[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 207 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54889-54893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-26548]



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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-36390; International Series Release No. 872; File No. 
SR-CBOE-95-39]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Inc.; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change and Notice of Filing and 
Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Amendment No. 1 to a Proposed 
Rule Change Relating to the Listing and Trading of Options and Long-
Term Options on the CBOE Germany 25 Index and Long-Term Options on a 
Reduced-Value CBOE Germany 25 Index

October 18, 1995.

I. Introduction

    On August 4, 1995, 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 19b-4 
thereunder,\2\ a proposal to list and trade on the Exchange cash-
settled, European-style \3\ stock index options on the Germany 25 
Index. The Index is a capitalization-weighted index of 25 German blue-
chip equities listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (``FSE''). The 
proposed rule change was published for comment and appeared in the 
Federal Register on August 28, 1995.\4\ The CBOE filed Amendment No. 1 
to its proposal on October 13, 1995.\5\ No comments were received 
regarding the CBOE's proposal.

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1) (1988).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4 (1994).
    \3\ European-style options may only be exercised during a 
specified period before the options expire.
    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 36125 (August 18, 
1995), 60 FR 44526.
    \5\ Letter from Eileen Smith, Director, Product Development, 
Research Department, CBOE, to Michael Walinskas, Branch Chief, 
Office of Market Supervision, Division of Market Regulation, 
Commission, dated October 13, 1995 (``Amendment No. 1''). In 
Amendment No. 1, the CBOE provides information regarding the 
industries represented in the Index, IBIS average daily trading 
volume, and dissemination. Amendment No. 1 also states that if the 
weight of any one industry group exceeds 50% of the total weight of 
the Index, the Exchange will immediately notify Commission staff; 
and that the CBOE will not remove a component of the Index between 
annual reviews unless it becomes necessary (generally due to 
bankruptcy, delisting, takeover, or merger. Id.
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II. Description of the Proposal

A. General

    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to permit the Exchange 
to list and trade cash-settled, European-style stock index options on 
the Germany 25 Index. The Index is a capitalization-weighted index of 
25 German blue-chip equities listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange 
(``FSE''). The Exchange represents that options on the Index will 
provide investors with a low-cost means of participating in the German 
economy and hedging against the risk of investing in that economy.

B. Index Design

    The 25 stocks that comprise the Germany 25 Index were selected by 
the CBOE for their high market capitalization and high degree of 
liquidity. According to the Exchange, the Index stocks are drawn from a 
broad base of industries and are representative of the industrial 
composition of the German equity market. Specifically, the Index 
components are the top 25 German stocks by market capitalization 
excluding: (1) Stocks with an average daily volume of less than 50,000 
shares per day over the past six months; and (2) preferred stock of an 
issuer if that issuer also has publicly-traded common stock. The Index 
will be reviewed annually by that CBOE at the end of May each year and 
any composition changes resulting from that review will be implemented 
after the June expiration in that year.
    The Germany 25 Index is weighted by the capitalization (market 
value) of the component stocks. The capitalization of a particular 
stock in the Index is calculated by multiplying the listed shares 
(including common, preferred, and treasury shares) by the price of the 
stock.\6\

    \6\ The Commission notes that this varies from the method used 
to calculate the values of domestic capitalization-weighted indexes, 
such as the S&P 100 Index. For such domestic indexes, values are 
determined based solely on the outstanding shares of common stock of 
each component in the indexes.
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    On June 30, 1995, the 25 stocks in the Index ranged in 
capitalization from DM 3.656 billion (US$2.648 billion) \7\ to DM 
51.642 billion (US$37.408 billion). The total capitalization of the 
stocks in the index on that date was DM 399.101 billion (US$289.099 
billion); the mean capitalization was DM 15.964 billion (US$11.564 
billion) and the median capitalization was DM 11.144 billion (US$8.072 
billion). The largest stock by capitalization (Allianz AG Holdings) 
accounted for 12.94% of the total weighting of the Index, while the 
smallest (Kaufhof) accounted for 0.92%. The top five stocks accounted 
for 44.56% of the total weighting on that date.

    \7\ The CBOE represents that the dollar values used herein are 
based on a German mark/U.S. dollar exchange rate of 1.3805 marks per 
U.S. dollar prevailing on June 30, 1995.
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    For the period from January 1, 1995 through June 30, 1995, average 
daily volume in individual Germany 25 Index component stocks ranged 
from a low of approximately 87,629 shares to a high of 2.532 million 
shares traded per day, with a mean daily trading volume for all the 
stocks in the Index during that period of 523,501 shares traded per 
day.
    The Exchange represents that the Index is composed of ten (10) 
broad industry groupings, including chemicals, automobile and insurance 
companies, among others, which reflect the industry composition of the 
German equity market.

