96-80. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Relating to Fees for Terminal Equipment  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 3 (Thursday, January 4, 1996)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 361-362]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-80]
    
    
    
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    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
    [Release No. 34-36630; File No. SR-NYSE-95-40]
    
    
    Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate 
    Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the New York Stock Exchange, 
    Inc. Relating to Fees for Terminal Equipment
    
    December 21, 1995.
        Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
    (``Act''),\1\ notice is hereby given that on November 30, 1995 the 
    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 self-regulatory organization. The Commission is 
    publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change 
    from interested persons.
    
        \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
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    I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
    of the Proposed Rule Change
    
        Beginning January 2, 1996, the Exchange plans to charge a fee of 
    $3,600 per annum for a package of terminal equipment that its members 
    and member organizations use to operate the Exchange's Broker Booth 
    Support System (``BBSS'') from their ``upstairs'' offices.\2\ 
    Previously, the Exchange has not charged for this terminal equipment, 
    because it was installed and operated on a trial basis.
    
        \2\ The terminal equipment is necessary to access the BBSS.
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    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 these statements may be examined at 
    the places specified in Item IV below. The self-regulatory organization 
    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 Exchange's BBSS is designed for use by its members and member 
    organizations either in their booth spaces on the Trading Floor or in 
    their ``upstairs'' offices or both.\3\ The BBSS is an order management 
    system providing order processing capabilities as well as access to 
    other services such as market data, the Exchange's On-Line Comparison 
    System,\4\ and information services. Booth routing, a feature offered 
    through BBSS, enables Exchange members and member organizations to 
    algorithmically route market and limited price orders to their booths 
    or to a specialist based on share size and price parameters, as may be 
    determined by each participant.
    
        \3\ Telephone conversation on December 8, 1995 between George A. 
    Villasana, Attorney, Market Regulation, SEC and Dennis Covelli, Vice 
    President, Post Trade Services, NYSE.
        \4\ The NYSE's On-Line Comparison System allows NYSE clearing 
    members to submit trade data on certain securities on trade date to 
    NYSE for initial comparison. Compared trades are submitted by the 
    NYSE to a ``qualified clearing agency'' to complete the clearance 
    and settlement process. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 
    34153 (June 3, 1994), 59 FR 30071 (June 10, 1994) (order approving 
    File No. SR-NYSE-94-08).
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        The Exchange has charged a fee \5\ for BBSS terminal equipment 
    located in members' and member organizations' floor booth spaces since 
    July 1, 1994, but does not currently charge for terminals located in 
    members' and member organizations' ``upstairs'' offices because they 
    were installed and operated on a trial basis.\6\
    
        \5\The NYSE provides its members and member organizations with 
    one BBSS terminal per booth without charge. The exchange charges its 
    members and member organizations $3,600 per annum for each 
    additional BBSS terminal installed in each booth with access to the 
    BBSS. Telephone conversation on December 13, 1995 between George A. 
    Villasana, Attorney, Market Regulation, SEC and Dennis Covelli, Vice 
    President, Post Trade Services, NYSE.
        \6\See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34395 (July 18, 
    1994), 59 FR 38007 (July 26, 1994) (order approving File No. SR-
    NYSE-94-25).
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        Now, however, the Exchange has concluded its trial, and the number 
    of ``upstairs'' installations are proliferating.\7\ Commencing on 
    January 2, 1996, the Exchange intends to charge a fee of $3,600.00 per 
    annum for a package of hardware, consisting of a terminal, keyboard, 
    and printer, that is necessary to operate the BBSS. This charge is in 
    line with the charge for the use of similar equipment located on its 
    Trading Floor,\8\ and will enable the Exchange to recoup part of its 
    development and hardware costs.
    
        \7\ While the number of terminals on the NYSE floor is 
    approximately 400, the number of terminals in the ``upstairs'' 
    offices is approximately 20. See supra note 5.
        \8\ See supra note 5.
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    2. Statutory Basis
        The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act 
    \9\ in general and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) \10\ in 
    particular in that it provides for the equitable allocation of 
    reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among the Exchange's members 
    and other persons using its facilities.
    
        \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
        \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
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    B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
    
        The proposed rule change does not impose any burden on competition 
    that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the proposes 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
    
        The foregoing rule change constitutes or changes a due, fee, or 
    other charge imposed by the Exchange and, therefore, has become 
    effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \11\ and 
    subparagraph (e) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\12\
    
        \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
        \12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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        At any time within sixty 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. Persons making written submissions 
    should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and 
    Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington , D.C. 20549. 
    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 
    
    [[Page 362]]
    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 the inspection and copying at the Commission's Public 
    Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. 
    Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying 
    at the principal office of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. All 
    submissions should refer to File No. SR-NYSE-95-40 and should be 
    submitted by January 25, 1996.
    
        For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
    pursuant to delegated authority.\13\
    
        \13\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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    Margaret H. McFarland,
    Deputy Secretary.
    [FR Doc. 96-80 Filed 1-3-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 8010-01-M
    
    

Document Information

Published:
01/04/1996
Department:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
96-80
Pages:
361-362 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Release No. 34-36630, File No. SR-NYSE-95-40
PDF File:
96-80.pdf