96-9893. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto by the Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. Relating to Listing Standards for Investment Company Units  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 23, 1996)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 17932-17936]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-9893]
    
    
    
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    OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
    [Release No. 34-37121; International Series Release No. 969; File No. 
    SR-CHX-96-12]
    
    
    Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule 
    Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto by the Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. 
    Relating to Listing Standards for Investment Company Units
    
    April 17, 1996.
        Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
    1934, 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1) (``Act''), notice is hereby given that on 
    March 27, 1996, the Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. (``CHX'' or 
    ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission the 
    proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which 
    Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. On April 
    12, 1996, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to its proposal.\1\ The 
    Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the 
    proposed rule change from interested persons.
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        \1\ Amendment No. 1 serves to supersede entirely the Exchange's 
    initial rule filing. Therefore, this notice incorporates Amendment 
    No. 1 in its entirety. Letter from Charles R. Haywood, Foley & 
    Lardner, to Francois Mazur, Attorney, Division of Market Regulation, 
    Commission, dated April 11, 1996 (``Amendment No. 1'').
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    I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
    of the Proposed Rule Change
    
        The Exchange proposes to amend Article XXVIII of its Rules 
    governing the listing requirements of securities on the CHX, as well as 
    Article XXX of the CHX's Rules governing specialists.
    
    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 these statements may be examined at 
    the places specified in Item IV below. The self-regulatory organization 
    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
    
        The Exchange is proposing listing standards for units of trading 
    (``Units'') that represent an interest in a registered investment 
    company (``Investment Company'') that could be organized as a unit 
    investment trust (``UIT''), an open-end management investment company, 
    or a similar entity. The investment company would hold securities 
    comprising, or otherwise based on or representing an investment in, an 
    index or portfolio of securities. The investment company could either 
    hold the securities directly or could hold another security 
    representing the index or portfolio of securities (such as shares of a 
    UIT that holds shares of an open-end investment company).
        Under the proposed rules, the Investment Company would be required 
    either to: (i) hold securities comprising or otherwise based on or 
    representing and interest in an index or portfolio of securities, or 
    (ii) hold securities in another registered investment company.\2\ The 
    Investment Company would then issue Units in a specified aggregate 
    number in return for a deposit of either: (i) shares of securities
    
