

[Federal Register: July 13, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 134)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 39534-39543]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13jy06-8]                         

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION

17 CFR Part 41

RIN 3038 AB86

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

17 CFR Part 240

[Release No. 34-54106; File No. S7-07-06]
RIN 3235-AJ54

 
Joint Final Rules: Application of the Definition of Narrow-Based 
Security Index to Debt Securities Indexes and Security Futures on Debt 
Securities

AGENCIES: Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Securities and 
Exchange Commission.

ACTION: Joint final rules.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``CFTC'') and the 
Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'') (together, the 
``Commissions'') are adopting a new rule and amending an existing rule 
under the Commodity Exchange Act (``CEA'') and adopting two new rules 
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange Act''). The rules 
will modify the applicable statutory listing standards requirements to 
permit security futures to be based on individual debt securities or a 
narrow-based security index composed of such securities. In addition, 
these rules and rule amendment will exclude from the definition of 
``narrow-based security index'' debt securities indexes that satisfy 
specified criteria. A future on a debt securities index that is 
excluded from the definition of narrow-based security index will not be 
a security future and may trade subject to the exclusive jurisdiction 
of the CFTC.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 14, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    CFTC: Elizabeth L. Ritter, Deputy General Counsel, at 202/418-5052, 
or Julian E. Hammar, Counsel, at 202/418-5118, Office of General 
Counsel; or Thomas M. Leahy, Jr., Associate Director, Product Review, 
at 202/418-5278, Division of Market Oversight, Commodity Futures 
Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20581.
    SEC: Yvonne Fraticelli, Special Counsel, at 202/551-5654; or Leah 
Mesfin, Special Counsel, at 202/551-5655, Office of Market Supervision, 
Division of Market Regulation, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 
F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-6628.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commissions are adopting Rule 41.15 and 
amending Rule 41.21 under the CEA,\1\ and adding Rule 3a55-4 and Rule 
6h-2 under the Exchange Act.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ All references to the CEA are to 7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.
    \2\ All references to the Exchange Act are to 15 U.S.C. 78a et 
seq.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Introduction

A. Background

    Futures contracts on single securities and on narrow-based security 
indexes (collectively, ``security futures'') are jointly regulated by 
the CFTC and the SEC.\3\ The definition of narrow-based security index 
under both the CEA and the Exchange Act sets forth the criteria for 
such joint regulatory jurisdiction. Futures on indexes that are not 
narrow-based security indexes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction 
of the CFTC. Under the CEA and the Exchange Act, an index is a narrow-
based security index if it meets any one of four criteria.\4\ Further, 
the CEA and Exchange Act provide that, notwithstanding the statutory 
criteria, an index is not a narrow-based security index if a contract 
of sale for future delivery on the index is traded on or subject to the 
rules of a board of trade and meets such requirements as are jointly 
established by rule, regulation, or order of the Commissions.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Section 1a(31) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 1a(31); Section 
3(a)(55)(A) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(55)(A).
    \4\ The four criteria are as follows: (1) It has nine or fewer 
component securities; (2) any one of its component securities 
comprises more than 30% of its weighting; (3) any group of five of 
its component securities together comprise more than 60% of its 
weighting; or (4) the lowest weighted component securities 
comprising, in the aggregate, 25% of the index's weighting have an 
aggregate dollar value of average daily trading volume (``ADTV'') of 
less than $50 million (or in the case of an index with 15 or more 
component securities, $30 million). See Section 1a(25)(A)(i)-(iv) of 
the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 1a(25)(A)(i)-(iv); Section 3(a)(55)(B)(i)-(iv) of 
the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(55)(B)(i)-(iv).
    \5\ See Section 1a(25)(B)(vi) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 
1a(25)(B)(vi); Section 3(a)(55)(C)(vi) of the Exchange Act, 15 
U.S.C. 78c(a)(55)(C)(vi).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The statutory definition of narrow-based security index was 
designed primarily for indexes composed of equity securities, not debt 
securities.\6\ For example, while three criteria in the narrow-based 
security index definition evaluate the composition and weighting of the 
securities in the index, another criterion evaluates the liquidity of 
an index's component securities. The liquidity criterion in the 
statutory definition of narrow-based security index, which is important 
for indexes composed of common stock, is not an appropriate criterion 
for indexes composed of debt securities because debt securities 
generally do not trade in the same manner as equity securities. In 
particular, because few debt securities meet the ADTV criterion in the 
statutory definition of narrow-based security index, most indexes 
composed of debt securities, regardless of the number or amount of 
underlying component securities in the index, would fall within the 
statutory definition of narrow-based security index.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ Debt securities include notes, bonds, debentures, or 
evidences of indebtedness.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On April 10, 2006, the Commissions proposed rules \7\ that would 
exclude debt securities indexes that satisfied certain criteria from 
the statutory definition of narrow-based security index. Futures on 
debt securities indexes that satisfy the criteria of the exclusion 
would not be security futures and thus would be subject to the 
exclusive jurisdiction of the CFTC. In addition, the proposed rules and 
rule amendment would modify the statutory listing standards to permit 
the trading of security futures on single debt securities and narrow-
based security indexes composed of debt securities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53560 (March 29, 
2006), 71 FR 18030 (April 10, 2006) (``Proposing Release'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commissions received comment letters on the proposed rules from 
two futures exchanges, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (``CME'') and 
the Board of Trade of the City of Chicago (``CBOT''),\8\ and from the 
Futures Industry Association (``FIA'').\9\ All of the commenters 
generally supported the Commissions' proposal. The CME and the CBOT 
requested the opportunity for public comment on the listing standards

[[Page 39535]]

that would apply to security futures on debt securities and indexes 
composed of debt securities.\10\ In addition, the CBOT suggested that 
the Commissions reduce the minimum remaining outstanding principal 
amount requirement from $250,000,000 to $100,000,000.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See letter from Craig S. Donohue, Chief Executive Officer, 
CME, to Jean A. Webb, Secretary, CFTC, and Jonathan G. Katz, 
Secretary, SEC, dated April 25, 2006 (``CME Letter''); letter from 
Bernard Dan, CBOT, to Jean A. Webb, Secretary, CFTC, and Nancy M. 
Morris, Secretary, SEC, dated May 10, 2006 (``CBOT Letter'').
    \9\ See letter from John M. Damgard, President, FIA, to Jean A. 
Webb, Secretary, CFTC, and Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, SEC, dated 
May 16, 2006 (``FIA Letter''). In addition, the FIA supported the 
comments of the CME and the CBOT and urged the Commissions to 
propose a regulatory standard governing the offer and sale of 
security futures contracts on indexes composed of non-U.S. equities 
that trade on or are subject to the rules of exchanges or boards of 
trade located outside of the United States. Because the proposed 
rules did not relate to indexes composed of non-U.S. equities, the 
Commissions are not addressing this comment in this release.
    \10\ See CME Letter, supra note 8, at 2; CBOT Letter, supra note 
8, at 3-4.
    \11\ See CBOT Letter, supra note 8; at 2-3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FIA asked the Commissions to confirm that: (1) A debt security 
index that meets the criteria in the rules would be broad-based even if 
the index included products or instruments that are not securities; and 
(2) in a debt securities index that includes both exempted securities 
and securities that are not exempted securities, it would be necessary 
to take into account only securities that are not exempted securities 
in determining compliance with the criteria in the rules.\12\ These 
comments are discussed more fully below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ See FIA Letter, supra note 9, at 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Overview of Adopted Rules

