Start Preamble January 20, 2011.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) ^[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] notice is hereby given that, on January 14, 2011, NYSE Amex LLC (the “Exchange” or “NYSE Amex”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. 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 adopt standards for Market Maker electronic quotes that are present during an opening auction. 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 self-regulatory organization 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 those 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 parts of such statements.

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

1. Purpose

The purpose of this filing is to adopt rules governing quote widths for Market Start Printed Page 4962Maker electronic quotes that are present during an opening auction, based on a provision of the Rules of NASDAQ OMX PHLX (“Phlx”), by revising the Obligations of Market Makers in Rule 925NY.

Currently, the only restriction on quote widths for NYSE Amex Market Maker electronic quotes is that they be no more than $5 wide. The Exchange has found that the absence of more narrow quotes during an opening auction has prevented series from opening promptly and is unnecessarily delaying the execution of orders.

The Exchange proposes to adopt a provision based on Phlx Rule 1014(c)(i)(A)(2)(a). The Phlx rule sets the maximum bid/ask differential for electronic quotes at $5, but also requires electronic quotes that are submitted during an opening rotation to have a bid/ask differential that is consistent with the quote width requirements for open outcry trading. NYSE Amex intends to modify the requirements of NYSE Amex Rule 925NY(b) ^[3] to also apply them to quotes submitted for possible participation in a Trading Auction as defined in Rule 952NY.

Specifically, the Exchange proposes that an electronic quote that is submitted for possible participation in an opening auction must have a bid/ask differential of no more than:

(A) .25 between the bid and the offer for each option contract for which the bid is less than $2,

(B) No more than .40 where the bid is $2 or more but does not exceed $5,

(C) No more than .50 where the bid is more than $5 but does not exceed $10,

(D) No more than .80 where the bid is more than $10 but does not exceed $20, and

(E) No more than $1 when the last bid is $20.10 or more.

These differentials are common in the options industry,^[4] and are often referred to as “legal width”.

As is currently the case, different bid/ask differentials would be permitted to be established, but only with the approval of at least two Trading Officials.

The Exchange believes that setting a narrower differential for opening auction quotes will expedite the opening of all options series on the Exchange promptly after the opening of the underlying security.

NYSE Arca [sic] will implement this rule change upon notification to OTP Holders through the issuance of a Regulatory Bulletin.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) ^[5] of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”), in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) ^[6] in particular in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts, to remove impediments to and to perfect the mechanism for a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest, by expediting the opening auction process and the execution of Customer orders submitted for the opening.

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

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

Because the foregoing proposed rule change: (1) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) by its terms does not become operative for 30 days after the date of this filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act ^[7] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.^[8]

At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend 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.

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-NYSEAmex-2011-05 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEAmex-2011-05. 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 Web site viewing and printing 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 Start Printed Page 4963Exchange.^[9] 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-NYSEAmex-2011-05 and should be submitted on or before February 17, 2011.

Start SignatureEnd Signature End Preamble

Footnotes