Self Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Exercises by Put Holders in a “Short Squeeze” Situation

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”), notice is hereby given that on November 2, 1999, The Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which items have been prepared primarily by OCC. 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 proposed rule change would amend Article VI, Section 19 to eliminate OCC's authority to prohibit exercises by put holders who would be unable to deliver the underlying stock in a short squeeze situation and, in lieu thereof, to give OCC the same authority to protect put holders as OCC already has to protect call holders.

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

In its filing with the Commission, OCC 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. OCC 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

The purpose of the proposed rule change is to amend Article VI, Section 19 of OCC's by-laws to eliminate OCC's authority to prohibit exercises by put holders who would be unable to deliver the underlying stock in a short squeeze situation and, in lieu thereof, to give OCC the same authority to protect put holders as OCC already has to protect call holders.

Currently, Article VI, Section 19 treats calls and puts differently in a short-squeeze situation. Section 19(a)(3) allows OCC to suspend the exercise settlement obligations of clearing members' assigned execution notice for their call option contracts until (i) OCC determines that there is no reasonable likelihood that a sufficient supply of the underlying security will become available, in which case OCC fixes a cash settlement price or (ii) OCC determines that there is a sufficient supply of the underlying security available, in which case OCC either fixes a new exercise settlement date or, if delivery would be inequitable, a cash settlement price.

In contrast, Article VI, Section 19 does not currently give OCC discretion to protect the benefit of a put holder's bargain in a short squeeze situation. Instead, as it is currently written, Article VI,Section 19(a)(2) gives OCC the limited power to prohibit the exercise of put option contracts by clearing members who will be unable to deliver the underlying securities on the exercise settlement date due to the short squeeze. If OCC were to maintain such a prohibition through the option's expiration, a put holder who was unable to obtain the underlying stock would lose the benefit of the option even though the option is in the money.

Rather than allowing OCC to prohibit put exercises in a short squeeze situation, the proposed language would allow OCC to treat puts in the same manner as calls by giving OCC the right to suspend settlement until it can determine whether the unavailability of the underlying stock would extend past the option expiration date and, upon making that determination, to take the appropriate action under Article VI, Section 19(b) or (c). Thus, the proposed change allows OCC to protect the benefit of the put holder's bargain and to treat puts and calls equally in a short squeeze situation.

Because the proposed rule change would affect the fundamental obligations of put writers, OCC is making it effective only on a prospective basis with respect to new series of options introduced after the latter of (i) approval of the rule change by the Commission or (ii) commencement of distribution of a new or amended Options Disclosure Documents or an Options Disclosure Document supplement disclosing the substance of the rule change.

Article XXIV, Section 5, which relates to buy-write options unitary derivatives (BOUNDs) is proposed to be amended so that it conforms to the proposed new language for Article VI, Section 19.

OCC believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the purposes and requirements of Section 17A of the Act because the proposed rule change will facilitate the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions, foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in the clearance and settlement of securities transactions, and, in general, protect investors and the public interest.

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

OCC does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any burden on competition.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

Written comments were not and are not intended to be solicited with respect to the proposed rule change, and none have been received.

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

Within thirty-five 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 ninety 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 OCC 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 in the Commission's Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of OCC. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-OCC-99-16 and should be submitted by April 19, 2000.

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