Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Trade 14 Funds of the Commodities and Currency Trust Pursuant to Unlisted Trading Privileges, 42391-42396 [E8-16592]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 140 / Monday, July 21, 2008 / Notices B. General Continuance Standards NSCC’s rules currently require a member to promptly notify NSCC of the member’s non-compliance with general member continuance standards but do not set forth a specific time frame in which to do so and do not provide for the imposition of a fine for not promptly notifying NSCC. In the interest of harmonizing this provision with a similar FICC provision, NSCC is: (a) Requiring the member to make such a notification within two business days; (b) requiring the member to notify NSCC within the two-day time frame if it becomes subject to a statutory disqualification; and (c) subjecting the member to a $1,000 fine for failure to timely notify NSCC. NSCC also currently imposes a fine in the amount of $5,000 if an applicable member fails to notify NSCC of a material change to its business. Pursuant to NSCC’s rules, a material change currently includes a merger or acquisition involving the member; a change in corporate form; a name change; a material change in ownership, control, or management; and participation as a defendant in litigation which reasonably could be anticipated to have a direct negative impact on the member’s financial condition or ability to conduct its business. For uniformity with similar FICC provisions, NSCC is amending its rules so that notice of such events must be provided at least ninety calendar days prior to the effective date of such event unless the member demonstrates that it could not have reasonably given notice within that time frame. With respect to both fines, NSCC is amending its rules to reflect that when a common member of the Clearing Agencies is late in providing the same information to more than one Clearing Agency, the fine amount will be divided equally among the Clearing Agencies.7 PWALKER on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES C. Fine Schedule for Late Clearing Fund Deficiency Payments NSCC members are subject to fines for late payments of Clearing Fund The Clearing Agencies do not view the proposed rule changes as fee reductions, because they never intended to charge a common member multiple times for a single violation. 7 DTC does not currently maintain a fine in this regard. However, DTC has filed a proposal to adopt a fine schedule similar to the one NSCC is proposing to adopt. Supra note 3. Where the Member is a participant of DTC and is a common member of one or more of the other clearing agencies, the fine would be collected by DTC and allocated equally among other clearing agencies, as appropriate. If the member is not a DTC participant, but is a common member between NSCC and FICC, NSCC will collect the fine and allocate the appropriate portion to FICC. VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:22 Jul 18, 2008 Jkt 214001 deficiency calls. NSCC is amending the footnote to this section of its fine schedule to correspond with that of FICC’s fine schedule as proposed by FICC in a separate rule filing.8 If the number of occasions of late Clearing Fund deficiency call payments within a three-month rolling period exceeds four, NSCC will obtain the Board’s concurrence for the fine amount. Furthermore, a late payment of more than one hour will result in a fine equal to the amount applicable to the next highest occasion for the specific deficiency amount.9 If a member is late for more than one hour and it is the member’s fourth occasion in the rolling period, NSCC will obtain the Board’s concurrence for the fine amount. D. Fine Schedule for Late Settlement Payments The Clearing Agencies currently have provisions for fines for late payment of settlement obligations. NSCC is amending the footnote in this section of its fine schedule to correspond with those of the other Clearing Agencies. If the number of occasions of late settlement payments within the rolling three-month period exceeds four, NSCC will obtain the Board’s concurrence for the fine amount.10 Furthermore, a payment late by more than one hour will result in a fine equal to the amount applicable to the next highest occasion for the specific deficiency amount. If a member is late by more than one hour and it is the member’s fourth occasion in the rolling three-month period, NSCC will obtain the Board’s concurrence for the fine amount. III. Discussion 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 registered clearing agency. In particular, the Commission believes the proposal is consistent with the requirements of Section 17A(b)(3)(F),11 which, among other things, requires that the rules of a clearing agency are designed to remove note 3. example, if a firm’s deficiency amount is under $1,000,000, it is the firm’s second occurrence of late satisfaction of a deficiency call in the rolling three-month period, and the firm is late by more than one hour, the firm would be fined $200 (i.e. , the fine for a third occasion) instead of $100 (i.e. , the fine for a second occasion) pursuant to the proposed fine schedule. 10 This change requires the removal of language granting NSCC discretion over the fine amount upon consultation with the settling bank only member, member, mutual fund/insurance services member, or fund member. 11 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F). PO 00000 8 Supra 9 For Frm 00079 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 42391 impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a national system for the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions and with the requirements of Section 17A(b)(3)(H) 12 which, among other things, requires that the rules of a clearing agency provide a fair procedure with respect to the disciplining of participants and the denial of participation to any person seeking to be a participant. The Commission finds that the proposed rule change, which restructures and harmonizes NSCC’s fines with those of DTC and FICC, is consistent with those statutory obligations. IV. Conclusion On the basis of the foregoing, the Commission finds that the proposal is consistent with the requirements of the Act and in particular with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act 13 and the rules and regulations thereunder. It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,14 that the proposed rule change (File No. SR– NSCC–2007–07) be, and hereby is, approved.15 For the Commission by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.16 Florence E. Harmon, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–16594 Filed 7–18–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–58162; File No. SR– NYSEArca–2008–73] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Trade 14 Funds of the Commodities and Currency Trust Pursuant to Unlisted Trading Privileges July 15, 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 July 11, 2008, NYSE Arca, Inc. (‘‘NYSE Arca’’ or 12 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(H). U.S.C. 78q–1. 14 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 15 In approving the proposed rule change, the Commission considered the proposal’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 16 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 13 15 E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1 42392 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 140 / Monday, July 21, 2008 / Notices the ‘‘Exchange’’), through its wholly owned subsidiary NYSE Arca Equities, Inc. (‘‘NYSE Arca Equities’’ or the ‘‘Corporation’’), 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 filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 4 thereunder, which renders it effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to trade pursuant to unlisted trading privileges (‘‘UTP’’) shares (‘‘Shares’’) of fourteen (14) funds (‘‘Funds’’) of the Commodities and Currency Trust (‘‘Trust’’) based on several currencies, commodities and commodities indexes. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange’s principal office, 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 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 PWALKER on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to revise Commentary .02 to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.200 to permit the listing and trading, including trading pursuant to UTP, of trust issued receipts (‘‘TIRs’’) that hold investments in any combination of cash, securities, options on securities and indices, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, equity caps, collars and floors, and swap agreements (the 3 15 4 17 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:22 Jul 18, 2008 Jkt 214001 ‘‘Financial Instruments’’).5 This proposal would permit the Exchange to trade the Shares pursuant to UTP under revised Commentary .02 to Rule 8.200. The American Stock Exchange LLC (‘‘Amex’’) has filed a proposed rule change to list the Shares.6 The Shares represent common units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in, and ownership of, each Fund. Each Fund will invest the proceeds of its offering of Shares in various Financial Instruments that will provide exposure to the Fund’s underlying currency, commodity or commodity index. In addition, the Funds will also maintain cash positions in cash or money market instruments for the purpose of collateralizing such positions taken in the Financial Instruments. Shares of seven (7) of the Funds of the Trust will be designated as Ultra ProShares while the other seven (7) shares of the Trust will be designated as UltraShort ProShares. Each of the Funds will have a distinct investment objective.7 The Funds will attempt, on a daily basis, to achieve their investment objective by corresponding to a specified multiple or an inverse multiple of the performance of a particular benchmark commodities index, commodity or currency (each an ‘‘Underlying Benchmark’’ and collectively, the ‘‘Underlying Benchmarks’’) as described in the Amex Proposal. Six (6) Funds will be based on the following benchmark commodities indexes: (i) The Dow Jones-AIG Commodity IndexSM; (ii) the Dow Jones-AIG Crude Oil Sub-IndexSM; and (iii) the Dow Jones-AIG Agriculture SubIndexSM (each, an ‘‘Underlying Index’’ and collectively, the ‘‘Underlying Indexes’’). Four (4) Funds will be based on the following commodities: (i) Gold; and (ii) silver (each, an ‘‘Underlying Commodity’’ and collectively, the ‘‘Underlying Commodities’’). Four (4) Funds will be based on the following 5 Permissible securities in connection with Financial Instruments would not include foreign equity securities. 