Order Extending Emergency Order Pursuant to Section 12(k)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Taking Temporary Action To Respond to Market Developments, 58698 [E8-23614]

Download as PDF 58698 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 7, 2008 / Notices For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, under delegated authority. Florence E. Harmon, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–23689 Filed 10–6–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P By the Commission. Florence E. Harmon, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–23613 Filed 10–6–08; 8:45 am] SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 58703] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P Order Extending Emergency Order Pursuant to Section 12(k)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Taking Temporary Action To Respond to Market Developments October 1, 2008. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES markets and for the protection of investors. Therefore, it is ordered, pursuant to Section 12(k)(2)(C) of the Exchange Act, that the Order is extended such that it will terminate at 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. on Friday, October 17, 2008. On September 18, 2008, the Commission issued an Emergency Order pursuant to Section 12(k)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Exchange Act’’) (the ‘‘Order’’) temporarily broadening Exchange Act Rule 10b–18’s safe harbor from liability for issuer repurchases in order to facilitate orderly markets.1 That Order became effective at 12:01 a.m. E.D.T. on September 19, 2008, and is currently set to terminate at 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. on October 2, 2008. Pursuant to our authority under Section 12(k)(2)(C) of the Exchange Act, we are extending the Order. Section 12(k)(2)(C) authorizes the Commission to extend an emergency order issued pursuant to Section 12(k)(2)(A) of the Exchange Act for a total effective period of up to 30 calendar days, if the Commission finds that the emergency still exists and determines that an extension is necessary in the public interest and for the protection of investors to maintain fair and orderly securities markets. We have carefully reevaluated the current state of the markets and we remain concerned about the potential of sudden and excessive fluctuations of securities prices generally and disruption in the functioning of the securities markets that could threaten fair and orderly markets. Issuer repurchases can represent an important source of liquidity during these times of market volatility. Thus, we have determined in this environment that the standards under Section 12(k)(2) for extending the Order have been met. Accordingly, the Commission has determined that extending the Order is in the public interest and necessary to maintain fair and orderly securities SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 58711] Order Extending Emergency Order Pursuant to Section 12(k)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Taking Temporary Action To Respond to Market Developments October 1, 2008. Pursuant to Section 12(k)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Exchange Act’’),1 on September 17, 2008, the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) issued an Emergency Order (the ‘‘Order’’) aimed at further reducing fails to deliver and addressing potentially abusive ‘‘naked’’ short selling in all equity securities.2 The Order became effective at 12:01 a.m. E.D.T. on September 18, 2008 and is currently set to terminate at 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. on October 1, 2008. Pursuant to our authority under Section 12(k)(2)(C) of the Exchange Act, we are extending the Order. Section 12(k)(2)(C) authorizes the Commission to extend an emergency order issued pursuant to Section 12(k)(2)(A) of the Exchange Act for a total effective period of up to 30 calendar days, if the Commission finds that the emergency still exists and determines that an extension is necessary in the public interest and for the protection of investors to maintain fair and orderly securities markets. We have carefully reevaluated the current state of the markets and we remain concerned about the potential of sudden and excessive fluctuations of securities prices generally and disruption in the functioning of the securities markets that could threaten fair and orderly markets. We intend the enhanced delivery requirements (temporary Rule 204T and elimination of the options market maker exception) imposed by the Order and the ‘‘naked’’ 1 15 1 Exchange Act Release No. 58588 (Sept. 18, 2008). VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:23 Oct 06, 2008 Jkt 217001 U.S.C. 78l(k)(2). 2 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58572 (Sept. 17, 2008). PO 00000 Frm 00170 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 short selling antifraud rule to provide powerful disincentives to those who might otherwise exacerbate artificial price movements through ‘‘naked’’ short selling. Thus, we have determined in this environment that the standards under Section 12(k)(2) for extending the Order have been met. Accordingly, we have determined that extending the Order is in the public interest and necessary to maintain fair and orderly securities markets and for the protection of investors. In addition, we note that Staff of the Division of Trading and Markets has issued guidance regarding the Order to address current and anticipated technical and operational concerns resulting from the requirements of the Order.3 The guidance will continue to apply for the duration of the Order and the Commission hereby incorporates and adopts the guidance. It is therefore ordered that, pursuant to Section 12(k)(2)(C) of the Exchange Act, the Commission hereby incorporates and adopts the Division of Trading and Markets: Guidance Regarding the Commission’s Emergency Order Concerning Rules to Protect Investors Against ‘‘Naked’’ Short Selling Abuses and the Division of Trading and Markets Guidance Regarding Sale of Loaned but Recalled Securities. It is further ordered that, pursuant to Section 12(k)(2)(C) of the Exchange Act, the Order is extended such that it will terminate at 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. on Friday, October 17, 2008. By the Commission. Florence E. Harmon, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–23614 Filed 10–6–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–58696; File No. SR–FICC– 2008–04] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Fixed Income Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Rules of the Government Securities Division To Expand the Types of Securities Eligible for the GCF Repo Service September 30, 2008. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),1 notice is hereby given that on 3 See https://www.sec.gov/divisions/marketreg/ 204tfaq.htm and https://www.sec.gov/divisions/ marketreg/loanedsecuritiesfaq.htm. 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). E:\FR\FM\07OCN1.SGM 07OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 58698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23614]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 58711]


