Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Extending the NYSE Direct+ Pilot Program Through December 23, 2003

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 October 8, 2002, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE” or “Exchange”) submitted to 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 November 1, 2002, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change. The Exchange filed the proposed rule change pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act, and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder, which renders the proposed rule change effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons.

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange proposes to extend through December 23, 2003 the effectiveness of a pilot program for NYSE Direct+ (“Pilot”). A current extension of the Pilot ends December 23, 2002.

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. No changes to previously approved rule language are being proposed.

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

1. Purpose

NYSE Direct+ was originally filed as a one-year pilot, ending on December 21, 2001. The Exchange then extended the Pilot for an additional one-year period, ending December 23, 2002.

The Pilot provides for the automatic execution of orders of 1099 shares or less (“auto ex” orders) against trading interest reflected in the Exchange's published quotation. It is not mandatory that all limit orders of 1099 shares be entered as auto ex orders; rather, the member organization entering the order, or its customer if enabled by the member organization, can choose to enter an auto ex order when such member organization (or customer) believes that the speed and certainty of an execution at the Exchange's published bid or offer price is in its customer's best interest.

The Exchange proposes to extend the Pilot for an additional year (from December 24, 2002 until December 23, 2003). The Exchange notes, however, that there are two other proposed rule changes concerning NYSE Direct+ which have also been filed with the Commission during the current Pilot. These include (a) a proposal to amend NYSE Rule 1000 to provide that NYSE Direct+ executions will not be available if the resulting trade would be more than five cents away from the last sale; and (b) a proposal to (i) amend NYSE Rule 13 to establish a one-year pilot program that would expand Direct+ order size eligibility for Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) and Holding Company Depositary Receipts (“HOLDRs”); (ii) amend NYSE Rule 1002 to include ETFs and HOLDRs and provide that ETFs trade until 4:15 p.m.; and (iii) amend NYSE Rule 1005 to reflect that the rule applies to ETFs and HOLDRs.

The Exchange proposes that the above-mentioned proposed filings amending NYSE Direct+ will become incorporated into the Pilot upon their respective approvals by the Commission.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange represents that the proposed rule change, as amended, 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 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. The Exchange further represents that the proposed rule change, as amended, is designed to support the principles of Section 11A(a)(1) of the Act in that it seeks to assure economically efficient execution of securities transactions, make it practicable for brokers to execute investors' orders in the best market, and provide an opportunity for investors' orders to be executed without the participation of a dealer.

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

The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written 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 upon filing pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder because the proposed rule change does not (i) significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which the proposed rule change was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the 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.

The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the pre-filing notice requirement. The Commission has determined to waive the five-day pre-filing notice requirement, given that the Exchange filed the original proposed rule change on October 8, 2002.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change, as amended, 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 Room. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the NYSE. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-NYSE-2002-47 and should be submitted by December 26, 2002.