98-12702. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Pacific Exchange, Inc.; Order Granting Approval to Proposed Rule Change and Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval to Amendment No. 2 to the Proposed Rule Change Relating to Exchange-...  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 26662-26666]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-12702]
    
    
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    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
    
    [Release No. 34-39970; File No. SR-PCX-97-28]
    
    
    Self-Regulatory Organizations; Pacific Exchange, Inc.; Order 
    Granting Approval to Proposed Rule Change and Notice of Filing and 
    Order Granting Accelerated Approval to Amendment No. 2 to the Proposed 
    Rule Change Relating to Exchange-Sponsored Hand-Held Terminals for 
    Options Floor Brokers
    
    May 7, 1998.
    
    I. Introduction
    
        On July 3, 1997, and December 12, 1997, respectively, the Pacific 
    Exchange, Inc. (``PCX'' or ``Exchange'') submitted to the Securities 
    and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission''), pursuant to 
    Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ 
    and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule change and Amendment No. 
    1 thereto to adopt rules to allow the use of Exchange-Sponsored Floor 
    Broker Hand-Held Terminals (``Exchange-Sponsored Terminals'') on the 
    floor of the Exchange. The Exchange also proposed an interpretation to 
    Rule 6.67 which would not require members' orders entered through 
    Exchange-Sponsored Terminals to be in writing. Finally, the Exchange 
    proposed Rule 6.88(b) to prohibit the use of a floor broker hand-held 
    terminal for market making. On March 30, 1998, the Exchange filed 
    Amendment No. 2 to the proposed rule change with the Commission.\3\ In 
    Amendment No. 2, the Exchange amends Rule 6.67, Commentary .02 to 
    indicate that orders sent through proprietary Terminals would also be 
    deemed to be written orders for the purposes of Rule 6.67.
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        \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
        \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
        \3\ See Letter from Michael D. Pierson, Senior Attorney, 
    Regulatory Policy PCX to David Sieradzki, Attorney, Division of 
    Market Regulation (``Division''), SEC dated March 27, 1998 
    (``Amendment No. 2'').
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        The proposed rule change, and Amendment No. 1 thereto were 
    published for comment in the Federal Register on January 16, 1998.\4\ 
    No comments were received on the proposal. This order approves the 
    proposal as amended, including Amendment No. 2 on an accelerated basis.
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        \4\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 39532 (Jan. 9, 1998), 63 
    FR 2711 (Jan. 16, 1998).
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    II. Description of the Proposal
    
    A. General Description
    
        The Exchange's Member Firm Interface (``MFI'') \5\ currently 
    permits Exchange Member Firms to use an electronic link with the 
    Exchange to send their option orders directly to the Exchange for 
    delivery to POETS (Pacific Option Exchange Trading System).\6\ Under 
    the proposal, member firms
    
    [[Page 26663]]
    
