[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27573-27575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12690]



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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-35738; File Nos. SR-Amex-95-13, SR-CBOE-95-13, SR-NYSE-
95-04, SR-PSE-95-05, and SR-PHLX-95-10]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Order Approving Proposed Rule 
Changes by the American Stock Exchange, Inc., the Chicago Board Options 
Exchange, Inc., the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the Pacific Stock 
Exchange, Inc., and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. Relating to 
Permanent Approval of the Hedge Exemption Pilot Programs

May 18, 1995.
    On February 1, 1995, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc. 
(``CBOE''); on February 3, 1995, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. 
(``PHLX''); on February 21, 1995, the Pacific Stock Exchange, Inc. 
(``PSE''); on February 28, 1995, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. 
(``NYSE''); and on March 14, 1995, the American Stock Exchange, Inc. 
(``Amex'') (each individually referred to as an ``Exchange'' and two or 
more collectively referred to as ``Exchanges''), pursuant to Section 
19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 
19b-4 thereunder,\2\ filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``SEC'' or ``Commission'') proposed rule changes seeking permanent 
approval of the Exchanges' hedge exemption pilot programs.

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1) (1988).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4 (1994).
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    The proposed rule changes were published for comment in the Federal 
Register on March 28, 1995.\3\ No comments were received regarding the 
Exchanges' proposals.

    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 35523 (March 22, 
1995), 60 FR 15947.
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    The proposals filed by the Exchanges seek permanent approval of the 
Exchanges' pilot programs for exemptions from equity position limits 
for certain hedged positions.\4\ In addition, the proposals filed by 
the CBOE, the NYSE, and the PSE also seek permanent approval of the 
Exchanges' pilot programs for position limit exemptions for certain 
hedged broad-based stock index option positions.\5\

    \4\ Position limits impose a ceiling on the aggregate number of 
options contracts on the same side of the market that can be held or 
written by an investor or group of investors acting in concert.
    \5\ Under the equity option hedge exemption pilots, the 
applicable position and exercise limits can never exceed twice the 
existing position limit. Under the CBOE's and the PSE's broad-based 
index hedge exemption pilots, the exempted positions may not exceed 
75,000 same-side of the market option contracts in a class of broad-
based index options. Under the NYSE's broad-based index hedge 
exemption pilot, the exempted positions may not exceed 125,000 same-
side of the market contracts. Unlike the equity option hedge 
exemption, each exemption to position limits under the broad-based 
index option hedge exemption must be specifically approved by the 
Exchange for each customer and each position. See CBOE Rule 24.4, 
``Position Limits for Broad-Based Index Options,'' Interpretation 
and Policy .01; NYSE Rule 704, ``Position Limits,'' Supplementary 
Material .70; and PSE Rule 7.8, ``Terms of Option Contracts,'' 
Commentary .02. [[Page 27574]] 
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    In 1988, the Commission approved pilot programs by the Amex, and 
the PHLX providing exemptions from position limits for certain fully 
hedged equity option positions.\6\ In addition, the Commission approved 
pilot programs proposed by the CBOE, the NYSE, and the PSE providing 
exemptions from position limits for certain fully hedged equity option 
positions and/or stock index option positions.\7\ Most recently, the 
Exchanges' pilot programs were extended through May 17, 1995.\8\

