Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change, Relating to Rules 5.3 and 5.4 To Enable Listing and Trading of Options on Multiple Fund and Inverse Fund Shares, 6762-6764 [E8-1986]
Download as PDF
6762
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 24 / Tuesday, February 5, 2008 / Notices
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 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–NYSEArca–2008–12 and
should be submitted on or before
February 26, 2008.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.13
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–1969 Filed 2–4–08; 8:45 am]
have been substantially prepared by the
Exchange. The Commission hereby
provides notice of filing of the proposed
rule change and approves the proposed
rule change on an accelerated basis.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to revise
NYSE Arca Rules 5.3 and 5.4 to enable
listing and trading on the Exchange of
options on Multiple Fund Shares and
Inverse Fund Shares. The text of the
proposed rule change is available at the
Exchange, the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, and https://
www.nyse.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 III below. The
Exchange has prepared summaries, set
forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of
the most significant aspects of such
statements.
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
1. Purpose
[Release No. 34–57226; File No. SR–
NYSEArca–2008–03]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Order
Granting Accelerated Approval of
Proposed Rule Change, Relating to
Rules 5.3 and 5.4 To Enable Listing
and Trading of Options on Multiple
Fund and Inverse Fund Shares
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES
January 29, 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, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’),
through its wholly-owned subsidiary,
NYSE Arca Equities, Inc. (‘‘NYSE Arca
Equities’’), filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’)
the proposed rule change as described
in Items I and II below, which Items
13 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
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15:34 Feb 04, 2008
Jkt 214001
The purpose of the proposed rule
change is to revise NYSE Arca Rules 5.3
and 5.4 to enable the listing and trading
on the Exchange of options on Multiple
Fund Shares 3 and Inverse Fund
Shares.4 Multiple and Inverse Fund
Shares differ from traditional exchangetraded fund shares (‘‘Exchange-Traded
Fund Shares’’ or ‘‘Fund Shares’’) in that
they do not merely correspond to the
performance of a given index, but rather
attempt to match a multiple or inverse
of such underlying index performance.
Currently, Multiple Fund Shares issued
by ProShares Trust and Rydex ETF
Trust trade on the Exchange pursuant to
unlisted trading privileges (‘‘UTP’’)
3 Multiple Fund Shares seek to provide
investment results, before fees and expenses, that
correspond to a specific multiple of the percentage
performance on a given day of a particular foreign
or domestic stock index.
4 Inverse Fund Shares seek to provide investment
results, before fees and expenses, that correspond
to the inverse (opposite) of the percentage
performance on a given day of a particular foreign
or domestic stock index by a specified multiple.
PO 00000
Frm 00073
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
under NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(3).5
In order to achieve investment results
that provide either a positive multiple
or inverse of the benchmark index,
Multiple Fund Shares or Inverse Fund
Shares may hold a combination of
financial instruments, including among
other things: stock index future
contracts; options on futures; options on
securities and indices; equity caps,
collars and floors; swap agreements;
forward contracts; repurchase
agreements; and reverse repurchase
agreements (the ‘‘Financial
Instruments’’). The underlying
portfolios of Multiple Fund Shares
generally will hold at least 85% of their
assets in the component securities of the
underlying relevant benchmark index.
The remainder of any assets is devoted
to Financial Instruments that are
intended to create the additional needed
exposure to such underlying index
necessary to pursue its investment
objective. Normally, 100% of the value
of the underlying portfolios of Inverse
Fund Shares will be devoted to
Financial Instruments and money
market instruments, including U.S.
government securities and repurchase
agreements (the ‘‘Money Market
Instruments’’). Currently, NYSE Arca
Rule 5.3(g) provides securities deemed
appropriate for options trading shall
include shares or other securities that
are traded on a national securities
exchange and are defined as an ‘‘NMS
Stock’’ under Rule 600 of Regulation
NMS, and that (i) represent an interest
in a registered investment company
organized as an open-end management
investment company, a unit investment
trust or a similar entity which holds
securities constituting or otherwise
based on or representing an investment
in an index or portfolio of securities, or
(ii) represent interests in a trust or
similar entity that holds a specified nonU.S. currency deposited with the trust
or a similar entity when aggregated in
some specified minimum number may
be surrendered to the trust by the
beneficial owner to receive the specified
non-U.S. currency and pays the
beneficial owner interest and other
distributions on the deposited U.S.
currency, if any, declared and paid by
the trust; or (iii) represent commodity
pool interests principally engaged,
directly or indirectly, in holding and/or
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 56763
(November 7, 2007), 72 FR 94103 (November 14,
2007) (SR–NYSEArca–2007–81); 56601 (October 2,
2007), 72 FR 57625 (October 10, 2007) (SR–
NYSEArca–2007–79); 55125 (January 18, 2007), 72
FR 3462 (January 25, 2007) (SR–NYSEArca–2006–
87); 54026 (June 21, 2006), 71 FR 36850 (June 28,
2006) (SR–PCX–2005–115).
