

[Federal Register: January 3, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 1)]
[Notices]               
[Page 167-170]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03ja07-75]                         

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-55001; File No. SR-CBOE-2006-35]

 
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed 
Rule Change to Amend Its Trading Rotation Rules

December 21, 2006.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on December 6, 2006, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Incorporated (``Exchange'' or ``CBOE'') filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission (the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as 
described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared 
by the Exchange. The Exchange filed the proposal as a ``non-
controversial'' proposed rule change pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\4\ The 
Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the 
proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange is proposing to amend its rules governing trading 
rotations. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the 
Exchange's Web site (http://www.cboe.com), at the Exchange's Office of 

the Secretary and at the Commission.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization 
included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the 
proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the 
proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at 
the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared 
summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most 
significant parts of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and the 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The purpose of the rule change is to amend CBOE Rule 6.2B, Hybrid 
Opening System (``HOSS''), which pertains to both opening and closing 
trading rotations for series trading on the CBOE Hybrid Trading System 
(``Hybrid''), in order to make various updates and clarifications to 
the description of the rotation procedures described in the rule. 
Specifically, the existing rule provides that, prior to the opening, 
HOSS will accept orders and quotes and will disseminate information to 
market participants during the pre-opening period about resting orders 
in the Book that remain from the prior business day and any orders 
submitted before the opening. The rule will be revised to clarify that 
the information made available to market participants during this pre-
opening period includes the expected opening price (``EOP'') and the 
expected opening size (``EOS'') given the current resting orders and 
quotes.\5\ In addition, the rule will be revised to clarify that the 
EOP and EOS are updated intermittently at specific intervals of time 
(as opposed to a dynamic update). Various references within the rule 
are also being revised to clarify that both orders and quotes are 
considered when calculating the EOP and EOS, as well as when 
calculating the actual opening price and size. The Exchange intended at 
all times, and built HOSS in such a way, that the calculations and 
allocation methodologies take into consideration both orders and 
quotes. The text of Rule 6.2B is simply being revised to more clearly 
state this fact.
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    \5\ The EOP is the price at which the greatest number of orders 
and quotes in the Book are expected to trade. An EOP may only be 
calculated if: (i) There are market orders in the Book, or the Book 
is crossed (highest bid is higher than the lowest offer) or locked 
(highest bid equals the lowest offer), and (ii) at least one quote 
is present. Spread orders and contingency orders do not participate 
in the opening trade or in the determination of the opening price, 
EOP or EOS.
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    Currently, the existing procedures call for the HOSS opening 
rotation process to be initiated by the system and an opening notice 
(the ``Rotation Notice'') sent at a randomly selected time within a 
number of seconds after the primary market for the underlying security 
disseminates the opening trade or the opening quote, whichever occurs 
first. The rule will be revised to provide that the HOSS opening 
rotation process be initiated and the Rotation Notice sent at a 
randomly selected time within a number of seconds after the primary 
market for the underlying security disseminates the opening trade and/
or opening quote.\6\ Thus, the system may be programmed on a class-by-
class basis to initiate the opening process after one event occurs 
(i.e., opening trade, opening quote or the earlier of the two) or after 
both events occur. The applicable opening parameters will be determined 
by the appropriate Procedure Committee and announced to the membership 
via Regulatory Circular. Allowing for flexibility on when the system 
initiates the opening process and disseminates the opening Rotation 
Notice will assist in ensuring a fair and orderly opening.\7\
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    \6\ This process will apply for non-index option classes. For 
index option classes, HOSS will continue to initiate the opening 
procedure and send the Rotation Notice at a randomly selected time 
within a number of seconds after 8:30 a.m. unless unusual 
circumstances exist. See renumbered paragraph (b) of CBOE Rule 6.2B.
    \7\ In the event an underlying security has not opened within a 
reasonable time after 8:30 a.m. (CT), the proposed text of Rule 6.2B 
provides that the DPM or LMM, as applicable, acting in option 
contracts on such security shall report the delay to a Floor 
Official and an inquiry shall be made to determine the cause of the 
delay. The opening rotation for option contracts in such security 
shall be delayed until the underlying security has opened unless two 
Floor Officials determine that the interest of a fair and orderly 
market are best served by opening trading in the option contracts. 
In those classes that initiate the Rotation Notice following both 
the opening print trade and opening quote, the Exchange anticipates 
that the underlying print and quote will generally occur within a 
few seconds of one another, and for the most part within sixty 
seconds. However, in the particular event where the underlying 
security of an option class has not opened within a reasonable time 
after 8:30 a.m. (CT) and the DPM or LMM believes the delay is 
because the primary market where it has traded (i) has not reported 
an opening trade in the underlying security (ii) but has 
disseminated opening quotations and not given an indication of a 
delayed opening, the DPM or LMM, as applicable, acting in option 
contracts on such security shall report the delay directly to the 
Exchange's Help Desk (referred to in the rule text as the ``Control 
Room'') instead of to a Trading Official. Following such a report, 
or following notification by the Control Room to the DPM or LMM of 
such an event, the senior official in the Control Room may authorize 
the initiation of the opening process in the affected class where 
necessary to ensure a fair and orderly market.
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    The existing procedures also provide that the appropriate Exchange 
Procedure Committee establish the duration of time between when HOSS 
sends the Rotation Notice and HOSS begins opening series on a class 
basis at between five and sixty seconds. The rule will be revised to 
eliminate the minimum five second requirement but will retain the 
maximum sixty second requirement. Thus, under the revised provision, 
the appropriate Exchange Procedure Committee will establish the 
duration of time between when HOSS sends the Rotation Notice and begins 
opening series on a class basis, but the established duration will not 
exceed sixty seconds. Pronouncements regarding the applicable duration 
will be announced to the membership via Regulatory Circular.
    In addition, the rule is being revised to eliminate outdated 
references to a ``Lock Interval,'' which is no longer applicable to the 
operation of the HOSS system.\8\ The existing procedures also describe 
various conditions under which HOSS will not open a series and the 
alternate process that is followed in the event one of the conditions 
is present. The rule will be revised to clarify that, if the opening 
price is not within an acceptable range determined by the appropriate 
Exchange Procedure Committee compared to the lowest quote offer and 
highest quote bid, a notification will be sent to market participants 
and the senior official in the Exchange's Control Room may authorize 
the opening of the affected series where necessary to ensure a fair and 
orderly market. The existing rule merely indicated that a notification 
would be sent, but did not make explicit the senior official's 
authority if this condition should occur.
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    \8\ The Lock Interval was described in the rule a brief period 
during which HOSS established the opening price and during which 
orders and quotes could be submitted but not included in the opening 
trade.
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    The existing rule also provides that the HOSS rotation procedures 
may be employed to conduct a closing rotation whenever the Exchange 
concludes that such action is appropriate in the

