Document ID: SEC-2007-1565-0001
Agency: sec
Document Type: Notice
Title: Self-regulatory organizations; proposed rule changes: American Stock Exchange LLC
Posted Date: 2007-11-19T05:00Z

[Federal Register: November 19, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 222)]
[Notices]               
[Page 65113-65116]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19no07-109]                         

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-56778; File No. SR-Amex-2007-100]

 
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval 
of Proposed Rule Change to List and Trade Options on Shares of the 
iShares MSCI Mexico Index Fund

November 9, 2007.
    Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on August 27, 2007, the American Stock Exchange LLC (the ``Amex'' or 
the ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and 
II below, which Items have been substantially prepared by the Exchange. 
The Commission is publishing this notice and order to solicit comments 
on the proposal from interested persons and to approve the proposed 
rule change on an accelerated basis.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to list and trade options on shares of the 
iShares MSCI Mexico Index Fund (the ``Fund Options'').
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Amex's Web 
site at http://www.amex.com, the Office of the Secretary, the Amex and 
at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

[[Page 65114]]

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. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item III 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 purpose of this proposal is to obtain approval to list for 
trading on the Exchange, options on the shares of the iShares MSCI 
Mexico Index Fund (the ``Fund'') (symbol: EWW). The shares of the Fund, 
an exchange-traded fund, are currently listed and traded on the 
Exchange. Commentary .06 to Amex Rule 915 and Commentary .07 to Amex 
Rule 916, respectively, establish the Exchange's initial listing and 
maintenance standards for equity options (the ``Listing Standards''). 
The Listing Standards permit the Exchange to list options on the shares 
of open-end investment companies, such as the Fund, without having to 
file for approval with the Commission.\3\ The Exchange submits that the 
shares of the Fund substantially meet all of the initial listing 
requirements. In particular, all of the requirements set forth in 
Commentary .06 to Rule 915 are met except for the requirement 
concerning the existence of a comprehensive surveillance sharing 
agreement (``CSSA''). However, the Exchange submits that sufficient 
mechanisms exist in order to provide adequate surveillance and 
regulatory information with respect to the portfolio securities of the 
Fund.
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    \3\ Commentary .06 to Amex Rule 915 sets forth the initial 
listing criteria for shares or other securities (``Exchange-Traded 
Fund Shares'') that are principally traded on, or through the 
facilities of, a national securities exchange and reported as a 
national market security, and that represent an interest in an open-
end registered investment company, a unit investment trust or other 
similar entity.
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    The Fund is registered pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 
1940 as a management investment company designed to hold a portfolio of 
securities which track the MSCI Mexico Index (``Index'').\4\ The Index 
consists of stocks traded primarily on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores 
(the ``Bolsa''). The Fund employs a ``representative sampling'' 
methodology to track the Index by investing in a representative sample 
of Index securities having a similar investment profile as the 
Index.\5\ Barclays Global Fund Advisors (``BGFA'' or the ``Adviser'') 
expects the Fund to closely track the Index so that, over time, a 
tracking error of 5%, or less, is exhibited. Securities selected by the 
Fund have aggregate investment characteristics (based on market 
capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics 
(such as return variability, earnings valuation and yield) and 
liquidity measures similar to those of the Index. The Fund will not 
concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets 
in the stocks of a particular industry or group of industries), except, 
to the extent practicable, to reflect the concentration in the Index. 
The Fund will invest at least eighty percent (80%) of its assets in the 
securities comprising the Index and/or related American Depositary 
Receipts (``ADRs''). In addition, at least ninety percent (90%) of the 
Fund's assets will be invested in the securities comprising the Index 
or in other related Mexican securities or ADRs. The Fund may also 
invest its other assets in futures contracts, options on futures 
contracts, listed options, over-the-counter (``OTC'') options and swaps 
related to the Index, as well as cash and cash equivalents. The 
Exchange believes that these requirements and policies prevent the Fund 
from being excessively weighted in any single security or small group 
of securities and significantly reduce concerns that trading in the 
Fund could become a surrogate for trading in unregistered securities.
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    \4\ Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. (``MSCI'') created 
and maintains the Index.
    \5\ As of July 31, 2007, the Fund was comprised of 27 
securities. America Movil SA de CV-Series L had the greatest 
individual weight at 25.57%. The aggregate percentage weighting of 
the top 5 and 10 securities in the Fund were 58.51% and 78.39%, 
respectively.
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    Shares of the Fund (``Fund Shares'') are issued and redeemed, on a 
continuous basis, at net asset value (``NAV'') in aggregation size of 
100,000 shares, or multiples thereof (a ``Creation Unit''). Following 
issuance, Fund Shares are traded on an exchange like other equity 
securities. The Fund Shares trade in the secondary markets in amounts 
less than a Creation Unit and the price per Fund Share may differ from 
its NAV which is calculated once daily as of the regularly scheduled 
close of business of the New York Stock Exchange (``NYSE'').\6\
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    \6\ The regularly scheduled close of trading in the NYSE is 
normally 4 p.m. Eastern Time (``ET'').
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    State Street Bank and Trust Company, the administrator, custodian, 
and transfer agent for the Fund, calculates the Fund's NAV. Detailed 
information on the Fund can be found at http://www.ishares.com.
    The Exchange has reviewed the Fund and determined that the Fund 
Shares satisfy the initial listing standards, except for the 
requirement set forth in Commentary .06(b)(i) to Amex Rule 915 which 
requires the Fund to meet the following condition: ``any non-U.S. 
component stocks in the index or portfolio on which the Exchange-Traded 
Fund Shares are based that are not subject to comprehensive 
surveillance agreements do not in the aggregate represent more than 50% 
of the weight of the index or portfolio.'' The Exchange currently does 
not have in place a surveillance agreement with Bolsa.
    The Exchange submits that the Commission, in the past, has been 
willing to allow a national securities exchange to rely on a memorandum 
of understanding entered into between regulators in the event that the 
exchanges themselves cannot enter into a CSSA.
    The Exchange previously attempted to enter into a CSSA with Bolsa 
as part of seeking approval to list and trade options on the Mexico 
Index.\7\ Additionally, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Incorporated (the ``CBOE'') also previously attempted to enter into a 
CSSA with Bolsa at or about the time when the CBOE sought approval to 
list for trading options on the CBOE Mexico 30 Index in 1995, which was 
comprised of stocks trading on Bolsa.\8\ Since Bolsa was unable to 
provide a surveillance agreement, the Commission allowed the CBOE to 
rely on the memorandum of understanding executed by the Commission and 
the CNBV,\9\ dated as of October 18, 1990 (``MOU'').\10\ The Commission 
noted that in cases where it would be impossible to secure a CSSA, the 
Commission relied in the past on surveillance sharing agreements 
between the relevant regulators.\11\ The Commission further noted that, 
pursuant to the terms of the

