Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval to Amendment No. 9 to a Proposed Rule Change by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. To Institute, on a Pilot Basis, New Primary Nasdaq Market Maker Standards for Nasdaq National Market Securities

On September 20, 2000, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD” or “Association”), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (“Nasdaq”), submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, a proposed rule change to: (1) Continue to suspend the current PMM standards until June 30, 2001; and (2) extend the NASD's Short Sale Rule pilot until June 30, 2001 (“Amendment No. 9”).

Amendment No. 9 to the proposed rule change, SR-NASD-96-28, is described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the NASD. The Commission is publishing this notice and order to solicit comments on Amendment No. 9 from interested persons and to approve the amendment on an accelerated basis.

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

In the current amendment, Nasdaq is proposing to extend the Short Sale Rule pilot and the suspension of the existing PMM standards from September 30, 2000 until June 30, 2001. The proposed rule language, as amended, follows. Additions are italicized; deletions are bracketed.

NASD Rule 3350

(a)-(k) No Changes.

(l) This Rule shall be in effect until [September 30, 2000] June 30, 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, the NASD 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 III below. The NASD 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) Background on the NASD's Short Sale Rule

Section 10(a) of the Exchange Act gives the Commission plenary authority to regulate short sales of securities registered on a national securities exchange, as needed to protect investors. Although the Commission has regulated short sales since 1938, that regulation has been limited to short sales of exchange-listed securities. In 1992, Nasdaq, believing that short-sale regulation is important to the orderly operation of securities markets, proposed a short sale rule for trading of its National Market securities that incorporates the protections provided by Rule 10a-1 of the Exchange Act. On June 29, 1994, the Commission approved the NASD's short sale rule, Rule 3350 (“Short Sale Rule”), applicable to short sales in Nasdaq National Market (“NNM”) securities on an eighteen-month pilot basis through March 5, 1996. The NASD and the Commission have extended NASD Rule 3350 numerous times, most recently, until September 30, 2000.

Nasdaq's short-sale rule employs a “bid” test rather than a tick test because Nasdaq trades are not necessarily reported to the tape in chronological order. Nasdaq's short sale rule prohibits short-sales at or below the inside bid when the current inside bid is below the previous inside bid. Nasdaq calculates the inside bid from all market makers in the security (including bids on exchanges trading Nasdaq securities on an unlisted trading privileges basis), and disseminates symbols to denote whether the current inside bid is an “up-bid” or a “down-bid.” To effect a “legal” short-sale on a down-bid, the short-sale must be executed at a price at least 1/16th above the current inside bid. The rule is in effect from 9:30 a.m. E.T. until 4 p.m. E.T. each trading day.

To reduce the compliance burdens on its members, Nasdaq's short sale rule also incorporates seven exemptions contained in Rule 10a-1 under the Exchange Act that are relevant to trading on Nasdaq. In addition, in an effort to not constrain the legitimate hedging needs of options market markers, the NASD's short sale rule contains a limited exception for standardized options market makers. The Rule also contains an exemption for warrant market makers similar to the one available for options market makers.

(2) Background on the NASD's Primary Market Maker Standards

To ensure that market maker activities that provide liquidity and continuity to the market are not adversely constrained when the short sale rule is involved, NASD Rule 3350(c)(1) provides an exemption for “qualified” Nasdaq market makers) i.e., market makers that meet the PMM standards). Presently, NASD Rule 4612 provides that a member registered as a Nasdaq market maker pursuant to NASD Rule 4611 may be deemed a PMM if that member meets certain threshold standards.

Since NASD Rule 3350 has been in effect, there have been two methods used to determine whether a market maker is eligible for the PMM exemption. Specifically, from September 4, 1994 through February 1, 1996, Nasdaq market makers that maintained a quotation in a particular NNM security for 20 consecutive business days without interruption were exempt from Rule 3350 for short sales in that security, provided the short sales were made in connection with bona fide market making activity (“the 20-day” test). From February 1, 1996 until the February 14, 1997, the “20-day” test was replaced with a four-part quantitative test known as the PMM standards.

Beginning on February 14, 1997, the PMM standards were suspended for all NNM securities due to the impact of the SEC's Order Handling Rules, and corresponding NASD rule change and system modifications on the operation of the four quantitative standards. For example, the requirement that market makers display customer limit orders adversely affected the ability of market makers to satisfy the “102% Average Spread Standard.” Since that time all market makers have been designated as PMMs.

