Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange, Inc.; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change Relating to Listing Fees for Closed-End Funds

I. Introduction

On May 3, 2000 the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE” or “Exchange”) submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”), and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, a proposed rule change. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on June 23, 2000. The Commission did not receive any comment letters with respect to the proposal. This order approves the Exchange's proposal.

II. Description of the Proposal

1. Purpose

The proposed rule change amends the listed company fee schedule, set forth in Paragraph 902.02 of the Listed Company Manual (“Manual”), as it applies to original listing fees. The Exchange seeks to adopt a minimum original listing fee for each new closed-end fund depending upon the number of shares offered. As proposed, closed-end funds would be subject to a minimum original listing fee based upon the number of shares outstanding as follows: up to 10 million shares—$100,000; up to 24 million shares—$125,000; and over 24 million shares—$150,000. This minimum would include the Exchange's one-time special charge of $36,800.

The Exchange recently received approval for a minimum fee that specifically excluded closed-end funds in anticipation of this filing because such funds, unlike corporations, do not issue additional shares of securities. Thus, the Exchange felt it would be inappropriate to apply the same fee schedule applied to corporations to closed-end funds.

III. Discussion

The Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of Section 6 of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange. In particular, the Commission finds the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act, which requires that the rules of an exchange provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its members and issuers and other persons using its facilities. Specifically, the Commission believes that the Exchange's proposal to establish the minimum original listing fee schedule for closed-end funds described above is not unreasonable to the Exchange's issuers. Also, the Commission believes that because the fees are proportional to the number of shares outstanding, these fees are equitably allocated among the issuers. Thus, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act.

IV. Conclusion

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSE-00-20) is approved.