Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade ELEMENTSSM, 53314-53316 [E8-21331]
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53314
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 179 / Monday, September 15, 2008 / Notices
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.10
Florence E. Harmon,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–21330 Filed 9–12–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–58474; File No. SR–
NYSEArca–2008–79]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
Arca, Inc.; Order Approving Proposed
Rule Change To List and Trade
ELEMENTSSM Linked to the CS/RT
Emerging Infrastructure Total Return
Index Powered by HOLTTM Due 2023
September 8, 2008.
I. Introduction
On July 22, 2008, NYSE Arca, Inc.
(‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE Arca’’), through
its wholly owned subsidiary, NYSE
Arca Equities, Inc. (‘‘NYSE Arca
Equities’’), 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 list and trade
the ELEMENTSTM Linked to the CS/RT
Emerging Infrastructure Total Return
Index Powered by HOLTTM due 2023.
The proposed rule change was
published for comment in the Federal
Register on August 7, 2008.3 The
Commission received no comment
letters on the proposed rule change.
This order approves the proposed rule
change.
II. Description of the Proposed Rule
Change
The Exchange proposed to list and
trade the ELEMENTSSM Linked to the
CS/RT Emerging Infrastructure Total
Return Index Powered by HOLTTM due
2023 (the ‘‘Notes’’), which are linked to
the CS/RT Emerging Infrastructure Total
Return Index Powered by HOLTTM (U.S.
dollar) (the ‘‘Index’’), under NYSE Arca
Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6), which includes
the Exchange’s listing standards for
Equity Index-Linked Securities.4 The
Notes are senior unsecured debt
10 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58276
(July 31, 2008), 73 FR 46126.
4 Equity Index-Linked Securities are securities
that provide for the payment at maturity of a cash
amount based on the performance of an underlying
index or indexes of equity securities (‘‘Equity
Reference Asset’’). See NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6)(i).
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1 15
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20:22 Sep 12, 2008
Jkt 214001
obligations of Credit Suisse, acting
through its Nassau Branch (‘‘Credit
Suisse’’). The Index is comprised of 50
equally-weighted exchange-listed
emerging infrastructure-related
companies that are chosen according to
a rules-based methodology for scoring
stocks (each an ‘‘Index Component’’
and, collectively, the ‘‘Index
Components’’). The Index enables
investors to participate in the
performance of a selection of companies
that have a focus on infrastructure,
power and utilities, or agriculture and
derive at least 15% of their revenue
from the Global Emerging Markets
(‘‘GEM’’). A GEM is defined as any
country except the United States,
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan,
Hong Kong, Singapore, Austria,
Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the
United Kingdom.5
The Exchange submitted the proposed
rule change because the Index does not
meet all of the ‘‘generic’’ listing
requirements of NYSE Arca Equities
Rule 5.2(j)(6) applicable to the listing of
Equity Index-Linked Securities.
Specifically, the Index meets all such
requirements except for those set forth
in NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v).6 The Exchange
represented that: (1) Except for NYSE
Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v),
5 The Exchange stated that detailed descriptions
of the Notes, the Index (including the methodology
used to determine the composition of the Index),
fees, redemption procedures and payment at
redemption, payment at maturity, taxes, and risk
factors relating to the Notes are available in the
prospectus or on the Web site for the Notes
(https://www.credit-suisse.com), as applicable. See
Credit Suisse’s prospectus, as amended, filed
pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) under the Act (File No.
333–132936–14).
6 NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v)
provides that all component securities of the
underlying index shall be either (A) securities
(other than foreign country securities and American
Depository Receipts (‘‘ADRs’’)) that are (x) issued by
an Act reporting company or by an investment
company registered under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, which, in each case, are listed on a
national securities exchange, and (y) an ‘‘NMS
stock’’ (as defined in Rule 600 of Regulation NMS)
or (B) foreign country securities or ADRs, provided
that foreign country securities or foreign country
securities underlying ADRs having their primary
trading market outside the United States on foreign
trading markets that are not members of the
Intermarket Surveillance Group (‘‘ISG’’) or parties
to comprehensive surveillance sharing agreements
with the Exchange will not in the aggregate
represent more than 20% of the dollar weight of the
index. See Securities Exchange Act Release No.
