Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Amex LLC; Notice of Designation of a Longer Period for Commission Action on Proposed Rule Change Amending Section 101 of the NYSE Amex Company Guide To Adopt Additional Listing Requirements for Companies Applying To List After Consummation of a “Reverse Merger” With a Shell Company, 59763-59764 [2011-24726]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 187 / Tuesday, September 27, 2011 / Notices provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,15 which requires, among other things, that FINRA rules must be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest, and Section 15A(g)(3) of the Act,16 which authorizes FINRA to prescribe standards of training, experience, and competence for persons associated with FINRA members. FINRA believes that the proposed revisions will further these purposes by updating the examination program to reflect changes to the laws, rules and regulations covered by the examination and to better reflect the functions and associated tasks performed by a Canada Securities Representative. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition FINRA does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others Written comments were neither solicited nor received. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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 17 and paragraph (f)(1) of Rule 19b–4 thereunder.18 FINRA proposes to implement the revised Series 37 examination program on November 7, 2011. FINRA will announce the implementation date in a Regulatory Notice. 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. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved. 15 15 U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(6). U.S.C. 78o–3(g)(3). 17 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 18 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(1). 16 15 VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:35 Sep 26, 2011 Jkt 223001 V. 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: • 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–FINRA–2011–047 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. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–FINRA–2011–047. 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 such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of FINRA. 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–FINRA–2011–047 and should be submitted on or before October 18, 2011. Frm 00108 Fmt 4703 For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.19 Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–24732 Filed 9–26–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Electronic Comments PO 00000 59763 Sfmt 4703 [Release No. 34–65369; File No. SR– NYSEAmex–2011–55] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Amex LLC; Notice of Designation of a Longer Period for Commission Action on Proposed Rule Change Amending Section 101 of the NYSE Amex Company Guide To Adopt Additional Listing Requirements for Companies Applying To List After Consummation of a ‘‘Reverse Merger’’ With a Shell Company September 21, 2011. On July 22, 2011, NYSE Amex LLC (‘‘NYSE Amex’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) 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 adopt additional listing requirements for companies applying to list after consummation of a ‘‘reverse merger’’ with a shell company. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on August 10, 2011.3 The Commission received two comment letters on the proposal.4 Section 19(b)(2) of the Act 5 provides that within 45 days of the publication of notice of the filing of a proposed rule change, or within such longer period up to 90 days as the Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission shall either approve the proposed rule change, disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be 19 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65033 (August 4, 2011), 76 FR 49522. 4 See Letter from David Feldman, Partner, Richardson Patel LLP dated August 29, 2011 and letter from Richard Rappaport, Chief Executive Officer, WestPark Capital, Inc. to John Carey, Chief Counsel, NYSE Regulation Inc. and NYSE Amex LLC dated August 31, 2011. 5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 1 15 E:\FR\FM\27SEN1.SGM 27SEN1 59764 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 187 / Tuesday, September 27, 2011 / Notices disapproved. The 45th day for this filing is September 24, 2011. The Commission is extending the 45day time period for Commission action on the proposed rule change. The Commission finds that it is appropriate to designate a longer period to take action on the proposed rule change so that it has sufficient time to consider the Exchange’s proposal, which would establish additional listing requirements for companies applying to list after consummation of a ‘‘reverse merger’’ with a shell company, and to consider the comment letters that have been submitted in connection with the proposed rule change. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,6 the Commission designates November 8, 2011 as the date by which the Commission should either approve or disapprove, or institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove, the proposed rule change (File Number SR–NYSEAmex–2011– 55). For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.7 Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–24726 Filed 9–26–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–65373; File No. SR–Phlx– 2011–127] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Maximum Number of Quoters (‘‘MNQ’’) Permitted To Be Assigned in Equity Options mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES September 21, 2011. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1, and Rule 19b–4 2 thereunder, notice is hereby given that on September 15, 2011, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘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 comments on the 6 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). CFR 200.30–3(a)(31). 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 7 17 VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:35 Sep 26, 2011 Jkt 223001 proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend Exchange Rule 507, Application for Approval as an SQT or RSQT and Assignment in Options, which governs the assignment of options to Streaming Quote Traders (‘‘SQTs’’) 3 and Remote Streaming Quote Traders (‘‘RSQTs’’),4 by establishing a higher maximum number of quoting participants (‘‘Maximum Number of Quoters’’ or ‘‘MNQ’’) that will apply to all equity options listed for trading on the Exchange. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at https://www.nasdaqtrader.com/ micro.aspx?id=PHLXRulefilings, 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 The purpose of the proposed rule change is to provide additional liquidity in equity options on the Exchange by increasing the MNQ in all equity 3 An SQT is an Exchange Registered Options Trader (‘‘ROT’’) who has received permission from the Exchange to generate and submit options quotations electronically through AUTOM in eligible options to which such SQT is assigned. An SQT may only submit such quotations while such SQT is physically present on the floor of the Exchange. See Exchange Rule 1014(b)(ii)(A). 4 An RSQT is a ROT that is a member or member organization with no physical trading floor presence who has received permission from the Exchange to generate and submit option quotations electronically through AUTOM in eligible options to which such RSQT has been assigned. An RSQT may only submit such quotations electronically from off the floor of the Exchange. See Exchange Rule 1014(b)(ii)(B). PO 00000 Frm 00109 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 options.5 Currently, the Exchange limits the number of participants that may be assigned to a particular equity option at any one time based upon each option’s monthly national volume. Commentary .02 to Rule 507 currently sets forth tiered MNQ levels permitting assignment of trading privileges to 24 market participants for the top 5% most actively traded options; 19 market participants for next 10% most actively traded options, and 17 market participants for all other options.6 The ranking is currently based upon the preceding month’s national volumes. Because the MNQ will now be the same for all equity options traded on the Exchange, there is no longer a need to calculate and establish multiple MNQ levels based upon monthly national volume. Accordingly, the Exchange proposes to delete current Commentary .03 to Rule 507, which states that, within the first five days of each month, a new MNQ will be set based on the previous month’s trading volume (‘‘new MNQ’’), and which sets forth rules that apply to those options for which the new MNQ decreases the previous MNQ.7 The Exchange proposes to increase the MNQ level to 30 for all equity options listed for trading on the Exchange. After careful analysis, the Exchange believes it has sufficient capacity to increase the MNQ as proposed. The Exchange believes that the effect of an increase in the MNQ fosters competition in that it increases the number of SQTs and RSQTs that may quote electronically in a product. Pursuant to re-numbered Commentary .04 to Rule 507, the Exchange will 5 Commentary .05 to Rule 507 (which is proposed to be re-numbered as Commentary .04) states that the Exchange may increase the MNQ levels established in this Commentary by submitting to the SEC a rule filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Exchange Act, and will continue to require any proposed decrease in MNQ to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act. 6 When initially adopted, Commentary .02(a)–(c) established MNQ levels of 20 market participants for the top 5% most actively traded options; 15 market participants for next 10% most actively traded options, and 10 market participants for all other options. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55114 (January 17, 2007), 72 FR 3185 (January 24, 2007) (SR–Phlx-2006–81). These MNQ levels were subsequently increased to levels of 22, 17, and 12, respectively. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56261 (August 15, 2007), 72 FR 47112 (August 22, 2007)(SR–Phlx–2007–51). The MNQ levels were then increased to 22, 17 and 15 respectively. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58906 (November 6, 2008), 73 FR 67239 (November 13, 2008) (SR–Phlx–2008–76). The current MNQ levels of 24, 19 and 17, respectively, were established in September, 2009. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60688 (September 18, 2009), 74 FR 49058 (September 25, 2009) (SR–Phlx– 2009–82). 7 See supra note 5. E:\FR\FM\27SEN1.SGM 27SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59763-59764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24726]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-65369; File No. SR-NYSEAmex-2011-55]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Amex LLC; Notice of 
Designation of a Longer Period for Commission Action on Proposed Rule 
Change Amending Section 101 of the NYSE Amex Company Guide To Adopt 
Additional Listing Requirements for Companies Applying To List After 
Consummation of a ``Reverse Merger'' With a Shell Company

