[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 137 (Monday, July 17, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44088-44089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-18007]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-43023; File No. SR-0CC-99-14]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; 
Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Price Used in 
Calculating Premium Margin

July 11, 2000.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''), \1\ notice is hereby given that on October 26, 1999, The 
Options Clearing Corporation (``OCC'') 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 
primarily by OCC. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit 
comments on the proposed rule change from interested parties.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of 
Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

    The proposed rule change would set an option's marking price at the 
last sale price for purposes of calculating premium margin.

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

    In its filing with the Commission, OCC 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. OCC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections (A), 
(B), and (C) below, of the most significant aspects of these 
statements.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The Commission has notified the text of the summaries 
prepared by OCC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    OCC proposes to amend Rule 601 (relating to margining of equity 
options) and Rule 602 (relating to margining of non-equity options) to 
set marking prices at the last sale price, adjusted to the highest bid 
if the last sale price is below the highest bid or adjusted to the 
lowest offer if the last sale price is above the lowest offer. The 
purpose of the proposed rule change is twofold. First, OCC believes 
that the proposed change results in a more accurate assessment of risk 
and therefore a more appropriate margin requirement. Second, OCC 
believes that the proposed rule change will provide consistency with 
the marking practices of clearing members, the majority of whom are 
believed to use the method currently proposed.
    OCC believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
requirements of Section 17A(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to OCC because the proposed rule 
change will enable OCC to better facilitate the prompt and accurate 
clearance and settlement of securities transactions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    OCC does not believe that the proposed rule change will have any 
impact or impose any burden on competition.

[[Page 44089]]

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

    Written comments relating to the proposed rule change have not yet 
been solicited or received. OCC will notify the Commission of any 
written comments received by OCC.

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

    Within thirty-five days of the date of publication of this notice 
in the Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the 
Commission may designate up to ninety days of such date if it finds 
such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so 
finding or (ii) as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, 
the Commission will:
    (A) By order approve such 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, 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 in the 
Commission's Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filing also will be available for 
inspection and copying at the principal office of OCC. All submissions 
should refer to File No. SR-OCC-99-14 and should be submitted by August 
7, 2000.

    For the Commission by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-18007 Filed 7-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M