80_FR_16098 80 FR 16040 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Solicitation Auction Mechanism

80 FR 16040 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Solicitation Auction Mechanism

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 58 (March 26, 2015)

Page Range16040-16043
FR Document2015-06893

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 58 (Thursday, March 26, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 58 (Thursday, March 26, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16040-16043]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06893]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-74560; File No. SR-CBOE-2015-031]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a 
Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Solicitation Auction Mechanism

March 20, 2015.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''), \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that, on March 18, 2015, Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated 
(the ``Exchange'' or ``CBOE'') filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described 
in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the 
Exchange. The Exchange filed the proposal as a ``non-controversial'' 
proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 
\3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\4\ The Commission is publishing 
this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from 
interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend Rules 6.74B and 24B.5B relating to 
the Solicitation Auction Mechanism (``SAM''). The text of the proposed 
rule change is provided below (additions are italicized; deletions are 
[bracketed]).
* * * * *
Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated
Rules
* * * * *

Rule 6.74B. Solicitation Auction Mechanism

    A Trading Permit Holder that represents agency orders may 
electronically execute orders it represents as agent (``Agency Order'') 
against solicited orders provided it submits the Agency Order for 
electronic execution into the solicitation auction mechanism (the 
``Auction'') pursuant to this Rule.
    (a) Auction Eligibility Requirements. A Trading Permit Holder (the 
``Initiating Trading Permit Holder'') may initiate an Auction provided 
all of the following are met:
    (1) The Agency Order is in a class designated as eligible for 
Auctions as determined by the Exchange and within the designated 
Auction order eligibility size parameters as such size parameters are 
determined by the Exchange (however, the eligible order size may not be 
less than 500 standard option contracts or 5,000 mini-option 
contracts);
    (2) Each order entered into the Auction shall be designated as all-
or-none and must be stopped with a solicited order priced at or within 
the NBBO as of the time of the initiation of the Auction (i.e. the time 
that the Agency Order is received in the order handling system 
(``OHS'') (the ``initial auction NBBO''); and
    (3) The minimum price increment for an Initiating Trading Permit 
Holder's single price submission shall be determined by the Exchange on 
a series basis and may not be smaller than one cent.
    (b) Auction Process. The Auction shall proceed as follows:
    (1) Auction Period and Requests for Responses.
    (A) To initiate the Auction, the Initiating Trading Permit Holder 
must mark the Agency Order for Auction processing, and specify a single 
price at which it seeks to cross the Agency Order with a solicited 
order priced at or within the initial auction NBBO.
    (B) When the Exchange receives a properly designated Agency Order 
for Auction processing, a Request for Responses message indicating the 
price, side, and size will be sent to all Trading Permit Holders that 
have elected to receive such messages.
    (C)-(G) No change.
    (2) Auction Conclusion and Order Allocation. The Auction shall 
conclude at the sooner of subparagraphs (b)(2)(A)

[[Page 16041]]

through (F) of Rule 6.74A. At the conclusion of the Auction, the Agency 
Order will be automatically executed in full or cancelled and allocated 
subject to the following:
    (A) The Agency Order will be executed against the solicited order 
at the proposed execution price, provided that:
    (I) The execution price must be equal to or better than the initial 
auction NBBO. If the execution would take place outside the initial 
auction NBBO, the Agency Order and solicited order will be cancelled;
    (II)-(III) No change.

