96-18262. Futures Commission Merchants, Clearing Members and Foreign Brokers; Option Large Trader Reports Daily Filing Requirements  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 139 (Thursday, July 18, 1996)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 37409-37417]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-18262]
    
    
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    COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
    
    17 CFR Parts 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19
    
    
    Futures Commission Merchants, Clearing Members and Foreign 
    Brokers; Option Large Trader Reports Daily Filing Requirements
    
    AGENCY: Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
    
    ACTION: Proposed rulemaking.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Commission) is 
    proposing to amend its regulations to require that futures commission 
    merchants, clearing members and foreign brokers (firms) file option 
    large trader reports with the Commission on a daily basis. The proposed 
    amendments specify a joint option and futures reporting level, a joint 
    record format for reporting the information in machine-readable form, 
    and an earlier time for submission of the data. A number of these 
    requirements are proposed with the view that the Commission will be 
    able to provide large trader data to the exchanges. Currently, firms 
    report option and futures large trader data to the exchanges and 
    futures data to the Commission. Reporting burdens in the industry may 
    be reduced if firms report data to a single source that in turn 
    distributes the information to all regulators or self-regulatory 
    organizations.
        The Commission is also in the process of obtaining new computer 
    hardware and rewriting the software for its market surveillance system. 
    In view of this, the Commission is requesting comment from the industry 
    on any standards it might adopt that would make large trader reporting 
    more efficient for the industry. Last, the Commission is proposing 
    amendments to rule 18.04 to obtain CFTC form 40s from reporting traders 
    only on special call. This would mirror current Commission practice 
    with respect to this form.
    
    DATES: Comments on this proposed rulemaking should be submitted on or 
    before September 16, 1996.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Office of the Secretariat, 
    Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st 
    Street, NW., Washington, DC 20581, and should make reference to 
    ``option large trader reports,'' telephone (202) 418-5100.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lamont L. Reese, Division of Economic 
    Analysis, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street, NW., Washington, DC 
    20581, telephone (202) 418-5310.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    I. Background
    
        The Commission employs a comprehensive market surveillance system 
    which is designed to maintain freely competitive markets by detecting 
    and preventing threats of price manipulation or other major market 
    disruptions caused by abusive trading practices. As part of the system, 
    the Commission's Division of Economic Analysis operates an extensive 
    data-gathering system which relies heavily on computer support. 
    Regulations concerning this system require reports from three primary 
    sources: contract markets under Part 16 of the regulations; futures 
    commission merchants, clearing members, and foreign brokers (firms) 
    under parts 17 and 21 of the regulations; and individual traders under 
    parts 18 and 19 of the regulations. 17 CFR parts 16 through 21 (1995).
        The Commission is proposing amendments to these regulations which 
    will require firms to report daily option positions of large traders in 
    addition to futures positions directly to the Commission. The proposed 
    rule changes also delete the current requirement that contract markets 
    provide option large trader (OLT) data on a weekly basis. Since the 
    Commission is also in the process of reengineering software for its 
    surveillance system to run in a client-server environment rather than 
    on a mainframe computer, it is making proposals and asking for 
    recommendations to make its requirements for electronic reporting 
    consistent with standards in use by the industry.
        An overall review of the reporting system indicates that additional 
    amendments to the regulations may be proposed. These include proposed 
    changes to the reporting levels in rule 15.03 and amendments to Part 17 
    of the regulations to give additional guidance
    
    [[Page 37410]]
    
    to firms when reporting accounts that are owned and/or controlled by 
    two or more persons. However, since these regulations are not concerned 
    with daily reporting of option positions, any proposed changes to them 
    will be included in a separate rulemaking proposal.
    
    II. Daily and Weekly Large Trader Data
    
        Part 17 of the Commission's regulations requires that firms submit 
    a daily report to the Commission with respect to futures positions in 
    all special accounts on their books.1 Information required to be 
    provided to the Commission includes quantities of reportable futures 
    positions, exchanges of futures for cash, and delivery notices issued 
    or stopped by each special account.2 Firms assign a reporting 
    number to the special account and report all information to the 
    Commission using this number.3 The regulations also specify the 
    format for data that is reported on machine-readable media and the type 
    of data processing media that is compatible with Commission computer 
    systems.4 Additionally, firms must file a CFTC form 102 showing 
    the information specified under Sec. 17.01 of the regulations for each 
    special account.5 This information identifies persons who have a 
    financial interest in or trading control of a special account, informs 
    the Commission of the type of account that is being reported, and gives 
    preliminary information whether positions and transactions are 
    commercial or noncommercial in nature.
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        \1\ Special account means any commodity futures or option 
    account in which there is a reportable position, 17 CFR 15.00 
    (1995). Firms report futures information to the Commission and 
    futures and option information to the exchanges.
        \2\ A reportable position is any open position held or 
    controlled by a trader at the close of business in any one futures 
    contract of a commodity traded on any one contract market that is 
    equal to or in excess of the quantities fixed by the Commission in 
    Sec. 15.03 of the regulations, 17 CFR 15.03 (1995).
        \3\ The firm's reporting number may be the account number 
    carried on its books. However, the number may refer to a collection 
    of accounts that are owned and/or controlled by the same person.
        \4\ See rule 17.00(g) for a description of the file 
    characteristics and 15.00(l) for a definition of compatible data 
    processing media, 17 CFR 15.00(l) and 17.00(g) (1995).
        \5\ 17 CFR 17.01 (1995).
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        With regard to options, however, the Commission receives large 
    trader data only on a weekly basis. Part 16 of the regulations requires 
    that contract markets provide the long and short put or call positions 
    for each option trader controlling a reportable position as of the 
    close of business on Tuesday.6 Contract markets provide the 
    Commission with the data by account number and supply a CFTC form 102 
    to identify owners and controllers of the account. Generally, the rules 
    requiring weekly reporting of OLT data were in place at the inception 
    of the Commission's three-year pilot program for domestic exchange-
    traded commodity options.7 Due to the growth in the trading of 
    exchange-traded options and, since the same persons tend to hold both 
    large futures and option positions, the Commission does not believe 
    that its current requirements concerning large trader reporting are 
    adequate.
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        \6\ 17 CFR 16.02 (1995). A reportable option position is defined 
    as any open contract position on any one contract market in the put 
    option or separately in the call option of a specified option 
    expiration date which exceeds 50 contracts. 17 CFR 15.00(b)(2) 
    (1995).
        \7\ 46 FR 54500 (November 3, 1981).
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        The Commission has long recognized the interaction that exists 
    between the markets for trading futures and those for trading options 
    on futures. In April of 1992, for example, the Commission proposed 
    rules that would unify speculative position limits on futures with 
    those on options for the commodities specified in Part 150 of the 
    regulations, 57 FR 12766 (April 13, 1992).8 In this release, the 
    Commission found that price movements in the two markets are highly 
    related so that viewing options and futures together more readily 
    reflects the economic reality of a trader's position. The Commission 
    noted that:
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        \8\ The Commission previously requested comments on the concept 
    of unifying option and futures speculative limits. See 56 FR 37049 
    (August 2, 1991). The commodities listed in Part 150 include grains, 
    soybeans, soybean products, and cotton.
    