58376 (August 18, 2008), 73 FR 49726 (August 22,
2008) (SR–NYSEArca–2008–70) (approving certain
amendments to NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6)(B)(I) and, as a result, renumbering NYSE
Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(vi) to NYSE
Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v), among
other subsections).
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the Notes currently satisfy all of the
generic listing standards under NYSE
Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6) applicable to
Equity Index-Linked Securities; (2) the
continued listing standards under NYSE
Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6) applicable to
Equity Index-Linked Securities shall
apply to the Notes; and (3) Credit Suisse
is required to comply with Rule 10A–3
under the Act 7 for the initial and
continued listing of the Notes. In
addition, the Exchange represented that
the Notes will comply with all other
requirements applicable to Equity
Index-Linked Securities including, but
not limited to, requirements relating to
the dissemination of key information
such as the Equity Reference Asset
value, rules and policies governing the
trading of equity securities, trading
hours, trading halts, surveillance,
firewalls, and Information Bulletins to
ETP Holders, as set forth in prior
Commission orders approving the
generic listing rules applicable to the
listing and trading of Index-Linked
Securities, generally, and Equity IndexLinked Securities, in particular.8
The Exchange stated that, as of April
30, 2008, the market capitalization of
the ten largest Index Components
accounting for the top 20% of the Index
weight was approximately $873.9
billion. The highest weighted stock was
Vodafone Group PLC, which accounted
for 2% of the Index weight and had a
market capitalization of approximately
$209.6 billion.
With respect to NYSE Arca Equities
Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v), which
requires that at least 80% of the
component stock trade on markets that
are members of ISG or parties to
comprehensive surveillance sharing
agreements with the Exchange, the
Exchange represented that it has
attempted, but was unable, to enter into
comprehensive surveillance sharing
agreements with markets on which
approximately 36% of the Index
Components trade. Specifically, the
Exchange does not have comprehensive
surveillance sharing agreements with
Euronext Amsterdam (2%), Euronext
Lisbon (2%), Euronext Paris (6%), JSE
Securities Exchange (Johannesburg)
(6%), Borsa Italiana (Milan) (4%),
Prague Stock Exchange (2%), Bovespa
˜
(State of Sao Paulo Stock Exchange)
7 17
CFR 240.10A–3.
e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos.
52204 (August 3, 2005), 70 FR 46559 (August 10,
2005) (SR–PCX–2005–63); 56637 (October 10,
2007), 72 FR 58704 (October 16, 2007) (SR–
NYSEArca–2007–92); 56838 (November 26, 2007),
72 FR 67774 (November 30, 2007) (SR–NYSEArca–
2007–118); 56879 (December 3, 2007), 72 FR 69271
(December 7, 2007) (SR–NYSEArca–2007–110); and
57132 (January 11, 2008), 73 FR 3300 (January 17,
2008) (SR–NYSEArca–2007–125).
8 See,
E:\FR\FM\15SEN1.SGM
15SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 179 / Monday, September 15, 2008 / Notices
(4%), Singapore Stock Exchange (2%),
and Bolsa de Madrid (8%), and these
markets are not members of ISG.