    After careful consideration, the Commissions have determined to 
adopt the rules and rule amendment largely as proposed, with changes to 
address certain issues raised by the commenters. The Commissions 
believe it is appropriate to exclude certain debt securities indexes 
from the statutory definition of narrow-based security index using 
criteria that differ in certain respects from the criteria applicable 
to indexes composed of equity securities. The Commissions believe that 
such modified criteria for debt securities indexes are necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection 
of investors because the criteria recognize the differences between 
equity and debt and would permit security futures to be based on debt 
securities indexes.\13\ In particular, the Commissions believe that the 
modified criteria addressing diversification and public information 
about, and market familiarity with, the issuers of the securities 
underlying a debt securities index will reduce the likelihood that a 
future on such an index would be readily susceptible to manipulation 
and thus are more appropriate criteria for debt securities indexes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ See 15 U.S.C. 78mm(a)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. CEA Rule 41.21 and Exchange Act Rule 6h-2
    The Commissions are amending CEA Rule 41.21 and adopting Exchange 
Act Rule 6h-2 to modify the statutory listing standards for security 
futures to permit the trading of security futures based on debt 
securities that are notes, bonds, debentures, or evidences of 
indebtedness and indexes composed of such securities.
2. CEA Rule 41.15 and Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4
    The Commissions are adopting CEA Rule 41.15 and Exchange Act Rule 
3a55-4, which exclude from the definition of narrow-based security 
index any debt securities index that satisfies certain criteria. 
Specifically, CEA Rule 41.15 and Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4 provide that 
a debt securities index will not be considered a narrow-based security 
index for purposes of Section 3(a)(55) of the Exchange Act and Section 
1a(25) of the CEA if: (1) Each index component is a security that is a 
note, bond, debenture, or evidence of indebtedness; (2) the index is 
comprised of more than nine securities issued by more than nine non-
affiliated issuers; (3) the securities of any issuer included in the 
index do not comprise more than 30% of the index's weighting; (4) the 
securities of any five non-affiliated issuers included in the index do 
not comprise more than 60% of the index's weighting; and (5) the issuer 
of a security included in an index satisfies certain requirements.
    For securities that are not exempted securities, CEA Rule 41.15 and 
Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4 require that the issuer of a component 
security: (1) Be required to file reports pursuant to section 13 or 
15(d) of the Exchange Act; (2) have worldwide market value of its 
outstanding common equity held by non-affiliates of $700 million or 
more; (3) have outstanding securities that are notes, bonds, 
debentures, or evidences of indebtedness with a total remaining 
principal amount of at least $1 billion; or (4) be a government of a 
foreign country or a political subdivision of a foreign country.
    In addition, CEA Rule 41.15 and Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4 require 
each security of an issuer included in an index to have a total 
remaining principal amount outstanding of at least $250,000,000. 
Alternatively, to respond to the CBOT's comment, the final rule permits 
a municipal security in the index to have only $200,000,000 total 
remaining principal amount outstanding if the issuer of such municipal 
security has outstanding debt securities with a total remaining 
principal amount of at least $1 billion.
    CEA Rule 41.15 and Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4 provide a de minimis 
exception from the issuer eligibility and minimum outstanding principal 
balance criteria if a predominant percentage of the securities 
comprising the index's weighting satisfy all of the applicable 
criteria.
    In addition, in response to the FIA's comments, the Commissions are 
adding an alternative provision that would permit exempted securities 
that are debt securities (other than municipal securities) to be 
excluded from an index in determining whether such index is not a 
narrow-based security index under the rules.
    Finally, CEA Rule 41.15 and Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4 contain a 
definition of ``control'' solely to assess affiliation among issuers 
for purposes of determining satisfaction of the criteria established in 
the rules.

II. Discussion of Final Rules

A. Modification of the Statutory Listing Standards Requirements for 
Security Futures Products

    The Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 \14\ amended the 
Exchange Act. and the CEA by, among other things, establishing the 
criteria and requirements for listing standards for securities on which 
security futures products can be based. The Exchange Act \15\ provides 
that it is unlawful for any person to effect transactions in security 
futures products that are not listed on a national securities exchange 
or a national securities association registered pursuant to Sections 
6(a) or 15A(a), respectively, of the Exchange Act.\16\ The Exchange Act 
\17\ further provides that such exchange or association is permitted to 
trade only security futures products that conform with listing 
standards filed with the SEC and that meet the criteria specified in 
Section 2(a)(1)(D)(i) of the CEA.\18\ The CEA \19\ states that no board 
of trade shall be designated as a contract market with respect to, or 
registered as a derivatives transaction execution facility (``DTEF'') 
for, any contracts of sale for future delivery of a security futures 
product unless the board of trade and the applicable contract met the 
criteria specified in that section. Similarly, the Exchange Act \20\ 
requires that the listing standards filed with the SEC by an

[[Page 39536]]

exchange or association meet specified requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ Pub. L. 106-554, 114 Stat. 2763 (2000).
    \15\ Section 6(h)(1) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78f(h)(l).
    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(a) and 78o-3(a).
    \17\ Section 6(h)(2) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78f(h)(2).
    \18\ 7 U.S.C. 2(a)(1)(D)(i).
    \19\ Section 2(a)(1)(D)(i) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 2(a)(1)(D)(i).
    \20\ Section 6(h)(3) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78f(h)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In particular, the Exchange Act \21\ and the CEA \22\ require that, 
except as otherwise provided in a rule, regulation, or order, a 
security future must be based upon common stock and such other equity 
securities as the Commissions jointly determine appropriate. A security 
future on a debt security or a debt securities index currently would 
not satisfy this requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ Section 6(h)(3)(D) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 
78f(h)(3)(D).
    \22\ Section 2(a)(1)(D)(i)(III) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 
2(a)(I)(D)(i)(III).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange Act and the CEA, however, provide the Commissions with 
the authority to jointly modify this requirement to the extent that the 
modification fosters the development of fair and orderly markets in 
security futures products, is necessary or appropriate in the public 
interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors.\23\ 
Pursuant to this authority, the Commissions have determined that it is 
appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection 
of investors to amend CEA Rule 41.21 and adopt Exchange Act Rule 6h-2 
to permit the trading of security futures based on debt securities that 
are notes, bonds, debentures, or evidences of indebtedness and indexes 
composed of such securities. This modification is necessary to allow 
the listing and trading of new and potentially useful financial 
products.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ Section 6(h)(4)(A) of the Exchange Act, 15U.S.C. 
78f(h)(4)(A); Section 2(a)(1)(D)(v)(I) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 
2(a)(1)(D)(v)(I).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Security futures on debt securities or indexes composed of debt 
securities must also conform with the listing standards of the national 
securities exchange or national securities association on which they 
trade. The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that such listing 
standards be no less restrictive than comparable listing standards for 
options traded on a national securities exchange or national securities 
association.\24\ In addition, the issuer of any security underlying the 
security future, including each component security of a narrow-based 
security index, would have to be subject to the reporting requirements 
of the Exchange Act due to the requirement that the security be 
registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.\25\ The listing 
standards for a security future also must require that trading in the 
security future not be readily susceptible to manipulation of the price 
of such security future, nor to causing or being used in the 
manipulation of the price of an underlying security, option on such 
security, or option on a group or index including such securities.\26\ 
Because these listing standards will continue to provide important 
investor protections and safeguards against such products being readily 
susceptible to manipulation or causing or being used in the 
manipulation of any underlying security or option on such underlying 
security or securities, the Commissions believe that new Exchange Act 
Rule 6h-2 and the amendments to CEA Rule 41.21 will foster the 
development of fair and orderly markets in security futures products, 
are appropriate in the public interest, and are consistent with the 
protection of investors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ Section 6(h)(3)(C) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 
78f(h)(3)(C).
    \25\ Section 2(a)(l)(D)(i)(I) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 
2(a)(l)(D)(i)(I); Section 6(h)(3)(A) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 
78f(h)(3)(A).
    \26\ Section 2(a)(l)(D)(i)(VII) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 
2(a)(l)(D)(i)(VII); Section 6(h)(3)(H) of the Exchange Act, 15 
U.S.C. 78f(h)(3)(H).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Rules Excluding Certain Debt Securities Indexes From the Definition 
of Narrow-Based Security Index

