Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC To Expand the $2.50 Strike Price Program, 19167-19169 [2011-8124]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 66 / Wednesday, April 6, 2011 / Notices change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Electronic Comments [Release No. 34–64160; File No. SR– NASDAQ–2011–041] • 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–NYSEArca–2011–13 on the subject line. Paper Comments mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES • 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–NYSEArca–2011–13. 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, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549, 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 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 available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR– NYSEArca–2011–13 and should be submitted on or before April 27, 2011. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.15 Cathy H. Ahn, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–8136 Filed 4–5–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 15 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:52 Apr 05, 2011 Jkt 223001 Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC To Expand the $2.50 Strike Price Program March 31, 2011. 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 March 29, 2011, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘NASDAQ’’ 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 Exchange. 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 The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC proposes to amend Chapter IV, Supplementary Material to Section 6, Series of Options Open for Trading, at .03, to expand the $2.50 Strike Price Program.3 The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at https:// www.nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, on the Commission’s Web site at https:// www.sec.gov, 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. 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. 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57478 (March 12, 2008), 73 FR 14521 (March 18, 2008) (SR–NASDAQ–2007–004 and SR–NASDAQ–2007– 080) (a proposal to participate in the $2.50 Strike Price Program). 2 17 PO 00000 Frm 00139 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19167 A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The purpose of this proposed rule change is to expand the current $2.50 Strike Price Program (‘‘Program’’) 4 to permit the listing of options with $2.50 strike price intervals for options with strike prices between $50 and $100, provided the $2.50 strike price intervals are no more than $10 from the closing price of the underlying stock in the primary market.5 Currently, Chapter IV, Section 6 at Supplementary Material .03 permits the listing of options with $2.50 strike price intervals for options with strike prices between $50 and $75. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to amend Commentary .03 to Chapter IV, Section 6 to amend the current text. For example, consider a hypothetical where Caterpillar, Inc. (‘‘CAT’’) was trading at $81. With approximately one month remaining until expiration, and with a front month at-the-money put option (the 80 strike) trading at approximately $1.30, the investor would be able to purchase a $77.50 strike put at an estimated $.60 per contract. Today, the next available strike of a one month put option is the 75 strike. While the 75 strike put would certainly trade at a lesser price than the 80 strike put,6 the protection offered would only take effect with a 7.40% decline in the 4 In 2007, NOM proposed to participate in the $2.50 Strike Price Program. The $2.50 Strike Price Program allows the options exchanges to list options in up to 200 classes at $2.50 strike price intervals for strike prices greater than $25 but less than $75. See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 40662 (November 12, 1998), 63 FR 64297 (November 19, 1998) (order approving File Nos. SR–Amex–98–21; SR–CBOE–98–29; SR–PCX–98– 31; and SR–Phlx–98–26) (‘‘1998 Order’’) and 52893 (December 5, 2005), 70 FR 73488 (December 12, 2005) (order approving File No. SR–Amex–2005– 067). The 200 classes eligible for the $2.50 Strike Price Program were allocated among the options exchanges pursuant to a formula approved by the Commission as part of the permanent approval of the program. Each options exchange may list options with $2.50 strike price intervals on any options class that another exchange selects as part of its program. NOM’s rules provide that NOM may list series at $2.50 strike price intervals in any multiply traded option once another exchange has selected that option to be a part of the program. See NOM Rule, Chapter IV, Section 6, Supplementary Material .03(a). NOM participates in the $2.50 Strike Price Program on the same terms and conditions as the other options exchanges. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57478 (March 12, 2008), 73 FR 14521 (March 18, 2008) (SR– NASDAQ–2007–004 and SR–NASDAQ–2007–080). 5 The term ‘‘primary market’’ is defined in Exchange Rule 1000 in respect of an underlying stock or exchange-traded fund share as the principal market in which the underlying stock or exchange-traded fund share is traded. 6 The 75 strike put would trade at $0.30 in this example. E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM 06APN1 19168 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 66 / Wednesday, April 6, 2011 / Notices mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES market as opposed to a 4.30% decline in the market. The additional choice would provide the investor an additional to hedge exposure (the opportunity to hedge with a reduced outlay) and thereby minimize risk if there were a decline in the stock price of CAT. Another example would be if an investor desired to sell call options to hedge the exposure of an underlying stock position and enhance yield. Consider a hypothetical where CAT was trading at $81 and the second month (two months remaining) of a recently out-of-the-money call option (the 85 strike) was trading at approximately $2.35. If the investor were to sell the 85 call against an existing stock position, the investor could yield a return of approximately 2.90% over a two month period or an annualized return of 17.4%. By providing an additional $2.50 strike interval above $75, the investor would have the opportunity to sell the 82.50 strike instead of the 85 strike. If the 85 strike call were trading at $2.35, the 82.50 strike call would trade at approximately 3.30. By selling the 82.50 strike call at 3.30 against an existing stock position, the investor could yield a 4.07% return over a two month period or an annualized 24.40% return. Therefore, an additional choice of a $2.50 strike interval could afford varying yields to the investor. The Exchange believes that the Program has to date created additional trading opportunities for investors, thereby benefiting the marketplace. The existence of $2.50 strike prices with strike intervals above $75 affords investors the ability to more closely tailor investment strategies to the precise movement of the underlying security and meet their investment, trading and risk management requirements. With regard to the impact of this proposal on system capacity, the Exchange has analyzed its capacity and represents that it and the Options Price Reporting Authority have the necessary system capacity to handle the potential additional traffic associated with the listing and trading of classes on individual stocks in the $2.50 Strike Price Program. