67 FR 61 pgs. 15268-15269 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Relating to Certificates of Designation for Preferred Stock of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
Type: NOTICEVolume: 67Number: 61Pages: 15268 - 15269
Docket number: [Release No. 34-45638; File No. SR-NASD-2002-36]
FR document: [FR Doc. 02-7610 Filed 3-28-02; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-45638; File No. SR-NASD-2002-36]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Relating to Certificates of Designation for Preferred Stock of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
March 25, 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 March 8, 2002, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD" or "Association"), through its subsidiary, the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("Nasdaq") 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 Nasdaq. The 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.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
Nasdaq is filing Certificates of Designations, Preferences and Rights ("Certificates of Designation") of Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred") and Series B Preferred Stock ("Series B Preferred," collectively "Series A and B Preferred") authorized to be issued to the NASD. The Series A and B Preferred will be issued as part of a transaction designed to reduce the NASD's economic interest in Nasdaq to the greatest extent practicable while maintaining the NASD's voting control until Nasdaq begins operating as a national securities exchange. Under Section 151(g) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("Delaware Law"), such Certificates of Designation are deemed to be an amendment to Nasdaq's Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(3),3Nasdaq has designated this filing as one concerned solely with the administration of the self-regulatory organization because the authorization and issuance of the Series A and B Preferred result in no substantive change in the NASD's control of Nasdaq until exchange registration, and as such, the filing is immediately effective. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
Footnotes:
3 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(3).
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, Nasdaq 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. Nasdaq 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
Nasdaq is filing the Certificates of Designations described below. Under Article Fourth, Paragraph B of Nasdaq's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Nasdaq Board may authorize the issuance of preferred stock and fix its designation, powers, preferences and rights, as well as any qualifications, limitations, and restrictions on it. Under Delaware Law, such Certificates of Designation are deemed to be an amendment to Nasdaq's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and as such, Nasdaq is filing the Certificates of Designation with the Commission.
The issuance of the Series A and B Preferred is part of a transaction between the NASD and Nasdaq to reduce the NASD's ownership interest in Nasdaq while maintaining the NASD's control over Nasdaq until exchange registration. The Series A Preferred will pay a dividend and is non-voting unless Nasdaq fails to pay a timely dividend. In such case, Nasdaq must increase the size of its Board to add two directors elected by the holders of the Series A Preferred. Such directors would be required to resign upon the payment of the dividend or the redemption of the Series A Preferred. The NASD may not transfer the Series A Preferred without the prior written consent of Nasdaq for a period of one year from its issuance.
Nasdaq is currently discussing with the Commission staff how Nasdaq intends to meet its obligation for fair representation of members on its Board under Section 6(b)(3) of the Act4if Nasdaq obtains approval of its exchange registration application. As a result of these discussions, Nasdaq may submit to the Commission amendments to its By-Laws with respect to its Board composition. The potential By-Law amendments under discussion could require the election of additional Board members if the Series A Preferred holder's right to elect Board members is triggered to ensure that the fair representation obligation is met at all times.
Footnotes:
4 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(3).
The Series B Preferred is a single share designed to ensure that the NASD maintains voting control over Nasdaq until exchange registration. The Series B Preferred is not transferable and must be redeemed when Nasdaq begins operating as a national securities exchange. The Series B will vote, together as one class with Nasdaq's common stock, on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of common stock. The Series B Preferred will have variable voting rights such that the number of votes entitled to be cast by the holder of the Series B Preferred shall equal that number of votes that, together with votes otherwise entitled to be cast by the holder of the Series B Preferred at such meeting, whether by virtue of share ownership, proxies, voting trust arrangements or otherwise, entitle the holder to exercise one vote more than one-half of all votes entitled to be cast. These voting rights will terminate automatically upon Nasdaq commencing operation as a national securities exchange.
The Series A and B Preferred have no effect on the voting trust that governs the warrants to purchase Nasdaq common stock that were sold by the NASD in two private placements that closed in June 2000 and January 2001.
2. Statutory Basis
Nasdaq believes that the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with the provisions of Sections 15A(b)(2) and (6) of the Act,5which require, among other things, that the Association be so organized and have the capacity to be able to carry out the purposes of the Act and to comply with and enforce compliance with the provisions of the Act, and that the Association's rules are designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principals of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Nasdaq believes that the issuance of this preferred stock will result in no substantive change in its current relationship to the NASD; as under the current ownership structure, the NASD will continue to control Nasdaq until exchange registration.
Footnotes:
5 15 U.S.C. 78 o -3(b)(2) and (6).
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
Nasdaq does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in 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
Nasdaq neither solicited nor received written comments with respect to the proposed rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action
The foregoing proposed rule change is concerned solely with the administration of the self-regulatory organization and, therefore, has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act6and subparagraph (f)(3) of Rule 19b-47thereunder. At 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.
Footnotes:
6 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
7 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(3).
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 at the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the NASD. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-NASD-2002-36 and should be submitted by April 19, 2002.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.8
Footnotes:
8 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-7610 Filed 3-28-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P