing to participate in the synthetic option order at the net 
debit or credit price. The effect of the rule is that a crowd 
participant bidding or offering for the synthetic option order has 
priority over other crowd participants that are bidding or offering 
only for the option component of the order. The rule applies only to 
synthetic option orders of 100 contracts or more.
    In addition, the rule provides that members bidding and offering 
for synthetic option orders of 100 contracts or more do not have 
priority over bids (offers) of public customers on the limit order 
book.\9\ Therefore, if members of the trading crowd wish to trade a 
synthetic option order that is marketable against public customer 
orders on the limit order book, public customers would have priority. 
Multiple public customer orders at the same price are accorded priority 
based on time.
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    \9\ See Exchange Rule 1080, Commentary .02.
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    The Exchange believes that Exchange Rule 1033(e), which provides a 
limited exception to the Exchange's priority rules only with respect to 
controlled accounts \10\ competing at the same price, should enable 
Floor Brokers representing synthetic option orders to provide best 
executions to customers placing such orders and should enable the 
Exchange to provide liquid markets and compete for order flow in such 
orders.
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    \10\ A controlled account includes any account controlled by or 
under common control with a broker-dealer. Customer accounts are all 
other accounts. Orders of controlled accounts are required to yield 
priority to customer orders when competing at the same price. Orders 
of controlled accounts generally are not required to yield priority 
to other controlled account orders. See Exchange Rule 1014(g)(i)(A).
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    As stated above, the rule applies only to synthetic option orders 
in which the option component is for a size of 100 contracts or more 
that are represented in the trading crowd in open outcry.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with section 
6(b) of the Act \11\ in general and furthers the objectives of section 
6(b)(5) of the Act \12\ in particular in that it is designed to promote 
just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and 
perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market 
system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest, 
by adopting a limited exception to the Exchange's priority rules 
concerning synthetic option orders.
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    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

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

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

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) 
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with 
the protection of investors and the public interest, it has become 
effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \13\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\14\ 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.\15\
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    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \14\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \15\ As required by Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) under the Act, the 
Exchange provided the Commission with written notice of its intent 
to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description of 
the text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days 
prior to the date of the filing of the proposed rule change.
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    The Exchange requests that the Commission waive the 30-day 
operative period under Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \16\ in order to ensure 
the continuity of the rule. The Commission believes that it is 
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest to 
waive the 30-day operative delay.\17\ The Commission believes that the 
waiver of the 30-day operative delay will allow the Exchange to 
continue, without interruption, the existing operation of its rule.
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    \16\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \17\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay of 
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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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-Phlx-2007-46 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-Phlx-2007-46. 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, 100 F Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for 
inspection and copying at the principal office of the Phlx. All

[[Page 39877]]

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-Phlx-2007-46 and should be 
submitted on or before August 10, 2007.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\18\
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    \18\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E7-14024 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P
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