C. Calculation

    The CBOE states that the Germany 25 Index will reflect changes in 
the capitalization of the component stocks relative to the 
capitalization on a base date. The base date for the Index is June 30, 
1995, at which time the Index was given a value of 200 by the CBOE. The 
Index value of 200 was reached by multiplying the price of each stock 
by the number of listed shares (including common, preferred, and 
treasury),\8\ obtaining the sum of these values of all component 
stocks, and then dividing by a divisor determined to give the Index a 
value of 200. The CBOE states that it will calculate and disseminate 
the Germany 25 Idex, based on the most recent closing prices of the 
component stocks as reported by the FSE, each day prior to the opening 
of trading in the United States.\9\ It is anticipated that at least 
several information vendors will make this information available 
throughout the CBOE trading day.

    \8\ See supra note 6 and accompanying text.
    \9\  Amendment No. 1, supra note 5.
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D. Maintenance

    The Index will be maintained and calculated by to Exchange. To 
maintain continuity of the Index, the Exchange 

[[Page 54890]]
will adjust the Index to reflect certain events relating to the 
component stocks. For example, the Exchange will adjust the Index 
divisor to reflect cash dividends paid on the component securities.The 
Exchange will make this adjustment because German companies usually pay 
their dividends only once a year (generally in May or June). In not 
adjusted, the annual dividend payment would result in a significant 
drop in the Index value at the time when the dividends are paid. The 
divisor will be adjusted immediately prior to each ex-dividend date so 
that the Index level will not be affected by the dividend payment. A 
similar adjustment will be made when a company issues new shares for 
which the shareholders have preemptive rights, or when other intra-year 
events such as mergers and spinoffs, occur.
    Between annual reviews, CBOE will not remove a component of the 
Index unless it becomes necessary as a result of significant and 
fundamental changes to such Index component. Generally, such a change 
would include bankruptcy, delisting from the FSE, takeover, or 
merger.\10\ In that case, the next eligible component will be added, 
i.e., the German security with the highest market capitalization not 
then included in the Index that satisfies the criteria set forth above.

    \10\ Amendment No. 1, supra note 5.
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E. Index Option Trading

    In addition to regular Index options, the Exchange may provide for 
the listing of long-term index option series (``LEAPS'') and reduced-
value LEAPS on the Index (``Index LEAPS''). For reduced-value Index 
LEAPS, the underlying value will be computed at one-tenth of the Index 
level. The current and closing index value of reduced-value Index LEAPS 
will, after such initial computation, be rounded to the nearest one-
hundredth.
    The trading hours for options on the Index will be from 8:00 a.m. 
to 3:15 p.m., Chicago time. Currently, the trading hours of the 
Exchange and the FSE do not overlap.\11\ The Exchange, therefore, will 
calculate and disseminate the value of the Index based on the most 
recent closing prices of the component stocks as reported by the FSE. 
After the close of the FSE, however, trading continues in the 25 stocks 
comprising the Index on the FSE's Integrated Stock Exchange Trading and 
Information System (``IBIS'').\12\ The trading hours of IBIS and the 
Exchange currently overlap for the two hour period between 8 a.m. and 
10 a.m., Chicago time. During this two hour period, the Exchange will 
continuously calculate and disseminate every 15 seconds an 
``indicative'' Germany 25 Index level based on the most recent prices 
of the component stocks as reported by IBIS.\13\ When Trading on IBIS 
has concluded (10 a.m. Chicago time), the Exchange will disseminate the 
last ``indicative'' Index level. To avoid any confusion, the 
``indicative'' Index level will have a different ticker symbol from the 
actual Index level.

    \11\ The FSE's trading hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 
Frankfurt time (3:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m., Chicago time).
    \12\ According to the Exchange, the Deutsche Borse AG, the 
holding company for the FSE, states that IBIS is a screen-based 
trading and information system that is available for trading from 
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Frankfurt time (1:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 
Chicago time). The CBOE represents that IBIS, as part of the FSE, is 
subject to the same rules and regulations as floor trading on the 
FSE. According to the Exchange, IBIS began operating in April, 1991.
    \13\ Amendment No. 1, supra note 5. The Exchange intends to 
calculate the ``indicative'' Index with the same method of 
calculation as described above for the actual Index.
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    The option premium values will be quoted in U.S. dollars and 
trading accounts will be denominated in U.S. dollars. For strike prices 
under $200, the Exchange reserves the right to list series in 2\1/2\ 
point intervals.