E:\FR\FM\05FEN1.SGM
05FEN1
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 24 / Tuesday, February 5, 2008 / Notices
managing portfolios or baskets of
securities, commodity futures contracts,
options on commodity futures contracts,
swaps, forward contracts and/or options
on physical commodities and/or nonU.S. currency (‘‘Commodity Pool
Units’’).
The Exchange proposes to amend
Rule 5.3(g) to expand the type of options
eligible for listing and trading to include
options based on Multiple Fund Shares
and Inverse Fund Shares that may hold
or invest in any combination of
securities, Financial Instruments and/or
Money Market Instruments. Multiple
Fund Shares and Inverse Fund Shares
will continue to otherwise satisfy the
listing standards in Rule 5.3(g). In
addition, the Exchange proposes minor
amendments to Rule 5.3(g)(1)(B).
As set forth in proposed NYSE Arca
Rule 5.3(g), Multiple Fund Shares and
Inverse Fund Shares must be traded on
a national securities exchange and must
be an ‘‘NMS stock’’ as defined under
Rule 600 of Regulation NMS. In
addition, Multiple Fund Shares and
Inverse Fund Shares must meet either:
(i) The criteria and guidelines for
underlying securities set forth in Rule
5.3(a) and (b); or (ii) be available for
creation or redemption each business
day in cash or in kind from or through
the issuing trust, investment company,
commodity pool or other issuer at a
price related to the net asset value. In
addition, the issuing trust, investment
company, commodity pool, or other
issuer is obligated to issue Fund Shares
in a specified aggregate number even
though some or all of the investment
assets needed to be deposited have not
been received by the issuing trust,
investment company, commodity pool,
or other issuer, provided the authorized
creation participant has undertaken to
deliver the investment assets as soon as
possible and such undertaking has been
secured by the delivery and
maintenance of collateral consisting of
cash or cash equivalents satisfactory to
the issuer of the Fund Shares which
underlie the option as described in the
Fund Shares’ prospectus; and (iii) for
Commodity Pool Units, the Exchange
has entered into a comprehensive
surveillance sharing agreement with the
marketplace or marketplaces with last
sale reporting that represent(s) the
highest volume in such commodity
futures contracts on the specified
commodities or non-U.S. currency,
which are utilized by the national
securities exchange where the
underlying Commodity Pool Units are
listed and traded.
The current continuing or
maintenance listing standards for
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:34 Feb 04, 2008
Jkt 214001
options on Exchange Traded Fund
Shares will continue to apply.
The Exchange proposes to amend
NYSE Arca Rule 5.4 to indicate that the
index or portfolio may consist of
securities, Financial Instruments and/or
Money Market Instruments. Under the
applicable continued listing criteria in
Rule 5.4, options on Exchange-Traded
Fund Shares may be subject to the
suspension of opening transactions as
follows: (1) Non-compliance with Rule
5.4(k)(1)–(4); (2) following the initial 12month period beginning upon the
commencement of trading of the
Exchange-Traded Fund Shares, there are
fewer than 50 record and/or beneficial
holders of the Exchange-Traded Fund
Shares for 30 or more consecutive days;
(3) the value of the index or portfolio of
securities, non-U.S. currency, or
portfolio of commodities including
commodity futures contracts, options on
commodity futures contracts, swaps,
forward contracts, options on physical
commodities and/or Financial
Instruments and Money Market
Instruments on which the ExchangeTraded Fund Shares are based is no
longer calculated or available; or (4)
such other event shall occur or
condition exist that in the opinion of the
Exchange makes further dealing in such
options on the Exchange inadvisable.
Additionally, the Exchange-Traded
Fund Shares will not be deemed to meet
the requirement for continued approval,
and the Exchange shall not open for
trading any additional series of option
contracts of the class covering such
Multiple Fund Shares or Inverse Fund
Shares, if the Fund Shares are halted
from trading on their primary market or
if the Fund Shares are delisted in
accordance with the terms of NYSE
Arca Rule 5.4(k).
