Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Extending the Pilot Program Increasing Position and Exercise Limits for Options on the iShares® Russell 2000® Index Fund, 3785-3786 [E8-967]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 14 / Tuesday, January 22, 2008 / Notices Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–57144; File No. SR–ISE– 2008–03] Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate All submissions should refer to File Number SR–FINRA–2007–034. This file Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Extending the Pilot Program number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Increasing Position and Exercise Limits for Options on the iShares Commission process and review your Russell 2000 Index Fund comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will January 14, 2008. post all comments on the Commission’s Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/ Securities Exchange Act of 1934 rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 submission, all subsequent notice is hereby given that on January 8, amendments, all written statements 2008, the International Securities with respect to the proposed rule Exchange, LLC (‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘ISE’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange change that are filed with the Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the Commission, and all written proposed rule change as described in communications relating to the Items I and II below, which Items have proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than been substantially prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange has designated those that may be withheld from the this proposal as non-controversial under public in accordance with the Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 3 and provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder,4 which available for inspection and copying in renders the proposed rule change the Commission’s Public Reference effective upon filing with the Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, Commission. The Commission is DC 20549, on official business days publishing this notice to solicit between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. comments on the proposed rule change Copies of such filing also will be from interested persons. available for inspection and copying at I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s the principal office of FINRA. All Statement of the Terms of Substance of comments received will be posted the Proposed Rule Change without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying The Exchange is proposing to extend information from submissions. You an existing pilot program that increases should submit only information that the position and exercise limits for you wish to make available publicly. All options on the iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund (‘‘IWM’’) traded on the submissions should refer to File Exchange (‘‘IWM Pilot Program’’). The Number SR–FINRA–2007–034 and text of the proposed rule change is should be submitted on or before available on the Exchange’s Web site February 12, 2008. (https://www.ise.com), at the Exchange’s For the Commission, by the Division of principal office, and at the Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated Commission’s Public Reference Room. 14 authority. Florence E. Harmon, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–992 Filed 1–18–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 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, 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). 4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES 2 17 14 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:55 Jan 18, 2008 Jkt 214001 PO 00000 Frm 00126 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3785 the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The IWM Pilot Program provides for increased position and exercise limits for IWM options traded on the Exchange.5 Specifically, the IWM Pilot Program increases the position and exercise limits for IWM options from 250,000 contracts to 500,000 contracts.6 The purpose of the proposed rule change is to extend the IWM Pilot Program until March 1, 2008. The Exchange is not proposing any other changes to the IWM Pilot Program. The Exchange believes that extending the IWM Pilot Program is warranted due to the positive feedback received from market participants and for the reasons cited in the original rule filing that proposed the adoption of the IWM Pilot Program. Further, the Exchange represents that it has not encountered any problems or difficulties relating to the IWM Pilot Program since its inception. The Exchange believes that maintaining the increased position and exercise limits for IWM options will lead to a more liquid and more competitive market environment for IWM options that will benefit customers interested in trading this product. As a result, the Exchange requests that the Commission extend the pilot through March 1, 2008. 5 The proposal that established the IWM Pilot Program was designated by the Commission to be effective and operative upon filing. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55175 (January 25, 2007), 72 FR 4753 (February 1, 2007) (SR–ISE–2007–07). The IWM Pilot Program was extended by the Commission and is due to expire on January 18, 2008. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56020 (July 6, 2007), 72 FR 38109 (July 12, 2007) (SR–ISE–2007–56). 6 Pursuant to ISE Rule 414, the exercise limit established under Rule 414 for IWM options shall be equivalent to the position limit prescribed for IWM options in Supplementary Material .01 to Rule 412. The increased exercise limits would only be in effect during the pilot period, to run from January 22, 2007 through March 1, 2008. E:\FR\FM\22JAN1.SGM 22JAN1 3786 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 14 / Tuesday, January 22, 2008 / Notices 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 7 in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received from Members, Participants or Others 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 Exchange has designated the proposed rule change as one that: (1) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) does not become operative for 30 days from the date of filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Therefore, the foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 8 and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4 thereunder.9 The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the operative delay to permit the Pilot Program extension to become effective prior to the 30th day after filing. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest 7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 9 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-regulatory organization to provide the Commission with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The Exchange has fulfilled this requirement. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES 8 15 VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:38 Jan 18, 2008 Jkt 214001 because it will allow the benefits of the IWM Pilot Program to continue without interruption.10 Therefore, the Commission designates the proposal operative upon filing. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate the 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. 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–2008–03 and should be submitted on or before February 12, 2008. IV. Solicitation of Comments For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.11 Florence E. Harmon, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–967 Filed 1–18–08; 8:45 am] 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 No. SR–ISE–2008–03 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–2008–03. 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 10 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). PO 00000 Frm 00127 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–57146; File No. SR– NASDAQ–2008–003] Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto To Establish Fees for Members Using the NASDAQ Pre-Trade Risk Management Functionality January 14, 2008. 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 January 7, 2008, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’) 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 substantially by Nasdaq. On January 10, 2008, Nasdaq filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change to make certain clarifying changes in its description. Nasdaq has designated this proposal as one establishing or changing a member due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange 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 11 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)(ii). 4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2). 1 15 E:\FR\FM\22JAN1.SGM 22JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3785-3786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-967]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-57144; File No. SR-ISE-2008-03]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, 
LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule 
Change Extending the Pilot Program Increasing Position and Exercise 
Limits for Options on the iShares[supreg] Russell 2000[supreg] Index 
Fund

