Self-Regulatory Organizations; Boston Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Its Minor Rule Plan, 63221-63222 [E8-25239]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 206 / Thursday, October 23, 2008 / Notices SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–58805; File No. SR–BSE– 2008–44] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Boston Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Its Minor Rule Plan October 17, 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 October 10, 2008, the Boston Stock Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BSE’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the BSE. The Exchange has designated the proposed rule change as a ‘‘non-controversial’’ rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) thereunder,4 which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. dwashington3 on PRODPC61 with NOTICES I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Boston Stock Exchange (the ‘‘Exchange’’) proposes to update the Boston Options Exchange Group LLC (‘‘BOX’’) rules to increase and strengthen sanctions imposed pursuant to the Minor Rule Violation Plan in connection with any Options Participant or non-Options Participant customer in accordance with BOX Rules Chapter III, Section 7. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at https:// nasdaq trader.com/ Trader.aspx?id=Boston_Stock_ Exchange, at the Office of the Secretary, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. 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 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 14:58 Oct 22, 2008 A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The purpose of the proposed rule change is to update the BOX rules to clarify and strengthen sanctions imposed for violations of BOX Rules Chapter III, Section 7 pursuant to the Minor Rule Violation Plan, as found in BOX Rules, Chapter X. The amendment will impose a flat fine amount for a violation, rather than a fine levied per contract. In addition, the proposed amendment will eliminate the current distinction between Customer accounts and Options Participant accounts. The Exchange believes these changes will serve as an effective deterrent to violative conduct. The Exchange and certain other selfregulatory organizations (‘‘SRO’s’’), as members of the Intermarket Surveillance Group (the ‘‘ISG’’), executed and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2007, a final version of the Agreement pursuant to Section 17(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended) (the ‘‘Agreement’’).5 The members of the ISG intend to enter into an amendment to the 17d–2 Agreement in the near future concerning the surveillance and sanction of Position Limit violations. In anticipation, the SRO’s have agreed that their respective rules concerning position limits concerning options contracts are common rules and should be consistent with one another. The Exchange’s proposed amendment to its Minor Rule violation Plan will result in further consistency of sanctions among the signatories to the 17d–2 Agreement and the forthcoming amendment concerning Position Limit violations. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,6 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,7 in particular, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56941 (April 11, 2008), 73 FR 75 (April 17, 2008). 6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 2 17 VerDate Aug<31>2005 proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. Jkt 217001 PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 63221 mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Specifically, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will promote consistency in minor rule violations and respective SRO reporting obligations set forth pursuant to Rule 19d–1(c)(2) under the Act 8, which governs minor rule plans. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the 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 comments on the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 9 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder 10 because the foregoing proposed rule change: (1) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) by its terms, does not become operative for 30 days after the date of filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest.11 The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay and designate the proposed rule change as operative upon filing. The Commission hereby grants the Exchange’s request and believes that doing so is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest.12 The Exchange’s proposed 8 17 CFR 240.19d–1(c)(2). U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 10 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). In addition, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) requires the self-regulatory organization to give the Commission 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. BSE has satisfied this requirement. 12 For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 9 15 E:\FR\FM\23OCN1.SGM 23OCN1 63222 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 206 / Thursday, October 23, 2008 / Notices rule change is based on a similar proposal that was previously approved by the Commission13 and does not raise any novel or significant issues. Therefore, the Commission designates the proposed rule change operative upon filing. 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: dwashington3 on PRODPC61 with NOTICES Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–BSE–2008–44 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, Station Place, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BSE–2008–44. 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, 13 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58119 (July 8, 2008), 73 FR 40646 (July 15, 2008) (SR– CBOE–2008–53). See also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58289 (August 1, 2008), 73 FR 46667 (August 11, 2008) (SR–ISE–2008–62). VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:58 Oct 22, 2008 Jkt 217001 DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the 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 publicly available. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BSE–2008–44 and should be submitted on or before November 13, 2008. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.14 J. Lynn Taylor, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–25239 Filed 10–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–58809; File No. SR– NASDAQ–2008–082] Self-Regulatory Organizations; the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Temporarily Suspend, Through January 16, 2009, the Continued Listing Requirements Related to Bid Price and Market Value of Publicly Held Shares October 17, 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 October 16, 2008, the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by Nasdaq. Nasdaq has designated the proposed rule change as effecting a change described under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) under the Act,3 which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change Nasdaq proposes to temporarily suspend, through January 16, 2009, the 14 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 1 15 PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 application of the continued listing requirements related to bid price and market value of publicly held shares. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, Nasdaq included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. Nasdaq 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 Given current market conditions, Nasdaq proposes to provide issuers of common stock, preferred stock, secondary classes of common stock, shares or certificates of beneficial interest of trusts, limited partnership interests, American Depositary Receipts, and their equivalents temporary relief from the continued inclusion bid price 4 and market value of publicly held shares requirements.5 In the past several weeks, U.S. and world financial markets have faced 4 Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements relating to bid price are set forth in Rules 4310(c)(4), 4320(e)(2)(E)(ii), 4450(a)(5), 4450(b)(4), and 4450(h)(3) and the related compliance periods are set forth in Rules 4310(c)(8)(D), 4320(e)(2)(E)(ii), and 4450(e)(2). Under these rules, a security is considered deficient if it fails to achieve at least a $1 closing bid price for a period of 30 consecutive business days. Once deficient, Capital Market issuers are provided one automatic 180-day period to regain compliance. Thereafter, these issuers can receive an additional 180-day compliance period if they comply with all Capital Market initial inclusion requirements except bid price. Global Market issuers are also provided one automatic 180day period to regain compliance, after which they can transfer to the Capital Market, if they comply with all Capital Market initial inclusion requirements except bid price, to take advantage of the second 180-day compliance period. A company can regain compliance by achieving a $1 closing bid price for a minimum of ten consecutive business days. 5 Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements relating to market value of publicly held shares are set forth in Rules 4310(c)(7), 4320(e)(5), 4450(a)(2), 4450(b)(3) and 4450(h)(2) and the related compliance periods are set forth in Rules 4310(c)(8)(B) and 4450(e)(1). Under these rules, a security is considered deficient if it fails to achieve the minimum market value of publicly held shares requirement for a period of 30 consecutive business days. Thereafter, companies have a compliance period of 90 calendar days to achieve compliance by meeting the applicable standard for a minimum of ten consecutive business days. E:\FR\FM\23OCN1.SGM 23OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 206 (Thursday, October 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63221-63222]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-25239]



