Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Change the Close of Trading Hours on the Last Day of Trading in Expiring Quarterly Index Expirations

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”), and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, notice is hereby given that on March 18, 2009, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (“Exchange” or “CBOE”) 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 prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange filed the proposal as a “non-controversial” proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

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

CBOE proposes to amend Rule 24.6 to change the close of trading hours from 3:15 p.m. (Chicago time) to 3 p.m. (Chicago time) on the last day of trading in expiring Quarterly Index Expirations (“QIXs”). The filing also proposes to amend Rule 24.9(c) by adding the Mini-SPX Index to the list of broad-based indices on which the Exchange may list QIXs. In addition, the filing proposes to amend Rule 24.9 by making technical changes that add the Mini-SPX Index to the lists of European-style exercise and A.M. settled options approved for trading on the Exchange. The text of the rule proposal is available on the Exchange's Web site ( http://www.cboe.org/legal ), at the Exchange's Office of the Secretary and at 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 self-regulatory organization 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 those 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 parts of such statements.

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

1. Purpose

The purpose of this proposed rule change is to amend Rule 24.6 to change the close of trading hours from 3:15 p.m. (Chicago time) to 3 p.m. (Chicago time) on the last day of trading in expiring Quarterly Index Expirations (“QIXs”). The Exchange proposes that the change to the close of trading hours on the last trading day applies to all outstanding expiring QIXs that expire at the end of the second calendar quarter in 2009 and thereafter.

QIXs were introduced in 1993 and are separate from the Quarterly Option Series Pilot Program provided for in Rule 5.5 and 24.9. QIXs are cash-settled options on certain specified broad-based indices that expire on the first business day of the month following the end of a calendar quarter. QIXs trade simultaneously with, not independent of, traditional options on the same underlying index. QIXs are subject to the same rules that currently govern the trading of traditional index options, including sales practice rules, margin requirements, and floor trading proceedings. Contract terms for QIXs are similar to traditional index options, with one general exception: the exercise settlement value is based on the index value derived from the closing prices of component stocks. In addition, the contract multiplier for QIXs may be set at 500 rather than the customary 100. Positions in QIXs are aggregated with option contracts on the same broad-based index and are subject to the applicable overall position limit.

Generally, QIXs are priced in the market based on corresponding futures values. On the last day of trading, the closing prices of the component stocks (which are used to derive the exercise settlement value) are known at 3 p.m. (Chicago time) (or soon after) when the equity markets close. Despite the fact that the exercise settlement value is fixed after 3 p.m. (Chicago time), trading in expiring QIXs continues, however, for an additional fifteen minutes until 3:15 p.m. (Chicago time) and are not priced on corresponding futures values, but rather the known cash value. At the same time, the prices of non-expiring QIX series continue to move and be priced in response to changes in corresponding futures prices.

Because of the pricing divergence that occurs between 3 and 3:15 p.m. on the final trading day in expiring QIXs (e.g., switch from pricing off of futures to cash), the Exchange believes that there is a risk to allow investors to continue trading expiring QIX contracts after 3 p.m. (Chicago time) on the last day of trading. As a result, the Exchange seeks to remedy any confusion by changing the close of trading hours from 3:15 p.m. (Chicago time) to 3 p.m. (Chicago time) for expiring QIXs on the last day of trading.

It is expected that other options exchanges that have adopted QIX rules will submit similar proposals.

The Exchange is also proposing to amend Rule 24.9(c) by adding the Mini-SPX Index to the list of broad-based indices on which the Exchange may list QIXs, which offers an additional method of tailoring portfolio hedges that expires on the last day of the calendar quarter. Finally, the Exchange is proposing to amend Rule 24.9 by making technical changes that add the Mini-SPX Index to the lists of European-style exercise and A.M. settled options approved for trading on the Exchange.

2. Statutory Basis

Because the Exchange believes that the current rule proposal will lessen investor confusion, the Exchange believes the rule proposal is consistent with the Act and the rules and regulations under the Act applicable to a national securities exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act. Specifically, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) Act requirements that the rules of an exchange be designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.

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

CBOE does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition 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

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

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

Because the foregoing proposed rule does not (i) significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, provided that the self-regulatory organization has given the Commission written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change or such shorter time as designated by the Commission, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder. 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.

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-CBOE-2009-020 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2009-020. 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 the CBOE. 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-CBOE-2009-020 and should be submitted on or beforeApril 29, 2009.