Therefore, systems development work done to date would be usable and the timeframe for implementation would be shorter. The most important consideration in planning the decimal conversion is that it should not introduce unnecessary risks to the investment industry. From the computer systems perspective, the process should focus on the essential price field changes and should not introduce new functional requirements. Systems in the decimalization era should function as they do now except for price fields. Introducing new complexities increases the risk of problems in the conversion process.
Simplicity minimizes systemic risk and the potential for confusion on the part of all parties.
Given the above criteria, the plan can be made only when it is determined when the Nasdaq system will be ready for full implementation. See answer to Question 5. 7.Commenters are requested to offer specific views on the optimal schedule for implementing decimal pricing in options based on exchange-listed and Nasdaq stocks subject to decimal pricing. Options should covert to decimal pricing concurrent with the conversion of the underlying stocks. We call attention to the fact that the growth of financial markets along with other industry events are creating huge increases in computer systems message traffic.