98-16258. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change by the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. Regarding the Temporary Relocation of Phlx Dell Options to the American Stock Exchange,...  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 117 (Thursday, June 18, 1998)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 33426-33430]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-16258]
    
    
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    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
    
    [Release No. 34-40088; File No. SR-Phlx-98-25]
    
    
    Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Order 
    Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change by the 
    Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. Regarding the Temporary Relocation of 
    Phlx Dell Options to the American Stock Exchange, Inc. Trading Floor
    
    June 12, 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 June 12, 1998,\3\ the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, 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 self-regulatory 
    organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit 
    comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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        \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
        \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
        \3\ On June 12, 1998, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the 
    proposed rule filing, the substance of which is incorporated into 
    the notice. See letter from Edith Hallahan, Associate General 
    Counsel, Phlx, to Michael Walinskas, Deputy Associate Director, 
    Market Regulation, Commission, dated June 11, 1998.
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    I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of 
    Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
    
        Phlx is proposing to rent facilities from the American Stock 
    Exchange Inc. (``Amex'') for the trading of options on Dell Computer 
    Inc. (``Dell'') on the Amex for up to six months to address the 
    exigency of extraordinary contract and trade volume, unique to Phlx-
    traded Dell options (``Phlx Dell options''). Specifically, Phlx 
    proposes to utilize the options floor trading space and facilities, 
    including the quotation, order entry, processing, execution, trade 
    reporting and comparison functions, of Amex for Phlx member trades in 
    Phlx Dell options. Thus, Amex would rent to Phlx a facility on Amex's 
    New York
    
    [[Page 33427]]
    
    floor for all Phlx Dell option series, with related support services. 
    These options would continue to trade pursuant to Phlx rules, subject 
    to Phlx supervision. As part of this arrangement, the Phlx specialist 
    in Dell options, Phlx Registered Options Traders (``ROTs'') and Phlx 
    floor brokers would trade Phlx Dell options on the Amex, and Amex floor 
    brokers would be deputized as Phlx members to trade Phlx Dell options, 
    as discussed further below.
        The Exchange requests the Commission to find good cause, pursuant 
    to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, for approving the proposed rule change 
    prior to the thirtieth day after publication in the Federal Register. 
    The Exchange requests accelerated approval of the proposal to promptly 
    facilitate an orderly, temporary relocation of Phlx Dell options to the 
    Amex, in the interest of fair and orderly markets. As discussed in 
    detail below, this arrangement, which is for a six-month period, 
    addresses the exigency of recent extraordinary order and contract 
    volume in Dell options, in light of the critical needs of order entry 
    firms and their customers to receive prompt execution reports.
    
    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 III 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
    
