Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Order Granting Accelerated Approval to a Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Generic Listing Standards for Index Multiple Exchange Traded Fund Shares and Index Inverse Exchange Traded Fund Shares, 2149-2150 [E9-611]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 9 / Wednesday, January 14, 2009 / Notices
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–59214; File No. SR–
NASDAQ–2008–096]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Order
Granting Accelerated Approval to a
Proposed Rule Change Relating to the
Generic Listing Standards for Index
Multiple Exchange Traded Fund
Shares and Index Inverse Exchange
Traded Fund Shares
January 7, 2009.
I. Introduction
On December 9, 2008, The NASDAQ
Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’) 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 permit Nasdaq to list and
trade, or trade pursuant to unlisted
trading privileges (‘‘UTP’’), shares of a
series of Index Multiple Exchange
Traded Fund Shares (‘‘Multiple Fund
Shares’’) and Index Inverse Exchange
Traded Fund Shares (‘‘Inverse Fund
Shares’’) (collectively, the ‘‘Fund
Shares’’). The proposed rule change was
published in the Federal Register on
December 22, 2008 for a 15-day
comment period.3 The Commission
received no comments on the proposal.
This order approves the proposed rule
change on an accelerated basis.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
II. Description of the Proposal
Nasdaq Rule 4420(j) provides
standards for listing Index Fund Shares
(‘‘IFSs’’) on the Exchange. Nasdaq
proposes to revise Nasdaq Rule
4420(j)(1)(B)(iii) to allow the listing and
trading of Multiple Fund Shares and
Inverse Fund Shares that sought to
provide investment results, before fees
and expenses, in an amount not
exceeding ¥300%, rather than ¥200%,
of the underlying benchmark index
pursuant to Rule 19b–4(e) under the
Act,4 where the other applicable generic
listing standards for IFSs are satisfied.
In connection with Inverse Funds that
seek to provide investment results,
before fees and expenses, in an amount
that exceeds ¥300% of the underlying
benchmark index, the Exchange’s
proposal would continue to require
specific Commission approval pursuant
to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act.5 In
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59098
(December 12, 2008), 73 FR 78415 (‘‘Notice’’).
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(e).
5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
2 17
VerDate Nov<24>2008
21:01 Jan 13, 2009
Jkt 217001
particular, Nasdaq Rule 4420(j)(1)(B)(iii)
would expressly prohibit Inverse Funds
that seek to provide investment results,
before fees and expenses, in an amount
that exceeds ¥300% of the underlying
benchmark index, from being approved
by the Exchange for listing and trading
pursuant to Rule 19b–4(e) under the
Act.6
Additional information about the
proposed rule change and IFSs,
including applicable generic listing
standards, limitation on leverage,
availability of information about Fund
Shares and underlying indexes, trading
halts, suitability, and surveillance,
among other things, is contained in the
Notice.7
III. Discussion and Accelerated
Approval
After careful review, the Commission
finds that the proposed rule change is
consistent with the requirements of the
Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to a national
securities exchange and, in particular,
with Section 6(b) of the Act 8 and the
rules and regulations thereunder.
Specifically, the Commission finds that
the proposed rule change is consistent
with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 9 which
requires, among other things, that the
rules of a national securities exchange
be designed to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, 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.10
The Commission believes that the
Exchange’s proposal reasonably
balances the removal of impediments to
a free and open market with the
protection of investors and the public
interest, two principles set forth in
Section 6(b)(5) of the Act. The
Commission notes that it has previously
approved the listing and trading of
various leveraged exchange-traded
funds, including trading pursuant to
unlisted trading privileges on the
Exchange, that seek daily investment
results, before fees and expenses, that
correspond to twice the inverse or
opposite of the daily performance
(¥200%) of the underlying index.11 The
6 17
CFR 240.19b–4(e).
supra note 3.
8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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 See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos.
56713 (October 29, 2007), 72 FR 61915 (November
7 See
PO 00000
Frm 00110
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
2149
Commission also notes that the
proposed rule change is substantially
similar to another exchange’s generic
listing requirements for Multiple Fund
Shares and Inverse Fund Shares.12 With
respect to the listing and trading of a
series of Inverse Fund Shares that seek
to provide investment results that
exceed ¥300% of the percentage
performance of an underlying
benchmark index, the Commission
further notes that the Exchange would
be required to obtain prior Commission
approval pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of
the Act.