    The Commissions are adopting new CEA Rule 41.15 and Exchange Act 
Rule 3a55-4, which exclude from the statutory definition of narrow-
based security index any debt securities index that satisfies certain 
criteria. A futures contract on such an index would not be a security 
future and thus would be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the 
CFTC. The Commissions believe that the criteria in the rules, including 
the requirements relating to the maximum weighting and concentration of 
securities of an issuer in an index, the eligibility conditions for 
issuers, and the minimum remaining outstanding principal amount 
requirement should reduce the likelihood that a future on such an index 
would be readily susceptible to manipulation or could be used to 
manipulate the market for the underlying debt securities.\27\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ Although broad-based debt securities indexes that meet the 
criteria in the rules should have a reduced likelihood of being 
readily susceptible to manipulation, such indexes also must be 
determined to be not readily susceptible to manipulation, in 
accordance with Section 2(a)(1)(C)(ii)(II) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 
2(a)(1)(C)(ii)(II).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Index Composed Solely of Debt Securities
    The new rules require that, for an index to qualify for the 
exclusion from the definition of ``narrow-based security index,'' each 
component security of the index must be a security \28\ that is a note, 
bond, debenture, or evidence of indebtedness.\29\ Further, none of the 
securities of an issuer included in the index may be an equity 
security, as defined in Section 3(a)(11) of the Exchange Act and the 
rules adopted thereunder.\30\ Thus, any security index that includes an 
equity security will not qualify for the exclusion for indexes composed 
of debt securities.\31\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ The term ``security'' is defined in Section 2(a)(1) of the 
Securities Act of 1933 (the ``Securities Act''), 15 U.S.C. 
77b(a)(1), and Section 3(a)(10) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 
78c(a)(10).
    \29\ See Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4(a)(1); CEA Rule 41.15(a)(1). 
The federal securities laws do not contain a single definition of 
``debt security.'' The Commissions, therefore, are using the terms 
found in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, 15 U.S.C. 77aaa-bbb (which 
governs debt securities of all types), to define the debt securities 
for purposes of these rules and rule amendment.
    \30\ 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(11). See Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4(a)(2); 
CEA Rule 41. 15(a)(2). A security convertible into an equity 
security is an equity security under the Exchange Act and the 
Securities Act.
    \31\ Indexes that include both equity and debt securities would 
be subject to the criteria for narrow-based security indexes 
enumerated in Section 1a(25) of the CEA and Section 3(a)(55) of the 
Exchange Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FIA asked the Commissions to confirm that a debt security index 
that meets the criteria in the rules would be broad-based even if the 
index included products or instruments that ar not securities.\32\ The 
Commissions' proposed rules required that each component security of an 
index be a security that is a note, bond, debenture, or evidence of 
indebtedness. The Commissions did not propose or solicit comment on 
whether, and to what extent, indexes that include instruments that are 
not securities should be excluded from the definition of narrow-based 
security index and have not, to date, considered the regulatory 
implications of so excluding futures on indexes composed of different 
product classes. Accordingly, the Commissions are adopting these 
requirements as proposed without permitting indexes under the criteria 
to include products or instruments that are not securities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ See FIA Letter, supra note 9, at 2. The FIA letter did not 
elaborate on what these other products or instruments might be.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Number and Weighting of Index Components
    The exclusion also includes conditions relating to the minimum 
number of securities of non-affiliated issuers that must be included in 
an index and the maximum permissible weighting of securities in the 
index. The new rules provide that, for an index to qualify for the 
exclusion:
     The index must be composed of more than nine securities 
issued by more than nine non-affiliated issuers; \33\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ See Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4(a)(3); CEA Rule 41.15(a)(3).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 39537]]

     The securities of any issuer cannot comprise more than 30% 
of the index's weighting; \34\ and
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ See Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4(a)(4); CEA Rule 41. 15(a)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The securities of any five non-affiliated issuers cannot 
comprise more than 60% of the index's weighting.\35\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ See Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4(a)(5); CEA Rule 41. 15(a)(5).

