[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 18 (Monday, January 28, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 4931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1395]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-57186; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2007-121]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Granting 
Approval of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Rule 6.37B and the Quoting 
Obligations of Lead Market Makers

January 22, 2008.
    On November 27, 2007, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca'' or 
``Exchange'') 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 modify the continuous quoting obligation of 
Lead Market Makers (``LMMs''). The proposed rule change was published 
for comment in the Federal Register on December 12, 2007.\3\ The 
Commission received no comments on the proposed rule change. 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. 56908 (December 5, 
2007), 72 FR 70639.
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    NYSE Arca proposes to amend its Rule 6.37B to reduce the continuous 
quoting obligation of LMMs. Currently, an LMM must provide continuous 
two-sided quotations throughout the trading day in its appointed issues 
for 99% of the time the Exchange is open for trading in each issue.\4\ 
NYSE Arca proposes to reduce the continuous quoting obligation of LMMs 
to 90% of the time the Exchange is open for trading in each appointed 
issue. The Exchange proposes that any period in which a technical 
failure or limitation of a system of the Exchange prevents an LMM from 
maintaining, or prevents an LMM from communicating to the Exchange, 
timely and accurate electronic quotes in a class shall not be 
considered in determining whether an LLM has satisfied the 90% quoting 
standard with respect to that option class. The Exchange also proposes 
that it may consider other exceptions to the continuous quoting 
obligation based on demonstrated legal or regulatory requirements or 
other mitigating circumstances. In addition, the Exchange proposes to 
amend the review period for this continuous quoting obligation from a 
quarterly basis to a monthly basis.
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    \4\ See NYSE Arca Rule 6.37B(b).
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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 that are applicable to a national securities exchange.\5\ In 
particular, the Commission believes that the proposed rule change is 
consistent with section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\6\ in that it is designed 
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. The Commission believes that the Exchange's proposal 
to reduce the continuous quoting obligation of LMMs is appropriate 
given the benefits afforded to LMMs.\7\
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    \5\ In approving this rule, the Commission notes that it has 
considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, 
and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \7\ In addition, the Commission notes that all NYSE Arca Market 
Makers have a minimum continuous quoting obligation. NYSE Arca Rule 
6.37B(c) states that a Market Maker must provide continuous two 
sided quotations throughout the trading day in its appointed issues 
for 60% of the time the Exchange is open for trading in each issue. 
In addition, the Commission notes that NYSE Arca Rule 6.37B(d), 
which states that in the interest of maintaining a fair and orderly 
market, a Market Maker may be called upon by a Trading Official to 
maintain continuous quotes in one or more series of an option issue, 
shall continue to apply.
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    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\8\ that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSEArca-2007-121) be, and it 
hereby is, approved.
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    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\9\
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    \9\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-1395 Filed 1-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P