[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27099-27100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12882]



[[Page 27099]]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-38606; File No. SR-Phlx-97-20]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule 
Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto by the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, 
Inc., Relating to Specialist Wheel Rotation Frequency

May 9, 1997.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on April 24, 1997, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. (``Phlx'' or 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in 
Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the self-
regulatory organization. On May 9, 1997, the Phlx submitted Amendment 
No. 1 to the proposed rule change.\3\ The Commission is publishing this 
notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested 
persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78x(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Letter from Philip H. Becker, Senior Vice President and 
Chief Regulatory Officer, Phlx to Michael Walinskas, Senior Special 
Counsel, Division of Market Regulation, SEC, dated May 8, 1997 
(``Amendment No. 1''). In Amendment No. 1, the Phlx designated File 
No. SR-Phlx-97-20 be submitted pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act, rather than pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A), as originally 
requested.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Phlx proposes to amend Floor Procedure Advice (``Advice'') F-
24, AUTO-X Contra-Party Participation (the ``Wheel''), regarding Wheel 
rotations to the specialist. The Wheel is an automated mechanism for 
assigning floor traders (i.e., specialists and registered options 
traders (``ROTs'')), on a rotating basis, as contra-side participants 
to AUTO-X orders. AUTO-X is the automatic execution feature of the 
Exchange's Automated Options Market (``AUTOM'') system,\4\ which 
provides customers with automatic executions of eligible option orders 
at displayed markets. Currently, the Wheel allocates the first trade of 
every day to the specialist. Thereafter, if four or less ROTs are 
participating on the Wheel, the specialist participates in a normal 
rotation. However, if five or more ROTs have signed-on the Wheel, the 
specialist receives every fifth execution.
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    \4\ AUTOM is an electronic order routing and delivery system for 
option orders.
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    At this time, the Exchange proposes to amend Advice F-24(e) to 
reduce the rotation frequency for the specialist in larger crowds. 
Specifically, if there are, on average, five to 15 Wheel participants 
(including the specialist), the specialist would receive every fifth 
execution, and if there are, on average, 16 or more Wheel participants, 
the specialist would receive every tenth execution. Where the Wheel 
will be set to ``every tenth execution,'' the specialist's rotation 
frequency will thereafter be automatically reduced from every tenth 
execution to a normal, consecutive rotation, when the number of signed-
on Wheel participants becomes less than ten. Thus, where there were 16 
or more Wheel participants on average, once only nine participants are 
signed-on, the specialist rotation frequency drops to a normal 
rotation. In contrast, in trading crowds averaging five to 15 Wheel 
participants, the specialist rotation would be every fifth execution, 
including where there are nine Wheel participants; if this crowd 
dropped to three Wheel participants, the specialist would receive a 
normal rotation (every fourth execution).
    The average number of Wheel participants would be determined, in 
accordance with procedures established by the Exchange, upon 
implementation of this proposal, and adjusted thereafter by request 
from a participant on that Wheel (except where adjusted automatically 
under this proposal, as explained above). Specialist Wheel rotation 
frequency would otherwise carry over from day-to-day. Adjustments would 
become effective as soon as practicable the following trading day 
(allowing staff time to count, input and activate a different rotation 
level). The Exchange may establish procedures and limitations in order 
to reasonably process such requests without impairing Wheel operations, 
based on the availability of regulatory/surveillance and systems staff, 
and with due regard for prevailing market conditions.
    The Exchange also proposes to adopt a new provision into advice F-
24(e) permitting the Options Committee (or its designees) to establish 
a larger minimum Wheel rotation increment than the current two-five-ten 
lot rotation dependent upon the AUTO-X guarantee in that issue, if 
requested by the specialist and Wheel participants. Any such larger 
rotation cannot exceed ten contracts, such that this provision would 
permit rotations of three--ten contracts in specific issues.
    The complete text of the proposed rule change is available at the 
Office of the Secretary, Phlx, and at the Commission..

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization 
included statements concerning the purpose of an basis for the proposed 
rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule 
change. The text of the these statements may be examined at the places 
specified in Item IV below. The self-regulatory organization has 
prepared summaries, set forth in section 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