F. Surveillance

    The Exchange expects to apply its existing index options 
surveillance procedures to Index options. In addition, the CBOE states 
that the German legislature recently adopted new laws regarding insider 
trading that also provide for the creation of an independent regulatory 
authority.\14\ The Exchange understands that these developments will 
facilitate the effective coordination between the Commission and the 
appropriate German regulatory authority of option trading on the 
Germany 25 Index because they will enhance the surveillance of trading 
in the stocks comprising the Index. In addition, the Exchange will 
continue to pursue its own independent agreement with the Deutsche 
Borse AG (the holding company that owns the FSE) and/or the FSE.\15\

    \14\ The Commission notes that this new regulatory body, the 
Bundesaufsichtsamt fur den Wertpapierhandel, was established in 
January 1995.
    \15\ Telephone conversation between Eileen Smith, Director, 
Product Development, Research Department, CBOE, and Brad Ritter, 
Senior Counsel, Office of Market Supervision, Division, Commission, 
on August 8, 1995.
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G. Exercise and Settlement

    The proposed options on the Index will expire on the Saturday 
following the third Friday of the expiration month. The Exchange 
intends to list up to three near-term calendar months and three 
additional months at three month intervals.\16\ Trading in the expiring 
contract month will normally cease at 3:15 p.m. (Chicago time) on the 
immediately preceding Thursday, unless a holiday occurs. The exercise 
settlement value of the Index at option expiration will be calculated 
by the Exchange on the day following the last day of trading in the 
expiring contracts. The exercise settlement value of Index options at 
expiration will be determined at the close of the regular Friday 
trading sessions at the FSE in Germany, ordinarily at 1:30 p.m., 
Frankfurt time (6:30 a.m., Chicago time), i.e., values of component 
stocks disseminated through IBIS will not be used in calculating the 
settlement values for Index options or Index LEAPS.\17\ If an Index 
stock does not open for trading at the FSE, the last available price on 
the FSE of the stock will be used in the calculation of the value of 
the Index. When expirations are moved in accordance with Exchange 
holidays, such as when the CBOE is closed on the Friday before 
expiration, the last trading day for expiring options will be Wednesday 
and the exercise settlement value of Index options at expiration will 
be determined at the close of the regular Thursday trading sessions at 
the FSE in Germany even if the FSE is open on Friday. If the FSE will 
be closed on the Friday before expiration but the CBOE will not, the 
last trading day for expiring Index options and Index LEAPS will be 
Wednesday.\18\

    \16\ Telephone Conversation between Scott Lyden, Senior Research 
Analyst, CBOE, and Francois Mazur, Attorney, Office of market 
Supervision, Division of Market Regulation, Commission, on October 
17, 1995 (``October 17 Telephone Conversation'').
    \17\ Id.
    \18\ In this circumstance, the CBOE will issue a notice to 
members informing them that the last trading day for Index options 
and Index LEAPS will be on Wednesday even though the CBOE will be 
open on expiration Friday. Id.
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H. Position Limits

    The Exchange proposes to establish position limits for options on 
the Index of 50,000 contracts on either side of the market, with no 
more than 30,000 contracts in the series with the nearest expiration 
month. The Exchange represents that these limits are roughly 
equivalent, in dollar terms, to the limits applicable to options on 
other approved broad-based indexes. For purposes of determining whether 
given position in full-value and reduced-value Index LEAPS comply with 
applicable position and exercise limits, positions in full-value and 
reduced-value Index LEAPS 

[[Page 54891]]
will be aggregated with positions in the regular Index options. For 
these purposes, ten reduced-value contracts will equal one full-value 
contract.

