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DOCUMENT ID: [Release No. 34-48858; File No. SR-CBOE-2003-07]

NOTICE: NOTICES

ACTION: Self-regulatory organizations; proposed rule changes:

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Self-Regulatory Organizations; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 by the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc., Relating to the Trading of Ratio Orders

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: December 1, 2003.

I. Introduction

On February 24, 2003, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc. (``CBOE'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'' or ``SEC''), pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b4 thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule change to allow ratio orders to be executed through the CBOE. The CBOE filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposal on October 8, 2003.\3\
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b4.
\3\ See letter from James M. Flynn, Attorney II, Legal Division, CBOE, to Yvonne Fraticelli, Division of Market Regulation, Commission, dated October 6, 2003 (``Amendment No. 1''). Amendment No. 1 revises the proposal to provide that the permissible ratio for a ratio order is any ratio that is equal to or greater than oneto three (.333) and less than or equal to threetoone (3.0).

The proposed rule change and Amendment No. 1 were published for comment in the Federal Register on October 28, 2003.\4\ The Commission received no comments regarding the proposal. This order approves the proposed rule change, as amended.
\4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 48672 (October 21, 2003), 68 FR 61499.

II. Description of the Proposal

The CBOE proposes to amend CBOE Rule 6.53, ``Certain Types of Orders Defined,'' to allow ratio orders with certain permissible ratio limits, as defined below, to be executed through the CBOE. In addition, the CBOE proposes to revise paragraph (e) of CBOE Rule 6.45, ``Priority of Bids and OffersAllocation of Trades,'' to include these types of permissible ratio orders in CBOE Rule 6.45(e), thereby providing such ratio orders with the exception to the priority rules that CBOE Rule 6.45(e) provides currently for spread, straddle, and combination orders.\5\ The CBOE believes that because ratio orders are slight variations on the types of complex orders currently permitted on the CBOE, it is appropriate to treat ratio orders like spread, straddle, and combination orders for purposes of CBOE Rule 6.45(e).
\5\ CBOE Rule 6.45(e), ``Complex Order Priority Exception,'' currently states that: ``A member holding a spread, straddle, or combination order (or a stockoption order as defined in Rule 1.1(ii)(b)) and bidding (offering) on a net debit or credit basis (in a multiple of the minimum increment) may execute the order with another member without giving priority to equivalent bids (offers) in the trading crowd or in the book provided at least one leg of the order betters the corresponding bid (offer) in the book. Stock option orders, as defined in Rule 1.1(ii)(a), have priority over bids (offers) of the trading crowd but not over bids (offers) of public customers in the limit order book.''

CBOE Rule 6.53 lists and defines several types of orders that are executed through the CBOE including, among others, three types of complex orders: spread orders, combination orders, and straddle orders. The CBOE proposes to add certain ratio orders within permissible established limits to the list of orders included in CBOE Rule 6.53. CBOE Rule 6.53(n) would define a ratio order as either a spread, straddle, or combination order in which the stated number of option contracts to buy (sell) is not equal to the stated number of option contracts to sell (buy), provided that the number of contracts differs by a permissible ratio. Under CBOE Rule 6.53(n), a permissible ratio would be any ratio that is equal to or greater than onetothree (.333) or less than or equal to threetoone (3.0). For example, a onetotwo (.5) ratio, a twotothree (.667) ratio, or a twotoone (2.0) ratio is permissible, whereas a onetofour (.25) ratio or a fourtoone (4.0) ratio is not.

III. Discussion

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 \6\ and, in particular, with the requirements of section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\7\ which requires, among other things, that the rules of a national securities exchange be 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 to protect investors and the public interest.
\6\ In approving this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

The proposal will allow certain ratio orders to be executed through the CBOE. As described above, a ratio order is a spread, straddle, or combination order in which the stated number of option contracts to buy (sell) is not equal to the stated number of option contracts to sell (buy), provided that the number of contracts differs by a permissible ratio.\8\ The Commission believes that ratio orders within certain permissible ratios may provide market participants with greater flexibility and precision in effectuating trading and hedging strategies. In addition, the Commission believes that including such ratio orders in the exception to the priority rules provided in CBOE Rule 6.45(e) will facilitate the execution of ratio orders. In this regard, the Commission believes that the procedures governing the execution of complex orders, such as ratio orders, serve to reduce the risk of incomplete or inadequate executions while increasing efficiency and competitive pricing by requiring price improvement before the order can receive priority over other orders.\9\ The Commission also notes that the rules of other options exchanges treat certain ratio orders like other complex orders for purposes of their priority rules.\10\ \8\ Under the proposal, a permissible ratio is any ratio that is equal to or greater than onetothree (.333) or less than or equal to threetoone (3.0).
\9\ See, e.g., CBOE Rule 6.45(e). See also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 44955 (October 18, 2001), 66 FR 53819 (October 24, 2001) (order approving File No. SRISE200118).
\10\ See, e.g., ISE rule 722(b)(2), ``Complex Order Priority,'' and PHLX Rule 1033(g), ``Ratio Spread Type Priority.''

