Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the Pacific Exchange, Inc. Relating to Exchange Fees and Charges

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 March 11, 2004, the Pacific Exchange, Inc. (“PCX”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in items I, II and III below, which items have been prepared by the PCX. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

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

The Pacific Exchange, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary PCX Equities, Inc. (“PCXE”), proposes to amend its fee schedule for services provided to ETP Holders and Sponsored Participants that use the Archipelago Exchange (“ArcaEx”) by: (1) Imposing a per-share transaction fee of $0.001 for round lot orders for NYSE listed securities that take liquidity from the ArcaEx Book, and (2) reducing the per-share transaction fee for round lot orders for NYSE listed securities routed outside the ArcaEx Book from $0.004 to $0.001. The fee schedule will remain unchanged for NYSE round lot orders residing in the ArcaEx Book that execute against inbound orders, NYSE odd lots, NYSE Cross Orders and credits, NASDAQ, Amex and other Tape B listed stocks. The text of the proposed rule change is set forth below. Proposed new language is in italics; proposed deletions are in [brackets].

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 PCX 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 these statements may be examined at the places specified in item IV below. The PCX 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

The PCX proposes to modify the per-share round lot transaction fees for NYSE listed securities charged to ETP Holders and Sponsored Participants that execute trades on ArcaEx. The PCX currently does not charge ETP Holders or Sponsored Participants a transaction fee when round lot orders in NYSE listed securities entered by the ETP Holder or the Sponsored Participant take liquidity from the ArcaEx Book. The PCX proposes to implement a $0.001 transaction fee for round lot orders that take liquidity from the ArcaEx Book. The PCX also proposes to reduce the transaction fee it charges for round lot orders in NYSE listed securities routed outside the ArcaEx book to $0.001 from $0.004 per share. The rationale for these changes is to make the pricing for executions on the ArcaEx in NYSE listed securities more competitive. The PCX evaluated the economics of modifying transaction fees for NYSE listed securities and determined that this was feasible and appropriate, given the costs involved and competitive concerns.

2. Statutory Basis

The PCX believes that the proposal is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act, in general, and section 6(b)(4) of the Act, in particular, in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among its members.

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

The PCX does not believe that the proposed rule change will 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 Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

Written comments on the proposed rule change 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)(ii) of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder because it changes a fee imposed by the PCX. 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. Persons making written submissions should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. Comments may also be submitted electronically at the following e-mail address: rule-comments@sec.gov. All comment letters should refer to File No. SR-PCX-2004-21, and 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, comments may be sent in hard copy or by e-mail, but not by both methods. 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 PCX. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-PCX-2004-21 and should be submitted by April 21, 2004.