 January 14, 2008.
    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 January 8, 2008, the International Securities Exchange, LLC 
(``Exchange'' or ``ISE'') 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 Exchange. The Exchange has designated this proposal as non-
controversial under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \3\ and Rule 
19b-4(f)(6) thereunder,\4\ which renders the proposed rule change 
effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing 
this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from 
interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \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 Exchange is proposing to extend an existing pilot program that 
increases the position and exercise limits for options on the 
iShares[supreg] Russell 2000[supreg] Index Fund (``IWM'') traded on the 
Exchange (``IWM Pilot Program''). The text of the proposed rule change 
is available on the Exchange's Web site (https://www.ise.com), at the 
Exchange's principal office, and at the Commission's Public Reference 
Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The IWM Pilot Program provides for increased position and exercise 
limits for IWM options traded on the Exchange.\5\ Specifically, the IWM 
Pilot Program increases the position and exercise limits for IWM 
options from 250,000 contracts to 500,000 contracts.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The proposal that established the IWM Pilot Program was 
designated by the Commission to be effective and operative upon 
filing. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55175 (January 25, 
2007), 72 FR 4753 (February 1, 2007) (SR-ISE-2007-07). The IWM Pilot 
Program was extended by the Commission and is due to expire on 
January 18, 2008. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56020 
(July 6, 2007), 72 FR 38109 (July 12, 2007) (SR-ISE-2007-56).
    \6\ Pursuant to ISE Rule 414, the exercise limit established 
under Rule 414 for IWM options shall be equivalent to the position 
limit prescribed for IWM options in Supplementary Material .01 to 
Rule 412. The increased exercise limits would only be in effect 
during the pilot period, to run from January 22, 2007 through March 
1, 2008.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to extend the IWM Pilot 
Program until March 1, 2008. The Exchange is not proposing any other 
changes to the IWM Pilot Program. The Exchange believes that extending 
the IWM Pilot Program is warranted due to the positive feedback 
received from market participants and for the reasons cited in the 
original rule filing that proposed the adoption of the IWM Pilot 
Program. Further, the Exchange represents that it has not encountered 
any problems or difficulties relating to the IWM Pilot Program since 
its inception.
    The Exchange believes that maintaining the increased position and 
exercise limits for IWM options will lead to a more liquid and more 
competitive market environment for IWM options that will benefit 
customers interested in trading this product. As a result, the Exchange 
requests that the Commission extend the pilot through March 1, 2008.

[[Page 3786]]

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \7\ in 
that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, 
to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open 
market and a national market system and, in general, to protect 
investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

    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 Exchange has designated the proposed rule change as one that: 
(1) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the 
public interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on 
competition; and (3) does not become operative for 30 days from the 
date of filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if 
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. 
Therefore, the foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to 
Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \8\ and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-
4 thereunder.\9\ The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 
operative delay to permit the Pilot Program extension to become 
effective prior to the 30th day after filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \9\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) 
requires a self-regulatory organization to provide the Commission 
with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, 
along with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, 
at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the 
proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the 
Commission. The Exchange has fulfilled this requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is 
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest 
because it will allow the benefits of the IWM Pilot Program to continue 
without interruption.\10\ Therefore, the Commission designates the 
proposal operative upon filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

IV. Solicitation of Comments

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

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://
www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File No. SR-ISE-2008-03 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-2008-03. 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 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-2008-03 and should be 
submitted on or before February 12, 2008.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E8-967 Filed 1-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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