Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. To Reduce the Maximum Original Listing Fee and To Impose a New Allocation Fee on Exchange Specialists

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) and rule 19b-4 thereunder, notice hereby is given that on November 29, 2000, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule chanve as described in items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1)

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

The NYSE proposes to reduce the maximum original listing fee applicable to companies listing on the Exchanged and to recapture the lost revenue through an allocation fee imposed on Exchange specialists. The proposed rule change is available at the principal office of the NYSE and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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 NYSE included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received regarding the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The NYSE 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.

Original listing fees are levied on the number of shares issued and outstanding at the time of listing plus a one time special charge of $36,800 for a newly listed company. Currently, the NYSE caps original listing fees at $500,000. To accommodate prospective listed companies with a lower maximum fee while continuing to maintain revenue at a level suitable to support the Exchange's programs, the NYSE is proposing to reduce the original listing fee cap to $250,000.

The reduction in listing fee revenues resulting from reduction of the maximum listing fee will be offset in total by implementation of a new Specialist Allocation Fee. Newly listed companies are allocated to a specialist unit through the Exchange's allocation process. Specialists apply for the allocation of new listings, and, upon listing, companies have the choice of one of two options for allocation of their security. The first option is to authorize the Exchange's Allocation Committees to determine who will be the company's specialist. Under the second option, the Allocation Committee selects a pool of between three to five specialists from those who have applied, and the listing company then interviews each of the candidates to determine who will be its specialist.

The new Specialist Allocation Fee will be levied on the specialist unit that has been selected, under either option one or option two, to be the specialist for the new listing. The fee will be equal to the difference between the original listing fee calculated under the new $250,000 cap and the fee that would have been applicable under a $500,000 cap. Accordingly, the Specialist Allocation Fee itself will be a maximum of $250,000. The following examples demonstrate how this fee will be applied in different circumstances:

Both the reduction in the listing fee cap and the new Specialist Allocation Fee will be implemented January 1, 2000.

2. Statutory Basis

The NYSE believes that the basis under the Act for the proposed rule change is the requirement under Section 6(b)(4) that an exchange have rules that provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its members and issuers and other persons using its facilities.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of Burden on Competition

The NYSE does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on the Proposed Rule Change Rreceived From Members, Participants, or Others

The NYSE has neither solicited nor received comments on the proposed rule change.

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

The foregoing rule change has become effective on filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 under the Act. Pursuant thereto the rule change may become operative 30 days after November 29, 2000, the date of filing. At any time within 60 days of filing, 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. 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 at 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-NYSE-00-48 and should be submitted by January 8, 2001.

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12)