The foregoing conditions are virtually identical to the criteria 
contained in the Exchange Act and the CEA that apply in determining if 
a security index would not be a narrow-based security index.\36\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ See supra note 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the new rules provide that the term ``issuer'' 
includes a single issuer or group of affiliated issuers.\37\ An issuer 
would be affiliated with another issuer for purposes of the exclusion 
if it controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, that 
other issuer. The rules define control, solely for purposes of the 
exclusion, to mean ownership of 20% or more of an issuer's equity or 
the ability to direct the voting of 20% or more of an issuer's voting 
equity.\38\ The definition of control will apply solely to CEA Rule 
41.15 and Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4 and is designed to provide a clear 
standard for determining control and affiliation for purposes of the 
exclusion. Determining whether issuers are affiliated is important in 
assessing whether an index satisfies the conditions in the rules 
adopted today because the debt securities of all affiliated issuers 
included in an index must be aggregated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ See Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4(b); CEA Rule 41.15(b).
    \38\ While the definition of affiliate under the federal 
securities laws is generally a facts-and-circumstances determination 
based on the definition of affiliate contained in such laws, see, 
e.g. , Securities Act Rule 405, 17 CFR 230.405; Exchange Act Rule 
12b-2, 17 CFR 240.12b-2, certain rules under the Exchange Act 
contain a 20% threshold for purposes of determining a relationship 
between two or more entities. See, e.g., Exchange Act Rule 13d-1(c), 
17 CFR 240.13d-1(c); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 39538 
(January 12, 1998), 63 FR 2854 (January 16, 1998). See also Rule 3-
05 under Regulation S-X, 17 CFR 210.3-05.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The number and weighting criteria require that an index meet 
minimum diversification conditions with regard to both issuers and the 
underlying securities. These criteria provide that for purposes of 
weighting, all debt securities of all affiliated issuers included in 
the index are aggregated so that the indexes are not concentrated in 
the securities of a small number of issuers and their affiliates. These 
criteria are important elements of the Commissions' determination that 
the rules are consistent with the protection of investors because they 
reduce the likelihood that a future on such a debt securities index 
would be overly dependent on the price behavior of a component single 
security, small group of securities or issuers, or group of securities 
issued by affiliated parties.
3. Issuer or Security Eligibility Criteria
    New CEA Rule 41.15 and Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4 require that, for 
an index to qualify for the exclusion from the definition of narrow-
based security index, the issuer of each component security that is not 
an exempted security under the Exchange Act and the ,rules thereunder 
must satisfy one of the following:
     The issuer is required to file reports pursuant to 
Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; \39\
     The issuer has a worldwide market value of its outstanding 
common equity held by non-affiliates of $700 million or more; or
     The issuer has outstanding securities that are notes, 
bonds, debentures, or evidences of indebtedness having a total 
remaining principal amount of at least $1 billion.
    These issuer eligibility criteria are aimed at conditioning the 
exclusion for a debt securities index from the definition of narrow-
based security index on the public availability of information about 
the issuers of the securities included in the index. For example, an 
issuer that is required to file reports pursuant to Sections 13 or 
l5(d) of the Exchange Act \40\ makes regular and public disclosure 
through its Exchange Act filings. For issuers that are not required to 
file reports with the SEC under the Exchange Act, the Commissions 
similarly believe that issuers having worldwide equity market 
capitalization of $700 million or $1 billion in outstanding debt are 
likely to have public information available about them.\41\ 
Accordingly, the issuer eligibility criteria are designed to provide 
that, other than with respect to exempted securities in the index, the 
debt securities index includes debt securities of issuers for which 
public information is available, thereby reducing the likelihood that 
an index qualifying for the exclusion would be readily susceptible to 
manipulation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ 15 U.S.C. 78m and 78o(d).
    \40\ 15 U.S.C. 78m and 78o.
    \41\ These thresholds are similar to ones the SEC recently 
adopted in its Securities Offering Reform rules. See Securities Act 
Release No. 8591 (July 19, 2005), 70 FR 44722 (August 3, 2005).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under the rules adopted by the Commissions today, the issuer 
eligibility criteria do not apply to index components that are exempted 
securities, as defined in the Exchange Act,\42\ or to an issuer that is 
a government of a foreign country or a political subdivision of a 
foreign country. The Commissions believe that it is appropriate to 
allow indexes qualifying for the exclusion to include exempted 
securities and the debt obligations of foreign countries and their 
political subdivisions. Current law permits futures on individual 
exempted debt securities, other than municipal securities, and on 
certain foreign sovereign debt obligations.\43\ Because a future may be 
based on one of these exempted debt securities, the Commissions believe 
that it is reasonable and consistent with the purposes of the CEA and 
the Exchange Act to allow futures to be based on indexes composed of 
such debt securities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ See 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12). While issuers of exempted 
securities are not subject to the same issuer eligibility 
conditions, other existing rules and regulatory regimes applicable 
to most of such issuers provide for ongoing public information about 
such issuers. See, e.g. Exchange Act Rule 15c2-12, 17 CFR 240.15c2-
12.
    \43\ Section 2(a)(1)(C)(iv) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 2(a)(1)(C)(iv), 
prohibits any person from entering into a futures contract on any 
security except an exempted security under Section 3(a)(12) of the 
Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12), other than a municipal security, 
as defined in Section 3(a)(29) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 
78c(a)(29). In addition, Exchange Act Rule 3a12-8, 17 CFR 240.3a12-
8, deems the debt obligations of specified foreign governments to be 
exempted securities for the purpose of permitting the offer, sale, 
and confirmation of futures contracts on those debt obligations in 
the United States..
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Minimum Principal Amount Outstanding
    The rules require that, for a securities index to qualify for the 
exclusion, each index component, other than a municipal security in 
certain cases, must have a total remaining principal amount of at least 
$250,000,000. Although trading in most debt securities is limited, 
trading volume is generally larger for debt securities with 
$250,000,000 or more in total remaining principal amount 
outstanding.\44\ The new rules do not require that the securities 
included in the index have an investment grade rating. Nor do the rules 
require particular trading volume, due to the generally lower trading 
activity in the debt markets compared to the equity markets. Trading 
activity in a debt security generally increases as the principal amount 
of the debt security increases. However, non-investment-grade debt 
securities generally trade more frequently than investment-grade debt 
securities. As a result of the type of trading activity that occurs in 
the

[[Page 39538]]

debt markets, the Commissions do not believe that trading volume is an 
appropriate criterion for determining whether a debt securities index 
is narrow-based. Instead, the Commissions are adopting a minimum 
principal amount criterion which is intended, together with the other 
criteria in the rules adopted today geared to the debt securities 
market, to provide a substitute criterion for trading volume. 
Accordingly, the Commissions believe that including a minimum remaining 
principal amount criterion, together with the other criteria, will 
decrease the likelihood that a future on an index qualifying for the 
exclusion from the definition of narrow-based security index would be 
readily susceptible to manipulation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \44\ This is based on data obtained from the Trace Reporting and 
Compliance Engine (TRACE) database supplied by NASD.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The CBOT urged the Commissions to reduce the minimum remaining 
outstanding principal amount threshold from $250,000,000 to 
$100,000,000.\45\ The CBOT presented data indicating that only a small 
number of municipal debt securities are issued in principal amounts 
exceeding $250,000,000 and argued that it would be difficult to 
construct an index qualifying for the exclusion composed of municipal 
securities. The CBOT believed a $100,000,000 threshold was appropriate 
because it would make it-more likely that an exchange would be able to 
identify a sufficient number of municipal debt securities to be 
included in an index. The CBOT did not provide any data regarding other 
debt securities or any data or arguments to demonstrate how its 
proposed $100,000,000 threshold was consistent with the principle that 
an index based on municipal debt securities meeting its threshold would 
not be readily susceptible to manipulation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ See CBOT Letter, supra note 8, at 2-3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commissions intend the $250,000,000 threshold to be a proxy for 
the statutory trading volume criterion for equity securities. As 
discussed above, trading activity in a debt security generally 
increases as the principal amount of the debt security increases. The 
$250,000,000 threshold is not designed to maximize the number of 
securities that may be included in an index qualifying for an exclusion 
from the definition of narrow-based security index. Rather, by limiting 
an index primarily to more liquid securities, this criterion increases 
the likelihood that information about such securities will be publicly 
available and that the securities will have a larger market following. 
The $250,000,000 threshold, together with the other criteria, is 
designed to reduce the likelihood that the index would be readily 
susceptible to manipulation.
    The Commissions are addressing the CBOT's comment in the final 
rules by adopting an alternate test for municipal securities. A 
municipal security could either: (1) Meet the original $250,000,000 
threshold; or (2) meet the following two-part test: (a) The security 
has a remaining principal amount outstanding of $200,000,000; and (b) 
the issuer of the security has outstanding securities that are notes, 
bonds, debentures, or evidences of indebtedness having a total 
remaining principal amount of at least $1 billion.\46\ As discussed 
above, the Commissions believe that issuers with $1 billion or more in 
outstanding debt are likely to be followed in the market, and that 
information about such issuers is more likely to be publicly 
available.\47\ Providing an alternate lower threshold for principal 
amount outstanding should provide some flexibility in constructing 
indexes that include municipal securities by expanding the number of 
municipal securities issues that could be eligible. At the same time, 
the alternate $200,000,000 threshold is designed to reduce the 
likelihood that the market for a security is not highly illiquid and 
thus more readily susceptible to manipulation.\48\ Furthermore, the 
requirement that the issuer of the security have total debt outstanding 
of at least $1 billion increases the likelihood that information about 
the issuer and its securities will be publicly available. The 
availability of such information should reduce the likelihood that the 
issuer's securities--including those with a minimum principal amount 
outstanding of $200,000,000--would be readily susceptible to 
manipulation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ CEA Rule 41.15(a)(l)(vii)(B); Exchange Act Rule 3a55-
4(a)(1)(vii)(B).
    \47\ See supra note 41 and accompanying text.
    \48\ In a 2004 study of the municipal securities market, the SEC 
staff found that, over a 10.5-month period, one-third of municipal 
issuers had no trades in their debt securities and two-thirds of 
municipal issuers had 25 or fewer trades in their securities. Only 
2% of municipal issuers had 1,000 or more trades in their securities 
during that 10.5-month period. See Office of Economic Analysis, 
Office of Municipal Securities, and Division of Market Regulation, 
Report on Transactions in Municipal Securities (2004), at 17.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. De Minimis Exception
    As the Commissions proposed, the final rules exclude an index from 
the definition of ``narrow-based security index'' even if certain of 
the issuers of the underlying securities do not meet the issuer 
eligibility and the securities do not meet the minimum outstanding 
principal balance requirements. Specifically, an index will still 
qualify for the exclusion even if an issuer does not satisfy the 
eligibility criteria described above \49\ or the securities do not have 
$250,000,000, or, for municipal securities of issuers with at least $1 
billion in outstanding principal amount of debt, $200,000,000 in 
remaining principal amount, as applicable, if:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \49\ See supra notes 28-46 and accompanying text.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     All securities of such issuer included in the index 
represent less than 5% of the index's weighting; \50\ and
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ In determining whether the 5% threshold is met, all 
securities of an issuer and its affiliates would be aggregated 
because of the potential for concentrated risk of the index in a 
limited group of issuers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Securities comprising at least 80% of the index's 
weighting satisfy the issuer eligibility and minimum outstanding 
principal balance criteria.\51\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ The 80% calculation is based on the entire index's 
weighting without subtracting issuers that are not required to 
satisfy the issuer eligibility criteria and minimum outstanding 
principal amount criteria. This is important to ensure that a 
predominant percentage of the index satisfies the required criteria.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commissions believe that an index that includes a very small 
proportion of securities and issuers that do not satisfy certain of the 
above criteria should nevertheless be excluded from the definition of 
narrow-based security index. To satisfy the exclusion, both the 5% and 
the 80% weighting thresholds must be met at the time of the assessment. 
The 5% weighting threshold is designed to provide that issuers and 
securities not satisfying certain of the criteria will comprise only a 
very small portion of the index. The 80% weighting threshold is 
designed to provide that a predominant percentage of the securities and 
the issuers in the debt securities index satisfy the criteria. By 
allowing debt securities indexes that include debt securities of a 
small number of issuers and securities that do not satisfy certain of 
the criteria to qualify for the exclusion, the de minimis exception 
provides some flexibility in constructing an index or determining 
whether a debt securities index satisfies the exclusion. The 
Commissions believe that the de minimis exemption is appropriate for 
indexes that are predominantly composed of securities that satisfy the 
specified criteria, and that providing such flexibility is consistent 
with the protection of investors and is not likely to increase the 
possibility that an index that qualifies for the exclusion would be 
readily susceptible to manipulation.