In March 1998, Nasdaq proposed PMM standards that received substantially negative comments. In light of those comments, Nasdaq staff convened an advisory subcommittee to develop new PMM standards (“Subcommittee”) in August 1998. The Subcommittee met nine times and formulated new PMM standards. On December 9, 1998, the NASD/Nasdaq staff met with the Commission staff and the Subcommittee to receive informal feedback on the new PMM standards. At the conclusion of the meeting, Commission staff noted the progress made by the Subcommittee and requested time to digest and more carefully analyze the proposed new PMM standards.

On July 29, 1999, members of the Nasdaq staff conducted a conference call with members of the Commission staff to receive feedback on the PMM standards that Nasdaq presented at the December 9, 1998 meeting. During the meeting, the Commission staff suggested that Nasdaq modify several of the proposed standards and analyze the impact of those modifications on the primary market maker determination. On September 27, 1999, Nasdaq reported that the NASD Economic Research staff had analyzed data based on the Commission's suggested revisions, and concluded that the Commission's modified standards produced unfavorable results.

The Commission notes that it has separately proposed amendments to Rule 10a-1 under the Exchange Act, which applies to exchanges. Nasdaq has announced that it is considering registering as an exchange.

(3) Current Amendment

Nasdaq believes that it is in the best interest of investors to extend the short sale regulation pilot program. In the Short Sale Approval Order, the Commission stated that “recognizing the potential for problems associated with short selling, the changing expectations of Nasdaq market participants and the competitive disparity between the exchange markets and the OTC market, the Commission believes that regulation of short selling of Nasdaq National Market securities is consistent with the Act.” In addition, the Commission stated that it “believes that the NASD's short sale bid-test, including the market maker exemptions, is a reasonable approach to short sale regulation of Nasdaq National Market securities and reflects the realities of its market structure.” Nasdaq believes the benefits that the Commission recognized when it first approved NASD Rule 3350 apply to equal force today.

Similarly, Nasdaq believes the concerns that caused the Commission to waive the PMM standards in February 1997 continue to exist today. Nasdaq and the Commission agreed to waive the PMM standards to avoid frustrating operation of the Commission's Order Handling Rules, in light of market factors that were not apparent at the time the Order Handling Rules were implemented. Nasdaq has worked to address those concerns to the Commission's satisfaction, including convening a special subcommittee on PMM issues, proposing two different sets of PMM standards, and being continuously available and responsive to Commission staff to discuss this issue. Despite these efforts, the Commission and Nasdaq have been unable to establish satisfactory PMM standards. Nasdaq believes that re-instating the PMM standards set forth in NASD Rule 4612 would be extremely disruptive to the market and harmful to investors.

Nasdaq also notes that the Commission has signaled to the securities industry that it is considering fundamental changes to Rule 10a-1 of the Exchange Act that could impact the manner in which Nasdaq and the other markets regulate short sales. On October 20, 1999, the Commission issued a Concept Release on Short Sales in which it sought comment on, among other things, revising the definition of short sale, extending short sale regulation to non-exchange listed securities, and eliminating short sale regulation altogether. Nasdaq believes it would be inappropriate for Nasdaq to dramatically alter its regulation of short sales while the Commission is considering fundamentally changing Rule 10a-1 of the Exchange Act.

III. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning Amendment No. 9, including whether the proposed Amendment 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 NASD. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-NASD-98-26 and should be submitted by October 26, 2000.

IV. Commission's Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of the Amendment

After careful consideration, the Commission finds, for the reasons set forth below, that the extension of the Short Sale Rule pilot and the suspension of the existing PMM standards until June 30, 2001 is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. In particular, the extension is consistent with Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act, which requires that the NASD's rules be designed, among other things, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system and to promote just and equitable principles of trade.

The Commission finds that continuation of the Short Sale Rule pilot and the continued suspension of the current PMM standards will maintain the status quo while the Commission considering amending Rule 10a-1 under the Exchange Act.

The Commission finds good cause for approving the extension of the Short Sale Rule pilot and the suspension of existing PMM standards prior to the 30th day after the date of publication of notice of the filing in the Federal Register. It could be disruptive to the Nasdaq market and confusing to market participants to reintroduce the previous PMM standards while new PMM standards are being developed, and while the Commission is considering amending Rule 10a-1 under the Exchange Act.

It Is Therefore Ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, that Amendment No. 9 to the proposed rule change, SR-NASD-98-26, which extends the NASD Short Sale Rule pilot and the suspension of the current PMM standards to June 30, 2001, is approved on an accelerated basis.