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    comprising or otherwise based on the relevant index or portfolio, or 
    (ii) shares of a registered investment company. In addition or instead 
    of the ``in-kind'' deposit, the Investment Company might require a cash 
    deposit. Thus, Units could be structured as series of an open-end 
    management investment company investing in a portfolio of securities 
    (``Fund-only structure''). Alternatively, Units could be structured as 
    UITs that have as their assets shares of an open-end investment company 
    holding a portfolio of securities (``Fund/UIT structure''). Unit 
    holders would receive periodic cash payments corresponding to the 
    regular cash dividends or distributions declared with respect to the 
    securities held by the Investment Company (after subtracting applicable 
    expenses and charges).
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        \2\ Telephone Conversation between David T. Rusoff, Foley & 
    Lardner, and Francois Mazur, Office of Market Supervision, Division 
    of Market Regulation, on April 12, 1996.
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        Units would be distributed in ``Creation Transactions.'' To effect 
    a Creation Transaction in a Fund-only structure, an entity would buy 
    shares from the investment company (``Fund'') in ``Creation Unit'' size 
    aggregations in exchange for a deposit of a basket of securities 
    reflecting the securities underlying the Fund and/or cash deposit. To 
    effect a Creation Transaction in a Fund/UIT structure, an entity would 
    buy a Fund share with a similar deposit and exchange it for a Creation 
    Unit.\3\ The owner of a Creation Unit could then subdivide the Creation 
    Unit into a specific number of identical fractional non-redeemable sub-
    units, the Units, that would constitute securities traded. Units could 
    be recombined into Creation Unit aggregations, and redeemed for the 
    securities underlying the Fund and/or an amount of cash, either 
    directly, or indirectly, depending on the structure chosen. The 
    securities would not be redeemable other than in Creation Unit 
    aggregations.\4\
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        \3\ Id.
        \4\ Id.
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        Dealing in Units on the Exchange will be conducted pursuant to the 
    Exchange's general agency-auction trading rules. The Exchange's general 
    dealing and settlement rules would apply, including its rules on 
    clearance and settlement of securities transactions and its equity 
    margin rules. Other generally applicable Exchange equity rules and 
    procedures also would apply. Unless the prospectus for a specific 
    security states otherwise, the Units trading on the Exchange will have 
    one vote per share; however, as with other securities issued by 
    registered investment companies, there will not be a ``pass-through'' 
    of the voting rights on the actual index securities held by a fund or 
    directly or indirectly by a trust.
        With respect to specialist dealings, Article XXX, Rule 23(a) of the 
    Exchange's Rules precludes certain business relationships between an 
    issuer of an ``exclusive issue'' and the specialist in that exclusive 
    issue.\5\ Rule 23(a) could be interpreted when listing certain types of 
    Units to prevent a specialist from engaging in Creation Transactions 
    with the issuer. The Exchange believes, however, that such market 
    activities could enhance liquidity in the Units and facilitate the 
    specialist's market-making responsibilities. In addition, since the 
    specialist will be able to engage in Creation Transactions and 
    redemptions only according to the same terms and conditions as every 
    other investor (and only at net asset value), the Exchange believes 
    that there is no potential for abuse.
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        \5\ Interpretation and Policy .01 of Article XXX, Rule 23 
    defines ``exclusive issue'' as the stock of any company traded on 
    the Exchange no otherwise traded on the NYSE, American Stock 
    Exchange, or NASDAQ/NMS, and, where there exists another market for 
    such issue, the Exchange has executed 15% or more of the volume in 
    the issue during the three previous months.
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        Therfore, the Exchange proposes amending Article XXX, Rule 23(a) to 
    permit specialists to engage in these types of transactions if such 
    transactions would facilitate the maintenance of a fair and orderly 
    market in the Security. Any Creation Transactions in which the 
    specialist engages, however, will have to be effected through the 
    Distributor (as defined herein), and not directly with the issuer. This 
    requirement will make clear that the specialist is purchasing Units in 
    Creation Unit-size aggregations only to facilitate normal specialist 
    trading activity.
        With respect to investor disclosure, the Exchange notes that, 
    pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (``1933 
    Act''), all investors in Units will receive a prospectus regarding the 
    Units. Because the Units will be in continuous distribution, the 
    prospectus delivery requirements of the 1933 Act will apply to all 
    investors in Units. It is possible, however, that an exemption from the 
    prospectus delivery requirement may be obtained at some point in the 
    future with respect to Units listed or traded on the Exchange. In the 
    event of such an exemption, the Exchange will discuss with Commission 
    staff the appropriate level of disclosure that should be required with 
    respect to the Units being listed or traded, as appropriate, and will 
    file any necessary rule change to provide for such disclosure.
        Upon the initial listing of any class of Units or trading of such 
    Units pursuant to unlisted trading privileges, the Exchange will issue 
    a circular to its membership explaining the unique characteristics and 
    risks of this type of security. The circular will, among other things, 
    inform member organizations of their responsibility to deliver a 
    prospectus to investors.
        With respect to trading halts, the trading of Units would be 
    halted, along with the trading of all other listed stocks, in the event 
    the ``circuit breaker'' thresholds of Article IX, Rule 10A of the 
    Exchange's Rules are reached.
        The Exchange proposes that Units trade either in certificated form 
    or solely through the use of a global certificate. Permitting the use 
    of global certificates would be consistent with expediting the 
    processing of transactions in Units and would minimize the costs of 
    engaging in transactions in these securities.
        One existing form of Units are CountryBasket securities 
    (``Securities''),\6\ Which are created pursuant to a Fund-only 
    structure. The New York Stock Exchange (``NYSE'') has received 
    permission to list and trade CountryBaskets.\7\ CHX is not asking 
    permission to list CountryBaskets at this time, but rather will trade 
    CountryBaskets pursuant to unlisted trading privileges (``UTP'') once 
    the generic listing standards set forth herein are approved.
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        \6\ CHX understands that ``CountryBaskets'' and ``The 
    CountryBaskets Index Fund'' are service marks of Deutsche Morgan 
    Grenfell/C.J. Lawrence, Inc. (``DMG''), the investment advisor to 
    the fund.
        \7\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 36923 (March 5, 1996), 
    61 FR 10410.
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        Pursuant to Rule 12f-5 under the Act,\8\ prior to trading a 
    particular class or type of security pursuant to UTP, CHX must have 
    listing standards comparable to those of the primary exchange on which 
    the security is listed. The NYSE has adopted listing standards for 
    investment company units, and CHX's proposed rule change is designed to 
    create similar standards for investment company unit listing and/or 
    trading on CHX. As stated above, CHX propose to trade CountryBaskets 
    pursuant to UTP upon approval of this rule filing.
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        \8\ 17 CFR 240.12f-5 (1995).
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        The remainder of this section of the filing merely provides 
    background information on CountryBaskets. The information, taken from 
    File No. SR-NYSE-95-23, describes the structure and mechanics of 
    CountryBaskets.
        CountryBasket securities are issued as series of an open-end 
    management investment company that will invest in a portfolio of 
    securities (``Index Securities'') included in a corresponding index. 
    Each series of the
    
