Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the Boston Stock Exchange, Inc. Relating to an Interpretation of Its Execution Guarantee Rule

Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, notice is hereby given that on September 4, 2002, the Boston Stock Exchange, Inc. (“BSE” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. On September 10, 2002, the Exchange submitted Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change.

The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule from interested persons.

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

The Exchange proposes to implement an interpretation of its Execution Guarantee Rule in response to Commission action regarding de minimis trades through of certain Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”) in ITS.

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 purpose of the proposed rule change is to add Paragraph .07 to the Interpretations and Policies section of Chapter II, Dealings on the Exchange, Section 33, Execution Guarantee, of the BSE Rules. This proposed rule change is in response to a Commission Order issued August 28, 2002, granting a de minimis exemption for transactions in certain ETFs from the Trade-Through Provisions of the Intermarket Trading System (“ITS”) Plan (“Order”).

As of the implementation date of the Order, September 4, 2002, certain executions that take place according to the rules of the Exchange may be deemed violative of the provisions thereof. Accordingly, the Exchange is seeking to implement this proposed rule change on a temporary basis, for a period of thirty days.

In Chapter II, Dealings on the Exchange, Section 33, Execution Guarantee of the BSE Rules, paragraph (c)(2) states that “All agency limit orders will be filled if one of the following conditions occur * * * (2) there has been price penetration of the limit in the primary market. * * *” Moreover, in various sections of Chapter XV, Dealer Specialists, there are similar provisions. These provisions, in particular those set forth in Chapter II, guarantee that a limit order in a BSE specialist's book will be filled if the primary market trades through the limited price. The BSE specialist provides this protection to its customer limit orders in part due to the fact that the specialist can seek relief through ITS in the event of a trade-through.

As a result of the Commission's Order, certain primary market trades-through in ETFs will constitute exempt trades-through, but will still, under BSE Rules, trigger an obligation on the part of a BSE specialist to provide trade-through protection. However, the specialist will no longer be able to seek recourse to seek satisfaction through ITS from the primary market. Accordingly, the BSE specialist will be competitively disadvantaged if this section of its rules is strictly enforced, while the de minimis exemption exists for other ITS participants. Therefore, the BSE is seeking to implement an Interpretation of Chapter II, Section 33(c)(2) of its rules permitting the Exchange to not enforce the provision following a de minimis trade through of certain ETFs outlined in the Order.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the requirements of section 6(b) of the Act and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5), in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to facilitate 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, in that it is designed to protect investors and the public interest; and is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers or dealers.

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.

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 comments on the proposed rule change.

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

The foregoing rule change constitutes a stated policy, practice or interpretation with respect to the meaning, administration, or enforcement of an existing rule of the Exchange and therefore, has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act and subparagraph (f)(1) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.

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.

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 at the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the BSE. All submissions should refer to the File No. SR-BSE-2002-13 and should be submitted by October 8, 2002.