Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change by the Chicago Stock Exchange, Incorporated Relating to Automatic Execution of Orders for Nasdaq/NM Securities and Amendment No. 1 Thereto

Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, notice hereby is given that on June 9, 2000, the Chicago Stock Exchange, Incorporated (“CHX” or “Exchange”) 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 Exchange. On August 16, 2000, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposal. 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 Exchange proposes to amend the CHX rules governing automatic execution sequences and algorithms relating to the trading of Nasdaq/NM Securities on the Exchange. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to amend portions of Article XX, Rule 37. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange and at the Commission.

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 regarding the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specifies in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in Section A, B and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

2. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

The Exchange proposes to amend the CHX rules governing automatic execution sequences and algorithms relating to the trading of Nasdaq/NM Securities. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to amend portions of Article XX, Rule 37. The proposed amendments are intended to bring the Exchange's rules in line with the patterns and practices that currently exist in other markets with respect to the trading of Nasdaq/NM Securities.

Article XX, Rule 37, describes among other things, the circumstances under which orders must be accepted and guaranteed an execution at the national best or offer (the “BEST Rule”). Rule 37 also describes a specialist's ability to set a parameter (the auto-execution threshold) that identifies which of the orders guaranteed a fill under the BEST Rule will be automatically, not manually, executed. The proposed rule change would allow specialists to reduce the minimum auto-execution threshold from 1000 shares to 300 shares, but would not change specialists' obligations under the Best Rule. In other words, specialists could choose to automatically execute only those orders of 300 shares or less, but would still be required to guarantee executions at the national best bid or offer (“NBBO”) for orders up to an including 1,000 shares. The amended rule also would permit specialists to choose to provide an enhanced execution guarantee to orders above 3000 shares by setting a new parameter called an “enhanced liquidity quantity.” Orders then would be automatically filled up to this enhanced liquidity quantity.

The rule change also would provide new guidelines for Nasdaq/NM specialists seeking to switch from automatic execution mode to a manual execution mode in the event of unusual trading situations. The amended rule, which mirrors guidelines issued recently by the NASD to its members, would provide that in the case of Nasdaq/NM Securities, that term “unusual trading conditions” includes the existence of large order imbalances and/or significant price volatility. The rule would required that upon switching to manual execution mode based on the existence of unusual trading conditions, the specialist must: (1) Document the basis for election of manual execution mode; (2) disclose to its customers the differences in procedures from normal market conditions and the circumstances under which the specialist generally may activate manual execution mode; and (3) seek permission to switch to manual execution mode from two floor officials.

The foregoing changes are intended to place the Exchange's rules in line with existing market pattern and practice relating to the trading of Nasdaq/NM Securities. The rule change thus necessarily contemplates certain distinctions between transactions in Dual Trading System issues and Nasdaq/NM issues. All such distinctions were approved by the Exchange's Rules Committee and its Committee on Floor Procedure, both of which are populated by specialists. Both committees concur that the proposed changes do not place specialists on unequal footing based on the type of issue traded, but rather merely reflect the distinctions between the markets for Dual Trading System issues and Nasdaq/NM issues.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder that are applicable to a national securities exchange, and, in particular, with the requirements of section 6(b). In particular, the proposed rule is consistent with section 6(b)(5) of the Act in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments and to perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.

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

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any inappropriate burden on competition.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments Regarding 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

Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such other 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 Exchange 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.

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 in Washington, D.C. 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-CHX-00-20 and should be submitted by September 20, 2000.