        * * * options in certain combinations create synthetic futures. 
    Moreover, these, or other combinations, may be spread or offset 
    against actual futures positions. Thus, through a variety of spread 
    or arbitrage transactions, positions in one market may have a direct 
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    and immediate impact on pricing in the other.
    
    57 FR at 12769
        Trading in options on futures grew to over 100 million contracts 
    during 1994, and option position sizes held by individual traders have 
    grown correspondingly. Currently, it is impossible to assess 
    relationships between price moves and trader positions without knowing 
    both the traders' futures and option positions. Adequate surveillance 
    requires that these relationships be examined on a day-to-day basis. In 
    view of this, the Commission is proposing to collect option positions 
    of large traders on a daily basis.
        The Commission must, of course, determine whether it will require 
    daily reports from the exchanges or obtain the information directly 
    from reporting firms. As noted above, exchanges currently supply the 
    Commission with weekly OLT data. A survey of the exchanges indicates, 
    however, that not all exchanges collect option large trader data on a 
    daily basis. Moreover, although the option data are currently provided 
    by exchanges immediately after they process incoming reports from their 
    members, the data are not timely for market surveillance. Most 
    exchanges provide the data to the Commission during the afternoon of 
    the Wednesday following the Tuesday report date for the positions. Due 
    to CFTC processing capacity restraints, OLT data are processed 
    overnight and not available for analysis until the following morning. 
    Exchange members, however, provide OLT data to the exchanges early in 
    the morning on the day following the OLT position report date. 
    Presumably, reporting firms could provide data directly to the 
    Commission at about the same time and, in its new processing 
    environment, the Commission will be able to access and analyze the data 
    immediately. The process of obtaining data from the exchanges is also 
    cumbersome and may impose a significant additional burden on the 
    exchanges, particularly with respect to providing the Commission with 
    form 102s to identify accounts and in obtaining corrections to the OLT 
    data.
        The Commission is also mindful of the additional burden that may be 
    placed on reporting firms if it collects OLT data directly from them 
    since, in addition, they must provide data to the exchanges. The burden 
    on firms would be reduced if the Commission acts as a central 
    collection point for large trader data and distributes them to the 
    exchanges. Reporting firms through the operations committees of the 
    Futures Industry Association (FIA) recommended this approach to 
    Commission staff in 1991.9 Since the Commission is obtaining new 
    computer hardware and rewriting its software, the Commission is 
    considering requirements that will allow it to act as a central 
    collection point for large trader data. Commission staff have held 
    preliminary discussions with exchange staff who expressed interest, if 
    the needs of the individual exchanges could be met.
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        \9\ See the ``Report on the Commission's Large Trader Reporting 
    System'' prepared by the Division of Economic Analysis, January 
    1992, pp. 23 and 24.
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        In view of the above, the Commission is proposing amendments to its 
    reporting rules that require firms to report both futures and option 
    large
    
    [[Page 37411]]
    
    trader data to the Commission on a daily basis. These amendments 
    involve redefining reporting levels, establishing joint reporting of 
    futures and option data and changing the current format for reporting 
    data on machine-readable media. In making the specific amendments 
    discussed below, the Commission is taking into account certain 
    requirements expressed by staff of the various exchanges.
    
    A. Reporting Levels
    
        As noted above, Commission rules 15.00(b) and 15.03 define 
    reportable levels in futures and options. The Commission is not 
    changing its definition of a reportable futures position. However, it 
    is proposing that an option position be considered reportable if the 
    aggregate of all open contract positions of a trader in all options 
    that exercise into the same futures expiration month exceeds the 
    reporting levels specified in rule 15.03 for any one option 
    quadrant.10 Commission staff have functionally adopted this 
    definition when processing exchange-supplied OLT data. If an exchange 
    reports an option account that has previously been reported, or if the 
    position is reportable according to the above definition, the account 
    is further processed. The Commission has found that this method of 
    processing OLT data gives satisfactory information about large option 
    traders and greatly reduces the number of form 102s it requests from 
    the exchanges. The Commission intends to continue this front-end 
    processing of OLT data if firms report directly to the Commission. 
    Thus, firms can report OLT data at lower reporting levels or report all 
    OLT data and the Commission will keep and process only that which is 
    appropriate.
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        \10\ An option quadrant is considered a long call, short call, 
    long put or short put.
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    B. Reporting Futures and Options on a Combined Basis
    
        Commission regulations currently require that firms provide only 
    large trader positions that are of a reportable size. If a trader holds 
    a reportable position in one future month of a commodity on a contract 
    market and a position which is not of a reportable size in another 
    future month, only the larger position is required to be reported. A 
    number of the exchanges, however, require that both positions be 
    reported.11 For such exchanges, this type of reporting applies to 
    both futures and options. Firms must report all option positions and 
    all futures positions in an account to the appropriate exchange, if 
    either an option position or a futures position in the account meets 
    the exchange's definition of reportability. The Commission is proposing 
    to amend rule 17.00 to require this type of reporting. This will meet 
    exchange requirements if in the future they choose to obtain data from 
    the Commission rather than from firms.12
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        \11\ Exchanges that require this type of reporting include the 
    Chicago Board of Trade (CBT), the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), 
    and the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYME).
        \12\ Since the Commission is proposing that rule 17.00 be 
    amended to require that options be reported by strike prices it is 
    also proposing conforming amendments to rule 17.04 to require that 
    the originator of an omnibus account report option positions by 
    strike price to the firm that carries the account.
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    C. Record Formats for Dial-Up Transmissions and Machine Readable Media
    
        The Commission receives about 95 percent of its futures large 
    trader data via dial-up transmission or on machine-readable media. The 
    record formats for reporting in this manner are contained in rule 
    17.00(g).13 In proposing changes to these formats to accommodate 
    option data, the Commission is seeking to minimize programming changes 
    that firms may incur with adoption of a new reporting format and to 
    collect a set of data that will be useful to each exchange for their 
    large trader reporting system. This can be accomplished by adopting a 
    format used by at least one of the major exchanges that includes all 
    data fields used by other exchanges. Any of these other exchanges that 
    elect to obtain large trader data from the Commission will be able to 
    convert from the Commission's format to their own.
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        \13\ 17 CFR 17.00(g) (1995).
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        A review of record formats used by the exchanges indicates that 
    although they differ the formats necessarily contain similar 
    information for collecting large trader data. The formats used by two 
    of the exchanges are more expansive than others, allowing for 
    identification of flexible products in addition to data used by other 
    exchanges. One of these formats contains all information in a single 
    record and may be preferable since the Commission is proposing to use 
    the same record format to report different types of information. In 
    view of this, the Commission is proposing to adopt the record format 
    shown below.
    
