FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              2001-111


      EASING OF ISSUER REPURCHASE RESTRICTIONS TO END;
                     WILL NOT BE RENEWED
                              
                              
     Washington, DC, October 11, 2001 - On September 28,
2001, the Commission issued an exemptive order temporarily
easing certain restrictions of Rule 10b-18 and giving relief
from pooling of interest provisions for issuers repurchasing
their own common stock.  The relief provided in that order
expires tomorrow, October 12, 2001, and will not be renewed.

     The SEC will continue to staff hotlines for investors
and market participants.  Investors can e-mail questions to
the SEC staff at help@sec.gov.  The toll-free investor
telephone number is 1-800-SEC-0330.  Firms seeking
additional information about the Financial Responsibility
Rules should call the SEC staff at 202-942-7891, 202-942-
7892 or 202-942-7893.  All other firm inquires should be
directed to 202-942-0069.






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