    1. Purpose
        The purpose of the proposed rule change is to establish a temporary 
    facility in New York to permit the trading of Phlx Dell options on 
    Amex, to immediately improve the handling of Dell options by using 
    Amex's options trading floor space and attendant technology. Recently, 
    Phlx Dell options have been heavily traded on the Phlx \4\, accounting 
    for daily volumes of roughly 30,000 contracts and as much as 69,000 
    contracts on a single day.\5\ This volume has increased steadily and 
    dramatically over months, and, most recently, over the past several 
    weeks, with the concomitant increase in order traffic, including 
    cancel-replace orders. At the same time, trading in the stock of Dell 
    computer has been active, due to various industry and corporate events.
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        \4\ Dell options volume increased 163% in 1997 from the first 
    quarter to the fourth quarter of 1997.
        \5\ 69,063 Dell options contracts traded on February 19, 1998, 
    with 9,952 orders and 8,599 trades processed.
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        In response to these events and others, the Phlx has been 
    implementing technological improvements respecting its Automated 
    Options Market (``AUTOM'') System, and, specifically, upgrading the 
    features available to Phlx specialists respecting the electronic limit 
    order book. These improvements have benefited customers using the AUTOM 
    System as well as the specialists and ROTs trading options on the 
    Exchange. Phlx is committed to continuing to improve its systems. The 
    development of AUTOM's X-Station reflects this commitment; its 
    continued roll-out and improvements reflect the Exchange's commitment 
    to address the needs created by active options such as Dell. The key 
    features include improved cancellation order processing and contra-side 
    ``Wheel'' enhancements. The X-Station continues to address the needs of 
    the ever-changing options marketplace.
        While Phlx has made significant enhancements to address higher 
    volumes, they have been insufficient to address the critical needs of 
    the order entry firms and their customers in the uniquely active Phlx 
    Dell options. As Phlx Dell options volume has skyrocketed, the Exchange 
    has faced delays in transaction reporting to order entry firms, due to 
    the time intensity associated with ticket matching and key punching, 
    exacerbated by the number of contra-side participants to Phlx Dell 
    options trades. Certainty as to an order's status is essential in the 
    options markets, particularly where the stock is volatile, such as in 
    the computer industry.\6\
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        \6\ Many member firms and customers use options as ``insurance'' 
    or ``hedges'' in connection with trading and investment strategies 
    in underlying securities. Timely reports of option trade executions 
    and corrections are critical to the execution of these strategies 
    and, more generally, meeting customer expectations and needs.
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        Accordingly, the Exchange is now proposing to move Dell options to 
    a rented facility at Amex to immediately improve the processing of the 
    increasing volume of Phlx Dell options trades with attendant increases 
    in trade reporting.\7\ Promptly renting and using Amex's facilities for 
    Phlx Dell options trading should help protect investors and the public 
    interest by providing a technologically appropriate facility for Phlx 
    Dell options trading, pending further enhancements on the Phlx floor.
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        \7\ The Phlx will continue the implementation of electronic 
    order book feature upgrades on its own floor.
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        In short, the extraordinary volume in Phlx Dell options has given 
    rise to this arrangement, which is specific to Phlx Dell options, as no 
    other Phlx option currently generates this volume of quotes, orders and 
    trades.\8\ Thus, the Exchange believes that the immediate and critical 
    technological need is unique to Phlx Dell options and has arisen with 
    such speed and magnitude that prompt relocation is necessary to enable 
    the specialist unit and the Exchange to provide the most efficient and 
    effective service to customers and the investing public with respect to 
    Phlx Dell options.
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        \8\ The next most active option has recently traded 89% less 
    than Dell options, on average. In the first five months of 1998, 
    Dell options accounted for 22.5% of Phlx volume, as compared to 14% 
    in 1997.
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        Phlx is requesting immediate accelerated approval of this rule 
    change for such time as this arrangement to trade Phlx Dell options 
    through Amex facilities is in effect, up to six months. The rules, 
    policies and procedures associated with this move are discussed below. 
    Trading of Phlx Dell options through the Amex facilities will remain 
    subject to all of Phlx's rules, except for certain appropriate 
    exceptions as enumerated below. Phlx will pay Amex for its facilities 
    and other services provided for under the arrangement. As part of this 
    relocation, the Exchange notes that operational functions respecting 
    these options will be handled by Amex systems, including quotation 
    processing, booking orders, transactions processing, trade correction, 
    and clearing through OCC.\9\ Accordingly, trades cleared by OCC may 
    have Amex identifier codes on certain OCC reports, although OCC has 
    agreed to advise its members that Phlx Dell options are registered, 
    listed and traded under the rules of Phlx. While Amex systems rather 
    than the AUTOM system will be used, Phlx Rule 1080 will continue to
    
