Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. Relating to the Definition of an Exchange-Traded Fund Share

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 December 1, 2004, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. (“Phlx” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II, below, which Items have been prepared by the Phlx. The Exchange filed the proposal as a “non-controversial” proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder. 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 amend Phlx Rule 1000(b)(42) to include the Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock in its definition of “Exchange-Traded Fund Share.” The text of the proposed rule change is set forth below.

Proposed new language is in italics.

Applicability, Definitions and References

Rule 1000. (a) No change.

(b) 1.-41. No change.

42. Exchange-Traded Fund Share—For purposes of these Rules, the term Exchange-Traded Fund Share shall include the Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock and Exchange-listed securities representing interests in open end unit investment trusts or open-end management investment companies that hold securities based on an index or a portfolio of securities.

(c)-(d) No change.

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 Phlx included statements concerning the purpose of, and statutory 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 Phlx 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 Exchange proposes to amend the definition of an Exchange Traded Fund Share (“ETF”) to include the Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock (“QQQ”) in order to preserve the Exchange's ability to trade options overlying QQQ until 4:15 p.m. ET and to be clear that throughout the Exchange's options rules, QQQ continues to be, by definition, an ETF.

As of December 1, 2004, the QQQ has been listed and has begun trading on the Nasdaq under the new symbol QQQQ.

Under the Exchange's current rule, because Nasdaq is not a national securities exchange as defined under the Act, QQQ does not qualify as an ETF, currently defined in Exchange Rule 1000(b)(42) as an “exchange-listed” security. The fact that QQQ is no longer an “exchange-listed” security (and therefore under the current rule is not by definition an ETF) affects the hours of trading in options overlying QQQ. The trading session for most equity options ends at 4:02 p.m. ET. However, pursuant to Exchange Rule 101, options overlying indexes and ETFs (such as QQQ) trade on the Phlx until 4:15 p.m. ET. Because QQQ is no longer included in the definition of an ETF, it would not be eligible for trading past 4:02 p.m. ET under current Exchange rules.

In order to preserve the Exchange's ability to trade options overlying QQQ until 4:15 p.m. ET, the proposed rule change would specifically include reference to the Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock in the definition of an ETF.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act, in general, and Section 6(b)(5) of the Act, in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, 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.

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

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any inappropriate burden on competition 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 either solicited or received.

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

The Exchange has designated the proposed rule change as a “non-controversial” rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder. The Exchange represents that the foregoing 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 Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the five-day pre-filing notice requirement and the 30-day operative delay period for “non-controversial” proposals and make the proposed rule change effective and operative upon filing.

The Commission has determined to waive the five-day pre-filing notice requirement and the 30-day operative delay period. The Commission notes that accelerating the operative date will allow the trading hours for options overlying the QQQ to remain unchanged and provide continuity to the marketplace. Therefore, the foregoing rule change has become immediately effective and operative upon filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 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. 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-Phlx-2004-86 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2004-86. 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 inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. 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-Phlx-2004-86 and should be submitted on or before January 7, 2005.