[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 235 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71007-71010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20716]


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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-54843; File No. SR-NYSE-2006-73]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; 
Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval to a Proposed 
Rule Change and Amendment Nos. 1, 2, and 3 Relating to Block 
Positioning

November 30, 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 September 13, 2006, the New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE'' or 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule

[[Page 71008]]

change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been 
prepared by the NYSE. The NYSE filed Amendment Nos. 1, 2, and 3 to the 
proposal on October 12, 2006, October 13, 2006, and November 28, 2006, 
respectively.\3\ The Commission is publishing this notice and order to 
solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from 
interested persons, and to approve the proposed rule change, as 
amended, on an accelerated basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ Amendment No. 3 replaced the original filing and Amendment 
Nos. 1 and 2 in their entirety. Amendment No. 3 revises the original 
proposal to: (1) Clarify the execution of block cross transactions 
in which all or part of one side of the block is for a member 
organization's own account; (2) clarify that the requirements of 
NYSE Rule 76, ``'Crossing' Orders,'' will not apply to executions 
made in accordance with NYSE Rule 127; and (3) correct errors in the 
text of NYSE Rule 127.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The NYSE proposes to amend NYSE Rule 127, ``Block Positioning,'' to 
revise the procedures governing executions of block cross transactions 
at a price outside the prevailing NYSE quotation. The text of the 
proposed rule change is available on the NYSE's Web site (http://www.nyse.com), at the NYSE's Office of the Secretary, and at the 
Commission's Public Reference Room.

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. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item III 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
    The Exchange is proposing amendments to NYSE Rule 127, which 
governs block cross transactions at a price outside the prevailing NYSE 
quotation. Currently, NYSE Rule 127 provides alternative procedures 
that may be followed by a member organization intending to cross a 
block of stock at a specific clean-up price outside the prevailing NYSE 
quotation. Under the rule, a member organization must inform the 
specialist of its intent to cross block orders at a specific clean-up 
price. The member organization then announces the clean-up price to the 
trading Crowd. If the cross involves only agency orders on each side, 
the member organization fills all orders limited to or better than such 
price, and crosses the remaining shares at the clean-up price. However, 
if the member organization determines that the amount of stock needed 
to trade with such limit orders excessively interferes with the 
proposed block cross, the member organization may inform the trading 
Crowd that it will not be given stock at the clean-up price. After such 
announcement, the member organization bids and offers the full amount 
of the block cross pursuant to NYSE Rule 76.\4\ This provides the Crowd 
with an opportunity to trade with or ``break up'' the crossed orders. 
In this situation, the block is entitled to priority at the clean-up 
price. Additionally, if all or part of one side of the block cross 
transaction will establish or increase the member organization's 
position, the member organization representing the block orders must 
fill at the clean-up price public orders limited to the clean-up price 
or better before any amount may be retained for the member 
organization's account. This is not required when the member 
organization is liquidating a position. NYSE Rule 127 also provides for 
the member organization executing the cross to take into account the 
needs of the specialist in maintaining a market in the stock after the 
block cross transaction.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Under NYSE Rule 76, the member makes an offer higher than 
the clean-up price by the minimum variation permitted in such 
security.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange proposes to simplify the procedures in NYSE Rule 127 
by adopting a single process for all block cross transactions outside 
the Exchange quotation and to make them more similar to the way 
automatic executions and ``sweeps'' occur on the Exchange. In addition, 
the NYSE proposes some minor wording changes to conform references 
throughout the rule to ``member organization'' instead of variously 
``member'' or ``member organization.''
    The proposed new procedure for the execution of block crosses at a 
price outside the prevailing NYSE quotation is as follows, except where 
the member organization is establishing or increasing a position for 
its own account: The member organization representing the block orders 
will first trade with the displayed bid or offer (whichever is relevant 
to the proposed cross), then with all limit orders in the Display 
Book[reg] (``Display Book'') system priced better than the block clean-
up price, and then execute the cross at the clean-up price. This will 
result in executions at a maximum of three prices: The displayed bid 
(offer) price; a price one cent better than the clean-up price, and the 
block clean-up price. Percentage orders elected at each price will be 
entitled to trade at those prices. The block cross will have execution 
priority at the clean-up price. Pursuant to NYSE Rule 127(e), none of 
these executions will be subject to the requirements of NYSE Rule 76.

