00-21433. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the American Stock Exchange, LLC in Option Transaction Fees for Options on Nasdaq-100 Index Shares

August 14, 2000.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,^[1] and rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] notice is hereby given that on July 28, 2000, the American Stock Exchange LLC (“Amex” 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 Amex. The Exchange has designated this proposal as one establishing or changing a due, fee, or other charge imposed by Amex under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act,^[3] which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. 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 American Stock Exchange LLC proposes to revise specialist and Registered Options Trader Fees for transactions in Nasdaq-100 Index Share options. The text of the proposed rule change is available upon request at the Exchange or 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 Amex 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 the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

The Amex currently imposes a transaction charge on options trades executed on the Exchange. Transaction charges vary, depending on whether they involve an equity or index option. They also vary depending upon whether a charged transaction is executed for a specialist or market maker account; a member firm's proprietary account; a non-member broker-dealer account; or a customer account. In addition, the Amex imposes a charge for clearance of options trades as well as an options floor brokerage charge. These charges also depend upon the type of account for which a trade is executed. All three types of charges—transaction, options clearance and options floor brokerage—are subject to caps ^[4] based on the number of options contracts traded on a given day. Currently, no transaction, comparison or floor brokerage fees are charged for customer equity option transactions.

To offset the costs of providing for the trading of, and to enhance the marketing of options on, Nasdaq-100 Index Shares, the Exchange proposes to raise fees charged to specialists and Registered Options Traders (“ROTs”) for transactions in which a public customer ^[5] is a party to the trade. Specifically, the transaction fee charged the specialist and ROTs, currently $0.17 per contract side, would increase by $0.30 per contract side to $0.47, but only for transactions in which a public customer is a party. Options comparison and floor brokerage fees for the specialist and ROTs will remain unchanged at $0.04 and $0.03 per contract side, respectively. The Exchange represents that the proposed increases are necessary to allow the Exchange to better provide for the costs associated with trading and enhancing the marketing of options on Nasdaq-100 Index Shares.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange represents that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act ^[6] and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[7] because it involves a due, fee, or other charge. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

B. Self-Regulatory Statement on Burden on Competition

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any inappropriate 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 solicited or received.

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

The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) 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 the furtherance of the purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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, N.W., Washington, D.C. 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. 522, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Amex. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-AMEX-0039 and should be submitted by September 13, 2000.

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. ^[8]

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).

4.  Current caps are set at 2000 contracts for customer trades and 3000 contracts for member firm proprietary, non-member broker-dealer, specialist, and market maker trades.

5.  Under the proposed rule change, “public customer” would mean a non-broker-dealer. This is the same meaning the term has under Amex rule 958a.

6.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).

7.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

8.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).