Notices. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

959 words·~4 min read·/register/2002/06/13/02-14944

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BILLING CODE 8010-01-M SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-46044; File No. SR-CHX-2002-14] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change by the Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. to Delete Rule Provisions Relating to the Trading of Options June 6, 2002. 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 April 26, 2002, the Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. (“CHX” 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 CHX.

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. I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend the CHX rules to delete provisions governing or relating to the trading of options on the CHX. The text of the proposed rule change is available from the Office of the Secretary of the Commission or the CHX.

II. 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 CHX has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to amend certain provisions of the CHX rules which govern or make reference to the trading of options on the CHX. In 1980, the Commission approved changes to the Exchange's bylaws and rules that deleted most references to the Exchange's operation of an options market. 3 Since that time, the Exchange has not operated an options market, but has served as an self-regulatory organization participant on the Options Self-Regulatory Council (“OSRC”) for essentially informational purposes. 3 *See* Securities Exchange Act Release No. 17075 (August 19, 1980), 45 FR 56486 (August 25, 1980).

Given changes in the options market and obligations of OSRC participants, the Exchange believes that it is no longer advisable, from either a regulatory or economic perspective, to continue serving on the OSRC. 4 Accordingly, the Exchange believes that it is appropriate to delete from the CHX rules all remaining references to the trading of options and handling of options orders. Removal of these remaining options rules will then excuse the Exchange from any obligation to serve on the OSRC. 4 If the CHX were to continue to serve, it would be responsible for a *pro rata* share of OSCR member examination costs, which are significant.

CHX believes that there is no rationale that supports CHX payment of examination costs attributable to exchanges that are actively trading options, given that CHX does not presently trade options and would have to propose significant rule changes should it elect to commence options trading in the future. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act 5 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) 6 in particular, in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments and to perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. 5 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange believes that no burden will be placed on competition as a result of the proposed rule change. C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others No written comments were either solicited or received. III. 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 the proposed rule change, or B. institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved. 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 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. 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 at the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-CHX-2002-14 and should be submitted by July 5, 2002. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 7 7 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). Margaret H. McFarland, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 02-14944 Filed 6-12-02; 8:45 am]

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