E6-15273. Self-Regulatory Organizations; American Stock Exchange LLC; Order Granting Approval to a Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto Relating to a Retroactive Suspension of Transaction Charges for Specialist Orders in the Nasdaq-100 ...

September 7, 2006.

On July 7, 2006, the American Stock Exchange LLC (“Amex” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“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 to retroactively apply a suspension of transaction charges for specialist orders in connection with the trading of the Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock® (Symbol: QQQQ) from July 1, 2006 through July 12, 2006. On July 27, 2006, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change.^[3] The proposed rule change, as amended, was published for comment in the Federal Register on August 8, 2006.^[4] The Commission received no comments on the proposal.

The Commission finds that the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange.^[5] In particular, the Commission believes that the proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act ^[6] in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its members.

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,^[7] that the proposed rule change (File No. SR-Amex-2006-64), as amended, be, and it hereby is, approved.

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

J. Lynn Taylor,

Assistant Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  Amendment No. 1 replaced and superseded the original filing in its entirety.

4.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54262 (August 1, 2006), 71 FR 45083.

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

6.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

8.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).