The Exchange stated that it might be
unable to obtain surveillance
information from the above-noted
exchanges regarding the relevant
component stocks, but that it intended
to utilize its existing surveillance
procedures applicable to derivative
products, including Equity IndexLinked Securities, to monitor trading in
the Notes. The Exchange represented
that such procedures are adequate to
properly monitor Exchange trading of
the Notes in all trading sessions and to
deter and detect violations of Exchange
rules. The Exchange’s current trading
surveillance focuses 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 further
stated that it may obtain information via
ISG from other exchanges who are
members of ISG.9
Notwithstanding the Notes’ inability
to meet the requirements of NYSE Arca
Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v), the
Exchange believes that the underlying
Index is sufficiently broad-based in
scope and, as such, is less susceptible to
manipulation: The Index contains 50
companies, listed in 23 countries with
no one exchange that is not covered by
a comprehensive surveillance sharing
agreement listing greater than 8% of
such companies. The Exchange added
that no one security dominates the
underlying Index, thereby serving to
protect the public interest and promote
capital formation.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
III. Discussion and Commission’s
Findings
After careful review, the Commission
finds that NYSE Arca’s proposal to list
and trade the Notes is consistent with
the Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to a national
securities exchange.10 In particular, the
Commission finds that the proposed
rule change is consistent with Section
6(b)(5) of the Act,11 in that it is designed
to prevent fraudulent and manipulative
acts and practices, to promote just and
equitable principles of trade, to foster
cooperation and coordination with
persons engaged in facilitating
9 For a list of the current members and affiliate
members of ISG, see https://www.isgportal.com.
10 In approving this proposed rule change, the
Commission has considered the proposed rule’s
impact on efficiency, competition, and capital
formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
11 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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20:22 Sep 12, 2008
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transactions in securities, to remove
impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a free and open market
and a national market system, and, in
general, to protect investors and the
public interest.
Although NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6) permits the Exchange to
consider Equity Index-Linked Securities
for listing and trading pursuant to Rule
19b–4(e) under the Act,12 the Notes do
not meet all of the generic listing
requirements thereunder because the
components of the Index do not meet
the requirements in NYSE Arca Equities
Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v).13 NYSE Arca
Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v)
provides that that all component
securities of the underlying index shall
be either (A) securities (other than
foreign country securities and ADRs)
that are (x) issued by an Act reporting
company or by an investment company
registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, which, in each
case, are listed on a national securities
exchange, and (y) an ‘‘NMS stock’’ (as
defined in Rule 600 of Regulation NMS)
or (B) foreign country securities or
ADRs, provided that foreign country
securities or foreign country securities
underlying ADRs having their primary
trading market outside the United States
on foreign trading markets that are not
members of ISG or parties to
comprehensive surveillance sharing
agreements with the Exchange will not,
in the aggregate, represent more than
20% of the dollar weight of the index.
According to the Exchange, in the case
of the Notes, approximately 36% of the
dollar weight of the Index represents
Index Components trading on foreign
trading markets that are not members of
ISG and with which the Exchange has
not entered into any comprehensive
surveillance sharing agreements.
The Commission notes that the
Exchange represents that it has
attempted, but has not been able, to
enter into comprehensive surveillance
sharing agreements with Euronext
Amsterdam, Euronext Lisbon, Euronext
Paris, JSE Securities Exchange
(Johannesburg), Borsa Italiana (Milan),
Prague Stock Exchange, Bovespa (State
˜
of Sao Paulo Stock Exchange),
Singapore Stock Exchange, and Bolsa de
Madrid. The Commission further notes
that, in certain limited circumstances, it
has approved the listing and trading of
derivative securities products based on
indices that were composed of stocks for
which a national securities exchange
has not entered into a comprehensive
surveillance sharing agreement with the
12 17
CFR 240.19b–4(e).
supra note 6 and accompanying text.
13 See
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53315
relevant foreign exchange.14 The
Exchange has represented that it intends
to utilize its existing surveillance
procedures applicable to derivative
products, including Equity IndexLinked Securities, to monitor trading in
the Notes and that such procedures are
adequate to properly monitor Exchange
trading of the Notes in all trading
sessions and to deter and detect
violations of Exchange rules.
