[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 178 (Tuesday, September 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49375-49377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24638]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-40408; File No. SR-CHX-98-20]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing of and Order 
Granting Accelerated Approval to Proposed Rule Change by The Chicago 
Stock Exchange, Incorporated Relating to a Policy of the Specialist 
Assignment and Evaluation Committee

September 8, 1998.
    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 August 19, 1998, the Chicago Stock Exchange, Incorporated 
(``CHX'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in 
Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. 
The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the 
proposed rule change from interested persons and to grant accelerated 
approval to the proposed rule change.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s (b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of 
Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend Article XXX, Rule 1, Interpretation 
and Policy .01 to extend for another one-year term, until September 8, 
1999, the current pilot program concerning a policy of the Exchange's 
Committee on Specialist Assignment and Evaluation (``CSAE'') relating 
to the time periods for which a co-specialist must trade a security 
before deregistering as the specialist for the security.

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 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 III below. The self-regulatory 
organization has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B and C 
below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

[[Page 49376]]

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

1. Purpose
    On September 8, 1997, the Commission approved a rule change on a 
one-year pilot basis relating to the time periods for which a co-
specialist must trade a security before deregistering as the specialist 
for the security.\3\ The pilot program currently expires on September 
8, 1998. In accordance with the Commission's order approving the pilot 
program, the Exchange submitted a report to the Commission describing 
its experience with the pilot program.\4\ The purpose of the proposed 
rule change is to extend the pilot program for another one-year term to 
allow the Exchange to further review the operation of the time periods 
for which a co-specialist must trade a security before deregistering as 
the specialist for the security.
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    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 39028 (September 8, 
1997), 62 FR 48329. On November 21, 1997, the Commission approved a 
rule change that amended and clarified certain time periods of the 
pilot program. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 39342 
(November 21, 1997), 62 FR 63578.
    \4\ See Letter from Daniel J. Liberti, Chicago Stock Exchange, 
to Katherine England, SEC, dated July 23, 1998.
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    The Exchange's CSAE is responsible for, among other things, 
appointing specialists and co-specialists \5\ and conducting 
deregistration proceedings in accordance with Article XXX of the 
Exchange's rules.\6\ Seven circumstances may lead to the need for 
assignment or reassignment of a security.\7\ One such circumstance is 
by specialist request.
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    \5\ A specialist is a ``unit'' or organization which has 
registered as such with the Exchange under Article XXX, Rule 1. A 
co-specialist is an individual who has registered as such under 
Article XXX, Rule 1. See CHX Rules, Article XXX, Rule 1, 
Interpretation and Policy. 01.4(a).
    \6\ CHX Rules, Article IV, Rule 4.
    \7\ CHX Rules, Article XXX, Rule 1, Interpretation and Policy 
.01.
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    Currently, the CSAE ``will initiate a re-assignment proceeding if 
it believes that such action is called for.''\8\ Using this standard, 
the CSAE's policy under the current one-year pilot program is as 
follows.\9\
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    \8\ CHX Rules, Article XXX, Rule 1, Interpretation and Policy 
.01.2.
    \9\ As explained in Securities Exchange Act Release No. 39028, 
supra note 3, the Exchange intended to have the new policy apply 
anytime there will not be another specialist assigned to the issue, 
such as if the security was to be returned to the cabinet, put in 
the cabinet for the first time, or traded by a lead primary market 
maker pursuant to CHX Rules, Article XXXIV, Rule 3. Cabinet 
securities are those securities which the Board of Governors 
designates to be traded in the cabinet system because, in the 
judgment of the Board such securities do not trade with sufficient 
frequency to warrant their retention in the specialist system. See 
CHX Rules, Article XXVIII, Rule 6. For a more detailed explanation 
of the operation of the cabinet system, see CHX Rules, Article XX, 
Rule 11.
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    For a security that was awarded to a co-specialist in competition, 
\10\ such co-specialist is required to trade the security awarded in 
competition for one year before being able to deregister in the 
security if no other specialist will be assigned to the security after 
posting.\11\ Generally, two years must elapse before an intra-firm 
transfer of the issue (i.e., a transfer of the issue to another co-
specialist in the same specialist unit) is permitted without posting. 
However, the specialist unit has the opportunity to transfer the 
security intra-firm after one year if it agrees to have the security 
posted after one year has elapsed to permit other specialist units or 
co-specialists to apply to trade the issue.
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    \10\ In this context, ``in competition'' means that more than 
one specialist had applied to be the specialist in the issue.
    \11\ In this context, posting means that all specialists are put 
on notice that the security in question is available for 
reassignment. See CHX Rules, Article XXX, Rule 1.
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    For a security that was awarded to a co-specialist without 
competition, such co-specialist is required to trade the security 
awarded without competition for a three month period before being able 
to deregister in the security if no other specialist will be assigned 
to the security after posting. No minimum time period is required to 
elapse before an intra-firm transfer is normally permitted.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \12\ in that it is designed to promote 
just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and to 
perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market 
system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
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    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose a burden on competition.