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            Record layout                                                   
    ------------------------------                                          
    Beginning                                         Name                  
      column    Length     Type*                                            
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    1........        2        AN   Report Type.                             
    3........        3        AN   Reporting Firm.                          
    6........        2        --   Reserved.                                
    8........       12        AN   Account Number.                          
    20.......        8        AN   Report Date.                             
    28.......        2        AN   Exchange Code.                           
    30.......        1        AN   Put or Call.                             
    31.......        5        AN   Commodity Code (1).                      
    36.......        8        AN   Expiration Date (1).                     
    44.......        7         S   Strike Price.                            
    51.......        1        AN   Exercise Style.                          
    52.......        7         N   Long-buy-Stopped.                        
    59.......        7         N   Short-Sell-Issued.                       
    66.......        5        AN   Commodity Code (2).                      
    71.......        8        AN   Expiration Date (2).                     
    79.......        2        --   Reserved.                                
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    *AN--Alpha-Numeric.                                                     
    N--Numeric.                                                             
    S--Signed numeric.                                                      
    
        1. Report Type. This report format will be used to report three 
    types of data: Long and short futures and option positions, futures 
    delivery notices issued and stopped, and exchanges of futures for 
    physicals bought and sold. Valid values for the report type are ``RP'' 
    for reporting positions, ``DN'' for reporting delivery notices, and 
    ``EP'' for reporting futures for physicals.
        2. Reporting Firm. Currently, the Commission assigns a five-digit 
    number to each firm which is used for reporting. See rule 
    17.00(g)(3)(i). This assignment may not be necessary since all members 
    of a clearing house are already identified by a number that is used for 
    reporting to the clearing house or the exchange. The Commission is 
    proposing to use the clearing member number in conjunction with an 
    exchange number to identify reporting firms. If a firm is not a 
    clearing member, the Commission is proposing that it assign a three-
    character alpha-numeric identifier agreed to by the exchanges.
        3. Account Number. This is the same number that is currently 
    assigned to an account by the firm for purposes of reporting. See rule 
    17.00(g)(3)(iii).
        4. Report Date. The Commission is proposing that the report date 
    include the full four-character year rather than the last two 
    characters. The format is YYYYMMDD, where YYYY is the year, MM is the 
    month, and DD is the day of the month.
        5. Exchange. This is proposed as a two-character field used to 
    identify the exchange on which a position is held.
    
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    The Commission is proposing that valid values be as follows:
    
    01..............................  Chicago Board of Trade.               
    02..............................  Chicago Mercantile Exchange.          
    03..............................  MidAmerica Commodity Exchange.        
    06..............................  Coffee, Sugar and Cocoa Exchange.     
    07..............................  Comex Division of NYME.               
    08..............................  Kansas City Board of Trade.           
    09..............................  Minneapolis Grain Exchange.           
    10..............................  Philadelphia Board of Trade.          
    12..............................  New York Mercantile Exchange.         
    13..............................  New York Cotton Exchange.             
    15..............................  New York Futures Exchange.            
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        6. Put-Call Code. Valid entries would be ``C'' for a call option 
    and ``P'' for a put option. For futures, the field is blank.
        7. Commodity (1). Currently, the Commission assigns a six-digit 
    contract market code for reporting. This appears unnecessary since the 
    exchanges already assign a commodity code for their own reporting. The 
    Commission is proposing to use the exchange code assigned to the 
    futures or option contract pertaining to the reported position. This 
    may simplify reporting for firms.
        8. Expiration Date (1). The date format is YYYYMMDD and represents 
    the expiration date or delivery date of the reported futures or option 
    contract. For date-specific instruments, such as flexible products, the 
    full date must be reported. For other options and futures, this field 
    is used to report the expiration year and month for an option contract 
    or a delivery year and month for a futures contract. The day portion of 
    the field for these contracts (``DD'') contains spaces.
        9. Strike Price. This is proposed as a signed numeric field for 
    reporting option strike prices. The strike prices should be right-
    justified and the field zero-filled. For futures, the field is left 
    blank.
        10. Exercise Style. Valid values for this field are ``A'' for 
    American style options, i.e., those that can be exercised at any time 
    during the life of the options and ``E'' for European, i.e., those that 
    can be exercised only at the end of an option's life. This field will 
    be required only for flexible instruments or as otherwise specified by 
    the Commission. The Commission is proposing that all data be reported 
    in contracts. Currently, data for the grains and soybean futures 
    markets are reported in thousand bushels. Data reported by the 
    exchanges for options on futures contracts in these markets, however, 
    is reported in contracts. It would be preferable if all data pertaining 
    to these markets are reported in the same units.
        11. Long-Buy-Stopped (Short-Sell-Issued). When report type is 
    ``RP'', this field represents long (short) positions open at the end of 
    a trading day. When report type is ``DN'', this field represents 
    delivery notices stopped (issued) on behalf of the account. When report 
    type is ``EP'', this field represents purchases (sales) of futures for 
    cash for the account. The Commission is proposing that all data be 
    reported in contracts. Currently, data for the grains and soybean 
    futures markets are reported in thousand bushels. Data reported by the 
    exchanges for options on futures contracts in these markets, however, 
    is reported in contracts. It would be preferable if all data pertaining 
    to these markets are reported in the same units.
        12. Commodity (2). This is the exchange-assigned commodity code for 
    a futures contract or other instrument that a position is exercised 
    into from a date specific or flexible option.
        13. Expiration Date (2). Similar to other dates, the format is 
    YYYYMMDD and represents the expiration date or delivery month and year 
    of the future or other instrument that a position is exercised into 
    from a date-specific or flexible option.
    
    D. Time and Place for Filing Reports
    
        Commission rule 17.02 currently specifies different times for 
    reporting large trader data depending on the media used for 
    reporting.14 If forms are used, they must be transmitted to the 
    appropriate regional office by 9 a.m. If the data are supplied on 
    machine-readable media, such as computer tape or diskette, the data 
    must be supplied by 10:30 a.m. If the data are transmitted 
    electronically, the data must be supplied by 11 a.m.15
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        \14\ In the discussion that follows, times are eastern time for 
    markets located in that time zone and central time for all other 
    markets.
        \15\ A number of firms that transmit data electronically provide 
    the Commission with reports substantially earlier than its 11:00 
    a.m. cutoff time.
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        As noted above, exchanges generally receive large trader data 
    earlier than the Commission. Staff for several of the exchanges 
    indicate that they have a 9 a.m. cutoff time. Another exchange 
    apparently receives data by 7 a.m. It would be beneficial for the 
    Commission's market surveillance program if all reports were received 
    at an earlier time. In addition, if the Commission is to act as a 
    central collection point for large trader data, it must be able to meet 
    exchange deadlines. In view of this, the Commission is proposing to 
    amend rule 17.02 so that all large trader reports are required to be 
    submitted to the Commission by 9 a.m. or at such earlier time as 
    specified by an exchange that is receiving data from the Commission for 
    contract markets on that exchange.
    
