01-214. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., Amending NYSE Rule 15A Relating to the Intermarket Trading System

December 22, 2000.

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 July 18, 2000, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. On November 30, 2000, the Exchange filed an amendment to the proposed rule change.^[3] As amended, the proposal is effective upon filing with the Commission, pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act,^[4] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.^[5] 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 proposes to amend NYSE Rule 15A with respect to the definition of “ITS/CAES Market Maker.” Below is the text of the proposed rule change. Additions are italicized and deletions are in brackets. NYSE Rule 15A(a)(6)

“ITS/CAES Market Maker”, as that term is used in the Rule, means a NASD member that is registered as a market maker with the NASD for the purposes of the Applications with respect to one or more specified System securities [“ITS/CAES securities” as more fully described in the ITS Plan].

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purposes 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, 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

According to the Exchange, the purpose of the proposed rule change is to amend the definition of “ITS/CAES Market Maker” to eliminate the current reference to “ITS/CAES securities.” Since 1982, the National Association of Securities Dealers' participation in the ITS Plan had been limited to securities subject to SEC Rule 19c-3 (“ITS/CAES Securities”).^[6] On December 9, 1999, the Commission adopted amendments to the ITS Plan to expand the ITS/CAES linkage to all listed securities, thus rendering unnecessary the term “ITS/CAES securities.” ^[7]

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed amendment to NYSE Rule 15A is consistent with section 6(b)(5) of the Act ^[8] as it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade. The Exchange also believes the amendment is consistent with section 11A(a)(1)(D) of the Act,^[9] which calls for the linking of markets for qualified securities.

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.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others

The Exchange has neither solicited not received written comments on the proposed rule change.

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

Because the foregoing proposed rule change 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, it has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act ^[10] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.^[11] 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.

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-00-33 and should be submitted by January 25, 2001.

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.¹²

Jonathan G. Katz,

Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  See November 30, 2000 letter from James E. Buck, Corporate Secretary, NYSE, to Joseph P. Morra, Special Counsel, Division of Market Regulation, Commission (“Amendment No. 1”). In Amendment No. 1, the NYSE asked the Commission to consider the proposal pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder. 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A), 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). The Commission has agreed to accept the original proposal as satisfying the 5-day pre-filing requirement pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6). 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

4.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

5.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). For purposes of calculating the 60-day abrogation period, the Commission considers the period to begin as of the date the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1, November 30, 2000.

6.  17 CFR 240.19c-3.

7.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 42212 (December 9, 1999), 64 FR 70297 (December 16, 1999).

8.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

9.  15 U.S.C. 78k-1(a)(1)(D).

10.  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

11.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

12.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).