Order Extending Emergency Order Pursuant to Section 12(k)(2) of 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Taking Temporary Action To Respond 
to Market Developments

October 1, 2008.
    Pursuant to Section 12(k)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Exchange Act''),\1\ on September 17, 2008, the Securities and 
Exchange Commission (``Commission'') issued an Emergency Order (the 
``Order'') aimed at further reducing fails to deliver and addressing 
potentially abusive ``naked'' short selling in all equity 
securities.\2\ The Order became effective at 12:01 a.m. E.D.T. on 
September 18, 2008 and is currently set to terminate at 11:59 p.m. 
E.D.T. on October 1, 2008.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78l(k)(2).
    \2\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58572 (Sept. 17, 
2008).
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    Pursuant to our authority under Section 12(k)(2)(C) of the Exchange 
Act, we are extending the Order. Section 12(k)(2)(C) authorizes the 
Commission to extend an emergency order issued pursuant to Section 
12(k)(2)(A) of the Exchange Act for a total effective period of up to 
30 calendar days, if the Commission finds that the emergency still 
exists and determines that an extension is necessary in the public 
interest and for the protection of investors to maintain fair and 
orderly securities markets.
    We have carefully reevaluated the current state of the markets and 
we remain concerned about the potential of sudden and excessive 
fluctuations of securities prices generally and disruption in the 
functioning of the securities markets that could threaten fair and 
orderly markets. We intend the enhanced delivery requirements 
(temporary Rule 204T and elimination of the options market maker 
exception) imposed by the Order and the ``naked'' short selling 
antifraud rule to provide powerful disincentives to those who might 
otherwise exacerbate artificial price movements through ``naked'' short 
selling. Thus, we have determined in this environment that the 
standards under Section 12(k)(2) for extending the Order have been met. 
Accordingly, we have determined that extending the Order is in the 
public interest and necessary to maintain fair and orderly securities 
markets and for the protection of investors.
    In addition, we note that Staff of the Division of Trading and 
Markets has issued guidance regarding the Order to address current and 
anticipated technical and operational concerns resulting from the 
requirements of the Order.\3\ The guidance will continue to apply for 
the duration of the Order and the Commission hereby incorporates and 
adopts the guidance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See https://www.sec.gov/divisions/marketreg/204tfaq.htm and 
https://www.sec.gov/divisions/marketreg/loanedsecuritiesfaq.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It is therefore ordered that, pursuant to Section 12(k)(2)(C) of 
the Exchange Act, the Commission hereby incorporates and adopts the 
Division of Trading and Markets: Guidance Regarding the Commission's 
Emergency Order Concerning Rules to Protect Investors Against ``Naked'' 
Short Selling Abuses and the Division of Trading and Markets Guidance 
Regarding Sale of Loaned but Recalled Securities.
    It is further ordered that, pursuant to Section 12(k)(2)(C) of the 
Exchange Act, the Order is extended such that it will terminate at 
11:59 p.m. E.D.T. on Friday, October 17, 2008.

    By the Commission.
Florence E. Harmon,
Acting Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E8-23614 Filed 10-6-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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