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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Securities and Exchange Commission

DOCUMENT ID: [Release No. 34-56907; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2007-122]

NOTICE: NOTICES

ACTION: Self-regulatory organizations; proposed rule changes:

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Certain Modifications to the Initial Listing Standards for Index-Linked Securities

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: December 5, 2007.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that on November 28, 2007, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca'' or ``Exchange''), through its wholly owned subsidiary, NYSE Arca Equities, Inc. (``NYSE Arca Equities''), 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 substantially 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 240.19b4.
I. SelfRegulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6), the Exchange's listing standards for Equity IndexLinked Securities, CommodityLinked Securities, and CurrencyLinked Securities
(collectively, ``IndexLinked Securities'').\3\ The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange, the Commission's Public Reference Room, and http://www.nyse.com. \3\ NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6) defines Equity Index Linked Securities to be securities that provide for the payment at maturity of a cash amount based on the performance of an underlying index or indexes of equity securities (an ``Equity Reference Asset''). CommodityLinked Securities are securities that provide for the payment at maturity of a cash amount based on the
performance of one or more physical commodities or commodity futures, options or other commodity derivatives or CommodityBased Trust Shares (as defined in NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.201), or a basket or index of any of the foregoing (a ``Commodity Reference Asset''). CurrencyLinked Securities are securities that provide for the payment at maturity of a cash amount based on the performance of one or more currencies, or options or currency futures or other currency derivatives or Currency Trust Shares (as defined in NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.202), or a basket or index of any of the foregoing (a ``Currency Reference Asset,'' and together with Equity Reference Asset and Commodity Reference Asset, collectively, a ``Reference Asset'').
II. SelfRegulatory 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. SelfRegulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

The Exchange proposes to amend one of the requirements of NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(A), which sets
[[Page 70641]]
forth the listing requirements applicable to all types of IndexLinked Securities to be listed and traded on the Exchange, to provide for greater flexibility in the listing criteria for such securities. Currently, NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(A)(d) provides that the payment at maturity of a cash amount for IndexLinked Securities may or may not provide for a multiple of the positive performance of an underlying Reference Asset, and in no event will payment at maturity be based on a multiple of the negative performance of an underlying Reference Asset.

The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(A)(d) to: (a) Allow the Exchange to consider for listing and trading IndexLinked Securities that provide for payment at maturity based on a multiple of the direct or inverse performance of an underlying Reference Asset; and (b) provide that in no event will a loss or negative payment at maturity be accelerated by a multiple that exceeds twice the performance of an underlying Reference Asset. The Exchange proposes these changes in order to permit the listing and trading of IndexLinked Securities that employ investment strategies similar or analogous to certain exchangetraded funds like the Short Funds and UltraShort Funds of the ProShares Trust and the Inverse Funds and Leveraged Inverse Funds of the Rydex ETF Trust, each of which trade on the Exchange pursuant to unlisted trading privileges (``UTP'') under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3).\4\ The Short Funds and Inverse Funds seek daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to the inverse or opposite of the daily performance (100%) of the respective underlying indexes, and the Ultra Short Funds and Leveraged Inverse Funds seek daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice the inverse or opposite of the daily performance (200%) of the respective underlying indexes.
\4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 56763 (November 7, 2007), 72 FR 64103 (November 14, 2007) (SRNYSEArca200781)
(approving the trading of shares of funds of the Rydex ETF Trust pursuant to UTP); 56601 (October 2, 2007), 72 FR 57625 (October 10, 2007) (SRNYSEArca200779) (approving the trading shares of eight funds of the ProShares Trust based on international equity indexes pursuant to UTP); 55125 (January 18, 2007), 72 FR 3462 (January 25, 2007) (SRNYSEArca200687) (approving the trading of shares of 81 funds of the ProShares Trust pursuant to UTP); and 54026 (June 21, 2006), 71 FR 36850 (June 28, 2006) (SRPCX2005115) (approving the trading of shares of certain other funds of the ProShares Trust pursuant to UTP).

The Exchange believes that these changes will allow greater flexibility in the listing and trading of IndexLinked Securities and offer investors additional investment options. The Exchange believes that investors will continue to be protected because the payment at maturity cannot be based on a multiple that exceeds twice the inverse performance of an underlying Reference Asset.\5\
\5\ See id.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,\6\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\7\ in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, 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.
\6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
B. SelfRegulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

The Exchange believes the proposed rule change will impose no burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
C. SelfRegulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others

The Exchange states that 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

Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which NYSE Arca consents, the Commission will:

A. By order approve such proposed rule change, or

B. institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved.

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 (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml. ); or
  • Send an email to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SRNYSEArca2007122 on the subject line.
    Paper Comments
  • Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 205491090.
    All submissions should refer to File Number SRNYSEArca2007122. This file number should be included on the subject line if email 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 (http://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 inspection and copying 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 SRNYSEArca2007122 and should be submitted on or before January 2, 2008.
    [[Page 70642]]
    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.\8\
    \8\ 17 CFR 200.303(a)(12).
    Florence E. Harmon,
    Deputy Secretary.
    [FR Doc. E723971 Filed 121107; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 801101P

    SUMMARY: NYSE Arca, Inc.,


    DOCUMENT BODY 2: December 5, 2007.

