98-33136. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval to Proposed Rule Change by the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. Instituting a One-Year Pilot Program to Return Phlx Dell Options to Trading on the ...  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 240 (Tuesday, December 15, 1998)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 69128-69132]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-33136]
    
    
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    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
    
    [Release No. 34-40750; File No. SR-Phlx-98-54]
    
    
    Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Order 
    Granting Accelerated Approval to Proposed Rule Change by the 
    Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. Instituting a One-Year Pilot Program 
    to Return Phlx Dell Options to Trading on the Phlx Options Trading 
    Floor Using Amex Technology
    
    December 4, 1998.
        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 2, 1998, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. (``Phlx'' or 
    ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
    (``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in 
    Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. 
    On December 4, 1998, the Exchange submitted Amendment No. 1 to the 
    proposed rule change.\3\ The Commission is publishing this notice to 
    solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons 
    and to grant accelerated approval to the proposal.
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        \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
        \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
        \3\ See letter from Edith Hallahan, Deputy General Counsel, 
    Phlx, to Michael Walinskas, Deputy Associate Director, Commission, 
    dated December 3, 1998 (``Amendment No. 1''). In Amendment No. 1, 
    the Exchange proposes Commentaries to Phlx Rules 1051-1055 to 
    accommodate the use of Amex technology to trade Phlx Dell options. 
    The remaining substance of Amendment No. 1 is incorporated into this 
    notice and order granting accelerated approval.
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    I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of 
    Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
    
        The Phlx proposes to institute a one-year pilot program to return 
    Phlx Dell options to the Phlx trading floor from the American Stock 
    Exchange, L.L.C. (``Amex'') trading floor using Amex technology on or 
    about December 7, 1998. Amex technology would be used to enter, execute 
    and process transactions on the Phlx trading floor in Phlx Dell 
    options. Despite the use of Amex technology, the Phlx will continue to 
    be responsible for surveillance of Phlx Dell options and Phlx 
    transaction charges will continue to apply. Phlx rules will also 
    continue to apply, except as outlined below.
        The Exchange notes that operational functions respecting these 
    options will be handled by Amex systems, including quotation 
    processing, booking orders, transaction processing, trade correction, 
    and submission to clearing through The Options Clearing Corporation 
    (``OCC'').
        The Exchange has re-addressed the application of certain Phlx rules 
    that are impacted by Amex technology, determining that the following 
    Phlx rules, as discussed below, would not apply or would require 
    modification or interpretation: 1051, 1052, 1053, 1054, 1055, and 1080.
        The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Office of 
    the Secretary, Phlx and at 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 III 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
        The purpose of the proposed rule change is to trade Phlx Dell 
    options on the Phlx trading floor using Amex technology on a pilot 
    basis for one-year. In addition, the Phlx proposes the ability to 
    switch back from Amex to Phlx technology, with certain notification.
    
    [[Page 69129]]
    
