[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 163 (Thursday, August 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49514-49522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19357]



[[Page 49514]]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-58363; File No. SR-NYSE-2008-52]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule 
Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto by New York Stock Exchange LLC To 
Modify the Method by Which It Allocates and Reallocates Securities to 
Specialist Units and To Establish an Allocation System Based on a 
Single Objective Measure To Determine a Specialist Unit's Eligibility 
To Participate in the Allocation Process

August 14, 2008.
    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 August 11, 2008, 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, 
II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the self-
regulatory organization. On August 13, 2008, NYSE filed Amendment No. 1 
to the proposed rule change.\4\ The Commission is publishing this 
notice, as amended, to solicit comments on the proposed rule change 
from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
    \3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \4\ Amendment No. 1 removes several references to NYSE Rule 750A 
in the purposed section and Exhibit 1 of the filing and corrects a 
mislabeled heading in Exhibit 1 of the filing.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to establish an allocation system based on a 
single objective measure to determine a specialist unit's eligibility 
to participate in the allocation process.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available at http://www.nyse.com, the NYSE, and 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, 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 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 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Rule 103A (Specialist Stock 
Reallocation and Member Education and Performance) and 103B (Specialist 
Stock Allocation) to create an Allocation Policy that is more closely 
reflective of the Exchange's increased electronic trading environment. 
The proposed changes to the Allocation Policy would establish a 
quantifiable measure that adds more objectivity to the specialist unit 
selection process and provides issuers with more choice in the 
selection of its specialist unit. The Exchange further proposes to 
allow the issuer to select the specialist units it chooses to interview 
directly. The Exchange therefore seeks to eliminate the Allocation 
Committee as the overseer of the allocation process, the Allocation 
Panel from which the Allocation Committee members are selected, as well 
as eliminate allocation decision criteria that are in part based on 
subjective measures of specialist performance included in the current 
process by discontinuing the use of the Specialist Performance 
Evaluation Questionnaire (``SPEQ'').
    In doing so, the Exchange seeks to replace the SPEQ with an 
objective measure designed to set a minimum standard to determine a 
specialist unit's eligibility to participate in the new allocation 
process of a security.
    With the amendment of NYSE Rule 103A, the Exchange also proposes to 
eliminate the Market Performance Committee (``MPC'') as the entity that 
is responsible for reallocating securities as well as eliminate 
performance improvement actions in light of the proposed Allocation 
Policy. NYSE Regulation, Inc. (``NYSER''), will replace the MPC as the 
entity responsible for developing procedures and standards for 
qualification and performance of members active on the Floor of the 
Exchange. Current sections of NYSE Rule 103A that address specialist 
security reallocation are amended and incorporated into NYSE Rule 103B.
I. Current Allocation Process
A. NYSE Rule 103A
    NYSE Rule 103A currently addresses the MPC's duties and 
responsibilities with specialist security reassignments, performance 
improvement actions and member education.
    The MPC is the entity responsible for developing systems and 
procedures, including the determination of specific kinds of data to be 
reviewed and the establishment of standards to measure specialist 
performance and market quality. The MPC reviews the performance of 
specialist units on a periodic basis to determine if performance 
improvement measures are required to improve or sustain market quality.
    The MPC is authorized to review and approve security assignments 
and reassignments, assignments in special security situations and 
organizational changes of specialist units.
    In situations where the MPC determines that a specialist unit's 
performance has fallen below the standards established by the 
Exchange,\5\ the MPC may initiate a performance improvement action to 
improve a specialist unit's performance. This performance improvement 
action informs the specialist unit, in writing, that performance 
improvement is required, identifies the particular areas of weak 
performance and proposes measurable goals for the specialist unit to 
achieve. The MPC appoints a Performance Improvement Monitoring Team 
(``Monitoring Team'') to monitor the progress of the specialist unit. 
At the conclusion of the Performance Improvement Action, the MPC 
receives a report detailing the specialist unit's performance. If the 
specialist unit did not adequately satisfy the goals enumerated in the 
Performance Improvement Action, the Monitoring Team may recommend that 
a particular security or securities be considered for reallocation. If 
the MPC concurs with the recommendation of the Monitoring Team, it 
shall initiate a reallocation proceeding to determine which of the 
specialist unit's securities should be reallocated.
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    \5\ NYSE Rule 103A, Supplementary Material .01 states that a 
Performance Improvement Action shall be initiated if a specialist 
unit does not meet the standard of acceptable performance for the 
following criteria: (1) The SPEQ; (2) Use of Order Reports/
Administrative Responses; and (3) Timely Openings.
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    NYSE Rule 103A further vests the MPC with the authority to develop 
procedures and standards for qualification and performance of members 
active on the Floor of the Exchange. The day to day administration of 
these responsibilities is carried out by the Market

[[Page 49515]]