[[Page 39539]]

6. Indexes That Include Exempted Securities
    The FIA asked the Commissions to confirm that, in an index that 
includes exempted securities and securities that are not exempted 
securities, only securities that are not exempted securities must be 
taken into account in determining compliance with the rules' 
criteria.\52\ To address the FIA's comment and to clarify the treatment 
of an index that includes both exempted debt securities and debt 
securities that are not exempted securities, the final rules permit, 
but do not require, certain of the index's exempted debt securities 
(other than municipal securities) to be excluded from the index in 
determining whether the index is not a narrow-based security index 
under the rules.\53\ Persons making the determination regarding the 
appropriate treatment under the rules of a debt security index that 
includes both exempted and non-exempted debt securities may use either 
test for determining whether the debt security index is not narrow-
based. Under the alternative method for determining whether a debt 
security index is not narrow-based, exempted debt securities (other 
than municipal securities) may be excluded from the application of the 
rule criteria. If exempted debt securities are excluded from the 
application of the rule criteria, the remaining portion of the index 
must satisfy each of the rule's criteria without taking into account 
the portion of the index composed of the exempted debt securities in 
order for the index as a whole to not be a narrow-based security index 
under the rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \52\ See FIA Letter, supra note 9, at 2.
    \53\ See CEA Rule 41.15(a)(2); Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4(a)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commissions believe this new provision is consistent with the 
objective and intent of the proposed rules. The Commissions also 
believe it responds to the FIA's request for clarification of the 
treatment of indexes that include exempted securities and securities 
that are not exempted securities.

C. Tolerance Period

    Section 1a(25)(B)(iii) of the CEA \54\ and Section 3(a)(55)(C)(iii) 
of the Exchange Act \55\ provide that, under certain conditions, a 
future on a security index may continue to trade as a broad-based index 
future, even when the index temporarily assumes characteristics that 
would render it a narrow-based security index under the statutory 
definition. An index qualifies for this tolerance and therefore is not 
a narrow-based security index if: (1) A future on the index traded for 
at least 30 days as an instrument that was not a security future before 
the index assumed the characteristics of a narrow-based security index; 
and (2) the index does not retain the characteristics of a narrow-based 
security index for more than 45 business days over three consecutive 
calendar months.\56\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \54\ 7 U.S.C. 1a(25)(B)(iii).
    \55\ 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(55)(C)(iii).
    \56\ If the index becomes narrow-based for more than 45 days 
over three consecutive calendar months, the statute then provides an 
additional grace period of three months during which the index is 
excluded from the definition of narrow-based security index. See 
Section 1a(25)(D) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 1a(25)(D); Section 
3(a)(55)(E) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(55)(E).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, current CEA Rule 41.12 \57\ and Exchange Act Rule 
3a55-2 \58\ address the circumstance when a broad-based security index 
underlying a future becomes narrow-based during the first 30 days of 
trading. In such case, the future does not meet the requirement of 
having traded for at least 30 days to qualify for the tolerance period 
granted by Section 1a(25)(B)(iii) of the CEA \59\ and Section 
3(a)(55)(C)(iii) of the Exchange Act.\60\ These rules, however, provide 
that the index will nevertheless be excluded from the definition of 
narrow-based security index throughout that first 30 days, if the index 
would not have been a narrow-based security index had it been in 
existence for an uninterrupted period of six months prior to the first 
day of trading.

