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DOCUMENT ID: [Release No. 34-56918; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2007-125]
SUBJECT CATEGORY: Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Continued Listing Standards for Equity Index-Linked Securities
DOCUMENT SUMMARY: December 6, 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 December 5, 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)(B)(I)(2)(a), which sets forth the Exchange's continued
listing criteria for Equity 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.
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
The Exchange proposes to remove from NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a) the continued listing requirement for Equity
IndexLinked Securities that prohibits the number of components
comprising the underlying index from increasing or decreasing by 33 \1/
3\ from the original number of index components at the time of initial
listing of such securities (the ``33 \1/3\ Requirement'').\4\ The
Exchange states that its listing standards for exchangetraded funds
under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3) and those of other national
securities exchanges do not impose this same limitation regarding the
change in the number of components comprising the underlying index. The
Exchange believes that, in the case of Equity IndexLinked Securities,
investors purchase such securities because they believe that the
underlying index methodology is accurately described in the offering
documentation, and that the index sponsor will maintain the index
methodology appropriately, so that the index will continue to represent
the sector, geographic region, or other investment characteristics the
index is designed to track. As such, rather than buying Equity Index
Linked Securities on the basis of the current contents of the index,
the Exchange states that investors rely on the index sponsor to define
and manage the index selection rules so that the index over time is sustainable in response to changing market conditions.
\4\ See NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(ii).
In addition, because Equity IndexLinked Securities may have terms that endure for as long as 30 years, the Exchange states it is likely that the underlying index for such securities will ultimately change in ways that will render them noncompliant with NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(ii), and as a result, the Exchange believes that the 33\1/3\% Requirement penalizes Equity IndexLinked Securities with such longterm maturities. Specifically, Equity IndexLinked Securities based on total industry/country composite indexes are at risk of being delisted prior to the stated maturity date. In addition, new issues of Equity IndexLinked Securities may not be launched because of issuer concerns regarding the negative impact of the possible delisting of such securities due to index component changes that reflect expanding or retracting industry sectors or changes in the geographical business environment. The Exchange does not believe that it is protective of investors to require the delisting of those Equity IndexLinked Securities in such event.
Under the proposal, the Exchange seeks to maintain the 10component minimum requirement in NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(ii) as a continued listing standard by moving
reference to this requirement to Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a), which
would make reference to Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(a), as proposed. NYSE
Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(a) requires that each underlying
index have at least 10 component securities of different issuers. 2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with section 6(b) of the Act,\5\ in general, and furthers the
objectives of section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\6\ 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.
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\6\ 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
[[Page 70636]]
A. By order approve such proposed rule change, or
B. institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved.
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
All submissions should refer to File Number SRNYSEArca2007125.
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 SRNYSEArca2007125 and should be submitted on or before January 2, 2008.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.\7\
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E724033 Filed 121107; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 801101P
SUMMARY: NYSE Arca, Inc.,
DOCUMENT BODY 2: December 6, 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 December 5, 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)(B)(I)(2)(a), which sets forth the Exchange's continued
listing criteria for Equity 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.
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
The Exchange proposes to remove from NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a) the continued listing requirement for Equity
IndexLinked Securities that prohibits the number of components
comprising the underlying index from increasing or decreasing by 33 \1/
3\ from the original number of index components at the time of initial
listing of such securities (the ``33 \1/3\ Requirement'').\4\ The
Exchange states that its listing standards for exchangetraded funds
under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3) and those of other national
securities exchanges do not impose this same limitation regarding the
change in the number of components comprising the underlying index. The
Exchange believes that, in the case of Equity IndexLinked Securities,
investors purchase such securities because they believe that the
underlying index methodology is accurately described in the offering
documentation, and that the index sponsor will maintain the index
methodology appropriately, so that the index will continue to represent
the sector, geographic region, or other investment characteristics the
index is designed to track. As such, rather than buying Equity Index
Linked Securities on the basis of the current contents of the index,
the Exchange states that investors rely on the index sponsor to define
and manage the index selection rules so that the index over time is sustainable in response to changing market conditions.
\4\ See NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(ii).
In addition, because Equity IndexLinked Securities may have terms that endure for as long as 30 years, the Exchange states it is likely that the underlying index for such securities will ultimately change in ways that will render them noncompliant with NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(ii), and as a result, the Exchange believes that the 33\1/3\% Requirement penalizes Equity IndexLinked Securities with such longterm maturities. Specifically, Equity IndexLinked Securities based on total industry/country composite indexes are at risk of being delisted prior to the stated maturity date. In addition, new issues of Equity IndexLinked Securities may not be launched because of issuer concerns regarding the negative impact of the possible delisting of such securities due to index component changes that reflect expanding or retracting industry sectors or changes in the geographical business environment. The Exchange does not believe that it is protective of investors to require the delisting of those Equity IndexLinked Securities in such event.
Under the proposal, the Exchange seeks to maintain the 10component minimum requirement in NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(ii) as a continued listing standard by moving
reference to this requirement to Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a), which
would make reference to Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(a), as proposed. NYSE
Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(a) requires that each underlying
index have at least 10 component securities of different issuers. 2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with section 6(b) of the Act,\5\ in general, and furthers the
objectives of section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\6\ 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.
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\6\ 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
[[Page 70636]]
A. By order approve such proposed rule change, or
B. institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved.
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
All submissions should refer to File Number SRNYSEArca2007125.
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 SRNYSEArca2007125 and should be submitted on or before January 2, 2008.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.\7\
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E724033 Filed 121107; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 801101P
14 CFR Part 39 40 CFR Part 52 14 CFR Part 71 33 CFR Part 165 50 CFR Part 679 47 CFR Part 73 26 CFR Part 1 40 CFR Part 180 33 CFR Part 117 50 CFR Part 17 44 CFR Part 67 50 CFR Part 648 14 CFR Part 97 40 CFR Part 63 33 CFR Part 100 50 CFR Part 622 50 CFR Part 660 26 CFR Part 301 44 CFR Part 65 39 CFR Part 111 40 CFR Part 300 6 CFR Part 5 40 CFR Part 271 47 CFR Part 64 40 CFR Parts 52 and 81 50 CFR Part 665 10 CFR Part 50 44 CFR Part 64 49 CFR Part 571 39 CFR Part 3020