Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Order Granting Approval of a Proposed Rule Change as Modified by Amendment No. 1 Thereto Relating to Obvious Errors, 12240-12241 [E8-4313]

Download as PDF 12240 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 45 / Thursday, March 6, 2008 / Notices 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 Because the foregoing rule change establishes or changes a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 17 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2) 18 thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. 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: mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES 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–2008–13 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, Station Place, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–ISE–2008–13. 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 ISE. 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–2008–13 and should be submitted on or before March 27, 2008. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.19 Florence E. Harmon, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–4311 Filed 3–5–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–57398; File No. SR–ISE– 2007–112] Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Order Granting Approval of a Proposed Rule Change as Modified by Amendment No. 1 Thereto Relating to Obvious Errors February 28, 2008. On November 29, 2007, the International Securities Exchange, LLC (‘‘ISE’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to amend ISE Rule 720 (‘‘Obvious Error Rule’’ or ‘‘Rule’’) to address ‘‘catastrophic errors.’’ On January 4, 2008, the ISE submitted Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change. The proposed rule change, as amended, was published for comment in the Federal CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. Register on January 16, 2008.3 The Commission received no comment letters on the proposal. This order approves the proposed rule change, as amended. The Exchange proposes to amend the Obvious Error Rule to add criteria for identifying catastrophic errors and making adjustments when they occur. The Exchange also proposes to streamline the procedure for reviewing actions taken when catastrophic errors occur. Currently, under the Obvious Error Rule, trades that result from an obvious error may be adjusted or nullified based on objective standards set forth in the Rule. Under the Rule, whether an obvious error has occurred is determined by comparing the execution price of the option to its theoretical price and assessing whether the minimum amount of difference that is set forth in the Rule is met. The Rule requires that members notify ISE Market Control within a short time period following the execution of a trade (five minutes for market makers and 20 minutes for Electronic Access Members (‘‘EAMs’’)) if they believe the trade qualifies as an obvious error. Trades that qualify for adjustment are adjusted under the Rule to a price that matches the theoretical price plus or minus an adjustment value, which is $.15 if the theoretical value is under $3 and $.30 if the theoretical value is at or above $3. By adjusting trades above or below the theoretical price, the Rule assesses a ‘‘penalty’’ in that the adjustment price is not as favorable as the amount the party making the error would have received had it not made the error. In some extreme situations, ISE members may not be aware of errors that result in very large losses within the notification time periods required under the Rule. The proposal will allow members experiencing catastrophic errors additional time to seek relief so that there is a greater opportunity to mitigate very large losses and reduce corresponding windfalls. In such cases, the proposal sets forth the minimum amount by which the option’s execution price must differ from the theoretical price for a catastrophic error determination to occur. The proposal also sets forth the adjustment value to be used by the Exchange when it makes a catastrophic error determination. A catastrophic error will be deemed to have occurred when the execution price of a transaction differs from the theoretical price for the option by an amount equal to at least the specified 19 17 17 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 18 17 CFR 19b–4(f)(2). VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:57 Mar 05, 2008 1 15 Jkt 214001 PO 00000 Frm 00171 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57127 (January 10, 2008), 73 FR 2967 (‘‘Notice’’). E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM 06MRN1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 45 / Thursday, March 6, 2008 / Notices minimum amount indicated in the Rule and an adjustment would be made plus or minus the adjustment value that also is set forth in the Rule. The minimum amount by which the execution price must differ from the theoretical price and the adjustment value for catastrophic errors will be significantly higher than the thresholds required for obvious errors, which the Exchange believes will limit the application of the proposed rule to errors involving significant losses. Under the proposal, members will have until 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on the day following the trade to notify Market Control of a potential catastrophic error. For trades that take place in an expiring series on expiration Friday, members must notify Market Control of a potential catastrophic error by 5 p.m. Eastern Time that same day. In consideration of the extreme nature of situations that will be addressed under the catastrophic error provisions, the Exchange proposes a streamlined onestep review process where a Catastrophic Error Tribunal (‘‘Tribunal’’), comprised of two representatives from market makers and two representatives from EAMs that are unrelated to the transaction in question, will make catastrophic error determinations and adjustments.4 In the event the Tribunal determines that a catastrophic error did not occur, the member that initiated the review will be charged $5,000 to reimburse the Exchange for the costs associated with reviewing the claim. 