III. Listing Standards for Security Futures on Debt Securities

    The listing standards requirements for security futures are set 
forth in Section 2(a)(1)(D)(i) of the CEA \61\ and Section 6(h)(3) of 
the Exchange Act.\62\ Among other things, the listing standards for 
security futures products must be no less restrictive than comparable 
listing standards for options traded on a national securities exchange 
or national securities association,\63\ and the listing standards must 
require that trading in the security futures product not be readily 
susceptible to manipulation of the price of the security futures 
product, or to causing or being used in the manipulation of the price 
of an underlying security, option on such security, or option on a 
group or index including such securities.\64\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \57\ 17 CFR 41.12.
    \58\ 17 CFR 240.3a55-2.
    \59\ 7 U.S.C. 1a(25)(B)(iii).
    \60\ 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(55)(C)(iii).
    \61\ 7 U.S.C. 2(a)(1)(D)(i).
    \62\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(h)(3).
    \63\ See Section 6(h)(3)(C) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 
78f(h)(3)(C).
    \64\ See Section 2(a)(1)(D)(i)(VII) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. 
2(a)(1)(D)(i)(VII); Section 6(h)(3)(H) of the Exchange Act, 15 
U.S.C. 78f(h)(3)(H).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The CME and CBOT urged the SEC to publish for comment the listing 
standards that would apply to security futures on debt securities.\65\ 
The commenters maintained that interested parties should have an 
opportunity to provide meaningful comment on the listing standards for 
such security futures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \65\ See CME Letter, supra note 8, at 2; CBOT Letter, supra note 
8, at 3-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As noted above, the Exchange Act and the CEA require that the 
listing standards for security futures be no less restrictive than 
comparable listing standards for exchange-traded options.\66\ This 
statutory standard does not require that the SEC adopt rules. Instead, 
the Exchange Act contemplates that exchanges proposing to list and 
trade security futures products must file proposed rule changes that 
include listing standards that, among other things, are consistent with 
this standard.\67\ Currently, the only debt securities on which options 
trade are U.S. Treasury securities.\68\ The SEC, however, recently 
published for comment a proposed rule change by the Chicago Board 
Options Exchange to list options on certain corporate debt 
securities.\69\ The SEC would welcome comments from the CME and others 
on the CBOE's proposal, particularly as it relates to comparable 
listing standards for security futures on debt securities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \66\ See supra note 63.
    \67\ A proposed rule change must, among other things, satisfy 
the substantive requirements of Section 6 of the Exchange Act and 
the procedural requirements of Section 19 of the Exchange Act.
    \68\ See CBOE Rule 21.1 et seq.
    \69\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53935 (June 2, 
2006), 71 FR 34174 (June 13, 2006).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Paperwork Reduction Act

    CFTC: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (``PRA''),\70\ imposes 
certain requirements on federal agencies (including the CFTC) in 
connection with their conducting or sponsoring any collection of 
information as defined by the PRA. The rule and rule amendment do not 
require a new collection of information on the part of any entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \70\ 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SEC: The PRA does not apply because new Exchange Act Rules 3a55-4 
and 6h-2 do not impose any new ``collection of information'' 
requirements within the meaning under the PRA.

[[Page 39540]]

V. Costs and Benefits of Final Rules

    CFTC: Section 15(a) of the CEA \71\ requires the CFTC to consider 
the costs and benefits of its actions before issuing new regulations 
under the CEA. By its terms, Section 15(a) does not require the CFTC to 
quantify the costs and benefits of new regulations or to determine 
whether the benefits of the regulations outweigh their costs. Rather, 
Section 15(a) requires the CFTC to ``consider the cost and benefits'' 
of the subject rules in light of five broad areas of market and public 
concern: (1) Protection of market participants and the public; (2) 
efficiency, competitiveness, and financial integrity of futures 
markets; (3) price discovery; (4) sound risk management practices; and 
(5) other public interest considerations. The CFTC may, in its 
discretion, give greater weight to any one of the five enumerated areas 
of concern and may, in its discretion, determine that, notwithstanding 
its costs, a particular rule is necessary or appropriate to protect the 
public interest or to effectuate any of the provisions or to accomplish 
any of the purposes of the CEA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \71\ 7 U.S.C. 15(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The rule and rule amendment will foster the protection of market 
participants and the public by establishing criteria for futures on 
broad-based debt securities indexes that will reduce the likelihood 
that these products would be readily susceptible to manipulation. The 
statutory listing standards for security futures provide for similar 
protection of market participants with regard to security futures on 
narrow-based debt securities indexes and individual debt securities 
that will be made available for listing and trading pursuant to the 
final rules.
    In addition, the rule and rule amendment will encourage the 
efficiency and competitiveness of futures markets by permitting the 
listing for trading of new and potentially useful products on debt 
securities and security indexes. In the absence of the rule and rule 
amendment, futures on debt securities indexes that meet the proposed 
criteria for non-narrow-based security index treatment, as well as 
security futures on narrow-based debt securities indexes and individual 
debt securities, would be prohibited. Efficiencies will also be 
achieved because the rule and rule amendment, in establishing criteria 
for broad-based debt securities indexes, take into consideration the 
characteristics of such indexes and the issuers of the underlying debt 
securities that render joint SEC and CFTC regulation unnecessary. By 
not subjecting futures on debt securities indexes that meet the 
criteria to joint SEC and CFTC regulation, the costs for listing such 
products will be minimized.
    The rule and rule amendment will have no material impact from the 
standpoint of imposing costs or creating benefits, on price discovery, 
sound risk management practices, or any other public interest 
considerations.
    Although exchanges may incur costs in order to determine whether a 
debt securities index meets the criteria to be considered broad-based 
established by the rules, the CFTC believes that these costs are 
outweighed in light of the factors and benefits discussed above.
    SEC: New Exchange Act Rule 6h-2 permits a national securities 
exchange to list and trade security futures based on a security that is 
a note, bond, debenture, or evidence of indebtedness or on a narrow-
based index composed of such securities. New Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4 
excludes from the definition of ``narrow-based security index'' those 
debt securities indexes that satisfy certain criteria.

A. Benefits

    The benefits of new Exchange Act Rules 6h-2 and 3a55-4 are related 
to the benefits that will accrue as a result of expanding the range of 
securities on which security futures and other index futures may be 
based. By permitting the trading of security futures based on debt 
securities or debt securities indexes and excluding certain indexes 
based on debt securities from the definition of narrow-based security 
index, new Exchange Act Rule 6h-2 permits a greater variety of 
financial products to be listed and traded that potentially could 
facilitate price discovery and the ability to hedge. New Exchange Act 
Rule 3a55-4 provides clear, objective criteria for excluding from the 
jurisdiction of the SEC futures contracts on certain debt securities 
indexes. By providing an objective rule to determine when a debt 
securities index is not a narrow-based securities index for purposes of 
the Exchange Act Section 3(a)(55), new Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4 
alleviates any additional regulatory costs of dual CFTC and SEC 
jurisdiction where it is appropriate to do so. Futures contracts on 
debt securities indexes that do not meet the criteria in Exchange Act 
Rule 3a55-4 for the exclusion from the definition of narrow-based debt 
security index will be subject to the joint jurisdiction of the SEC and 
CFTC. Futures on debt securities indexes that do meet the criteria for 
the exclusion, however, will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction 
of the CFTC and may be traded only on designated contract markets and 
registered DTEFs. Investors generally will benefit from the new rules 
by having a wider choice of financial products to buy and sell. The 
amount of the benefit will likely be correlated to the volume of 
trading in these new instruments.