    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 25738 (May 24, 
1988), 53 FR 20201 (June 2, 1988) (order approving File Nos. SR-
Amex-87-13, SR-CBOE-87-27, and SR-PHLX-87-37).
    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 25738 (May 24, 
1988), 53 FR 20204 (June 2, 1988) (order approving File No. SR-CBOE-
87-25) (establishing CBOE's stock index option hedge exemption pilot 
program); 27786 (March 8, 1990), 55 FR 9523 (March 14, 1990) (order 
approving File No. SR-NYSE-89-09) (establishing NYSE's equity option 
and stock index option hedge exemption pilot programs); 25811 (June 
20, 1988), 53 FR 23821 (June 24, 1988) (order approving File No. SR-
PSE-88-09) (establishing PSE's equity option hedge exemption pilot 
program); 32900 (September 14, 1993), 58 FR 49077 (September 21, 
1993) (order approving File No. SR-PSE-92-38) (extending PSE's stock 
index option hedge exemption pilot program); and 32903 (September 
14, 1993), 58 FR 49068 (September 21, 1993) (order approving File 
No. SR-CBOE-91-44) (extending the CBOE's index option hedge 
exemption program).
    \8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 34986 (November 18, 
1994) 59 FR 60856 (November 28, 1994) (order approving File Nos. SR-
Amex-94-49, SR-CBOE-94-41, SR-PSE-94-33, and PHLX-94-53); and 85194 
(January 5, 1995), 60 FR 2800 (January 11, 1995) (order approving 
File No. SR-NYSE-94-47).
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    The pilot programs for equity option positions allow an exemption 
from equity option position and exercise limits for accounts that have 
established one of the four most commonly used hedged positions on a 
limited one-for-one basis (i.e., 100 shares of stock for one option 
contract). The four hedged positions are: (1) Long stock and short 
call; (2) long stock and long put; (3) short stock and long call; and 
(4) short stock and short put. Under the equity option programs, the 
maximum position limit (including the allowed exemptions) may not 
exceed twice the established option position limit.
    The index hedge exemption programs allow public customers to apply 
for position limit exemptions for positions in broad-based index 
options that are hedged with Exchange-approved qualified portfolios of 
stock.\9\ Under the broad-based index option hedge exemption program a 
public customer must receive specific Exchange approval to exceed the 
position limits by a specified amount before establishing a position in 
reliance upon the hedge exemption requirements. Under these 
requirements, a qualified portfolio is comprised of net long or short 
positions in common stocks or securities readily convertible into 
common stocks in at least four industry groups and contains at least 
twenty stocks, none of which accounts for more than 15% of the value of 
the portfolio. To remain qualified, a portfolio must meet these 
standards at all times, regardless of trading activity in the stocks.

    \9\ The CBOE's broad-based index hedge exemption program does 
not apply to A.M.-settled, European-style Standard & Poor's 
(``S&P'') 500 Index options and Quarterly Index Expiration options 
on the S&P 500.
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    Subject to the maximum number of exempt option contracts allowed 
under the Exchanges' broad-based index option hedge exemption 
programs,\10\ the broad-based index option hedge exemption applies to 
positions in broad-based index options to the extent that the 
underlying value of the option positions does not exceed the unhedged 
value of the qualified portfolio. The unhedged value is determined as 
follows: (1) The value of the net long or short positions for each of 
the stocks or their equivalents are totaled; and (2) the value of (a) 
any opposite side of the market calls and puts in broad-based index 
options, (b) any opposite side of the market positions in stock index 
futures, and (c) any economically equivalent opposite side of the 
market positions in other stock index options and in options on stock 
index futures, is subtracted from the total.

    \10\ See note 5, supra.
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    Under the broad-based index option hedge exemption programs, hedge 
exemption customers agree to, among other things, establish and 
liquidate options and stock positions or their equivalents in an 
orderly fashion; not establish or liquidate positions in a manner 
calculated to cause unreasonable price fluctuations or unwarranted 
price changes; not establish or liquidate a stock position or its 
equivalent contemporaneously with the establishment or liquidation of 
an equivalent broad index stock group option position with a view 
toward taking advantage of any differential between the prices of the 
stocks or their equivalents and the options; and liquidate an 
offsetting portion of the options position prior to or 
contemporaneously with any decrease in the available hedge value of the 
qualified portfolio.
    Each of the pilot programs allow the underlying hedged positions to 
include securities that are readily convertible into common stock.\11\ 
Under all of the pilot programs, exercise limits continue to correspond 
to position limits, so that investors are allowed to exercise, during 
five consecutive business days, the number of option contracts set 
forth as the position limit, as well as those contracts purchased 
pursuant to the pilot program.\12\

    \11\ The Commission expects the Exchanges to determine on a 
case-by-case basis whether an instrument that is being used as the 
basis for an underlying hedged position is readily and immediately 
convertible into the security underlying the corresponding option 
position. In this regard, the Commission finds that an instrument 
which will become convertible into a security at a future date, but 
which is not presently convertible, is not a ``convertible'' 
security for purposes of the equity option position limit hedge 
exemption until the date it becomes convertible. In addition, if the 
convertible security used to hedge an options position is called for 
redemption by the issuer, the security would have to be converted 
into the underlying security immediately or the corresponding 
options position reduced accordingly. See, e.g., Securities Exchange 
Act Release No. 32903, supra note 7.
    \12\ Exercise limits prohibit the exercise by an investor or 
group of investors acting in concert of more than the number of 
options contracts specified in the position limit rule within five 
consecutive business days.
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    The Exchanges believe that the proposed rule changes are consistent 
with Section 6(b) of the Act, in general, and further the objectives of 
Section 6(b)(5), in particular, in that they are designed to protect 
investors and the public interest and to remove impediments to and 
perfect the mechanism of a free and open market.
    The Commission finds that the proposed rule changes seeking 
permanent approval of the Exchanges' hedge exemption pilot programs are 
consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange, 
and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b)(5) thereunder.\13\ 
The Commission concludes, as it did when originally approving each of 
the pilot programs, that providing for increased position and exercise 
limits for equity options and broad-based stock index options in 
circumstances where those excess positions are fully hedged with 
offsetting stock positions will provide greater depth and liquidity to 
the market and will allow investors to hedge their stock portfolios 
more effectively, [[Page 27575]] without significantly increasing 
concerns regarding intermarket manipulations or disruptions of either 
the options market or the underlying stock market.

