E8-5098. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Boston Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Fee Schedule of the Boston Options Exchange  

  • Start Preamble March 10, 2008.

    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”),[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,[2] notice is hereby given that on March 7, 2008, the Boston Stock Exchange, Inc. (“BSE” 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 substantially prepared by the BSE. The BSE has designated the proposed rule change as constituting a stated policy, practice, or interpretation with respect to the meaning, administration, or enforcement of an existing rule of the self-regulatory organization pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act [3] and Rule 19b-4(f)(1) thereunder,[4] 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 is proposing to amend the Fee Schedule of the Boston Options Exchange (“BOX”). The proposed rule change will more clearly set forth the fees that are presently already charged for trading options contracts on BOX. The text of the proposed rule change is available on BSE's Web site at http://www.bostonoptions.com,, at BSE's principal office, 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 BSE 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 BSE 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 proposes to amend the BOX Fee Schedule. The proposed change will more clearly set forth the fees that are applicable to Public Customer and Broker Dealer account types. The proposed change will not modify the level of fees that are charged for the trading of options contracts on BOX, nor will it change to whom the fees are charged.

    The Exchange currently applies an alternative pricing structure for certain classes of options contracts traded on BOX, the Liquidity Make or Take pricing structure (“Make or Take”). Make or Take fees and credits apply to transactions for all account types (e.g., Public Customer, Broker Dealer or Market Maker) as set forth in Section 7 of the BOX Fee Schedule. Specific references to the Liquidity Make or Take pricing structure and the fees and credits associated therewith are not currently included within the sections of fees applicable to Public Customer accounts as well as Broker Dealer proprietary accounts. However, particular reference to Make or Take is made within the section of fees Start Printed Page 13940applicable to Market Makers. As previously stated, Make or Take is applicable to all three account types.[5]

    This proposed rule change will specifically include this reference to Make or Take within the Public Customer and Broker Dealer portions of the BOX Fee Schedule. Again, this proposal will not modify the fees that are currently charged for the trading of options contracts on BOX, nor will it change to whom the fees are charged.

    2. Statutory Basis

    The Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act,[6] in general, and Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,[7] in particular, in that it clarifies existing rule text and it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts, 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.

    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

    The Exchange has neither solicited nor received comments on 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)(i) of the Act [8] and subparagraph (f)(1) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.[9] The proposed rule change is a stated policy, practice or interpretation with respect to the meaning, administration or enforcement of an existing rule of the Exchange.

    At any time within 60 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.

    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

    Paper Comments

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

    All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BSE-2008-13. 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 BSE. 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-BSE-2008-13 and should be submitted on or before April 4, 2008.

    Start Signature

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.[10]

    Florence E. Harmon,

    Deputy Secretary.

    End Signature End Preamble

    Footnotes

    [FR Doc. E8-5098 Filed 3-13-08; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

Document Information

Published:
03/14/2008
Department:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
E8-5098
Pages:
13939-13940 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Release No. 34-57459, File No. SR-BSE-2008-13
EOCitation:
of 2008-03-10
PDF File:
e8-5098.pdf