In addition, the Exchange has
represented that the Notes will comply
with all other requirements applicable
to Equity Index-Linked Securities
including, but not limited to,
requirements relating to the
dissemination of key information such
as the Equity Reference Asset value,
rules and policies governing the trading
of equity securities, trading hours,
trading halts, surveillance, firewalls,
and Information Bulletins to ETP
Holders, as set forth in prior
Commission orders approving the
generic listing rules applicable to the
listing and trading of Index-Linked
Securities, generally, and Equity IndexLinked Securities, in particular.15
The Commission believes that the
listing and trading of the Notes is
consistent with the Act. The
Commission notes that, based on the
Exchange’s representations, the Notes
otherwise meet all of the other
applicable generic listing standards
under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6).
The Commission also notes that the
Index is composed of securities of 50
companies listed in 23 countries. The
Commission further notes that it has
previously approved the listing and
trading of derivative securities products
based on indices that were composed of
stocks that did not meet certain
quantitative generic listing criteria.16
For the foregoing reasons, the
Commission believes that the proposal
to list and trade the Notes is consistent
with the Act and finds good cause for
approving the proposed rule change.
14 See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos.
58437 (August 28, 2008), 73 FR 51684 (September
4, 2008) (SR–NYSEArca–2008–77) (approving the
listing and trading of exchange-traded notes linked
to Barclays Middle East Equities (MSCI GCC)) and
54944 (December 15, 2006), 71 FR 77432 (December
26, 2006) (SR–NYSE–2006–69) (approving the
listing and trading of exchange-traded notes linked
to the MSCI India Equities Index).
15 See supra note 8 and accompanying text.
16 See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos.
57349 (February 19, 2008), 73 FR 10084 (February
25, 2008) (SR–NYSEArca–2008–22) and 58437
(August 28, 2008), 73 FR 51684 (September 4, 2008)
(SR–NYSEArca–2008–77). See also Securities
Exchange Act Release Nos. 55953 (June 25, 2007),
72 FR 36084 (July 2, 2007) (SR–NYSE–2007–46)
and 56695 (October 24, 2007), 72 FR 61413 (October
30, 2007) (SR–NYSEArca–2007–111).
E:\FR\FM\15SEN1.SGM
15SEN1
53316
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 179 / Monday, September 15, 2008 / Notices
This order is based on the Exchange’s
representations.
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,17 that the
proposed rule change (SR–NYSEArca–
2008–79) be, and it hereby is, approved.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Numbers 59002 and 59008)
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.18
Florence E. Harmon,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–21331 Filed 9–12–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025–01–P
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
Missouri Disaster Number MO–00030
Herbert L. Mitchell,
Associate Administrator for Disaster
Assistance.
[FR Doc. E8–21409 Filed 9–12–08; 8:45 am]
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
[Disaster Declaration #11311 and #11312]
U.S. Small Business
Administration.
ACTION: Amendment 7.
AGENCY:
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
[Disaster Declaration #11411]
Florida Disaster Number FL–00036.
U.S. Small Business
Administration.
ACTION: Amendment 3.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This is an amendment of the
Presidential declaration of a major
disaster for Public Assistance Only for
the State of Florida (FEMA–1785–DR),
dated 08/24/2008.
Incident: Tropical Storm Fay.
Incident Period: 08/18/2008 and
Continuing.
Effective Date: 09/08/2008.
Physical Loan Application Deadline
Date: 10/23/2008.
Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan
Application Deadline Date: 05/25/2009.
ADDRESSES: Submit completed loan
applications to: U.S. Small Business
Administration, Processing and
Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport
Road, Fort Worth, TX, 76155.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A.
Escobar, Office of Disaster Assistance,
U.S. Small Business Administration,
409 3rd Street, SW., Suite 6050,
Washington, DC 20416.
The notice
of the President’s major disaster
declaration for Private Non-Profit
organizations in the State of Florida,
dated 08/24/2008, is hereby amended to
include the following areas as adversely
affected by the disaster.
Primary Counties: Clay, Flagler, Gulf,
Highlands, Martin, Nassau, Palm
Beach, Suwannee, Taylor, Volusia.