Surveillance Division (``MKS'') of NYSER.\6\
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    \6\ MKS administers the New Member Orientation Program in 
conjunction with the NYSE Specialist and Floor Broker Training 
Department. It administers the Floor Member Continuing Education 
classes and the New Floor Official Education Program. MKS also 
develops testing instruments and administers the ``Series 15'' 
examination for general membership on the Exchange, the Specialist 
Examination, the Floor Official Examination and the Registered 
Competitive Market Maker Examination. All Floor members are required 
to complete these educational programs and pass qualification tests 
before they are permitted to act as members on the Exchange or serve 
as a Floor Official. MKS is also responsible for maintaining records 
of the aforementioned examinations.
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B. NYSE Rule 103B
    NYSE Rule 103B sets forth the current allocation policy and 
process. The intent of the Allocation Policy is: (1) To ensure that 
securities are allocated in an equitable and fair manner and that all 
specialist units have a fair opportunity for allocations based on 
established criteria and procedures; (2) to provide an incentive for 
ongoing enhancement of performance by specialist units; (3) to provide 
the best possible match between specialist unit and security; and (4) 
to contribute to the strength of the specialist system.\7\ The 
Allocation Policy applies to original listings and reallocations of 
already listed companies.
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    \7\ NYSE Rule 103B, Section I.
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    Currently, the duties and responsibilities of the Allocation 
Committee which currently oversees the allocation of a security to the 
specialist units are set forth in NYSE Rule 103B, Section II. The 
Committee is comprised of nine members consisting of six institutional 
members who are Floor brokers, two allied members and one 
representative of an institutional investor organization and is 
selected from an Allocation Panel. These market professionals use their 
business judgment and the criteria specified in NYSE Rule 103B to 
identify specialist units most suitable to interview with an issuer. 
The Allocation Committee's role in making allocation decisions is based 
primarily on the expert professional judgment of its members. While the 
Allocation Committee is supplied with information that relates to 
specialist performance, including the objective performance measures 
outlined above, there is still a reliance on the subjective judgment of 
the committee members in interpreting and applying this data in making 
allocation decisions.
    Once a company has been approved to list on the Exchange, 
specialist units are invited to submit applications to become the 
assigned specialist of the listing company. This application describes 
how the specialist unit will allocate resources to accommodate this new 
issue, what new resources, if any, are needed to service the security 
and the identity of the individual specialist proposed to trade the 
security. These applications seeking allocation of securities are 
reviewed by the Allocation Committee.\8\ Pursuant to NYSE Rule 103B, 
the Allocation Committee makes the selection of a specialist unit, 
either directly for allocation of a listing company, or creates a pool 
of specialist units to be interviewed by a listing company based on the 
following criteria: (i) The SPEQ,\9\ (ii) objective performance 
measures,\10\ (iii) listing company input, (iv) allocations received, 
(v) capital deficiency, disciplinary history and justifiable 
complaints, and (vi) foreign listing considerations. The objective 
measures are reported to the Allocation Committee on a ``pass/fail'' 
basis.
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    \8\ As an administrative matter, NYSE Rule 103B provides that 
all specialist units are deemed to have filed with the Exchange a 
blanket application pursuant to which the specialist unit agrees to 
accept the allocation of any security. This allows the Exchange the 
necessary flexibility to see that allocation decisions are still 
fairly made in instances where few or no applications are received 
for a particular listing company.
    \9\ The SPEQ is a survey that the Exchange distributes to the 
Floor brokers in order to evaluate specialist performance. Floor 
brokers are required to rate and may provide written comments on the 
performance of specialist units with whom they deal regularly on the 
Floor. The Allocation Committee, in its professional judgment, 
determines how much weight to afford each of the facets of the SPEQ. 
The results of the SPEQ are to be given 25% weight to the overall 
evaluation of the specialist unit.
    The Exchange filed with the Commission to impose a moratorium on 
the administration of the SPEQ (``Moratorium''). The Moratorium 
commenced on June 4, 2007, and was scheduled to end no later than 
December 31, 2007. Pursuant to the Moratorium, the results of the 
SPEQ, among other things, no longer serve as criteria in the 
decision to allocate a security to a specialist unit. See Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 55852 (June 4, 2007), 72 FR 31868 (June 8, 
2007) (SR-NYSE-2007-47). The Exchange filed to extend the operation 
of the Moratorium until March 31, 2008. See Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 57184 (January 22, 2008), 73 FR 5254 (January 9, 2008) 
(SR-NYSE-2008-02). [sic] The Exchange filed to extend the operation 
of the Moratorium until June 30, 2008. See Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 57591 (April 1, 2008), 73 FR 18838 (April 7, 2008) (SR-
NYSE-2008-21). The Exchange filed to extend the operation of the 
Moratorium until September 30, 2008. See Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 58036 (June 26, 2008), 73 FR 38267 (July 3, 2008) (SR-
NYSE-2008-51).
    \10\ The current objective measures are: (1) Timeliness of 
regular openings; (2) promptness in seeking Floor Official approval 
of a non-regulatory delayed opening; (3) timeliness of DOT 
turnaround; and (4) response to administrative messages. Pursuant to 
the Moratorium, timeliness of DOT turnaround and response to 
administrative measures are not included in the assessment of 
allocations or performance improvement actions. See Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 55852 (June 4, 2007), 72 FR 31868 (June 8, 
2007) (SR-NYSE-2007-47); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57184 
(January 22, 2008), 73 FR 5254 (January 9, 2008) (SR-NYSE-2008-02) 
[sic]; Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57591 (April 1, 2008), 73 
FR 18838 (April 7, 2008) (SR-NYSE-2008-21); Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 58036 (June 26, 2008), 73 FR 38267 (July 3, 2008) (SR-
NYSE-2008-51).
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    A listing company has two options in choosing its specialist unit. 
Under the first option, it may choose to have the Allocation Committee 
select the specialist unit to make a market in the listing company's 
security. Under the second option, the listing company may request that 
the Allocation Committee provide the listing company with a group of 
specialist units that the Committee deems appropriate to trade the 
listing company's security. A listing company may supply a letter to 
the Allocation Committee indicating that a particular specialist unit 
has been instrumental in its decision to list on the Exchange and if 
the specialist unit is otherwise eligible to receive listings, the 
Allocation Committee will include the specialist unit identified by the 
listing company in the group. Following an interview process, the 
listing company will then select its specialist unit from the group 
provided by the Allocation Committee. While the Allocation Committee 
must use the criteria specified in NYSE Rule 103B in reaching a 
decision under either option, it does so through the filter of its own 
judgment as to which specialist unit (first option) or units (second 
option) may be appropriate matches for the listing company.
II. Proposed Allocation Process
    Securities are allocated to a qualified specialist unit when: (1) A 
security is to be initially listed on the Exchange; and (2) a security 
previously assigned to a specialist member organization must be re-
assigned pursuant to this rule or the NYSE Listing Company Manual 
Section 806.01. The Exchange proposes to modify the current Allocation 
Policy to create a process based on an objective measure to determine a 
specialist unit's eligibility to participate in the allocation process. 
As such, the Exchange proposes to permanently discontinue the use of 
the SPEQ and to allow issuers to directly select the specialist units 
the issuer seeks to interview, thus obviating the need for an 
Allocation Committee.
A. Amendments to NYSE Rule 103A
    The Exchange seeks to amend NYSE Rule 103A to eliminate the concept 
of a performance improvement action. The Exchange has recently amended 
its system of variable payments to specialist units to create a 
liquidity provision payment (``LPP'') to incent

