73 FR 34 pgs. 9378-9379 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment Number 1 Thereto Relating to Participant Fees and Credits

Type: NOTICEVolume: 73Number: 34Pages: 9378 - 9379
Docket number: [Release No. 34-57315; File No. SR-CHX-2008-01]
FR document: [FR Doc. E8-3039 Filed 2-19-08; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version:  PDF Version

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-57315; File No. SR-CHX-2008-01]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment Number 1 Thereto Relating to Participant Fees and Credits

February 12, 2008.

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 January 31, 2008, the Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. ("CHX" or "Exchange") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been substantially prepared by the Exchange. On February 11, 2008, CHX filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change. The Exchange has designated this proposal as one establishing or changing a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange under Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act3and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) thereunder,4which renders it effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons.

Footnotes:

1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2 17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

4 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The CHX proposes to amend its Schedule of Participant Fees and Credits (the "Fee Schedule") to modify the fees for the receipt of orders through the CHX Connect network. The text of this proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at http://www.chx.com/rules/proposed_rules.htm , the Exchange, and in the Commission's Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

In its filing with the Commission, CHX 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. CHX 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

Through this filing, the Exchange would amend its Fee Schedule to modify the fees for the receipt of orders through the CHX Connect network.5Under the current Fee Schedule, the Exchange charges a $10,000 base fee per month to any participant firm that receives orders through the CHX Connect network and charges an additional fee of $.0004 per share for executions that are processed by the network.6The Exchange also applies a credit of $.0004 for each provide share executed in the Exchange's Matching System.7Through this filing, the Exchange proposes to decrease the monthly base fee to $5,000 per month and apply an increased credit of $.0008 for each provide share executed in the Matching System.8This proposed fee change is designed to take effect on February 1, 2008.

Footnotes:

5 The Exchange's CHX Connect system is a communications service that allows its participants to route orders to any destination connected to the CHX's network, including (1) the CHX Matching System; (2) CHX institutional brokers; (3) market makers or other broker-dealers connected to the CHX's network, which provide order handling and execution services in the over-the-counter market; and (4) other destinations (including order-routing vendors) that are connected to the CHX's network. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54846 (November 30, 2006), 71 FR 71003 (December 7, 2006) (SR-CHX-2006-34). Fees are charged under the Fee Schedule to participants that receive orders through this service.

6 The base fee is prorated in the first month of use, based on the date that a participant firm begins using the service.

7 No credits are carried over from month to month and these credits cannot be used to reduce the base fee below $5,000 per month.

8 These credits may not be used to reduce the overall fee below $5,000 per month.

These changes are designed to create incentives for Exchange participants to use the CHX Connect network and for users of the CHX Connect network to send orders to the Exchange's Matching System. The Exchange believes that these fee changes equitably allocate fees among CHX participants (including those participants using the CHX Connect network) while helping to offset the costs of providing the network.9

Footnotes:

9 The CHX had increased the monthly fee to $10,000 per month, effective December 1, 2007. Although the Exchange had notified affected participants of the proposed change, at least one of those participants voiced concerns about the fee increase soon after it took effect. The Exchange has determined that it is appropriate to continue to offer the CHX Connect services, with a reduced monthly fee and an additional incentive to place orders in the Exchange's Matching System for execution.

2. Statutory Basis

The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act10in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among its members.

Footnotes:

10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).

B. Self Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule changes will impose any burden on competition.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others

No written comments were either solicited or received.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action

The foregoing proposed rule change is filed pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act11and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder12because it establishes or changes a due, fee, or other charge applicable only to a member imposed by a self-regulatory organization. Accordingly, the proposal is effective upon Commission receipt of the filing. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the 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.13

Footnotes:

11 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).

12 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).

13 For purposes of calculating the 60-day period within which the Commission may summarily abrogate the proposed rule change under Section 19(b)(3)(C) of the Act, the Commission considers the period to commence on February 11, 2008, the date on which CHX filed Amendment No. 1. See 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(C).

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. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

• Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ); or

• Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-CHX-2008-01 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CHX-2008-01. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ). 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, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of CHX. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CHX-2008-01 and should be submitted on or before March 12, 2008.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.14

Footnotes:

14 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

Florence E. Harmon,

Deputy Secretary.

[FR Doc. E8-3039 Filed 2-19-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8011-01-P