E8-17211. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Granting Approval of a Proposed Rule Change Amending NYSE Arca Rule 5.3 and Rule 5.4 To Enable the Listing and Trading of Options on Index-Linked Securities

July 22, 2008.

On May 29, 2008, NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) a proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) ^[1] and Rule 19b-4 ^[2] thereunder to amend NYSE Arca Rules 5.3 and 5.4 to list and trade options on equity index-linked securities, commodity-linked securities, currency-linked securities, fixed income index-linked securities, futures-linked securities, and multifactor index-linked securities (collectively referred to as “Index-Linked Securities”) ^[3] that are principally traded on a national securities exchange and an “NMS stock” as defined in Rule 600 of Regulation NMS.^[4] The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on June 18, 2008 for a 21-day comment period.^[5] The Commission received no comment letters regarding the proposal. This order approves the proposed rule change.

Index-Linked Securities are designed for investors who desire to participate in a specific market segment by providing exposure to one or more identifiable underlying securities, commodities, currencies, derivative instruments or market indexes of the foregoing. Index-Linked Securities are the non-convertible debt of an issuer that have a term of at least one year but not greater than thirty years. Despite the fact that Index-Linked Securities are linked to at least one underlying index or asset (“Reference Asset”), each trade as a single, exchange-listed security. Accordingly, rules pertaining to the listing and trading of standard equity options would apply to options on Index-Linked Securities.

After careful consideration, 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 ^[6] and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6 of the Act.^[7] Specifically, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,^[8] which requires, among other things, that the rules of a national securities exchange be designed to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.

Listing and Trading of Options on Index-Linked Securities

As set out more fully in the Exchange's notice of its proposal, NYSE Arca's proposed rules include requirements regarding initial and continued listing standards, the creation/redemption process for Index-Linked Securities, and trading halts. Index-Linked Securities must be traded through a national securities exchange or through the facilities of a national securities association, and must be “NMS stock” as defined under Rule 600 of Regulation NMS.^[9]

The Commission notes that, pursuant to the proposed NYSE Arca Rules 5.3(j)(3) and 5.4(m), Index-Linked Securities will be subject to the initial and continuing eligibility standards for underlying securities provided in NYSE Arca Rules 5.3 and 5.4, as applicable. In particular, to be options eligible, an Index-Linked Security must either meet the criteria and guidelines for underlying securities set forth in NYSE Arca Rule 5.3(a), or alternately, the Index-Linked Securities must be redeemable at the option of the holder at least on a weekly basis through the issuer at a price related to the applicable underlying Reference Asset, and the issuing company must be obligated to issue or repurchase the securities in aggregation units for cash or cash equivalents satisfactory to the issuer of Index-Linked Securities which underlie the option as described in the Index-Linked Securities prospectus.

To continue to be options eligible, the Index-Linked Security must remain an NMS stock listed on a national securities exchange. The Exchange will also consider the suspension of opening transactions in any series of options of the class covering Index-Linked Securities where the Index-Linked Security does not satisfy the requirements set out in proposed NYSE Arca Rule 5.4(m). These include: (1) Continued compliance with NYSE Arca Rule 5.3(j); (2) compliance with NYSE Arca 5.4(b) or, for options covering Index-Linked Securities approved pursuant to NYSE Arca Rule 5.3(j)(3)(B), continuing to be an NMS stock listed on a national securities exchange; and (3) the value of the underlying Reference Asset continues to be calculated and available. In addition, the Exchange retains discretion to suspend opening transactions in options on Index-Linked Securities where conditions make further dealings in such options inadvisable.

The Exchange represented that the addition of options on Index-Linked Securities will not have any effect on Exchange rules pertaining to position and exercise limits ^[10] or margin.^[11]

Surveillance

The Commission notes that Exchange has represented that it will implement surveillance procedures for options on Index-Linked Securities, including adequate comprehensive surveillance sharing agreements with markets trading in non-U.S. components, as applicable. NYSE Arca further represented that these procedures will be adequate to properly monitor Exchange trading of options on Index-Linked Securities and to deter and detect violations of Exchange rules. This order is based on these representations.

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,^[12] that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSEArca-2008-57) is hereby approved.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.^[13]

Florence E. Harmon,

Acting Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  See NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6).

4.  See 17 CFR 242.600(b)(47).

5.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57950 (June 11, 2008), 73 FR 34815.

6.  In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78f.

8.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

9.  17 CFR 242.600(b)(47).

10.  See NYSE Arca Rules 6.8 and 6.9.

11.  See NYSE Arca Rule 5.25.

12.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

13.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).