[[Page 49516]]

specialist unit performance. The payment is based, in part, on the 
specialist unit's trading performance by measuring its liquidity 
enhancing behavior. LPPs are based on two revenue sources in NYSE-
listed securities: (1) The Exchange's share of market data revenue 
derived from quoting share and (2) the Exchange's transaction fee 
revenue.\11\ The Exchange believes that payments derived from market 
data incent specialist units to post quotes more frequently at the 
National Best Bid or Offer (``NBBO''). The payments derived from 
transaction revenue are based on Exchange reviews of the specialist 
unit's executed volume in four categories: (1) Price improvement; (2) 
size improvement; (3) providing liquidity from posting bids or offers 
on the book; and (4) matching better bids or offers published by other 
market centers to reduce client routing cost.\12\ The Exchange believes 
that specialist units will be incented to engage in trading activity 
that provides liquidity and results in a better execution experience 
for the customer. Additionally, the Exchange believes that this 
positive incentive acts as a more powerful mechanism to encourage 
specialist unit performance. As such, the Exchange seeks to eliminate 
the performance improvement action in NYSE Rule 103A.
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    \11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56591 (October 1, 
2007), 72 FR 57371 (October 9, 2007) (SR-NYSE-2007-89).
    \12\ NYSE Rule 104 sets forth quoting messages that specialists 
are permitted to send as part of their quoting functionality.
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    Moreover, the Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Rule 103A to vest the 
overview of member education programs with NYSER.\13\ The day to day 
administration of member education is currently performed by MKS staff. 
The Exchange, therefore, believes that it is more appropriate to have 
NYSER completely responsible for this function.
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    \13\ NYSE Rule 103A, Section I.
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B. Amendments to NYSE Rule 103B
    The Exchange believes that the current allocation policy contained 
in NYSE Rule 103B is no longer consistent with the current more 
electronic trading environment. The Exchange believes that a clear 
single objective standard to determine specialist unit eligibility to 
participate in the allocation process will create a more efficient 
process that is consistent with its current trading environment. As 
such, the SPEQ (discussed more fully below), along with several 
objective performance measures, namely SuperDOT turnaround and 
responses to administrative messages, are no longer relevant.
    Moreover, the Exchange's move to a single objective measure for 
eligibility in the allocation process simplifies the process by 
allowing an issuer to directly select the specialist units it seeks to 
interview in order to determine the ultimate specialist unit to be 
assigned to trade the security. As such, the Exchange proposes to 
eliminate the Allocation Committee. Furthermore, because the Exchange 
seeks to eliminate the Allocation Committee, such elimination would 
obviate the necessity for an Allocation Panel. Accordingly, the 
Exchange seeks to also eliminate the Allocation Panel.
1. Proposed Objective Measure for Eligibility for Allocation Process
    The Exchange proposes to establish a single objective measure which 
will determine a specialist unit's eligibility to participate in the 
allocation process.\14\ Proposed NYSE Rule 103B, Section II sets forth 
the objective measure that a specialist unit must meet in order to be 
eligible to participate in the allocation process.
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    \14\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section II(A).
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    A specialist unit is eligible to participate in the allocation 
process of a listed security when the specialist unit meets the quoting 
requirements for ``Less Active'' and ``More Active'' securities.\15\
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    \15\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section II(A).
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    A ``Less Active Security'' is defined as any listed security that 
has a consolidated average daily volume of less than one million shares 
per calendar month.\16\ A ``More Active Security'' is defined as any 
listed security that has a consolidated average daily volume equal to 
or greater than one million shares per calendar month.\17\
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    \16\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section II(B).
    \17\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section II(C).
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    For Less Active Securities, a specialist unit must maintain a bid 
and an offer at the National Best Bid (``NBB'') and National Best Offer 
(``NBO'') (collectively herein ``NBBO'') for an aggregate average 
monthly NBBO of 10% or more during a calendar month.\18\ For More 
Active Securities, a specialist unit must maintain a bid and an offer 
at the NBBO for an aggregate average monthly NBBO of 5% or more during 
a calendar month.\19\
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    \18\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section II(D).
    \19\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section II(E).
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    Specialist units must satisfy the quoting requirement for both 
categories (Less Active and More Active) of their assigned 
securities.\20\ The Exchange will determine whether a specialist unit 
has met its quoting requirements for Less Active and More Active 
securities for the ``Trading Days'' \21\ in a calendar month by 
calculating:
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    \20\ The Exchange Strategic Analysis Department will be 
responsible for generating and monitoring the specialist units' 
performance data in order to determine which specialist units are 
eligible for security allocation.
    \21\ For purposes of Section II of NYSE Rule 103B, ``Trading 
Day'' shall mean any day on which the Exchange is scheduled to be 
open for business. Days on which the Exchange closes prior to 4:00 
p.m. (Eastern Time) for any reason, which may include any regulatory 
halt or trading halt, shall be considered a Trading Day.
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    (1) The ``Daily NBB Quoting Percentage'' by determining the 
percentage of time a specialist unit has at least one round lot of 
displayed interest in an Exchange bid at the National Best Bid during 
each Trading Day for a calendar month;
    (2) The ``Daily NBO Quoting Percentage'' by determining the 
percentage of time a specialist unit has at least one round lot of 
displayed interest in an Exchange offer at the National Best Offer 
during each Trading Day for a calendar month;
    (3) The ``Average Daily NBBO Quoting Percentage'' for each Trading 
Day by summing the ``Daily NBB Quoting Percentage'' and the ``Daily NBO 
Quoting Percentage'' then dividing such sum by two;
    (4) The ``Monthly Average NBBO Quoting Percentage'' for each 
security by summing the security's ``Average Daily NBBO Quoting 
Percentages'' for each Trading Day in a calendar month then dividing 
the resulting sum by the total number of Trading Days in such calendar 
month; and
    (5) For the total Less Active Securities (More Active Securities) 
assigned to a specialist unit, the Exchange will determine the 
``Aggregate Monthly Average NBBO Quoting Percentage'' by summing the 
Monthly Average NBBO Quoting Percentages for each Less Active Security 
(More Active Security) assigned to a specialist unit, then dividing 
such sum by the total number of Less Active Securities (More Active 
Securities) assigned to such specialist unit.\22\
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    \22\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section II(F) and 
II(H)(1)-(5).
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Example of Quoting Requirement Calculation
    Below is an example of a quoting requirement calculation. For 
purposes of this example, it is assumed that