        Background. On June 12, 1998, the Phlx received Commission approval 
    to relocate Phlx Dell options to the Amex trading floor on a temporary 
    basis.\4\ As part of the relocation, Amex trading systems and 
    technology are currently used on the Amex trading floor for automated 
    order entry and execution, quotation processing, booking orders, 
    transaction processing, trade correction, and clearing through OCC. The 
    relocation proposal expires on December 12, 1998.
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        \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 40088 (June 12, 
    1998), 63 FR 33426 (June 18, 1998) (``June Dell options order'').
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        Since the relocation in June, trading in Phlx Dell options has 
    significantly increased.\5\ The Exchange believes that the increase in 
    volume is due in part to the perception among order flow providers that 
    efficient customer order entry and executions have resulted from Amex 
    systems. Thus, the Exchange proposes to continue to use Amex technology 
    upon the return of Phlx Dell options to the Phlx trading floor. The 
    Exchange believes that continuing to use Amex systems may limit 
    customer confusion as well as continue to provide efficient order entry 
    and executions, based upon the experience in trading Phlx Dell options 
    on the Amex.
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        \5\ Volume has increased 66% since June from 38,418 contracts 
    per day before the move to 50,615 contracts per day after the move. 
    Recently, daily volume has exceeded 55,000 contracts.
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        The Exchange continues to implement technological improvements to 
    its AUTOM \6\ System, such as upgrading the features of its electronic 
    limit order book, the X-Station. Specifically, the Exchange is in the 
    process of implementing the X-Station on a floor-wide basis, featuring 
    improved cancellation order processing.\7\ The Phlx continues to 
    believes that its improvements are benefiting AUTOM users. In addition, 
    the Exchange intends to implement other system enhancements, such as 
    the inclusion of market data on the X-Station and an alert for quote 
    throughs. The Phlx also remains committed to continuing to address 
    AUTOM users, including a focus on active options such as Dell. Despite 
    the return of Phlx Dell options to the Phlx trading floor using Amex 
    technology, all other Phlx options will continue to trade using Phlx 
    technology, including the AUTOM System.
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        \6\ The Phlx Automated Options Market (AUTOM) System is the 
    Exchange's electronic order delivery system, which provides 
    automatic entry and routing of option orders to the Exchange trading 
    floor, pursuant to Phlx Rule 1080.
        \7\ The Exchange notes that improved cancel-replace order 
    processing was perceived as one reason to relocate Phlx Dell options 
    to the Amex.
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        Phlx Option. Because Phlx Dell options will be processed and 
    cleared through Amex systems, a quotation in Phlx Dell options located 
    on the Phlx will still appear as an Amex quote. For instance, vendor 
    systems may indicate that Dell is an ``Amex'' option. Further, Phlx 
    Dell options trades will appear in market data systems as Amex trades 
    and may be cleared with other Amex trades. Accordingly, trades cleared 
    by OCC may have Amex identifier codes on certain OCC reports. 
    Nevertheless, Dell continues to be a Phlx option.\8\ OCC has previously 
    advised its members that Phlx Dell options are registered, listed and 
    traded under the rules of Phlx.\9\ Phlx Dell options volume will 
    subsequently be attributed to the Phlx for various purposes, including 
    the determination of Option Price Reporting Authority (``OPRA'') 
    revenues.
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        \8\ The Exchange intends to seek interpretative relief from 
    Commission Rule 10b-10 that representing that an options transaction 
    took place on the Amex does not constitute a false statement by the 
    broker-dealer issuing the transaction confirmation.
        \9\ Phlx Dell options are currently registered by OCC as 
    securities listed on Phlx via a Form 8 amendment under the Act. 