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 and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act 5 and the rules and regulations thereunder. Specifically, the Commission finds that the proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,6 in that the proposal is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts, remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, protect investors and the public interest. The Commission notes that, in approving proposals relating to adjustment or nullification of trades involving obvious errors, it has stated that the determination of whether an 4 In comparison, ISE Market Control makes initial obvious error determinations that can then be appealed to an Obvious Error Panel. 5 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:57 Mar 05, 2008 Jkt 214001 obvious error has occurred and the process for reviewing such a determination should be based on specific and objective criteria and subject to specific and objective procedures.7 The Commission believes that the ISE’s proposal provides specific and objective criteria and procedures for the Exchange to apply when members seek review of transactions involving catastrophic errors. The Commission also believes that the proposed Catastrophic Error Tribunal, which is intended to streamline the review process, and the proposed fee for unsuccessful claims are appropriate given the proposal’s purpose to allow members additional time to seek relief for very significant errors.8 It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,9 that the proposed rule change (SR–ISE–2007– 112), as amended, is hereby approved. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.10 Florence E. Harmon, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–4313 Filed 3–5–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–57399; File No. SR–ISE– 2008–10] Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Extension of a Pilot Program To List and Trade Options on the iShares Emerging Markets Index Fund February 28, 2008. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on February 21, 2008, the International Securities Exchange, LLC (‘‘ISE’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in 7 See, e.g., Securities Exchange Release Nos. 54228 (July 27, 2006), 71 FR 44066 (August 3, 2006) (SR–ISE–2006–14) (approving revisions to ISE’s Obvious Error Rule) and 48097 (June 26, 2003), 68 FR 39604 (July 2, 2003) (SR–ISE–2003–10) (approving revisions to ISE’s Obvious Error Rule). 8 In approving this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 9 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 10 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. PO 00000 Frm 00172 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12241 Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared substantially by ISE. ISE filed the proposed rule change as a ‘‘non-controversial’’ proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder,4 which renders it effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change ISE proposes to extend the pilot period applicable to ISE’s listing and trading of options on the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (‘‘Fund’’). ISE is not proposing any textual changes to its rules. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, ISE included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. ISE 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 On August 27, 2007, the Commission published a notice of filing and immediate effectiveness of a proposed rule change by the ISE to list and trade options on the Fund for a six month pilot period.5 The pilot period expired on February 27, 2008. The Exchange now proposes to extend the current pilot program for an additional six month period, until August 27, 2008. The Fund continues to meet substantially all of the listing and maintenance standards in ISE Rules 502(h) and 503(h), respectively. For the requirements that are not met, the Exchange represents that sufficient mechanisms exist that would provide the Exchange with adequate surveillance and regulatory information with respect to the Fund. Continuation of the pilot would permit the Exchange to work with the Bolsa Mexicana de 3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56324 (August 27, 2007), 72 FR 50426 (August 31, 2007) (SR–ISE–2007–72). 4 17 E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM 06MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 45 (Thursday, March 6, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12240-12241]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4313]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-57398; File No. SR-ISE-2007-112]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, 
LLC; Order Granting Approval of a Proposed Rule Change as Modified by 
Amendment No. 1 Thereto Relating to Obvious Errors

February 28, 2008.
    On November 29, 2007, the International Securities Exchange, LLC 
(``ISE'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission''), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 
thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule change to amend ISE Rule 720 (``Obvious 
Error Rule'' or ``Rule'') to address ``catastrophic errors.'' On 
January 4, 2008, the ISE submitted Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule 
change. The proposed rule change, as amended, was published for comment 
in the Federal Register on January 16, 2008.\3\ The Commission received 
no comment letters on the proposal. This order approves the proposed 
rule change, as amended.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57127 (January 10, 
2008), 73 FR 2967 (``Notice'').
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    The Exchange proposes to amend the Obvious Error Rule to add 
criteria for identifying catastrophic errors and making adjustments 
when they occur. The Exchange also proposes to streamline the procedure 
for reviewing actions taken when catastrophic errors occur.