Example

    The NYSE quote in XYZ is $20.05 bid for 10,000 shares, with 5,000 
shares offered at $20.10. There is no reserve interest at the best bid 
and offer. There are bids for $20.04, $20.03, and $20.01, each for 
5,000 shares, in the Display Book system. A member organization intends 
to cross orders totaling 50,000 shares to buy and sell at $20.02. The 
following executions occur: 10,000 shares trade at $20.05, 10,000 
shares trade at $20.03, and 30,000 shares are crossed at the clean-up 
price of $20.02.
    In addition, pursuant to the proposed new rule, when a member 
organization is establishing or increasing a position for its own 
account and the member organization is all or a part of one side of the 
block, then the member organization representing the block orders will 
first trade with the displayed bid or offer (whichever is relevant to 
the proposed cross). The member organization will not trade with all 
limit orders in the Display Book system priced better than the block 
clean-up price; rather, the member organization will cross the block 
orders at the specified clean-up price and fill at the clean-up price 
orders limited to the clean-up price or better before any amount may be 
retained for the member organization's account.

Example

    The NYSE quote in XYZ is $20.05 bid for 10,000 shares, with 5,000 
shares offered at $20.10. There is no reserve interest at the best bid 
and offer. There are bids for $20.04, $20.03, and $20.01, each for 
5,000 shares, in the Display Book system. A member organization intends 
to cross orders totaling 50,000 shares to buy and sell at $20.02. The 
member organization is buying 40,000 shares for its own account. The 
following executions occur: 10,000 shares trade at $20.05, 30,000 
shares are crossed at the clean-up price of $20.02, and 10,000 shares 
trade at $20.02.

[[Page 71009]]

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with Section 6(b) of the Act \5\ in general, and furthers the 
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \6\ in particular, in that it 
is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, 
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 to and perfect 
the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written comments on 
the proposed rule change.

III. 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-NYSE-2006-73 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, Station Place, 100 F 
Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090.

    All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2006-73. 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 office of the Exchange. 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 publicly available. All submissions should refer to 
File Number SR-NYSE-2006-73 and should be submitted on or before 
December 28, 2006.

IV. Commission's Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of 
the Proposed Rule Change, as Amended

    The Commission finds that the proposed rule change, as amended, is 
consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange.\7\ 
In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change, as 
amended, is consistent with the requirements of Section 6(b)(5) of the 
Act,\8\ which requires, among other things, that the rules of a 
national securities exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and 
manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism 
of a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, 
to protect investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ In approving this proposal, the Commission has considered 
the proposal's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital 
formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposal revises the procedures under NYSE Rule 127 for 
crossing block-sized orders outside the prevailing NYSE quotation.\9\ 
Under the proposal, NYSE Rule 127(b) will govern block cross 
transactions where the member organization represents as agent orders 
on both sides of the block. NYSE Rule 127(c)(2) will govern block 
transactions where all or part of one side of the block is for a member 
organization's own account and the member organization is covering a 
short position or liquidating a long position. Before crossing block 
orders at a specified clean-up price outside the current quotation, 
NYSE Rules 127(b) and 127(c)(2) will require a member organization to 
trade with: (1) the NYSE best bid (offer), including all reserve 
interest at that price and any percentage orders elected by the 
execution at that price; and (2) all orders in the Display Book system 
limited to prices better than the block clean-up price, including Floor 
Brokers' e-Quotes and any percentage orders elected by the execution, 
at a price that is the minimum variation better than the block clean-up 
price. Under NYSE Rule 127(b)(ii), the block will be entitled to 
priority at the clean-up price, and under NYSE Rule 127(c)(2), the 
member organization will not be required to fill at the clean-up price 
orders limited to the clean-up price.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ For purposes of NYSE Rule 127, a block is at least 10,000 
shares or a quantity of stock having a market value of $200,000 or 
more, whichever is less, that a member organization acquires on its 
own behalf and/or for others from one or more buyers or sellers in a 
single transaction. See NYSE Rule 127, Supplementary Material .01.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In a block transaction where all or any portion of a block is for a 
member organization's own account and all or any portion of the block 
will establish or increase the member organization's position, NYSE 
Rule 127(c)(1) will require the member organization to trade with the 
NYSE best bid (offer), including all reserve interest at that price and 
any percentage orders elected by that execution at the bid (offer) 
price, before crossing the block orders at the specified clean-up 
price. The member organization must fill at the clean-up price orders 
limited to the clean-up price or better before the member organization 
may retain any amount for its own account. The requirements of NYSE 
Rule 76 will not apply to executions made in accordance with NYSE Rule 
127.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ See NYSE Rule 127(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission finds that the proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b)(5) because it is designed to permit the execution of block crosses 
outside the prevailing NYSE quotation while protecting certain existing 
interest on the NYSE. In this regard, NYSE Rule 127(b) will require a 
member organization, before effecting an agency-only block cross 
outside the current NYSE quotation, to trade with the NYSE best bid 
(offer), including reserve size and percentage orders elected by the 
execution, at the bid (offer) price, and to trade with all orders in 
the Display Book system limited to prices better than the block clean-
up price, including Floor Brokers' e-Quotes and percentage orders

