regulatory organizations; proposed rule changes: New York Stock Exchange, Inc.,
[Federal Register: October 2, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 191)]
[Notices]
[Page 58833-58834]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02oc00-166]
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-43329: File No. SR-NYSE-00-38]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. To Extend the Pilot Regarding Shareholder Approval of Stock Option Plans
September 22, 2000.
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 September 21, 2000, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (``NYSE'' or ``Exchange'') filedwith the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in items, I, II, III below, which items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange is proposing to extend, until November 30, 2000, the effectiveness of the amendments to Sections 312.01, 312.03 and 312.04 of the Exchange's Listed Company Manual with respect to the definition of a ``broadly-based'' stock option plan, which were approved by the Commission on a pilot basis (``Pilot'') on June 4, 1999.\3\
\3\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 41479, 64 FR 31667 (June 11, 1999).
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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 and is set forth in Sections A, B, and C below.
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Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
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Purpose
On July 13, 2000, the NYSE submitted a proposed rule change to extend the effectiveness of the Pilot until September 30, 2003.\4\ On August 15, 2000, the Commission, in response to a commenter's request, extended the comment period for the 3-Year Extension Proposal until September 20, 2000.\5\ The original comment period was to expire on August 31, 2000.\6\ The Pilot is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2000. Therefore, to accommodate the extended comment period on the 3- Year Extension Proposal, the Exchange proposes to extend the effectiveness of the Pilot until November 30, 2000.
\4\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 43111 (August 2, 2000), 65 FR 49046 (August 10, 2000) (``3-year Extension Proposal'').
\5\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 43155 (August 15, 2000), 65 FR 51382 (August 23, 2000).
\6\ See 3-Year Extension Proposal, note 4 supra.
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Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with
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the requirements of Section 6(b)(5)\7\ of the Act because it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
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Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others
The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written comments on the proposed rule change.
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Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action
Because the proposed rule change: (1) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) does not become operative for 30 days from the date of filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) \8\ of the Act and Rule 19b- 4(f)(6) \9\ thereunder.\10\
\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\9\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\10\ As required under Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the filing date.
A proposed rule change filedunder rule 19b-4(f)(6) \11\ normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \12\ permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and public interest. The Exchange seeks to have the proposed rule change become operative on or before September 30, 2000, in order to allow the Pilot to continue in effect on an uninterrupted basis.
\11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
The Commission, consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, has determined to make the proposed rule change operative immediately through November 30, 2000. The extension of the Pilot will provide the Commission with additional time to review and evaluate the 3-Year Extension Proposal.
The Commission notes that unless the Pilot is extended, the Pilot will expire and the provisions in Sections 312.01, 312.03 and 312.04 of the Exchange's Listed Company Manual that were amended in the Pilot will revert to that which were effective prior to June 4, 1999. The Commission believes that such a result could lead to confusion.
Based on these reasons, the Commission believes that it is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest that the proposed rule change become operative immediately through November 30, 2000. At any time within 60 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.
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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, 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 filedwith 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 NYSE. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-NYSE-00-38 and should be submitted by October 23, 2000.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.\13\
\13\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Margaret H. McFarland, Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-25134Filed9-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M
