Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by NYSE Amex LLC Relating to Cabinet Trades, 14234-14236 [2010-6510]
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14234
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 56 / Wednesday, March 24, 2010 / Notices
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants or Others
The Exchange has not solicited, and
does not intend to solicit, comments on
this proposed rule change. The
Exchange has not received any
unsolicited written comments from
members or other interested parties.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3) of
the Act 7 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2) 8
thereunder. At any time within 60 days
of the filing of such 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:
srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD 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
No. SR–ISE–2010–18 on the subject
line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File No.
SR–ISE–2010–18. 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,9 all subsequent
amendments, all written statements
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
9 The text of the proposed rule change is available
on the Commission’s Web site at https://
www.sec.gov.
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 Web site viewing and
printing 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 ISE.
All comments received will be posted
without change; the Commission does
not edit personal identifying
information from submissions. You
should submit only information that
you wish to make available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File No.
SR–ISE–2010–18 and should be
submitted on or before April 14, 2010.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.10
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–6513 Filed 3–23–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–61726; File No. SR–
NYSEAMEX–2010–21]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness
of Proposed Rule Change by NYSE
Amex LLC Relating to Cabinet Trades
March 17, 2010.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that, on March 2,
2010, NYSE Amex LLC (‘‘NYSE Amex’’
or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I and II
below, which Items have been prepared
by the Exchange. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change
from interested persons.
7 15
8 17
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16:24 Mar 23, 2010
Jkt 220001
10 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
PO 00000
Frm 00112
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to adopt
Commentary .01 to Rule 968NY, Cabinet
Trades, to permit transactions to take
place at a price that is below $1 per
option contract. The text of the
proposed rule change is attached as
Exhibit 5 to the 19b–4 form. A copy of
this filing is available on the Exchange’s
Web site at https://www.nyse.com, at the
Exchange’s principal office 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
self-regulatory organization 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 those 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 parts of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
The purpose of this filing is to allow
accommodation transactions (‘‘Cabinet
Trades’’) to take place at a price that is
below $1 per option contract. The
Exchange proposes to adopt a rule based
on CBOE Rule 6.54, Interpretations and
Policies .03.3
Cabinet trading is generally
conducted in accordance with the
Exchange Rules, except as provided in
Exchange Rule 968NY Cabinet Trades
(Accommodation Transactions), which
sets forth specific procedures for
engaging in cabinet trades. Rule 968NY
currently provides for cabinet
transactions to occur via open outcry at
a cabinet price of a $1 per option
contract in any options series open for
trading in the Exchange, except that the
Rule is not applicable to trading in
option classes participating in the
Penny Pilot Program. Under the
procedures, bids and offers (whether
opening or closing a position) at a price
of $1 per option contract may be
represented in the trading crowd by a
Floor Broker or by a Market-Maker or
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59188
(December 30, 2008), 74 FR 480 (January 6,
2009)(SR–CBOE–2008–133).
E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 56 / Wednesday, March 24, 2010 / Notices
srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
provided in response to a request by a
Trading Official, a Floor Broker or a
Market-Maker, but must yield priority to
all resting orders in the Cabinet (those
orders held by the Trading Official, and
which resting cabinet orders may be
closing only). So long as both the buyer
and the seller yield to orders resting in
the cabinet book, opening cabinet bids
can trade with opening cabinet offers at
$1 per option contract.
The purpose of this rule change is to
temporarily amend the procedures
through July 1, 2010 to allow
transactions to take place in open outcry
at a price of at least $0 but less than $1
per option contract. These lower priced
transactions would be traded pursuant
to the same procedures applicable to $1
cabinet trades, except that (i) bids and
offers for opening transactions would
only be permitted to accommodate
closing transactions in order to limit use
of the procedure to liquidations of
existing positions, and (ii) the
procedures would also be made
available for trading in option classes
participating in the Penny Pilot
Program.4 The Exchange believes that
allowing a price of at least $0 but less
than $1 will better accommodate the
closing of options positions in series
that are worthless or not actively traded,
particularly due to recent market
conditions which have resulted in a
significant number of series being outof-the-money. For example, a market
participant might have a long position
in a call series with a strike price of
$100 and the underlying stock might
now be trading at $30. In such an
instance, there might not otherwise be a
market for that person to close-out its
position even at the $1 cabinet price
(e.g., the series might be quoted no bid).