[[Page 49517]]

Specialist Unit 1 has two assigned securities, A and B, and that there 
were 5 trading days in the selected calendar month.
    The ``Average Daily NBBO Quoting Percentage'' for Specialist Unit 1 
is calculated for each security by summing the daily NBB and NBO of 
each security for that day and dividing that number by two:

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                                                                Calculation of ``Average Daily   ``Average Daily
            Trading days                 NBB          NBO       NBBO Quoting Percentage'' for     NBBO Quoting
                                      (percent)    (percent)          Specialist Unit 1           Percentage''
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                                                   Security A
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T1.................................            4            6  4% + 6% = 10% divided by 2 = 5%                 5
T2.................................            3            5  3% + 5% = 8% divided by 2 = 4%.                 4
T3.................................            4            4  4% + 4% = 8% divided by 2 = 4%.                 4
T4.................................            6            8  6% + 8% = 14% divided by 2 = 7%                 7
T5.................................            5            5  5% + 5% = 10% divided by 2 = 5%                 5
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                                                   Security B
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T1.................................            5            7  5% + 7% = 12% divided by 2 = 6%                 6
T2.................................            4            6  4% + 6% = 10% divided by 2 = 5%                 5
T3.................................            6            8  6% + 8% = 14% divided by 2 = 7%                 7
T4.................................            7            9  7% + 9% = 16% divided by 2 = 8%                 8
T5.................................            9            9  9% + 9% = 18% divided by 2 = 9%                 9
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    The ``Monthly Average NBBO Quoting Percentage'' for each security 
is then calculated by summing the security's ``Average Daily NBBO 
Quoting Percentages'' for all five Trading Days of the calendar month 
and then dividing the resulting total by the number of Trading Days in 
the calendar month (in this instance 5).

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  ``Average Daily NBBO  Quoting
           Percentage''            Calculation of ``Monthly Average NBBO Quoting Percentage''  ``Monthly Average
----------------------------------                    for Specialist Unit 1                       NBBO Quoting
  T1     T2     T3     T4     T5                                                                  Percentage''
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                                                   Security A
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   5%     4%     4%     7%     5%  5% + 4% + 4% + 7% + 5% = 25% divided by 5 = 5%............                  5
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                                                   Security B
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   6%     5%     7%     8%     9%  6% + 5% + 7% + 8% + 9% = 35% divided by 5 = 7%............                  7
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    The ``Aggregate Monthly Average NBBO Quoting Percentage'' is 
determined by summing the ``Monthly Average NBBO Quoting Percentage'' 
for each security and then dividing such sum by two, the total number 
of securities in this example.

``Aggregate Monthly Average NBBO Quoting Percentage'' for Specialist 
Unit 1
    Monthly Average NBBO Security A + Monthly Average NBBO Security B 
divided by 2; 5% + 7% = 12% divided by 2 = 6% Aggregate Monthly Average

    If a specialist unit fails to satisfy the requirements of proposed 
NYSE Rule 103B, Section II(D) and (E) for a one-month period, the 
Exchange will issue an initial warning letter to the specialist unit, 
advising it of its deficiency.\23\ The specialist unit shall provide in 
writing an explanation and articulation of corrective action.\24\ If 
the specialist unit fails to meet the requirement of proposed NYSE Rule 
103B, Section II(D) and (E) for a second consecutive month, the 
specialist unit will be ineligible to participate in the allocation 
process for a minimum of two months following the second consecutive 
month of its failure to meet its quoting requirement (``Penalty 
Period'').\25\
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    \23\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section II(J)(1). The 
Exchange Specialist Liaison Department will be responsible for 
issuing the warning letter to a special unit that fails to meet its 
requirement. It will also be responsible for advising a specialist 
unit of its eligibility or ineligibility to participate in the 
allocation process.
    \24\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section II(J)(1).
    \25\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section II(J)(2).
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    The specialist unit must satisfy the quoting requirement for the 
two consecutive months of the Penalty Period. In the event a specialist 
unit fails to satisfy its quoting requirements for the two consecutive 
months of the Penalty Period, the specialist unit will remain 
ineligible to participate in the allocation process until it has met 
the quoting requirement for a consecutive two calendar month 
period.\26\ The Exchange will review each specialist unit's trading on 
a monthly basis to determine whether the specialist unit has satisfied 
its quoting requirement.\27\
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    \26\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section II(J)(3).
    \27\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section II(J)(4).
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2. Elimination of the SPEQ
    The Exchange submits that the establishment of a single objective 
measure to determine a specialist unit's ability to participate in the 
allocation process obviates the need to use subjective criteria in the 
allocation process and therefore proposes to permanently eliminate the 
use of the SPEQ. Initially, the SPEQ provided critical information to 
the Exchange to maintain the quality of its market when the Exchange's 
market model was primarily dependent on transactions involving the 
specialist handling orders directly. As such, the specialist and Floor 
brokers were in contact on a more