6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57932 (June 5, 2008), 73 FR 33467 (June 12, 2008) (SR– Amex–2008–39) (‘‘Amex Proposal’’). The Commission notes that, in a separate action today, it is approving the Amex Proposal. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58161 (July 15, 2008). 7 The Funds are the Ultra DJ–AIG Commodity ProShares, UltraShort DJ–AIG Commodity ProShares, Ultra DJ–AIG Agriculture ProShares, UltraShort DJ–AIG Agriculture ProShares, Ultra DJ– AIG Crude Oil ProShares, UltraShort DJAIG Crude Oil ProShares, Ultra Gold ProShares, UltraShort Gold ProShares, Ultra Silver ProShares, UltraShort Silver ProShares, Ultra Euro ProShares, UltraShort Euro ProShares, Ultra Yen ProShares and UltraShort Yen ProShares. PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 benchmark currencies versus the U.S. dollar: (1) The Euro; and (2) the Japanese Yen (each, an ‘‘Underlying Currency’’ and collectively, the ‘‘Underlying Currencies’’). The Exchange proposes to trade pursuant to UTP shares of the Funds that seek daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice (200%) the daily performance of the Underlying Benchmark (the ‘‘Ultra Funds’’). If a Fund is successful in meeting its investment objective, the net asset value (‘‘NAV’’) 8 of the shares of each Fund is expected to gain on a percentage basis, approximately twice as much as each Fund’s respective Underlying Benchmark when the price of the Underlying Benchmark increases on a given day, and should lose approximately twice as much when such price declines on a given day, before fees and expenses. The Exchange also proposes to trade pursuant to UTP shares of the Funds that seek daily investment results, before fees and expenses that correspond to twice the inverse (¥200%) of the daily performance of the Underlying Benchmark (the ‘‘UltraShort Funds’’). If each Fund is successful in meeting its objective, the NAV of the shares of each Fund is expected to increase approximately twice as much, on a percentage basis, as the respective Underlying Benchmark loses on a given day, or should decrease approximately twice as much as the respective Underlying Benchmark gains when the Underlying Benchmark rises on a given day, before fees and expenses. The Exchange notes that the Commission has permitted the listing and trading on the Exchange and other national securities exchanges of securities linked to the performance of underlying currencies and commodities.9 The Commission also has 8 ‘‘Net asset value’’ means the total assets of a Fund including, but not limited to, all cash and cash equivalents or other debt securities less total liabilities of such Fund, each determined on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied under the accrual method of accounting. In particular, net asset value includes any unrealized profit or loss on open swaps and futures contracts, and any other credit or debit accruing to a Fund but unpaid or not received by a Fund. 9 The Commission has previously approved issues of Commodity-Based Trust Shares, Currency Trust Shares and Commodity Index Trust Shares, which have certain characteristics similar to the proposed TIRs, for exchange listing and trading. See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No. 50603 (October 28, 2004), 69 FR 64614 (November 5, 2004) (SR–NYSE–2004–22) (order approving listing on the New York Stock Exchange (‘‘NYSE’’) of streetTRACKS Gold Trust); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51058 (January 19, 2005), 70 FR 3749 (January 26, 2005) (SR–Amex–2004–38) (order E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 140 / Monday, July 21, 2008 / Notices approved for trading on the Exchange on a UTP basis under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3) UltraFunds, Short Funds and UltraShort Funds of the ProShares Trust.10 PWALKER on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Proposed Revision to Commentary .02 to Rule 8.200 Shares of each Fund will be generally subject to the rules that apply to TIRs. The Exchange also proposes to revise Commentary .02 to Rule 8.200 in order to permit the listing and trading of TIRs directly holding Financial Instruments. Current Commentary .02 to Rule 8.200 permits the Exchange to list and trade approving listing on the American Stock Exchange (‘‘Amex’’) of the iShares COMEX Gold Trust); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53521 (March 20, 2006), 71 FR 14967 (March 24, 2006) (SR– Amex–2005–72) (order approving listing on Amex of the iShares Silver Trust); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56041 (July 11, 2007), 72 FR 39114 (July 17, 2007) (SR–NYSEArca–2007–43) (order granting accelerated approval to list on NYSE Arca the iShares COMEX Gold Trust); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 52843 (November 28, 2005), 70 FR 72486 (December 5, 2005) (SR–NYSE 2005–65) (order granting accelerated approval for NYSE to list and trade shares of the CurrencyShares Euro Trust); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54020 (June 20, 2006), 71 FR 36579 (June 27, 2006) (SR–NYSE–2006–35) (order granting accelerated approval for NYSE to list and trade shares of the CurrencyShares Australian Dollar Trust, CurrencyShares British Pound Sterling Trust, CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust, CurrencyShares Mexican Peso Trust, CurrencyShares Swedish Krona Trust and CurrencyShares Swiss Franc Trust); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55268 (February 9, 2007), 72 FR 7793 (February 20, 2007) (SR–NYSE–2007– 03) (order granting accelerated approval for NYSE to list and trade shares of the CurrencyShares Japanese Yen Trust); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56131 (July 25, 2007), 72 FR 42212 (August 1, 2007) (SR–NYSEArca–2007–57) (order granting accelerated approval for listing on NYSE Arca of CurrencyShares Trusts); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54013 (June 16, 2006), 71 FR 36372 (June 26, 2006) (SR–NYSE–2006–17) (approving listing on the NYSE of the iShares GSCI Trust); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55585 (April 5, 2007), 72 FR 18500 (April 12, 2007) (SR– NYSE–2006–75) (approving for NYSE listing the iShares GS Commodity Light Energy Indexed Trust; iShares GS Commodity Industrial Metals Indexed Trust; iShares GS Commodity Livestock Indexed Trust and iShares GS Commodity Non-Energy Indexed Trust); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56932 (December 7, 2007), 72 FR 71178 (December 14, 2007) (SR–NYSEArca–2007–112) (order granting accelerated approval to list iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57456 (March 7, 2008), 73 FR 13599 (March 13, 2008) (SR–NYSEArca– 2007–91) (order granting accelerated approval for NYSE Arca listing the iShares S&P GSCI Energy Commodity-Indexed Trust; iShares S&P GSCI Natural Gas Commodity-Indexed Trust; iShares S&P GSCI Industrial Metals Commodity-Indexed Trust; iShares S&P GSCI Light Energy Commodity-Indexed Trust; iShares S&P GSCI Livestock CommodityIndexed Trust; and iShares S&P GSCI Non-Energy Commodity-Indexed Trust). 10 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55125 (January 18, 2007), 72 FR 3462 (January 25, 2007) (SR–NYSEArca–2006–87); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57017 (December 20, 2007), 72 FR 73955 (December 28, 2007) (SR–NYSEArca–2007– 108). VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:22 Jul 18, 2008 Jkt 214001 TIRs, including trading on a UTP basis, where the underlying trust, partnership, commodity pool or other similar entity holds ‘‘Investment Shares.’’ 