[[Page 71010]]

elected by the execution, at a price that is the minimum variation 
better than the block clean-up price. NYSE Rule 127(c)(2) provides the 
same requirements for a block transaction where all or part of one side 
of a block transaction is for a member organization's own account and 
the member organization is covering a short position or liquidating a 
long position. Similarly, NYSE Rule 127(c)(1) requires a member 
organization that engages in a block transaction that will establish or 
increase the member organization's position to trade with the NYSE best 
bid (offer), including all reserve interest and percentage orders 
elected by the execution, at that price before crossing the orders, and 
to fill at the clean-up price orders limited to the clean-up price or 
better before retaining any amount for its own account.
    The Commission finds that the proposal to replace references to 
``member'' with references to ``member organization'' throughout NYSE 
Rule 127 is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act because it will 
provide consistency in the text of the rule.
    The Commission finds good cause for approving the proposed rule 
change, as amended, prior to the thirtieth day after the date of 
publication of notice of filing thereof in the Federal Register. As 
described more fully above, the proposal revises the NYSE's procedures 
for executing block crosses outside the prevailing NYSE quotation while 
protecting certain existing interest on the NYSE. In addition, the 
changes to NYSE Rule 127 proposed in the NYSE's initial filing have 
been in effect on a pilot basis since October 6, 2006.\11\ The 
Commission did not receive any comments regarding the proposed changes 
to NYSE Rule 127 during the operation of the pilot. The NYSE received 
no comments regarding the substantive operation of the proposed block 
crossing procedures during the pilot period, although some members 
urged the NYSE to explore ways to enhance the efficiency of the 
process.\12\ Accordingly, the Commission finds good cause, consistent 
with Section 6(b)(5) and 19(b)(2) of the Act, to approve the proposal, 
as amended, on an accelerated basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 54578 (October 5, 
2006), 71 FR 60216 (October 12, 2006), (File No. SR-NYSE-2006-82) 
(order granting accelerated approval to put certain changes into 
operation on a pilot basis until October 31, 2006); and 54675 
(October 31, 2006), 71 FR 65019 (November 6, 2006) (File No. SR-
NYSE-2006-96) (extending the pilot program through November 30, 
2006). Amendment No. 3 revised the initial proposal to: (1) clarify 
the execution of block cross transactions in which all or part of 
one side of the block is for a member organization's own account; 
(2) clarify that the requirements of NYSE Rule 76 will not apply to 
executions made in accordance with NYSE Rule 127; and (3) correct 
errors in the text of NYSE Rule 127.
    \12\ Telephone conversation between Deanna Logan, Director, 
Office of the General Counsel, NYSE, and Yvonne Fraticelli, Special 
Counsel, Division of Market Regulation, Commission, on November 28, 
2006.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, 
that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSE-2006-73), as amended, is 
approved on an accelerated basis.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\13\
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 [FR Doc. E6-20716 Filed 12-6-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P