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

    No comments were solicited or received.

III. 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 Room. Copies of the filing also will be 
available for inspection and copying at the Exchange. All submissions 
should refer to file number SR-CHX-98-20 and should be submitted by 
October 6, 1998.

IV. Commission's Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval 
of Proposed Rule Change

    The Commission has carefully reviewed CHX's proposed rule change 
and believes, for the reasons set forth below, the proposal is 
consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange, 
and, in particular, with the requirements of Section 6(b) \13\ in that 
it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and 
practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove 
impediments to and protect the mechanism of a free and open market, and 
to protect investors and the public interest.\14\
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    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \14\ In approving this rule, the Commission notes that it has 
considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, 
and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
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    The Commission believes that approving the proposed rule change to 
extend for another one-year term, until September 8, 1999, the pilot 
program relating to the time periods for which a co-specialist must 
trade a security before deregistering as the specialist for the 
security is reasonable under the Act because it will serve to protect 
investors and the public interest by allowing the CHX additional time 
to collect data on the program's effectiveness and to determine whether 
any modifications are necessary.
    The Commission believes that the pilot policy, as modified, should 
result in a reasonable balance between the interests of consistency and 
continuity with respect to the trading of an issue by a particular 
specialist and that of a

[[Page 49377]]

specialist in having the flexibility to deregister in an unprofitable 
issue. Under the pilot program, for a security that was awarded to a 
co-specialist in competition, the co-specialist is required to trade 
the security awarded in competition for one year before being able to 
deregister in the security if no other specialist will be assigned to 
the security after posting. Generally, two years must elapse before an 
intra-firm transfer of the issue (i.e., a transfer of the issue to 
another co-specialist in the same specialist unit) is permitted without 
posting. However, the specialist unit has the opportunity to transfer 
the security intra-firm after one year has elapsed if it agrees to have 
the security posted to permit other specialist units or co-specialists 
to apply to trade the issue.
    For a security that was awarded to a co-specialist without 
competition, such co-specialist is required to trade the security 
awarded without competition for a three month period before being able 
to deregister in the security if no other specialist will be assigned 
to the security after posting. No minimum time period is required to 
elapse before an intra-firm transfer is normally permitted.
    Overall, the Commission believes that the pilot policy may 
encourage CHX specialists to register in additional securities that 
might otherwise remain in the cabinet. This, in turn, could add to the 
depth and liquidity of the market for additionally listed securities.
    The pilot program is now scheduled to expire on September 8, 1999. 
The Commission requests that the CHX submit a report on the 
effectiveness of the pilot program by July 8, 1999. The report should 
state the Exchange's views on the effectiveness of the policy change, 
including, but not limited to, whether there has been an increase in 
the number of specialists or co-specialists who register in additional 
securities. The report should also include data on (1) the rate of 
deregistration at the specialist's request, and (2) the number of 
specialists applying to register in securities that do not have a 
specialist already assigned, and compare that data for the second pilot 
year to the two prior years. In addition, the Commission requests that 
the CHX submit by July 8, 1999, any proposed rule change pursuant to 
Rule 19b-4 under the Act \15\ to further extend or seek permanent 
approval of the pilot program.
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    \15\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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    The Commission believes that there is good cause for approving the 
proposed rule change prior to the thirtieth day after the date of 
publication of notice of filing thereof in the Federal Register. This 
will permit the pilot program to continue without interruption, thereby 
allowing CHX to better assess the effects of the program. In addition, 
the rule change that implemented the pilot program was published in the 
Federal Register for the full comment period and no comments were 
received; and no comments were received with regard to the 
modifications made to the pilot program in November, 1997 which were 
also published in the Federal Register. Finally, the CHX stated in its 
report to the Commission on the pilot program that, in the first year 
of operation of the pilot program, it received no complaints or 
negative feedback regarding the pilot program policy, and there was no 
apparent abuse in the operation of the pilot policy. Accordingly, the 
Commission believes that it is consistent with Sections 6 and 19(b) of 
the Act \16\ to accelerate approval of the proposed rule change.
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    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f and 78s(b)(2).
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    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\17\ that the proposed rule change (SR-CHX-9-20) is hereby approved 
on an accelerated basis.
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    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\18\
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    \18\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-24638 Filed 9-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M