Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. To Amend the Exchange's Allocation Policy and Procedures

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 July 3, 2001, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE” 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.

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

The Exchange proposed to amend the Exchange's Allocation Policy and Procedures to allow a listing company to send a separate letter to the Allocation Committee indicating the role that one specialist unit has played in helping the company to reach its listing decision. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Office of the Secretary, the NYSE 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 Exchange 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 Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below.

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

1. Purpose

The intent of the Exchange's Allocation Policy and Procedures (“Policy”) is (1) to ensure that the allocation process is based on fairness and consistency, and that all specialist units have a fair opportunity for allocations based on established criteria and procedures; (2) to provide an incentive for ongoing enhancement of performance by specialist units; (3) to provide the best possible match between a specialist unit and security; and (4) to contribute to the strength of the specialist system.

The Policy currently permits a listing company to send a letter to the Exchange's Allocation Committee indicating the general characteristics it believes would be appropriate as to the specialist unit ultimately selected to trade its stock. Such letter may not name any particular specialist unit, and the characteristics so indicated may not be so specific as to apply to a readily identifiable specialist unit. The listing company's letter is distributed with a memorandum prepared by the Exchange staff describing the listing company, underwriters, recent market activity, and other details soliciting specialist units to apply for the allocation of the listing company's stock.

In certain situations, specialist units have met with companies prior to the company making a listing decision and have played a significant role in a company's decision to list on the Exchange. The listing company may then have an expectation that a particular specialist unit should be included in the group of units to be interviewed by the listing company, but the Exchange does not require such a result under the current Policy. Under the Policy, the Allocation Committee cannot directly know from the listing company a specialist unit's role, if any, in its listing decision.

The Exchange believes it is appropriate to amend the Policy to allow the listing company to send a separate letter to the Allocation Committee indicating the role that one specific specialist unit has played in helping the listing company to reach its listing decision. This letter would be separate and distinct from the general characteristics letter that the company would send to the Allocation Committee, which is then distributed to all specialist units, as noted above.

The Allocation Committee would then assemble a pool of specialist units to meet with the listing company in accordance with the performance-based criteria of the Policy, and would include the specialist unit named in the separate letter in the pool, unless the unit is prohibited under the Policy from applying for allocation of a stock. The separate letter would not have any influence on a decision by other specialist units to apply for allocation of the company's stock because these units would not know its existence. The listing company would then interview all units, and make the final decision as to its specialist unit.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act, which provides that an exchange have rules that are 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. The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with these objectives because it will enable the Exchange to further enhance the process by which stocks are allocated to ensure fairness and equal opportunity in the process.

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

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is 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

The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written comments on the proposed rule change.

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

Within 35 days of the publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the Exchange consents, the Commission will:

(A) By order approve such proposed rule change, or

(B) Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved.

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 in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-NYSE-2001-17 and should be submitted by September 7, 2001.