Contiguous Counties (Economic Injury
Loans Only):
Georgia: Camden.
All other information in the original
declaration remains unchanged.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
17 15
18 17
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
VerDate Aug<31>2005
20:22 Sep 12, 2008
SUMMARY: This is an amendment of the
Presidential declaration of a major
disaster for the State of Missouri
(FEMA–1773–DR), dated 06/28/2008.
Incident: Severe Storms and Flooding.
Incident Period: 06/01/2008 through
08/13/2008.
Effective Date: 09/08/2008.
Physical Loan Application Deadline
Date: 09/30/2008.
EIDL Loan Application Deadline Date:
03/30/2009.
ADDRESSES: Submit completed loan
applications to:
U.S. Small Business Administration,
Processing and Disbursement Center,
14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX
76155.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A.
Escobar, Office of Disaster Assistance,
U.S. Small Business Administration,
409 3rd Street, SW., Suite 6050,
Washington, DC 20416.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice
of the Presidential disaster declaration
for the State of Missouri, dated 06/28/
2008 is hereby amended to include the
following areas as adversely affected by
the disaster:
Primary Counties: (Physical Damage and
Economic Injury Loans): Adair,
Callaway, Chariton, Harrison,
Macon, Monroe, Putnam.
Contiguous Counties: (Economic Injury
Loans Only):
Missouri: Boone, Cole, Howard,
Mercer, Osage, Randolph, Saline,
Schuyler.
Iowa: Appanoose, Decatur, Ringgold,
Wayne.
All other information in the original
declaration remains unchanged.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Numbers 59002 and 59008)
Herbert L. Mitchell,
Associate Administrator for Disaster
Assistance.
[FR Doc. E8–21410 Filed 9–12–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025–01–P
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 6361]
30-Day Notice of Proposed Information
Collection: DS–7001 and DS–7005,
DOS-Sponsored Academic Exchange
Program Application, OMB Control No.
1405–0138
Notice of request for public
comment and submission to OMB of
proposed collection of information.
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Department of State has
submitted the following information
collection request to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
approval in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
• Title of Information Collection:
DOS-sponsored Academic Exchange
Program Application.
• OMB Control Number: 1405–0138.
• Type of Request: Revision of a
Currently Approved Collection.
• Originating Office: Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs, ECA/
A/E/EUR.
• Form Numbers: DS–7001, DS–7005.
• Respondents: Applicants for the
Academic Exchange Program.
• Estimated Number of Respondents:
6638.
• Estimated Number of Responses:
6638.
• Average Hours per Response: 0.75.
• Total Estimated Burden: 4978
hours.
• Frequency: Annually.
• Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.
DATES: Submit comments to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) for
up to 30 days from September 15, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Direct comments and
questions to Katherine Astrich, the
Department of State Desk Officer in the
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs at the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB), who may be reached at
202–395–4718. You may submit
comments by any of the following
methods:
• E-mail: kastrich@omb.eop.gov. You
must include the DS form number,
information collection title, and OMB
control number in the subject line of
your message.
• Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM
submissions): Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Management and Budget, 725 17th
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503.
• Fax: 202–395–6974.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You
may obtain copies of the proposed
information collection and supporting
documents from Carolina Chavez, U.S.
Department of State, Bureau of
E:\FR\FM\15SEN1.SGM
15SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 179 (Monday, September 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53314-53316]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21331]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-58474; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2008-79]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Approving
Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade ELEMENTS\SM\ Linked to the CS/RT
Emerging Infrastructure Total Return Index Powered by HOLT\TM\ Due 2023
September 8, 2008.