[[Page 49518]]

or less continual basis, as both sought and gave information on orders, 
trade executions and market conditions. The SPEQ was designed to 
reflect that relationship by seeking Floor broker input on the 
relationship the Floor broker had with the specialists he or she came 
in contact with most frequently.
    While the SPEQ has been an important mechanism to evaluate 
specialist performance for allocation and performance improvement 
action purposes, current trends in the Exchange market have rendered 
the SPEQ less reliable as an assessment tool. SPEQ evaluations are 
subjective, with ratings based on personal experiences rather than 
comparisons with accepted objective standards. Further, except for the 
written comments, which are not incorporated into the formula for SPEQ 
tier classifications, SPEQ does not focus on market-making by 
individual specialists. Importantly, as the number of specialist units 
has decreased, SPEQ tier classifications have become tightly clustered 
with statistically insignificant differences among the specialist 
units. Also, SPEQ participants recognize the limitations of SPEQ and 
have requested a more meaningful process for evaluating specialist 
performance.
    More significantly, the introduction of the Hybrid Market further 
diminished the effectiveness of the SPEQ to assess adequately 
specialist performance by Floor brokers. Floor brokers and specialists 
are now provided with electronic trading tools which effectively 
replace much of the necessity for continual personal and verbal contact 
between them. Furthermore, the increased transparency with respect to 
the Display Book through conduits like Exchange OPENBOOK (``OPENBOOK'') 
has also decreased the need for a Floor broker to obtain state of the 
book and market information verbally from a specialist. The SPEQ does 
not account for the operation of the electronic tools available in the 
current more electronic trading environment. As such, the Exchange 
seeks to permanently eliminate its use.
3. Elimination of the Allocation Committee
    The Exchange further submits that the more efficient and 
streamlined process for allocation obviates the need for the Allocation 
Committee. The Exchange proposes to allow an issuer to select the 
specialist units it chooses to interview directly from the specialist 
units that are eligible to participate in the allocation process.\28\ 
In this manner, the Exchange believes that issuers will no longer be 
required to submit letters outlining a specialist unit that was pivotal 
in the issuer's decision to list on the Exchange because the issuer 
will now have the ability to directly select specialist units to 
interview.
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    \28\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section III(A)(1)-(3).
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C. Administration of the New Allocation Policy
    Once the list of specialist units that meet the objective standard 
established by the Exchange is generated, it will be provided to the 
listing company and the listing company may proceed under one of two 
options. Under the first option, the listing company selects the 
specialist units it wishes to interview. The issuer will then proceed 
to conduct interviews of the selected units. A specialist unit's 
eligibility to participate in the allocation process is determined at 
the time the interview is scheduled, i.e., if it has met the quoting 
requirements set forth above at the time of the interview, it is 
eligible to be considered for allocation.\29\
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    \29\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section II(I).
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    If the issuer selects the specialist unit, the issuer shall select 
a minimum of three specialist units to interview from the pool of 
specialist units eligible to participate in the allocation process.\30\ 
Specialist units selected for an interview may provide material to the 
Exchange which will be given to the issuer the day before the scheduled 
interview. Such material may include a corporate overview of the 
specialist unit and the trading experience of the designated 
specialist. Specialist units are prohibited from giving issuers 
information about other specialist units or any additional market 
performance data.\31\
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    \30\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section III(A)(1).
    \31\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section III(A)(2)(a).
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    Within five business days after the issuer selects the specialist 
units to be interviewed (unless the Exchange has determined to permit a 
longer time period in a particular case), the issuer shall meet with 
representatives of each of the specialist units. At least one 
representative of the listing company must be a senior official of the 
rank of Corporate Secretary or above of that company. In the case of 
the listing of a structured product, a senior officer of the issuer may 
be present in lieu of the Corporate Secretary. No more than three 
representatives of each specialist unit may participate in the meeting, 
each of whom must be employees of the specialist unit, and one of whom 
must be the individual specialist who is proposed to trade the 
company's security, unless that specialist is unavailable to appear, in 
which case a telephone interview is permitted. Meetings shall normally 
be held at the Exchange, unless the Exchange has agreed that they may 
be held elsewhere.\32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section III(A)(2)(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Following its interview, a specialist unit may not have any contact 
with an issuer. If an issuer has a follow-up question regarding any 
specialist unit(s) it interviewed, it must be conveyed to the Exchange. 
The Exchange will contact the unit(s) to which the question pertains 
and will provide any available information received from the unit(s) to 
the listing company.\33\
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    \33\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section III(A)(2)(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Within two business days of the issuer's interviews with the 
specialist units, the issuer shall select its specialist unit in 
writing, signed by a senior official of the rank of Corporate Secretary 
or higher, or in the case of a structured product listing, a senior 
officer of the issuer, duly authorized to so act on behalf of the 
company. The Exchange shall then confirm the allocation of the security 
to that specialist unit, at which time the security shall be deemed to 
have been so allocated. An issuer may request an extension from the 
Exchange if the issuer is unable to complete its selection within the 
specified period.\34\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section III(A)(3)(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If the issuer delegates authority to the Exchange to select its 
specialist unit, three members of the Exchange's Senior Management, as 
designated by the Chief Executive Officer (``CEO'') of the Exchange or 
his or her designee, one non-specialist Executive Floor Governor 
(``EFG'') and two non-specialist Floor Governors (``FGs'') (``Exchange 
Selection Panel''), shall select a specialist unit based on a review of 
all information that would be available to the issuer. The non-
specialist EFG and non-specialist FGs shall be designated on a rotating 
basis.
    The Exchange Selection Panel shall select the specialist unit 
pursuant to the provisions of 103B Section III (A) (``Specialist Unit 
Selected by the Issuer'') with the Exchange Selection Panel acting on 
behalf of the issuer. The Exchange Selection Panel will be responsible 
for informing the issuer of the specialist unit it selects.
    The selection of the specialist unit shall be made by majority vote 
with any tie votes being decided by the CEO of the Exchange or his/her 
designee. The