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    apply, except for those parameters in the rule that are not currently 
    compatible with Amex system configurations. Specifically, until such 
    time as the relevant Amex systems can be reconfigured to apply Phlx 
    parameters to the Dell options, Amex parameters will apply regarding 
    the maximum order six eligible for electronic delivery to the trading 
    floor, and the specific order types that may be accommodated in the 
    system.\10\ Phlx will notify its members of its relocation of Phlx Dell 
    options and of all necessary changes in applicable system parameters. 
    Phlx intend to retain its authority to apply the parameters specified 
    in its own rules and procedures at such time as Amex systems can be 
    reconfigured to accommodate them. Members firms will be timely notified 
    of all such system changes.
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        \9\ Phlx Dell options are currently registered by The Options 
    Clearing Corporation (``OCC'') as securities listed on Phlx via a 
    Form 8 amendment under the Act. Trading Phlx Dell options using 
    rented facilities on the floor of Amex is no way suggests that these 
    options are listed on the Amex. Indeed, in October 1989, when 
    options listed on the Pacific Stock Exchange were physically moved 
    to the Amex, Chicago Board Options Exchange, New York Stock Exchange 
    and the Phlx due to an earthquake, OCC did not register those 
    options at any other exchanges. See Securities Exchange Act Release 
    No. 27365 (October 19, 1989), 54 FR 43511 (October 25, 1989) (SR-
    Phlx-89-52).
        \10\ In addition, the specialist will not be able to be assured 
    the first trade of the day on AUTO-EX, pursuant to Phlx Floor 
    Procedure Advice F-24.
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        As a result of being traded through the Amex facility, Phlx Dell 
    options would become eligible or order delivery and execution through 
    the Amex Order File (``AOF''), a host order processing system that 
    includes a variety of subsystems, including the automatic execution 
    (``AUTO-EX'') system.\11\ Thus, the benefits of quick and efficient 
    order entry and execution that small order entry systems provide will 
    continue to be available to Phlx Dell options customers.
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        \11\ The AOF also interfaces with the Amex Options Display Book 
    (``AODB''), the Amex's electronic order book for options, which 
    accommodates not only small orders sent in electronically, but also 
    larger orders entered from the trading floor.
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        Phlx will permit, and has made arrangements with Amex to 
    facilitate, Phlx members who are floor brokers to have physical access 
    to the Phlx Dell post in New York for trading and order execution of 
    orders in Phlx Dell options only. Phlx is also proposing to deputize 
    Amex floor brokers as Phlx members for purposes of Phlx Dell options 
    order handling to permit them to execute Phlx Dell options orders as 
    brokers. Phlx states that such deputization is consistent with prior 
    Commission-approved practices respecting the use of another exchange 
    facility to trade options.\12\ Deputization of Amex floor brokers will 
    provide an additional method for the submission and execution of orders 
    in Phlx Dell options, which is beneficial to investors. Deputized Amex 
    floor brokers executing orders in Phlx Dell options will be subject to 
    all provisions in Phlx rules that would apply today to a Phlx member in 
    the course of his acting as a floor broker for an order in the Phlx 
    Dell options on the Phlx trading floor. However, an exception is that, 
    deputized Amex floor brokers, as such, will be deemed to have 
    satisfied, and the Phlx will waive specific compliance with, rules 
    governing or applying to the maintenance of a person's or a firm's 
    status as a Phlx member, including all dues, fees and charges imposed 
    generally upon Phlx members based on their status as such. In that 
    regard, Amex procedures respecting the admission and qualification of 
    members to trade on the Amex will be deemed to satisfy Phlx Rule 1061 
    regarding registration of floor brokers. In addition, with respect to 
    deputized Amex floor brokers, the Exchange will waive application of 
    Phlx Rule 1062, as a letter of authorization from a clearing member is 
    not requisite for Amex floor brokers and is not considered necessary to 
    protect the interests of either other members or the public. Phlx 
    believes that the overall regulatory framework of the Amex adequately 
    addresses the subject matter of these rules.\13\
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        \12\ See supra note 9. As discussed in that note, there was no 
    required for OCC to re-register Pacific Stock Exchange options at 
    each temporary facility after the 1989 earthquake.
        \13\ See Amendment No. 1, supra note 3.
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        The Phlx specialist unit would continue to act as such in Phlx Dell 
    options in New York, and any Phlx ROTs choosing to trade Phlx Dell 
    options would be eligible to do so at the Amex facility. Recognizing 
    the two-sided market-making obligations associated with good faith 
    market maker margin treatment, the Exchange notes that Phlx ROTs would 
    be required to be physically present executing trades in person on the 
    Amex floor to receive favorable margin treatment respecting Phlx Dell 
    options, unless they were acting pursuant to Phlx Rule 1014.01 
    respecting off-floor orders. Otherwise, such ROTs would be subject to 
    customer margin treatment respecting opening transactions.
        As discussed above, Phlx Dell options would continue to trade 
    pursuant to Phlx rules. Accordingly, the minimum trading increment, 
    strike price, position and exercise limits, and other trading related 
    rules of Phlx would govern, subject only to system configuration issues 
    discussed below. As Phlx rules will apply to Phlx Dell options trading 
    but such trading will be conducted through Amex systems, surveillance 
    reports will be generated by the Amex systems, but surveillance 
    respecting Phlx Dell options trading will remain the responsibility of 
    Phlx. With respect to trading floor disputes, Phlx rules and procedures 
    will apply, such that Floor Officials versed in Phlx rules, policies 
    and procedures will be appointed to act at the Phlx's New York 
    facility. With respect to FLEX options trading, Phlx Rule 1079 will 
    govern, although Amex systems will process such trades, possibly 
    necessitating immaterial procedural changes for Phlx FLEX trades 
    relating to symbols and Request-for-Quote processing.
        With respect to the liability provision of Phlx By-Law Article XII 
    Section 12-11, the use of the facilities includes the Phlx Dell option 
    facility on the Amex. Thus, non-liability for damages sustained by a 
    member or member organization growing out of the use or enjoyment by 
    such member organization of the facilities afforded by the Exchange for 
    the conduct of their business should be extended to Amex systems and 
    facilities provided under this temporary arrangement for Phlx Dell 
    options trading on Amex as well as to Amex floor brokers who may trade 
    Phlx Dell options pursuant to the deputization discussed above. In 
    addition, by accepting this arrangement, Phlx, its members 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 facilities for the conduct of business, as such limitations 
    apply to any Amex member, member organization or employee thereof in 
    the conduct of his or its business on Amex.
        Because Phlx Dell options trading on Amex will be processed through 
    Amex systems, such trades will appear in market data systems as Amex 
    trades and may be cleared with other Amex trades, though the 
    appropriate transaction volume will subsequently be attributed to the 
    Phlx for various purposes, including the determination of Options Price 
    Reporting Authority (``OPRA'') revenues. Phlx transaction fees will 
    continue to apply. Similarly, for technological reasons, a quotation 
    through the Amex system will appear as an ``Amex'' quote, although in 
    actuality it is a Phlx quote being processed by Amex. Notwithstanding 
    the above, through dissemination of information memoranda to members 
    and member organizations, it should be abundantly clear that Phlx Dell 
    options are listed, traded and supervised according to Phlx rules and 
    not the rules of any other exchange. Phlx has taken steps to advise 
    member firms of the change in trading venue, so that member firms can 
    make all necessary system and order routing changes that may be 
    required and thereby reduce the risk of investor confusion in the 
    trading of Dell options.
    