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act 7 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 8 in particular, in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of 7 15 8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:52 Apr 05, 2011 Jkt 223001 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. The Exchange believes that the effect of the proposed expansion on the marketplace would not result in a material proliferation of quote volume or concerns with fragmentation. In addition, the Exchange believes that it has the necessary system capacity to handle the potential additional traffic associated with the listing and trading of classes. Rather, the Exchange believes the $2.50 Strike Price Program proposal would provide the investing public and other market participants increased opportunities to better manage their risk exposure. Accordingly, the Exchange believes that the proposal to expand the Program to allow the listing of options with $2.50 strike price intervals for options with strike prices between $50 and $100 should further benefit investors and the market by providing greater trading opportunities for those underlying stocks that have low volatility and thus trade in a narrow range. The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay. The Commission believes that waiver of the operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because the proposal is substantially similar to that of another exchange that has been approved by the Commission.11 Therefore, the Commission designates the proposal operative upon filing.12 At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend 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. 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 not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. • 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–NASDAQ–2011–041 on the subject line. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were either solicited or received. Paper Comments III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest, does not impose any significant burden on competition, and, by its terms, does not become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 9 and Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) thereunder.10 9 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 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 10 17 PO 00000 Frm 00140 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 • 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–NASDAQ–2011–041. 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 of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this requirement. 11 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64157 (March 31, 2011) (SR–Phlx–2011–15) (order approving expansion of $2.50 Strike Price Program). 12 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM 06APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 66 / Wednesday, April 6, 2011 / Notices 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 the 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 available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR– NASDAQ–2011–041 and should be submitted on or before April 27, 2011. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.13 Cathy H. Ahn, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–8124 Filed 4–5–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–34–64159; File No. SR– CBOE–2011–029] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Expand the $2.50 Strike Price Program mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES March 31, 2011. 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 March 30, 2011, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘CBOE’’) 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 Exchange. The Exchange filed the proposal as a ‘‘non-controversial’’ proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 3 and Rule 13 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). 16:52 Apr 05, 2011 I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change CBOE proposes to amend Rule 5.5 to expand the Exchange’s $2.50 Strike Price Program (the ‘‘Program’’) to permit the listing of options with $2.50 strike price intervals for options with strike prices between $50 and $100, provided the $2.50 strike price intervals are no more than $10 from the closing price of the underlying stock in the primary market. The text of the rule proposal is available on the Exchange’s Web site (https://www.cboe.org/legal), 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 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 Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The purpose of this proposed rule change is to amend Rule 5.5 to expand the Program to permit the listing of options with $2.50 strike price intervals for options with strike prices between $50 and $100, provided the $2.50 strike price intervals are no more than $10 from the closing price of the underlying stock in the primary market. The $2.50 Strike Price Program was initially adopted in 1995 as a joint pilot program of the options exchanges, whereby the options exchanges were permitted to list $2.50 strike prices up to $50 on a total of up to 100 option classes.5 The Program was later permanently approved and expanded in 1998 to allow the options exchanges to 4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34– 35993 (July 19, 1995), 60 FR 38073 (July 25, 1995) (SR–CBOE–95–19). 1 15 VerDate Mar<15>2010 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.4 The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. 5 See Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00141 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19169 select up to 200 classes on which to list $2.50 strike prices up to $50.6 Of these 200 option classes eligible for the Program, 60 classes have been allocated to CBOE pursuant to a formula approved by the SEC.7 Each options exchange, however, is permitted to list $2.50 strike prices on any option class that another exchange selects as part of the Program. In 2005, the Program was amended once again to allow the listing of $2.50 strike prices between $50 and $75.8 The Exchange now proposes to allow the listing of $2.50 strike prices between $50 and $100. Below, CBOE provides two examples in support of its request to expand the strike setting parameters of the Program. For example, consider a hypothetical stock XYZ, Inc., trading at $81. With approximately one month remaining until expiration, and with a front month at-the-money put option (the 80 strike) trading at approximately $1.30, the investor would be able to purchase a $77.50 strike put at an estimated $.60 per contract. Today, the next available strike would be the 75 strike. While the 75 strike put would certainly trade at a lesser price than the 80 strike put,9 the protection offered would only take effect with a 7.40% decline in the market as opposed to a 4.30% decline in the market. The additional choice would provide the investor an additional opportunity to hedge exposure (the opportunity to hedge with a reduced outlay) and thereby minimize risk if there were a decline in the stock price of XYZ. Another example would be if an investor desired to sell call options to hedge the exposure of an underlying stock position and enhance yield. Consider a hypothetical where XYZ was trading at $81 and a 2-month call option with a strike price of 85 was trading at approximately $2.35. If the investor were to sell the 85 call against an existing stock position, the investor could collect a premium equal to 2.90% of the XYZ share price, which would provide a cushion against a share price decline to $78.65. It would also provide enhanced returns relative to holding the stock alone, provided that the price of XYZ was below $87.35 at expiration. By providing an additional $2.50 strike interval above $75, the investor would have the opportunity to sell the 82.50 6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34– 40662 (November 12, 1998), 63 FR 64297 (November 19, 1998) (SR–CBOE–98–29). 7 Id. 8 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34– 52892 (December 5, 2005), 70 FR 73492 (December 12, 2005). (SR–CBOE–2005–39). 9 The 75 strike put would trade at $.30 in this example. E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM 06APN1