I. Introduction
On July 22, 2008, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``Exchange'' or ``NYSE Arca''),
through its wholly owned subsidiary, NYSE Arca Equities, Inc. (``NYSE
Arca Equities''), 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 list and trade the ELEMENTS\TM\ Linked to the
CS/RT Emerging Infrastructure Total Return Index Powered by HOLT\TM\
due 2023. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the
Federal Register on August 7, 2008.\3\ The Commission received no
comment letters on the proposed rule change. This order approves the
proposed rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58276 (July 31,
2008), 73 FR 46126.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposed to list and trade the ELEMENTS\SM\ Linked to
the CS/RT Emerging Infrastructure Total Return Index Powered by
HOLT\TM\ due 2023 (the ``Notes''), which are linked to the CS/RT
Emerging Infrastructure Total Return Index Powered by HOLT\TM\ (U.S.
dollar) (the ``Index''), under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6), which
includes the Exchange's listing standards for Equity Index-Linked
Securities.\4\ The Notes are senior unsecured debt obligations of
Credit Suisse, acting through its Nassau Branch (``Credit Suisse'').
The Index is comprised of 50 equally-weighted exchange-listed emerging
infrastructure-related companies that are chosen according to a rules-
based methodology for scoring stocks (each an ``Index Component'' and,
collectively, the ``Index Components''). The Index enables investors to
participate in the performance of a selection of companies that have a
focus on infrastructure, power and utilities, or agriculture and derive
at least 15% of their revenue from the Global Emerging Markets
(``GEM''). A GEM is defined as any country except the United States,
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Austria,
Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and
the United Kingdom.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Equity Index-Linked Securities are securities that provide
for the payment at maturity of a cash amount based on the
performance of an underlying index or indexes of equity securities
(``Equity Reference Asset''). See NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6)(i).
\5\ The Exchange stated that detailed descriptions of the Notes,
the Index (including the methodology used to determine the
composition of the Index), fees, redemption procedures and payment
at redemption, payment at maturity, taxes, and risk factors relating
to the Notes are available in the prospectus or on the Web site for
the Notes (https://www.credit-suisse.com), as applicable. See Credit
Suisse's prospectus, as amended, filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
under the Act (File No. 333-132936-14).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange submitted the proposed rule change because the Index
does not meet all of the ``generic'' listing requirements of NYSE Arca
Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6) applicable to the listing of Equity Index-
Linked Securities. Specifically, the Index meets all such requirements
except for those set forth in NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v).\6\ The Exchange represented that: (1) Except
for NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v), the Notes
currently satisfy all of the generic listing standards under NYSE Arca
Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6) applicable to Equity Index-Linked Securities;
(2) the continued listing standards under NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6) applicable to Equity Index-Linked Securities shall apply to
the Notes; and (3) Credit Suisse is required to comply with Rule 10A-3
under the Act \7\ for the initial and continued listing of the Notes.
In addition, the Exchange represented that the Notes will comply with
all other requirements applicable to Equity Index-Linked Securities
including, but not limited to, requirements relating to the
dissemination of key information such as the Equity Reference Asset
value, rules and policies governing the trading of equity securities,
trading hours, trading halts, surveillance, firewalls, and Information
Bulletins to ETP Holders, as set forth in prior Commission orders
approving the generic listing rules applicable to the listing and
trading of Index-Linked Securities, generally, and Equity Index-Linked
Securities, in particular.\8\
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\6\ NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v) provides
that all component securities of the underlying index shall be
either (A) securities (other than foreign country securities and
American Depository Receipts (``ADRs'')) that are (x) issued by an
Act reporting company or by an investment company registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, which, in each case, are listed
on a national securities exchange, and (y) an ``NMS stock'' (as
defined in Rule 600 of Regulation NMS) or (B) foreign country
securities or ADRs, provided that foreign country securities or
foreign country securities underlying ADRs having their primary
trading market outside the United States on foreign trading markets
that are not members of the Intermarket Surveillance Group (``ISG'')
or parties to comprehensive surveillance sharing agreements with the
Exchange will not in the aggregate represent more than 20% of the
dollar weight of the index. See Securities Exchange Act Release No.
58376 (August 18, 2008), 73 FR 49726 (August 22, 2008) (SR-NYSEArca-
2008-70) (approving certain amendments to NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6)(B)(I) and, as a result, renumbering NYSE Arca Equities
Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(vi) to NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v), among other subsections).