    The Exchange's Wheel provisions were approved by the Commission in 
1994 as Advice F-24.\5\ The purpose of the Wheel is to increase the 
efficiency and liquidity of order execution through AUTO-X by including 
all floor traders in the automated assignment of contra-parties to 
incoming AUTO-X orders. Previously, only the specialist could be the 
automatic contra-side participant to AUTO-X trades, with ROT 
participation requiring manual intervention by the specialist. The 
Wheel is intended to make AUTO-X more efficient, as contra-side 
participation will be assigned automatically, and no longer entered 
manually. The Wheel is also intended to promote liquidity by including 
ROTs, as opposed to solely Specialists, as a contra-side to AUTO-X 
orders.
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    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 35033 (November 30, 
1994), 59 FR 63152 (December 7, 1994) (SR-Phlx-94-32).
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    The floor-wide roll-out of the Wheel was completed the week of 
April 21, 1997. In November, 1996, the Exchange filed a proposed rule 
change to rotate the Wheel in a two-five-ten lot rotation, depending on 
the size of the AUTO-X guarantee.\6\ As a result of that proposal, 
experience and input from the continued roll-out and an in-depth review 
by the sub-committee and committee processes, an additional change to 
the Wheel procedures is proposed at this time. The proposed change to 
the specialist wheel rotation frequency is intended to address the 
comments and concerns of the membership, including improving the

[[Page 27100]]

efficiency of the Wheel and eliminating a disproportionate allotment to 
the specialist in larger crowds. This proposal specifically addresses 
the issue of specialist rotation frequency raised by commenters on the 
aforementioned proposed rule change.\7\
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    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 37977 (November 25, 
1994), 59 FR 63899 (December 2, 1994) (SR-Phlx-94-32).
    \7\ See SR-Phlx-96-49.
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    Specifically, Advice F-24(e) is proposed to be amended such that 
the specialist would receive every tenth execution, if there are 16 or 
more Wheel participants in a particular issue. As stated above, the 
purpose of this change is to more equitably allocate Wheel 
participation in larger crowds. The Exchange notes that a greater 
participation level for specialists in smaller crowds is currently 
applicable pursuant to Rule 1014(g)(ii) and (iii), the enhanced 
specialist participation provisions.
    The Exchange is also proposing to enable the Options Committee to 
establish a different rotation increment not to exceed ten contracts. 
Currently, as explained above, the Wheel rotates in different 
increments, depending upon the size of the AUTO-X guarantee in that 
issue. For instance, where the AUTO-X guarantee is for one to ten 
contracts, the Wheel rotates in two lot increments, meaning a ten lot 
would be divided in two lots to five Wheel participants. Where the 
AUTO-X guarantee is 11-25 contracts, the Wheel rotates in five lot 
increments, and where the guarantee exceeds 25 contracts (up to the 
maximum permissible 50 contracts), the Wheel rotates in ten lot 
increments. At this time, the Exchange proposes to allow the Wheel to 
rotate in an increment larger than permissible under the current 
framework, but no greater than ten contracts. The Options Committee may 
determine to allow a differing rotation, if requested by the Specialist 
and wheel participants, and following adequate notice to the trading 
floor.
    The purpose of this provision is to improve the efficiency of the 
Wheel by allowing a greater rotation increment, meaning fewer 
participants and reports generated, in specific situations. Certain 
options may be subject to a lower, ten contract guarantee due to the 
high volatility associated with the underlying security(ies), yet, due 
to heavy volume, warrant a larger, more efficient wheel rotation 
increment. Also, very small trading crowds (with few Wheel 
participants) may request a larger rotation increment to reduce the 
number of executions received by each participant, preferring to accept 
larger but more infrequent execution reports. The Exchange believes 
that this provision should improve Wheel efficiency by recognizing that 
the trading patterns and dynamics of trading crowds differ extensively 
across the options floor.
    The Exchange notes that this proposal does not affect the price or 
time of AUTO-X executions. AUTO-X trades receive an automatic execution 
with immediate reporting, and the Wheel determines only the identity of 
the contra-side participant, as opposed to the process, time of price 
of the actual execution.
    For these reasons, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change 
is consistent with Section 6 of the Act \8\ in general, and in 
particular, with Section 6(b)(5), \9\ in that it is designed to promote 
just and equitable principles of trade, remove impediments to and 
perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market 
system, and does not permit unfair discrimination between customers, 
issuers, brokers and dealers, by more fairly allocating Wheel trades to 
specialist in larger crowds.
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    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Phlx does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose 
any inappropriate burden on competition.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others

    Although no written comments were either solicited or received 
specifically on this proposal, the Exchange received a petition dated 
January 20, 1997 generally requesting changes to the Wheel.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    Within 35 days of the 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 
which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
    (A) By order approve the 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. Persons making written submissions 
should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and 
Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 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, NW, 
Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filing will also be available for 
inspection and copying at the principal office of the Phlx. All 
submissions should refer to File No. SR-Phlx-97-20 and should be 
submitted by June 6, 1997.

    For the Commission by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\10\
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    \10\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-12882 Filed 5-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M