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###### Securities and Exchange Commission

          - [Release No. 34-61580; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2010-016]

      ( print page 9632)    
                    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) [1]                                          and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,[2]                                          notice is hereby given that, on January 27, 2010, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by NASDAQ. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act [3]                                          and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) thereunder,[4]                                          NASDAQ has designated this proposal as establishing or changing a due, fee, or other charge, which renders the proposed rule change effective upon filing. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.                

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

                    NASDAQ proposes to modify pricing for Nasdaq members using the NASDAQ Options Market (“NOM”). NASDAQ will make the proposed rule change effective on February 1, 2010. The text of the proposed rule change is available at                     *http://nasdaqomx.cchwallstreet.com/​,*                     at NASDAQ's principal office, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.                

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

In its filing with the Commission, NASDAQ 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 those statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. NASDAQ has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements.

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

#### 1. Purpose

                    Nasdaq is modifying NASDQ Rule 7050, the fee schedule for NOM, to establish pricing for two newly-listed products, the NASDAQ 100 Index Option (NDX) and the Mini NASDAQ 100 Index Option (MNX). Specifically, Nasdaq is establishing a fee of $0.50 per executed contract for Customers, Firms, and Non-NOM Market Makers to remove liquidity in NDX and MNX options and $0.40 per executed contract for NOM Market Makers to remove liquidity.[5]                                          Nasdaq is also proposing to offer a rebate of $0.10 per executed contract for Customers, Firms, and Non-NOM Market Makers and $0.20 per executed contract for NOM Market Makers.                

                    The proposed fee schedule distinguishes between firms that register to and actually make markets on NOM and firms that make markets on other options markets. This pricing convention, which is currently employed by the International Securities Exchange and other exchanges, recognizes the substantial value that registered market makers add to a given marketplace by guaranteeing to provide regular two-sided quotes and to maintain minimum liquidity.[6]                                          Nasdaq seeks to encourage continued market making on NOM and to attract additional market making by establishing this new fee schedule. To receive NOM Market Maker pricing, the firm must be registered as a NOM Market Maker in the specified security.                

Nasdaq believes that the proposed fees are competitive, fair and reasonable, and non-discriminatory in that they apply equally to all similarly situated members and customers. As with all fees, Nasdaq may adjust these proposed fees in response to competitive conditions by filing a new proposed rule change. If the proposed fee schedule is successful in establishing vibrant markets in NDX and MNX options on NOM, Nasdaq may expand this pricing model to other options in the future.

#### 2. Statutory Basis

                    Nasdaq believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,[7]                                          in general, and with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,[8]                                          in particular, in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among members and issuers and other persons using any facility or system which NASDAQ operates or controls. Consistent with past practice, the proposed change identifies a class of person subject to transaction execution fees based on the role of that class in bringing order flow to NASDAQ.                

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

NASDAQ does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act, as amended.

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

Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

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

                    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act [9]                                          and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.[10]                                          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.                

## 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. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

### Electronic Comments

    - Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( http://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml ); or                
    - Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov.                      Please include File                            ( print page 9633)                          Number SR-NASDAQ-2010-016 on the subject line.                

### Paper Comments

    - Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

                    All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASDAQ-2010-016. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site (                    *http://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml*). 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 Web site viewing and printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make publicly available. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASDAQ-2010-016 and should be submitted on or before March 24, 2010.                

                        For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.[11] 

Florence E. Harmon,

Deputy Secretary.

# Footnotes

1.                             15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                    
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2.                             17 CFR 240.19b-4.                    
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3.                             15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).                    
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4.                             17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).                    
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5.                             NOM Market Makers must be registered as such pursuant to Chapter VII, Section 2 of the Nasdaq Options Rules, and must also remain in good standing pursuant to Chapter VII, Section 4. Non-NOM Market Makers are registered market makers on another options market that append the market maker designation to orders routed to NOM.                    
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6.                                                     *See*                         ISE Fee Schedule.                         *http://www.ise.com/​assets/​/documents/​/OptionsExchange/​/legal/​fee/​fee_​schedule.pdf.*
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7.                             15 U.S.C. 78f.                    
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8.                             15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).                    
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9.                             15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(a)(ii).                    
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10.                             17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).                    
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11.                                 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).                        
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[FR Doc. 2010-4367 Filed 3-2-10; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8011-01-P