Amendments to Options Rules

The NASD, through its wholly owned subsidiary, NASD Regulation, Inc., has filed with the SEC a proposed rule change to amend NASD Rule 2860 to: (1) apply the NASD's options position and exercise limits to members that effect trades for non-member brokers and non-member dealers; (2) require members to report the options positions that they effect for non-member brokers and non-member dealers where such positions meet the reporting thresholds under NASD rules; (3) codify an interpretative position with respect to which firms are required to report standardized options positions under the NASD's options position reporting requirements; and (4) clarify that a member may have its clearing firm report options positions to the NASD.