11 The term ‘‘Investment Shares’’ is defined in Commentary .02(b)(1) as a security (a) that is issued by a trust, partnership, commodity pool or other similar entity that invests in any combination of futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, commodities, swaps or high credit quality short-term fixed income securities or other securities; and (b) issued and redeemed daily at net asset value in amounts correlating to the number of receipts created and redeemed in a specified aggregate minimum number. As a result, a TIR that is listed or UTP-traded pursuant to current Commentary .02 to Rule 8.200 is required to be in the form of a ‘‘masterfeeder’’ structure, whereby the listed or UTP-traded security holds or invests in the security of the fund that is investing in the Financial Instruments. This proposal would provide an alternative for issuers so that a security may be listed and traded, including UTP-traded, on the Exchange that directly invests in or holds Financial Instruments rather than through an additional security of a fund. The proposal will expand the application of Commentary .02 to Rule 8.200 to both Investment Shares and Financial Instruments. Accordingly, new Commentary .02(b)(4) to Rule 8.200 would be added to define ‘‘Financial Instrument’’ as any combination of cash, securities, options on securities and indices, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, equity caps, collars and floors and swap agreements. Throughout Commentary .02 to Rule 8.200, the term ‘‘Financial Instrument’’ will be added to ‘‘Investment Shares’’ indicating that TIRs directly holding Financial Instruments may be listed and traded, including UTP-traded, on the Exchange. Additional information regarding the Underlying Indexes, the Commodities Benchmarks, the Currencies Benchmarks, the structure and investment objective of the Funds, the portfolio investment methodology, investment techniques, creation and redemption of Shares is provided in the Amex Proposal. Availability of Information Regarding the Shares According to the Amex Proposal, the Web sites for the Funds and/or the 11 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53736 (April 27, 2006), 71 FR 26582 (May 5, 2006 (SR– PCX–2006–22). PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 42393 Amex, which are publicly accessible at no charge, will contain the following information: (a) The current NAV per Share daily and the prior business day’s NAV per Share and the reported closing price; (b) the mid-point of the bid-ask price in relation to the NAV per Share as of the time it is calculated (the ‘‘BidAsked Price’’); (c) calculation of the premium or discount of such price against the NAV per Share; (d) data in chart form displaying the frequency distribution of discounts and premiums of the Bid-Ask Price against the NAV per Share, within appropriate ranges for each of the four (4) previous calendar quarters; (e) the Prospectus; and (f) other applicable quantitative information. The NAV per Share will be calculated and disseminated daily. The Amex will disseminate for the Funds on a daily basis by means of CTA/CQ High Speed Lines information with respect to the corresponding ‘‘Indicative Value’’ (as discussed below), recent NAV per Share and Shares outstanding. The Amex will also make available on its Web site (https://www.amex.com) daily trading volume of the Shares, closing prices of the Shares, and the NAV per Share. The closing price and settlement prices of the futures contracts held by the Funds are also readily available from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (‘‘CME’’), New York Mercantile Exchange (‘‘NYMEX’’), Chicago Board of Trade (‘‘CBOT’’), Intercontinental Exchange/ New York Board of Trade (‘‘ICE/ NYBOT’’), London Metal Exchange (‘‘LME’’), automated quotation systems, published or other public sources, or on-line information services such as Bloomberg or Reuters. Real-time dissemination of spot pricing for gold, silver, euro and Japanese yen is available on a 24-hour basis worldwide from various major market data vendors. Portfolio Disclosure Each Fund’s total portfolio composition will be disclosed on the Web site of the Trust (https:// www.proshares.com) or another relevant Web site as determined by the Trust and/or the Amex. The Trust will provide Web site disclosure of portfolio holdings daily and will include, as applicable, the names and number of Financial Instruments and characteristics of such instruments, cash equivalents and amount of cash held in the portfolio of each Fund. This public Web site disclosure of the portfolio composition of each Fund will occur at the same time as the disclosure by the Managing Owner of the portfolio composition to Authorized Participants, so that all market participants are provided portfolio composition E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1 42394 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 140 / Monday, July 21, 2008 / Notices information at the same time. Therefore, the same portfolio information will be provided on the public Web site as well as in electronic files provided to Authorized Participants. Accordingly, each investor will have access to the current portfolio composition of each Fund through the Trust’s Web site, at https://www.proshares.com, and/or at the Amex’s Web site. PWALKER on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Availability of Information About the Underlying Benchmarks The daily closing index value and the percentage change in the daily closing index value for each Underlying Index will be publicly available on various Web sites, e.g., https://www.ino.com and https://www.finance.yahoo.com. Data regarding each Underlying Index is also available from the respective index provider to subscribers. In addition, data is also available regarding the underlying component commodities of each Underlying Index from those futures exchanges that list and trade futures contracts on those commodities. Several independent data vendors also package and disseminate index data in various value-added formats (including vendors displaying both index constituents and index levels and vendors displaying index levels only). Data regarding spot pricing of the Underlying Commodities (gold and silver) is publicly available on a 24-hour basis from various financial information service providers, such as Reuters and Bloomberg. In addition, the daily London fix for gold and silver is also disseminated by various market data vendors and is available from the London Bullion Market Association (‘‘LBMA’’) Web site at https:// www.lbma.org.uk. Data regarding futures contracts and options on futures contracts in connection with the Underlying Commodities is also available from the NYMEX at https://nymex.com. There is considerable public price and data information regarding the Underlying Currencies (euro and Japanese yen). Spot pricing related to foreign exchange is available to investors and market professionals on a 24-hour basis. A variety of public Web sites and professional and subscription services provide market and price information regarding the euro and the yen. Current spot prices are also generally available from foreign exchange dealers. The value of each Underlying Benchmark will be updated intra-day on a real time basis as its components change in price. VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:22 Jul 18, 2008 Jkt 214001 Dissemination of Net Asset Value and Indicative Value The Administrator calculates and disseminates, once each trading day, the NAV per Share to market participants. The Amex Proposal represents that the Amex will obtain a representation (prior to listing of the Funds) from the Trust that the NAV per Share will be calculated daily and made available to all market participants at the same time. In addition, the Administrator causes to be made available on a daily basis the corresponding Cash Deposit Amounts to be deposited in connection with the issuance of the respective Shares. In order to provide updated information relating to the Fund for use by investors, professionals and persons wishing to create or redeem the Shares, the Amex will disseminate an updated Indicative Value. The Indicative Value will be disseminated on a per Share basis at least every 15 seconds during regular Amex trading hours of 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. The Indicative Value will be calculated based on the cash required for creations and redemptions for a Fund adjusted to reflect the price changes of the Financial Instruments. Trading Rules The Exchange deems the Shares to be equity securities, thus rendering trading in the Shares subject to the Exchange’s existing rules governing the trading of equity securities. Trading in the Shares on the Exchange will occur in accordance with NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.34(a). The Exchange has appropriate rules to facilitate transactions in the Shares during this time. The minimum trading increment for Shares on the Exchange will be $0.01. Further, NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.200, Commentary .02 sets forth certain restrictions on equity trading permit holders (‘‘ETP Holders’’) acting as registered Market Makers in Trust Issued Receipts to facilitate surveillance. Rule 8.200, Commentary .02(e)(3) requires that the ETP Holder acting as a registered Market Maker in the Shares provide the Exchange with information relating to its trading in the applicable physical asset or commodity, related futures or options on futures, or any other related derivatives as may be requested. NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.200, Commentary .02(e)(4) prohibits the ETP Holder acting as a registered Market Maker in the Shares from using any material nonpublic information received from any person associated with an ETP Holder or employee of such person regarding trading by such person or employee in the applicable PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 underlying physical asset or commodity, related futures or options on futures, or any other related derivative (including the TIRs). In addition, NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.200, Commentary .02(e)(1) prohibits the ETP Holder acting as a registered Market Maker in the Shares from being affiliated with a market maker in the applicable physical asset or commodity, related futures or any other related derivatives unless adequate information barriers are in place, as provided in NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.26. As a general matter, the Exchange has regulatory jurisdiction over its ETP Holders and any person or entity controlling an ETP Holder. The Exchange also has regulatory jurisdiction