    [[Page 33429]]
    
    These steps will include notice to members and an educational session 
    with Phlx for deputized Amex members who will be trading Dell options 
    at the new facility. Phlx will monitor events and take additional steps 
    as necessary to address specific confusion.\14\
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        \14\ See Amendent No. 1, supra note 3.
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        With respect to disciplinary jurisdiction, the Exchange would 
    continue to retain such jurisdiction over its members at the Amex 
    facility for violations of Phlx rules. Because Phlx rules apply to 
    trading in Phlx Dell options on the Amex, Phlx Rules 60, respecting 
    order and decorum on the trading floor, and 970, respecting the minor 
    rule violation enforcement and reporting plan, apply. Phlx would assume 
    disciplinary jurisdiction over Amex floor brokers deputized to trade 
    Phlx Dell options, pursuant to an acknowledgment signed by such Amex 
    floor brokers that participation in the Phlx Dell option trading crowd 
    triggers such jurisdiction. Deputized Amex floor brokers will also be 
    required to attend a seminar familiarizing them with Phlx rules before 
    they are permitted to execute orders as a floor broker in the Phlx Dell 
    option.
    2. Statutory Basis
        For the reasons discussed above, the Exchange believes that the 
    proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6 of the Act \15\ in 
    general, and in particular, with Section 6(b)(5),\16\ 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, as well as to protect investors and the 
    public interest by providing a Phlx facility on the Amex for the 
    trading of Phlx Dell options.
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        \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
        \16\ 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 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. 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 
    Phlx. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-Phlx-98-25 and should 
    be submitted by July 9, 1998.
    