    E. Filing Reports Electronically and the Definition of Compatible Data-
    Processing Media
    
        Unless otherwise allowed by the Commission, firms must report large 
    trader data on compatible data-processing media.16 This form of 
    reporting is efficient, since paper reports need not be filled out and 
    filed and key-entry of the data received is not required. A significant 
    number of small firms, however, currently have an exception to file 
    paper reports. The amount of data filed by each firm is small, 
    accounting in total for less than five percent of all large trader data 
    collected by the Commission.
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        \16\ 17 CFR 17.00(a) (1995).
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        The Commission is concerned, however, that the amount of data 
    submitted on hard-copy reports may increase appreciably if options are 
    reported to the Commission. Since reporting OLT positions to the 
    Commission is more data-intensive than reporting futures positions, 
    there is concern that the number of existing staff will be inadequate 
    to key-enter both futures and option large trader data in a timely 
    manner. In view of this, the Commission may be more restrictive in 
    allowing firms to report in hard-copy format. Since personal computers 
    are becoming less expensive, it may not be burdensome for firms to key-
    enter large trader data and transmit the data to the Commission. The 
    Commission is seeking comment on the magnitude of the burden this may 
    impose on smaller firms and whether assistance, such as software 
    development, could be provided by Commission staff to ameliorate this 
    burden.
        If firms file reports electronically, they must do so on compatible 
    data-processing media. This is defined in rule 15.00(l) as:
        1. Unblocked, nine-track, 1600 BPI magnetic tape using EBCDIC 
    encoding and a standard IBM label;
        2. Magnetic diskettes using a single-density IBM 3741 format; or
        3. Asynchronous dial-up transmission at 1200 baud or synchronous 
    dial-up transmission at 4800 baud.
        The above-mentioned transmission methods are generally outdated. 
    For example, cartridge has replaced tape and data transmission speeds 
    are far faster than those specified above. The Commission is interested 
    to know if standards for data transmission or media use have been 
    adopted by members of the futures trading industry, and is seeking 
    comment on how best to
    
    [[Page 37413]]
    
    define acceptable data-processing media.
    
    F. Filing Form 102s
    
        Since account identification information is provided on a form 
    rather than electronically, the data are burdensome for firms to 
    provide and costly for the Commission to process. This burden is 
    compounded for reporting firms since the same form might have to be 
    filed at different times with several exchanges as well as the 
    Commission. Costs associated with filing this form appear to be the 
    principal reason that firms desire to send information to a single 
    regulator.
        The Commission can of course act as a single collection point for 
    this information as well as that pertaining to positions. The cost of 
    doing so, however, may be high since the forms themselves will require 
    copying and distribution to the exchanges. This cost could be minimized 
    if the information were transmitted electronically to the Commission. 
    Two exchanges, independent of this rulemaking, have started work in 
    this area.
        One exchange, the CME, has developed software that can be used on a 
    reporting firm's computer system. The software allows for key-entry of 
    account identification information which is collected in a file for 
    subsequent transmission. Another exchange, the CBT, requires that 
    member firms electronically transmit partial account identification 
    information when an account is first reported. In either case, it 
    appears that firms must key-enter the data rather than obtain it from 
    other computer files they maintain.
        At this time, the Commission is in the process of gathering more 
    information to determine the manner in which it will proceed in this 
    matter. Although its staff will be in further contact with the 
    exchanges and reporting firms, the Commission is requesting comments 
    and suggestions from the industry on either of the exchanges' 
    approaches or viable alternatives to collecting account identification 
    information electronically.
    
    G. Proposed Implementation
    
        The Commission expects that implementation of the proposed 
    amendments to the regulations will occur over a period of time. 
    Reporting firms must develop new formats for transmitting the combined 
    option and futures data and new software programs to determine whether 
    accounts are reportable. In addition, Commission staff will test data 
    transmissions to ensure that formats are correct. In view of this, the 
    Commission anticipates that it will make the amended rules effective 
    six months after publication in the Federal Register of a final 
    rulemaking in this matter. At that time, the requirement in part 16 
    that exchanges file weekly OLT data would be deleted.17
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        \17\ The Commission is proposing to delete and reserve 
    Secs. 16.02 and 16.03. In addition, the Commission is proposing 
    conforming amendments to rules 16.06 and 16.07 to remove references 
    to deleted sections of part 16.
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    III. Other Exchange Reporting
    
        In addition to OLT reports required by rule 16.02, exchanges must 
    make clearing member reports under rule 16.00 and reports concerning 
    volume, open interest and prices under rule 16.01.18 All reports 
    made by the exchanges must be on compatible data-processing media and 
    are due to the Commission no later than 3 p.m. of the business day 
    following the report date of the data. The data are submitted using a 
    format and coding structure issued by the Office of the Executive 
    Director.
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        \18\ 17 CFR 16.00, 16.01 and 16.02 (1995).
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    A. Delta Factors and Settlement Prices
    
        Included in the data provided under paragraph 16.01 are the 
    settlement prices for option and futures contracts and delta-factors 
    for option contacts.19 Delta factors are necessary to convert 
    option positions to a futures equivalent basis so that traders' futures 
    and option positions can be viewed as an economic whole. Deltas must be 
    available when option positions are reported in order to interpret the 
    positions.
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        \19\ Delta factors are used to equalize the exposure value of an 
    option contract with that of the underlying future. Multiplying an 
    option contract by a delta factor places the option on a comparable 
    basis to the underlying futures contract in terms of value 
    fluctuations. The absolute value of the deltas vary between 0 and 1.
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        The Commission understands that delta factors are computed by an 
    exchange or its associated clearing house after the close of trading 
    and can be made available sooner than volume of trading and open 
    interest figures. Settlement prices also are available shortly after 
    the close of trading and their timely receipt is important to the 
    Commission for its market and financial surveillance programs. In view 
    of this, the Commission is proposing to amend rule 16.01 to require 
    that exchanges electronically transmit delta factors and settlement 
    prices for option and futures contracts by 7 a.m. on the day following 
    the report date.20 Commission staff will be in contact with the 
    exchanges to discuss changes in record formats that amendments to the 
    regulations may entail.21
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \20\ The report date is the date the data pertain to.
        \21\ These formats will change substantially because of the 
    introduction of date-specific or flexible options.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    B. Critical Dates
    
        Since the inception of the pilot program for exchange-traded 
    options, the format and coding instructions issued by the Office of the 
    Executive Director have included fields for reporting certain dates 
    associated with the terms and conditions of futures and option 
    contracts. For futures contracts, this includes first and last notice 
    dates and last trading day and for option contracts, expiration date. 
    Although the exchanges provide these data, this requirement is not 
    explicitly set forth in the Commission's regulations. Commission 
    software makes extensive use of some of these dates for market 
    surveillance purposes. In view of this, the Commission is proposing to 
    amend rule 16.01 to require that the exchanges provide the first notice 
    date and last trading date for futures contracts and the expiration 
    date for option contracts.
    