    Trading Phlx Dell options using Amex technology in no way suggests 
    that these options are listed on the Amex.
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        Due to the use of Amex technology to trade Phlx Dell options, the 
    Phlx represents that Amex will be responsible for reporting system 
    outages as well as other system events pursuant to the Commission's 
    Automation Review Policy (``ARP'') and related regulatory review 
    requirements \10\ Phlx also represents that Amex will also be 
    responsible for communicating with its systems users regarding system 
    outages and changes and other system-related events.
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        \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 27445 (Nov. 16, 
    1989), 54 FR 48703 (Nov. 24, 1989); and 29185 (May 9, 1991), 56 FR 
    22490 (May 15, 1991). ARP I and ARP II are Commission policy 
    statements that provide guidelines for the review and assessment of 
    information technology resources and supporting trading and 
    information dissemination systems.
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        Amex Technology--Trade Processing. With respect to option trade 
    processing, the Amex and Phlx systems operate differently, primarily 
    because of the timing and method of submission of trade participant 
    information. Phlx executions are reported as ``matched trades'' through 
    the AUTOM System, including complete participant clearing information 
    at the time of execution, for submission to OPRA. Also at that time, 
    initial comparison has occurred.
        Amex verification and reconciliation, on the other hand, takes 
    places throughout the day \11\ via the Intra-Day Clearing (``IDC'') 
    system, separate from trade reporting functions. IDC provides an on-
    line, input-driven correction facility between member firms and the IDC 
    system. IDC terminals are operational throughout the trading day. 
    Members with a password have the ability to access uncompared, 
    advisory, rejected, and force match option trades. The IDC system 
    allows clearing information to be input during the trading day rather 
    than at the time of execution, separating and reducing the amount of 
    information inputted at the time of execution for trade reporting 
    purposes.
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        \11\ The Exchange notes that this pertains to manually executed 
    orders, such as trades between two Registered Options Traders 
    (``ROTs'') or trades manually executed by a floor broker. Orders 
    executed through Amex's Auto-Ex system or by the specialist through 
    Amex Options Display Book, however, are automatically entered upon 
    execution into the IDC system as a compared traded similar to Phlx 
    trades. See Amendment No. 1, supra note 3.
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        As a result of these differences in trade processing by Amex 
    systems, Phlx Rules 1051-1055 are affected. Rule 1051, General 
    Comparison and Clearance Rule, provides that all Exchange options 
    transactions shall be reported to the Exchange at the time of execution 
    for comparison of trade information at the specialist's post and all 
    compared transactions shall be cleared through the OCC. Proposed 
    Commentary .01 will clarify that utilizing Amex technology for Phlx 
    Dell options results in the submission of some, but not all, trade 
    information at the specialist's post, as clearing and detailed 
    participant information would follow via IDC.
        Rule 1052, Responsibility Of Clearing Options Member For Exchange 
    Options Transactions, places responsibility on clearing member 
    organizations to clear Exchange options transactions. Proposed 
    Commentary .01 will clarify that Phlx Dell options trading on Amex 
    technology are ``Exchange'' transactions for this purpose as well.
        Phlx Rules 1053, Filing of Trade Information, and 1054, 
    Verification Of Contracts and Reconciliation Of Uncompared Trades, 
    require certain trade information should be supplied or verified at the 
    time of execution.\12\ These rules also provide that such information 
    should be in a form prescribed by the Exchange, and, respectively, in 
    accordance with procedures established by the Exchange. The Phlx 
    proposes that, with respect to an option trading using Amex
    