Agencies

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 6, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19167-19169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8124]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-64160; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2011-041]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC
To Expand the $2.50 Strike Price Program

March 31, 2011.
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 March 29, 2011, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (``NASDAQ'' 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 Exchange. The
Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the
proposed rule change from interested persons.
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\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC proposes to amend Chapter IV,
Supplementary Material to Section 6, Series of Options Open for
Trading, at .03, to expand the $2.50 Strike Price Program.\3\
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\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57478 (March 12,
2008), 73 FR 14521 (March 18, 2008) (SR-NASDAQ-2007-004 and SR-
NASDAQ-2007-080) (a proposal to participate in the $2.50 Strike
Price Program).
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The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's
Web site at https://www.nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at the principal
office of the Exchange, on the Commission's Web site at https://www.sec.gov, 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. 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 this proposed rule change is to expand the current
$2.50 Strike Price Program (``Program'') \4\ to permit the listing of
options with $2.50 strike price intervals for options with strike
prices between $50 and $100, provided the $2.50 strike price intervals
are no more than $10 from the closing price of the underlying stock in
the primary market.\5\ Currently, Chapter IV, Section 6 at
Supplementary Material .03 permits the listing of options with $2.50
strike price intervals for options with strike prices between $50 and
$75. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to amend Commentary .03 to
Chapter IV, Section 6 to amend the current text.
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\4\ In 2007, NOM proposed to participate in the $2.50 Strike
Price Program. The $2.50 Strike Price Program allows the options
exchanges to list options in up to 200 classes at $2.50 strike price
intervals for strike prices greater than $25 but less than $75. See
Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 40662 (November 12, 1998), 63
FR 64297 (November 19, 1998) (order approving File Nos. SR-Amex-98-
21; SR-CBOE-98-29; SR-PCX-98-31; and SR-Phlx-98-26) (``1998 Order'')
and 52893 (December 5, 2005), 70 FR 73488 (December 12, 2005) (order
approving File No. SR-Amex-2005-067). The 200 classes eligible for
the $2.50 Strike Price Program were allocated among the options
exchanges pursuant to a formula approved by the Commission as part
of the permanent approval of the program. Each options exchange may
list options with $2.50 strike price intervals on any options class
that another exchange selects as part of its program. NOM's rules
provide that NOM may list series at $2.50 strike price intervals in
any multiply traded option once another exchange has selected that
option to be a part of the program. See NOM Rule, Chapter IV,
Section 6, Supplementary Material .03(a). NOM participates in the
$2.50 Strike Price Program on the same terms and conditions as the
other options exchanges. See Securities Exchange Act Release No.
57478 (March 12, 2008), 73 FR 14521 (March 18, 2008) (SR-NASDAQ-
2007-004 and SR-NASDAQ-2007-080).
\5\ The term ``primary market'' is defined in Exchange Rule 1000
in respect of an underlying stock or exchange-traded fund share as
the principal market in which the underlying stock or exchange-
traded fund share is traded.
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For example, consider a hypothetical where Caterpillar, Inc.
(``CAT'') was trading at $81. With approximately one month remaining
until expiration, and with a front month at-the-money put option (the
80 strike) trading at approximately $1.30, the investor would be able
to purchase a $77.50 strike put at an estimated $.60 per contract.
Today, the next available strike of a one month put option is the 75
strike. While the 75 strike put would certainly trade at a lesser price
than the 80 strike put,\6\ the protection offered would only take
effect with a 7.40% decline in the