As with other accommodation
liquidations under Rule 968NY,
transactions that occur for less than $1
will not be disseminated to the public
on the consolidated tape. In addition, as
with other accommodation liquidations
under Rule 968NY, the transactions will
be exempt from the Consolidated
Options Audit Trail (‘‘COATS’’)
requirements of Exchange Rule 955NY.
Order Format and System Entry
Requirements. However, the Exchange
4 Currently the $1 cabinet trading procedures are
limited to options classes traded in $0.05 or $0.10
standard increment. The $1 cabinet trading
procedures are not available in Penny Pilot Program
classes because in those classes an option series can
trade in a standard increment as low as $0.01 per
share (or $1.00 per option contract with a 100 share
multiplier). Because the instant rule change would
allow trading below $0.01 per share (or $1.00 per
option contract with a 100 share multiplier), the
procedures would be made available for all classes,
including those classes participating in the Penny
Pilot Program.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:24 Mar 23, 2010
Jkt 220001
will maintain quotation, order and
transaction information for the
transactions in the same format as the
COATS data is maintained. In this
regard, all transactions for less than $1
must be reported to the Exchange
following the close of each business
day.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed
rule change is consistent with Section
6(b) 5 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the ‘‘Act’’), in general, and furthers
the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) 6 in
particular in that it is designed to
promote just and equitable principles of
trade, to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts, to remove
impediments to and to perfect the
mechanism for a free and open market
and a national market system and, in
general, to protect investors and the
public interest. The Exchange believes
that allowing for liquidations at a price
less than $1 per option contract will
better facilitate the closing of options
positions that are worthless or not
actively trading, especially in Penny
Pilot issues where Cabinet Trades are
not otherwise permitted.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will impose
any burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were solicited
or received with respect to the proposed
rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)
of the Act 7 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)
thereunder because the proposal does
not: (i) Significantly affect the
protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) impose any significant
burden on competition; and (iii) by its
terms, become operative for 30 days
from the date on which it was filed, or
such shorter time as the Commission
may designate if consistent with the
5 15
U.S.C. 78f(b).
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
7 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
6 15
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Frm 00113
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
14235
protection of investors and the public
interest.8
The Exchange has requested that the
Commission waive the 30-day operative
delay period. In making such request,
the Exchange stated that immediate
operability will level the current
competitive landscape by permitting the
Exchange to implement changes similar
to those implemented by the CBOE. The
Commission hereby grants the request.
The Commission notes that the proposal
is nearly identical to the rules of another
self-regulatory organization,9 and
believes that waiver of the 30-day delay
will enable the Exchange to provide a
means for investors to close out
positions that are worthless or not
actively trading without delay. Based on
the above, the Commission believes it is
consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest to
waive the 30-day operative delay and
designates the proposal as operative
upon filing.10
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of the proposed rule change, the
Commission may summarily abrogate
such proposed 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 rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–NYSEAmex–2010–21 on
the subject line.
8 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6)(iii) requires the Exchange to give the
Commission written notice of the Exchange’s intent
to file the proposed rule change along with a brief
description and text of the proposed rule change,
at least five business days prior to the date of filing
of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time
as designated by the Commission. The Exchange
has satisfied the pre-filing requirement.
9 See CBOE Rule 6.54, Interpretations and
Policies .03.
10 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).
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14236
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 56 / Wednesday, March 24, 2010 / Notices
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–NYSEAmex–2010–21. 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 Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room on official business
days between the hours of 10 a.m. and
3 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be
available for inspection and copying at
the Exchange’s principal office and on
its Internet Web site at https://
www.nyse.com. All comments received
will be posted without change; the
Commission does not edit personal
identifying information from
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–
NYSEAmex–2010–21 and should be
submitted on or before April 14, 2010.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.11
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–6510 Filed 3–23–10; 8:45 am]
srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–61720; File No. SR–ISE–
2010–20]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
International Securities Exchange,
LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change Relating to Fee Changes
March 16, 2010.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on March 9,
2010, the International Securities
Exchange, LLC (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or the
‘‘ISE’’) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’)
the proposed rule change, as described
in Items I, II, and III below, which Items
have been prepared by the Exchange.