[[Page 49519]]

Exchange shall notify the specialist unit and the issuer immediately of 
its decision. The specialist unit shall then be responsible for 
providing the issuer with the name of the specialist with the requisite 
experience and skill it believes is appropriate to trade the issuer's 
security.\35\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section III(B)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Whether the issuer or the Exchange selects the specialist unit to 
receive the security allocation, the individual specialist ultimately 
assigned the proposed security shall be required to remain the assigned 
specialist for one year from the date that the issuer begins trading on 
the Exchange. The specialist unit may designate a different individual 
specialist within the year by notifying the Exchange of the change in 
specialist and setting forth the reasons for the change with the 
consent and approval of the issuer.\36\
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    \36\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section III(B)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

D. Reallocation
    When an issuer has requested and confirmed a change of specialist 
unit pursuant to Section 806.01 of the Exchange Listed Company Manual, 
the security will be put up for reallocation as soon as practicable, in 
accordance with the allocation process set forth in proposed NYSE Rule 
103B, Section III.\37\
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    \37\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section IV.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. Egregious Situations
    The Exchange seeks to move current provisions codified in NYSE Rule 
103A that outline the reallocation of a security when a specialist 
unit's performance is so egregiously deficient as to call into question 
the Exchange's integrity or impair the Exchange's reputation for 
maintaining an efficient, fair and orderly market to proposed NYSE Rule 
103B. Currently, NYSE Rule 103A provides that in such an instance, the 
MPC may immediately initiate a reallocation proceeding upon written 
notice to the specialist unit, specifying the reasons for the 
initiation of the proceeding. The Exchange proposes to incorporate this 
concept to NYSE Rule 103B and transfer the authority to initiate a 
reallocation proceeding upon written notice to the specialist unit from 
the MPC to the CEO or his/her designee.\38\ As previously discussed 
above in Section A of the Proposed Allocation Process, the MPC shall no 
longer retain responsibility for security reassignments. The Exchange 
believes that in these instances in which the specialist unit's 
performance is so egregiously deficient as to call into question the 
Exchange's integrity or impair the Exchange's reputation in maintaining 
an efficient, fair and orderly market, the Exchange's CEO, as the most 
Senior Member of the Exchange, or his/her designee, is the appropriate 
entity to initiate reallocation proceedings upon written notice to the 
specialist unit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section V, extracted 
from Exchange Rule 103A(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Following this decision, if the CEO or his/her designee makes a 
final determination that a security should be referred for 
reallocation, the Exchange proposes that the CEO or his/her designee 
will, in their expert business judgment, be responsible for 
distributing the security to the eligible specialist units. The CEO or 
his/her designee shall then make a final determination as to which one 
or more of the specialist unit's securities shall be referred for 
reallocation. All determinations made by the CEO or his/her designee 
shall be communicated in writing to the specialist unit, with a 
statement of the reasons for such determinations. In order to preserve 
due process, specialist units have a right to have this decision 
reviewed by the Exchange Board of Directors.
F. Specialist Unit Communication Policies and Procedures With Listing 
Company
    Currently, NYSE Rule 106 requires, among other things, that 
specialist units make themselves available for contact with their 
listing companies periodically throughout the year. NYSE Rule 106 was 
adopted in 1989 at a time when orders entered with the specialist were 
handled manually and contact between a specialist unit and its listed 
companies was necessary to ensure that listed companies were informed 
about the trading in its listed security on the Floor.\39\ The Exchange 
believes that the management of the business relationship between the 
specialist unit and its listed company is more appropriately left to 
direct communications between the specialist unit and the listed 
company.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 27292 (September 
26, 1989), 54 FR 41193 (October 5, 1989) (SR-NYSE-89-13). As a 
result, NYSE Rule 106 mandates interaction between a specialist unit 
and representatives of listed companies. The rule requires that one 
or more senior officials of the rank of Corporate Secretary or 
higher at the listing company have an opportunity to have contact 
with the specialist unit on a quarterly basis. Further, the rule 
mandates that at least one of the quarterly meetings be in-person.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In today's world of electronic messaging, internet connectivity and 
automated trading, the entities described above may not need the 
contact with a specialist unit specified in NYSE Rule 106. In addition 
to the entities' ability to access public information, specialist units 
have internal departments that are responsible for communicating with 
these entities during the trading day. Specifically, specialist units 
have corporate relations groups that serve to provide information and 
are available to answer questions from the aforementioned entities 
during the trading day. The Exchange therefore believes that the 
requirements of NYSE Rule 106 are unnecessary.\40\ As such, the 
Exchange seeks to rescind NYSE Rule 106 which sets forth the specialist 
unit's obligation to communicate with the aforementioned entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ NYSE Rule 106 further mandates that the specialist unit 
makes itself available to the Exchange's fifteen (15) largest member 
organizations through required semi-annual ``off the Exchange 
Floor'' contact. The interpersonal relationship between specialist 
units and member organizations that once took front stage in the 
marketplace has been significantly replaced by automated trading 
initiatives and computerized market data reports. Specialist units 
are generally in contact with member organizations, either through 
electronic and/or telephonic means on a regular basis, which 
similarly renders the requirements of NYSE Rule 106(b) unnecessary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