    would be able to use the MFI connection to route orders directly to the 
    member firm booth (not by default) or to a floor broker's Exchange-
    Sponsored Terminal located in the trading crowd.\7\ The Commission 
    notes that the PCX's proposal does not restrict the use of other Hand-
    Held terminal systems provided that they do not interfere 
    electronically with existing Exchange systems.\8\
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        \5\ The MFI is an electronic order delivery and reporting system 
    that allows member firms to route orders for execution by the 
    automatic execution feature of POETS as well as to route limit 
    orders to the Options Public Limit Order Book. Orders that do not 
    reach those two destinations are defaulted to a member firm booth. 
    MFI also provides member firms with instant confirmation of 
    transactions to their systems. Member firms may access POETS by 
    establishing an MFI mainframe-to-mainframe connection.
        \6\ Orders entered via MFI are delivered to one of three 
    destinations: (a) To Auto-Ex, where they are automatically executed 
    at the disseminated bid or offering price; (b) to Auto-Book, which 
    maintains non-marketable limit orders based on limit price and time 
    of receipt; or (c) to a Member Firm's default destination--a 
    particular firm booth or remote entry site--if the order fails to 
    meet the eligibility criteria necessary for either Auto-Ex or Auto-
    Book or if the Member Firm requests such default for its orders. See 
    generally Exchange Act Release No. 27633 (Jan. 18, 1990), 55 FR 2466 
    (Jan. 24 1990) (``POETS Approval Order'').
        \7\ In that regard, the Exchange is proposing to add a new Rule 
    6.88(a), which provides: ``Members and Member Organizations may send 
    orders electronically through the Exchange's Member Firm Interface 
    and route them directly to POETS, to a Member Firm booth on the 
    Options Floor, to a Floor Broker Hand-Held Terminal located on the 
    Options Floor, or to any other location designated by the Exchange, 
    provided that the Member or Member Organization has been approved by 
    the Exchange to do so.''
        \8\ See note 16 infra and accompanying text.
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        Under the program, Member Firms will be permitted to send their 
    orders electronically to the Exchange via MFI and route them to one of 
    three destinations on the trading floor: (a) To a floor broker standing 
    in the trading crowd; (b) to a Member Firm booth location on the 
    trading floor; or (c) to POETS, where they will be automatically 
    executed by Auto-Ex or maintained in Auto-Book. All orders so 
    transmitted will first be sent through the PCX's system that stores and 
    processes all data for the Exchange-Sponsored Terminals 
    (``Server'').\9\ Orders sent to a Member Firm booth via the Server may 
    be sent subsequently either to POETS or to a floor broker in the 
    trading crowd. Orders sent via the Server to a floor broker in the 
    trading crowd may subsequently be transmitted to a Member Firm booth, 
    to POETS, or to another floor broker on the trading floor.
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        \9\ Accordingly, the Exchange stated that there will be no 
    appreciable delay in order entry due to the transmission of orders 
    through the Server. The Exchange also stated that if a Member Firm 
    routes an order to POETS via MFI for automatic execution or 
    maintenance in Auto-Book, the order will not be sent through the 
    Server. Only orders to be transmitted through the Hand-Held Terminal 
    system will be sent through the Server.
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        The Exchange intends to furnish Exchange-Sponsored Terminals to be 
    used by floor brokers under the program. In addition, the Exchange will 
    supply booth devices that will have the capability to retrieve and 
    display all orders that were submitted through the device. The Exchange 
    intends to assess users a monthly rental fee for such use after the 
    implementation of the floor-wide program in Phase II.\10\
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        \10\ The Exchange will submit a separate rule filing to the 
    Commission to establish these fees. See note 19 infra and 
    accompanying text.
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        Exchange rules on order representation and order execution will be 
    unchanged under the program.\11\ However, the Exchange is proposing to 
    modify one of its rules on orders to provide that an order sent 
    electronically through MFI will be deemed to be a ``written order'' for 
    purposes of Rule 6.67. The order information that must be reported to 
    the Exchange in connection with each transaction that is executed on 
    the trading floor will be also unchanged under the program.\12\
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        \11\ See, e.g., PCX Rules 5.1(e), 6.43-6.48 and Options Floor 
    Procedure Advices A-1--A-11 and G-1--G12.
        \12\ See PCX Rule 6.69.
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        Under the proposal, initially, floor brokers using Exchange-
    Sponsored Terminals will not need to write up order tickets because the 
    trade-related floor broker terminal information will be passed 
    electronically to POETS and then to POPS (Pacific Options Processing 
    Information) for clearing purposes. Yet the party on the other side of 
    the trade, if it is executed by a market maker or a floor broker not 
    using a terminal, will have to submit a paper order ticket to the 
    Exchange for processing. Later, when advancements in technology allow 
    for it, no paper tickets will be required because all market makers and 
    floor brokers will be able to interface with each other through 
    Exchange-Sponsored Terminals.\13\ The order ticket requirement shall be 
    the same with Exchange-Sponsored Terminals as it is for proprietary 
    hand held terminals,\14\ i.e., if the trade information is not sent to 
    the Exchange electronically, it will have to be conveyed by means of a 
    written order ticket.
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        \13\ The Commission notes that the Exchange should consult with 
    the Commission to determine if any future changes in technology used 
    on the Exchange floor would be required to be submitted to the 
    Commission pursuant to Section 19(b) of the Act. Moreover, any 
    additional conditions or limitations placed on the use of hand held 
    terminals should be submitted to the Commission as a proposed rule 
    change pursuant to Section 19(b) of the Act. See Interactive Brokers 
    LLC, Admin. Proc. File No. 3-9237 (March 19, 1998) (opinion of the 
    Commission).
        \14\ See note 15 infra.
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        Once an order has been executed, the Exchange-Sponsored Terminal 
    system will route trade information to POETS, which, in turn, will 
    route the information to a computer for trade match and clearing 
    purposes. At the same time, the Exchange will send a trade report to 
    the Member Firm that entered the order. In addition, the Exchange will 
    transmit trade information to OCC, OPRA and certain vendors.
        Order information sent through the Exchange Sponsored Terminal 
    system will become audit trail information that is available to the 
    Exchange for regulatory purposes. However, if an order is routed to the 
    Member Firm booth by telephone or wire, and not through MFI, and the 
    order is then sent to POETS or to a floor broker in the crowd using the 
    Exchange-Sponsored Terminals, the audit trail information will commence 
    when the order is sent from the booth. An audit trail of all actions 
    taken by the Exchange-Sponsored Terminal that result in an interaction 
    with the Server will be maintained. Upon receipt of an order in the 
    Server from POETS or a booth device, the order will be time stamped and 
    retained in the Server's database. When orders are executed at a 
    Exchange-Sponsored Terminal, they will be time stamped upon receipt by 
    the Server. Accordingly, the Exchange believes that the audit trail 
    information should be more accurate than current information, which is 
    recorded manually on order tickets.
        The Exchange will not prohibit floor brokers from using proprietary 
    hand-held terminals \15\ for order entry on the Options Floor as long 
    as they do not interfere with any Exchange-Sponsored Terminals, with 
    POETS or with other equipment on the floor.\16\
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        \15\ The Commission notes that a rule filing to permit Exchange 
    floor brokers to use proprietary order routing terminals on the 
    Options Trading Floor is currently pending before the Commission. 
    See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 38270 (Feb. 11, 1997), 62 FR 
    7286 (Feb. 18, 1997) (Notice of filing of SR-PSE-97-02).
        \16\ The term ``interfere'' refers to electronic interference 
    that may occur between a member's proprietary device and another 
    electronic system or piece of equipment on the Trading Floor. For 
    example, if the use of a proprietary devise on the floor caused the 
    POETS automatic execution to halt, or if it disrupted telephonic 
    communications on the floor, or if it prevented another member firm 
    from being able to receive electronic orders through another order-
    routing system, then the device causing the interference could not 
    be used on the floor until it was rendered compatible with the order 
    electronic systems in use.
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    B. Prohibition of Market Making Function
    
