E8-24369. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by New York Stock Exchange LLC To Extend Until January 9, 2009, the Operation of Interim NYSE Rule 128 (“Clearly Erroneous Executions for ...

October 3, 2008.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) ^[1] of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) ^[2] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[3] notice is hereby given that on October 1, 2008, New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE” or the “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission” or “SEC”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. NYSE designated the proposed rule change as “non-controversial” under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act ^[4] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder,^[5] which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. 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 extend until January 9, 2009, the operation of interim NYSE Rule 128 (“Clearly Erroneous Executions for NYSE Equities”) which permits the Exchange to cancel or adjust clearly erroneous executions if they arise out of the use or operation of any quotation, execution or communication system owned or operated by the Exchange, including those executions that occur in the event of a system disruption or system malfunction.

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 those 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 parts of such statements.

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

1. Purpose

The Exchange proposes to extend until January 9, 2009, the operation of interim NYSE Rule 128 (“Clearly Erroneous Executions for NYSE Equities”) which permits the Exchange to cancel or adjust clearly erroneous executions if they arise out of the use or operation of any quotation, execution or communication system owned or operated by the Exchange, including those executions that occur in the event of a system disruption or system malfunction.

Prior to the implementation of NYSE Rule 128 on January 28, 2008,^[6] the NYSE did not have a rule providing the Exchange with the authority to cancel or adjust clearly erroneous trades of securities executed on or through the systems and facilities of the NYSE.

In order for the NYSE to be consistent with other national securities exchanges which have some version of a clearly erroneous execution rule, the Exchange is drafting an amended clearly erroneous rule which will accommodate such other exchanges but will be appropriate for the NYSE market model.

The NYSE notes that the Commission approved an amended clearly erroneous execution rule for Nasdaq in May 2008.^[7] On July 28, 2008, the Exchange filed with the SEC a request to extend the operation of interim Rule 128 until October 1, 2008 ^[8] in order to review the provisions of Nasdaq's clearly erroneous rule and to consider integrating similar standards into its own amendment to Rule 128. The Exchange has not finalized its review of Nasdaq's amended rule and the possible proposed amendment of Rule 128 and is, therefore, requesting to extend the operation of interim Rule 128 until January 9, 2009. Prior to January 9, 2009, the Exchange intends to file a 19b-4 rule change amending interim Rule 128, which, if approved by the SEC, will be effective after January 9, 2009.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,^[9] in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to, and perfect the mechanisms of, a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.

As articulated more fully above, the proposed rule would place the NYSE on equal footing with other national securities exchanges. This will promote the integrity of the market and protect the public interest, since it would permit all exchanges to cancel or adjust clearly erroneous or trades when such trades occur, rather than canceling them on all other markets, but leaving them standing on only one market.

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 solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

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

The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) ^[10] of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) ^[11] thereunder. The proposed rule change effects a change that (A) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (B) does not impose any significant burden on competition; and (C) by its terms, does not become operative for 30 days after the date of the filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest; provided that the self-regulatory organization has given the Commission written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.

The Exchange believes that good cause, consistent with the provisions of Rule 19b-4(f)(6), exists to justify making the rule change immediately effective. Because the proposed rule is based on a rule that has been previously approved by the Commission, and because the proposed rule would in any event be operative only until a more robust and market-appropriate rule was implemented, the NYSE believes that the proposed rule is non-controversial. Moreover, the NYSE believes that the absence of such a rule in an automated and fast-paced trading environment poses a danger to the integrity of the markets and the public interest, and that this exigency justifies filing the rule for immediate effectiveness rather than using the regular Rule 19b-2 process, which would require the Exchange to continue without the protection of the proposed rule until the expiration of the prescribed time periods for notice, comment and approval. In contrast, immediate effectiveness of the proposed rule will immediately and timely enable the NYSE to cancel or adjust clearly erroneous trades that may present a risk to the integrity of the equities markets and all related markets. The proposed rule will also allow the Exchange to protect customers and the public interest, and to continue to provide economically efficient execution of securities transactions.

The NYSE also requests that the Commission waive the five-day period for notice of intent to file this proposed rule change, and the 30-day period before the rule becomes operative, both of which are prescribed by Rule 19b-4(f)(6), but which may be waived pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) ^[12] if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and public interest.^[13] The Exchange believes that waiver of these time periods so that the rule may be immediately operative are consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest for the reasons described above.

The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay will allow the Exchange to continue to immediately and timely cancel or adjust trades that it determines to be clearly erroneous under Rule 128. The Commission believes that the extension of NYSE Rule 128 until January 9, 2009 will allow the Exchange to continue to apply the rule without interruption and is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Commission hereby designates the proposal as operative upon filing.^[14] The Commission has determined to waive the five-day prefiling period in this case.

At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate the 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. 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 Number SR-NYSE-2008-99 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2008-99. 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, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the NYSE. 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-NYSE-2008-99 and should be submitted on or before November 5, 2008.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.^[15]

Florence E. Harmon,

Acting Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  15 U.S.C. 78a.

3.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

4.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).

5.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

6.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57323 (February 13, 2008), 73 FR 9371 (February 20, 2008) (SR-NYSE-2008-09).

7.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57826 (May 15, 2008), 73 FR 29802 (May 22, 2008) (SR-NASDAQ-2007-001).

8.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58328 (August 8, 2008), 73 FR 47247 (August 13, 2008) (SR-NYSE-2008-63).

9.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

10.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

11.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

12.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).

13.  In fact, the Commission notes, under Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), the “consistent with the protection of investors and public interest” standard applies only to the Commission's waiver of the 30-day operative delay. Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.

14.  For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

15.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).