The CBOE's rule also provides specific examples of permissible ratio orders. Specifically, the rule provides that a permissible ratio is any ratio that is equal to or greater than onetothree and less than or equal to threetoone. For example, as indicated in the rule, a onetotwo ratio, a twotothree ratio, or a twotoone ratio is permissible, whereas a onetofour ratio or a fourtoone ratio is not. This should help to provide guidance to CBOE members of the permissible ratios allowed under CBOE rules for such ratio orders.

The Commission believes that permitting ratio orders to have ratios equal to or greater than onetothree or
[[Page 68129]]
less than or equal to threetoone will help market participants to tailor their positions more precisely to implement their trading and hedging strategies. Because of concerns that a higher ratio could provide market participants with a means to enter a ratio order that was designed primarily to gain priority over orders on the limit order book or in the trading crowd, rather than to effectuate a bona fide trading or hedging strategy, the Commission would need to examine closely any proposal to provide a higher ratio for ratio orders and would be concerned about whether such a proposal would be consistent with investor protection and the public interest under the Act.\11\ \11\ In this regard, the Commission notes that one exchange stated that a proposed threetoone cap on the ratio for foreign currency option orders ``would prevent a trader seeking priority over an order on the book or in the crowd from restating an order as a ratio order. For example, such a cap would prevent a trader from recasting an order to buy 100 calls and sell one outofthemoney put.'' See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 25503 (March 23, 1988), 53 FR 10323 (March 30, 1988) (order approving File No. SR PHLX8733).

IV. Conclusion

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to section 19(b)(2) of the Act,\12\ that the proposed rule change (SRCBOE200307), as amended, is approved.

\12\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.\13\
\13\ 17 CFR 200.303(a)(12).
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 0330250 Filed 12403; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 801001P

SUMMARY: Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc.,

DOCUMENT BODY 2: December 1, 2003.

I. Introduction

On February 24, 2003, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc. (``CBOE'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'' or ``SEC''), pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b4 thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule change to allow ratio orders to be executed through the CBOE. The CBOE filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposal on October 8, 2003.\3\
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b4.
\3\ See letter from James M. Flynn, Attorney II, Legal Division, CBOE, to Yvonne Fraticelli, Division of Market Regulation, Commission, dated October 6, 2003 (``Amendment No. 1''). Amendment No. 1 revises the proposal to provide that the permissible ratio for a ratio order is any ratio that is equal to or greater than oneto three (.333) and less than or equal to threetoone (3.0).

The proposed rule change and Amendment No. 1 were published for comment in the Federal Register on October 28, 2003.\4\ The Commission received no comments regarding the proposal. This order approves the proposed rule change, as amended.
\4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 48672 (October 21, 2003), 68 FR 61499.

II. Description of the Proposal

The CBOE proposes to amend CBOE Rule 6.53, ``Certain Types of Orders Defined,'' to allow ratio orders with certain permissible ratio limits, as defined below, to be executed through the CBOE. In addition, the CBOE proposes to revise paragraph (e) of CBOE Rule 6.45, ``Priority of Bids and OffersAllocation of Trades,'' to include these types of permissible ratio orders in CBOE Rule 6.45(e), thereby providing such ratio orders with the exception to the priority rules that CBOE Rule 6.45(e) provides currently for spread, straddle, and combination orders.\5\ The CBOE believes that because ratio orders are slight variations on the types of complex orders currently permitted on the CBOE, it is appropriate to treat ratio orders like spread, straddle, and combination orders for purposes of CBOE Rule 6.45(e).
\5\ CBOE Rule 6.45(e), ``Complex Order Priority Exception,'' currently states that: ``A member holding a spread, straddle, or combination order (or a stockoption order as defined in Rule 1.1(ii)(b)) and bidding (offering) on a net debit or credit basis (in a multiple of the minimum increment) may execute the order with another member without giving priority to equivalent bids (offers) in the trading crowd or in the book provided at least one leg of the order betters the corresponding bid (offer) in the book. Stock option orders, as defined in Rule 1.1(ii)(a), have priority over bids (offers) of the trading crowd but not over bids (offers) of public customers in the limit order book.''