I. Exchange Rules Applicable

    Except as modified herein, the rules in Chapter XXIV of the CBOE's 
rules applicable to other broad-based index options will be applicable 
to Germany 25 Index options, including Index LEAPS for purposes of 
trading rotations, halts and suspensions, and margin treatment.
    The Exchange states that it has the necessary systems capacity to 
support new series that would result from the introduction of Germany 
25 Index options. The CBOE also states that it has been informed that 
the Options Price Reporting Authority (``OPRA'') has the capacity to 
support such new series.\19\

    \19\ See Letter from Joe Corrigan, Executive Director, OPRA, to 
Eileen Smith, Director, Product Development, Research Department, 
CBOE, dated November 21, 1994 (``OPRA Letter'').
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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, and, in 
particular, the requirements of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act.\20\ The 
Commission finds that the trading of options on the Index will permit 
investors to participate in the price movements of the 25 German equity 
securities on which the Index is based. The Commission also believes 
that the trading of options on the Index will allow investors holding 
positions in some or all of the securities underlying the Index to 
hedge the risks associated with their portfolios. Accordingly, the 
Commission believes that Germany 25 Index options will provide 
investors with an important trading and hedging mechanism that should 
reflect accurately the overall movement of German equity securities. By 
broadening the hedging and investment opportunities of investors, the 
Commission believes that the trading of Index options will serve to 
protect investors, promote the public interest, and contribute to the 
maintenance of fair and orderly markets.\21\

    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5) (1988).
    \21\ Pursuant to Section 6(b)(5) of the Act, the Commission must 
predicate approval of any new option or warrant proposal upon a 
finding that the introduction of such new derivative instrument is 
in the public interest. Such a finding would be difficult for a 
derivative instrument that served no hedging or other economic 
function, because any benefits that might be derived by market 
participants likely would be outweighed by the potential for 
manipulation, diminished public confidence in the integrity of the 
markets, and other valid regulatory concerns. In this regard, the 
trading of listed options or warrants on the Index will provide 
investors with a hedging vehicle that should reflect the overall 
movement of the German equity market. The Commission also believes 
that these options will provide investors with a means by which to 
make investment decisions in the German equity market, allowing them 
to establish positions or increase existing positions in German 
stocks in a cost effective manner.
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    The trading of Germany 25 Index options, however, raises several 
issues, including issues related to index design, customer protection, 
surveillance, and market impact. For the reasons discussed below, the 
Commission believes that the CBOE has adequately addressed these 
issues.

A. Index Design and Structure

    The Commission finds that it is appropriate and consistent with the 
Act to classify the Index as broad-based, and therefore to permit 
Exchange rules applicable to the trading of broad-based index options 
to apply to Index options.\22\ First, the Index consists of 25 actively 
traded German securities. Second, the total capitalization of the 
Index, as of June 30, 1995, was US$399.101 billion, with the market 
values of the individual stocks in the Index ranging from a high of 
US$37.408 billion to a low of US$2.648 billion, with a median value of 
US$8.072 billion. Third, the Index reflects the various sectors of the 
German equities market, and includes stocks of companies from a broad 
range of industries, and no industry segment comprises more than 20% of 
the Index's total value.\23\ Fourth, as of June 30, 1995, no single 
stock comprised more than 12.94% of the Index's total value, and the 
percentage weighting of the five largest issues in the Index accounted 
for only 44.56% of the Index. Fifth, the Index selection and 
maintenance criteria will serve to ensure that the Index continues to 
reflect the 25 most highly capitalized German stocks. Accordingly, the 
Commission believes it is appropriate to classify the Index as broad-
based.

    \22\ In addition, the basic character of the reduced-value 
Germany 25 Index, which is comprised of the same component 
securities as the Germany 25 Index, and calculated by dividing the 
Germany 25 Index by ten, is essentially identical to the Germany 25 
Index.
    \23\ See supra Section II.B. The Exchange has stated that if at 
any time the weight of any one industry group exceeds 50% of the 
total weight of the Index, it will notify Commission staff 
immediately. Amendment No. 1, supra note 5.
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    The Commission believes that the general broad diversification of 
the Index component stocks, as well as their high capitalizations and 
liquid markets, significantly minimize the potential for manipulation 
of the Index. First, as discussed above, the Index represents a broad 
cross-section of highly capitalized German stocks, with no single 
industry group or stock dominating the Index. Second, the stocks that 
comprise the Index are actively traded.\24\ Third, the Commission 
believes that the Index selection and maintenance criteria will serve 
to ensure that the Index continues to represent stocks with high 
capitalizations and trading volumes. Fourth, the Exchange has proposed 
position and exercise limits for the Index options that are consistent 
with other broad-based index options. Accordingly, the Commission 
believes it is unlikely that attempted manipulations of the prices of 
the Index components would affect significantly the Index's value.