    [[Page 69130]]
    
    technology, some trade information (such as clearing and participant 
    information) need not be reported at the time of execution at the 
    specialist post and that these are Exchange transactions for the 
    purposes of Rule 1053 and 1054.
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        \12\ Phlx Option Floor Procedure Advice F-2 will apply to Phlx 
    Dell options trading using Amex technology, such that it is the duty 
    of the largest participant to report the trade. In the event that 
    there is only one buyer and seller, the seller is required to report 
    the trade.
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        Phlx Rule 1055, Reporting Of Compared Trades To Options Clearing 
    Corporation, will continue to apply to Dell options as it requires the 
    Exchange to furnish OCC with a report of all compared trades based on a 
    comparison service performed by the Exchange on that day, which will 
    incorporate the IDC system described above. Proposed Commentary .01 
    stats that Amex technology shall furnish the report and perform the 
    comparison service referred to in this Rule. In addition, the proposal 
    deletes a reference to Rule 1075 \13\ in Rule 1055.\14\
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        \13\ The Commission notes that Phlx does not currently have a 
    Rule 1075. As such, the deletion of this reference from Rule 1055 is 
    not a substantive change.
        \14\ See Amendment No. 1, supra note 3.
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        Amex Technology--Automated Order Entry and Execution. Amex 
    technology \15\ regarding automated options order routing occurs 
    through the Common Message Switch (``CMS'').\16\ The Exchange shall 
    provide prior written notice to the Exchange membership describing key 
    elements of Amex technology and the resulting order routing 
    implications. With respect to contra-side participation for 
    automatically executed trades, Amex's Auto-Ex feature rotates among 
    trading crowd participants (specialists and ROTs) separately for puts 
    and calls, which differs from the single ```Wheel'' for each option in 
    the AUTOM system. Thus, the Wheel provision of Phlx Rule 1080 and Floor 
    Procedure Advice F-24 cannot apply.
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        \15\ This is not intended to be a complete description of Amex 
    technology regarding automated options order routing. This limited 
    description is provided merely to identify the impact of trading 
    Phlx Dell options using Amex technology on Phlx rules.
        \16\ The proposed rule change to temporarily relocate Phlx Dell 
    options to the Amex referred to the Amex Order File and related sub-
    systems such as the Amex Options Display Book (``AODB''), Touch 
    Order Entry Terminal (``TOETS''), and Auto-ex.
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        Pursuant to Advice F-24(e), the Phlx assigns contra party 
    participation on the Wheel by assigning a certain number of contracts 
    to each participant signed onto the Wheel per each order. Whereas the 
    Amex Auto-Ex system distributes the entire order on a rotational basis 
    to each participant. In addition, the rotation among participants is 
    different, as specialist participation on the Phlx Wheel, as enumerated 
    in Advice F-24, depends upon the Auto-Ex guarantee in that option. This 
    aspect of Advice F-24(e) will not apply to Phlx Dell options.
        Liability.
        With respect to the liability provisions of Phlx By-Law Article 
    XII, Section 12-11 as well as other liability-related provisions in 
    Amex rules,\17\ the use of the facilities clearly includes Phlx Dell 
    options trading on the Phlx, despite the use of Amex technology. Thus, 
    non-liability for damages sustained by a member or member organization 
    growing out of the use by such member organization of the facilities 
    afforded by the Exchange for the conduct of their business should be 
    extended to Amex systems. In trading Phlx Dell options using Amex 
    technology, the Phlx, its members, member organizations and employees 
    shall accept the same limitations on the liability of Amex, as provided 
    in the Amex Constitution and Rules with respect to the use of Amex 
    technology systems for the conduct of business, as such limitations 
    apply to any Amex member, member organization or employee thereof.\18\
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        \17\ See also Phlx Rule 1080(e)