The Commission also notes that Fund
Shares must comply with all of the
applicable provisions under Nasdaq
Rule 4420(j), as proposed to be amended
as well as all other requirements
applicable to IFSs including, without
limitation, requirements relating to the
dissemination of intraday indicative
value, index value, disclosure of
portfolio holdings, rules and policies
governing the trading of equity
securities, trading hours, trading halts,
surveillance, firewalls, and Information
Circulars to member and member
organizations, as set forth in prior
Commission orders approving the
generic listing rules applicable to the
listing and trading of IFSs.
The Commission further notes that
the proposed rule change is reasonably
designed to promote fair disclosure of
1, 2007) (SR–Amex–2007–74) (approving the listing
and trading of Rydex Leveraged Funds, Inverse
Funds and Leveraged Inverse Funds); 52553
(October 3, 2005), 70 FR 59100 (October 11, 2005)
(SR–Amex–2004–62) (approving the listing and
trading of the ProShares Ultra Funds and Short
Funds); 54040 (June 23, 2006), 71 FR 37629 (June
30, 2006) (SR–Amex–2006–41) (approving the
listing and trading of the ProShares UltraShort
Funds); 55117 (January 17, 2007), 72 FR 3442
(January 25, 2007) (SR–Amex–2006–101)
(approving the listing and trading of Ultra, Short
and UltraShort Funds based on various indexes);
56592 (October 1, 2007), 72 FR 57364 (October 9,
2007) (SR–Amex–2007–60) (approving the listing
and trading of ProShares Ultra, Short and
UltraShort Funds based on various international
indexes); and 56998 (December 19, 2007), 72 FR
73404 (December 27, 2007) (SR–Amex–2007–104)
(approving the listing and trading of ProShares
Ultra, Short and UltraShort Funds based on several
fixed income indexes, among others). See also, e.g.,
Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 56763
(November 7, 2007), 72 FR 64103 (November 14,
2007) (SR–NYSEArca–2007–81) (approving UTP
trading of shares of funds of Rydex ETF Trust);
56601 (October 2, 2007), 72 FR 57625 (October 10,
2007) (SR–NYSEArca–2007–79) (approving UTP
trading of shares of eight funds of the ProShares
Trust); 55125 (January 18, 2007), 72 FR 3462
(January 25, 2007) (SR–NYSEArca–2006–87)
(approving UTP trading of shares of 81 funds of the
ProShares Trust); and 54026 (June 21, 2006), 71 FR
36850 (June 28, 2006) (SR–PCX–2005–115)
(approving UTP trading of shares of funds of the
ProShares Trust).
12 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58825
(October 21, 2008), 73 FR 63756 (October 27, 2008)
(SR–NYSEArca–2008–89).
E:\FR\FM\14JAN1.SGM
14JAN1
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
2150
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 9 / Wednesday, January 14, 2009 / Notices
information that may be necessary to
price the Shares appropriately and to
prevent trading when a reasonable
degree of transparency cannot be
assured. Nasdaq Rule 4420(j)(1)(B)(iv)
requires daily public Web site
disclosure of its portfolio holdings
including, as applicable, the identity
and number of shares held of each
specific equity security, the identity and
amount held of each fixed income
security, the specific types of Financial
Instruments and characteristics of such
instruments, and cash equivalents and
the amount of cash held in the portfolio
of a fund. With respect to such
Financial Instruments, the Commission
notes that a notification procedure will
be implemented by the Exchange so that
timely notice from the investment
adviser of such Multiple or Inverse
Fund is received by the Exchange when
a particular Financial Instrument is in
default or shortly to be in default. The
Commission also notes that the
Exchange would be required to halt
trading if Nasdaq becomes aware that
the NAV or the identities and quantities
of the portfolio of securities and other
assets with respect to a Fund Share is
not disseminated to all market
participants at the same time.
In addition, the Commission notes
that the Exchange’s suitability
requirements would apply to the trading
of Multiple Fund Shares and Inverse
Fund Shares. Specifically, prior to
commencement of trading, the Exchange
will issue an Information Circular to its
members and member organizations
providing guidance with regard to
member firm compliance
responsibilities (including suitability
obligations) when effecting transactions
in the Fund Shares and highlighting the
special risks and characteristics of
Funds Shares as well as applicable
Exchange rules.
