E9-2698. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Phlx Rule 1092, Obvious Errors and Catastrophic Errors
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Start Preamble
January 30, 2009.
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 January 27, 2009, NASDAQ OMX PHLX, Inc. (“Phlx” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. Phlx has designated the proposed rule change as constituting a non-controversial rule change under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the Act,[3] 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 amend Phlx Rule 1092, Obvious Errors and Catastrophic Errors, to clarify when an options trade can be nullified in a “no bid” option.
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/micro.aspx?id=PHLXRulefilings, at the principal office of the Exchange, 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 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
The purpose of the proposed rule change is to clarify how the obvious error rule operates where an options is priced “no bid.” Currently, under the obvious error rule, the trade in question must result from an execution price where that series was quoted no bid and at least one strike price below (for calls) or above (for puts) in the same class was also quoted no bid at the time of the erroneous execution (in which case the trade shall be nullified). The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 1092(c)(ii)(E) to state that: (i) For 5 seconds prior to the execution the series must have remained no bid; (ii) the quote in question that results in the erroneous trade is not considered; and (iii) bids and offers of the parties to the subject trade that are in any of the series in the same options class are not be considered. Accordingly, the new rule makes clear, similar to the rules of other exchanges, what is taken into consideration when dealing with a potential obvious error in no bid options.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act [4] in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act [5] 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, by clarifying the situations where relief from an error may be sought.
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 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
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 [6] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.[7]
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.
A proposed rule change filed pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the Act [8] normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date of its filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) [9] permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Phlx requests that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay to immediately offer market participants on Phlx the same potential for relief that is available at other options exchanges for errors involving options series quoted no bid. The Exchange argued that the proposed changes should serve to clarify the situation where relief from such errors may be sought. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day Start Printed Page 6681operative delay [10] is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Given that the Exchange's proposed rule change is substantially similar to the rules of other exchanges previously approved by the Commission,[11] the proposal does not appear to present any novel regulatory issues. Therefore, the Commission designates the proposal operative upon filing.
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 rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-Phlx-2009-03 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
- Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2009-03. 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 Exchange. 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 publicly available. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2009-03 and should be submitted on or before March 3, 2009.
Start SignatureFor the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.[12]
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
Footnotes
7. 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 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. Phlx has satisfied this requirement.
Back to Citation10. 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).
Back to Citation11. See Nasdaq Options Market Rules, Chapter V, Section 6(b)(ii) and Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated Rule 6.25(a)(2).
Back to Citation[FR Doc. E9-2698 Filed 2-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
Document Information
- Published:
- 02/10/2009
- Department:
- Securities and Exchange Commission
- Entry Type:
- Notice
- Document Number:
- E9-2698
- Pages:
- 6680-6681 (2 pages)
- Docket Numbers:
- Release No. 34-59322, File No. SR-Phlx-2009-03
- EOCitation:
- of 2009-01-30
- PDF File:
- e9-2698.pdf