[[Page 65115]]

MOU, it was the Commission's understanding that both the Commission and 
the CNBV could acquire information from, and provide information to, 
the other similar to that which would be required in a CSSA between 
exchanges and, therefore, should the Exchange or the CBOE need 
information on Mexican trading in the component securities of the 
Mexico Index or the CBOE Mexico 30 Index, the Commission could request 
such information from the CNBV under the MOU.\12\
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    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34500 (August 8, 
1994) 59 FR 41534 (August 12, 1994) (SR-Amex-94-20).
    \8\ See infra New Product Release at note 10.
    \9\ The National Commission for Banking and Securities, or 
``CNBV,'' is Mexico's regulatory body for financial markets and 
banking.
    \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 36415, at n. 23 
(October 25, 1995), 60 FR 55620 (November 1, 1995) (SR-CBOE-95-45).
    \11\ Id.
    \12\ Id.
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    The practice of relying on surveillance agreements or MOUs between 
regulators when a foreign exchange was unable, or unwilling, to provide 
an information sharing agreement was affirmed by the Commission in the 
Commission's New Product Release (``New Product Release'').\13\ The 
Commission noted in the New Product Release that if securing a CSSA is 
not possible, an exchange should contact the Commission prior to 
listing a new derivative securities product. The Commission also noted 
that the Commission may determine instead that it is appropriate to 
rely on a memorandum of understanding between the Commission and the 
foreign regulator.
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    \13\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 40761 (December 8, 
1998), 63 FR 70952 (December 22, 1998), at note 101.
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    The Exchange requests that the Commission allow the listing and 
trading of the Fund Shares without a CSSA, upon reliance of the MOU 
entered into between the Commission and the CNBV, until the Exchange is 
able to secure a CSSA with Bolsa. The Exchange believes this request is 
reasonable and notes that the Commission has provided similar relief in 
the past. For example, the Commission approved, on a pilot basis, an 
Amex proposal to list and trade options on the iShares MSCI Emerging 
Markets Fund.\14\
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    \14\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 53824 (May 17, 
2006), 71 FR 30003 (May 24, 2006) (SR-Amex-2006-43); 54081 (June 30, 
2006), 71 FR 38911 (July 10, 2006) (SR-Amex-2006-60); 54553 
(September 29, 2006), 71 FR 59561 (October 10, 2006) (SR-Amex-2006-
91); 55040 (January 3, 2007), 72 FR 1348 (January 11, 2007) (SR-
Amex-2007-01); and 55955 (June 25, 2007), 72 FR 36079 (July 2, 2007) 
(SR-Amex-2007-57).
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    The Exchange notes that the underlying Fund Shares may be listed 
and traded without a CSSA as long as last sale reporting of the 
component securities is available pursuant to Amex Rule 1000A-AEMI. 
Accordingly, the Exchange believes that options on such Fund Shares 
should be permissible.
    The Commission's approval of this request to list and trade the 
Fund Options would otherwise render the Fund compliant with all of the 
applicable Listing Standards.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
section 6(b) of the Act,\15\ in general, and furthers the objectives of 
section 6(b)(5) \16\ of the Act, in particular, in that it will prevent 
fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, promote just and 
equitable principles of trade, remove impediments to, and perfect the 
mechanism of, a free and open market and, in general, protect investors 
and the public interest.
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    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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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. 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-Amex-2007-100 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
    All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Amex-2007-100. 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, 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 Amex. 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-Amex-2007-100 and should be 
submitted on or before December 10, 2007.