In sum, the Commission believes that
the Exchange’s proposed amendments
to Nasdaq Rule 4420(j) relating to the
listing and trading of Multiple Fund
Shares and Inverse Fund Shares should
fulfill the intended objective of Rule
19b–4(e) under the Act by allowing such
derivative securities products to be
listed and traded without separate
Commission approval. The Commission
believes that the proposed rule change
should facilitate the listing and trading
of additional types of exchange-traded
products and reduce the time frame for
bringing these securities to market,
thereby reducing the burdens on issuers
and other market participants and
promoting competition.
The Commission finds good cause,
pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the
VerDate Nov<24>2008
21:01 Jan 13, 2009
Jkt 217001
Act,13 for approving the proposed rule
change prior to the 30th day after the
date of publication of notice in the
Federal Register. The Commission notes
that it has previously approved a
substantially similar proposed rule
change of another self-regulatory
organization.14 No comments were
received on the proposed rule change
during the 15-day comment period, and
the Commission believes that the
Exchange’s proposal does not present
any novel regulatory issues.
As such, the Commission believes
that accelerating approval of this
proposal should benefit investors by
creating, without undue delay,
additional competition in the market for
such products.
IV. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,15 that the
proposed rule change (SR–NASDAQ–
2008–096) be, and hereby is, approved
on an accelerated basis.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.16
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9–611 Filed 1–13–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No. SSA 2008–0045]
Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended;
Computer Matching Program (SSA/
Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and
Families, Office of Child Support
Enforcement (OCSE) Match Number
1074.
AGENCY:
Social Security Administration
(SSA).
ACTION: Notice of the renewal of an
existing computer matching program
scheduled to expire on March 12, 2009.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
provisions of the Privacy Act, as
amended, this notice announces the
renewal of an existing computer
matching program that SSA is currently
conducting with HHS/ACF/OCSE.
DATES: SSA will file a report of the
subject matching program with the
Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate; the
Committee on Oversight and
13 17
CFR 240.10A–3.
supra note 12.
15 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
16 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
14 See
PO 00000
Frm 00111
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Government Reform of the House of
Representatives; and the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB). The renewal of the matching
program will be effective as indicated
below.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties may
comment on this notice by either
telefaxing to (410) 965–0201 or writing
to the Deputy Commissioner for Budget,
Finance and Management, 800 Altmeyer
Building, 6401 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21235–6401. All
comments received will be available for
public inspection at this address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The
Deputy Commissioner for Budget,
Finance and Management as shown
above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. General
The Computer Matching and Privacy
Protection Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100–
503), amended the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C.
552a) by describing the conditions
under which computer matching
involving the Federal government could
be performed and adding certain
protections for individuals applying for
and receiving Federal benefits. Section
7201 of the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101–
508) further amended the Privacy Act
regarding protections for such
individuals.
The Privacy Act, as amended,
regulates the use of computer matching
by Federal agencies when records in a
system of records are matched with
other Federal, state or local government
records. It requires Federal agencies
involved in computer matching
programs to:
(1) Negotiate written agreements with
the other agency or agencies
participating in the matching programs;
(2) Obtain the approval of the
matching agreement by the Data
Integrity Boards (DIB) of the
participating Federal agencies;
(3) Publish notice of the computer
matching program in the Federal
Register;
(4) Furnish detailed reports about
matching programs to Congress and
OMB;
(5) Notify applicants and beneficiaries
that their records are subject to
matching; and
(6) Verify match findings before
reducing, suspending, terminating or
denying an individual’s benefits or
payments.
E:\FR\FM\14JAN1.SGM
14JAN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2149-2150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-611]
[[Page 2149]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-59214; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2008-096]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Order
Granting Accelerated Approval to a Proposed Rule Change Relating to the
Generic Listing Standards for Index Multiple Exchange Traded Fund
Shares and Index Inverse Exchange Traded Fund Shares
January 7, 2009.