    IV. Commission's Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval 
    of Proposed Rule Change
    
        The Commission finds that Phlx's proposal to immediately establish 
    a satellite trading facility on Amex to trade Phlx Dell options 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) of the Act \17\ in that the arrangement 
    between Phlx and Amex fosters cooperation and coordination with persons 
    engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with 
    respect to, and facilitating transactions in securities. The proposal 
    should also help protect investors and the public interest by 
    immediately providing a technologically appropriate facility to trade 
    the Phlx Dell options and by permitting the prompt and effective 
    processing of the increasing number of Dell options trades.
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        \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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        The Commission believes that it is reasonable, given the exigent 
    circumstances of the recent extremely heavy trading of Dell options, 
    for Phlx to move the trading of Dell options to a leased trading floor 
    located at Amex. Amex is particularly well-suited to accommodate the 
    trading of Dell options in a manner that is consistent with the 
    promotion of fair and orderly markets and investor protection. In 
    particular, Amex is an already established self-regulatory organization 
    (``SRO'') that is subject to its own rules and regulations and the 
    rules and regulations of the federal securities laws. Moreover, Amex 
    has the necessary technological systems in place to ensure that orders 
    for actively traded options, such as Dell, are routed, executed and 
    processed in a prompt and efficient manner. The Commission notes that 
    the trading volume in Phlx Dell options has increased steadily and 
    dramatically over the past few months, particularly in the past several 
    weeks, and that trading in Dell stock has also been active, due to 
    various industry and corporate events. This increase in volume in Dell 
    options trading has been accompanied by an increase in order traffic. 
    As the volume has increased, Phlx has faced delays in transaction 
    reporting to order entry firms, and this delay has been heightened by 
    the number of contra-side participants to Phlx Dell option trades. The 
    Commission understands that Phlx is committed to making the necessary 
    systems improvements to accommodate very actively traded options such 
    as Dell in the future. Presently however, the Commission believes it is 
    essential to allow Phlx Dell options to trade through facilities that 
    are technologically capable of supporting the magnitude of the trading 
    volume that trading in Dell options commands. Accordingly, a temporary 
    transfer of trading in Phlx Dell options to the Amex floor is an 
    appropriate means of ensuring that the investing public has available a 
    reliable trading venue for Dell options.
        The Commission believes that, given the unique circumstances of the 
    trading of Phlx Dell options on Phlx, Phlx has devised a regulatory 
    framework that will reasonably ensure adequate regulatory oversight of 
    the trading of Dell options on the Amex floor. As discussed above, Phlx 
    is proposing to establish a satellite trading floor where Phlx floor 
    brokers can trade Phlx Dell options pursuant to Phlx rules. The Phlx 
    specialist in Dell options will continue to act as the specialist in 
    Dell options on the Amex satellite floor, and any Phlx ROTs choosing to 
    trade Phlx Dell options would be eligible to do so at the Amex 
    facility. Phlx will continue to be responsible for surveillance of Phlx 
    members trading in Dell options on the Amex floor, retaining 
    jurisdiction over those members for violations of Phlx rules. Floor 
    officials familiar with Phlx rules, policies and procedures will be 
    assigned to act at the Phlx's Amex facility to resolve trading floor 
    disputes.\18\ While it is true that, to
    
    [[Page 33430]]
    