\7\ 17 CFR 240.10A-3.
\8\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 52204
(August 3, 2005), 70 FR 46559 (August 10, 2005) (SR-PCX-2005-63);
56637 (October 10, 2007), 72 FR 58704 (October 16, 2007) (SR-
NYSEArca-2007-92); 56838 (November 26, 2007), 72 FR 67774 (November
30, 2007) (SR-NYSEArca-2007-118); 56879 (December 3, 2007), 72 FR
69271 (December 7, 2007) (SR-NYSEArca-2007-110); and 57132 (January
11, 2008), 73 FR 3300 (January 17, 2008) (SR-NYSEArca-2007-125).
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The Exchange stated that, as of April 30, 2008, the market
capitalization of the ten largest Index Components accounting for the
top 20% of the Index weight was approximately $873.9 billion. The
highest weighted stock was Vodafone Group PLC, which accounted for 2%
of the Index weight and had a market capitalization of approximately
$209.6 billion.
With respect to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v),
which requires that at least 80% of the component stock trade on
markets that are members of ISG or parties to comprehensive
surveillance sharing agreements with the Exchange, the Exchange
represented that it has attempted, but was unable, to enter into
comprehensive surveillance sharing agreements with markets on which
approximately 36% of the Index Components trade. Specifically, the
Exchange does not have comprehensive surveillance sharing agreements
with Euronext Amsterdam (2%), Euronext Lisbon (2%), Euronext Paris
(6%), JSE Securities Exchange (Johannesburg) (6%), Borsa Italiana
(Milan) (4%), Prague Stock Exchange (2%), Bovespa (State of S[atilde]o
Paulo Stock Exchange)
[[Page 53315]]
(4%), Singapore Stock Exchange (2%), and Bolsa de Madrid (8%), and
these markets are not members of ISG.
The Exchange stated that it might be unable to obtain surveillance
information from the above-noted exchanges regarding the relevant
component stocks, but that it intended to utilize its existing
surveillance procedures applicable to derivative products, including
Equity Index-Linked Securities, to monitor trading in the Notes. The
Exchange represented that such procedures are adequate to properly
monitor Exchange trading of the Notes in all trading sessions and to
deter and detect violations of Exchange rules. The Exchange's current
trading surveillance focuses 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 further stated that it may obtain information
via ISG from other exchanges who are members of ISG.\9\
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\9\ For a list of the current members and affiliate members of
ISG, see https://www.isgportal.com.
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Notwithstanding the Notes' inability to meet the requirements of
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v), the Exchange believes
that the underlying Index is sufficiently broad-based in scope and, as
such, is less susceptible to manipulation: The Index contains 50
companies, listed in 23 countries with no one exchange that is not
covered by a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement listing
greater than 8% of such companies. The Exchange added that no one
security dominates the underlying Index, thereby serving to protect the
public interest and promote capital formation.
III. Discussion and Commission's Findings
After careful review, the Commission finds that NYSE Arca's
proposal to list and trade the Notes is consistent with the Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities
exchange.\10\ In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed
rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\11\ in that
it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and
practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and,
in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
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\10\ In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission has
considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition,
and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
\11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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Although NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6) permits the Exchange to
consider Equity Index-Linked Securities for listing and trading
pursuant to Rule 19b-4(e) under the Act,\12\ the Notes do not meet all
of the generic listing requirements thereunder because the components
of the Index do not meet the requirements in NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v).\13\ NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(v) provides that that all component securities of
the underlying index shall be either (A) securities (other than foreign
country securities and ADRs) that are (x) issued by an Act reporting
company or by an investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, which, in each case, are listed on a national
securities exchange, and (y) an ``NMS stock'' (as defined in Rule 600
of Regulation NMS) or (B) foreign country securities or ADRs, provided
that foreign country securities or foreign country securities
underlying ADRs having their primary trading market outside the United
States on foreign trading markets that are not members of ISG or
parties to comprehensive surveillance sharing agreements with the
Exchange will not, in the aggregate, represent more than 20% of the
dollar weight of the index. According to the Exchange, in the case of
the Notes, approximately 36% of the dollar weight of the Index
represents Index Components trading on foreign trading markets that are
not members of ISG and with which the Exchange has not entered into any
comprehensive surveillance sharing agreements.