[[Page 169]]

interests of a fair and orderly market. Revisions to the rule clarify 
that the decision whether to employ a closing rotation in a series 
trading on HOSS will be governed by the provisions of Rule 6.2B, and 
not the various provisions of Rule 6.2, Trading Rotations. These 
changes are intended to clarify that Hybrid closing rotations may be 
conducted at expiration for expiring series per Rule 6.2B, but are not 
mandatory. The proposal seeks also to make various changes to simplify 
the text in Rule 6.2B. Lastly, the rule change will amend various other 
related trading rotation rules.\9\ Specifically, the Exchange is 
seeking to amend Rule 6.2, to provide that the Designated Primary 
Market-Maker (``DPM''), Lead Market-Maker (``LMM'') or Order Book 
Official (``OBO'') conducting a rotation for a particular class shall 
hold the opening promptly after the primary market for the underlying 
security disseminates the opening trade and/or the opening quote unless 
unusual circumstances exist.\10\ The current rule provides that the 
rotation process should promptly follow the dissemination of the 
underlying market's opening trade or quote, whichever occurs first. 
These changes to Rule 6.2 are intended to parallel the changes proposed 
for Rule 6.2B HOSS rotations. Rule 6.2, as well as Rule 24.13, are also 
being revised to clarify that DPMs and LMMs have the discretion to 
determine the appropriate rotation order and manner if the appropriate 
procedure committee has not acted to establish any policy applicable to 
the particular class of options in question, or to deviate from a 
previously established rotation policy or procedure with the approval 
of two concurring Floor Officials.\11\ This authority is currently 
explicit in the text of the two rules with respect to OBOs,\12\ and the 
changes are intended to update the text in order to clarify that 
similar authority applies to a DPM or LMM in their respective appointed 
classes. Finally, Rules 6.2, 6.2A, 6.6 (Unusual Market Conditions) and 
24.13 are also being revised to update cross references and to make 
various typographical changes to standardize the terminology used 
throughout the text.
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    \9\ By way of background, CBOE has four options-related rotation 
rules: Rule 6.2 defines options trading rotations generally and 
describes procedures for modification of a rotation that are 
applicable to all options; Rule 24.13 sets forth particularized 
procedures relating to trading in index options; Rule 6.2A pertains 
to the Exchange's Rapid Opening System (``ROS''), which is an 
automated system for opening and reopening non-Hybrid classes; and 
Rule 6.2B, as discussed above, pertains to the Exchange's automated 
system for opening and reopening Hybrid classes.
    \10\ The ``unusual circumstances'' exception to the general 
procedure that the series of a class be opened promptly after the 
primary market opens is carried over from similar language in the 
Rule 6.2B HOSS rotation procedures. The inclusion of this language 
in Rule 6.2 is intended to acknowledge that, if unusual conditions 
or circumstances exist, openings conducted pursuant to that rule may 
be delayed in the interest of maintaining a fair and orderly market. 
An unusual circumstance might include, but is not limited to, a 
market order imbalance or system problems.
    \11\ For example, specific procedures for trading rotations are 
described in the Interpretations and Policies to Rules 6.2 and 
24.13, as well as in Rules 6.2A and 6.2B.
    \12\ See Rules 6.2 and 24.13; see also Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 35742 (May 19, 1995), 60 FR 28188 (May 30, 1995) (SR-
CBOE-95-04) (order approving changes to certain trading rotation and 
opening procedures, including changes related to OBO discretion 
regarding the rotation order and manner).
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2. Statutory Basis
    CBOE believes the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\13\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act,\14\ in particular, in that it is designed to 
facilitate transactions in securities, to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, to enhance competition, and to protect investors 
and the public interest.
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    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    CBOE does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any 
burden on competition 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

    The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the 
proposal.

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

    Because the foregoing rule does not (i) significantly affect the 
protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any 
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 
days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the 
Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors 
and the public interest, provided that the self-regulatory organization 
has given the Commission written notice of its intent to file the 
proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the date of 
filing of the proposed rule change or such shorter time as designated 
by the Commission, the proposed rule change has become effective 
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \15\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
thereunder.\16\ The proposed rule change will become operative 30 days 
after the date of the filing.
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    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \16\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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    At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule 
change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it 
appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate 
in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml.
); or     Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 

File Number SR-CBOE-2006-35 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-CBOE-2006-35. 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 Section, 100 F Street, 
NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090. Copies of such filing also will be 
available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the

[[Page 170]]

CBOE. 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-
CBOE-2006-35 and should be submitted on or before January 24, 2007.
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    \17\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\17\
Jill M. Peterson,
Assistant Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E6-22451 Filed 12-29-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