        \18\ In the proposal, the Phlx codifies the limitation of Amex 
    liability to Phlx members in proposed Commentary .03 to Phlx Rule 
    1080. Proposed Commentary .03 also provides that Phlx members may 
    not copy, modify, disclose, damage, improve or create derivative 
    works from, sublease, assign or in any other way permit use by any 
    other third party of such Amex technology. See Amendment No. 1, 
    supra note 3.
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        Other Phlx rule implications. Phlx Dell options will continue to be 
    traded under Phlx rules, including minimum trading increments, strike 
    price intervals, and position and exercise limits. Phlx Rule 1080 and 
    Floor Procedure Advice F-24, regarding contra-side participation 
    continue to apply to automated orders, to the extent its provisions 
    conform to Amex technology and except as otherwise described herein. 
    For instance, Amex parameters will apply regarding the maximum order 
    size eligible for electronic delivery.\19\
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        \19\ Currently, such maximum size is 50 contracts.
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        Survelliance. although Phlx Dell options continue to be Phlx 
    options, utilizing Amex technology necessitates that surveillance data 
    be generated by the Amex and submitted to the Phlx on a next-day basis. 
    The Phlx incorporates such data into its existing surveillance 
    procedures and generates similar surveillance reports respecting Phlx 
    Dell options. Certain surveillance data, such as block trades, may be 
    forwarded to the Phlx in the form of reports depending upon technical 
    and operational factors, and such data would then be incorporated into 
    Phlx surveillance procedures. Other than the reliance on Amex for data 
    and large block trade reports, surveillance of Phlx Dell options will 
    remain the responsibility of Phlx.
        Transaction Fees. Phlx transaction fees will continue to apply to 
    Phlx Dell options, thus, Phlx will be responsible for transaction fee 
    billing and collection in accordance with such Phlx procedures. The 
    Phlx anticipates that fees to the Phlx respecting Amex systems use will 
    be determined by an agreement with the Amex. Similar to surveillance 
    matters, data-sharing will be necessary in order for all such billing 
    to be complete.
        Deputization of Amex floor brokers. When Phlx Dell options 
    temporarily relocated to the Amex trading floor, another method for 
    order entry was through a deputized Amex floor broker. Deputization 
    involved a waiver of compliance with Phlx's rules governing floor 
    brokers and the requirements for membership. However, with the return 
    of Phlx Dell options to the Phlx trading floor, such deputization is no 
    longer necessary; Phlx floor brokers will resume providing this 
    additional method of order entry.
        Notification. Prior to the return of Phlx Dell options to the Phlx 
    trading floor, the Exchange will also notify all member firms of the 
    change in trading location, emphasizing the continuation of Amex 
    technology. The Exchange has conducted training sessions for floor 
    personnel regarding Amex systems. As stated above, the Exchange will 
    also distribute memoranda regarding the differences in trade reporting 
    and pre-clearing procedures between the Phlx Dell options trading on 
    Amex technology and the Phlx options trading on Phlx technology 
    throughout the Phlx trading floor. Because Phlx Dell options will 
    continue to be traded using Amex technology, the larger system and 
    order routing changes that were required upon initial relocation to the 
    Amex in June should not result. Nevertheless, the Exchange plans to 
    notify its members, as well OCC, of the return to the Phlx trading 
    floor.
        The Exchange believes that using Amex systems for Phlx Dell options 
    on the Phlx trading floor should provide consistency for members and 
    investors as well as a continuation of efficient order execution. The 
    Phlx also continues to improve upon its own technology for the 
    remainder of the Phlx options floor, as discussed above. Termination of 
    its technology arrangement with Amex, formal or informal, or the 
    inability of Amex technology to function properly, as reasonably 
    determined by the Exchange, would warrant a switch to Phlx technology. 
    The Exchange would
    