over a subsidiary or affiliate of an ETP Holder that is in the securities business. A subsidiary or affiliate of an ETP Holder that does business only in commodities or futures contracts would not be subject to Exchange jurisdiction, but the Exchange could obtain certain information regarding the activities of such subsidiary or affiliate through surveillance sharing agreements with regulatory organizations of which such subsidiary or affiliate is a member. Surveillance The Exchange intends to utilize its existing surveillance procedures applicable to derivative products, including TIRs, to monitor trading in the Shares. The Exchange represents that these procedures are adequate to properly monitor Exchange trading of the Shares in all trading sessions and to deter and detect violations of Exchange rules and applicable federal securities laws. The Exchange’s current trading surveillances focus on detecting securities trading outside their normal patterns. When such situations are detected, surveillance analysis follows and investigations are opened, where appropriate, to review the behavior of all relevant parties for all relevant trading violations. The Exchange is able to obtain information regarding trading in the Shares, and certain of the Financial Instruments held by TIRs including securities, options on securities and indices, commodities, futures contracts, and options on futures contracts, through ETP Holders, in connection with such ETP Holders’ proprietary or customer trades which they effect on any relevant market. The Exchange currently has in place comprehensive surveillance sharing agreements with ICE, LME and NYMEX for the purpose of providing information in connection with trading in or related to futures contracts traded on their E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 140 / Monday, July 21, 2008 / Notices respective exchanges comprising the Underlying Benchmarks. The Exchange also notes that CBOT, CME and NYBOT are members of the Intermarket Surveillance Group (‘‘ISG’’). PWALKER on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Information Bulletin Prior to the commencement of trading, the Exchange will inform its ETP Holders in an Information Bulletin of the special characteristics and risks associated with trading the Shares, including risks inherent with trading the Shares during the Opening and Late Trading Sessions when the updated Indicative Value is not calculated and disseminated and suitability recommendation requirements. Specifically, the Information Bulletin will discuss the following: (1) The procedures for purchases and redemptions of Shares in Baskets; (2) NYSE Arca Equities Rule 9.2(a),12 which imposes a duty of due diligence on its ETP Holders to learn the essential facts relating to every customer prior to trading the Shares; (3) how information regarding the Indicative Value is disseminated; (4) the requirement that ETP Holders deliver a prospectus to investors purchasing newly issued Shares prior to or concurrently with the confirmation of a transaction; and (5) trading information. For example, the Information Bulletin will advise ETP Holders, prior to the commencement of trading, of the prospectus delivery requirements applicable to the Trust. The Exchange notes that investors purchasing Shares directly from the Funds (by delivery of the Basket Amount) will receive a prospectus. ETP Holders purchasing Shares from the Trust for resale to investors will deliver a prospectus to such investors. In addition, the Information Bulletin will reference that the Trust is subject to various fees and expenses described in each Fund’s Registration Statement. The Information Bulletin will also reference the fact that there is no regulated source of last sale information regarding physical commodities, that 12 NYSE Arca Equities Rule 9.2(a) (‘‘Diligence as to Accounts’’) provides that ETP Holders, before recommending a transaction, must have reasonable grounds to believe that the recommendation is suitable for the customer based on any facts disclosed by the customer as to his other security holdings and as to his financial situation and needs. Further, the proposed rule amendment provides, with a limited exception, that prior to the execution of a transaction recommended to a non-institutional customer, the ETP Holders shall make reasonable efforts to obtain information concerning the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives, and any other information that they believe would be useful to make a recommendation. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54045 (June 26, 2006), 71 FR 37971 (July 3, 2006) (SR– PCX–2005–115). VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:22 Jul 18, 2008 Jkt 214001 42395 the Commission has no jurisdiction over the trading of physical commodities or the futures contracts on which the value of the Shares is based. Shares to be equity securities, thus rendering the Shares subject to the Exchange’s rules governing the trading of equity securities. Trading Halts The Exchange represents that it will cease trading the Shares of the Funds if the listing market stops trading the Shares because of a regulatory halt similar to a halt based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.12. UTP trading in the Shares will also be governed by the trading halt provisions of NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.34, relating to temporary interruptions in the calculation or wide dissemination of the Indicative Value or the value of the underlying index, as applicable. With respect to trading halts, the Exchange may consider all relevant factors in exercising its discretion to halt or suspend trading in the Shares. Trading may be halted because of market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Shares inadvisable. These may include: (1) The extent to which trading is not occurring in the underlying securities; or (2) whether other unusual conditions or circumstances detrimental to the maintenance of a fair and orderly market are present. If the Exchange becomes aware that the NAV for a Fund is not disseminated to all market participants at the same time, it will halt trading until such time as the NAV is available to all market participants. B. Self Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition 2. Statutory Basis The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Exchange Act 13 in general and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) 14 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 regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating transaction in securities, and, in general to protect investors and the public interest. The Exchange believes that the proposal will facilitate the listing and trading of additional types of commodity and currency-based investments that will enhance competition among market participants, to the benefit of investors and the marketplace. In addition, the proposed rule change is consistent with Rule 12f–5 under the Exchange Act 15 because it deems the PO 00000 13 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 15 17 CFR 240.12f–5. 14 15 Frm 00083 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 neither solicited nor received written comments on the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 16 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.17 Because the 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 prior to 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, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.18 The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay, provided that the proposed rule change will not be operative prior to the Commission approval of the Amex Proposal. The Exchange believes the waiver of this period is necessary to permit the Exchange to begin trading the Shares at the time trading in the Shares begins on the Amex. The Commission believes such waiver is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because the Exchange’s proposal is nearly identical to the Amex Proposal, which has been subject to a full notice-and-comment period and 16 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 18 Rule 19b–4(f)(6) also requires the Exchange to give the Commission 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 satisfied the pre-filing requirement. 17 17 E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1 42396 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 140 / Monday, July 21, 2008 / Notices approved by the Commission.19 The Exchange’s proposal raises no novel or substantial issues and should benefit investors by creating, without undue delay, additional competition in the market for the Shares. For these reasons, the Commission designates the proposal to be operative simultaneous with the Amex Proposal.20 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. 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: PWALKER on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–NYSEArca–2008–73 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NYSEArca–2008–73. 