Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. To Amend the Schedule of Continued Annual Listing Fees for Non-U.S. Companies

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Federal RegisterFeb 17, 2000
65 Fed. Reg. 8222 (Feb. 17, 2000)
February 8, 2000.

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 January 4, 2000, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE” or “Exchange”) 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 the Exchange. Amendment No. 1 was filed on January 27, 2000. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons.

17 CFR 240.19b-4.

In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange changed the text of the title for NYSE Rule 902.04 from “Overseas Companies” to “Non-U.S. Companies.” See letter from James E. Buck, Senior Vice President and Secretary, NYSE, to Richard Strasser, Assistant Director, Division of Market Regulation (“Division”), SEC, dated January 21, 2000.

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

The Exchange proposes to amend Paragraph 902.04 of the Exchange's Listed Company Manual (the “Manual”). Paragraph 902.04 of the Manual contains the schedule of current listing fees for non-U.S. companies listing securities on the Exchange. The text of the proposed rule change is as follows. Proposed additions are in italics and proposed deletions are in brackets.

902.04 [OVERSEAS] NON-U.S. COMPANIES

Schedule of Continuing Annual Fees

[(Effective January 1, 1994)]

Per million
Per share or ADR rates (or similar security):
1st and 2nd million $1,650
In excess of 2 million 830
Minimum fees for shares or ADRs listed (or similar securities) (millions):
Up to [10] 50 $35,000 [$16,170]
[10+ to 20] [24,260]
[20+ to 50] [32,340]
50+ to 100 48,410
100+ to 200 64,580
200 80,440
Maximum annual fee 500,000

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 Exchange 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 Exchange 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 proposed rule change amends the listed company fee schedule, set forth in Paragraph 902.04 of the Manual, as it applies to continuing annual listing fees for non-U.S. companies. Specifically, the Exchange seeks to establish a minimum continuing annual fee for non-U.S. companies of $35,000 per year.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of that Act, which provides 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 on Burden on Competition

The Exchange 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

The Exchange neither solicited nor received written comments with respect to the proposed rule change.

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

Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:

A. By order approve the proposed rule change, or

B. Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved.

The Exchange requested accelerated approval in its filing with the Commission. However, the Exchange retracted its request in a telephone conversation between Amy Bilbija, Counsel, NYSE, and Heather Traeger, Attorney, Division, SEC, on January 11, 2000.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change, as amended, 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-00-02 and should be submitted by March 9, 2000.

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.

[FR Doc. 00-3750 Filed 2-16-00; 8:45 am]

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