March volume report; new ETFs; James Needham passes away; more links

By: Ray Pellecchia

File Under: NYSE

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An old Bobby Murcer bubble-gum card -- back when they used to come with bubble gum -- courtesy of baseballtoddsdugout.com

I've again been swamped by the day job, so this space has been way too quiet, except for the comments, which I've continued to post. Thanks for continuing to write, and read. This week looks to be a lot more sane, and I'm digging into a number of outstanding questions and comments. As a show of good faith, here are a few links, and some Q&As will follow soon.

NYSE Euronext Issues NYSE Group, Inc. Combined Report on Monthly Transaction Volume for March 2007 (NYSE Group)

NYSE Lists Two New HealthSharesTM ETFs Last week we announced that two new HealthShares™ listings began trading on the NYSE. Including the initial HealthShares™ ETFs that listed in the first quarter, there are currently 16 HealthShares™ products listed on the Exchange. Including those two new listings, NYSE Group markets had 178 primary ETF listings and trade all other eligible ETFs on a UTP basis, and in 2006 handled over 43% of all ETF shares traded in the U.S. market. (NYSE
Group)

James Needham, 80, Dies; Ex-Head of Stock Exchange -- Mr. Needham, a certified public accountant, was named chairman of the stock exchange in 1972 after a reorganization of its leadership, adding public directors and a paid chairman to transform its longtime corporate structure, headed by a president. After leading the exchange during a troubled period, when stock prices were sliding, fixed brokerage commissions were abolished, and securities industry insiders were accused of dominating the organization, he resigned in 1976, with almost two years remaining on his contract. (New York Times)

Looking Fit, Murcer Makes a Return to the Yankees Booth -- [This came out last week and I just haven't had a chance to post it.] Murcer, 60, is a little more than three months removed from a diagnosis of incurable brain cancer and surgery to remove a malignant tumor... Murcer decided late last week to come to New York on opening day to visit the YES Network booth. Now, he said, he can arrange a regular schedule of games and studio work for YES around his monthly [cancer] vaccines. “I have a new three-year deal with YES,” said Murcer, who is in his 24th season as a team broadcaster, “and I’m going to be here when they open the new stadium in 2009.”... (New York Times)

[I had the honor of playing host to Bobby Murcer -- my boyhood idol -- and three of his friends when they visited NYSE for a tour last September. When you meet a childhood idol, you worry that they won't be like the idealized version you have in your head and your heart. But Bobby -- he insisted on being called that, not Mr. Murcer -- was more than I could have imagined. Humble, gracious, classy, down to earth, the friendliest guy you'd ever want to meet. He must have signed a thousand autographs on the trading floor, all happily. People told him where they were when he hit four home runs in a row, or when he won the game the same day as the Thurman Munson funeral. They told him how much they loved watching him play, a rare star on a team that for many years was tough for diehard Yankee fans to watch. How they have enjoyed his broadcasting, how they admired that he has always conducted himself with professionalism and humility. Many people thanked him for being part of their lives, and I could see he was genuinely touched by it. I asked one of his friends whether he got this reception everywhere he went. "Not back home," he said. "Back home, he's just Bobby Ray." That was so evident. This article affirms the approach that you just had to know he would take in response to his illness. Grateful for the support he's received. Resolute in fighting and beating the odds. Renewed in his faith in God. In the face of all this, he has again shown why so many, including me, continue to look up to him. Long may you run, Bobby Murcer. -- RP]