[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 56 (Thursday, March 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14763-14766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4182]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-53497; File No. SR-PCX-2005-122]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Pacific Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto Relating to 
Amending Exchange Delisting Rules to Conform to Recent Amendments to 
Commission Rules Regarding Removal From Listing and Withdrawal from 
Registration

March 16, 2006.
    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 October 24, 2005, the Pacific Exchange, Inc. (``PCX'' 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 Exchange.\3\ On 
January

[[Page 14764]]

6, 2006, the Exchange filed Amendent No. 1 to the proposed rule 
change.\4\ The Commission is publishing this notice and order to 
solicit comments on the proposal, as amended, from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ On March 6, 2006, the Exchange filed with the Commission a 
proposed rule change, which was effective upon filing, to change the 
name of the Exchange, as well as several other related entities, to 
reflect the recent acquisition of PCX by Archipelago Holdings, Inc. 
(``Archipelago'') and the merger of NYSE with Archipelago. See File 
No. SR-PCX-2006-24. All references herein have been changed to 
reflect the aforementioned rule change.
    \4\ See letter from David Strandberg, Attorney, PCX, to Nancy J. 
Sanow, Assistant Director, Division of Market Regulation, 
Commission, dated January 5, 2006 (``Amendment No. 1''). In 
Amendment No. 1, PCX made changes to its rule text to clarify that 
the delisting procedures set forth therein apply to instances where 
the Exchange is considering delisting for reasons other than those 
set forth in subsection (a) of Rule 12d2-2.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange, through its wholly-owned subsidiary NYSE Arca 
Equities, Inc., proposes to amend its rules governing the NYSE Arca 
Marketplace, the equities trading facility of NYSE Arca Equities, Inc. 
With this filing, the Exchange proposes to amend its rules to comply 
with new requirements under Commission Rule 12d2-2, as amended \5\ 
(``Rule 12d2-2'') promulgated under Section 12(d) \6\ of the Act. The 
text of the proposed rule change is below. Proposed new language is 
italicized; proposed deletions are in [brackets].
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    \5\ 17 CFR 240.12d2-2.
    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(d).
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* * * * *
    The following version of Rule 5.4(b) shall remain effective until 
April 24, 2006: Rule 5.4(b). No changes.
    The following version of Rule 5.4(b) shall become effective on 
April 24, 2006: Rule 5.4(b). An issuer proposing to withdraw a security 
from listing on the Corporation shall submit to the Corporation a 
certified copy of a resolution adopted by the board of directors of the 
issuer authorizing withdrawal from listing and registrations, [and] a 
[statement setting forth in detail the reasons] letter from an 
authorized officer of the issuer providing the specific reasons cited 
by the board of directors of the issuer for the proposed withdrawal 
[and the facts in support thereof], and a copy of the Form 25 that the 
issuer has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 
accordance with Rule 12d2-2 promulgated under Section 12(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, no later than the date of 
such filing. The issuer may be required, under special circumstances, 
to submit the proposed withdrawal to the shareholders for their vote at 
a meeting for which proxies are solicited provided the security is not 
also listed on another exchange having similar requirements. The 
Corporation, upon receiving written notification of the issuer's intent 
to withdraw its securities from listing and registration, shall post 
notice of such intent on the Exchange's website by the next business 
day and until the delisting becomes effective.
* * * * *
    The following version of Rule 5.5(m) shall remain effective until 
April 24, 2006: Rule 5.5(m). No changes.
    The following version of Rule 5.5(m) shall become effective on 
April 24, 2006: Rule 5.5(m).

Delisting Procedures

    Whenever the Corporation determines that it [is] may be appropriate 
to either suspend dealings in and/or remove securities from listing 
pursuant to Rule 5.3 or Rule 5.5, except for [other than routine] 
reasons specified in subsection (a) of Rule 12d2-2 promulgated under 
Section 12(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended 
(``Exchange Act Rule 12d2-2'') [(e.g., redemptions, maturities, etc.)], 
or violations of Rule 5.3(k)(5) in which case the Corporation shall 
initiate delisting a listed company's securities, it will follow, 
insofar as practicable, the following procedures:

(1) Consideration of Commencement of Delisting Action

    (a) The Corporation shall notify the issuer in writing describing 
the basis on which the Corporation is considering the delisting of the 
company's security. Such notice shall be sent by certified mail and 
shall include the time and place of a meeting to be held by the 
Corporation to hear any reasons why the issuer believes its security 
should not be delisted. Generally, the issuer will be notified at least 
three (3) weeks prior to the meeting and will be requested to submit a 
written response.
    [(2)] (b) If, after such meeting, the Corporation determines that 
the security should be delisted, the Corporation shall notify the 
issuer [by telephone] in writing (if possible, the same day of the 
meeting) [and in writing] of the delisting decision and the basis 
thereof. The written notice will also inform the issuer that it may 
appeal the decision to the Board of Directors and request a hearing.
    [(3)] (c) Concurrent with the Corporation's decision to delist the 
issuer's security, the Corporation will prepare a press announcement, 
which will be disseminated to the Market Makers and the investing 
public no later than the opening of trading the business day following 
the Corporation's decision (the Securities Qualification Department 
will also distribute the information to the ETP Holders). Accordingly, 
the suspension of trading in the issuer's security will become 
effective at the opening of business on the day following the 
Corporation's decision.

(2) Appeal Procedures

    [(4)] (a) If the issuer requests an appeal hearing, it must file 
its request along with (i) a $2,500 delisting appeal fee and (ii) an 
answer to the causes specified by the Corporation with the Secretary of 
the Corporation no later than five (5) business days following service 
of notice of the proposed delisting. If the issuer does not request a 
hearing within the specified period of time, or it does not submit the 
$2,500 fee to the Corporation in the form and manner prescribed, the 
Corporation will submit an application to the Securities and Exchange 
Commission to strike the security from list of companies listed on the 
Corporation. The Corporation will furnish a copy of such application to 
the issuer in accordance with Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934 and the Rules promulgated thereunder.
    [(5)] (b) If a request for a hearing is made and the requirements 
of Rule 5.5(m)[(4)](2)(a) are met within the time specified, the issuer 
will be entitled to an appeal hearing and the Corporation will provide 
the issuer at least fifteen (15) business days notice of the time and 
place of the hearing.
    [(6)] (c) The hearing shall be held before the Board Appeals 
Committee appointed by the Board of Directors for such purpose. Only 
those members of the Board Appeals Committee who attend the hearing may 
vote with respect to any decisions the Committee may make.
    [(7)] (d) Any documents or other written material the issuer wishes 
to consider should be submitted to the appropriate office of the 
Corporation at least five (5) business days prior to the date of the 
hearing.
    [(8)] (e) At the hearing, the issuer must prove its case by 
presenting testimony, evidence, and argument to the Board Appeals 
Committee. The form and manner in which the actual hearing will be 
conducted will be established by the Board Appeals Committee so as to 
assure the orderly conduct of the proceeding. At the hearing, the Board 
Appeals Committee may require the issuer to furnish additional written 
information that has come to its attention.
    [(9)] (f) After the conclusion of the proceeding, the Board Appeals 
Committee shall make its decision. The decision of the Board Appeals 
Committee shall be in writing with one

[[Page 14765]]

copy served upon the issuer and the second copy filed with the 
Secretary of the Corporation. Such decision shall be final and 
conclusive. If the decision is that the security should be removed from 
listing, the Corporation shall follow the procedures set forth below. 
If the decision is that the security should not be removed from 
listing, the issuer shall receive a notice to that effect from the 
Corporation.
    (3) Public Notice of Delisting Action. If the final decision is 
that the security of the issuer is to be removed from listing, then, no 
fewer than ten (10) days before the delisting becomes effective: (a) an 
application on Form 25 shall be submitted by the Corporation to the 
Securities and Exchange Commission to strike the security from listing 
and registration in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 12d2-2, [and] (b) 
a copy of such application shall be provided to the issuer in 
accordance with [Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 
the Rules promulgated thereunder] Exchange Act Rule 12d2-2, and (c) 
public notice of the Corporation's final determination to delist the 
security shall be made via a press release and posting on the 
Corporation's website until the delisting is effective. [If the 
decision is that the security should not be removed from listing, the 
issuer shall receive a notice to that effect from the Corporation.]
* * * * *