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 supra note 6. purposes only of waiving this designation, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 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 will also 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–2008–73 and should be submitted on or before August 11, 2008. National Securities Clearing Corporation (‘‘NSCC’’) and the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (‘‘FICC’’).3 DTC’s rules (a) require participants to submit certain financial, regulatory, and other information within certain time frames and (b) enable DTC to levy fines against participants for violations of its rules. However, DTC’s rules do not explicitly set forth the amount of the fine with respect to failure to submit this information. As part of the ongoing effort to harmonize its rules with those of its clearing agency affiliates, DTC is proposing to adopt FICC’s fine schedule for such violations.4 For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.21 Florence E. Harmon, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–16592 Filed 7–18–08; 8:45 am] 1. Fines for Late Submissions If the participant’s late submission violates the rules of more than one DTCaffiliated clearing agency (which includes DTC, NSCC, and FICC), the fine amount will be divided equally among those clearing agencies.5 When the member is a DTC participant and a member of FICC or NSCC, DTC will collect the fine and allocate the amount equally among other clearing agencies, as appropriate. If the member is not a DTC participant but is a member of NSCC and FICC, NSCC will collect the fine and allocate the appropriate portion to FICC. BILLING CODE 8010–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–58157; File No. SR–DTC– 2007–05] Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Depository Trust Company; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change Relating to Harmonizing Fines With the National Securities Clearing Corporation and the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation July 15, 2008. I. Introduction On May 15, 2007, The Depository Trust Company (‘‘DTC’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) and on December 10, 2007, amended the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’).1 On April 15, 2008, the Commission published notice of the proposed rule change to solicit comments from interested parties.2 The Commission received no comment letters in response to the proposed rule change. For the reasons discussed below, the Commission is approving the proposed rule change, as amended. II. Description This filing will conform DTC’s fine structure relating to participants not providing financial information in a timely manner to similar fine structures of DTC’s clearing agency affiliates, the 19 See 20 For VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:22 Jul 18, 2008 Jkt 214001 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57665 (Apr. 15, 2008), 73 FR 21675. PO 00000 21 17 1 15 Frm 00084 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2. Fines Relating to Continuance Standards DTC Rule 2 sets forth the basic standards for the admission of DTC participants. The rule states that the admission of a participant is subject to an applicant’s demonstration that it meets reasonable standards of financial responsibility, operational capability, and character. Rule 2 also requires DTC participants to demonstrate that these standards are met on an ongoing basis. Each applicant, upon approval of its application for DTC participation, signs a letter of representation that outlines the nature of the applicant’s business, its DTC settlement projections, and its financial condition at the time of the approval and that requires the applicant to affirm that such representations are accurate. Moreover, the participant 3 Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 57666 (Apr. 15, 2008), 73 FR 21675 [SR–FICC–2007–05] and 57667 (Apr. 15, 2008) [SR–NSCC–2007–07]. 4 The three clearing agencies do not view the proposed rule changes as fee reductions because they never intended to charge a common member two or three times for a single violation that trips another clearing agency’s rules on the same matter. 5 For example, assume that Firm A is a participant of DTC, FICC, and NSCC and is required to submit its annual audited financial statement within a certain time frame. If participant A is late in its submission of the statement (and this is Firm A’s first violation), Firm A will be fined $300 total and would owe $100 to DTC, $100 to FICC, and $100 to NSCC. E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 140 (Monday, July 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42391-42396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-16592]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-58162; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2008-73]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Trade 
14 Funds of the Commodities and Currency Trust Pursuant to Unlisted 
Trading Privileges

July 15, 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 July 11, 2008, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca'' or

[[Page 42392]]

the ``Exchange''), through its wholly owned subsidiary NYSE Arca 
Equities, Inc. (``NYSE Arca Equities'' or the ``Corporation''), 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 filed 
the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ 
and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \4\ thereunder, 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.
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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 Exchange proposes to trade pursuant to unlisted trading 
privileges (``UTP'') shares (``Shares'') of fourteen (14) funds 
(``Funds'') of the Commodities and Currency Trust (``Trust'') based on 
several currencies, commodities and commodities indexes.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's 
principal office, 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 
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 Exchange proposes to revise Commentary .02 to NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 8.200 to permit the listing and trading, including 
trading pursuant to UTP, of trust issued receipts (``TIRs'') that hold 
investments in any combination of cash, securities, options on 
securities and indices, futures contracts, options on futures 
contracts, forward contracts, equity caps, collars and floors, and swap 
agreements (the ``Financial Instruments'').\5\ This proposal would 
permit the Exchange to trade the Shares pursuant to UTP under revised 
Commentary .02 to Rule 8.200. The American Stock Exchange LLC 
(``Amex'') has filed a proposed rule change to list the Shares.\6\
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    \5\ Permissible securities in connection with Financial 
Instruments would not include foreign equity securities.
    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57932 (June 5, 
2008), 73 FR 33467 (June 12, 2008) (SR-Amex-2008-39) (``Amex 
Proposal''). The Commission notes that, in a separate action today, 
it is approving the Amex Proposal. See Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 58161 (July 15, 2008).
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    The Shares represent common units of fractional undivided 
beneficial interest in, and ownership of, each Fund. Each Fund will 
invest the proceeds of its offering of Shares in various Financial 
Instruments that will provide exposure to the Fund's underlying 
currency, commodity or commodity index. In addition, the Funds will 
also maintain cash positions in cash or money market instruments for 
the purpose of collateralizing such positions taken in the Financial 
Instruments.
    Shares of seven (7) of the Funds of the Trust will be designated as 
Ultra ProShares while the other seven (7) shares of the Trust will be 
designated as UltraShort ProShares. Each of the Funds will have a 
distinct investment objective.\7\ The Funds will attempt, on a daily 
basis, to achieve their investment objective by corresponding to a 
specified multiple or an inverse multiple of the performance of a 
particular benchmark commodities index, commodity or currency (each an 
``Underlying Benchmark'' and collectively, the ``Underlying 
Benchmarks'') as described in the Amex Proposal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ The Funds are the Ultra DJ-AIG Commodity ProShares, 
UltraShort DJ-AIG Commodity ProShares, Ultra DJ-AIG Agriculture 
ProShares, UltraShort DJ-AIG Agriculture ProShares, Ultra DJ-AIG 
Crude Oil ProShares, UltraShort DJAIG Crude Oil ProShares, Ultra 
Gold ProShares, UltraShort Gold ProShares, Ultra Silver ProShares, 
UltraShort Silver ProShares, Ultra Euro ProShares, UltraShort Euro 
ProShares, Ultra Yen ProShares and UltraShort Yen ProShares.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Six (6) Funds will be based on the following benchmark commodities 
indexes: (i) The Dow Jones-AIG Commodity IndexSM; (ii) the Dow Jones-
AIG Crude Oil Sub-IndexSM; and (iii) the Dow Jones-AIG Agriculture Sub-
IndexSM (each, an ``Underlying Index'' and collectively, the 
``Underlying Indexes''). Four (4) Funds will be based on the following 
commodities: (i) Gold; and (ii) silver (each, an ``Underlying 
Commodity'' and collectively, the ``Underlying Commodities''). Four (4) 
Funds will be based on the following benchmark currencies versus the 
U.S. dollar: (1) The Euro; and (2) the Japanese Yen (each, an 
``Underlying Currency'' and collectively, the ``Underlying 
Currencies''). The Exchange proposes to trade pursuant to UTP shares of 
the Funds that seek daily investment results, before fees and expenses, 
that correspond to twice (200%) the daily performance of the Underlying 
Benchmark (the ``Ultra Funds''). If a Fund is successful in meeting its 
investment objective, the net asset value (``NAV'') \8\ of the shares 
of each Fund is expected to gain on a percentage basis, approximately 
twice as much as each Fund's respective Underlying Benchmark when the 
price of the Underlying Benchmark increases on a given day, and should 
lose approximately twice as much when such price declines on a given 
day, before fees and expenses.