    C. Option Exercises and Assigns
    
        Contract markets report the number of option contracts exercised 
    both by clearing members under rule 16.00(a)(5) and for the entire 
    market under rule 16.01(a)(5). The Commission is proposing to delete 
    these requirements since the information is not important for its 
    surveillance program.22
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \22\ In addition, the Commission is proposing to delete the 
    requirement in rule 16.01(a)(6) that contract markets provide the 
    number of option contracts expiring unexercised.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    IV. Other Proposed Amendments
    
    A. Cash Position Reports
    
        The Commission requires that persons owning or controlling futures 
    positions in commodities for which the Commission has established 
    speculative limits file reports concerning their long and short cash 
    positions, i.e., stocks of the commodities owned and the quantity of 
    their fixed-price purchase and sale commitments, 17 CFR part 19 (1995). 
    These commodities include the grains, the soybean complex and cotton, 
    17 CFR part 150 (1995). The primary purpose for these reports is to 
    determine if the futures positions of traders that exceed the 
    Commission's speculative limits qualify as hedging as defined in 
    Sec. 1.3(z) of the Commission's regulations. Additionally, merchants 
    and dealers in cotton must provide information on the quantity of their 
    ``call purchases and
    
    [[Page 37414]]
    
    sales.'' 23 Information concerning call purchases and sales is 
    used as a basis for the Commission's weekly ``Cotton on Call'' report.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \23\ Call purchases and sales are unfixed price purchases and 
    sales commitments transacted as a basis price referenced to a 
    particular cotton futures delivery month.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        With the exception of call purchase and sale reports by merchants 
    and dealers in cotton, reporting levels for cash position reports (CFTC 
    forms 204 and 304) are set at the speculative limit levels defined in 
    rule 150.2. 17 CFR 150.2 (1995).24 Only futures positions and not 
    option positions are considered when determining reportability for 
    purposes of reports due under part 19. See rule 15.00(b)(1)(ii), 17 CFR 
    15.00 (1995). The Commission, however, amended part 150 so that the 
    speculative limits set forth in rule 150.2 apply to the net long or net 
    short combined futures and futures equivalent option position of a 
    trader.25 Given the purpose for reports filed under rule 
    19.01(a)(1), the Commission is proposing that these reports be provided 
    only if a trader's net long or short combined futures and futures 
    equivalent options position as defined in part 150 exceeds the level 
    specified in rule 150.2.26
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \24\ Merchants and dealers in cotton must file reports at the 
    lower levels specified in rule 15.03. This lower level for cotton is 
    to ensure adequate coverage of call sales and purchases on the 
    ``Cotton on Call'' report. The Commission is not proposing 
    amendments to this reporting level.
        \25\ 58 FR 17972 (March 30, 1993). Commission rules 150.1 (f)-
    (h) define futures equivalent and long and short positions as 
    follows:
        (f) Futures-equivalent means an option contract which has been 
    adjusted by the previous day's risk factor, or delta coefficient, 
    for that option which has been calculated at the close of trading 
    and published by the applicable exchange under Sec. 16.01 of this 
    chapter.
        (g) Long positions means a long call option, a short put option 
    or a long underlying futures contract.
        (h) Short positions means a short call option, a long put option 
    or a short underlying futures contract.
        \26\ Conforming amendments are also being proposed to rule 
    15.01(d). 17 CFR 15.01(d) (1995).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    B. Submitting Form 40s
    
        Under Part 18 of the regulations, traders who become reportable in 
    futures must file a CFTC form 40, ``Statement of Reporting Trader,'' 
    within ten business days following the day that the trader obtains a 
    reportable position. Additional filings are made annually as specified 
    in rule 18.04(d).27 Traders who become reportable in options are 
    required to file the form 40 only in response to a special call by the 
    Commission.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \27\ 17 CFR 18.04(d) (1995).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        Currently, when an account first becomes reportable in futures, the 
    firm reporting the account files a CFTC form 102 that identifies all 
    persons having a ten percent or more financial interest in the account 
    and those persons who control the trading of the account.28 
    Although all persons named on the form 102 may be considered a trader 
    according to the Commission's definition in rule 15.00(e), Commission 
    staff will determine a trader of primary interest and request a form 40 
    from that trader.29 No actions are generally taken against traders 
    who do not file an initial form 40 unless they fail to respond to the 
    staff's written request. Similarly, Commission staff will request 
    updates to form 40s by issuing a written request.30 In view of the 
    above, the Commission is proposing to amend rule 18.04 to require that 
    traders file form 40's in response to a special call, thus reflecting 
    the current operating procedure. Authority to make these calls will be 
    delegated to the director of the Division of Economic Analysis. In 
    proposing these amendments, the Commission expects that staff will 
    continue to obtain initial form 40s from traders and updated form 40s 
    on at least a twenty-four-month cycle for traders who continue in 
    reporting status.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \28\ 17 CFR 17.01 (1995).
        \29\ At times, Commission staff may request a form 40 from more 
    than one person identified on the form 102, but this is rare. The 
    Division would continue to maintain this authority under the rule as 
    proposed and the proposed delegation authority.
        \30\ Paragraph 18.04(d) requires that if traders remain 
    reportable, they update the form 40 after twelve months. Commission 
    staff, however, have been requesting that form 40s be updated only 
    if traders are in reporting status after a twenty-four-month period. 
    An analysis of form 40 updates indicates that few form 40s show 
    significant changes in the information contained on the form after a 
    one-year period. This action has significantly reduced the number of 
    form 40s required from traders with no adverse impact on the 
    Commission's surveillance program.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    V. Related Matters
    
    A. The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
    
        The RFA requires that agencies, in proposing rules, consider the 
    impact of those rules on small business. These amendments affect large 
    traders and futures commission merchants and other similar entities 
    such as foreign brokers and foreign traders. The Commission has defined 
    ``small entities'' as used by the Commission in evaluating the impact 
    of its rules in accordance with the RFA. 47 FR 18618-18621 (April 30, 
    1982).
        In that statement, the Commission concluded that large traders and 
    futures commission merchants should not be considered to be small 
    entities for purposes of the RFA. In this regard, the amendments to 
    reporting requirements fall mainly upon futures commission merchants. 
    Similarly, foreign brokers and foreign traders report only if carrying 
    or holding reportable, i.e., large, positions. Pursuant to section 3(a) 
    of the RFA (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), the Chairman, on behalf of the 
    Commission, certifies that the proposed rules would not have a 
    significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
    The Commission invites comments from any firm which believes that these 
    rules would have a significant economic impact upon its operations.
    
