70 FR 167 pg. 51398 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange, Inc.; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change To Amend NYSE Rule 80A (Index Arbitrage Trading Restrictions) To Calculate Limitations on Index Arbitrage Trading Based on the NYSE Composite Index
Type: NOTICEVolume: 70Number: 167Page: 51398
Docket number: [Release No. 34-52328; File No. SR-NYSE-2005-45]
FR document: [FR Doc. E5-4724 Filed 8-29-05; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-52328; File No. SR-NYSE-2005-45]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange, Inc.; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change To Amend NYSE Rule 80A (Index Arbitrage Trading Restrictions) To Calculate Limitations on Index Arbitrage Trading Based on the NYSE Composite Index
August 24, 2005.
On June 28, 2005, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE" or "Exchange") 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 NYSE Rule 80A (Index Arbitrage Trading Restrictions) relating to limitations on index arbitrage trading. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on July 25, 2005.3The Commission received no comments on the proposal. This order approves the proposed rule change.
Footnotes:
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
3 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 52051 (July 18, 2005), 70 FR 42608.
Current NYSE Rule 80A provides for limitations on index arbitrage trading in any component stock of the SP 500 Stock Price Index on any day that the Dow Jones Industrial Average ("DJIA")4advances or declines at least 2%5from its previous day's closing value.6The NYSE proposes to amend NYSE Rule 80A to calculate the limitations on index arbitrage trading as provided in the rule based on the average closing value of the NYSE Composite Index® ("NYA"), replacing the current usage of the DJIA.
Footnotes:
4 "Dow Jones Industrial Average" is a service mark of Dow Jones Company, Inc.
5 Current NYSE Rule 80A provides that collars are based on a quarterly calculation of "two percent value," which is 2%, rounded down to the nearest ten points, of the average closing value of the DJIA for the last month of the previous calendar quarter.
6 NYSE Rule 80A's current limitations on index arbitrage trading provide that if the market advances by 2% or more, all index arbitrage orders to buy must be stabilizing (buy minus); similarly, if the market declines by 2% or more, all index arbitrage orders to sell must be stabilizing (sell plus). The stabilizing requirements are removed if the DJIA moves back to or within 1% of its closing value.
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 exchange7and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6 of the Act8and the rules and regulations thereunder. Specifically, the Commission finds the proposal to be consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,9in 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. According to the Exchange, the NYA is a better reflection of market activity with respect to the SP 500 and thus, a better indicator as to when the restrictions on index arbitrage trading provided by NYSE Rule 80A should be triggered. Therefore, the Commission believes that it is consistent with the Act for the NYSE to amend NYSE Rule 80A to calculate limitations on index arbitrage trading based on the NYA.10
Footnotes:
7 In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
8 15 U.S.C. 78f.
9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
10 The Commission notes that approval of the proposed rule change is based, in part, on the fact that NYSE Rule 80A affects only certain types of trading by NYSE members trading on the floor of the Exchange. The rule's cross-market implications are minimal. The Commission, therefore, believes that the NYSE should have considerable discretion in determining which index to apply under this rule. The Commission's approval of the proposed rule change should in no way be interpreted as an indication that a similar change to NYSE Rule 80B (Trading Halts Due to Extraordinary Market Volatility), which is integral to the cross-market trading halt procedures known as "Circuit Breakers," would be subject to the same analysis or similarly approved by the Commission.
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,11that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSE-2005-45) be, and it hereby is, approved.
Footnotes:
11 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.12--
Footnotes:
12 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5-4724 Filed 8-29-05; 8:45 am]
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