E7-1506. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Listing Standards for Basket Linked Notes

January 25, 2007.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”),^[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] notice is hereby given that on December 12, 2006, 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 Phlx. 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 Phlx proposes to amend Phlx Rule 803—Criteria for Listing—Tier 1, regarding listing standards for Basket Linked Notes (“BLNs”). The text of the proposed rule change is available on Phlx's Web site at http://www.phlx.com, at Phlx's principal office, and at 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, 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 conform Phlx's listing standards for Basket Linked Notes, specifically Phlx Rule 803(k), to that of other exchanges. Phlx Rule 803 provides listing standards for Basket Linked Notes, which are income instruments whose values are linked to the performance of highly capitalized, actively traded common stock. Specifically, BLNs are non-convertible debt of an issuer, whose value is based, at least in part, on the value of another issuer's common stock or non-convertible preferred stock.

Phlx Rule 803(k) details Phlx's listing standards for BLNs. Specifically, Phlx Rule 803(k)(3) currently requires, among other things, that securities linked to BLNs either: (i) Have a minimum market capitalization of $3 billion and during the 12 months preceding listing are shown to have traded at least 2.5 million shares; (ii) have a minimum market capitalization of $1.5 billion and during the 12 months preceding listing are shown to have traded at least 10 million shares; or (iii) have a minimum market capitalization of $500 million and during the 12 months preceding listing are shown to have traded at least 15 million shares.

On December 7, 2000, the Commission granted authority to the Phlx to list and trade notes linked to more than one equity security.^[3] Each of the underlying securities of a BLN is required to meet the standards for linked securities set forth in Phlx Rule 803(k). However, the 2000 Order limited the basket of underlying securities that may to be linked to a BLN to no more than twenty. At this time, Phlx proposes to increase the number of underlying securities that may be linked to a BLN from no more than 20 to no more than thirty.^[4]

The Phlx believes that expanding the basket of equity securities that may be linked to a BLN will enhance competition and benefit investors and the marketplace through additional product choices and alternatives. The Phlx also believes that there would be no investor protection concerns with expanding the number of equity securities that may be linked to a BLN from more than one common stock to up to thirty common stocks.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act ^[5] in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act ^[6] in particular, in 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, and is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.

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

No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

Within 35 days of the date of 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.

The Commission is considering granting accelerated approval of the proposed rule change at the end of a 15-day comment period.^[7]

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 [e-mail]. Please include File No. SR-Phlx-2006-85 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2006-85. 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. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Phlx. 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-Phlx-2006-85 and should be submitted on or before February 15, 2007.

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.^[8]

Florence E. Harmon,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 43690 (December 7, 2000), 65 FR 78523 (December 15, 2000) (SR-Phlx-2000-90) (“2000 Order”).

4.  This is identical to the listing standard of the American Stock Exchange (Amex Company Guide Section 107B); see Securities Exchange Act Release No. 47055 (December 19, 2002), 67 FR 79669 (December 30, 2002) (SR-Amex-2002-110).

5.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

6.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

7.  Phlx has requested accelerated approval of this proposed rule change prior to the 30th day after the date of publication of the notice of the filing thereof.

8.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).