[[Page 63221]]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-58805; File No. SR-BSE-2008-44]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Boston Stock Exchange, Inc.; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change 
Relating to Its Minor Rule Plan

October 17, 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 October 10, 2008, the Boston Stock Exchange, Inc. (``BSE'' or 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and 
II below, which Items have been prepared by the BSE. The Exchange has 
designated the proposed rule change as a ``non-controversial'' rule 
change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder,\4\ which renders the proposal effective upon filing 
with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to 
solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Boston Stock Exchange (the ``Exchange'') proposes to update the 
Boston Options Exchange Group LLC (``BOX'') rules to increase and 
strengthen sanctions imposed pursuant to the Minor Rule Violation Plan 
in connection with any Options Participant or non-Options Participant 
customer in accordance with BOX Rules Chapter III, Section 7. The text 
of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at 
https://nasdaq trader.com/Trader.aspx?id=Boston--Stock--Exchange, at the 
Office of the Secretary, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in 
Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such 
statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to update the BOX rules 
to clarify and strengthen sanctions imposed for violations of BOX Rules 
Chapter III, Section 7 pursuant to the Minor Rule Violation Plan, as 
found in BOX Rules, Chapter X. The amendment will impose a flat fine 
amount for a violation, rather than a fine levied per contract. In 
addition, the proposed amendment will eliminate the current distinction 
between Customer accounts and Options Participant accounts. The 
Exchange believes these changes will serve as an effective deterrent to 
violative conduct.
    The Exchange and certain other self-regulatory organizations 
(``SRO's''), as members of the Intermarket Surveillance Group (the 
``ISG''), executed and filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on October 29, 2007, a final version of the Agreement 
pursuant to Section 17(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as 
amended) (the ``Agreement'').\5\ The members of the ISG intend to enter 
into an amendment to the 17d-2 Agreement in the near future concerning 
the surveillance and sanction of Position Limit violations. In 
anticipation, the SRO's have agreed that their respective rules 
concerning position limits concerning options contracts are common 
rules and should be consistent with one another. The Exchange's 
proposed amendment to its Minor Rule violation Plan will result in 
further consistency of sanctions among the signatories to the 17d-2 
Agreement and the forthcoming amendment concerning Position Limit 
violations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56941 (April 11, 
2008), 73 FR 75 (April 17, 2008).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with Section 6(b) of the Act,\6\ in general, and furthers the 
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\7\ in particular, to promote 
just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and 
perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market 
system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. 
Specifically, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will 
promote consistency in minor rule violations and respective SRO 
reporting obligations set forth pursuant to Rule 19d-1(c)(2) under the 
Act \8\, which governs minor rule plans.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \8\ 17 CFR 240.19d-1(c)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or 
appropriate in furtherance of the 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 comments on the 
proposed rule change.

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

    The proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \9\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder \10\ because 
the foregoing proposed rule change: (1) Does not significantly affect 
the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) does not impose 
any significant burden on competition; and (3) by its terms, does not 
become operative for 30 days after the date of filing, or such shorter 
time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection 
of investors and the public interest.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \10\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii). In addition, Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) requires the self-regulatory organization to give the 
Commission 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. BSE has satisfied this requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative 
delay and designate the proposed rule change as operative upon filing. 
The Commission hereby grants the Exchange's request and believes that 
doing so is consistent with the protection of investors and the public 
interest.\12\ The Exchange's proposed

[[Page 63222]]

rule change is based on a similar proposal that was previously approved 
by the Commission\13\ and does not raise any novel or significant 
issues. Therefore, the Commission designates the proposed rule change 
operative upon filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this 
proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact 
on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
    \13\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58119 (July 8, 
2008), 73 FR 40646 (July 15, 2008) (SR-CBOE-2008-53). See also 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58289 (August 1, 2008), 73 FR 
46667 (August 11, 2008) (SR-ISE-2008-62).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-BSE-2008-44 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BSE-2008-44. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To 
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/rules/
sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and 
copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for 
inspection and copying at the principal office of the 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 publicly available. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-BSE-2008-44 and should be 
submitted on or before November 13, 2008.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

J. Lynn Taylor,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-25239 Filed 10-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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