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###### Securities and Exchange Commission

          - [Release No. 34-59450; File No. SR-NYSE-2009-14] 

                    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) [1]                                          of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) [2]                                          and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,[3]                                          notice is hereby given that, on February 5, 2009, New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE” or the “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II, below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Exchange filed the proposal as a “non-controversial” proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act [4]                                          and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.[5]                                          NYSE filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed                           ( print page 9460)                        rule change on February 12, 2009.[6]                                          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 

                    The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Rule 472 to conform with amendments to corresponding FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 472 (defined below) recently filed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and approved by the Commission.[7] 

## 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 self-regulatory organization 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. The Exchange 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 the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 

#### 1. Purpose 

The purpose of the proposed rule change is to amend NYSE Rule 472 to conform with amendments to corresponding FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 472 recently filed by FINRA and approved by the Commission. 

#### Background 

                    On July 30, 2007, FINRA's predecessor, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”), and NYSE Regulation, Inc. (“NYSER”) consolidated their member firm regulation operations into a combined organization, FINRA. Pursuant to Rule 17d-2 under the Act, NYSE, NYSER and FINRA entered into an agreement (the “Agreement”) to reduce regulatory duplication for their members by allocating to FINRA certain regulatory responsibilities for certain NYSE rules and rule interpretations (“FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rules”).[8]                                          As part of its effort to reduce regulatory duplication and relieve firms that are members of both FINRA and the Exchange of conflicting or unnecessary regulatory burdens, FINRA is now engaged in the process of reviewing and amending the Common Rules in order to create a consolidated FINRA rulebook.[9] 

#### Proposed Conforming Amendments to NYSE Rules 

As discussed in more detail below, FINRA amended NASD Rules 2210 and 2211 and FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 472. The NYSE hereby proposes to amend NYSE Rule 472 to conform to FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 472, as amended. 

                    FINRA amended NASD Rules 2210 (Communications with the Public) and 2211 (Institutional Sales Material and Correspondence) and FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 472 (Communications with the Public) to remove, in certain circumstances, the pre-approval requirements for the use of “market letters.” [10] 

Specifically, FINRA created a new definition of the term “market letter” in NASD Rule 2211 and modified the definition in FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 472 to mean any communication specifically excepted from the definition of “research report” under NASD Rule 2711(a)(9)(A) and FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 472.10(2)(a). In addition, FINRA amended the definition of “sales literature” in NASD Rule 2210 to exclude market letters. FINRA also amended FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 472 to eliminate the requirement that a qualified person approve market letters in advance of distribution. Finally, FINRA amended the definition of “correspondence” in NASD Rule 2211 to include market letters (as well as any written letter or electronic mail message) distributed by a member to one or more of its existing retail customers and fewer than 25 prospective retail customers within any 30 calendar-day period. 

                    The Exchange correspondingly proposes to amend NYSE Rule 472 to conform to FINRA's approved amendments to the incorporated version of the Rule. Under the proposed amended NYSE Rule 472, members and member organizations would be permitted to distribute “market letters,” as redefined, to customers and the public without obtaining prior approval by a supervisory analyst or qualified person. As defined under the proposed amendments, “market letters” would comprise any communication that is excepted from the definition of “research report” contained in NYSE Rule 472.10(2)(a). As communications with the public, market letters remain subject to the supervision and review requirements of NYSE Rule 342.17, which require each member and member organization to establish written policies and procedures that are appropriate for their business, size, structure and customers for the review of such communications.[11] 

#### 2. Statutory Basis 

                    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,[12]                                          in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,[13]                                          in particular, in that they are designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, 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 proposed rule change also supports the principles of Section 11A(a)(1) [14]                                          of the Act in that it seeks to ensure the economically efficient execution of securities transactions and fair competition among brokers and dealers and among exchange markets.                 

                    In particular, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change supports the objectives of the Act by providing greater harmonization between NYSE Rules and FINRA Rules (including Common Rules) of similar purpose, resulting in less burdensome and more                           ( print page 9461)                        efficient regulatory compliance for Dual Members.                 