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    investment company is designed to provide investment results that 
    substantially correspond to the price and yield performance of a 
    corresponding FT/S&P-Actuaries World Index (``Index'' or ``FT/
    S&P'').\9\ The initial nine series of Funds will be based on the 
    following Indices: Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, 
    South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States.
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        \9\ According to Amendment No. 1 to SR-NYSE-95-23, the Indices 
    are a continuation of the FT-Actuaries World Indices, which were 
    jointly founded by The Financial Times Limited (``FT''), Goldman, 
    Sachs & Co. (``Goldman''), and NatWest Securities Limited 
    (``NatWest,'' and each a ``Founding Member''). In May 1995, Standard 
    & Poor's (``S&P''), a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 
    joined FT and Goldman as co-publishers of the predecessor to the 
    Indices. As part of the new arrangement, NatWest withdrew from the 
    management of those indices, but continues to be recognized as a 
    Founding Member. The Indices are now jointly owned by S&P, FT and 
    Goldman. Following a transition period, FT and S&P will jointly 
    calculate the Indices. In November 1995, FT transferred its 
    ownership rights in the Indices to FT-SE International, a new 
    company jointly owned by the FT and the London Stock Exchange. By 
    the end of 1996, it is expected that FT-SE International will assume 
    responsibility for calculating the European and Asia-Pacific Indices 
    and S&P will calculate the U.S. Index.
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    Distribution of the Securities
    
        The Securities are distributed in transactions with the Fund 
    through Creation Transactions. To effect a Creation Transaction, a 
    person would buy Fund shares from the Fund at their net asset value 
    (``NAV'') next computed. The sales will be in Creation Unit-size 
    aggregations in exchange for a deposit (``Deposit'') of Index 
    Securities (a ``Fund Basket'') and a specified amount of cash 
    sufficient to equal the NAV of such shares.
        Securites in Creation Unit-size aggregations may be redeemed, at 
    NAV, generally for an in-kind distribution of Index Securities 
    comprising the Fund shares, plus a cash payment. A Creation Unit-size 
    of Fund shares will represent securities with approximately $2 to $9.5 
    million in market value. The Creation Unit would be disaggregated into 
    the individual Securities that would trade on the Exchange.\10\ For the 
    nine initial CountryBasket securities, there would be the following 
    number of Securities per Creation Unit:
    
        \10\ If a Fund/UIT structure instead had been used, a 
    ``Redeemable Unit'' would represent the functional equivalent of the 
    Creation Unit. The owner of a Redeemable Unit could separate it into 
    a specific number of identical fractional non-redeemable sub-units 
    that would constitute the Securities traded on the Exchange. In the 
    case of the Germany CountryBasket series, for example, there would 
    be 100,000 Securities per Redeemable Unit. These Securities could be 
    recombined into Redeemable Units and then redeemed, at NAV, for the 
    appropriate number of Fund shares. In turn, the Fund shares could be 
    redeemed for the Index Securities and cash. The Securities would not 
    be redeemable other than in the Creation Unit aggregations.
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    Australia--100,000
    France--100,000
    Germany--100,000
    Hong Kong--100,000
    Italy--100,000
    Japan--250,000
    South Africa--100,000
    United Kingdom--100,000
    United States--100,000
    
        There may be an initial distribution period of Fund shares lasting 
    from one to a few weeks. During this period, the principal underwriter 
    or distributor (``Distributor'') directly or through soliciting dealers 
    would accept subscriptions to purchase Fund shares.
    Exchange Trading of Units
        The proposed listing criteria provide flexible standards for the 
    listing of Units. Before commencing trading, the Exchange will require 
    that there be at least 300,000 tradeable Units outstanding, 
    representing, for the nine series encompassed by this filing, at least 
    three Creation Units (except for the Japan CountryBasket). The Exchange 
    will consider the suspension of trading and the delisting of a series 
    of Units if:
    
