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Pursuant to Amex Rule 117, floor-wide trading halts (or "circuit breakers") would occur following declines in the Dow Jones Industrial Average* ("DJIA") in specified amounts (so called "trigger values"). (This is a uniform rule that is also followed by the other major stock exchanges in the United States). Circuit breaker trigger levels are based on one-day declines in the DJIA of 10-percent, 20-percent and 30-percent. The specific 10-, 20- and 30-percent trigger values are calculated at the beginning of each calendar quarter, using the average DJIA closing value for the month prior to the beginning of the quarter, and rounded to the nearest 50 points.
For the period extending from January 3, 2006 to March 31, 2006, the 10-, 20- and 30-percent trigger values are 1,100, 2,150 and 3,250 points, respectively.
If the 10-percent trigger value is reached, circuit breakers will operate as follows:
- a 10-percent decline in the DJIA before 2 p.m. (Eastern time) will result in a one-hour halt;
- a 10-percent decline in the DJIA between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. will result in a 30-minute halt;
- after 2:30 p.m., the 10-percent threshold will be removed. Thus, if the DJIA declines 10 percent after 2:30 p.m., the market remains open, unless the 20-percent trigger is reached, at which time the market will close for the day.
If the 20 percent value point is reached circuit breakers will operate as follows:
- a 20-percent decline in the DJIA before 1 p.m. will result in a two-hour halt;
- a 20-percent decline in the DJIA between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. will result in a one-hour halt;
- a 20-percent decline in the DJIA after 2 p.m. will close the market for the day
If the 30-percent trigger value is reached at any time during the trading day, all trading on the Exchange will halt and not reopen for the remainder of the day.
Questions regarding this circular may be directed to Rick Farber at 212-306-5310.
* "Dow Jones Industrial Average" is a service mark of Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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