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 Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change, as 
amended. The text of these statements may be examined at the places 
specified in Item IV below. The Exchange 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
    NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.4(b) sets forth the Exchange procedures 
that apply when an issuer proposes to withdraw a security from listing 
on the Exchange. Rule 5.5(m) provides the applicable procedures when 
the Exchange considers removing securities from listing. The Exchange 
proposes to amend NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.4(b) and NYSE Arca Equities 
Rule 5.5(m) to comply with new requirements under Rule 12d2-2 and to 
otherwise clarify the Exchange's withdrawal and delisting procedures. 
The Exchange will implement the proposed rule change immediately upon 
approval by the Commission.
    The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.4(b) to 
comply with new requirements under Rule 12d2-2 relating to voluntary 
delistings by issuers.\7\ Specifically, the Exchange proposes to amend 
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.4(b) to provide that an issuer proposing to 
withdraw a security from listing on the Exchange shall submit to the 
Exchange a copy of the Form 25 that the issuer has filed with the 
Commission in accordance with Rule 12d2-2 no later than the date of 
such filing. Further, the Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Arca Equities 
Rule 5.4(b) to provide that the Exchange, upon receiving notification 
by an issuer of its intent to withdraw its securities from listing and 
registration, will post notice of such intent on the Exchange's Web 
site by the next business day and will continue to post the notice 
until the delisting becomes effective.
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    \7\ Rule 12d2-2(c)(2)(iii) and (c)(3).
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    In addition, the Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Arca Equities Rule 
5.4(b) to clarify that the issuer, when proposing to withdraw its 
securities from listing and registration, must submit to the Exchange a 
``letter from an authorized officer of the issuer providing the 
specific reasons cited by the board of directors of the issuer for the 
proposed withdrawal,'' rather than a ``statement setting forth in 
detail the reasons for the proposed withdrawal and the facts in support 
thereof.'' The Exchange wishes to make this clarification because it 
has received several inquiries from issuers on this particular part of 
the rule.
    The Exchange also proposes to amend NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.5(m) 
to comply with new requirements under Rule 12d2-2 relating to the 
delisting procedures that apply when the Exchange determines that it 
may be appropriate to remove securities from listing.\8\ Specifically, 
the Exchange proposes new Rule 5.5(m)(3) to provide that, in the event 
the Exchange makes a final decision to remove the security of an issuer 
from listing, the Exchange will take the following actions, no fewer 
than ten (10) days before the delisting becomes effective: (i) An 
application on Form 25 will be submitted by the Exchange to the 
Commission to strike the security from listing and registration in 
accordance with Rule 12d2-2; (ii) a copy of such application will be 
provided to the issuer in accordance with Rule 12d2-2; and (iii) public 
notice of the Exchange's final determination to delist the security 
will be made via a press release and posting on the Exchange's website 
until the delisting is effective. In connection with this proposed 
change, the Exchange also proposes to make reference to the above 
public notice procedures in the appeal procedures discussion in new 
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.5(m)(2)(f).
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    \8\ Rule 12d2-2(b).
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    The Exchange also proposes to amend NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.5(m) 
to make certain clarifications. In the introductory paragraph of the 
Rule, the Exchange proposes to clarify that the delisting procedures 
set forth therein apply to instances where the Exchange is considering 
delisting for reasons other than those set forth in subsection (a) of 
Rule 12d2-2. In addition, the Exchange proposes to include headings in 
the Rule that clarify that the delisting procedures apply: (i) When the 
Exchange is considering commencement of delisting action, (ii) when an 
issuer chooses to appeal the Exchange's initial determination and, 
(iii) when the Exchange takes final delisting action. In addition, the 
Exchange proposes to clarify in NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.5(m)(1)(b) 
that the Exchange, when considering commencement of delisting action, 
will notify the issuer in writing, if possible, the same day of the 
meeting, rather than by telephone. The Exchange proposes this 
clarification because it is in accordance with the Exchange's current 
practices.
2. Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change, as amended, is 
consistent with Section 6(b) \9\ of the Act, in general, and furthers 
the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),\10\ in particular, because it is 
designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating 
transactions in securities, and to remove impediments and perfect the 
mechanisms of a free and open market and to protect investors and the 
public interest.
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    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \10\ 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, as 
amended, will impose any burden on competition

[[Page 14766]]

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, as amended, were 
neither solicited nor received.

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

    Within 35 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 90 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 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, as amended, is consistent with the Act. Comments may be 
submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an e-mail to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-PCX-2005-122 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
    All submissions should refer to File Number SR-PCX-2005-122. This 
file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. 
To help the Commission process and review your comments more 
efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all 
comments on the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). 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 such 
filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the 
principal offices of the NYSE Arca, Inc. All comments received will be 
posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal 
identifying information from submissions. You should submit only 
information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions 
should refer to File Number SR-PCX-2005-122 and should be submitted on 
or before April 13, 2006.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.
Nancy M. Morris,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6-4182 Filed 3-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P