B. Costs

    In complying with the new rules, a national securities exchange, 
national securities association, designated contract market, registered 
DTEF, or foreign board of trade (each a ``listing market'') that wishes 
to list and trade futures contracts based on debt securities indexes 
will incur certain costs.\72\ A listing market that wishes to list and 
trade such a futures contract will be required to ascertain whether the 
underlying debt securities index is or is not a narrow-based debt 
security index, according to the criteria set forth in Rule 3a55-4, and 
thus whether a future on such debt security index is subject to the 
exclusive jurisdiction of the CFTC or to the joint jurisdiction of the 
SEC and CFTC. This analysis will have to be performed at the initial 
listing and monitored periodically to ensure continued compliance under 
new Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4. The SEC notes, however, that in the 
absence of new Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4, a listing market desiring to 
list futures on a debt securities index would still have to bear the 
costs associated with performing a similar analysis under the statutory 
definition of narrow-based security index. The costs associated with 
new Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4 would largely replace the costs of 
performing an analysis under the statutory definition of narrow-based 
security index for debt securities indexes and, therefore, there is 
little or no cost increase.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \72\ In the Proposing Release, supra note 7, the Commissions 
requested comment on the costs and benefits associated with the 
proposed rules and rule amendment but did not receive any specific 
cost or benefit data in response.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The determination of whether a debt securities index is excluded 
from the definition of narrow-based debt security index will require 
listing markets to make certain calculations based on the type of 
issuer and concentration of the security in the index, including 
calculations, as appropriate, relating to the issuer eligibility 
provisions,\73\ the

[[Page 39541]]

total outstanding principal of each of the underlying securities, and 
calculations related to the weighting of each of the securities in the 
index. A listing market may incur costs if it contracts with an outside 
party to perform these calculations. In addition, a listing market may 
incur costs associated with obtaining and accessing appropriate data 
from an independent third-party vendor. For example, a listing market 
may be required to pay certain fees to a vendor to acquire the 
necessary information. Furthermore, if these calculations require data 
that are not readily available, particularly if foreign data are 
needed, a listing market may possibly incur additional costs to obtain 
such data.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \73\ The issuer eligibility calculations for issuers of non-
exempted securities, non-Exchange Act reporting issuers, or issuers 
that are not foreign governments could include the worldwide market 
value of outstanding common equity held by non-affiliates of such 
issuer or the aggregate remaining principal amount of outstanding 
debt of such issuer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Market participants that elect to create debt securities indexes 
for trading futures thereon will also incur non-regulatory costs 
associated with constructing these products. Such costs will be the 
ordinary costs of doing business.

VI. Consideration of Burden on Competition, and Promotion of 
Efficiency, Competition, and Capital Formation

    SEC: Section 3(t) of the Exchange Act \74\ requires the SEC, when 
engaged in a rulemaking that requires it to consider or determine 
whether an action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, 
to consider whether the action will promote efficiency, competition, 
and capital formation. Section 23(a)(2) of the Exchange Act \75\ 
requires the SEC, in adopting rules under the Exchange Act, to consider 
the impact any rule will have on competition. In particular, Section 
23(a)(2) of the Exchange Act prohibits the SEC from adopting any rule 
that will impose a burden on competition not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Exchange Act. In the Proposing 
Release, the SEC requested comment on these statutory considerations 
and received none that addressed them specifically.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \74\ 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    \75\ 15 U.S.C. 78w(a)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    New Exchange Act Rule 6h-2 will permit the listing and trading of 
security futures based on debt securities and narrow-based debt 
securities indexes. New Exchange Act Rule 3a55-4 sets forth clear 
methods and guidelines for a listing market to distinguish futures 
contracts on debt securities indexes that are subject to joint 
jurisdiction of the SEC and CFTC from futures contracts on debt 
securities indexes that are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of 
the CFTC. The SEC believes that the new rules, by allowing listing 
markets to list and trade new financial products, will promote 
efficiency and competition. The new rules will create opportunities for 
listing markets to compete in the market for such new products and 
perhaps to create new products that will compete with existing 
products. The resulting increased competition and more efficient 
markets should not have an adverse impact on capital formation.

VII. Regulatory Flexibility Act Certifications

    CFTC: The Regulatory Flexibility Act (``RFA'') \76\ requires 
federal agencies, in promulgating rules, to consider the impact of 
those rules on small entities. The rules herein will affect contract 
markets and registered DTEFs. The CFTC previously established certain 
definitions of Itsmall entities It to be used by the CFTC in evaluating 
the impact of its rules on small entities in accordance with the 
RFA.\77\ In its previous determinations, the CFTC has concluded that 
contract markets and DTEFs are not small entities for the purpose of 
the RFA.\78\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \76\ 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
    \77\ See 47 FR 18618 (April 20, 1982).
    \78\ See 47 CFR 18618, 18619 (April 20, 1982) (discussing 
contract markets); 66 FR 42256, 42268 (August 10, 2001) (discussing 
DTEFs).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SEC: In the Proposing Release, the Commission certified, pursuant 
to Section 605(b) of the RFA \79\ that new Exchange Act Rules 3a55-4 
and 6h-2 would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. The Commission solicited comment as to the 
nature of any impact on small entities, including empirical data to 
support the extent of such impact costs and benefits associated with 
the proposed amendment, and no comments were received.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \79\ 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

VIII. Statutory Authority

    Pursuant to the CEA and the Exchange Act, and, particularly, 
Sections 1a(25)(B)(vi) and 2(a)(1)(D) of the CEA \80\ and Sections 
3(a)(55)(C)(vi), 3(b), 6(h), 23(a), and 36 of the Exchange Act,\81\ the 
Commissions are adopting Rule 41.15 and amendments to Rule 41.21 under 
the CEA,\82\ and Rules 3a55-4 and 6h-2 under the Exchange Act.\83\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \80\ 7 U.S.C. 1a(25)(B)(vi) and 2(a)(1)(D).
    \81\ 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(55)(C)(vi), 78c(b), 78f(h), 78w(a), and 
78mm.
    \82\ 17 CFR 41.15 and 41.21.
    \83\ 17 CFR 250.3a55-4 and 240.6h-2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IX. Text of Adopted Rules

List of Subjects

17 CFR Part 41

    Security futures products.

17 CFR Part 240

    Securities.

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

0
In accordance with the foregoing, Title 17, chapter I, part 41 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 41--SECURITY FUTURES PRODUCTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 41 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Sections 206, 251 and 252, Pub. L. 106-554, 114 Stat. 
2763, 7 U.S.C. 1a, 2, 6f, 6j, 7a-2, 12a; 15 U.S.C. 78g(c)(2).

Subpart B--Narrow-Based Security Indexes

0
2. Add Sec.  41.15 to read as follows:


Sec.  41.15  Exclusion from definition of narrow-based security index 
for indexes composed of debt securities.

    (a) An index is not a narrow-based security index if:
    (1)(i) Each of the securities of an issuer included in the index is 
a security, as defined in section 2(a)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933 
and section 3 (a)(10) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the 
respective rules promulgated thereunder, that is a note, bond, 
debenture, or evidence of indebtedness;
    (ii) None of the securities of an issuer included in the index is 
an equity security, as defined in section 3(a)(11) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules promulgated thereunder;
    (iii) The index is comprised of more than nine securities that are 
issued by more than nine non-affiliated issuers;
    (iv) The securities of any issuer included in the index do not 
comprise more than 30 percent of the index's weighting;
    (v) The securities of any five non-affiliated issuers included in 
the index do not comprise more than 60 percent of the index's 
weighting;
    (vi) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(1)(viii) of this section, 
for each security of an issuer included in the index one of the 
following criteria is satisfied:
    (A) The issuer of the security is required to file reports pursuant 
to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;

[[Page 39542]]