    obtain the benefit of Amex's advanced technology and system, certain 
    Phlx rules will not apply to the trading of Dell options on Amex,\19\ 
    the use of Phlx of Amex systems (such as AOF) that have already been 
    approved by the Commission is an appropriate regulatory alternative 
    under the circumstances. In light of the exigent circumstances, the 
    Commission believes that the proposed solution is an appropriate 
    measure that provides adequate regulatory protections.
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        \18\ Phlx Rule 1079 will continue to apply to the trading of 
    Dell FLEX options, although Amex systems will process such trades, 
    which may necessitate procedural changes for Phlx FLEX trades 
    relating to symbols and Request-for-Quote processing.
        \19\ See Discussion section, supra.
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        The Commission also believes that it is consistent with the Act for 
    Phlx to deputize Amex floor brokers as Phlx members, to trade Dell 
    options, to help ensure sufficient access by the investing public to 
    Phlx's satellite facility at Amex. The Commission notes that it has, on 
    a prior occasion, authorized similar deputization to allow for the use 
    of another exchange facility to trade options.\20\ As noted above, the 
    deputized Amex floor brokers would be subject to all provisions in Phlx 
    rules that would apply today to a Phlx member in the course of his 
    acting as a floor broker for an order in the Phlx Dell options on the 
    Phlx trading floor, with certain minor appropriate exceptions. In 
    addition, Phlx will have disciplinary jurisdiction and oversight over 
    deputized Amex floor brokers relating to the trading of Dell options on 
    the Amex floor. Finally, deputized Amex floor brokers will be required 
    to attend a training seminar to familiarize them with Phlx rules and 
    any relevant distinctions between Phlx rules and Amex rules before they 
    will be allowed to execute orders as a floor broker in the Phlx Dell 
    options.
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        \20\ See supra note 9.
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        Phlx's proposed view that 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, is applicable to 
    Phlx business conducted on the Amex floor, is appropriate given that 
    Phlx is leasing such space and will be conducting its business through 
    such facilities. Likewise, it is appropriate for those Phlx members 
    that are temporarily re-located to the Amex facility to accept the same 
    limitations on liability of the Amex. These Phlx members will utilize 
    the applicable Amex systems in a nearly identical fashion to which they 
    would have relied on Phlx systems prior to the move. Therefore, this 
    requirement is a reasonable component of the agreement to allow Phlx to 
    create a temporary trading facility on Amex in Dell options.
        Phlx essentially concludes that Phlx Dell options that will be 
    traded on its temporary Amex facility should not be considered Amex-
    traded options for securities registration purposes and notes that in 
    October 1989, when options listed on PCX were physically moved to Amex 
    and other options exchanges, due to an earthquake, ``OCC did not 
    register those options at any other exchanges.'' The Commission 
    believes that the continued trading of Phlx Dell options by Phlx using 
    leased space on the floor of Amex does not cause such options to cease 
    to be option traded on Phlx and that, accordingly, OCC does not need to 
    amend its 1934 Act Registration to re-characterize these options as 
    options listed or traded on another exchange.
        Finally, the Commission notes that, to minimize investor confusion 
    in the trading of 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 at a facility 
    of Phlx located on the Amex floor. Phlx states that it has taken steps 
    to advise member firms of the change in trading venue, so that they can 
    make necessary system and order routing changes. These steps will 
    include notice to members and an educational session with Phlx of 
    deputized Amex members who will be trading Dell options at the new 
    facility. Phlx is committed to monitoring events and will take 
    additional steps as necessary to address specific confusion. These 
    additional steps could include issuing press releases or making needed 
    information otherwise available to Phlx's members and to the public.
        For the reasons discussed above, the Commission finds good cause 
    for approving the proposed rule change prior to the thirtieth day after 
    the date of publication of notice of filing in the Federal Register. 
    The Commission believes that it is necessary to approve Phlx's proposal 
    on an accelerated basis to protect the trading interests of the 
    investing public, due to the exigency of transferring the trading of 
    Phlx Dell options from the Phlx trading floor, which is not currently 
    capable of managing the high trading volume of Dell options, to another 
    SRO floor where the Dell options can be effectively and efficiently 
    traded.
        It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) \21\ of the 
    Act that the proposed rule change (SR-Phlx-98-25) is hereby approved on 
    an accelerated basis through December 12, 1998.
    
        \21\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
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        For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
    pursuant to delegated authority.\22\
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        \22\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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    Jonathan G. Katz,
    Secretary.
    [FR Doc. 98-16258 Filed 6-17-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 8010-01-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
06/18/1998
Department:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
98-16258
Pages:
33426-33430 (5 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Release No. 34-40088, File No. SR-Phlx-98-25
PDF File:
98-16258.pdf