The Exchange represents that the
expansion of the types of investments
that may be held by Multiple Fund
Shares or Inverse Fund Shares under
Rule 5.3(g) will not have any effect on
the rules pertaining to position and
exercise limits 6 or margin.7
The Exchange represents that its
existing surveillance procedures
applicable to trading in options are
adequate to properly monitor the
trading in Multiple Fund Shares options
and Inverse Fund Shares Options.
2. Statutory Basis
The proposal is consistent with
Section 6(b) of the Act,8 in general, and
Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,9 in particular,
6 See
NYSE Arca Rules 5.49 and 6.9.
NYSE Arca Rule 5.25.
8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
7 See
PO 00000
Frm 00074
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
6763
in that it is designed to prevent
fraudulent and manipulative acts and
practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, to foster cooperation
and coordination with persons engaged
in facilitating transactions in securities,
and to remove impediments to and
perfect the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will result in
any burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purpose 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 neither solicited
nor received written comments on the
proposed rule change.
III. 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–NYSEArca–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–NYSEArca–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
E:\FR\FM\05FEN1.SGM
05FEN1
6764
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 24 / Tuesday, February 5, 2008 / Notices
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 offices 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–NYSEArca–2008–03 and
should be submitted on or before
February 26, 2008.
IV. Commission’s Findings and Order
Granting Accelerated Approval of the
Proposed Rule Change
After careful review, the Commission
finds that the proposed rule change is
consistent with the requirements of the
Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to a national
securities exchange.10 In particular, the
Commission finds that the proposed
rule change is consistent with Section
6(b)(5) of the Act,11 which requires that
an exchange have rules designed, among
other things, 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.
Surveillance
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES
The Commission notes that the
Exchange has represented that its
existing surveillance procedures
applicable to trading options are
adequate to properly monitor trading in
Multiple Fund Shares options and
Inverse Fund Shares options. In
addition, the Exchange represented that
the expansion of the types of
investments that may be held by
Multiple Fund Shares or Inverse Fund
Shares under NYSE Arca Rules 5.3(g)
and 5.4 will not have any effect on the
rules pertaining to position and exercise
limits 12 or margin.13
10 In approving this proposed rule change, the
Commission has considered the proposed rule’s
impact on efficiency, competition, and capital
formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
11 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
12 See NYSE Arca Rules 5.49 and 6.9.
13 See NYSE Arca Rule 5.25.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:34 Feb 04, 2008
Jkt 214001
Listing and Trading Options on Fund
Shares
The Commission notes that, pursuant
to the proposed rule change, the
Exchange represented that the current
continuing or maintenance listing
standards for options on Exchange
Traded Fund Shares will continue to
apply. These provisions include
requirements regarding initial and
continued listing standards, suspension
of opening transactions, and trading
halts. Proposed amended NYSE Arca
Rule 5.3(g), would require that Multiple
Fund Shares and Inverse Fund Shares
be traded on a national securities
exchange and must be an ‘‘NMS stock’’
as defined under Rule 600 of Regulation
NMS.14
The Commission believes that this
proposal is necessary to enable the
Exchange to list and trade options on
Multiple Fund Shares and Inverse Fund
Shares such as those currently issued by
ProShares Trust and Rydex ETF Trust
that trade on the Exchange pursuant to
unlisted trading privileges under NYSE
Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3).15 The
Commission believes that the ability to
trade options on the Multiple and
Inverse Fund Shares will provide
investors with additional risk
management tools. The Commission
further believes that the proposed
amendment to the Exchange’s listing
criteria for options on Exchange Traded
Fund Shares will ensure that the
Exchange will be able to list options on
the Funds of the ProShares Trust and
Rydex ETF Trust as well as other
Multiple Fund Shares or Inverse Fund
Shares that may be introduced in the
future, thereby affording investors
greater investment choices.
The Commission finds good cause for
approving this proposal before the 30th
day after the publication of notice
thereof in the Federal Register. The
Commission notes that it has previously
approved substantially similar
proposals by other national securities
exchanges.16 The Commission presently
is not aware of any regulatory issue that
should cause it to revisit those findings
or would preclude the listing and
trading of the options on Multiple Fund
and Inverse Fund Shares on the
Exchange. Accelerating approval of this
proposed rule change would allow the
14 17
CFR 242.600(b)(47).
supra note 5.
16 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos.
