The SEC's List of Banned Stocks For Shorting and Wording On Temporary Short Sale Ban

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA before the SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 RELEASE NO. 34-58592 / September 18, 2008 EMERGENCY ORDER PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(k)(2) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 TAKING TEMPORARY ACTION TO RESPOND TO MARKET DEVELOPMENTS

The Commission is aware of the continued potential of sudden and excessive fluctuations of securities prices and disruption in the functioning of the securities markets that could threaten fair and orderly markets. In our recent publication of an emergency order under Section 12(k) of the Exchange Act (the “Act”),1 for example, we were concerned about the possible unnecessary or artificial price movements based on unfounded rumors regarding the stability of financial institutions and other issuers exacerbated by “naked” short selling.

Our concerns, however, are no longer limited to just the financial institutions that were the subject of the July Emergency Order. Recent market conditions have made us concerned that short selling in the securities of a wider range of financial institutions may be causing sudden and excessive fluctuations of the prices of such securities in such a manner so as to threaten fair and orderly markets. Given the importance of confidence in our financial markets as a whole, we have become concerned about recent sudden declines in the prices of a wide range of securities. Such price declines can give rise to questions about the underlying financial condition of an issuer, which in turn can create a crisis of confidence, without a fundamental underlying basis.

This crisis of confidence can impair the liquidity and 1 See Exchange Act Release No. 58166 (July 15, 2008). See also Exchange Act Release No. 58190 (July 18, 2008) (“Amended July Emergency Order”). See also Exchange Act Release No. 58572 (September 17, 2008).
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ultimate viability of an issuer, with potentially broad market consequences. Our concerns are no longer limited to the financial institutions that were the subject of the July Emergency Order. As a result of these recent developments, the Commission has concluded that there continues to exist the potential of sudden and excessive fluctuations of securities prices generally and disruption in the functioning of the securities markets that could threaten fair and orderly markets. Based on this conclusion, the Commission is exercising its powers under Section 12(k)(2) of the Act.2 Pursuant to Section 12(k)

(2), in appropriate circumstances the Commission may issue summarily an order to alter, supplement, suspend, or impose requirements or restrictions with respect to matters or actions subject to regulation by the Commission if the Commission determines such an order is necessary in the public interest and for the protection of investors to maintain or restore fair and orderly securities markets. In these unusual and extraordinary circumstances, we have concluded that, to prevent substantial disruption in the securities markets, temporarily prohibiting any person from effecting a short sale in the publicly traded securities of certain financial firms, which entities are identified in Appendix A (“Included Financial Firms”), is in the public interest and for the protection of investors to maintain or restore fair and orderly securities markets. 2 This finding of an “emergency” is solely for purposes of Section 12(k)(2) of the Exchange Act and is not intended to have any other effect or meaning or to confer any right or impose any obligation other than set forth in this Order.
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This emergency action should prevent short selling from being used to drive down the share prices of issuers even where there is no fundamental basis for a price decline other than general market conditions. IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to our Section 12(k)(2) powers, all persons are prohibited from short selling3 any publicly traded securities of any Included Financial Firm. Similar to the Amended July Emergency Order, we are providing a limited exception for certain bona fide market makers. We believe this narrow exception is necessary because such market makers may need to facilitate customer orders in a fast moving market without possible delays associated with complying with the requirements of this Order. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that, pursuant to our Section 12(k)(2) powers, the following entities are excepted from the requirements of the Order: registered market makers, block positioners, or other market makers obligated to quote in the over-the-counter market, in each case that are selling short a publicly traded security of an Included Financial Firm as part of bona fide market making in such security. In addition, we are providing an exception to allow short sales that occur as a result of automatic exercise or assignment of an equity option held prior to effectiveness of this Order due to expiration of the option. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that, pursuant to our Section 12(k)(2) powers, the requirements of this Order shall not apply to any person that effects a short sale in any 3 The definition of “short sale” shall be the same definition used in Rule 200(a) of Regulation SHO and the requirements for marking orders “long” or “short” shall be the same as provided in Regulation SHO.
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publicly traded security of any Included Financial Firm as a result of automatic exercise or assignment of an equity option held prior to effectiveness of this Order due to expiration of the option. Finally, to facilitate the expiration of options on September 20th, options market makers are excepted from the requirements of this Order until 11:59 p.m. on September 19th when selling short as part of bona fide market making and hedging activities related directly to bona fide market making in derivatives on the publicly traded securities of any Included Financial Firm. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that, pursuant to our Section 12(k)(2) powers, the requirements of this Order shall not apply, until 11:59 p.m. on September 19, 2008, to any person that is a market maker that effects a short sale as part of a bona fide market making and hedging activity related directly to bona fide market making in derivatives on the publicly traded securities of any Included Financial Firm. This Order shall be effective immediately and shall terminate at 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 2, 2008, unless further extended by the Commission. By the Commission. Florence E. Harmon Acting Secretary
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Appendix A This list, prepared on a best efforts basis, includes banks, insurance companies, and securities firms identified by SICs 6000, 6011, 6020-22, 6025, 6030, 6035-36, 6111, 6140, 6144, 6200, 6210-11, 6231, 6282, 6305, 6310-11, 6320-21, 6324, 6330-31, 6350-51, 6360-61, 6712, and 6719.

To view the list of all the stocks affected by the ban click here...

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