Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”), and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, notice is hereby given that on August 30, 2002, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD” or “Association”), through its subsidiary The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (“Nasdaq”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by Nasdaq. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
17 CFR 240.19b-4.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
Nasdaq proposes to extend a one-year pilot program under NASD Rule 7010(h), which reduced from $50 to $10 the monthly fee that non-professional users pay to receive National Quotation Data Service (“NQDS”). The purpose of this filing is to extend the one-year fee reduction pilot program for non-professional users of NQDS. Accordingly, there is no new proposed rule language. Pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f) under the Act, Nasdaq has designated this proposal as non-controversial and requests that the Commission waive the 30-day pre-operative requirement contained in Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii). If the Commission grants the waiver, Nasdaq will implement this rule change immediately.
See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 43190 (August 22, 2000), 65 FR 52460 (August 29, 2000); 44788 (September 13, 2001), 66 FR 48303 (September 19, 2001).
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, Nasdaq included statements concerning the purpose of, and the basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. Nasdaq has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
Nasdaq is proposing to extend a one-year fee reduction pilot program that was established under NASD Rule 7010(h) on August 31, 2000 and extended on September 4, 2001, that reduced from $50 to $10 the monthly fee that non-professional users pay to receive NQDS.
See note 3.
NQDS delivers market maker quotations, Nasdaq Level 1 service (including calculation and display of the inside market), and last sale information that is dynamically updated on a real-time basis. NQDS data is used not only by firms, associated persons, and other market professionals, but also by non-professionals who receive the service through authorized vendors, including, for example, on-line brokerage firms. Prior to August 31, 2000, NQDS data was available through authorized vendors at a monthly rate of $50 for professionals and non-professionals users alike. In August 2000, the NASD through Nasdaq filed a rule change to reduce from $50 to $10 the monthly fee that non-professional users pay to receive NQDS data. The Commission approved the pilot on August 22, 2000, and the fee reduction commenced on August 31, 2000 on a one-year pilot basis. On September 4, 2001, Nasdaq filed a proposed rule change to extend the one-year pilot for another one-year period through August 31, 2002.
Nasdaq has consistently supported broad, effective dissemination of market information to public investors. Thus, Nasdaq is proposing to extend the one-year fee-reduction pilot for another year. The pilot would cover twelve months, commencing on September 1, 2002 and expiring on August 31, 2003. Nasdaq notes that the existing pilot reduced by 80% the fees that non-professionals paid for NQDS data prior to August 31, 2000. Continuing the reduction of NQDS for non-professional users demonstrates Nasdaq's continued commitment to individual investors and responds to the dramatic increase in the demand for real-time market data by non-professional market participants. In addition, NASD member firms often supply real-time market data to their customers through automated means. Thus, NASD member firms' customers will benefit from the continued fee reduction.
2. Statutory Basis
Nasdaq believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of sections 15A(b)(5) and 15A(b)(6) of the Act in that the proposal is designed to provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable fees among members and other persons using any facility or system which the Association operates or controls, and it does not unfairly discriminate between customers, issuers, brokers or dealers. In addition, Nasdaq believes that the fee reduction enhances the public's access to market data that is relevant to investors when they make financial decisions. Nasdaq further believes that the public's enhanced access to this data may encourage increased public participation in the securities markets.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
Nasdaq believes that the proposed rule change will impose no burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
Written comments were neither solicited nor received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder because the proposal: (1) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) does not become operative for 30 days from the date of filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest; provided that the Exchange has given the Commission written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the filing date of the proposed rule change. 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.
17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
As required under Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii), Nasdaq provided the Commission with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the filing date. See letter from Mary M. Dunbar, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Nasdaq, to Katherine A. England, Assistant Director, Division, Commission, dated August 14, 2002.
See Section 19(b)(3)(C) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(C).
Nasdaq has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay. The Commission believes waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Acceleration of the operative date should prevent the lapsing of a pilot that provides non-professional users with a valuable source of market data at a significantly discounted rate. Among other benefits, the Commission believes that providing non-professional users with such data at a discounted rate should assist individual investors in their analysis of the financial markets. For these reasons, the Commission designates the proposal to be effective and operative upon filing with the Commission.
For the purposes only of accelerating the operative date of this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
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. Persons making written submissions should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-NASD-2002-117 and should be submitted by September 30, 2002.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-22773 Filed 9-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P