G. Right To Review
    A decision by the Exchange that one or more securities should be 
reallocated shall be final, subject to the specialist unit's right to 
have that decision reviewed by the Exchange's Board of Directors.\41\ 
In the event that a specialist unit asserts its right to review, no 
reallocation may occur until the Board of Directors completes its 
review.\42\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section V(D).
    \42\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section V(E).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

H. Exchange-Traded Funds
    The Exchange proposes to delete from NYSE Rule 103B the section 
related to the allocation of Exchange-Traded Funds (``ETFs'') admitted 
to trading on the Exchange on an Unlisted Trading Privileges (``UTP'') 
basis. On October 19, 2007, the Exchange completed a transfer of all 
ETFs admitted to trading on the Exchange on a UTP basis to NYSE 
Arca<SUP>SM</SUP> NYSE Euronext's fully electronic U.S. listing and 
trading platform.\43\ The Exchange believes that a single, harmonized 
platform for listing and trading ETFs on NYSE Arca further improves 
efficiencies and market quality. The transfer of all ETFs trading on 
the NYSE to NYSE Arca obviates the necessity for this section in the 
rule.

[[Page 49520]]

Accordingly, the Exchange proposes to delete it from the rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ On December 31, 2007, the Exchange completed a transfer of 
all ETF trading to NYSE Arca.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Closed-End Management Investment Companies (``Funds'')
    The Exchange further proposes that Funds listing on the Exchange 
pursuant to this policy will be subject to the allocation process 
pursuant to proposed NYSE Rule 103B, Section III. If the issuer of an 
initial Fund lists additional funds within nine months from the date of 
its initial listing, the issuer may choose to maintain the same 
specialist unit for those subsequently listed funds or it may select a 
different specialist unit from the group of eligible specialist units 
that the issuer interviewed in the allocation process for its initial 
fund. The fund may also delegate the selection of its specialist unit 
to the Exchange if it so chooses pursuant to proposed NYSE Rule 103B, 
Section III(B).\44\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \44\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section VI(F).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If a specialist unit is ineligible from participating in an 
allocation as set forth in proposed NYSE Rule 103B, Section III, at the 
time of a subsequent new Fund listing (within the designated nine-month 
period), that specialist unit will not be included for consideration 
for subsequent listings.\45\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section VI(F).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

J. Spin-offs, Relistings, Common Stock, Target Stock, Warrants and 
Rights
    The Exchange proposes to rename the section entitled ``Spin-offs 
and listing of related companies'' to also include ``related 
securities'' in order to address the assignment of warrants and 
rights.\46\ Proposed NYSE Rule 103B, Section VI(A) continues to allow 
the listing company to remain with the specialist unit registered in 
the related spin-off or related company and will also allow the listing 
company to be referred for allocation through the allocation process 
pursuant to proposed NYSE Rule 103B, Section III, if it so chooses. If 
the spin-off company, company related to a listed company or relisting 
chooses to have its specialist unit selected by the Exchange pursuant 
to NYSE Rule 103B, Section III(B), and requests not to be allocated to 
the specialist unit that was its listed company's specialist unit, such 
request will be honored.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section VI(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange further proposes that common stock (listed after 
preferred stock) be referred for allocation through the allocation 
process pursuant to proposed NYSE Rule 103B, Section III.\47\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section VI(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, NYSE Rule 103B, Section VI(A) will be amended to 
codify that a warrant issued by a listed company and traded on the 
Exchange is allocated to the specialist unit registered in the 
underlying security of the listed company.\48\ Upon request by the 
issuer, the warrant may be allocated through the allocation process 
pursuant to proposed NYSE Rule 103B, Section III.\49\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section VI(A)(2).
    \49\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section VI(A)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Moreover, the Exchange proposes to further codify that rights are 
not subject to the allocation process pursuant to proposed NYSE Rule 
103B, Section III. Rights are considered short-term securities, which 
are exempt from registration under the Act.\50\ Accordingly, rights are 
not treated as listed securities on the Exchange and are not subject to 
the allocation process pursuant to proposed NYSE Rule 103B, Section 
III. Rights are assigned, when issued, to the specialist unit by the 
Exchange.\51\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ See Rule 12a-4 under the Act; see also NYSE Listed Company 
Manual, Section 703.03(O).
    \51\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section VI(A)(4). The 
Exchange Market Watch, Security Operations, Records Management 
Division is responsible for assigning rights to the specialist unit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specialist units that are ineligible to receive a new allocation 
due to its failure to meet the requirements of proposed NYSE Rule 103B, 
Section (II)(D) and (E) will remain eligible to receive an allocation 
pursuant to Section 103B(VI) of the Proposed Rule.
K. Listed Company Mergers
    When two NYSE listed companies merge, the merged entity is assigned 
to the specialist in the company that is determined to be the survivor-
in-fact (dominant company). Where no surviving/dominant entity can be 
identified after two NYSE listed companies merge, the NYSE proposes 
that the merged company may select one of the units trading the merging 
companies without the security being referred for reallocation, or it 
may request that the matter be referred for allocation through the 
allocation process pursuant to NYSE Rule 103B, Section III.\52\ 
Specialist units that are ineligible to receive a new allocation due to 
its failure to meet the requirements of NYSE Rule 103B, Section II(D) 
and (E) will remain eligible to receive an allocation pursuant to this 
section.\53\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \52\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section VI(D)(1).
    \53\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section VI(D)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In situations involving the merger of a listed company and an 
unlisted company, where the unlisted company is determined to be the 
survivor-in-fact, such company may choose to remain registered with the 
specialist unit that had traded the listed company entity in the 
merger, or it may request that the matter be referred for allocation 
through the allocation process pursuant to proposed NYSE Rule 103B, 
Section III.\54\ If the unlisted company chooses to have its specialist 
unit selected by the Exchange, the company may not request that the 
Exchange exclude from consideration the specialist unit that had traded 
the listed company.\55\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \54\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section VI(D)(3).
    \55\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section VI(D)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