I. Introduction
On December 9, 2008, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (``Nasdaq'') 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 permit
Nasdaq to list and trade, or trade pursuant to unlisted trading
privileges (``UTP''), shares of a series of Index Multiple Exchange
Traded Fund Shares (``Multiple Fund Shares'') and Index Inverse
Exchange Traded Fund Shares (``Inverse Fund Shares'') (collectively,
the ``Fund Shares''). The proposed rule change was published in the
Federal Register on December 22, 2008 for a 15-day comment period.\3\
The Commission received no comments on the proposal. This order
approves the proposed rule change on an accelerated basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59098 (December 12,
2008), 73 FR 78415 (``Notice'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Description of the Proposal
Nasdaq Rule 4420(j) provides standards for listing Index Fund
Shares (``IFSs'') on the Exchange. Nasdaq proposes to revise Nasdaq
Rule 4420(j)(1)(B)(iii) to allow the listing and trading of Multiple
Fund Shares and Inverse Fund Shares that sought to provide investment
results, before fees and expenses, in an amount not exceeding -300%,
rather than -200%, of the underlying benchmark index pursuant to Rule
19b-4(e) under the Act,\4\ where the other applicable generic listing
standards for IFSs are satisfied. In connection with Inverse Funds that
seek to provide investment results, before fees and expenses, in an
amount that exceeds -300% of the underlying benchmark index, the
Exchange's proposal would continue to require specific Commission
approval pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act.\5\ In particular,
Nasdaq Rule 4420(j)(1)(B)(iii) would expressly prohibit Inverse Funds
that seek to provide investment results, before fees and expenses, in
an amount that exceeds -300% of the underlying benchmark index, from
being approved by the Exchange for listing and trading pursuant to Rule
19b-4(e) under the Act.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(e).
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
\6\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional information about the proposed rule change and IFSs,
including applicable generic listing standards, limitation on leverage,
availability of information about Fund Shares and underlying indexes,
trading halts, suitability, and surveillance, among other things, is
contained in the Notice.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ See supra note 3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
III. Discussion and Accelerated Approval
After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule
change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange
and, in particular, with Section 6(b) of the Act \8\ and the rules and
regulations thereunder. Specifically, the Commission finds that the
proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \9\
which requires, among other things, that the rules of a national
securities exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative
acts and practices, 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.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
\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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Commission believes that the Exchange's proposal reasonably
balances the removal of impediments to a free and open market with the
protection of investors and the public interest, two principles set
forth in Section 6(b)(5) of the Act. The Commission notes that it has
previously approved the listing and trading of various leveraged
exchange-traded funds, including trading pursuant to unlisted trading
privileges on the Exchange, that seek daily investment results, before
fees and expenses, that correspond to twice the inverse or opposite of
the daily performance (-200%) of the underlying index.\11\ The
Commission also notes that the proposed rule change is substantially
similar to another exchange's generic listing requirements for Multiple
Fund Shares and Inverse Fund Shares.\12\ With respect to the listing
and trading of a series of Inverse Fund Shares that seek to provide
investment results that exceed -300% of the percentage performance of
an underlying benchmark index, the Commission further notes that the
Exchange would be required to obtain prior Commission approval pursuant
to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 56713
(October 29, 2007), 72 FR 61915 (November 1, 2007) (SR-Amex-2007-74)
(approving the listing and trading of Rydex Leveraged Funds, Inverse
Funds and Leveraged Inverse Funds); 52553 (October 3, 2005), 70 FR
59100 (October 11, 2005) (SR-Amex-2004-62) (approving the listing
and trading of the ProShares Ultra Funds and Short Funds); 54040
(June 23, 2006), 71 FR 37629 (June 30, 2006) (SR-Amex-2006-41)
(approving the listing and trading of the ProShares UltraShort
Funds); 55117 (January 17, 2007), 72 FR 3442 (January 25, 2007) (SR-
Amex-2006-101) (approving the listing and trading of Ultra, Short
and UltraShort Funds based on various indexes); 56592 (October 1,
2007), 72 FR 57364 (October 9, 2007) (SR-Amex-2007-60) (approving
the listing and trading of ProShares Ultra, Short and UltraShort
Funds based on various international indexes); and 56998 (December
19, 2007), 72 FR 73404 (December 27, 2007) (SR-Amex-2007-104)
(approving the listing and trading of ProShares Ultra, Short and
UltraShort Funds based on several fixed income indexes, among
others). See also, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 56763
(November 7, 2007), 72 FR 64103 (November 14, 2007) (SR-NYSEArca-
2007-81) (approving UTP trading of shares of funds of Rydex ETF
Trust); 56601 (October 2, 2007), 72 FR 57625 (October 10, 2007) (SR-
NYSEArca-2007-79) (approving UTP trading of shares of eight funds of
the ProShares Trust); 55125 (January 18, 2007), 72 FR 3462 (January
25, 2007) (SR-NYSEArca-2006-87) (approving UTP trading of shares of
81 funds of the ProShares Trust); and 54026 (June 21, 2006), 71 FR
36850 (June 28, 2006) (SR-PCX-2005-115) (approving UTP trading of
shares of funds of the ProShares Trust).