         After the first year of trading, there are fewer than 
    50 record or beneficial holders of the Units for 30 or more 
    consecutive trading days;
         The value of the underlying index or portfolio of 
    securities is no longer calculated or available; or
         There occurs another event that makes further dealings 
    in the Units on the Exchange inadvisable.
    The FT/S&P-Actuaries World Indices
        Deutsche Bank Securities Corporation, formerly investment adviser 
    to the Funds, provided the NYSE with certain information describing the 
    FT/S&P-Actuaries World Indices, contained within NYSE filing SR-NYSE-
    95-23, as amended. The following combines information from the initial 
    filing and Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 to that filing.
    Establishing an Index
        The FT/S&P are jointly compiled by the Financial Times Limited, 
    Goldman, Sachs & Co., and Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-
    Hill Companies, Inc., in conjunction with the Institute of Actuaries 
    (together, the ``consortium'').\11\ The aim of the Consortium is to 
    create and maintain a series of high quality equity indices for use by 
    the global investment community. Specifically, the Consortium seeks to 
    establish and maintain the FT/S&P so that the respect to their 
    corresponding markets, they are comprehensive, consistent, flexible, 
    accurate, investible, and representative.
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        \11\ In Amendment No. 1 to SR-NYSE-95-23, the NYSE stated that 
    certain modifications had occurred to the indices. The Chicago Stock 
    Exchange's filing has incorporated the additional information, and 
    operates under the assumption that the original information detailed 
    in SR-NYSE-95-23 continues to be accurate to the extent not modified 
    by the NYSE's amendment.
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        The World Index Policy Committee (``WIPC'') makes all policy 
    decisions concerning the FT/S&P, including objectives, selection 
    criteria, liquidity requirements, calculation methodologies, and the 
    timing and disclosure of additions and deletions. The WIPC makes those 
    decisions in a manner that is consistent with the stated aims and 
    objectives of the Consortium. In general, the WIPC aims for a minimum 
    of 70 percent coverage of the aggregate value of all domestic exchange-
    listed stocks in every country, region and sector in which it maintains 
    an index.
        The WIPC consists of one representative of each Consortium member, 
    one member nominated by each of the parties as representing an actual 
    or prospective main user group of the World Indices, a Chairman and 
    additional member who are members of the Institute of Actuaries of the 
    Facility of Actuaries.
        A country must satisfy the following criteria for the WIPC to 
    include it in the FT/S&P-Actuaries World Indices: (1) Direct equity 
    investment by non-nationals must be permitted, (2) accurate and timely 
    data must be available; (3) no significant exchange controls should 
    exist that would prevent the timely repatriation of capital or 
    dividends; (4) significant international investor interest in the local 
    equity market must have been demonstrated; and (5) adequate liquidity 
    must exist.
        Securities in the FT/S&P are subject to the following 
    ``investibility screens'': (1) Securities comprising the bottom five 
    percent of any market's capitalization are excluded; (2) securities 
    must be eligible to be owned by foreign investors; (3) 25 percent or 
    more of the full capitalization of eligible securities must be publicly 
    available for investment and not in the hands of a single party or 
    parties ``acting in concert''; and (4) securities that fail to trade 
    for more than 15 business days within each of two consecutive quarters 
    are excluded.
        The WIPC seeks to select constituent stocks that capture 85 percent 
    of the equity that remains in any market (known as the ``investible 
    universe'') after applying the investibility screens. Securities are 
    selected with regard to economic sector and market
    