56871 (November 30, 2007), 72 FR 68924
(December 6, 2007) (approving SR–ISE–2007–87 on
an accelerated basis); 56715 (October 29, 2007), 72
FR 62287 (November 2, 2007) (approving SR–
CBOE–2007–119 on an accelerated basis); 56650
(October 12, 2007), 72 FR 59123 (October 18, 2007)
(SR–Amex–2007–35).
15 See
PO 00000
Frm 00075
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
options on Multiple Fund and Inverse
Fund Shares to be listed on the
Exchange without undue delay and
continuously traded without
interruption, to the benefit of investors.
V. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,17 that the
proposed rule change (SR–NYSEArca–
2008–03) be, and it hereby is, approved
on an accelerated basis.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.18
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–1986 Filed 2–4–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–57221; File No. SR–
NYSEArca-2008–11]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change Amending Fees
Applicable to Certain Exchange Traded
Funds and Rebates for Tape B
Securities
January 29, 2008.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’)
and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2 notice is
hereby given that on January 16, 2008,
NYSE Arca, Inc. (‘‘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. The Exchange filed the
proposed rule change pursuant to
Section 19(b)(3)(A) 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
from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange, through its whollyowned subsidiary NYSE Arca Equities,
proposes to amend the section of its
Schedule of Fees and Charges for
17 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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)(2).
18 17
E:\FR\FM\05FEN1.SGM
05FEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6762-6764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1986]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-57226; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2008-03]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing
and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change,
Relating to Rules 5.3 and 5.4 To Enable Listing and Trading of Options
on Multiple Fund and Inverse Fund Shares
January 29, 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, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the ``Exchange''), through its
wholly-owned subsidiary, NYSE Arca Equities, Inc. (``NYSE Arca
Equities''), 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 Commission hereby provides notice of filing of the proposed rule
change and approves the proposed rule change on an accelerated basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to revise NYSE Arca Rules 5.3 and 5.4 to
enable listing and trading on the Exchange of options on Multiple Fund
Shares and Inverse Fund Shares. The text of the proposed rule change is
available at the Exchange, the Commission's Public Reference Room, and
https://www.nyse.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 III 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 purpose of the proposed rule change is to revise NYSE Arca
Rules 5.3 and 5.4 to enable the listing and trading on the Exchange of
options on Multiple Fund Shares \3\ and Inverse Fund Shares.\4\
Multiple and Inverse Fund Shares differ from traditional exchange-
traded fund shares (``Exchange-Traded Fund Shares'' or ``Fund Shares'')
in that they do not merely correspond to the performance of a given
index, but rather attempt to match a multiple or inverse of such
underlying index performance. Currently, Multiple Fund Shares issued by
ProShares Trust and Rydex ETF Trust trade on the Exchange pursuant to
unlisted trading privileges (``UTP'') under NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(3).\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Multiple Fund Shares seek to provide investment results,
before fees and expenses, that correspond to a specific multiple of
the percentage performance on a given day of a particular foreign or
domestic stock index.
\4\ Inverse Fund Shares seek to provide investment results,
before fees and expenses, that correspond to the inverse (opposite)
of the percentage performance on a given day of a particular foreign
or domestic stock index by a specified multiple.
\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 56763 (November 7,
2007), 72 FR 94103 (November 14, 2007) (SR-NYSEArca-2007-81); 56601
(October 2, 2007), 72 FR 57625 (October 10, 2007) (SR-NYSEArca-2007-
79); 55125 (January 18, 2007), 72 FR 3462 (January 25, 2007) (SR-
NYSEArca-2006-87); 54026 (June 21, 2006), 71 FR 36850 (June 28,
2006) (SR-PCX-2005-115).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In order to achieve investment results that provide either a
positive multiple or inverse of the benchmark index, Multiple Fund
Shares or Inverse Fund Shares may hold a combination of financial
instruments, including among other things: stock index future
contracts; options on futures; options on securities and indices;
equity caps, collars and floors; swap agreements; forward contracts;
repurchase agreements; and reverse repurchase agreements (the
``Financial Instruments''). The underlying portfolios of Multiple Fund
Shares generally will hold at least 85% of their assets in the
component securities of the underlying relevant benchmark index. The
remainder of any assets is devoted to Financial Instruments that are
intended to create the additional needed exposure to such underlying
index necessary to pursue its investment objective. Normally, 100% of
the value of the underlying portfolios of Inverse Fund Shares will be
devoted to Financial Instruments and money market instruments,
including U.S. government securities and repurchase agreements (the
``Money Market Instruments''). Currently, NYSE Arca Rule 5.3(g)
provides securities deemed appropriate for options trading shall
include shares or other securities that are traded on a national
securities exchange and are defined as an ``NMS Stock'' under Rule 600
of Regulation NMS, and that (i) represent an interest in a registered
investment company organized as an open-end management investment
company, a unit investment trust or a similar entity which holds
securities constituting or otherwise based on or representing an
investment in an index or portfolio of securities, or (ii) represent
interests in a trust or similar entity that holds a specified non-U.S.