        The Exchange is proposing to adopt new Rule 6.88(b) providing that 
    no Floor Broker may knowingly use a Exchange-Sponsored Terminal, on a 
    regular and continuous basis, to simultaneously represent orders to buy 
    and sell options contracts in the same series for the account of the 
    same beneficial holder. The rule further provides that if the Exchange 
    determines that a person or entity has been sending, on a regular and 
    continuous basis, orders to simultaneously buy and sell option 
    contracts in the same series for the account of the same beneficial 
    holder, the Exchange may prohibit orders for the account of such person 
    or entity
    
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    from being sent through the Exchange's Member Firm Interface for such 
    period of time as the Exchange deems appropriate.\17\
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        \17\ The Commission notes that a member would have the right to 
    appeal any decision to suspend a member from using an Exchange-
    Sponsored Terminal pursuant to Exchange Rule 11.7, Hearings and 
    Review of Committee Act.
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    C. Implementation
    
        The Exchange is proposing a two-phase approach to integrating the 
    new hand-held technology into the floor environment. In Phase I, the 
    Exchange will allow limited implementation of the program to evaluate 
    the use of Exchange-Sponsored Terminals and to identify and correct any 
    problems that may arise. In this regard, the Exchange will select a 
    representative cross-section of floor members and off-floor members for 
    the execution of various types of order flow in both lightly-traded and 
    heavily-traded issues. Phase I will last for about four months. It will 
    involve approximately two off-floor Member Firms, two Member Firm booth 
    devices and 12 Exchange-Sponsored Terminals. The Exchange, in 
    conjunction with its Options Floor Trading Committee, will select 
    Members and Member Firms to participate in Phase I on an objective 
    basis.\18\ During Phase I, floor brokers will not be permitted to 
    transmit orders to other floor brokers (they will be limited to 
    transmitting orders either to POETS or to a Member Firm booth).
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        \18\ Factors will include the nature of order flow (retail or 
    institutional), the nature of the issue (lightly-traded or heavily-
    traded), nature of the floor brokerage operation, time of 
    application, limitations in the number of participants who may 
    participate, and other such factors.
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        In Phase II, the Exchange will roll out the program on a floor-wide 
    basis, allowing any qualified Floor Member or off-floor Member who 
    wishes to participate in the program to do so.\19\ When Phase II is 
    implemented, the Exchange-Sponsored Terminals program will be fully 
    rolled out. Exchange-Sponsored Terminals will be approved for use in 
    all trading crowds and will allow floor brokers to transmit orders to 
    other floor brokers.
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        \19\ The term ``qualified Floor Member or off-floor Member'' 
    refers to the requirement that all floor brokers and order flow 
    providers who participate in the program must be approved by the 
    Exchange to do so. Floor brokers are eligible to participate if they 
    are registered with the Exchange as floor brokers pursuant to Rule 
    6.44 and have arranged with a member firm to receive order flow 
    through the system. Member firms are eligible to participate in the 
    program if they have made arrangements with a floor broker for the 
    transmission and execution of orders. Moreover, after Phase II is 
    implemented, the Exchange has represented that it intends to impose 
    a fee upon participants in the program in an amount to be specified 
    in a rule change proposal to be filed with the Commission under 
    Section 19(b) of the Act.
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    III. Discussion
    
        Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \20\ requires that the rules of an 
    exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and 
    practices, promote just and equitable principles of trade, remove 
    impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market, and 
    in general to protect investors and the public interest. Section 
    6(b)(7) of the Act \21\ requires that the rules of an Exchange be in 
    accordance with Section 6(d) of the Act,\22\ and in general that an 
    Exchange provide a fair procedure for the disciplining of members and 
    determining whether to prohibit or limit a person's access to services 
    offered by the exchange. Section 6(b)(8) of the Act \23\ requires that 
    the rules of an exchange not impose any burden on competition not 
    necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. 
    Section 11A(a)(1)(C)(ii) of the Act \24\ states that it is in the 
    public interest and appropriate for the protection of investors and the 
    maintenance of fair and orderly markets to assure fair competition 
    among brokers and dealers. For the reasons set forth below, the 
    Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
    requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder 
    applicable to a national securities exchange, and, in particular, the 
    requirements of Sections 6(b)(5), 6(b)(7), 6(b)(8), and 11A(a)(1)(C) of 
    the Act.\25\
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        \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
        \21\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(7).
        \22\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(d). Section 6(d) of the Act, among other 
    things, require that an exchange, in any proceeding to determine 
    whether a member should be disciplined, bring specific charges, 
    notify such member of and provide him with an opportunity to defend 
    himself against such charges, and keep a record.
        \23\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
        \24\ 15 U.S.C. 78k-1(a)(1)(C).
        \25\ In approving these rules, the Commission has considered the 
    proposed rules' impact on efficiency, competition, and capital 
    formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
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        The Commission believes that the Exchange's proposal should foster 
    coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in 
    securities, remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free 
    and open market, and protect investors and the public interest by 
    expediting and making more efficient the process by which members can 
    receive and execute options orders on the floor of the Exchange. The 
    proposal also will promote fair competition among brokers and dealers 
    and facilitate transactions in options on the Exchange. Finally, for 
    the reasons described in more detail below, the Commission believes 
    that the market making prohibition on the use of the Exchange-Sponsored 
    Terminals adequately balances the potential benefits to be derived from 
    Exchange-Sponsored Terminals with the important regulatory issues that 
    are raised in connection with the potential use of Exchange-Sponsored 
    Terminals for market making.
        As described above, proposed Rule 6.88(b) provides that no Floor 
    Broker may knowingly use an Exchange-Sponsored Terminal, on a regular 
    and continuous basis, to simultaneously represent orders to buy and 
    sell options contracts in the same series for the account of the same 
    beneficial holder. The Rule further provides that if the Exchange 
    determines that a person or entity has been sending, on a regular and 
    continuous basis, orders to simultaneously buy and sell option 
    contracts in the same series for the account of the same beneficial 
    holder, the Exchange may prohibit orders for the account of such person 
    or entity from being sent through the Exchange's Member Firm Interface 
    for such period of time as the Exchange deems appropriate.
        The Commission finds that the market making restriction is 
    consistent with the Act for the following reasons. The Commission 
    believes that the PCX's restriction on market making through the use of 
    Exchange-Sponsored Terminals has been effected in a clear and 
    reasonable manner that is not ambiguous nor overbroad, and that takes 
    into account regulatory and market impact concerns, including those 
    relating to quote competition and price discovery.\26\ Notably, the 
    Exchange's proposal does not bar all two-sided limit orders. Instead it 
    only restricts the acceptance of two-sided limit orders placed by the 
    same beneficial holder in the performance of a market making function. 
    The distinction between market making and brokerage activity is well 
    established among market participants. Moreover, the language of 
    proposed Rule 6.88(b) expressly restricts a floor broker from, on a 
    regular and continuous basis, simultaneously representing orders to buy 
    and sell options contracts in the same series for the account of the 
    same beneficial holder, not the occasional entry of two-sided limit 
    orders. This definition of
    
