04-2908. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Stock Clearing Corporation of Philadelphia; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Equity Charges for Specialists

February 4, 2004.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”),^[1] notice is hereby given that on December 30, 2003, the Stock Clearing Corporation of Philadelphia (“SCCP”) 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 primarily by SCCP. 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

SCCP proposes to amend its schedule of dues, fees, and charges by eliminating the $.20 credit for Philadelphia Stock Exchange (“Phlx”) equity specialists' trades against Phlx Automated Communication and Execution System (“PACE”) executions ^[2] for trades settling on or after January 2, 2004.^[3]

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

In its filing with the Commission, SCCP 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. SCCP has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.^[4]

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

The PACE specialist credit currently applies to Phlx specialists for their trades against PACE executions. The purpose of the proposed rule change is to eliminate the PACE specialist credit, which should generate additional revenue for SCCP and simplify SCCP's billing structure. SCCP intends to eliminate the PACE specialist credit for trades settling on or after January 2, 2004.

SCCP believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with section 17A(b)(3)(D) of the Act ^[5] which requires that the rules of a registered clearing agency provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its participants.

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

SCCP 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

SCCP has not solicited or received any written comments relating to the proposed rule change.

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

The foregoing proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act ^[6] and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) ^[7] thereunder because it changes a due, fee, or other charge. At any time within sixty days of the filing of the 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 5th Street NW, Washington, DC 20549-0069. Comments may also be submitted electronically at the following e-mail address: [e-mail]. All comment letters should refer to File No. SR-SCCP-2003-07. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, comments should be sent in hardcopy or by e-mail but not by both methods. Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the rule filing that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the rule filing between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at SCCP's principal office and on SCCP's Web site at http://www.phlx.com/​exchange/​memos/​SCCP/​sccp_​rules/​122903.pdf. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-SCCP-2003-07 and should be submitted by March 3, 2004.

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.  PACE is Phlx's automated order entry, routing, and executing system. Phlx Rules 229 and 229A.

3.  SCCP previously implemented the $.20 PACE specialist credit effective June 1, 2000. Securities Exchange Act Release No. 42804 (May 19, 2000), 65 FR 34244 (May 26, 2000) (SR-Phlx-00-42). A copy of SCCP's schedule of dues, fees, and charges is attached as Exhibit 2 to its proposed rule filing.

4.  The Commission has modified the text of the summaries prepared by SCCP.

5.  15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(D).

6.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).

7.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).

8.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).