Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Continued Listing Standards for Equity Index-Linked Securities

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 December 5, 2007, NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca” or “Exchange”), through its wholly owned subsidiary, NYSE Arca Equities, Inc. (“NYSE Arca Equities”), 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 substantially prepared by the Exchange. 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 NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a), which sets forth the Exchange's continued listing criteria for Equity Index-Linked Securities. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange, the Commission's Public Reference Room, and http://www.nyse.com .

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 Exchange proposes to remove from NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a) the continued listing requirement for Equity Index-Linked Securities that prohibits the number of components comprising the underlying index from increasing or decreasing by 33 1/3 from the original number of index components at the time of initial listing of such securities (the “33 1/3 Requirement”). The Exchange states that its listing standards for exchange-traded funds under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3) and those of other national securities exchanges do not impose this same limitation regarding the change in the number of components comprising the underlying index. The Exchange believes that, in the case of Equity Index-Linked Securities, investors purchase such securities because they believe that the underlying index methodology is accurately described in the offering documentation, and that the index sponsor will maintain the index methodology appropriately, so that the index will continue to represent the sector, geographic region, or other investment characteristics the index is designed to track. As such, rather than buying Equity Index-Linked Securities on the basis of the current contents of the index, the Exchange states that investors rely on the index sponsor to define and manage the index selection rules so that the index over time is sustainable in response to changing market conditions.

In addition, because Equity Index-Linked Securities may have terms that endure for as long as 30 years, the Exchange states it is likely that the underlying index for such securities will ultimately change in ways that will render them non-compliant with NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(ii), and as a result, the Exchange believes that the 331/3% Requirement penalizes Equity Index-Linked Securities with such long-term maturities. Specifically, Equity Index-Linked Securities based on total industry/country composite indexes are at risk of being delisted prior to the stated maturity date. In addition, new issues of Equity Index-Linked Securities may not be launched because of issuer concerns regarding the negative impact of the possible delisting of such securities due to index component changes that reflect expanding or retracting industry sectors or changes in the geographical business environment. The Exchange does not believe that it is protective of investors to require the delisting of those Equity Index-Linked Securities in such event.

Under the proposal, the Exchange seeks to maintain the 10-component minimum requirement in NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(ii) as a continued listing standard by moving reference to this requirement to Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a), which would make reference to Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(a), as proposed. NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(a) requires that each underlying index have at least 10 component securities of different issuers.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act, in general, and furthers the objectives of section 6(b)(5) of the Act, in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and 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 on Burden on Competition

The Exchange believes the proposed rule change will impose no 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 states that no written comments were solicited or received 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 NYSE Arca consents, the Commission will:

A. By order approve such 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. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

• Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ); or
• Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-NYSEArca-2007-125 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEArca-2007-125. 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, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ). 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, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEArca-2007-125 and should be submitted on or before January 2, 2008.