### B. 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. 

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

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change. 

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

                    The Exchange believes that the proposal qualifies for immediate effectiveness upon filing as a non-controversial rule change in accordance with Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act [15]                                          and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) [16]                                          thereunder. The Exchange asserts that the proposed rule change (i) Will not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest, (ii) will not impose any significant burden on competition, and (iii) by its terms, will not become operative for 30 days after the date of this filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. In addition, the Exchange provided the Commission with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the date of filing.                 

                    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing. However, pursuant to Rule19b-4(f)(6)(iii),[17]                                          the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The Exchange believes the waiver of this period will allow it to conform its rule to the FINRA NYSE Incorporated Rule without delay and ensure that there is no regulatory gap among those rules. The Commission has determined that waiving the 30-day operative delay of the Exchange's proposal is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because such waiver will allow the Exchange to promptly conform its rules to the FINRA NYSE Incorporated Rule and ensure elimination of any potential regulatory gap.[18]                                          Therefore, the Commission designates the proposal as operative upon filing. 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 Number SR-NYSE-2009-14 on the subject line.                 

### Paper Comments

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

                    All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2009-14. 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 inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090. Copies of the filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the NYSE's principal office and on its Internet Web site at                     *http://www.nyse.com*. 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 available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2009-14 and should be submitted on or before March 25, 2009.                 

                        For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.[19] 

Florence E. Harmon, 

Deputy Secretary.

# Footnotes

1.                             15 U.S.C.78s(b)(1).                     
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2.                             15 U.S.C. 78a.                     
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3.                             17 CFR 240.19b-4.                     
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4.                             15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).                     
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5.                             17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).                     
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6.                             Amendment No. 1 removed unnecessary language regarding the operative date of the proposed rule change.                     
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7.                                                     *See*                         Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59096 (December 12, 2008), 73 FR 77085 (December 18, 2008) (order approving SR-FINRA-2008-044). NYSE Alternext US LLC has submitted a companion rule filing to conform its corresponding Rule 472-NYSE Alternext Equities to the changes proposed in this filing.                         *See*                         SR-NYSEALTR 2009-10, submitted February 5, 2009).                     
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8.                                                     *See*                         Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56148 (July 26, 2007), 72 FR 42146 (August 1, 2007) (order approving the Agreement) and Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56147 (July 26, 2007), 72 FR 42166 (August 1, 2007) (SR-NASD-2007-054) (order approving the incorporation of certain NYSE Rules as “Common Rules”). Paragraph 2(b) of the 17d-2 Agreement sets forth procedures regarding proposed changes by either NYSE or FINRA to the substance of any of the Common Rules.                     
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9.                             FINRA's rulebook currently has three sets of rules: (1) NASD Rules, (2) FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rules, and (3) consolidated FINRA Rules. The FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rules apply only to those members of FINRA that are also members of the NYSE (“Dual Members”), while the consolidated FINRA Rules apply to all FINRA members. For more information about the FINRA rulebook consolidation process,                         *see*                         FINRA Information Notice, March 12, 2008.                     
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10.                                                     *See*                         Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59096 (December 12, 2008), 73 FR 77085 (December 18, 2008).                     
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11.                             FINRA has proposed to amend the current requirements governing the supervision and review of correspondence, including FINRA Incorporated NYSE Rule 342.17 and NASD Rule 3010.                         *See*                         Regulatory Notice 08-24 (May 2008).                     
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12.                             15 U.S.C. 78f(b).                     
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13.                             15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                     
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14.                             15 U.S.C. 78k-1(a)(1).                     
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15.                             15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).                     
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16.                             17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).                     
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17.                             17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).                     
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18.                             For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation.                         *See*15 U.S.C. 78c(f).                     
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19.                                 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).                         
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[FR Doc. E9-4557 Filed 3-3-09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 8011-01-P