September 21, 2011.
    On July 22, 2011, NYSE Amex LLC (``NYSE Amex'' or the ``Exchange'') 
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 
adopt additional listing requirements for companies applying to list 
after consummation of a ``reverse merger'' with a shell company. The 
proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register 
on August 10, 2011.\3\ The Commission received two comment letters on 
the proposal.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65033 (August 4, 
2011), 76 FR 49522.
    \4\ See Letter from David Feldman, Partner, Richardson Patel LLP 
dated August 29, 2011 and letter from Richard Rappaport, Chief 
Executive Officer, WestPark Capital, Inc. to John Carey, Chief 
Counsel, NYSE Regulation Inc. and NYSE Amex LLC dated August 31, 
2011.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 19(b)(2) of the Act \5\ provides that within 45 days of the 
publication of notice of the filing of a proposed rule change, or 
within such longer period up to 90 days as the Commission may designate 
if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its 
reasons for so finding or as to which the self-regulatory organization 
consents, the Commission shall either approve the proposed rule change, 
disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to 
determine whether the proposed rule change should be

[[Page 59764]]

disapproved. The 45th day for this filing is September 24, 2011.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission is extending the 45-day time period for Commission 
action on the proposed rule change. The Commission finds that it is 
appropriate to designate a longer period to take action on the proposed 
rule change so that it has sufficient time to consider the Exchange's 
proposal, which would establish additional listing requirements for 
companies applying to list after consummation of a ``reverse merger'' 
with a shell company, and to consider the comment letters that have 
been submitted in connection with the proposed rule change.
    Accordingly, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,\6\ the 
Commission designates November 8, 2011 as the date by which the 
Commission should either approve or disapprove, or institute 
proceedings to determine whether to disapprove, the proposed rule 
change (File Number SR-NYSEAmex-2011-55).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(31).
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Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-24726 Filed 9-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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