    Currently, under the Obvious Error Rule, trades that result from an 
obvious error may be adjusted or nullified based on objective standards 
set forth in the Rule. Under the Rule, whether an obvious error has 
occurred is determined by comparing the execution price of the option 
to its theoretical price and assessing whether the minimum amount of 
difference that is set forth in the Rule is met. The Rule requires that 
members notify ISE Market Control within a short time period following 
the execution of a trade (five minutes for market makers and 20 minutes 
for Electronic Access Members (``EAMs'')) if they believe the trade 
qualifies as an obvious error. Trades that qualify for adjustment are 
adjusted under the Rule to a price that matches the theoretical price 
plus or minus an adjustment value, which is $.15 if the theoretical 
value is under $3 and $.30 if the theoretical value is at or above $3. 
By adjusting trades above or below the theoretical price, the Rule 
assesses a ``penalty'' in that the adjustment price is not as favorable 
as the amount the party making the error would have received had it not 
made the error.
    In some extreme situations, ISE members may not be aware of errors 
that result in very large losses within the notification time periods 
required under the Rule. The proposal will allow members experiencing 
catastrophic errors additional time to seek relief so that there is a 
greater opportunity to mitigate very large losses and reduce 
corresponding windfalls. In such cases, the proposal sets forth the 
minimum amount by which the option's execution price must differ from 
the theoretical price for a catastrophic error determination to occur. 
The proposal also sets forth the adjustment value to be used by the 
Exchange when it makes a catastrophic error determination.
    A catastrophic error will be deemed to have occurred when the 
execution price of a transaction differs from the theoretical price for 
the option by an amount equal to at least the specified

[[Page 12241]]

minimum amount indicated in the Rule and an adjustment would be made 
plus or minus the adjustment value that also is set forth in the Rule. 
The minimum amount by which the execution price must differ from the 
theoretical price and the adjustment value for catastrophic errors will 
be significantly higher than the thresholds required for obvious 
errors, which the Exchange believes will limit the application of the 
proposed rule to errors involving significant losses.
    Under the proposal, members will have until 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time 
on the day following the trade to notify Market Control of a potential 
catastrophic error. For trades that take place in an expiring series on 
expiration Friday, members must notify Market Control of a potential 
catastrophic error by 5 p.m. Eastern Time that same day. In 
consideration of the extreme nature of situations that will be 
addressed under the catastrophic error provisions, the Exchange 
proposes a streamlined one-step review process where a Catastrophic 
Error Tribunal (``Tribunal''), comprised of two representatives from 
market makers and two representatives from EAMs that are unrelated to 
the transaction in question, will make catastrophic error 
determinations and adjustments.\4\ In the event the Tribunal determines 
that a catastrophic error did not occur, the member that initiated the 
review will be charged $5,000 to reimburse the Exchange for the costs 
associated with reviewing the claim.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ In comparison, ISE Market Control makes initial obvious 
error determinations that can then be appealed to an Obvious Error 
Panel.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 and, in 
particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act \5\ and the 
rules and regulations thereunder. Specifically, the Commission finds 
that the proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\6\ in 
that the proposal is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative 
acts, remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and 
open market and a national market system, and, in general, protect 
investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission notes that, in approving proposals relating to 
adjustment or nullification of trades involving obvious errors, it has 
stated that the determination of whether an obvious error has occurred 
and the process for reviewing such a determination should be based on 
specific and objective criteria and subject to specific and objective 
procedures.\7\ The Commission believes that the ISE's proposal provides 
specific and objective criteria and procedures for the Exchange to 
apply when members seek review of transactions involving catastrophic 
errors. The Commission also believes that the proposed Catastrophic 
Error Tribunal, which is intended to streamline the review process, and 
the proposed fee for unsuccessful claims are appropriate given the 
proposal's purpose to allow members additional time to seek relief for 
very significant errors.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Release Nos. 54228 (July 27, 
2006), 71 FR 44066 (August 3, 2006) (SR-ISE-2006-14) (approving 
revisions to ISE's Obvious Error Rule) and 48097 (June 26, 2003), 68 
FR 39604 (July 2, 2003) (SR-ISE-2003-10) (approving revisions to 
ISE's Obvious Error Rule).
    \8\ In approving this proposal, the Commission has considered 
the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital 
formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\9\ that the proposed rule change (SR-ISE-2007-112), as amended, is 
hereby approved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E8-4313 Filed 3-5-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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