    [[Page 69131]]
    
    provide prior written notice to the Commission, Phlx members, OCC and 
    the Amex should such a switch be necessary.
    2. Statutory Basis
        For the reasons discussed above, the Exchange believes that the 
    proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6 of the Act in 
    general, and in particular, with Section 6(b)(5), \20\ in that it is 
    designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster 
    cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, 
    clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and 
    facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and 
    perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market 
    system, as well as to protect investors and the public interest by 
    maintaining consistency in the order entry and execution for Phlx Dell 
    options trading on the Phlx.
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        \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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    B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
    
        The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
    impose any inappropriate burden on competition.
    
    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. 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, 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 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. Sec. 552, will be available for inspection and copying at 
    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-Phlx-98-54 and 
    should be submitted by January 5, 1999.
    
    IV. Commission's Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval 
    of the Proposed Rule Change
    
        The Commission finds that Phlx's proposal to institute a one-year 
    pilot program to trade Phlx Dell options on the Phlx trading floor 
    using Amex technology is consistent with the requirements of the Act 
    and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national 
    securities exchange. Specifically, the Commission finds that the 
    proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) \21\ in that 
    the arrangement between Phlx and Amex fosters cooperation and 
    coordination with persons engaged in regulation, clearing, settling, 
    processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions 
    in securities.\22\
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        \21\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
        \22\ In approving this rule, the Commission has considered the 
    proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital 
    formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
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        With respect to the proposed Commentaries to Exchange Rules 1051-
    1055, the Commission believes that the proposed rule changes are 
    reasonable and consistent with the Act as a temporary measure to 
    conform Phlx rules with the use of Amex technology. Although the 
    Commission believes that the proposed rule changes are necessary to 
    allow Phlx Dell options to be traded on the Phlx trading floor using 
    Amex technology, the Commission has concerns regarding a number of 
    aspects of the proposal. The Commission recognizes that importing Amex 
    technology to the Phlx is critical to the Phlx being able to properly 
    handle trading of Dell options on their trading floor. We observe that 
    the technology being used has not been tailored to permit trading of 
    Dell options in a manner that would be consistent with existing Phlx 
    rules.\23\ As noted above, the Exchange is committed to implementing 
    technological improvements to its current electronic systems including 
    its electronic limit order book, the X-Station.\24\ The Commission 
    expects that the Exchange will endeavor to continue to improve its 
    technology to enable Phlx Dell options to trade on Phlx in a manner 
    consistent with existing Phlx Rules. The Commission believes that the 
    existing proposal is not a desirable long-term solution for trading 
    Phlx Dell options. The trading processing requirements and Wheel 
    assignment rules applicable to Phlx-traded Dell options are being 
    utilized out of necessity rather than by choice--they are embedded in 
    the Amex technology that Phlx believes is necessary in order to 
    maintain fair and orderly markets in Phlx Dell options.
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        \23\ See supra Section II--Amex Technology--Trade Processing.
        \24\ See supra Section II--Background.
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        In the filing, Phlx also proposed an amendment to Rule 1080, 
    disclaiming Amex's liability to Phlx members for damages growing out of 
    the use and enjoyment of Amex's technology and imposing liability on 
    Phlx members for the misuse or damage of the Amex technology. In the 
    June Dell options order, the Commission approved an interpretation of 
    Phlx By-Law Article XII, Section 12-11, which disclaims Phlx's 
    liability to Phlx members for damages growing out of the use and 
    enjoyment of Phlx's facilities, extending that limitation of liability 
    to the Amex.\25\ The Commission continues to believe that this 
    limitation of liability of the Amex \26\ to Phlx members growing out of 
    the use and enjoyment of the Amex technology is reasonable and 
    consistent with the Act. This Commentary to Rule 1080 merely codifies 
    the currently existing understanding between Phlx members and the Amex 
    as stated in the June Dell options order.
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        \25\ See June Phlx Dell options order, supra note 4.
        \26\ The Commission notes that, in the June Phlx Dell options 
    order, the limitation of liability only involved the Amex where in 
    this filing, the limitation of liability includes the National 
    Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (``NASD''). This is due to 
    the recent merger of the Amex and the NASD.
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        In the proposal, the Exchange represents that the Amex will be 
    responsible for reporting system outages as well as other systems 
    events pursuant to the Commission's ARP policy and related regulatory 
    review requirements.\27\ The Commission agrees that, because Amex 
    technology is being used, the Amex may be in the best position to 
    report system outages and other system events. Nonetheless, the 
    Exchange is ultimately responsible for ensuring that such outages and 
    system events are reported to the Commission.
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        \27\ See supra Section II--Phlx Option.
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        Finally, the Commission notes that, to minimize investor confusion 
    in the trading of Phlx Dell options, Phlx has stated that it will 
    provide adequate notice to its members to ensure that they and the 
    investing public are aware that Phlx Dell options are listed, traded, 
    and supervised according to Phlx rules, but are to be traded using Amex 
    technology on the Phlx trading floor.
        The Commission finds good cause for approving the proposed rule 
    change prior to the thirtieth day after the date of publication of 
    notice thereof in the
    
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    Federal Register. Granting accelerated approval to the proposal will 
    enable the Exchange to return Phlx Dell options to the Phlx options 
    trading floor prior to the expiration of the Phlx Dell options order. 
    Accordingly, the Commission believes that good cause exists, consistent 
    with Section 6(b)(5) and Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, to grant 
    accelerated approval to the proposed rule change.\28\
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        \28\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5) and 78s(b)(2).
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        It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
    Act,\29\ that the proposed one-year pilot program (SR-Phlx-98-54) is 
    approved on an accelerated basis through December 6, 1999.
    
        \29\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
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        For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
    pursuant to delegated authority.\30\
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        \30\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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    Margaret H. McFarland,
    Deputy Secretary.
    [FR Doc. 98-33136 Filed 12-14-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 8010-01-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
12/15/1998
Department:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
98-33136
Pages:
69128-69132 (5 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Release No. 34-40750, File No. SR-Phlx-98-54
PDF File:
98-33136.pdf