[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2917-2918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-152]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-51004; File No. SR-NASD-2004-140]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Association of Securities 
Dealers, Inc.; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change To Eliminate Entry 
and Application Fees for Exchange-Listed Issuers Transferring Listings 
to Nasdaq

January 10, 2005.
    On September 20, 2004, the National Association of Securities 
Dealers, Inc. (``NASD''), through its subsidiary, The Nasdaq Stock 
Market, Inc. (``Nasdaq''), filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission''), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 
thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule change to eliminate the entry and 
application fees imposed upon issuers listed on a national securities 
exchange that transfer their listings to Nasdaq. The proposed rule 
change was published for comment in the Federal Register on December 3, 
2004.\3\ The Commission received no comments on the proposal. This 
order approves the proposed rule change.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 50740 (November 29, 
2004), 69 FR 70299.
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    Pursuant to this proposed rule change, Nasdaq will eliminate entry 
and application fees for exchange issuers that transfer their listing 
to Nasdaq on or after September 17, 2004. For issuers that have paid 
these fees, Nasdaq will refund the money. These issuers will be subject 
to the same level of annual fees and listing of additional shares fees 
as other Nasdaq issuers. Nasdaq states that it does not anticipate that 
a large number of issuers will change their listing market,\4\ thus 
Nasdaq expects that the proposed rule change will not have a material 
financial impact on Nasdaq. Nasdaq states that the proposed rule change 
will not affect Nasdaq's commitment of resources to its regulatory 
oversight of the listing process or its regulatory programs. More 
specifically, Nasdaq represents that companies that switch their 
listing will be reviewed for compliance with Nasdaq listing standards 
in the same manner as any other company that applies to be listed on 
Nasdaq. Nasdaq will conduct a full and independent review of each 
issuer's compliance with Nasdaq's listing standards.
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    \4\ Nasdaq stated that, as of November 12, 2004, seven issuers 
had become dually listed on Nasdaq. Nasdaq's goal is for these 
issuers to eventually transfer their listings to Nasdaq. See also 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51005, January 10, 2005, re fees 
for dually listed issuers.
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    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 registered securities association \5\ and, 
in particular the requirements of Section 15A of the Act.\6\ The 
Commission finds specifically that the proposed rule change is 
consistent with Section 15A(b)(5) \7\ and 15A(b)(6) \8\ of the Act, 
because while Nasdaq is eliminating certain fees for this group of 
issuers based on Nasdaq's belief that review of their applications will 
not require the same amount of resources as is required to review 
applications of other issuers, Nasdaq will continue to review for and 
enforce compliance with its listing requirements by these issuers. The 
Commission believes that Nasdaq's program may ultimately benefit 
issuers and investors because competition among listing markets has the 
potential to enhance the quality of services that listing markets 
provide.
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    \5\ In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission has 
considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, 
and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3.
    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(5).
    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
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    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\9\ that the proposed rule change (SR-NASD-2004-140) be, and it 
hereby is, approved.
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    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).


[[Page 2918]]


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    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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Jill M. Peterson,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5-152 Filed 1-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P