    B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
    
        The PRA of 1980, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., imposes certain 
    requirements on Federal agencies (including the Commission) in 
    connection with their conducting or sponsoring any collection of 
    information as defined by the PRA. In compliance with the PRA, the 
    Commission is submitting these proposed rules and their associated 
    information collection requirements to the Office of Management and 
    Budget. The burden associated with this entire collection and these 
    amended rules, is as follows:
    
    Average burden hours per response................................0.3607
    Number of respondents.............................................6,181
    Frequency of response.............................................Daily
    
        Persons wishing to comment on the information which would be 
    required by these rules should contact Jeff Hill, Office of Management 
    and Budget, Room 3228, NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, (202) 395-7304. 
    Copies of the information collection submission to OMB are available 
    from Joe F. Mink, CFTC Clearance Officer, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 
    21st Street, NW., Washington, DC 20581, (202) 418-5170.
    
    List of Subjects
    
    17 CFR Part 15
    
        Brokers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
    17 CFR Part 16
    
        Commodity futures, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
    17 CFR Part 17
    
        Brokers, Commodity futures, Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements.
    
    17 CFR Part 18
    
        Brokers, Commodity futures, Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements.
    
    17 CFR Part 19
    
        Brokers, Commodity futures, Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements.
    
    
    [[Page 37415]]
    
    
        In consideration of the foregoing, and pursuant to the authority 
    contained in the Commodity Exchange Act (Act), and in particular, 
    sections 4g, 4i, 5 and 8a of the Act, 7 U.S.C. 6g, 6i, 7 and 12a 
    (1994), the Commission hereby amends chapter I of title 17 of the Code 
    of Federal Regulations as follows:
    
    PART 15--REPORTS--GENERAL PROVISIONS
    
        1. The authority citation for part 15 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2, 4, 5, 6a, 6c (a)-(d), 6f, 6g, 6i, 6k, 6m, 
    6n, 7, 9, 12a, 19 and 21; 5 U.S.C. 552 and 552(b).
    
        2. Section 15.00 is proposed to be amended by revising paragraph 
    (b) to read as follows:
    
    
     Sec. 15.00  Definitions of terms used in parts 15 to 21 of this 
    chapter.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) Reportable position means:
        (1) For reports specified in parts 17, 18 and Sec. 19.00(a)(2) and 
    (a)(3) of this chapter any open contract position that at the close of 
    the market on any business day equals or exceeds the quantity specified 
    in Sec. 15.03 of this part in either:
        (i) Any one future of any commodity on any one contact market, 
    excluding futures contracts against which notices of delivery have been 
    stopped by a trader or issued by the clearing organization of a 
    contract market; or
        (ii) Long or short put or call options that exercise into the same 
    future of any commodity on any one contract market.
        (2) For the purposes of reports specified in Sec. 19.00(a)(1) of 
    this chapter, any combined futures and futures-equivalent option open 
    contract position as defined in part 150 of this chapter in any one 
    month or in all months combined, either net long or net short in any 
    commodity on any one contract market, excluding futures positions 
    against which notices of delivery have been stopped by a trader or 
    issued by the clearing organization of a contract market, which at the 
    close of the market on the last business day of the week exceeds the 
    net quantity limit in spot, single or in all-months fixed in Sec. 150.2 
    of this chapter for the particular commodity and contract market.
    * * * * *
        3. Section 15.01 is proposed to be amended by revising paragraph 
    (d) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 15.01  Persons required to report.
    
    * * * * *
        (d) Persons, as specified in part 19 of this chapter, either:
        (1) Who hold or control option and futures positions that exceed 
    the amounts set forth in Sec. 150.2 of this chapter for the commodities 
    enumerated in that section, any part of which constitutes bona fide 
    hedging positions (as defined in Sec. 1.3(z) of this chapter); or
        (2) Who are merchants or dealers of cotton holding or controlling 
    positions for future delivery in cotton that equal or exceed the amount 
    set forth in Sec. 15.03.
    
    PART 16--REPORTS BY CONTRACT MARKETS
    
        4. The authority citation for Part 16 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6a, 6c, 6g, 6i, 7 and 12A.
    
    
    Secs. 16.02 and 16.03  [Removed and reserved]
    
        5. Part 16 is proposed to be amended by removing and reserving 
    Secs. 16.02 and 16.03.
        6. Section 16.00 is proposed to be amended by revising paragraph 
    (a)(5) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 16.00  Clearing member reports.
    
        (a) * * *
        (5) For futures, the quantity of the commodity for which delivery 
    notices have been issued by the clearing organization of the contract 
    market and the quantity for which notices have been stopped during the 
    day covered by the report.
    * * * * *
        7. Section 16.01 is proposed to be amended by removing paragraphs 
    (a)(5) and (a)(6) and redesignating paragraph (a)(7) as (a)(5); by 
    redesignating paragraph (c) as (b)(3); and, by adding a new paragraph 
    (c) and revising paragraph (d) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 16.01  Trading volume, open contracts, prices and critical dates.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) Critical dates. Each contract market shall report to the 
    Commission for each futures contract the first notice date and the last 
    trading date and for each option contract the expiration date in 
    accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.
        (d) Reports to the Commission. Unless otherwise approved by the 
    Commission or its designee, contract markets shall submit the 
    information specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this section as 
    follows:
        (1) Using a format and coding structure approved in writing by the 
    Commission or its designee in both hard-copy form and on compatible 
    data processing media;
        (2) When each such form of the data is first available but not 
    later than 7 a.m. on the business day following the day to which the 
    information pertains for the delta factor and settlement price and not 
    later than 3 p.m. for the remainder of the information; and
        (3) Except for dial-up data transmission, at the regional office of 
    the Commission having local jurisdiction with respect to such contract 
    market.
        8. Section 16.06 is proposed to be revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 16.06  Errors or omissions.
    
        Contract markets shall file with the Commission on compatible data 
    processing media using a format and coding structure approved by the 
    Commission or its designee, corrections to errors or omissions in data 
    previously filed with the Commission pursuant to Secs. 16.00 and 16.01.
        9. Section 16.07 is proposed to be revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 16.07  Delegation of authority to the Director of the Division of 
    Economic Analysis and the Executive Director.
    
        The Commission hereby delegates, until the Commission orders 
    otherwise, the authority set forth in paragraph (a) of this section to 
    the Director of the Division of Economic Analysis and the authority set 
    forth in paragraph (b) of this section to the Executive Director to be 
    exercised by such director or by such other employee or employees of 
    such director as may be designated from time to time by the director.
        (a) Pursuant to Secs. 16.00(b), and 16.01(d) the authority to 
    determine whether contract markets must submit data in machine-readable 
    form or hard-copy or both, and the time and Commission office at which 
    such data may be submitted where the director determines that a 
    contract market is unable to meet the requirements set forth in the 
    regulations.
        (b) Pursuant to Secs. 16.00(b)(1), 16.01(d)(1), and 16.06, the 
    authority to approve the use of data processing media other than 
    compatible data processing media as that term is defined in 
    Sec. 15.00(1) of this chapter and to approve the format and coding 
    structure used by contract markets.
    