The Commission is publishing this
notice to solicit comment on the
proposed rule change from interested
persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange is proposing to amend
its Schedule of Fees.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available on the Exchange’s Web site
at https://www.ise.com, at the principal
office of the Exchange, 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
In SR–ISE–2009–26, the Exchange
adopted the term ‘Singly Listed ETFs’ to
identify those ETF products that are
listed only on ISE and for which the
Exchange charges a fee of $0.18 per
contract for customer transactions.
Currently, the First Trust ISE Water ETF
(‘‘FIW’’) and the Claymore China
Technology ETF (‘‘CQQQ’’) are the only
such ETFs listed on the Exchange’s fee
schedule. On March 9, 2010, ISE began
listing options on the ProShares
UltraPro Short Dow30 (‘‘SDOW’’), the
ProShares UltraPro Dow30 (‘‘UDOW’’),
the ProShares UltraPro Short
MidCap400 (‘‘SMDD’’), the ProShares
UltraPro MidCap400 (‘‘UMDD’’), the
ProShares UltraPro Short Russell2000
(‘‘SRTY’’) and the ProShares UltraPro
Russell2000 (‘‘URTY’’). As of the date of
this filing, SDOW, UDOW, SMDD,
UMDD, SRTY and URTY are all singly
listed on ISE. The Exchange therefore
proposes to charge a fee of $0.18 per
contract for customer transactions in
options on SDOW, UDOW, SMDD,
UMDD, SRTY and URTY. The Exchange
also proposes to charge a Payment for
Order Flow fee for transactions in
options on these products.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
the objectives of Section 6 of the Act,3
in general, and furthers the objectives of
Section 6(b)(4),4 in particular, in that it
is designed to provide for the equitable
allocation of reasonable dues, fees and
other charges among its members and
other persons using its facilities.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The proposed rule change does not
impose any burden on competition that
is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange has not solicited, and
does not intend to solicit, comments on
this proposed rule change. The
Exchange has not received any
unsolicited written comments from
members or other interested parties.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3) of
the Act 5 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2) 6
thereunder. At any time within 60 days
of the filing of such proposed rule
change, the Commission may summarily
3 15
U.S.C. 78f.
U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). [sic]
6 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
4 15
1 15
11 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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16:24 Mar 23, 2010
2 17
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U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14234-14236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-6510]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-61726; File No. SR-NYSEAMEX-2010-21]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by NYSE Amex LLC Relating to
Cabinet Trades
March 17, 2010.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given
that, on March 2, 2010, NYSE Amex LLC (``NYSE Amex'' or the
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II
below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to adopt Commentary .01 to Rule 968NY,
Cabinet Trades, to permit transactions to take place at a price that is
below $1 per option contract. The text of the proposed rule change is
attached as Exhibit 5 to the 19b-4 form. A copy of this filing is
available on the Exchange's Web site at https://www.nyse.com, at the
Exchange's principal office 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 self-regulatory organization
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 those 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 parts of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The purpose of this filing is to allow accommodation transactions
(``Cabinet Trades'') to take place at a price that is below $1 per
option contract. The Exchange proposes to adopt a rule based on CBOE
Rule 6.54, Interpretations and Policies .03.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59188 (December 30,
2008), 74 FR 480 (January 6, 2009)(SR-CBOE-2008-133).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cabinet trading is generally conducted in accordance with the
Exchange Rules, except as provided in Exchange Rule 968NY Cabinet
Trades (Accommodation Transactions), which sets forth specific
procedures for engaging in cabinet trades. Rule 968NY currently
provides for cabinet transactions to occur via open outcry at a cabinet
price of a $1 per option contract in any options series open for
trading in the Exchange, except that the Rule is not applicable to
trading in option classes participating in the Penny Pilot Program.
Under the procedures, bids and offers (whether opening or closing a
position) at a price of $1 per option contract may be represented in
the trading crowd by a Floor Broker or by a Market-Maker or
[[Page 14235]]
provided in response to a request by a Trading Official, a Floor Broker
or a Market-Maker, but must yield priority to all resting orders in the
Cabinet (those orders held by the Trading Official, and which resting
cabinet orders may be closing only). So long as both the buyer and the
seller yield to orders resting in the cabinet book, opening cabinet
bids can trade with opening cabinet offers at $1 per option contract.