L. Allocation Sunset Policy
    The Exchange is proposing to extend the effectiveness of allocation 
decisions with respect to any initial public offering listing company 
which lists on the Exchange from three months to six months.\56\ In 
situations in which the selected specialist unit merges or is involved 
in a combination within the six month period, the company may choose 
whether to stay with the selected specialist unit, or be referred to 
allocation. If a listing company does not list within six months, the 
matter shall be referred for allocation through the allocation process 
pursuant to proposed NYSE Rule 103B, Section III.\57\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \56\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section VI(H).
    \57\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section VI(H).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

M. Provisions For Allocation Of Listing Companies Transferring From 
NYSE ARCA, Inc. (``NYSE ARCA\SM\'') To The NYSE
    The Exchange further proposes that if a listing company 
transferring from NYSE Arca\SM\ to the NYSE was assigned a NYSE Arca 
Lead Market Maker unit, the listing company can choose to follow the 
regular allocation process and refer the matter for allocation through 
the allocation process pursuant to NYSE Rule 103B.\58\ Since the 
Exchange is proposing elimination of the Allocation Committee, the 
Exchange believes that this amendment is appropriate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \58\ Proposed Rule Text, NYSE Rule 103B, Section VIII.

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[[Page 49521]]

III. Conforming Changes to NYSE Rule 476a, NYSE Rule 123e and NYSE 
Listed Manual Section 106.02

A. NYSE Rule 476A
    The Exchange seeks to make a conforming amendment to NYSE Rule 476A 
by removing failure to complete the SPEQ from the list of minor rule 
violations. NYSE Rule 476A provides for the imposition of fines for 
Minor Violation(s) of NYSE Rules. The Supplementary Material of NYSE 
Rule 476A enumerates the specific rules and conduct eligible for the 
imposition of a fine. Included in this list is ``Participation in the 
Specialist Performance Evaluation Questionnaire (SPEQ) Process (Rule 
103A).'' Since the Exchange proposes the elimination of the SPEQ 
process in the New Allocation Policy, the Exchange further proposes to 
amend NYSE Rule 476A to reflect this rescission.
B. NYSE Rule 123E
    The Exchange also seeks to make conforming amendments to NYSE Rule 
123E to change specialist ``organization'' to specialist ``unit'' and 
``stock'' to ``security'' throughout the proposed rule. The Exchange 
further proposes to delete and replace all references to the Quality of 
Markets Committee (``QoMC'') and the MPC with ``the Exchange.'' \59\ 
Given the proposed changes to NYSE Rule 103A that rescind MPC's 
responsibility to monitor specialist performance, the Exchange seeks to 
assume responsibility for conducting a review of a proposed specialist 
combination. Similarly, the Exchange seeks to make a conforming 
amendment to eliminate the specialist performance measures from NYSE 
Rule 123E that are also proposed for deletion in connection with the 
proposed amendments to NYSE Rule 103B. Finally, the Exchange seeks to 
correct a typographical error from the existing rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \59\ In March 2006 after the NYSE's business combination with 
Archipelago Holdings, Inc., the QoMC ceased to exist upon completion 
of the revised corporate structure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. NYSE Listed Company Manual
    Finally, the Exchange seeks to make conforming changes to Section 
106.02 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. Currently Section 106.02 
provides in pertinent part:

    As soon as the Exchange makes the allocation decision, the 
company is immediately notified by telephone and in writing of the 
name of the specialist unit, selected background information on the 
unit and the reasons why the unit was selected.

    Section 106.02 gives the reader the impression that the Exchange is 
always responsible for the selection of the specialist unit to be 
allocated a listing company's security. The Exchange proposes to 
clarify Section 106.02 by amending it to read as follows:

    In instances where a company has delegated to the Exchange the 
selection of its specialist unit, the Exchange will immediately 
notify the company by telephone and in writing of the name of the 
specialist unit, selected background information on the unit and the 
reasons why the unit was selected.

IV. Conclusion

    The proposed Allocation Policy is in keeping with the Exchange's 
overall objective to maintain the integrity of the market and to 
further the Exchange's goal of an allocation system that is based 
primarily on an objective measure of specialist unit performance. The 
new objective measure is designed to promote fairness and consistency, 
reward performance, provide an incentive for a specialist unit to 
continually improve its performance and give the issuer more choice in 
the selection of its assigned specialist unit. The Exchange believes 
that the establishment of an objective minimum performance standard on 
which to determine a specialist unit's eligibility to participate in 
the allocation or reallocation process protects the investor and the 
public interest because it creates a system that provides specialist 
units with incentive for maximum performance which the Exchange 
believes will result in a better quality market.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\60\ in that 
it is 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 is consistent with these 
objectives in that it enables the Exchange to further enhance the 
process by which securities are allocated. The Exchange seeks to create 
an allocation policy that is rooted in an objective performance measure 
that accommodates the increased electronic trading environment. The 
Exchange believes that the quantifiable measure of specialist unit 
performance proposed in this current rule filing provides the objective 
criteria to continue an allocation process that is not designed to 
permit unfair discrimination between specialist units as it relates to 
a specialist unit's receipt of an allocation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \60\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

Electronic Comments

    <bullet> Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
    <bullet> Send an e-mail to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5624233a337b35393b3b333822251625333578313920"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3d4f485158105e5250505853494e7d4e585e135a524b">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include 
File Number SR-NYSE-2008-52 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

    <bullet> Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2008-52. This file 
number should be included on the

[[Page 49522]]

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, on official 
business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the 
filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the 
principal office of the NYSE. 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-2008-52 and should be submitted on or before 
September 11, 2008.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\61\
Florence E. Harmon,
Acting Secretary.
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    \61\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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[FR Doc. E8-19357 Filed 8-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P


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