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    \8\ ``Net asset value'' means the total assets of a Fund 
including, but not limited to, all cash and cash equivalents or 
other debt securities less total liabilities of such Fund, each 
determined on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles 
in the United States, consistently applied under the accrual method 
of accounting. In particular, net asset value includes any 
unrealized profit or loss on open swaps and futures contracts, and 
any other credit or debit accruing to a Fund but unpaid or not 
received by a Fund.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also proposes to trade pursuant to UTP shares of the 
Funds that seek daily investment results, before fees and expenses that 
correspond to twice the inverse (-200%) of the daily performance of the 
Underlying Benchmark (the ``UltraShort Funds''). If each Fund is 
successful in meeting its objective, the NAV of the shares of each Fund 
is expected to increase approximately twice as much, on a percentage 
basis, as the respective Underlying Benchmark loses on a given day, or 
should decrease approximately twice as much as the respective 
Underlying Benchmark gains when the Underlying Benchmark rises on a 
given day, before fees and expenses.
    The Exchange notes that the Commission has permitted the listing 
and trading on the Exchange and other national securities exchanges of 
securities linked to the performance of underlying currencies and 
commodities.\9\ The Commission also has

[[Page 42393]]

approved for trading on the Exchange on a UTP basis under NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3) UltraFunds, Short Funds and UltraShort Funds of 
the ProShares Trust.\10\
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    \9\ The Commission has previously approved issues of Commodity-
Based Trust Shares, Currency Trust Shares and Commodity Index Trust 
Shares, which have certain characteristics similar to the proposed 
TIRs, for exchange listing and trading. See, e.g., Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 50603 (October 28, 2004), 69 FR 64614 
(November 5, 2004) (SR-NYSE-2004-22) (order approving listing on the 
New York Stock Exchange (``NYSE'') of streetTRACKS Gold Trust); 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51058 (January 19, 2005), 70 FR 
3749 (January 26, 2005) (SR-Amex-2004-38) (order approving listing 
on the American Stock Exchange (``Amex'') of the iShares COMEX Gold 
Trust); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53521 (March 20, 2006), 
71 FR 14967 (March 24, 2006) (SR-Amex-2005-72) (order approving 
listing on Amex of the iShares Silver Trust); Securities Exchange 
Act Release No. 56041 (July 11, 2007), 72 FR 39114 (July 17, 2007) 
(SR-NYSEArca-2007-43) (order granting accelerated approval to list 
on NYSE Arca the iShares COMEX Gold Trust); Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 52843 (November 28, 2005), 70 FR 72486 (December 5, 
2005) (SR-NYSE 2005-65) (order granting accelerated approval for 
NYSE to list and trade shares of the CurrencyShares Euro Trust); 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54020 (June 20, 2006), 71 FR 
36579 (June 27, 2006) (SR-NYSE-2006-35) (order granting accelerated 
approval for NYSE to list and trade shares of the CurrencyShares 
Australian Dollar Trust, CurrencyShares British Pound Sterling 
Trust, CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust, CurrencyShares Mexican 
Peso Trust, CurrencyShares Swedish Krona Trust and CurrencyShares 
Swiss Franc Trust); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55268 
(February 9, 2007), 72 FR 7793 (February 20, 2007) (SR-NYSE-2007-03) 
(order granting accelerated approval for NYSE to list and trade 
shares of the CurrencyShares Japanese Yen Trust); Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 56131 (July 25, 2007), 72 FR 42212 (August 
1, 2007) (SR-NYSEArca-2007-57) (order granting accelerated approval 
for listing on NYSE Arca of CurrencyShares Trusts); Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 54013 (June 16, 2006), 71 FR 36372 (June 
26, 2006) (SR-NYSE-2006-17) (approving listing on the NYSE of the 
iShares GSCI Trust); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55585 
(April 5, 2007), 72 FR 18500 (April 12, 2007) (SR-NYSE-2006-75) 
(approving for NYSE listing the iShares GS Commodity Light Energy 
Indexed Trust; iShares GS Commodity Industrial Metals Indexed Trust; 
iShares GS Commodity Livestock Indexed Trust and iShares GS 
Commodity Non-Energy Indexed Trust); Securities Exchange Act Release 
No. 56932 (December 7, 2007), 72 FR 71178 (December 14, 2007) (SR-
NYSEArca-2007-112) (order granting accelerated approval to list 
iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust); Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 57456 (March 7, 2008), 73 FR 13599 (March 13, 2008) (SR-
NYSEArca-2007-91) (order granting accelerated approval for NYSE Arca 
listing the iShares S&P GSCI Energy Commodity-Indexed Trust; iShares 
S&P GSCI Natural Gas Commodity-Indexed Trust; iShares S&P GSCI 
Industrial Metals Commodity-Indexed Trust; iShares S&P GSCI Light 
Energy Commodity-Indexed Trust; iShares S&P GSCI Livestock 
Commodity-Indexed Trust; and iShares S&P GSCI Non-Energy Commodity-
Indexed Trust).
    \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55125 (January 18, 
2007), 72 FR 3462 (January 25, 2007) (SR-NYSEArca-2006-87); 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57017 (December 20, 2007), 72 FR 
73955 (December 28, 2007) (SR-NYSEArca-2007-108).
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Proposed Revision to Commentary .02 to Rule 8.200
    Shares of each Fund will be generally subject to the rules that 
apply to TIRs. The Exchange also proposes to revise Commentary .02 to 
Rule 8.200 in order to permit the listing and trading of TIRs directly 
holding Financial Instruments. Current Commentary .02 to Rule 8.200 
permits the Exchange to list and trade TIRs, including trading on a UTP 
basis, where the underlying trust, partnership, commodity pool or other 
similar entity holds ``Investment Shares.'' \11\ The term ``Investment 
Shares'' is defined in Commentary .02(b)(1) as a security (a) that is 
issued by a trust, partnership, commodity pool or other similar entity 
that invests in any combination of futures contracts, options on 
futures contracts, forward contracts, commodities, swaps or high credit 
quality short-term fixed income securities or other securities; and (b) 
issued and redeemed daily at net asset value in amounts correlating to 
the number of receipts created and redeemed in a specified aggregate 
minimum number. As a result, a TIR that is listed or UTP-traded 
pursuant to current Commentary .02 to Rule 8.200 is required to be in 
the form of a ``master-feeder'' structure, whereby the listed or UTP-
traded security holds or invests in the security of the fund that is 
investing in the Financial Instruments. This proposal would provide an 
alternative for issuers so that a security may be listed and traded, 
including UTP-traded, on the Exchange that directly invests in or holds 
Financial Instruments rather than through an additional security of a 
fund.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53736 (April 27, 
2006), 71 FR 26582 (May 5, 2006 (SR-PCX-2006-22).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposal will expand the application of Commentary .02 to Rule 
8.200 to both Investment Shares and Financial Instruments. Accordingly, 
new Commentary .02(b)(4) to Rule 8.200 would be added to define 
``Financial Instrument'' as any combination of cash, securities, 
options on securities and indices, futures contracts, options on 
futures contracts, forward contracts, equity caps, collars and floors 
and swap agreements. Throughout Commentary .02 to Rule 8.200, the term 
``Financial Instrument'' will be added to ``Investment Shares'' 
indicating that TIRs directly holding Financial Instruments may be 
listed and traded, including UTP-traded, on the Exchange.