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    market making activity is consistent with the definition of market 
    maker under the Act which states that a market maker ``holds himself 
    out as being willing to buy and sell [a] security for his own account 
    on a regular or continuous basis.'' \27\ Thus, the market making 
    restriction on Exchange-Sponsored Terminal use for routing limit orders 
    it he minimum necessary for the Exchange to bar Terminal use for off-
    floor market making.
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        \26\ Cf., Securities Exchange Act Release No. 25842 (June 23, 
    1988), 53 FR 24539 (approving certain restrictions on the use of 
    telephones on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange), aff'd per 
    curiam, 866 F.2d 47 (2d Cir. 1989).
        \27\ 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(38).
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        Further, as the Commission has previously stated in approving 
    market making restrictions similar to that being adopted by PCX, the 
    Commission does not believe it unreasonable for a market to determine 
    that the introduction of unregulated market making through floor 
    brokerage hand held terminals may undermine its market maker system and 
    potentially create disincentives for market makers to remain on an 
    exchange trading floor.\28\ Accordingly, any burden on competition that 
    arguably exists from PCX's restriction on using Exchange-Sponsored 
    Terminals for market making is, in the Commission's view, justified as 
    reasonable and appropriate to ensure adequate regulation of the PCX 
    market.\29\
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        \28\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 38054 (Dec. 16, 
    1996), 61 FR 67365 (Dec. 20, 1996) (order approving SR-CBOE-95-48).
        \29\ While the Commission recognizes that there may be ways to 
    address the regulatory issues presented by off-floor market making 
    through the use of floor broker hand-held terminals, the Act does 
    not dictate that any particular approach be taken. The Commission 
    believes that the manner in which the Exchange has chosen to address 
    the regulatory issues presented by off-floor market making reflects 
    the considered judgment of the PCX regarding the attributes of 
    Exchange membership and the organization of its trading floor, and 
    is a fair exercise of its powers as a national securities exchange.
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        The Exchange represents that it intends to implement the use of 
    Exchange-Sponsored Terminals through the use of a two-phase approach. 
    The Commission believes that it is consistent with the Act for the 
    Exchange to limit the introduction of Exchange-Sponsored Terminals at 
    this time given the Exchange's stated desire to identify and correct 
    any problems that may arise. Further, the Exchange has stated that 
    participants in Phase I will be selected on the basis of certain 
    objective criteria.\30\ The Commission notes that after the completion 
    of Phase I, which the Exchange represents should last approximately 
    four months, Phase II will begin, allowing any qualified Floor Member 
    or off-floor member who wishes to participate in the program to do 
    so.\31\ As noted by the Exchange, all floor brokers that have 
    registered with the Exchange as floor brokers pursuant to Rule 6.44 and 
    have arranged with a member firm to receive order flow through the 
    system will be eligible to participate in the Exchange-Sponsored 
    Terminals program. The Commission expects the Exchange to allow any 
    floor broker that meets the above requirements to participate in the 
    program.
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        \30\ See supra note 18.
        \31\ The term ``qualified Floor Member or off-floor Member'' 
    refers to the requirement that all floor brokers and order flow 
    providers who participate in the program must be approved by the 
    Exchange to do so. Floor brokers are eligible to participate if they 
    are registered with the Exchange as floor brokers pursuant to Rule 
    6.44 and have arranged with a member firm to receive order flow 
    through the system. Member firms are eligible to participate in the 
    program if they have made arrangements with a floor broker for the 
    transmission and execution of orders. Moreover, after Phase II is 
    implemented, program participants will be required to pay the 
    Exchange a fee in an amount to be specified in a rule change 
    proposal to be filed with the Commission.
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        In addition, the Commission believes that the proposed 
    interpretation to Rule 6.67, under which the transmission of an order 
    that is received by means of an Exchange-Sponsored Terminal or 
    proprietary hand-held terminal will be deemed to constitute a written 
    order for the purposes of Rule 6.67, in general, protects investors and 
    the public interest. The Commission believes the proposed commentary to 
    Rule 6.67 will provide a more efficient means of communicating orders 
    on the floor. The Commission notes that while this proposed Commentary 
    effects the format of the order ticket, the Exchange has represented 
    and the Commission expects that the required content of the order 
    ticket would not be altered.\32\
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        \32\ Telephone conversation between Michael D. Pierson, Senior 
