67 FR 18 pgs. 3921-3923 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the American Stock Exchange LLC Relating to Technical Corrections to American Stock Exchange LLC Rules
Type: NOTICEVolume: 67Number: 18Pages: 3921 - 3923
Docket number: [Release No. 34-45320: File No. SR-AMEX-2001 79]
FR document: [FR Doc. 02-1956 Filed 1-25-02; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-45320: File No. SR-AMEX-2001 79]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the American Stock Exchange LLC Relating to Technical Corrections to American Stock Exchange LLC Rules
January 18, 2002.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act"),1and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2notice is hereby given that on December 14, 2001, the American Stock Exchange LLC ("Amex" 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. The proposed rule change was filed by the Exchange as a "non-controversial" rule change under Rule 19b-4(f)(6)3under the Act, which renders the proposal effective upon receipt of the filing by the Commission.4The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
Footnotes:
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
3 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
4 The proposed rule change was originally filed on September 28, 2001 pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act. See 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). The Amex filed an amendment on December 14, 2001, requesting that the proposed rule change be considered as filed pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act. See 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). The Amex requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay. See Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
The Amex proposes to correct Amex Rules 3(c) (Commentary .04), 7 (Commentary .01), 21(b), 22 (Commentary .03), 25(a), 60(h), 103(b), 111 (Commentary .12), 114 (Commentary .14), 154 (Commentary .15), 177(c), 235, 323, 950(f), 958(g) (Commentary .10), and 1202(d). The Exchange also proposes to correct Sections 101 (Commentary .01), 901(d), and 1203(a) of the Amex Listing Guidelines, and to relocate the section of the Exchange's rule titled "Admission of Members and Member Organizations; Regular and Options Principal Memberships" to Section 4 of the Exchange's "Office Rules." The text of the proposed rule change is available from the Amex and from the Commission.
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 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
From time to time, the Exchange reviews its rules to ensure their accuracy. As the result of one of these reviews, the Amex is proposing a number of revisions to its rules. All of the proposed rule changes are technical rather than substantive in nature. The proposed amendments would (1) Clarify the Exchange's rules by making conforming changes to rules that were previously amended (with SEC approval) elsewhere in the Amex Constitution and Rules; and (2) revise language that might tend to mislead or confuse. The changes are described below:
(1) The proposed amendment to Amex Rule 3(c) reflects organizational restructuring;
(2) The proposed amendment to Amex Rule 7, Commentary .01 reflects revisions to SEC Rule 10a-1;
(3) The proposed amendment to Amex Rule 22, Commentary .03 reflects organizational restructuring;
(4) The proposed amendment to Amex Rule 25(a) reflects organizational restructuring;
(5) The proposed amendment to Amex Rule 60(h) reflects organizational restructuring;
(6) The proposed amendment to Amex Rule 103(b) reflects clarifying language;
(7) The proposed amendment to Amex Rule 111, Commentary .12 corrects a cross reference that had become inaccurate due to a revision to the Amex Constitution;
(8) The proposed amendment to Amex Rule 114, Commentary .14 corrects a cross reference that had become inaccurate due to a revision to the Amex Constitution;
(9) With respect to the proposed revisions to Amex Rule 154: (a) the amendment to Commentary .01 reflects appropriate cross references to Amex Rules 153, 180 an 181; (b) the amendment to Commentary .06 reflects the use of the Electronic Display Book for all good-'til-canceled orders which eliminated the need for paper receipts; and (c) the amendment to Commentary .15 corrects a typographical error that was corrected in a similar New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") rule change (NYSE Rule 123A.30) in 1999;
(10) The proposed amendment to Amex Rule 177(c) reflects a prior revision to Amex Rule 103(a);
(11) The proposed amendment to Amex Rule 235(e) reflects organizational restructuring;
(12) The proposed amendment to Amex Rule 323 permits electronic access to the Amex Constitution and Ames Rules at member firm offices;
(13) The proposed amendment to Amex Rule 950(f) reflects a prior revision to the Commentary to Amex Rule 154 and corrects a cross reference;
(14) The proposed amendment to Amex Rule 958, Commentary .10 corrects a cross reference that had become inaccurate due to a revision to the Amex Constitution;
(15) The proposed amendment to Amex Rule 1202(d) contains language from (rather than a cite to) rescinded Amex Listing Guidelines Section 811;
(16) The proposed amendment to Amex Listing Guidelines Section 101 reflects organizational restructuring;
(17) With respect to the proposed revision to Amex Listing Guidelines Section 910: (a) the proposed amendment to (d)(i) reflects a revision to Amex Rule 174; (b) the proposed amendment to (d)(iii) reflects language conforming to that of Amex Rule 175; and (c) the proposed amendment to the second (d)(iii) reflects a prior revision to Amex Rule 103(a);
(18) The proposed amendment to Amex Listing Guidelines Section 1203 reflects organizational restructuring;
(19) The proposed renumbering of paragraphs 9174 through 9181 of the Amex Rules to become Amex Rules 350 through 358 reflects clarifying references; and
(20) The proposed renaming of Amex Office Rules, Section 4 reflects the addition of Amex Rules 350 through 358 to that Section of the Amex Rules.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,5in general, and the provisions of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,6in particular, which requires, among other things, that the rules of an exchange be 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; and are not designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
Footnotes:
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. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action
The Amex has filed the proposed rule change as a "non-controversial" rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act7and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.8Because the foregoing rule change (1) does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition; (3) by its terms, does not become operative for 30 days after the date of filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest; and (4) was discussed by the Commission and the Exchange at least five days before filing of the same, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act9and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.10At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate, in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.11
Footnotes:
7 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
8 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
9 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
10 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
11 See Section 19(b)(3)(C) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(C).
The Amex has asked the Commission to designate that the proposed rule change become operative immediately. Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. In this regard, the Amex believes that it would be consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest to institute immediately the technical changes that are contemplated in the proposed rule change.
The Commission, consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, has determined to make the proposed rule change operative immediately so that Amex can implement the technical changes that are contemplated in the proposed rule change.12The Commission finds that permitting the proposal to become effective immediately is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because it will make Amex's rules more comprehensible.
Footnotes:
12 For purposes only of accelerating the operative date of the proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
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 Room. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-AMEX-2001-79 and should be submitted by February 19, 2002.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.13
Footnotes:
13 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Jill M. Peterson,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-1956 Filed 1-25-02; 8:45 am]
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