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\12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(e).
\13\ See supra note 6 and accompanying text.
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The Commission notes that the Exchange represents that it has
attempted, but has not been able, to enter into comprehensive
surveillance sharing agreements with Euronext Amsterdam, Euronext
Lisbon, Euronext Paris, JSE Securities Exchange (Johannesburg), Borsa
Italiana (Milan), Prague Stock Exchange, Bovespa (State of S[atilde]o
Paulo Stock Exchange), Singapore Stock Exchange, and Bolsa de Madrid.
The Commission further notes that, in certain limited circumstances, it
has approved the listing and trading of derivative securities products
based on indices that were composed of stocks for which a national
securities exchange has not entered into a comprehensive surveillance
sharing agreement with the relevant foreign exchange.\14\ The Exchange
has represented that it intends to utilize its existing surveillance
procedures applicable to derivative products, including Equity Index-
Linked Securities, to monitor trading in the Notes and that such
procedures are adequate to properly monitor Exchange trading of the
Notes in all trading sessions and to deter and detect violations of
Exchange rules.
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\14\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 58437
(August 28, 2008), 73 FR 51684 (September 4, 2008) (SR-NYSEArca-
2008-77) (approving the listing and trading of exchange-traded notes
linked to Barclays Middle East Equities (MSCI GCC)) and 54944
(December 15, 2006), 71 FR 77432 (December 26, 2006) (SR-NYSE-2006-
69) (approving the listing and trading of exchange-traded notes
linked to the MSCI India Equities Index).
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In addition, the Exchange has represented that the Notes will
comply with all other requirements applicable to Equity Index-Linked
Securities including, but not limited to, requirements relating to the
dissemination of key information such as the Equity Reference Asset
value, rules and policies governing the trading of equity securities,
trading hours, trading halts, surveillance, firewalls, and Information
Bulletins to ETP Holders, as set forth in prior Commission orders
approving the generic listing rules applicable to the listing and
trading of Index-Linked Securities, generally, and Equity Index-Linked
Securities, in particular.\15\
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\15\ See supra note 8 and accompanying text.
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The Commission believes that the listing and trading of the Notes
is consistent with the Act. The Commission notes that, based on the
Exchange's representations, the Notes otherwise meet all of the other
applicable generic listing standards under NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6). The Commission also notes that the Index is composed of
securities of 50 companies listed in 23 countries. The Commission
further notes that it has previously approved the listing and trading
of derivative securities products based on indices that were composed
of stocks that did not meet certain quantitative generic listing
criteria.\16\
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\16\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 57349
(February 19, 2008), 73 FR 10084 (February 25, 2008) (SR-NYSEArca-
2008-22) and 58437 (August 28, 2008), 73 FR 51684 (September 4,
2008) (SR-NYSEArca-2008-77). See also Securities Exchange Act
Release Nos. 55953 (June 25, 2007), 72 FR 36084 (July 2, 2007) (SR-
NYSE-2007-46) and 56695 (October 24, 2007), 72 FR 61413 (October 30,
2007) (SR-NYSEArca-2007-111).
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For the foregoing reasons, the Commission believes that the
proposal to list and trade the Notes is consistent with the Act and
finds good cause for approving the proposed rule change.
[[Page 53316]]
This order is based on the Exchange's representations.
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the
Act,\17\ that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSEArca-2008-79) be, and it
hereby is, approved.
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\17\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\18\
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\18\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-21331 Filed 9-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P