01-20185. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc. Relating to Exchange Fees

August 3, 2001.

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 July 23, 2001, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc. (“CBOE” or “Exchange” filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the CBOE. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The CBOE proposes to amend its fee schedule to waive all public customer fees related to options on the Standard & Poor's 100 European-style index (“XEO”).^[3]

The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Office of the Secretary, CBOE and at the Commission.

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 Exchange 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 Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C blow, of the most significant parts 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 waive all public customer fees for XEO through October 31, 2001.^[4] These fee waivers will be in effect beginning with the launch of trading in XEO on July 23, 2001.

Specifically, the Exchange proposes to waive the transaction fee, trade match fee, floor brokerage fee, and Retail Automatic Execution Systems (“RAES”) fee for public customer XEO orders. The Exchange has decided to waiver these fees through October 31, 2001, to promote the launch of the XEO product. The Exchange believes these fee waivers will serve to make XEO competitive with competing products at other exchanges while generating significant saving for its customers.^[5]

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,^[6] in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act ^[7] in particular, in that it is designed to provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among CBOE members.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

CBOE does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Exchange Act.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action

Because the foregoing proposed rule change establishes or changes a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act ^[8] and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) ^[9] thereunder.

At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

IV. 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, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the CBOE. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-CBOE-2001-42 and should be submitted by September 4, 2001.

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.^[10]

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

.  217 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  The listing of XEO options on the CBOE became effective pursuant to File No. SR-CBOE-2001-39. See Securities Exchange Release No. 44556 (July 16, 2001), 66 FR 38046 (July 20, 2001) (notice of filing and immediate effectiveness of File No. SR-CBOE-2001-39).

4.  These public customer fees are fees assessed on CBOE members relating to public customer XEO orders executed by CBOE members. Telephone conversation between Chris Hill, Attorney II, CBOE, and Yvonne Fraticelli, Special Counsel, Division of Market Regulation, Commission, on July 30, 2001.

5.  The Commission notes that this fee waiver is similar to that granted for reduced-value Nasdaq 100 Index (“NMX”) options. Securities Exchange Act Release No. 43221 (August 29, 2000), 65 FR 54333 (notice of filing and immediate effectiveness of File No. SR-CBOE-00-39).

6.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).

8.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).

9.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).

10.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).