    Additional information regarding the Underlying Indexes, the 
Commodities Benchmarks, the Currencies Benchmarks, the structure and 
investment objective of the Funds, the portfolio investment 
methodology, investment techniques, creation and redemption of Shares 
is provided in the Amex Proposal.
Availability of Information Regarding the Shares
    According to the Amex Proposal, the Web sites for the Funds and/or 
the Amex, which are publicly accessible at no charge, will contain the 
following information: (a) The current NAV per Share daily and the 
prior business day's NAV per Share and the reported closing price; (b) 
the mid-point of the bid-ask price in relation to the NAV per Share as 
of the time it is calculated (the ``Bid-Asked Price''); (c) calculation 
of the premium or discount of such price against the NAV per Share; (d) 
data in chart form displaying the frequency distribution of discounts 
and premiums of the Bid-Ask Price against the NAV per Share, within 
appropriate ranges for each of the four (4) previous calendar quarters; 
(e) the Prospectus; and (f) other applicable quantitative information.
    The NAV per Share will be calculated and disseminated daily. The 
Amex will disseminate for the Funds on a daily basis by means of CTA/CQ 
High Speed Lines information with respect to the corresponding 
``Indicative Value'' (as discussed below), recent NAV per Share and 
Shares outstanding. The Amex will also make available on its Web site 
(https://www.amex.com) daily trading volume of the Shares, closing 
prices of the Shares, and the NAV per Share. The closing price and 
settlement prices of the futures contracts held by the Funds are also 
readily available from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (``CME''), New 
York Mercantile Exchange (``NYMEX''), Chicago Board of Trade 
(``CBOT''), Intercontinental Exchange/New York Board of Trade (``ICE/
NYBOT''), London Metal Exchange (``LME''), automated quotation systems, 
published or other public sources, or on-line information services such 
as Bloomberg or Reuters. Real-time dissemination of spot pricing for 
gold, silver, euro and Japanese yen is available on a 24-hour basis 
worldwide from various major market data vendors.
Portfolio Disclosure
    Each Fund's total portfolio composition will be disclosed on the 
Web site of the Trust (https://www.proshares.com) or another relevant 
Web site as determined by the Trust and/or the Amex. The Trust will 
provide Web site disclosure of portfolio holdings daily and will 
include, as applicable, the names and number of Financial Instruments 
and characteristics of such instruments, cash equivalents and amount of 
cash held in the portfolio of each Fund. This public Web site 
disclosure of the portfolio composition of each Fund will occur at the 
same time as the disclosure by the Managing Owner of the portfolio 
composition to Authorized Participants, so that all market participants 
are provided portfolio composition

[[Page 42394]]

information at the same time. Therefore, the same portfolio information 
will be provided on the public Web site as well as in electronic files 
provided to Authorized Participants. Accordingly, each investor will 
have access to the current portfolio composition of each Fund through 
the Trust's Web site, at https://www.proshares.com, and/or at the Amex's 
Web site.
Availability of Information About the Underlying Benchmarks
    The daily closing index value and the percentage change in the 
daily closing index value for each Underlying Index will be publicly 
available on various Web sites, e.g., https://www.ino.com and https://
www.finance.yahoo.com. Data regarding each Underlying Index is also 
available from the respective index provider to subscribers. In 
addition, data is also available regarding the underlying component 
commodities of each Underlying Index from those futures exchanges that 
list and trade futures contracts on those commodities. Several 
independent data vendors also package and disseminate index data in 
various value-added formats (including vendors displaying both index 
constituents and index levels and vendors displaying index levels 
only).
    Data regarding spot pricing of the Underlying Commodities (gold and 
silver) is publicly available on a 24-hour basis from various financial 
information service providers, such as Reuters and Bloomberg. In 
addition, the daily London fix for gold and silver is also disseminated 
by various market data vendors and is available from the London Bullion 
Market Association (``LBMA'') Web site at https://www.lbma.org.uk.
    Data regarding futures contracts and options on futures contracts 
in connection with the Underlying Commodities is also available from 
the NYMEX at https://nymex.com. There is considerable public price and 
data information regarding the Underlying Currencies (euro and Japanese 
yen). Spot pricing related to foreign exchange is available to 
investors and market professionals on a 24-hour basis. A variety of 
public Web sites and professional and subscription services provide 
market and price information regarding the euro and the yen. Current 
spot prices are also generally available from foreign exchange dealers.
    The value of each Underlying Benchmark will be updated intra-day on 
a real time basis as its components change in price.
Dissemination of Net Asset Value and Indicative Value
    The Administrator calculates and disseminates, once each trading 
day, the NAV per Share to market participants. The Amex Proposal 
represents that the Amex will obtain a representation (prior to listing 
of the Funds) from the Trust that the NAV per Share will be calculated 
daily and made available to all market participants at the same time. 
In addition, the Administrator causes to be made available on a daily 
basis the corresponding Cash Deposit Amounts to be deposited in 
connection with the issuance of the respective Shares.
    In order to provide updated information relating to the Fund for 
use by investors, professionals and persons wishing to create or redeem 
the Shares, the Amex will disseminate an updated Indicative Value. The 
Indicative Value will be disseminated on a per Share basis at least 
every 15 seconds during regular Amex trading hours of 9:30 a.m. to 4 
p.m. ET. The Indicative Value will be calculated based on the cash 
required for creations and redemptions for a Fund adjusted to reflect 
the price changes of the Financial Instruments.
Trading Rules
    The Exchange deems the Shares to be equity securities, thus 
rendering trading in the Shares subject to the Exchange's existing 
rules governing the trading of equity securities. Trading in the Shares 
on the Exchange will occur in accordance with NYSE Arca Equities Rule 
7.34(a). The Exchange has appropriate rules to facilitate transactions 
in the Shares during this time. The minimum trading increment for 
Shares on the Exchange will be $0.01.
    Further, NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.200, Commentary .02 sets forth 
certain restrictions on equity trading permit holders (``ETP Holders'') 
acting as registered Market Makers in Trust Issued Receipts to 
facilitate surveillance. Rule 8.200, Commentary .02(e)(3) requires that 
the ETP Holder acting as a registered Market Maker in the Shares 
provide the Exchange with information relating to its trading in the 
applicable physical asset or commodity, related futures or options on 
futures, or any other related derivatives as may be requested. NYSE 
Arca Equities Rule 8.200, Commentary .02(e)(4) prohibits the ETP Holder 
acting as a registered Market Maker in the Shares from using any 
material nonpublic information received from any person associated with 
an ETP Holder or employee of such person regarding trading by such 
person or employee in the applicable underlying physical asset or 
commodity, related futures or options on futures, or any other related 
derivative (including the TIRs). In addition, NYSE Arca Equities Rule 
8.200, Commentary .02(e)(1) prohibits the ETP Holder acting as a 
registered Market Maker in the Shares from being affiliated with a 
market maker in the applicable physical asset or commodity, related 
futures or any other related derivatives unless adequate information 
barriers are in place, as provided in NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.26.