IV. Commission's Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of 
the Proposed Rule Change

    The Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations 
thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange. \17\ In 
particular, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is 
consistent with section 6(b)(5) of the Act, \18\ which requires that an 
exchange have rules designed, among other things, 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.
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    \17\ In approving this rule change, the Commission notes that it 
has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, 
competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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    The listing of the Fund Options does not satisfy Commentary 
.06(b)(i) to Amex Rule 915 which requires the Fund to meet the 
following condition: ``any non-U.S. component stocks in the index or 
portfolio on which the Exchange-Traded Fund Shares are based that are 
not subject to comprehensive surveillance agreements do not in the 
aggregate represent more than 50% of the weight of the index or 
portfolio.''

[[Page 65116]]

The Commission has been willing to allow an exchange to rely on a 
memorandum of understanding entered into between regulators where the 
listing SRO finds it impossible to enter into an information sharing 
agreement. \19\ In this case, Amex has attempted unsuccessfully to 
reach such an agreement with Bolsa.
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    \19\ See supra note 10; See also New Product Release, supra note 
13.
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    Consequently, the Commission has determined to approve Amex's 
listing and trading of the Fund Options and to allow Amex to rely on 
the MOU \20\ with respect to the underlying Fund components trading on 
Bolsa. The Commission believes that, regardless of the Commission's 
willingness to permit reliance on the MOU, Amex should continue to use 
its best efforts to obtain a comprehensive surveillance agreement with 
Bolsa, which shall reflect the following: (1) Express language 
addressing market trading activity, clearing activity, and customer 
identity; (2) the Bolsa's reasonable ability to obtain access to and 
produce requested information; and (3) based on the CSSA and other 
information provided by the Bolsa, the absence of existing rules, law 
or practices that would impede the Exchange from obtaining foreign 
information relating to market activity, clearing activity, or customer 
identity, or in the event such rules, laws, or practices exist, they 
would not materially impede the production of customer or other 
information.
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    \20\ See supra note 10.
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    The Exchange has requested accelerated approval of the proposed 
rule change. The Commission finds good cause, consistent with section 
19(b)(2) of the Act, \21\ for approving this proposed rule change 
before the thirtieth day after the publication of notice thereof in the 
Federal Register because it will enable the Exchange to immediately 
consider listing and trading the Fund Options, similar to products 
already traded on the Exchange, \22\ and because it does not raise any 
new regulatory issues.
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    \21\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
    \22\ See supra note 14.
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V. Conclusion

    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, 
\23\ that the proposed rule change (SR-Amex-2007-100) be, and it hereby 
is approved on an accelerated basis.
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    \23\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority. \24\
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    \24\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E7-22482 Filed 11-16-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8011-01-P