    \24\ See supra Section II.B.
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    In addition, because only one of the Index component stocks is 
traded in the United States as a National Market System security,\25\ 
and the primary market for component stocks is closed throughout the 
CBOE's trading day, the Commission believes it is reasonable and 
appropriate for the Exchange to begin trading Index options at 8 a.m. 
(Chicago Time).

    \25\ Currently, Daimler-Benz AG is traded in the United States 
as an American Depositary Receipt. October 17 Telephone 
Conversation, supra note 16.
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B. Customer Protection

    The Commission believes that a regulatory system designed to 
protect public customers must be in place before the trading of 
sophisticated financial instruments, such as Index options (including 
full-value and reduced value Index LEAPS), can commence on a national 
securities exchange. The Commission notes that the trading of 
standardized exchange-traded options occurs in an environment that is 
designed to ensure, among other things, that: (1) the special risks of 
options are disclosed to public customers; (2) only investors capable 
of evaluating and bearing the risk of options trading are engaged in 
such trading; and (3) special compliance procedures are applicable to 
options accounts. Accordingly, because the Index options and Index 
LEAPS will be subject to the same regulatory regime as the other 
standardized options traded on the CBOE, the Commission believes that 
adequate safeguards are in place to ensure the protection of investors 
in Index options and Index LEAPS.

C. Surveillance

    As a general matter, the Commission believes that comprehensive 
surveillance sharing agreements between the relevant foreign and 

[[Page 54892]]
domestic exchanges are important where an index derivative product 
comprised of foreign securities is to be traded in the United 
States.\26\ In most cases, in the absence of such a comprehensive 
surveillance sharing agreement, the Commission believes that it would 
not be possible to conclude that a derivative product, such as a 
Germany 25 Index option, was not readily susceptible to manipulation.

    \26\ A comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement would allow 
the parties to the agreement to obtain relevant surveillance 
information, including, among other things, the identity of the 
purchasers and sellers of securities underlying the derivative 
product.
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    With regard to the CBOE proposal, the Commission understands that 
the CBOE has been attempting to secure such a surveillance sharing 
agreement with the relevant German market.\27\ The Commission would 
prefer that a comprehensive surveillance agreement be in place, and 
believes that such agreements play a particularly important role in 
ensuring the integrity of global securities markets. Even in the 
absence of an agreement, however, the Commission does not believe that 
the Exchange's proposal should continue to be detained pending the 
conclusion of negotiations when an alternative with respect to 
obtaining surveillance information exists for the Germany 25 Index 
products. Specifically, the U.S. Department of State and the German 
Foreign Office have exchanged Diplomatic Notes that provide a framework 
for mutual assistance in investigatory and regulatory matters 
(``Diplomatic Notes'').\28\ The Diplomatic Notes confirm that the 
Commission is qualified to obtain assistance through the German 
Ministry of Justice under German law. Based on the existence of the 
Diplomatic Notes, the Commission believes that the German governmental 
authorities are committed to assistance in addressing cross-border 
fraud. In addition, the Commission could obtain from the German 
Ministry of Justice (and vice versa) information similar to that which 
would be available in the event that a comprehensive surveillance 
sharing agreement were executed between the FSE and the CBOE with 
respect to transactions in FSE-traded stocks related to Germany 25 
Index options transactions on the CBOE.\29\ While this arrangement 
would certainly be enhanced by the existence of comprehensive 
surveillance sharing agreements, it is nonetheless consistent with 
other instances where the Commission has explored alternatives to 
direct exchange-to-exchange surveillance sharing agreements where the 
relevant foreign exchange was unwilling or unable to enter into a 
comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement.\30\