    PART 17--REPORTS BY FUTURES COMMISSION MERCHANTS, MEMBERS OF 
    CONTRACT MARKETS AND FOREIGN BROKERS
    
        10. The authority citation for Part 17 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6a, 6c, 6d, 6f, 6g, 68, 7 and 12a unless 
    otherwise noted.
    
        11. Section 17.00 is proposed to be amended by revising paragraphs 
    (a), (d), (e), and (g) to read as follows:
    
    [[Page 37416]]
    
    Sec. 17.00  Information to be furnished by futures commission 
    merchants, clearing members and foreign brokers.
    
        (a) Special Accounts--Reportable futures positions, delivery 
    notices and exchanges of futures for cash. (1) Each futures commission 
    merchant, clearing member and foreign broker shall submit a report to 
    the Commission for each business day with respect to all special 
    accounts carried by the futures commission merchant, clearing member or 
    foreign broker, except for accounts carried on the books of another 
    futures commission merchant on a fully-disclosed basis. Except as 
    otherwise authorized by the Commission or its designee, such report 
    shall be made on compatible data processing media in accordance with 
    the format and coding provisions set forth in paragraph (g) of this 
    section. The report shall show each futures position, separately for 
    each contract market and for each future, and each put and call option 
    position separately for each contract market, expiration month and 
    strike price in each special account as of the close of market on the 
    day covered by the report and, in addition, the quantity of exchanges 
    of futures for physicals and the number of delivery notices issued for 
    each such account by the clearing organization of a contract market and 
    the number stopped by the account.
        (2) A report covering the first day upon which a special account is 
    no longer reportable shall also be filed showing the information 
    specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    * * * * *
        (d) Net positions. Futures commission merchants, clearing members 
    and foreign brokers shall report positions net long or short in each 
    future of a commodity and each strike price of a put or call option for 
    each expiration month in all special accounts, except as specified in 
    paragraph (e) of this section.
        (e) Gross positions. In the following cases, the futures commission 
    merchant, clearing member or foreign broker shall report gross long and 
    short positions in each future of a commodity and each strike price of 
    a put or call option for each expiration month in all special accounts:
        (1) Positions which are reported to an exchange or the 
    clearinghouse of an exchange on a gross basis, which the exchange uses 
    for calculating total open interest in a commodity;
        (2) Positions in accounts owned or held jointly with another person 
    or persons;
        (3) Positions in multiple accounts subject to trading control by 
    the same trader; and
        (4) Positions in omnibus accounts.
    * * * * *
        (g) Media and file characteristics. (1) Except as otherwise 
    approved by the Commission or its designee, all required records shall 
    be submitted together in a single file. Each record will be 80 
    characters long. Specific record formats are shown in tables below. 
    There are two different record descriptions. The file must begin with a 
    type I record identifying the sequence of type II records that follow 
    as large trader data.
        (2) The required records are as follows:
        (i) Type I record.
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Beginning                                                               
      column    Length     Type*                 Value or name              
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1........       10        AN   ``X 01 Reg''.                            
    11.......        8        AN   Report Date.                             
    18.......       62        --   Spaces.                                  
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    *AN--Alpha-numeric.                                                     
    N--Numeric.                                                             
    S--signed numeric.                                                      
    
        (ii) Type II Record.
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Beginning column                       
     Record  ---------------------------------------------------------------
     Layout    Length     Type*                      Name                   
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1.......        2        AN   Report Type.                              
    3.......        3        AN   Reporting Firm.                           
    6.......        2        --   Reserved.                                 
    8.......       12        AN   Account Number.                           
    20......        8        AN   Report Date.                              
    28......        2        AN   Exchange Code.                            
    30......        1        AN   Put or Call.                              
    31......        5        AN   Commodity Code (1).                       
    36......        8        AN   Expiration Date (1).                      
    44......        7         S   Strike Price.                             
    51......        1        AN   Exercise Style.                           
    52......        7         N   Long-Buy-Stopped.                         
    59......        7         N   Short-Sell-Issued.                        
    66......        5        AN   Commodity Code (2).                       
    71......        8        AN   Expiration Date (2).                      
    79......        2        --   Reserved.                                 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (3) Field definitions are as follows:
        (i) Report Type. This report format will be used to report three 
    types of data: Long and short futures and option positions, futures 
    delivery notices issued and stopped, and exchanges of futures for 
    physicals bought and sold. Valid values for the report type are ``RP'' 
    for reporting positions, ``DN'' for reporting notices, and ``EP'' for 
    reporting futures for physicals.
        (ii) Reporting Firm. The clearing member number assigned by an 
    exchange or clearing house to identify reporting firms. If a firm is 
    not a clearing member, a three-character alpha-numeric identifier 
    assigned by the Commission.
        (iii) Account Number.  A unique identifier assigned by the 
    reporting firm to each special account. The field is 0-filled with 
    account number right-justified. Assignment of the account number is 
    subject to the provisions of Secs. 17.00 (b) and (c) and 17.01(a).
        (iv) Report Date. The format is YYYYMMDD, where YYYY is the year, 
    MM is the month, and DD is the day of the month.
        (v) Exchange. This is a two-character field used to identify the 
    exchange on which a position is held. Valid values are as follows:
    
    01..............................  Chicago Board of Trade.               
    02..............................  Chicago Mercantile Exchange.          
    03..............................  MidAmerica Commodity Exchange.        
    06..............................  Coffee, Sugar and Cocoa Exchange.     
    07..............................  Comex Division of NYME.               
    08..............................  Kansas City Board of Trade.           
    09..............................  Minneapolis Grain Exchange.           
    10..............................  Philadelphia Board of Trade.          
    12..............................  New York Mercantile Exchange.         
    13..............................  New York Cotton Exchange.             
    15..............................  New York Futures Exchange.            
                                                                            
    
        (vi) Put-Call Code.  Valid entries are ``C'' for a call option and 
    ``P'' for a put option. For futures, the field is blank.
        (vii) Commodity (1). An exchange-assigned commodity code for the 
    futures or option contract.
        (viii) Expiration Date (1). The date format is YYYYMMDD and 
    represents the expiration date or delivery date of the reported futures 
    or option contract. For date-specific instruments such as flexible 
    products, the full date must be reported. For other options and 
    futures, this field is used to report the expiration year and month for 
    an option contract or a delivery year and month for a futures contract. 
    The day portion of the field for these contracts contains spaces.
        (ix) Strike Price. This is a signed numeric field for reporting 
    option strike prices. The strike prices should be right- justified and 
    the field zero-filled. Strike prices must be reported in the same 
    formats that are specified by an exchange. For futures, the field is 
    left blank.
        (x) Exercise Style. Valid values for this field are ``A'' for 
    American style options, i.e., those that can be exercised at any time 
    during the life of the options; and ``E'' for European, i.e., those 
    that can be exercised only at the end of an option's life. This field 
    is required only for flexible instruments or as otherwise specified by 
    the Commission.
        (xi) Long-Buy-Stopped (Short-Sell-Issued). When report type is 
    ``RP'', report long(short) positions open at the
    
