68 FR 7 pgs. 1494-1495 - Self Regulatory Organizations; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change by the American Stock Exchange LLC Relating to Initial and Continued Listing Standards
Type: NOTICEVolume: 68Number: 7Pages: 1494 - 1495
Docket number: [Release No. 34-47119; File No. SR-Amex-2002-97]
FR document: [FR Doc. 03-459 Filed 1-9-03; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-47119; File No. SR-Amex-2002-97]
Self Regulatory Organizations; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change by the American Stock Exchange LLC Relating to Initial and Continued Listing Standards
January 3, 2003.
On November 20, 2002, the American Stock Exchange LLC ("Amex") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission"), pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act")1and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2a proposed rule change to amend sections 101, 102, and 1003 of the Amex Company Guide to modify initial and continued listing standards.
Footnotes:
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on December 4, 2002.3The Commission received no comments on the proposal.
Footnotes:
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 46887 (November 22, 2002), 67 FR 72239 (December 4, 2002).
The Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange4and, in particular, the requirements of section 6 of the Act5and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Commission finds specifically that the proposed rule change is consistent with section 6(b)(5) of the Act6because 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, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
Footnotes:
4 In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission notes that it has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
5 15 U.S.C. 78f.
6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
The Exchange proposes to adopt a new initial listing standard (in addition to existing standards) which is designed to permit an assessment of an issuer's suitability for listing on the basis of compliance with total market capitalization or total assets and revenues in substitution of shareholders' equity. The Amex also proposes that corresponding revisions be adopted to the continued listing standards to provide that a listed company will not be subject to delisting (assuming compliance with other applicable standards) even if it has experienced net losses or losses from continuing operations, and does not satisfy existing equity requirements,7if it is in compliance with following requirements:
Footnotes:
7 Section 1003(a) of the Amex Company Guide provides that a listed company which has sustained losses in two of its three, three of its four, or five of its most recent fiscal years will be subject to delisting if its stockholders' equity is less than $2 million, $4 million or $6 million, respectively.
• Total value of market capitalization: $50 million, or
• Total assets and revenue: $50 million each (in most recent fiscal year or two of last three most recently completed fiscal years), and
• At least 1,100,000 shares publicly held, a market value of publicly held shares of at least $15,000,000 and 400 round lot shareholders.
The Commission believes that the proposed rule change will allow for the evaluation of an issuer's listing eligibility against additional comprehensive criteria. The Commission notes that the proposal is not materially different from standards in place at other marketplaces; both the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. and The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. listing standards contain a variety of alternative qualifications standards, including standards based on measures of market capitalization, revenue and assets.
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to section 19(b)(2) of the Act,8that the proposed rule change(SR-Amex-2002-97) be, and it hereby is, approved.
Footnotes:
8 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.9
Footnotes:
9 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-459 Filed 1-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P