\12\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58825 (October 21,
2008), 73 FR 63756 (October 27, 2008) (SR-NYSEArca-2008-89).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Commission also notes that Fund Shares must comply with all of
the applicable provisions under Nasdaq Rule 4420(j), as proposed to be
amended as well as all other requirements applicable to IFSs including,
without limitation, requirements relating to the dissemination of
intraday indicative value, index value, disclosure of portfolio
holdings, rules and policies governing the trading of equity
securities, trading hours, trading halts, surveillance, firewalls, and
Information Circulars to member and member organizations, as set forth
in prior Commission orders approving the generic listing rules
applicable to the listing and trading of IFSs.
The Commission further notes that the proposed rule change is
reasonably designed to promote fair disclosure of
[[Page 2150]]
information that may be necessary to price the Shares appropriately and
to prevent trading when a reasonable degree of transparency cannot be
assured. Nasdaq Rule 4420(j)(1)(B)(iv) requires daily public Web site
disclosure of its portfolio holdings including, as applicable, the
identity and number of shares held of each specific equity security,
the identity and amount held of each fixed income security, the
specific types of Financial Instruments and characteristics of such
instruments, and cash equivalents and the amount of cash held in the
portfolio of a fund. With respect to such Financial Instruments, the
Commission notes that a notification procedure will be implemented by
the Exchange so that timely notice from the investment adviser of such
Multiple or Inverse Fund is received by the Exchange when a particular
Financial Instrument is in default or shortly to be in default. The
Commission also notes that the Exchange would be required to halt
trading if Nasdaq becomes aware that the NAV or the identities and
quantities of the portfolio of securities and other assets with respect
to a Fund Share is not disseminated to all market participants at the
same time.
In addition, the Commission notes that the Exchange's suitability
requirements would apply to the trading of Multiple Fund Shares and
Inverse Fund Shares. Specifically, prior to commencement of trading,
the Exchange will issue an Information Circular to its members and
member organizations providing guidance with regard to member firm
compliance responsibilities (including suitability obligations) when
effecting transactions in the Fund Shares and highlighting the special
risks and characteristics of Funds Shares as well as applicable
Exchange rules.
In sum, the Commission believes that the Exchange's proposed
amendments to Nasdaq Rule 4420(j) relating to the listing and trading
of Multiple Fund Shares and Inverse Fund Shares should fulfill the
intended objective of Rule 19b-4(e) under the Act by allowing such
derivative securities products to be listed and traded without separate
Commission approval. The Commission believes that the proposed rule
change should facilitate the listing and trading of additional types of
exchange-traded products and reduce the time frame for bringing these
securities to market, thereby reducing the burdens on issuers and other
market participants and promoting competition.
The Commission finds good cause, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of
the Act,\13\ for approving the proposed rule change prior to the 30th
day after the date of publication of notice in the Federal Register.
The Commission notes that it has previously approved a substantially
similar proposed rule change of another self-regulatory
organization.\14\ No comments were received on the proposed rule change
during the 15-day comment period, and the Commission believes that the
Exchange's proposal does not present any novel regulatory issues.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ 17 CFR 240.10A-3.
\14\ See supra note 12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As such, the Commission believes that accelerating approval of this
proposal should benefit investors by creating, without undue delay,
additional competition in the market for such products.
IV. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the
Act,\15\ that the proposed rule change (SR-NASDAQ-2008-096) be, and
hereby is, approved on an accelerated basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-611 Filed 1-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P