    As a general matter, the Exchange has regulatory jurisdiction over 
its ETP Holders and any person or entity controlling an ETP Holder. The 
Exchange also has regulatory jurisdiction over a subsidiary or 
affiliate of an ETP Holder that is in the securities business. A 
subsidiary or affiliate of an ETP Holder that does business only in 
commodities or futures contracts would not be subject to Exchange 
jurisdiction, but the Exchange could obtain certain information 
regarding the activities of such subsidiary or affiliate through 
surveillance sharing agreements with regulatory organizations of which 
such subsidiary or affiliate is a member.
Surveillance
    The Exchange intends to utilize its existing surveillance 
procedures applicable to derivative products, including TIRs, to 
monitor trading in the Shares. The Exchange represents that these 
procedures are adequate to properly monitor Exchange trading of the 
Shares in all trading sessions and to deter and detect violations of 
Exchange rules and applicable federal securities laws.
    The Exchange's current trading surveillances focus on detecting 
securities trading outside their normal patterns. When such situations 
are detected, surveillance analysis follows and investigations are 
opened, where appropriate, to review the behavior of all relevant 
parties for all relevant trading violations. The Exchange is able to 
obtain information regarding trading in the Shares, and certain of the 
Financial Instruments held by TIRs including securities, options on 
securities and indices, commodities, futures contracts, and options on 
futures contracts, through ETP Holders, in connection with such ETP 
Holders' proprietary or customer trades which they effect on any 
relevant market. The Exchange currently has in place comprehensive 
surveillance sharing agreements with ICE, LME and NYMEX for the purpose 
of providing information in connection with trading in or related to 
futures contracts traded on their

[[Page 42395]]

respective exchanges comprising the Underlying Benchmarks. The Exchange 
also notes that CBOT, CME and NYBOT are members of the Intermarket 
Surveillance Group (``ISG'').
Information Bulletin
    Prior to the commencement of trading, the Exchange will inform its 
ETP Holders in an Information Bulletin of the special characteristics 
and risks associated with trading the Shares, including risks inherent 
with trading the Shares during the Opening and Late Trading Sessions 
when the updated Indicative Value is not calculated and disseminated 
and suitability recommendation requirements.
    Specifically, the Information Bulletin will discuss the following: 
(1) The procedures for purchases and redemptions of Shares in Baskets; 
(2) NYSE Arca Equities Rule 9.2(a),\12\ which imposes a duty of due 
diligence on its ETP Holders to learn the essential facts relating to 
every customer prior to trading the Shares; (3) how information 
regarding the Indicative Value is disseminated; (4) the requirement 
that ETP Holders deliver a prospectus to investors purchasing newly 
issued Shares prior to or concurrently with the confirmation of a 
transaction; and (5) trading information. For example, the Information 
Bulletin will advise ETP Holders, prior to the commencement of trading, 
of the prospectus delivery requirements applicable to the Trust. The 
Exchange notes that investors purchasing Shares directly from the Funds 
(by delivery of the Basket Amount) will receive a prospectus. ETP 
Holders purchasing Shares from the Trust for resale to investors will 
deliver a prospectus to such investors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ NYSE Arca Equities Rule 9.2(a) (``Diligence as to 
Accounts'') provides that ETP Holders, before recommending a 
transaction, must have reasonable grounds to believe that the 
recommendation is suitable for the customer based on any facts 
disclosed by the customer as to his other security holdings and as 
to his financial situation and needs. Further, the proposed rule 
amendment provides, with a limited exception, that prior to the 
execution of a transaction recommended to a non-institutional 
customer, the ETP Holders shall make reasonable efforts to obtain 
information concerning the customer's financial status, tax status, 
investment objectives, and any other information that they believe 
would be useful to make a recommendation. See Securities Exchange 
Act Release No. 54045 (June 26, 2006), 71 FR 37971 (July 3, 2006) 
(SR-PCX-2005-115).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the Information Bulletin will reference that the Trust 
is subject to various fees and expenses described in each Fund's 
Registration Statement. The Information Bulletin will also reference 
the fact that there is no regulated source of last sale information 
regarding physical commodities, that the Commission has no jurisdiction 
over the trading of physical commodities or the futures contracts on 
which the value of the Shares is based.
Trading Halts
    The Exchange represents that it will cease trading the Shares of 
the Funds if the listing market stops trading the Shares because of a 
regulatory halt similar to a halt based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 
7.12. UTP trading in the Shares will also be governed by the trading 
halt provisions of NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.34, relating to temporary 
interruptions in the calculation or wide dissemination of the 
Indicative Value or the value of the underlying index, as applicable.
    With respect to trading halts, the Exchange may consider all 
relevant factors in exercising its discretion to halt or suspend 
trading in the Shares. Trading may be halted because of market 
conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make 
trading in the Shares inadvisable. These may include: (1) The extent to 
which trading is not occurring in the underlying securities; or (2) 
whether other unusual conditions or circumstances detrimental to the 
maintenance of a fair and orderly market are present.
    If the Exchange becomes aware that the NAV for a Fund is not 
disseminated to all market participants at the same time, it will halt 
trading until such time as the NAV is available to all market 
participants.
2. Statutory Basis
    The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the 
Exchange Act \13\ in general and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5) \14\ 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 regulating, clearing, settling, processing 
information with respect to, and facilitating transaction in 
securities, and, in general to protect investors and the public 
interest. The Exchange believes that the proposal will facilitate the 
listing and trading of additional types of commodity and currency-based 
investments that will enhance competition among market participants, to 
the benefit of investors and the marketplace.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the proposed rule change is consistent with Rule 12f-5 
under the Exchange Act \15\ because it deems the Shares to be equity 
securities, thus rendering the Shares subject to the Exchange's rules 
governing the trading of equity securities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ 17 CFR 240.12f-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 neither solicited nor received written comments on 
the proposed rule change.

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

    The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \16\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\17\ 
Because the 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 prior to 
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, the proposed rule change has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.\18\
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    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \17\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \18\ Rule 19b-4(f)(6) also requires the Exchange to give the 
Commission 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 satisfied the pre-filing requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative 
delay, provided that the proposed rule change will not be operative 
prior to the Commission approval of the Amex Proposal. The Exchange 
believes the waiver of this period is necessary to permit the Exchange 
to begin trading the Shares at the time trading in the Shares begins on 
the Amex. The Commission believes such waiver is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest because the Exchange's 
proposal is nearly identical to the Amex Proposal, which has been 
subject to a full notice-and-comment period and

[[Page 42396]]

approved by the Commission.\19\ The Exchange's proposal raises no novel 
or substantial issues and should benefit investors by creating, without 
undue delay, additional competition in the market for the Shares. For 
these reasons, the Commission designates the proposal to be operative 
simultaneous with the Amex Proposal.\20\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ See supra note 6.
    \20\ For purposes only of waiving this designation, 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 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:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://
www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File 
Number SR-NYSEArca-2008-73 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEArca-2008-73. 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 will also 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-2008-73 and should 
be submitted on or before August 11, 2008.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-16592 Filed 7-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P
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