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- [Release No. 34─34085; File No. SR─ICC─94─04]
-
- Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Intermarket Clearing Corporation; Notice of
- Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending its Margin
- Resolution
-
- May 18, 1994.
-
- Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
- ("Act''),«1» notice is hereby given that on May 9, 1993, The Intermarket
- Clearing Corporation ("ICC'') filed with the Securities and Exchange
- Commission ("Commission'') the proposed rule change (File No. SR─ICC─94─03) as
- described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared
- primarily by ICC, a self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing
- this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested
- persons.
-
- «1» 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1) (1988).
-
- I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the
- Proposed Rule Change
-
- The proposed rule change amends the definition of "premium margin'' in ICC's
- Margin Resolution.
-
- II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory
- Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
-
- In its filing with the Commission, ICC has 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. ICC 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 rule change amends the definition of the term "premium margin'' to
- incorporate terminology that is more consistent with the pricing practices of
- the commodities markets. With respect to certain unexercised or unassigned
- positions in option contracts, ICC previously defined premium margin in
- pertinent part to be "the current highest per-unit asked premium quotation for
- options'' at the close of trading on the preceding trading day. For purposes
- of ICC's Margin Resolution, the term "option contracts'' includes both
- commodity and securities options.
-
- While the reference to the "per-unit asked premium quotation'' is appropriate
- terminology with respect to securities options, it is less appropriate with
- respect to commodity options. In the commodity markets, a single commodity
- option price (i.e., a "settlement price'') for each contract is disseminated
- at the close of trading rather than two prices (i.e., bid and ask quotes) as
- in the equity markets. Accordingly, ICC's Margin Resolution is being amended
- to incorporate the term "settlement prices'' in the definition of premium
- margin where it is appropriate. The Margin Resolution now defines premium
- margin in pertinent part to be "the current highest per-unit asked premium
- quotation with respect to an OCC Option, or the settlement price with respect
- to a commodity option for options.''
-
- ICC believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with section 17A of
- the Act«2» in that it conforms the terminology used in ICC's Margin
- Resolution with the practices used in the commodities markets.
-
- «2» 15 U.S.C. 78q─1 (1988).
-
- B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
-
- ICC believes that the proposed rule change will not impose any burden on
- competition.
-
- C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule
- Change Received From Members, Participants or Others
-
- ICC has not solicited or received any comments on the proposed rule change.
-
- III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
- Commission Action
-
- The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to section
- 19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act«3» and subparagraph (e)(1) of Securities Exchange
- Act Rule 19b─4 because it constitutes a stated policy, practice, or
- interpretation of an SRO with respect to the meaning, administration, or
- enforcement of an existing rule.«4» At any time within sixty days of the
- filing of such proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate
- such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary
- or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
- otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
-
- «3» 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i) (1988).
-
- «4» 17 CFR 240.19b─4(e)(1) (1991).
-
- IV. Solicitation of Comments
-
- Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments
- concerning the foregoing. Persons making written submissions should file six
- copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450
- Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. 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 the above-referenced self-regulatory
- organization. All submissions should refer to File No. SR─ICC─94─04 and should
- be submitted by June 15, 1994.
-
- For the Commission by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated
- authority.«5»
-
- «5» 17 CFR 200.30─3(a)(12) (1993).
-
- Margaret H. McFarland,
-
- Deputy Secretary.
-
- [FR Doc. 94─12745 Filed 5─24─94; 8:45 am]
-
- BILLING CODE 8010─01─M
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