66 FR 53 pgs. 15513-15514 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the American Stock Exchange LLC to Increase the Maximum Permissible Number of Equity and Index Option Contracts in an Order Entered Through the Amex Order File System
Type: NOTICEVolume: 66Number: 53Pages: 15513 - 15514
Docket number: [Release No. 34-44065; File No. SR-AMEX-01-11]
FR document: [FR Doc. 01-6665 Filed 3-16-01; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-44065; File No. SR-AMEX-01-11]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the American Stock Exchange LLC to Increase the Maximum Permissible Number of Equity and Index Option Contracts in an Order Entered Through the Amex Order File System
March 12, 2001.
Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act")1and Rule 19b-42thereunder, notice is hereby given that on February 28, 2001, the American Stock Exchange LLC ("Amex" or "Exchange") 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 prepared by Amex. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
Footnotes:
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule
Amex proposes to increase from 250 to 2500 the maximum permissible number of equity and index option contracts in an order that may be entered in the Amex Order File System. Although this limit does not appear in the Exchange's rules as such, Amex will notify members of the increase in this limit by issuing an information circular.3
Footnotes:
3 Telephone conversation between Claire P. McGrath, Vice President and Special Counsel, Amex, and Michael Gaw, Attorney-Adviser, Division of Market Regulation, Commission, on March 12, 2001.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, Amex 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. Amex 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 Amex Order File ("AOF") handles limit orders routed to specialists' order books and orders routed to Auto-Ex, an automatic execution system that executes public customer market and marketable limit orders in options at the best bid or offer displayed at the time the order is entered. In October 1999, Amex filed to expand from 100 to 250 the number of option contracts that a member or member firm may enter directly into an Exchange specialist's order book (the Amex Order Display Book or "AODB") from off the Exchange's trading floor using AOF.4
Footnotes:
4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 42128 (November 10, 1999), 64 FR 63836 (November 22, 1999).
The Exchange now proposes to further increase from 250 to 2500 the maximum permissible number of option contracts in an order that can be entered through AOF directly into the AODB.5By increasing the size of orders eligible for entry into the AOF, members and member firms will be able to send a larger percentage of orders directly to a specialist's order book for execution resulting in increased automated order handling. This increased automated order handling will benefit customers, as well as members and member firms, by expanding the option orders eligible for automated handling, further ensuring the orderly and timely delivery, processing, and execution of such orders.
Footnotes:
5 Although this filing would give the Exchange authority to increase the limit to 2500 contracts, Amex may for business or operational reasons set the actual limit at less than 2500 contracts. Telephone conversation between Claire P. McGrath, Vice President and Special Counsel, Amex, and Michael Gaw, Attorney-Adviser, Division of Market Regulation, Commission, on March 12, 2001.
Amex believes that, since its introduction, AOF/AODB has been successful in enhancing execution and operational efficiencies. Amex anticipates that the proposed increase to the AOF's parameters should further increase the enhanced execution and operational efficiencies realized since the introduction of the AOF.
2. Statutory Basis
Amex states that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act6in general and furthers the objectives of section 6(b)(5)7in 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, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system
Footnotes:
6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
Amex does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
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
Amex represents that the proposed rule change would effect a change in an existing order-entry or trading system that: (i) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) does not impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) does not have the effect of limiting the access to or availability of the system. Amex concludes, therefore, that the proposal has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act8and Rule 19b-4(f)(5)9thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate 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 the furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
Footnotes:
8 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
9 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(5).
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. Persons making written submissions should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. 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. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-Amex-01-11 and should be submitted by April 9, 2001.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.10
Footnotes:
10 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-6665 Filed 3-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M