currency deposited with the trust or a similar entity when aggregated
in some specified minimum number may be surrendered to the trust by the
beneficial owner to receive the specified non-U.S. currency and pays
the beneficial owner interest and other distributions on the deposited
U.S. currency, if any, declared and paid by the trust; or (iii)
represent commodity pool interests principally engaged, directly or
indirectly, in holding and/or
[[Page 6763]]
managing portfolios or baskets of securities, commodity futures
contracts, options on commodity futures contracts, swaps, forward
contracts and/or options on physical commodities and/or non-U.S.
currency (``Commodity Pool Units'').
The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 5.3(g) to expand the type of
options eligible for listing and trading to include options based on
Multiple Fund Shares and Inverse Fund Shares that may hold or invest in
any combination of securities, Financial Instruments and/or Money
Market Instruments. Multiple Fund Shares and Inverse Fund Shares will
continue to otherwise satisfy the listing standards in Rule 5.3(g). In
addition, the Exchange proposes minor amendments to Rule 5.3(g)(1)(B).
As set forth in proposed NYSE Arca Rule 5.3(g), Multiple Fund
Shares and Inverse Fund Shares must be traded on a national securities
exchange and must be an ``NMS stock'' as defined under Rule 600 of
Regulation NMS. In addition, Multiple Fund Shares and Inverse Fund
Shares must meet either: (i) The criteria and guidelines for underlying
securities set forth in Rule 5.3(a) and (b); or (ii) be available for
creation or redemption each business day in cash or in kind from or
through the issuing trust, investment company, commodity pool or other
issuer at a price related to the net asset value. In addition, the
issuing trust, investment company, commodity pool, or other issuer is
obligated to issue Fund Shares in a specified aggregate number even
though some or all of the investment assets needed to be deposited have
not been received by the issuing trust, investment company, commodity
pool, or other issuer, provided the authorized creation participant has
undertaken to deliver the investment assets as soon as possible and
such undertaking has been secured by the delivery and maintenance of
collateral consisting of cash or cash equivalents satisfactory to the
issuer of the Fund Shares which underlie the option as described in the
Fund Shares' prospectus; and (iii) for Commodity Pool Units, the
Exchange has entered into a comprehensive surveillance sharing
agreement with the marketplace or marketplaces with last sale reporting
that represent(s) the highest volume in such commodity futures
contracts on the specified commodities or non-U.S. currency, which are
utilized by the national securities exchange where the underlying
Commodity Pool Units are listed and traded.
The current continuing or maintenance listing standards for options
on Exchange Traded Fund Shares will continue to apply.
The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Arca Rule 5.4 to indicate that
the index or portfolio may consist of securities, Financial Instruments
and/or Money Market Instruments. Under the applicable continued listing
criteria in Rule 5.4, options on Exchange-Traded Fund Shares may be
subject to the suspension of opening transactions as follows: (1) Non-
compliance with Rule 5.4(k)(1)-(4); (2) following the initial 12-month
period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the Exchange-
Traded Fund Shares, there are fewer than 50 record and/or beneficial
holders of the Exchange-Traded Fund Shares for 30 or more consecutive
days; (3) the value of the index or portfolio of securities, non-U.S.
currency, or portfolio of commodities including commodity futures
contracts, options on commodity futures contracts, swaps, forward
contracts, options on physical commodities and/or Financial Instruments
and Money Market Instruments on which the Exchange-Traded Fund Shares
are based is no longer calculated or available; or (4) such other event
shall occur or condition exist that in the opinion of the Exchange
makes further dealing in such options on the Exchange inadvisable.
Additionally, the Exchange-Traded Fund Shares will not be deemed to
meet the requirement for continued approval, and the Exchange shall not
open for trading any additional series of option contracts of the class
covering such Multiple Fund Shares or Inverse Fund Shares, if the Fund
Shares are halted from trading on their primary market or if the Fund
Shares are delisted in accordance with the terms of NYSE Arca Rule
5.4(k).