    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that on November 28, 2007, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca'' or ``Exchange''), through its wholly owned subsidiary, NYSE Arca Equities, Inc. (``NYSE Arca Equities''), 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 substantially 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 240.19b4.
    I. SelfRegulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6), the Exchange's listing standards for Equity IndexLinked Securities, CommodityLinked Securities, and CurrencyLinked Securities
    (collectively, ``IndexLinked Securities'').\3\ The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange, the Commission's Public Reference Room, and http://www.nyse.com. \3\ NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6) defines Equity Index Linked Securities to be securities that provide for the payment at maturity of a cash amount based on the performance of an underlying index or indexes of equity securities (an ``Equity Reference Asset''). CommodityLinked Securities are securities that provide for the payment at maturity of a cash amount based on the
    performance of one or more physical commodities or commodity futures, options or other commodity derivatives or CommodityBased Trust Shares (as defined in NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.201), or a basket or index of any of the foregoing (a ``Commodity Reference Asset''). CurrencyLinked Securities are securities that provide for the payment at maturity of a cash amount based on the performance of one or more currencies, or options or currency futures or other currency derivatives or Currency Trust Shares (as defined in NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.202), or a basket or index of any of the foregoing (a ``Currency Reference Asset,'' and together with Equity Reference Asset and Commodity Reference Asset, collectively, a ``Reference Asset'').
    II. SelfRegulatory 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. SelfRegulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    1. Purpose

    The Exchange proposes to amend one of the requirements of NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(A), which sets
    [[Page 70641]]
    forth the listing requirements applicable to all types of IndexLinked Securities to be listed and traded on the Exchange, to provide for greater flexibility in the listing criteria for such securities. Currently, NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(A)(d) provides that the payment at maturity of a cash amount for IndexLinked Securities may or may not provide for a multiple of the positive performance of an underlying Reference Asset, and in no event will payment at maturity be based on a multiple of the negative performance of an underlying Reference Asset.

    The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(A)(d) to: (a) Allow the Exchange to consider for listing and trading IndexLinked Securities that provide for payment at maturity based on a multiple of the direct or inverse performance of an underlying Reference Asset; and (b) provide that in no event will a loss or negative payment at maturity be accelerated by a multiple that exceeds twice the performance of an underlying Reference Asset. The Exchange proposes these changes in order to permit the listing and trading of IndexLinked Securities that employ investment strategies similar or analogous to certain exchangetraded funds like the Short Funds and UltraShort Funds of the ProShares Trust and the Inverse Funds and Leveraged Inverse Funds of the Rydex ETF Trust, each of which trade on the Exchange pursuant to unlisted trading privileges (``UTP'') under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3).\4\ The Short Funds and Inverse Funds seek daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to the inverse or opposite of the daily performance (100%) of the respective underlying indexes, and the Ultra Short Funds and Leveraged Inverse Funds seek daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to twice the inverse or opposite of the daily performance (200%) of the respective underlying indexes.
    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 56763 (November 7, 2007), 72 FR 64103 (November 14, 2007) (SRNYSEArca200781)
    (approving the trading of shares of funds of the Rydex ETF Trust pursuant to UTP); 56601 (October 2, 2007), 72 FR 57625 (October 10, 2007) (SRNYSEArca200779) (approving the trading shares of eight funds of the ProShares Trust based on international equity indexes pursuant to UTP); 55125 (January 18, 2007), 72 FR 3462 (January 25, 2007) (SRNYSEArca200687) (approving the trading of shares of 81 funds of the ProShares Trust pursuant to UTP); and 54026 (June 21, 2006), 71 FR 36850 (June 28, 2006) (SRPCX2005115) (approving the trading of shares of certain other funds of the ProShares Trust pursuant to UTP).

    The Exchange believes that these changes will allow greater flexibility in the listing and trading of IndexLinked Securities and offer investors additional investment options. The Exchange believes that investors will continue to be protected because the payment at maturity cannot be based on a multiple that exceeds twice the inverse performance of an underlying Reference Asset.\5\
    \5\ See id.

    2. Statutory Basis

    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,\6\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\7\ in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, 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.
    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    B. SelfRegulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change will impose no burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
    C. SelfRegulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others

    The Exchange states that 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

    Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which NYSE Arca consents, the Commission will:

    A. By order approve such proposed rule change, or

    B. institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved.

    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 (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml. ); or
  • Send an email to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SRNYSEArca2007122 on the subject line.
    Paper Comments
  • Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 205491090.
    All submissions should refer to File Number SRNYSEArca2007122. This file number should be included on the subject line if email 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 (http://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 inspection and copying 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 SRNYSEArca2007122 and should be submitted on or before January 2, 2008.
    [[Page 70642]]
    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.\8\
    \8\ 17 CFR 200.303(a)(12).
    Florence E. Harmon,
    Deputy Secretary.
    [FR Doc. E723971 Filed 121107; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 801101P


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