[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 181 (Monday, September 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50845-50846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24351]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-41856; File No. SR-CBOE-99-49]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the Chicago Board Options
Exchange, Inc. Amending the Market-Maker Surcharge Fee Schedule
September 10, 1999.
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 31, 1999, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc. (``CBOE''
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 the CBOE. The
Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the
proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 Change
The CBOE is proposing to make changes to its fee schedule pursuant
to CBOE Rule 2.40, Market-Maker Surcharge for Brokerage.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 41121 (February 26,
1999), 64 FR 11523 (March 9, 1999) (order approving CBOE Rule 2.40).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 CBOE 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. The CBOE 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
Pursuant to CBOE Rule 2.40, on August 30, 1999, the Equity Floor
Procedure Committee (``Committee'') approved the following fees for the
option classes listed in the chart below. The Order Book Official
Brokerage Rate (per contract) shall be set at $.00 for these option
classes.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ The surcharge will be used to reimburse the Exchange for the
reduction in the Order Book Official brokerage rate (per contract)
from $.20 to $.00 in the relevant option classes. Any remaining
funds generated by the surcharge will be paid to Stationary Floor
Brokers as provided in Exchange Rule 2.40.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market-
maker
Option class surcharge
(per
contract)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
EMC Corporation (EMC)....................................... $0.15
Eastman Kodak Co. (EK)...................................... 0.15
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)..................................... 0.10
------------------------------------------------------------------------
These fees will be effective as of August 31, 1999. Exchange rules
provide that an option be listed for trading on another exchange before
a surcharge fee can be assessed. Since the option classes listed above
have been certified by the Options Clearing Corporation to be listed on
the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc., and were subsequently listed for
trading on August 31, 1999, the CBOE will assess these three surcharges
beginning on that date. The Exchange interprets its rules to allow the
Committee to vote on market-maker surcharges before the relevant option
class has been listed for trading on another exchange. However, CBOE
Rule 2.40 provides that the surcharge may not actually be assessed
until the relevant class has been listed for trading on another
exchange.
These fees will remain in effect until such time as the Committee
or the Board determines to change these fees and file the appropriate
rule change with the Commission.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with
Section 6(b)(4)\5\ of the Act because it is designed to provide for the
equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among
CBOE members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
Written comments on the proposed rule change were neither solicited
nor received.
[[Page 50846]]
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing
for Commission Action
The foregoing rule change establishes or changes a due, fee, or
other charge imposed by the Exchange and, therefore, has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii)\6\ of the Act and
subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\7\ 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 furtherance of the
purposes of the Act.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
\7\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
\8\ In reviewing this proposal, the Commission has considered
the proposal's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital
formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 at the
Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing also will be
available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the
CBOE. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-CBOE-99-49 and should
be submitted by October 12, 1999.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation,
pursuant to delegated authority.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-24351 Filed 9-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M