The purpose of this rule change is to temporarily amend the
procedures through July 1, 2010 to allow transactions to take place in
open outcry at a price of at least $0 but less than $1 per option
contract. These lower priced transactions would be traded pursuant to
the same procedures applicable to $1 cabinet trades, except that (i)
bids and offers for opening transactions would only be permitted to
accommodate closing transactions in order to limit use of the procedure
to liquidations of existing positions, and (ii) the procedures would
also be made available for trading in option classes participating in
the Penny Pilot Program.\4\ The Exchange believes that allowing a price
of at least $0 but less than $1 will better accommodate the closing of
options positions in series that are worthless or not actively traded,
particularly due to recent market conditions which have resulted in a
significant number of series being out-of-the-money. For example, a
market participant might have a long position in a call series with a
strike price of $100 and the underlying stock might now be trading at
$30. In such an instance, there might not otherwise be a market for
that person to close-out its position even at the $1 cabinet price
(e.g., the series might be quoted no bid).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Currently the $1 cabinet trading procedures are limited to
options classes traded in $0.05 or $0.10 standard increment. The $1
cabinet trading procedures are not available in Penny Pilot Program
classes because in those classes an option series can trade in a
standard increment as low as $0.01 per share (or $1.00 per option
contract with a 100 share multiplier). Because the instant rule
change would allow trading below $0.01 per share (or $1.00 per
option contract with a 100 share multiplier), the procedures would
be made available for all classes, including those classes
participating in the Penny Pilot Program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As with other accommodation liquidations under Rule 968NY,
transactions that occur for less than $1 will not be disseminated to
the public on the consolidated tape. In addition, as with other
accommodation liquidations under Rule 968NY, the transactions will be
exempt from the Consolidated Options Audit Trail (``COATS'')
requirements of Exchange Rule 955NY. Order Format and System Entry
Requirements. However, the Exchange will maintain quotation, order and
transaction information for the transactions in the same format as the
COATS data is maintained. In this regard, all transactions for less
than $1 must be reported to the Exchange following the close of each
business day.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with
Section 6(b) \5\ of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act''),
in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) \6\ in
particular in that it is designed to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts, to
remove impediments to and to perfect the mechanism for a free and open
market and a national market system and, in general, to protect
investors and the public interest. The Exchange believes that allowing
for liquidations at a price less than $1 per option contract will
better facilitate the closing of options positions that are worthless
or not actively trading, especially in Penny Pilot issues where Cabinet
Trades are not otherwise permitted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the
proposed rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \7\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder because the
proposal does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors
or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on
competition; and (iii) by its terms, become operative for 30 days from
the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission
may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the
public interest.\8\
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\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\8\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii)
requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the
Exchange's intent to file the proposed rule change along with a
brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least
five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule
change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The
Exchange has satisfied the pre-filing requirement.
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The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day
operative delay period. In making such request, the Exchange stated
that immediate operability will level the current competitive landscape
by permitting the Exchange to implement changes similar to those
implemented by the CBOE. The Commission hereby grants the request. The
Commission notes that the proposal is nearly identical to the rules of
another self-regulatory organization,\9\ and believes that waiver of
the 30-day delay will enable the Exchange to provide a means for
investors to close out positions that are worthless or not actively
trading without delay. Based on the above, the Commission believes it
is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest
to waive the 30-day operative delay and designates the proposal as
operative upon filing.\10\
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\9\ See CBOE Rule 6.54, Interpretations and Policies .03.
\10\ 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).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such proposed 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-NYSEAmex-2010-21 on the subject line.
[[Page 14236]]
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEAmex-2010-21.
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 Web site
viewing and printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room on
official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies
of the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the
Exchange's principal office and on its Internet Web site at https://www.nyse.com. All comments received will be posted without change; the
Commission does not edit personal identifying information from
submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-
NYSEAmex-2010-21 and should be submitted on or before April 14, 2010.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\11\
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\11\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-6510 Filed 3-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P