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    capitalization to make a given FT/S&P highly representative of the 
    overall economic sector make-up and market capitalization distribution 
    of the investible universe of a market.
    Maintaining an Index
        The WIPC may add securities to the FT/S&P for any of the following 
    reasons: (1) The addition would make the economic sector make-up and 
    market capitalization distribution of the FT/S&P component more 
    representative of its investible universe; (2) a non-constituent 
    security has gained in importance and replaces an existing constituent 
    security under the rules of review established by the WIPC; (3) the FT/
    S&P component represents less than its targeted percentage of the 
    capitalization of its investible universe (usually in cases where the 
    investible universe has grown faster than the corresponding FT/S&P); 
    (4) a new, eligible security becomes available whose total 
    capitalization is one percent or more of the current capitalization of 
    the relevant FT/S&P; (5) an existing constituent ``spins off'' a part 
    of its business and issues new equity to the existing shareholders; or 
    (6) changes in investibility factors lead to a stock becoming eligible 
    for inclusion and that stock now qualifies on other grounds.
        The WIPC may adjust the FT/S&P for any of the following reasons: 
    (1) The component comprises too high a percentage of its representative 
    universe; (2) a review by the WIPC shows that a constituent security 
    has declined in importance and should be replaced by a non-constituent 
    security; (3) the deletion of a security that has declined in 
    importance would make the FT/S&P more representative of the economic 
    make-up of its investible universe; (4) circumstances regarding 
    investibility and free float change, causing the constituent security 
    to fail the FT/S&P screening criteria; (5) and existing constituent 
    security is acquired by another entity; or (6) the stock has been 
    suspended from trading for a period of more than ten working days. 
    Generally, but not in all cases, changes resulting from review by the 
    WIPC occur at the end of a calendar quarter. Changes resulting from 
    merger or ``spin-off'' activity will be effectuated as soon as 
    practicable.
    Dissemination of Changes to the Constituent Stocks in the Indices
        Changes to an Index made during a calendar quarter are noted at the 
    foot of the tables containing the Indices that are published daily in 
    the ET. Consistent with the FT publication policy, these changes also 
    are shown prior to the actual day of implementation (unless for reasons 
    beyond the control of FT this is not possible). Decisions regarding the 
    addition of new eligible constituent stocks that are unrelated to 
    existing stocks in an Index, or weighting changes to existing 
    constituent stocks, are announced in the FT at least four working days 
    before they are implemented. Monday editions of the FT also show all 
    constituent changes made during the previous week, together with base 
    values for each Index. Changes to be made in an Index at the end of a 
    calendar quarter are published as soon as is practicable following the 
    quarterly meeting of the World Indices Policy Committee, but before the 
    quarter-end.
    Calculation and Dissemination of an Index
        The FT/S&P are calculated through widely accepted mathematical 
    formulae, with the effect that the Indices are weighted arithmetic 
    averages of the price relatives of the constituents--as produced solely 
    by changes in the marketplace--adjusted for intervening capital 
    changes. The FT/S&P are base-weighted aggregates of the initial market 
    capitalization, the price of each issue being weighted by the number of 
    shares outstanding, modified to reflect only those shares outstanding 
    that are eligible to be owned by foreign investors.
        For each constituent security, the implied annual dividend is 
    divided by 260 (an accepted approximation for the number of business 
    days in a calendar year). This dividend is then reinvested daily 
    according to standard actuarial calculations. Distributions affect 
    adjustments to the base capital or the price per share in accordance 
    with prescribed FT/S&P standards. The indices' values and related 
    performance figures for various periods of time are calculated daily 
    and are disseminated to the public.
        The FT/S&P are valued in terms of local currency, U.S. dollars, and 
    U.K. pounds sterling, thereby allowing the effect of currency value on 
    the Index value to be measured. Changes to the indices are announced as 
    soon as possible, and on Mondays the Financial Times publishes a list 
    of changes to each index implemented during the previous week, if any. 
    The FT/S&P are calculated once a day on weekdays when one or more of 
    the constituent markets are open; the indices are syndicated and 
    published in the financial sections of several newspapers worldwide. 
    FT/S&P data also may be purchased electronically.
        Recognizing the importance of having current information on the 
    value of the Indices, DMG has arranged for Telesphere Corporation 
    (formerly Telekurs (North America) Inc.) (``Telesphere'') to calculate 
    ``indicative values'' for the nine Indices on which CountryBaskets are 
    based on a more frequent basis. CHX understands that the NYSE will 
    provide for the dissemination of these indicative values through the 
    facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association (``CTA'').
        In calculating ``indicative values,'' Telesphere will use the most 
    currently available stock price information for the constituent stocks 
    in an Index (based on home currency prices) and prevailing currency 
    exchange rates to translate the Index value into U.S. dollars. 
    Telesphere will also use the same pricing algorithm and methodology as 
    the Index calculators in calculating the indicative values. These 
    values will be disseminated every 30 seconds by the NYSE during regular 
    trading hours of 9:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Eastern time. Due to the 
    differences in trading hours in the markets for the stocks underlying 
    the Indices, the calculation of the indicative values will be 
    implemented as follows:
    