    Attorney, Regulatory Policy PCX and David Sieradzki, Attorney, 
    Division, SEC on April 22, 1998. The Commission notes that any 
    change to the required content of an order ticket would have to be 
    submitted to the Commission as a proposed rule change under Section 
    19(b) of the Act.
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        Finally, regarding the use of proprietary hand-held terminal 
    systems on the floor of the Exchange; the Exchange has represented that 
    it intends to allow the use of proprietary hand-held terminal systems 
    on the floor of the Exchange provided that they do not electronically 
    interfere \33\ with existing Exchange systems.\34\ As discussed above, 
    the Exchange notes that if, for example, the use of a proprietary 
    devise on the floor caused the POETS automatic execution to halt, or if 
    it disrupted telephonic communications on the floor, or if it prevented 
    another member firm from being able to receive electronic orders 
    through another order-routing system, then the device causing the 
    interference could not be used on the floor until it was rendered 
    compatible with the other electronic systems in use. The Commission 
    finds that this restriction is reasonable given that it is limited to 
    electronic interference with other exchange systems and that an 
    interfering system would be permitted to return to the floor once it is 
    made compatible with other exchange systems. The Commission notes that 
    any implementation of this provision to restrict competition or the 
    introduction of new technology onto the floor of the Exchange would be 
    inconsistent with the Exchange's rules and with the Act. In summary, 
    the Commission emphasizes and finds it very important that approval of 
    the PCX's Exchange-Sponsored Terminals proposal will not restrict 
    members from using their own proprietary terminal systems provided that 
    they do not electronically interfere with existing Exchange 
    systems.\35\
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        \33\ The term ``interfere'' refers to electronic interference 
    that may occur between a member's proprietary device and another 
    electronic system or piece of equipment on the Trading Floor.
        \34\ The Exchange has represented that this policy includes 
    allowing Exchange members to interface electronically with MFI, 
    POETS or the limit order book; provided that the proprietary system 
    is properly configured to interface with these systems. Telephone 
    conversation between Michael D. Pierson, Senior Attorney, Regulatory 
    Policy, PCX and David Sieradzki, Attorney, Division, SEC on April 6, 
    1998.
        \35\ See supra note 16.
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        The Commission finds good cause for approving Amendment No. 2 to 
    the proposed rule change prior to the thirtieth day after the date of 
    publication of notice of filing thereof in the Federal Register. 
    Amendment No. 2 amends the language in proposed Commentary .02 to Rule 
    6.67 to indicate that orders received through proprietary hand held 
    terminals will be considered to be in writing for the purposes of Rule 
    6.67. Commentary .02, as originally proposed, applied only to Exchange-
    Sponsored Terminals. Amendment No. 2 ensures that all systems, whether 
    Exchange sponsored or not will have the same regulatory requirements. 
    As a result, the Commission does not believe that Amendment No. 2 
    raises any new regulatory issues. Further, the Commission notes that 
    the original proposal was published for the full 21-day comment period 
    and no comments were received by the Commission. Accordingly, the 
    Commission believes there is good cause, consistent with Sections 
    6(b)(5) and 19(b) \36\ of the Act, to approve Amendment No. 2 to the
    
    [[Page 26666]]
    
    Exchange's proposal on an accelerated basis.
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        \36\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5) and 15 U.S.C. 78s(b).
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    IV. Solicitation of Comments
    
        Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and 
    arguments concerning Amendment No. 2 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, 
    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 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 above-mentioned self-regulatory organization. 
    All submissions should refer to File No. SR-PCX-97-28 and should be 
    submitted by June 3, 1998.
    
    V. Conclusion
    
        It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
    Act,\37\ that the proposed rule change (SR-PCX-97-28) is approved as 
    amended.
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        \37\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
    
        For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
    pursuant to delegated authority.\38\
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        \38\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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    Margaret H. McFarland,
    Deputy Secretary.
    [FR Doc. 98-12702 Filed 5-12-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 8010-01-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
05/13/1998
Department:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
98-12702
Pages:
26662-26666 (5 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Release No. 34-39970, File No. SR-PCX-97-28
PDF File:
98-12702.pdf