    (B) The issuer of the security has a worldwide market value of its 
outstanding common equity held by non-affiliates of $700 million or 
more;
    (C) The issuer of the security has outstanding securities that are 
notes, bonds, debentures, or evidences of indebtedness having a total 
remaining principal amount of at least $1 billion;
    (D) The security is an exempted security as defined in section 
3(a)(12) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules 
promulgated thereunder; or
    (E) The issuer of the security is a government of a foreign country 
or a political subdivision of a foreign country; and
    (vii) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(1)(viii) of this section, 
for each security of an issuer included in the index one of the 
following criteria is satisfied:
    (A) The security has a total remaining principal amount of at least 
$250,000,000; or
    (B) The security is a municipal security (as defined in section 
3(a)(29) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules 
promulgated thereunder) that has a total remaining principal amount of 
at least $200,000,000 and the issuer of such municipal security has 
outstanding securities that are notes, bonds, debentures, or evidences 
of indebtedness having a total remaining principal amount of at least 
$1 billion; and
    (viii) Paragraphs (a)(1)(vi) and (a)(1)(vii) of this section will 
not apply to securities of an issuer included in the index if:
    (A) All securities of such issuer included in the index represent 
less than five percent of the index's weighting; and
    (B) Securities comprising at least 80 percent of the index's 
weighting satisfy the provisions of paragraphs (a)(1)(vi) and 
(a)(1)(vii) of this section.
    (2)(i) The index includes exempted securities, other than municipal 
securities as defined in section 3(a)(29) of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934 and the rules promulgated thereunder, that are:
    (A) Notes, bonds, debentures, or evidences of indebtedness; and
    (B) Not equity securities, as defined in section 3(a)(11) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules promulgated thereunder; 
and
    (ii) Without taking into account any portion of the index composed 
of such exempted securities, other than municipal securities, the 
remaining portion of the index would not be a narrow-based security 
index meeting all the conditions under paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section.
    (b) For purposes of this section:
    (1) An issuer is affiliated with another issuer if it controls, is 
controlled by, or is under common control with, that issuer.
    (2) For purposes of this section, ``control'' means ownership of 20 
percent or more of an issuer's equity, or the ability to direct the 
voting of 20 percent or more of the issuer's voting equity.
    (3) The term ``issuer'' includes a single issuer or group of 
affiliated issuers.

Subpart C--Requirements and Standards for Listing Security Futures 
Products

0
3. Amend Sec.  41.21 by:
0
a. Removing ``or'' at the end of paragraph (a)(2)(i);
0
b. Removing ``; and,'' at the end of paragarph (a)(2)(ii) and adding 
``, or'' in its place;
0
c. Adding paragrahph (a)(2)(iii);
0
d. Removing ``or'' at the end of paragraph (b)(3)(i);
0
e. Removing ``; and,'' at the end of paragraph (b)(3)(ii) and adding 
``, or'' in its place; and
0
f. Adding paragarph (b)(3)(iii).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  41.21   Requirements for underlying securities.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iii) A note, bond, debenture, or evidence of indebtedness; and
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (iii) A note, bond, debenture, or evidence of indebtedness; and
* * * * *

Securities and Exchange Commission

0
In accordance with the foregoing, Title 17, chapter II, part 240 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 240--GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS, SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 
1934

0
1. The authority citation for part 240 continues to read, in part, as 
follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77c, 77d, 77g, 77j, 77s, 77z-2, 77z-3, 
77eee, 77ggg, 77nnn, 77sss, 77ttt, 78c, 78d, 78e, 78f, 78g, 78i, 
78j, 78j-1, 78k, 78k-1, 78l, 78m, 78n, 78o, 78p, 78q, 78s, 78u-5, 
78w, 78x, 78ll, 78mm, 79q, 79t, 80a-20, 80a-23, 80a-29, 80a-37, 80b-
3, 80b-4, 80b-11, and 7201 et seq.; and 18 U.S.C. 1350, unless 
otherwise noted.
* * * * *

0
2. Section 240.3a55-4 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  240.3a55-4  Exclusion from definition of narrow-based security 
index for indexes composed of debt securities.

    (a) An index is not a narrow-based security index if:
    (1)(i) Each of the securities of an issuer included in the index is 
a security, as defined in section 2(a)(1) of the Securities Act of 
1933(15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(1)) and section 3(a)(10) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 
78c(a)(10)) and the respective rules promulgated thereunder, that is a 
note, bond, debenture, or evidence of indebtedness;
    (ii) None of the securities of an issuer included in the index is 
an equity security, as defined in section 3(a)(11) of the Act (15 
U.S.C. 78c(a)(11)) and the rules promulgated thereunder;
    (iii) The index is comprised of more than nine securities that are 
issued by more than nine non-affiliated issuers;
    (iv) The securities of any issuer included in the index do not 
comprise more than 30 percent of the index's weighting;
    (v) The securities of any five non-affiliated issuers included in 
the index do not comprise more than 60 percent of the index's 
weighting;
    (vi) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(1)(viii) of this section, 
for each security of an issuer included in the index one of the 
following criteria is satisfied:
    (A) The issuer of the security is required to file reports pursuant 
to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m and 78o(d));
    (B) The issuer of the security has a [Worldwide market value of its 
outstanding common equity held by non-affiliates of $71 million or 
more;
    (C) The issuer of the security has outstanding securities that are 
notes, bonds, debentures, or evidences of indebtedness having a total 
remaining principal amount of at least $1 billion;
    (D) The security is an exempted security as defined in section 
3(a)(12) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12)) and the rules promulgated 
thereunder; or
    (E) The issuer of the security is a government of a foreign country 
or a political subdivision of a foreign country;
    (vii) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(1)(viii) of this section, 
for each security of an issuer included in the index one of the 
following criteria is satisfied
    (A) The security has a total remaining principal amount of at least 
$250,000,000; or
    (B) The security is a municipal security, as defined in section 
3(a)(29) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(29)) and the rules promulgated 
thereunder that has a total remaining principal amount of at

[[Page 39543]]

least $200,000,000 and the issuer of such municipal security has 
outstanding securities that are notes, bonds, debentures, or evidences 
of indebtedness having a total remaining principal amount of at least 
$1 billion; and
    (viii) Paragraphs (a)(1)(vi) and (a)(1)(vii) of this section will 
not apply to securities of an issuer included in the index if:
    (A) All securities of such issuer included in the index represent 
less than 5 percent of the index's weighting; and
    (B) Securities comprising at least 80 percent of the index's 
weighting satisfy the provisions of paragraphs (a)(1)(vi) and 
(a)(1)(vii) of this section; or
    (2)(i) The index includes exempted securities, other than municipal 
securities, as defined in section 3(a)(29) of the Act and the rules 
promulgated thereunder, that are:
    (A) Notes, bonds, debentures, or evidences of indebtedness; and
    (B) Not equity securities, as defined in section 3(a)(11) of the 
Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(11)) and the rules promulgated thereunder; and
    (ii) Without taking into account any portion of the index composed 
of such exempted securities, other than municipal securities, the 
remaining portion of the index would not be a narrow-based security 
index: meeting all the conditions under paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section.
    (b) For purposes of this section:
    (1) An issuer is affiliated with another issuer if it controls, is 
controlled by, or is under common control with, that issuer.
    (2) For purposes of this section, control means ownership of 20 
percent or more of an issuer's equity, or the ability to direct the 
voting of 20 percent or more of the issuer's voting equity.
    (3) The term issuer includes a single issuer or group of affiliated 
issuers.

0
3. Section 240.6h-2 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  240.6h-2  Security future based on note, bond, debenture, or 
evidence of indebtedness.

    A security future may be based upon a security that is a note, 
bond, debenture, or evidence of indebtedness or a narrow-based security 
index composed of such securities.

    By the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Eileen A. Donovan,
Acting Secretary.

    By the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Dated: July 6, 2006.
J. Lynn Taylor,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 06-6136 Filed 7-12-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8040-01-M