[[Page 19168]]

market as opposed to a 4.30% decline in the market. The additional
choice would provide the investor an additional to hedge exposure (the
opportunity to hedge with a reduced outlay) and thereby minimize risk
if there were a decline in the stock price of CAT.
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\6\ The 75 strike put would trade at $0.30 in this example.
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Another example would be if an investor desired to sell call
options to hedge the exposure of an underlying stock position and
enhance yield. Consider a hypothetical where CAT was trading at $81 and
the second month (two months remaining) of a recently out-of-the-money
call option (the 85 strike) was trading at approximately $2.35. If the
investor were to sell the 85 call against an existing stock position,
the investor could yield a return of approximately 2.90% over a two
month period or an annualized return of 17.4%. By providing an
additional $2.50 strike interval above $75, the investor would have the
opportunity to sell the 82.50 strike instead of the 85 strike. If the
85 strike call were trading at $2.35, the 82.50 strike call would trade
at approximately 3.30. By selling the 82.50 strike call at 3.30 against
an existing stock position, the investor could yield a 4.07% return
over a two month period or an annualized 24.40% return. Therefore, an
additional choice of a $2.50 strike interval could afford varying
yields to the investor.
The Exchange believes that the Program has to date created
additional trading opportunities for investors, thereby benefiting the
marketplace. The existence of $2.50 strike prices with strike intervals
above $75 affords investors the ability to more closely tailor
investment strategies to the precise movement of the underlying
security and meet their investment, trading and risk management
requirements.
With regard to the impact of this proposal on system capacity, the
Exchange has analyzed its capacity and represents that it and the
Options Price Reporting Authority have the necessary system capacity to
handle the potential additional traffic associated with the listing and
trading of classes on individual stocks in the $2.50 Strike Price
Program.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section
6(b) of the Act \7\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section
6(b)(5) of the Act \8\ in particular, in that it is designed 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.
The Exchange believes that the effect of the proposed expansion on the
marketplace would not result in a material proliferation of quote
volume or concerns with fragmentation. In addition, the Exchange
believes that it has the necessary system capacity to handle the
potential additional traffic associated with the listing and trading of
classes.
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\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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Rather, the Exchange believes the $2.50 Strike Price Program
proposal would provide the investing public and other market
participants increased opportunities to better manage their risk
exposure. Accordingly, the Exchange believes that the proposal to
expand the Program to allow the listing of options with $2.50 strike
price intervals for options with strike prices between $50 and $100
should further benefit investors and the market by providing greater
trading opportunities for those underlying stocks that have low
volatility and thus trade in a narrow range.

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 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 either solicited or received.

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

Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not significantly
affect the protection of investors or the public interest, does not
impose any significant burden on competition, and, by its terms, does
not become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed,
or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \9\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\10\
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\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\10\ 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 this requirement.
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The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day
operative delay. The Commission believes that waiver of the operative
delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public
interest because the proposal is substantially similar to that of
another exchange that has been approved by the Commission.\11\
Therefore, the Commission designates the proposal operative upon
filing.\12\
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\11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64157 (March 31,
2011) (SR-Phlx-2011-15) (order approving expansion of $2.50 Strike
Price Program).
\12\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
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 summarily may temporarily suspend 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-NASDAQ-2011-041 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 Number SR-NASDAQ-2011-041. 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

[[Page 19169]]

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 the
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 available publicly. All submissions should refer to
File Number SR-NASDAQ-2011-041 and should be submitted on or before
April 27, 2011.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\13\
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\13\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Cathy H. Ahn,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-8124 Filed 4-5-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

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