Ticker Talk

The Securities and Exchange Commission extended to Sept. 15 the period for public comment on a hotly debated proposal to centralize Nasdaq Stock Market display of customer orders. SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt granted the 15-day extension Tuesday in response to a request by congressional leaders, who requested a 30-day extension last week. The proposal, known as the “supermontage” plan, has drawn criticism from electronic trading networks that compete with Nasdaq. The SEC is due to decide whether to adopt the proposal, which would display multiple stock quotes and allow automatic trade execution, shortly after the comment period ends. SEC officials previously have commented favorably on the Nasdaq proposal.