         Pacific Rim. Australia, Hong Kong, and Japan. There is 
    no overlap between the NYSE trading hours and the home-country 
    trading hours. Thus, the indicative values will always reflect the 
    closing prices of the underlying securities on the most recently 
    completed trading day, but will be updated every 30 seconds to 
    reflect changes in exchange rates.
         Europe. France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. 
    There is some overlap between NYSE trading hours and home-country 
    trading hours. Thus, the 30-second updates for these Indices will 
    reflect changes in both current stock price information and currency 
    exchange rates while the relevant market is open; it will reflect 
    only changes in exchange rates once the home-market closes.
         United States. Each 30-second update will reflect the 
    current price of U.S. component stocks.
         South Africa. During Eastern Standard Time there is no 
    overlap between NYSE and South African trading hours. During Eastern 
    Daylight Savings Time there is a half-hour overlap. Thus, during 
    Standard Time, the disseminated Index values will reflect the 
    closing South African prices. During Daylight Savings Time, there 
    will be a real-time feed of stock prices from the Johannesburg Stock 
    Exchange and there will be a real-time calculation of the indicative 
    value of the Index at 30-second intervals during the half-hour 
    overlap.
    
        While these indicative values will not be the official values of 
    the Indices (which will continue to be calculated and disseminated once 
    each day), the
    
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    Exchange believes that these values will provide investors with 
    accurate, timely information on the values of the Indices. Of course, 
    it cannot be guaranteed that the indicative value will at all times be 
    a completely accurate reflection of the value of the underlying index. 
    This also will provide all investors with equal access to information 
    concerning the values of the Indices. While some market participants 
    may be able to perform these calculations for their own trading 
    purposes during the business day, many participants lack sufficient 
    resources to do so. Providing standardized information through CTA 
    facilities will help ensure that all investors have equal access to 
    this market information.\12\
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        \12\ In the unlikely event that Telesphere determines that it no 
    longer will calculate the indicative values of the Indices, 
    according to the NYSE DMG will seek to find another entity to 
    provide such values on substantially the same basis as Telesphere. 
    if this were to occur, the NYSE has represented that it will consult 
    with the staff of the Division of Market Regulation to ensure that 
    the staff finds any proposed new arrangements acceptable, including 
    the possibility of ending trading in the securities.
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        Although the Chicago Stock Exchange operates under Central Time, 
    its trading hours are timed to coincide with those of the NYSE. 
    Therefore, the time zone difference will not affect the ability to 
    trade CountryBaskets on the CHX with full price information.
        Telesphere is providing the indicative values subject to 
    substantially the following terms regarding its liability:
    
        The values are representative, unofficial, and indicative 
    estimates of the FT/S&P-Actuaries World Indices (``FT/S&P'') 
    calculated by Telesphere Corporation (``Telesphere''). Although they 
    are provided with permission under a licensing agreement with 
    Deutsche Morgan Grenfell/C.J. Lawrence Inc. (``Subscriber''), they 
    are not, and should not be considered as, official FT/S&P index 
    values. They are provided as an information service to benefit the 
    investment community. Neither Telesphere nor Subscriber, The 
    Financial Times Ltd., Standard & Poor's, Goldman, Sachs & Co., or 
    their partners, affiliates employees and Agents, shall have any 
    liability contingent or otherwise, to third parties for the 
    completeness, or interruption in the delivery of the indicative 
    indices. In no event will any such party be liable for any special, 
    indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
    
        The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
    6(b)(5) of the Act in that the proposal fosters cooperation and 
    coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, 
    processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions 
    in securities, removes impediments to and perfects the mechanism of a 
    free and open market and a national market system and protects 
    investors and the public interest.
    
    B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
    
        The proposed rule change does not impose any burden on competition 
    that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of 
    the 1934 Act.
    
    C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
    Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others
    
        The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, 
    comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received 
    any unsolicited written comments from members or other interested 
    parties.
    
    III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
    Commission Action
    
        Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
    Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may 
    designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to 
    be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
    which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
        (a) By order approve such proposed rule change, or
        (b) Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
    change should be disapproved.
    
    IV. Solicitation of Comments
    
        Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and 
    arguments concerning the foregoing. Persons making written submissions 
    should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and 
    Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 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. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the 
    Commission's Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, NW., 
    Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filing will also be available for 
    inspection and copying at the principal office of the above-mentioned 
    self-regulatory organization. All submissions should refer to File No. 
    SR-CHX-96-12 and should be submitted by May 14, 1996.
    
        For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
    pursuant to delegated authority.\13\
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \13\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12) (1994).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Margaret H. McFarland,
    Deputy Secretary.
    [FR Doc. 96-9893 Filed 4-22-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 8010-01-M
    
    

Document Information

Published:
04/23/1996
Department:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
96-9893
Pages:
17932-17936 (5 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Release No. 34-37121, International Series Release No. 969, File No. SR-CHX-96-12
PDF File:
96-9893.pdf