    \27\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 36070 (August 9, 
1995), 60 FR 42205.
    \28\ See International Series Release No. 691, 1994 SEC LEXIS 
2324 (July 22, 1994).
    \29\ It is the Commission's expectation that this information 
would include transaction, clearing, and customer information 
necessary to conduct an investigation relating to trading of Index 
options or components of the Index.
    \30\ See, e.g., Letter to David R. Merrill, Deputy General 
Counsel, CFTC, from Brandon Becker, Director, Division, Commission, 
dated April 20, 1994 (Commission comment letter to the CFTC 
regarding the offer by the Osaka Securities Exchange of futures 
contracts based on the Nikkei 300 Index to U.S. persons), and letter 
to Joanne T. Medero, General Counsel, CFTC, from William H. Heyman, 
Director, Division, Commission, dated January 16, 1992 (Commission 
comment letter to the CFTC regarding the offers by the Osaka Stock 
Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange of futures contracts based on 
the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX Indexes to U.S. persons).
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    In addition, the Commission notes that there are factors relating 
to the computation of the Germany 25 Index that further support 
reliance on arrangements other than direct exchange-to-exchange 
surveillance agreements. Specifically, the size of the market for the 
securities underlying the Germany 25 Index makes it less likely that 
the proposed Index warrants are readily susceptible to 
manipulation.\31\ For example, as of June 30, 1995, the market 
capitalization of the securities in the Index ranged from a low of 
approximately U.S. $2.648 billion to a high of approximately U.S. 
$37.408 billion, and the average trading volume for individual Index 
component securities during the period from January 1995 to June 1995 
ranged from a low of 87,629 shares per day to a high of over 2.5 
million shares per day.

    \31\ In evaluating the manipulative potential of a proposed 
index derivative product, as it relates to the securities that 
comprise the index and the index product itself, the Commission has 
considered several factors, including, among others, (1) the number 
of securities contained in the index or group, (2) the 
capitalizations of those securities, (3) the depth and liquidity of 
the group or index, (4) the diversification of the group or index, 
(5) the manner in which the index or group is weighted, and (6) the 
ability to conduct surveillance on the product. See Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 31016 (August 11, 1992), 57 FR 37012 
(August 17, 1992).
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    The Commission continues to believe strongly that the existence of 
comprehensive surveillance sharing agreements between the appropriate 
German entity(ies) and the Exchange would be important measures to 
deter and detect potential manipulations or other improper or illegal 
trading involving Index options. Accordingly, the Commission urges the 
Exchange and the appropriate German entity(ies) to seek formal 
comprehensive surveillance sharing agreements as soon as practicable.

D. Market Impact

    The Commission believes that the listing and trading of Germany 25 
Index options on the CBOE will not adversely affect the underlying 
securities markets.\32\ First, as described above, the Index is broad-
based and comprised of 25 stocks with no one stock or industry group 
dominating the Index. Second, as noted above, the stocks contained in 
the Index all have large capitalizations and are actively traded. 
Third, existing CBOE stock index options rules and surveillance 
procedures will apply to Germany 25 Index options. Fourth, the position 
limits of 50,000 contracts on either side of the market, with no more 
than 30,000 of such contracts in a series in the nearest month 
expiration month, will serve to minimize potential manipulation and 
market impact concerns. Fifth, the risk to investors of contra-party 
non-performance will be minimized because the Index options will be 
issued and guaranteed by The Options Clearing Corporation just like any 
other standardized option traded in the United States.

    \32\ The CBOE has stated that it has the necessary systems 
capacity to support new series that would result from the 
introduction of Germany 25 Index options. In addition, OPRA has 
represented that additional traffic generated by options and LEAPS 
on the Index is within OPRA's capacity. OPRA Letter, supra note 19.
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    The Commission finds good cause for approving Amendment No. 1 prior 
to the thirtieth day after the date of publication of notice of filing 
thereof in the Federal Register. Specifically, Amendment No. 1 states 
that the CBOE will notify Commission staff if the weight of one 
industry group exceeds 50% of the total weight of the Index. Amendment 
No. 1 also provides additional information regarding the composition, 
calculation, and dissemination of the Index. Finally, Amendment No. 1 
clarifies when an Index component may be removed between annual 
reviews. The Commission believes that Amendment No. 1 serves to 
strengthen and clarify the Exchange's original proposal, but does not 
represent a material change that raises regulatory concerns not already 
addressed by the original proposal. Accordingly, the Commission 
believes it is consistent with Sections 6(b)(5) and 19(b)(2) of the Act 
to approve Amendment No. 1 to the proposal on an accelerated basis.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 

[[Page 54893]]
    arguments concerning Amendment No. 1. Persons making written 
submissions should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20549. 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 Section, 450 Fifth Street, 
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such filing will also be 
available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the 
CBOE. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-CBOE-95-39 and should 
be submitted by November 16, 1995.

V. Conclusion

    For the reasons discussed above, the Commission finds that the 
proposal is consistent with the Act, and, in particular, Section 6 of 
the Act.
    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\33\ that the proposed rule change (File No. SR-CBOE-95-39), as 
amended, is approved.

    \33\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2) (1988).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\34\

    \34\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12) (1994).
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Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-26548 Filed 10-25-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M