EXTENSION OF COMMENT PERIOD ON NASD AND NYSE PROPOSED RULE CHANGES RELATING TO RESEARCH ANALYST CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

[14602] April 3, 2002 TO: SEC RULES COMMITTEE No. 26-02 COMPLIANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE No. 29-02 CLOSED-END INVESTMENT COMPANY COMMITTEE No. 13-02 RE: EXTENSION OF COMMENT PERIOD ON NASD AND NYSE PROPOSED RULE CHANGES RELATING TO RESEARCH ANALYST CONFLICTS OF INTEREST As we previously informed you,1 the Institute has prepared a draft comment letter on proposed rule changes filed by the NASD and the New York Stock Exchange to amend their rules to address research analyst conflicts of interest. The comment period on the proposed rule changes was to expire on April 4, 2002. The SEC, however, has published a notice2 (a copy of which is attached) of the extension of the comment period until April 18, 2002. If you have any comments on the draft Institute letter, please contact the undersigned by phone at 202-371-5408, by fax at 202-326-5839, or by e-mail at aburstein@ici.org no later than April 15. Ari Burstein Associate Counsel Attachment (in .pdf format) 1 Memorandum to SEC Rules Committee No. 25-02, Compliance Advisory Committee No. 28-02 and Closed-End Investment Company Committee No. 12-02, dated March 27, 2002. 2 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 45679 (April 2, 2002).