CBOE Rule 6.53 lists and defines several types of orders that are executed through the CBOE including, among others, three types of complex orders: spread orders, combination orders, and straddle orders. The CBOE proposes to add certain ratio orders within permissible established limits to the list of orders included in CBOE Rule 6.53. CBOE Rule 6.53(n) would define a ratio order as either a spread, straddle, or combination order in which the stated number of option contracts to buy (sell) is not equal to the stated number of option contracts to sell (buy), provided that the number of contracts differs by a permissible ratio. Under CBOE Rule 6.53(n), a permissible ratio would be any ratio that is equal to or greater than onetothree (.333) or less than or equal to threetoone (3.0). For example, a onetotwo (.5) ratio, a twotothree (.667) ratio, or a twotoone (2.0) ratio is permissible, whereas a onetofour (.25) ratio or a fourtoone (4.0) ratio is not.

III. Discussion

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 \6\ and, in particular, with the requirements of section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\7\ which requires, among other things, that the rules of a national securities exchange be 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 to protect investors and the public interest.
\6\ In approving this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

The proposal will allow certain ratio orders to be executed through the CBOE. As described above, a ratio order is a spread, straddle, or combination order in which the stated number of option contracts to buy (sell) is not equal to the stated number of option contracts to sell (buy), provided that the number of contracts differs by a permissible ratio.\8\ The Commission believes that ratio orders within certain permissible ratios may provide market participants with greater flexibility and precision in effectuating trading and hedging strategies. In addition, the Commission believes that including such ratio orders in the exception to the priority rules provided in CBOE Rule 6.45(e) will facilitate the execution of ratio orders. In this regard, the Commission believes that the procedures governing the execution of complex orders, such as ratio orders, serve to reduce the risk of incomplete or inadequate executions while increasing efficiency and competitive pricing by requiring price improvement before the order can receive priority over other orders.\9\ The Commission also notes that the rules of other options exchanges treat certain ratio orders like other complex orders for purposes of their priority rules.\10\ \8\ Under the proposal, a permissible ratio is any ratio that is equal to or greater than onetothree (.333) or less than or equal to threetoone (3.0).
\9\ See, e.g., CBOE Rule 6.45(e). See also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 44955 (October 18, 2001), 66 FR 53819 (October 24, 2001) (order approving File No. SRISE200118).
\10\ See, e.g., ISE rule 722(b)(2), ``Complex Order Priority,'' and PHLX Rule 1033(g), ``Ratio Spread Type Priority.''

The CBOE's rule also provides specific examples of permissible ratio orders. Specifically, the rule provides that a permissible ratio is any ratio that is equal to or greater than onetothree and less than or equal to threetoone. For example, as indicated in the rule, a onetotwo ratio, a twotothree ratio, or a twotoone ratio is permissible, whereas a onetofour ratio or a fourtoone ratio is not. This should help to provide guidance to CBOE members of the permissible ratios allowed under CBOE rules for such ratio orders.

The Commission believes that permitting ratio orders to have ratios equal to or greater than onetothree or
[[Page 68129]]
less than or equal to threetoone will help market participants to tailor their positions more precisely to implement their trading and hedging strategies. Because of concerns that a higher ratio could provide market participants with a means to enter a ratio order that was designed primarily to gain priority over orders on the limit order book or in the trading crowd, rather than to effectuate a bona fide trading or hedging strategy, the Commission would need to examine closely any proposal to provide a higher ratio for ratio orders and would be concerned about whether such a proposal would be consistent with investor protection and the public interest under the Act.\11\ \11\ In this regard, the Commission notes that one exchange stated that a proposed threetoone cap on the ratio for foreign currency option orders ``would prevent a trader seeking priority over an order on the book or in the crowd from restating an order as a ratio order. For example, such a cap would prevent a trader from recasting an order to buy 100 calls and sell one outofthemoney put.'' See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 25503 (March 23, 1988), 53 FR 10323 (March 30, 1988) (order approving File No. SR PHLX8733).

IV. Conclusion

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to section 19(b)(2) of the Act,\12\ that the proposed rule change (SRCBOE200307), as amended, is approved.

\12\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.\13\
\13\ 17 CFR 200.303(a)(12).
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 0330250 Filed 12403; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 801001P