Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, notice is hereby given that on June 28, 2002, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. (“Phlx” or “Exchange”) 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 the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
17 CFR 240.19b-4.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
The Phlx proposes to amend its schedule of dues, fees and charges to increase from $0.30 to $0.35 its equity option transaction charge on members for off-floor broker-dealer transactions. The Exchange intends to implement this fee on transactions settling on or after July 1, 2002.
The Exchange is also amending the accompanying footnote in the Summary of Equity Options Charges on the Exchange's schedule of dues, fees and charges to make it more precise.
This fee will continue to be eligible for the monthly credit of up to $1,000 to be applied against certain fees, dues, charges and other amounts owed to the Exchange by certain members. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 44292 (May 11, 2001), 66 FR 27715 (May 18, 2001) (SR-Phlx-2001-49).
Currently, the Exchange imposes a fee on its members for off-floor broker-dealer transactions. This category includes registered options traders (“ROTs”) who trade from off-floor and broker-dealers who route orders through firm, customer or market maker accounts carried by a member clearing firm that are executed on the Exchange trading floor, but not firm/proprietary orders. All other equity option transaction charges will remain unchanged.
See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 45942 (May 16, 2002), 67 FR 36060 (May 22, 2002) (SR-Phlx-2002-32).
A firm/proprietary transaction or comparison charge applies to members for orders for the proprietary account of any member or non-member broker-dealer that derives more than 35 percent of its annual, gross revenues from commissions and principal transactions with customers. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 43558 (November 14, 2000), 65 FR 69984 (November 21, 2000) (SR-Phlx-00-85).
For purposes of the equity option transaction charge, the broker-dealer option equity transaction charge is currently defined in a footnote in the Summary of Equity Options Charges on the Exchange's schedule of dues, fees and charges, as a charge that is applied to members for orders entered from other than the floor of the Exchange for any account (i) in which the holder of beneficial interest is a member or non-member broker-dealer or (ii) in which the holder of beneficial interest is a person associated with or employed by a member or non-member broker-dealer. This includes orders for the account of an ROT entered from off-floor. The Exchange proposes to replace the word “entered” with the word “received” to make the definition more precise.
The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Office of the Secretary, the Phlx, and 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 Phlx 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. The Phlx 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
The purpose of the proposed rule change is to generate additional revenue for the Exchange by increasing the fee imposed on members for off-floor broker-dealer transactions. Thus, the broker-dealer equity option transaction charge will be increased from $0.30 to $0.35.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act, in general, and furthers the objectives of section 6(b)(4) of the Act, in particular, by providing for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among its members. The Exchange believes the proposal is equitable and reasonable because the proposed broker-dealer equity option transaction charge represents a modest increase intended to generate additional revenue.
15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Phlx does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any inappropriate burden on competition.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
Written comments were neither solicited nor received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action
Because the foregoing rule change establishes or changes a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange, it has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder. 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.
17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
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 also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Phlx. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-Phlx-2002-36 and should be submitted by August 13, 2002.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-18560 Filed 7-22-02; 8:45 am]
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