    \13\ 15 U.S.C. Sec. 78f(b)(5) (1988 & Supp. V 1993).
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    In this regard, the Commission notes that the Exchanges' hedge 
exemption programs have operated on a pilot basis since 1988 and that 
the Exchanges have not experienced any significant difficulties with 
the pilots since their inception or observed any market disruptions 
resulting from the increased positions. In addition, the Exchanges have 
submitted reports to the Commission describing, among other things, the 
frequency with which the exemptions have been utilized, the types of 
investors using the exemptions, the size of the positions assumed 
pursuant to the programs, and the market impact of the programs. The 
reports indicate that the Exchanges have not observed any negative 
impact on their markets as a result of the hedge exemption programs. 
Finally, the Exchanges have established surveillance procedures 
designed to monitor compliance with the position limit hedge exemption 
programs. The Commission expects the Exchanges to continue to monitor 
utilization of the hedge exemptions to ensure compliance with the 
programs' requirements.
    With regard to the equity option hedge exemption, the Commission 
believes, as it has concluded in the past,\14\ that the exemption will 
not disrupt the options or equity markets or substantially increase the 
possibility of manipulation in the underlying stocks or options. In 
this regard, the Commission notes that the position and exercise limit 
exemption is limited to accounts that have established one of four 
hedged positions. Moreover, market disruption concerns are lessened 
because any option positions in excess of current position limits must 
be hedged fully with an offsetting stock position on a one-for-one 
basis; thus, the holder of the options position would not be required 
to enter the market to buy or sell the stock if the options were 
exercised or assigned. The Commission also believes that a maximum 
position of double the existing position and exercise limits will help 
to ensure that any potential market disruptions are minimal.

    \14\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 25738, supra note 
6.
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    With regard to the broad-based index option hedge exemption 
programs, the Commission believes, as it has concluded previously,\15\ 
that the programs will allow more effective hedging of stock portfolios 
and may increase the depth and liquidity of the stock index options 
market. In this regard, public customers with long or short stock 
portfolios (or instruments convertible into such securities) will be 
able to utilize the broad-based index hedge exemption, thereby making 
an alternative hedging technique more available to such customers and 
facilitating their use of index options to hedge their portfolios, 
rather than financially equivalent index futures products.

    \15\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 32903 and 32900, 
supra note 7.
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    As noted above, the broad-based index option hedge exemption 
applies only to public customers and each request for the exemption 
must be specifically approved by the appropriate Exchange. This should 
ensure that the hedges are appropriate for the position being taken and 
in compliance with Exchange rules.
    In addition, the Commission notes that the broad-based index option 
hedge exemptions have additional safeguards that will make it difficult 
to use the exempted positions to disrupt or manipulate the market. In 
this regard, the qualified stock portfolio must be broad-based, and 
correspond in value to the value of the options hedge so that the 
increased positions could not be used in a leveraged manner. Both the 
options and stock positions must be initiated and liquidated in an 
orderly manner. The requirement that a reduction in the options 
position must occur at or before the corresponding reduction in the 
stock portfolio position should ensure that the stock transactions are 
not used to impact the market so as to benefit the options position. 
Moreover, because the exemption may not be used for arbitrage in stock 
baskets and overlying stock index options, the broad-based index option 
hedge exemption should not exacerbate stock market volatility. Finally, 
the Commission notes that the index option hedge exemption applies only 
to options on broad-based indexes, where the potential for manipulation 
is minimal and thus regulatory concerns are decreased.
    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\16\ that the proposed rule changes (SR-Amex-95-13, SR-CBOE-95-13, 
SR-NYSE-95-04, SR-PSE-95-09, and SR-PHLX-95-10) are approved.

    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(1982).
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    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\17\

    \17\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12) (1994).
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Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-12690 Filed 5-23-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M