The NYSE invoked the rarely used Rule 48, which "provides the exchange with the ability to suspend the requirement to disseminate price indications and obtain floor-official approval prior to the opening when extremely high market-wide volatility could cause delay opening securities on the exchange."
Rule 48 is intended to be invoked only in those situations where the potential for extreme market volatility would likely impair floor-wide operations at the exchange by impeding the fair and orderly opening of securities. Accordingly, the rule sets forth a number of factors to be considered before declaring such a condition, including:
* Volatility during the previous day’s trading session;
* Trading in foreign markets before the open;
* Substantial activity in the futures market before the open;
* The volume of pre-opening indications of interest;
* Evidence of pre-opening significant order imbalances across the market;
* Government announcements;
* News and corporate events; and,
* Any such other market conditions that could impact floor-wide trading conditions.
I know that this rarely used rule was used to stabilize markets during Bear Stearns' collapse in March of 2008.
Goes to show what kind of market we are operating in. With North/South Korea tensions, risk of contagion in Europe, and slowing in China/Australia, this is a volatile market indeed.