The Exchange represents that the expansion of the types of
investments that may be held by Multiple Fund Shares or Inverse Fund
Shares under Rule 5.3(g) will not have any effect on the rules
pertaining to position and exercise limits \6\ or margin.\7\
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\6\ See NYSE Arca Rules 5.49 and 6.9.
\7\ See NYSE Arca Rule 5.25.
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The Exchange represents that its existing surveillance procedures
applicable to trading in options are adequate to properly monitor the
trading in Multiple Fund Shares options and Inverse Fund Shares
Options.
2. Statutory Basis
The proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,\8\ in
general, and Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\9\ in particular, in that it
is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices,
to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating
transactions in securities, and to remove impediments to and perfect
the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system.
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\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\9\ 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
result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or
appropriate in furtherance of the purpose 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 neither solicited nor received written comments on
the proposed rule change.
III. 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-NYSEArca-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-NYSEArca-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
[[Page 6764]]
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 offices 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-NYSEArca-2008-03 and should
be submitted on or before February 26, 2008.
IV. Commission's Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of
the Proposed Rule Change
After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule
change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities
exchange.\10\ In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed
rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\11\ which
requires that an exchange have rules designed, among other things, 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.
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\10\ In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission has
considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition,
and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
\11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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Surveillance
The Commission notes that the Exchange has represented that its
existing surveillance procedures applicable to trading options are
adequate to properly monitor trading in Multiple Fund Shares options
and Inverse Fund Shares options. In addition, the Exchange represented
that the expansion of the types of investments that may be held by
Multiple Fund Shares or Inverse Fund Shares under NYSE Arca Rules
5.3(g) and 5.4 will not have any effect on the rules pertaining to
position and exercise limits \12\ or margin.\13\
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\12\ See NYSE Arca Rules 5.49 and 6.9.
\13\ See NYSE Arca Rule 5.25.
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Listing and Trading Options on Fund Shares
The Commission notes that, pursuant to the proposed rule change,
the Exchange represented that the current continuing or maintenance
listing standards for options on Exchange Traded Fund Shares will
continue to apply. These provisions include requirements regarding
initial and continued listing standards, suspension of opening
transactions, and trading halts. Proposed amended NYSE Arca Rule
5.3(g), would require that Multiple Fund Shares and Inverse Fund Shares
be traded on a national securities exchange and must be an ``NMS
stock'' as defined under Rule 600 of Regulation NMS.\14\
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\14\ 17 CFR 242.600(b)(47).
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The Commission believes that this proposal is necessary to enable
the Exchange to list and trade options on Multiple Fund Shares and
Inverse Fund Shares such as those currently issued by ProShares Trust
and Rydex ETF Trust that trade on the Exchange pursuant to unlisted
trading privileges under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3).\15\ The
Commission believes that the ability to trade options on the Multiple
and Inverse Fund Shares will provide investors with additional risk
management tools. The Commission further believes that the proposed
amendment to the Exchange's listing criteria for options on Exchange
Traded Fund Shares will ensure that the Exchange will be able to list
options on the Funds of the ProShares Trust and Rydex ETF Trust as well
as other Multiple Fund Shares or Inverse Fund Shares that may be
introduced in the future, thereby affording investors greater
investment choices.
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\15\ See supra note 5.
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The Commission finds good cause for approving this proposal before
the 30th day after the publication of notice thereof in the Federal
Register. The Commission notes that it has previously approved
substantially similar proposals by other national securities
exchanges.\16\ The Commission presently is not aware of any regulatory
issue that should cause it to revisit those findings or would preclude
the listing and trading of the options on Multiple Fund and Inverse
Fund Shares on the Exchange. Accelerating approval of this proposed
rule change would allow the options on Multiple Fund and Inverse Fund
Shares to be listed on the Exchange without undue delay and
continuously traded without interruption, to the benefit of investors.
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\16\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 56871 (November
30, 2007), 72 FR 68924 (December 6, 2007) (approving SR-ISE-2007-87
on an accelerated basis); 56715 (October 29, 2007), 72 FR 62287
(November 2, 2007) (approving SR-CBOE-2007-119 on an accelerated
basis); 56650 (October 12, 2007), 72 FR 59123 (October 18, 2007)
(SR-Amex-2007-35).
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V. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the
Act,\17\ that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSEArca-2008-03) be, and it
hereby is, approved on an accelerated basis.
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\17\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
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. E8-1986 Filed 2-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P