    [[Page 37417]]
    
    end of a trading day. When report type is ``DN'', report delivery 
    notices stopped (issued) on behalf of the account. When report type is 
    ``EP'', report purchases (sales) of futures for cash for the account. 
    Report all information in contracts. Position data are reported on a 
    net or gross basis in accordance with paragraphs (e) and (d) of this 
    section.
        (xii) Commodity (2). The exchange assigned commodity code for a 
    futures contract or other instrument that a position is exercised into 
    from a date-specific or flexible option.
        (xiii) Expiration Date (2). Similar to other dates, the format is 
    YYYYMMDD and represents the expiration date or delivery month and year 
    of the future or other instrument that a position is exercised into 
    from a date-specific or flexible option.
    * * * * *
        12. Section 17.02 is proposed to be amended by revising paragraph 
    (a) as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 17.02  Place and Time of Filing Reports.
    
    * * * * *
        (a) For data submitted on compatible data processing media:
        (1) At the Chicago Regional office for dial-up data transmission; 
    at the Chicago or New York Regional Office for magnetic tape; and at 
    the Chicago, New York or Kansas City Regional Office for magnetic 
    diskettes.
         (2) Not later than 9 a.m. on the business day following that to 
    which the information pertains or for contract markets on an exchange 
    that is receiving data from the Commission, at such earlier time as 
    specified by the exchange.
    * * * * *
        13. Section 17.04 is proposed to be amended by revising paragraph 
    (a) and the introductory text of paragraph (b) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 17.04  Reporting omnibus accounts to the carrying futures 
    commission merchant or foreign broker.
    
        (a) Any futures commission merchant, clearing member or foreign 
    broker who establishes an omnibus account with another futures 
    commission merchant or foreign broker shall report to that futures 
    commission merchant or foreign broker the total open long positions and 
    the total open short positions in each future of a commodity, and, for 
    commodity option transactions, the total open long put options, the 
    total open short put options, the total open long call options, and the 
    total open short call options for each commodity option expiration date 
    and each strike price in such account at the close of trading each day. 
    The information required by this section shall be reported in 
    sufficient time to enable the futures commission merchant or foreign 
    broker with whom the omnibus account is established to comply with Part 
    17 of these regulations and reporting requirements established by the 
    contract markets.
        (b) In determining open long and open short futures positions, and 
    open purchased long and open granted short option positions, in an 
    omnibus account for purposes of complying with Sec. 17.00(f), 
    Sec. 1.37(b) and Sec. 1.58 of this chapter, a futures commission 
    merchant, clearing member or foreign broker shall total the open long 
    positions of all traders and the open short positions of all traders in 
    each future of a commodity and, for commodity option transactions, 
    shall total the open put long options, the open short put options, the 
    open long call options, and the open short call options of all traders 
    for each commodity option expiration date and each strike price. The 
    futures commission merchant, clearing member or foreign broker shall, 
    if both open long and short positions in the same future are carried 
    for the same trader, compute open long or open short futures positions 
    as instructed below.
    * * * * *
    
    PART 18--REPORTS BY TRADERS
    
        14. The authority citation for part 18 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2, 4, 6a, 6c, 6f, 6g, 6i, 6k, 6m, 6n, 12a, 
    and 19; 5 U.S.C. 552 and 552(b) unless otherwise noted.
    
        15. Part 18 is proposed to be amended by adding a new Sec. 18.03 as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 18.03  Delegation of authority to the Director of the Division of 
    Economic Analysis.
    
        The Commission hereby delegates, until the Commission orders 
    otherwise, the authority to make special calls on traders for 
    information as set forth in Secs. 18.00, 18.04 and 18.05 to the 
    Director of the Division of Economic Analysis to be exercised by the 
    Director or by such other employee or employees of the Director as may 
    be designated from time to time by the Director.
        16. Section 18.04 is proposed to be amended by removing paragraph 
    (d) and by revising the introductory text to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 18.04  Statement of reporting trader.
    
        Every trader who holds or controls a reportable option or futures 
    position shall after a special call upon such trader by the Commission 
    or its designee file with the Commission a ``Statement of Reporting 
    Trader'' on the form 40 at such time and place as directed in the call. 
    All traders shall complete part A of the form 40 and, in addition, 
    shall complete:
    
        Part B--If the trader is an individual, a partnership or a joint 
    tenant.
        Part C--If the trader is a corporation or type of trader other 
    than an individual, partnership, or joint tenant.
    * * * * *
    
    PART 19--REPORTS BY PERSONS HOLDING BONA FIDE HEDGE POSITIONS 
    PURSUANT TO Sec. 1.3(Z) OF THIS CHAPTER AND BY MERCHANTS AND 
    DEALERS IN COTTON
    
        17. The authority section for part 19 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6g(a), 6i and 12a(5), unless otherwise 
    noted.
    
        18. Section 19.00 is proposed to be amended by revising paragraphs 
    (a)(1) and (a)(3) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 19.00  General provisions.
    
        (a) * * * 
        (1) All persons holding or controlling options or futures positions 
    that are reportable pursuant to Sec. 15.00(b)(2) of this chapter and 
    any part of which constitute bona fide hedging positions as defined in 
    Sec. 1.3(z) of this chapter,
    * * * * *
        (3) All persons holding or controlling positions that are 
    reportable pursuant to Sec. 15.00(b)(1) of this chapter who have 
    received a special call for series '04 reports from the Commission or 
    its designee. Filings in response to a special call shall be made 
    within one business day of receipt of the special call unless otherwise 
    specified in the call. For the purposes of this paragraph, the 
    Commission hereby delegates to the Director of the Division of Economic 
    Analysis, or to such other person designated by the Director, authority 
    to issue calls for series '04 reports.
    * * * * *
        Issued in Washington, DC., this 12th day of July, 1996, by the 
    Commission.
    Jean A. Webb,
    Secretary of the Commission.
    [FR Doc. 96-18262 Filed 7-17-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6351-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
07/18/1996
Department:
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Proposed rulemaking.
Document Number:
96-18262
Dates:
Comments on this proposed rulemaking should be submitted on or before September 16, 1996.
Pages:
37409-37417 (9 pages)
PDF File:
96-18262.pdf
CFR: (17)
17 CFR 15.00(1)
17 CFR 1.37(b)
17 CFR 1.3(z)
17 CFR 1.3(z)
17 CFR 15.00
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