Self-regulatory organizations; proposed rule changes: International Securities Exchange, Inc.,

[Federal Register: December 16, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 241)]

[Notices]

[Page 70058-70059]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr16de03-95]

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-48892; File No. SR-ISE-2003-34]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto by the International Securities Exchange, Inc. Relating to Firm Quotations

December 8, 2003.

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 November 20, 2003, the International Securities Exchange, Inc. (``ISE'' 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 the Exchange. The ISE submitted Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change on December 3, 2003.\3\ The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons.

\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.

\3\ See letter from Michael Simon, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, ISE, to Nancy Sanow, Assistant Director, Division of Market Regulation, Commission, dated December 2, 2003. In Amendment No. 1, ISE corrects an error in the second sentence of the rule text of the original filing. Specifically, Amendment No. 1 deletes the reference to ``Order Execution Size''--a term no longer used in the rule--and substitutes the term ``a bid or offer.''

1. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

   The ISE is proposing to amend its rules governing firm quotations. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Office of the Secretary, ISE and at the Commission.

2. 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 Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

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

      1. Purpose

         The purpose of this proposed rule change is to require ISE market makers to be firm for the stated size of their quotations in all instances. Earlier this year, the Exchange moved to ``one size'' for market maker quotations.\4\ As now in effect, a market maker's disseminated quotation is firm at its stated size for all incoming orders. However, there currently is one exception to the ``one size'' rule: when quotes of two ISE market makers interact, a market maker can limit its exposure to one contract, regardless of the size of its disseminated quotation. This proposed rule change will remove that exception.

         \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 47220 (January 21, 2003), 68 FR 4260 (January 28, 2003).

         The ISE originally proposed the limited exception to the one-size rule to help limit market makers' risk during the transition to one size. Because quotations often change across multiple series in an options class, a market maker could be at risk when multiple quotes ``hit'' the quotes of other market makers and multiple trades occur. At the time the ISE moved to one size, the Commission granted the ISE an exemption from the firm quote rule \5\ to permit market makers to limit their exposure in this limited situation.\6\ ISE market makers have now operated under the one-size rule for almost a year, and have grown increasingly comfortable with the rule. As a general matter, both the ISE and its market makers believe that all market maker quotations should be firm for the full size in all situations. Thus, the ISE proposes to eliminate the current exception.

         \5\ 17 CFR 240.11Ac1-1.

         \6\ See letter from Robert L.D. Colby, Deputy Director, Division of Market Regulation, to Michael J. Simon, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, ISE, dated January 21, 2003.

      2. Statutory Basis

         The ISE states that the basis under the Act for this proposed rule change is the requirement under Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\7\ that the rules of an exchange be designed 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. The ISE states that, in particular, the proposed rule change will further the development of the national market system by having ISE market makers be

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         fully compliant with Commission Rule 11Ac1-1 under the Act.\8\

         \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

         \8\ 17 CFR 240.11Ac1-1.

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

      The ISE 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.

   3. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others

      The ISE has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, comments on this proposed rule change. The ISE has not received any unsolicited written comments from members or other interested parties.

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

   Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:

   (a) by order approve such proposed rule change; or

   (b) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved.

4. Solicitation of Comments

   Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with the Act. Persons making written submissions should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. Comments may also be submitted electronically at the following e-mail address: rule-comments@sec.gov. All comment letters should refer to File No. SR-ISE-2003-34. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review comments more efficiently, your 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 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. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the ISE. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-ISE-2003-34 and should be submitted by January 6, 2004.

   For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.\9\

   \9\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

   Margaret H. McFarland, Deputy Secretary.

   [FR Doc. 03-30986 Filed 12-15-03; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 8010-01-P