. . . Interpretations and Policies:
.01-.03 No change.
* * * * *

Rule 24B.5B. FLEX Solicitation Auction Mechanism

    A FLEX Trader that represents agency orders may electronically 
execute orders it represents as agent (``Agency Order'') against 
solicited orders provided it submits the Agency Order for electronic 
execution into the solicitation auction mechanism (the ``SAM Auction'') 
pursuant to this Rule.
    (a) No change.
    (b) SAM Auction Process. Only one SAM Auction may be ongoing at any 
given time in a series and SAM Auctions in the same series may not 
queue or overlap in any manner. In addition, unrelated FLEX Orders may 
not be submitted to the electronic book for the duration of a SAM 
Auction. The SAM Auction may not be cancelled and shall proceed as 
follows:
    (1) SAM Auction Period and Requests for Responses (``RFR'').
    (i) No change.
    (ii) When the Exchange receives a properly designated Agency Order 
for SAM Auction processing, an RFR message indicating the price, side 
and size will be sent to all FLEX Traders that have elected to receive 
such messages.
    (iii)-(vii) No change.
    (2)-(3) No change.
* * * * *
    The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the 
Exchange's Web site (http://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at the Exchange's Office of the 
Secretary, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in 
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such 
statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to make changes to its existing SAM auction 
rules in Rule 6.74B and Flexible Exchange Option Solicitation Auction 
Mechanism (``FLEX SAM'') rules in Rule 24B.5B. The Exchange believes 
that the proposed amendments would ensure greater consistency between 
the Exchange's SAM auction rules and Order Protection Rule 6.81 \5\ and 
provide additional clarity in the Rules regarding the Exchange's SAM 
Auction procedures.
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    \5\ See also Securities and Exchange Act Release No. 34-43086 
(July 28, 2000), 65 FR 48023 (August 4, 2000) (Order Approving 
Options Intermarket Linkage Plan) (File No. 4-429).
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    Rules 6.74B and 24B.5B permit Trading Permit Holders (``TPHs'') and 
FLEX Traders to electronically execute an all-or-none (``AON'') orders 
for 500 or more standard (or FLEX) options contracts or 5,000 or more 
mini-options contracts that they represent as agent (``Agency Order'') 
against solicited orders provided the TPH (or FLEX Trader) submits the 
Agency Order for electronic execution into SAM for auction (the 
``Auction'') pursuant to Rule 6.74B or Rule 24B.5B (for FLEX 
orders).\6\ Under Rules 6.74B(a)(2) and (b)(1)(A), each order entered 
into SAM shall be designated AON by the Initiating TPH with the Agency 
Order marked for auction processing with a specific single price at 
which the Initiating TPH seeks to cross the Agency Order with the 
solicited order.\7\ Pursuant to Rule 6.74B(b)(2)(A)(I), the Agency 
Order will be executed against the solicited order at the proposed 
execution price, provided that, among other things, the execution price 
must be equal to or better than the CBOE best bid or offer 
(``BBO'').\8\ If the execution would take place outside the BBO, the 
Agency Order and solicited order will be cancelled.\9\
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    \6\ Neither SAM nor FLEX SAM functionality is currently 
activated for auctions on the Exchange. See RG14-076 (Deactivation 
of the Solicitation Auction Mechanism (SAM) (May 16, 2014)); see 
also notes 7 and 8, infra.
    \7\ See also Rules 24B.5B(a)(2) and (b)(1)(i).
    \8\ See also Rule 24B.5B(b)(3)(i)(A).
    \9\ See Rule 6.74(b)(2)(A)(I); see also Rule 24B.5B(b)(3)(i)(A).
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    Although TPHs are subject to the Exchange's Order Protection Rule 
6.81 and thus, prevented from trading through the displayed national 
best bid and offer (``NBBO''), including within the context of SAM 
auctions, Rule 6.74B does not specifically require Initiating TPHs to 
stop Agency Orders at or within the NBBO or expressly prohibit Agency 
Orders from being executed against solicited orders at prices outside 
the NBBO.\10\ In addition, current Rule 6.74B does not specify whether 
the Agency Order may be executed against a solicited order priced at or 
within the BBO as of the time that the Agency Order is received in the 
Exchange's order handling system (``OHS''), as of the time of the 
beginning of the auction (i.e. the time when requests for responses 
(``RFRs'') are sent), or as of the time of execution.\11\ Accordingly, 
the Exchange is proposing to make several clarifying amendments to Rule 
6.74B to require that Agency Orders be stopped and executed at or 
within the NBBO and to define when the NBBO will be looked at for 
purposes of order protection during the SAM auction process.\12\
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    \10\ Notably, the Exchange's other auction rules expressly 
provide that Initiating TPHs must stop Agency Orders at or within 
the NBBO and prohibit Agency Orders from being executed against 
solicited orders at prices outside the NBBO. See Rule 6.74A(a)(3), 
(b)(1)(A), (b)(3)(D) (Automated Improvement Mechanism (``AIM'')).
    \11\ SAM auction functionality has been deactivated since May 
20, 2014. See RG14-076 (Deactivation of the Solicitation Auction 
Mechanism (SAM) (May 16, 2014)). Prior to May 20, 2014, SAM auction 
prices were checked against the BBO at the time that the Agency 
Order was received for auction processing in the OHS.
    \12\ Consistent with these objectives, effective May 20, 2014, 
the Exchange deactivated SAM. Any future reactivation of SAM will be 
announced via Regulatory Circular prior to reactivation. See RG14-
076 (Deactivation of the Solicitation Auction Mechanism (SAM) (May 
16, 2014)).
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    Specifically, the Exchange is proposing to amend Rules 6.74B(a)(2), 
6.74B(b)(1)(A), and 6.74B(b)(2)(A)(I) to provide that Agency Orders 
submitted into SAM must be stopped with a solicited order priced at or 
within the national best bid or offer (``NBBO'') as of the time of the 
initiation of the Auction (i.e. the time that the Agency Order is 
received for SAM auction processing in the OHS) (the ``initial auction 
NBBO'') and that Agency Orders that are submitted for electronic 
execution into SAM must be executed at a price at or better than the 
initial

[[Page 16042]]

auction NBBO.\13\ Agency Orders paired against solicited orders priced 
outside of the NBBO that are submitted for electronic execution into 
SAM would be rejected by the OHS and cancelled by the Exchange.
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    \13\ The Exchange's proposal to consider the NBBO as of the time 
that the Agency Order is received in the OHS for purposes of the 
entire auction period (i.e. 1 second) is consistent with the 
exception to the Exchange's Order Protection Rule in Rule 
6.81(b)(8).
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    The Exchange believes that requiring SAM orders to be stopped and 
executed at a price equal to, or better than, the NBBO as of the time 
of receipt of the Agency Order in the OHS is consistent with the Order 
Protection Rule 6.81. As proposed, the range of permissible crossing 
prices and executions would be defined based on a snapshot of the 
market at the time when the Agency Order is received.\14\ This proposed 
rule change would thus, make clear that although the NBBO may update 
during the SAM auction response time (currently SAM auctions last one 
second),\15\ the initial auction NBBO would be considered the NBBO for 
SAM auction execution purposes. Accordingly, a SAM order execution 
outside of the NBBO would not violate the Order Protection Rule if the 
execution price were within the NBBO that existed when the Agency Order 
was received in the OHS. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule 
changes would promote consistency within the Rules and across the 
Exchange's various auction procedures.\16\ The Exchange also believes 
that the proposed rule changes would further the interests of investors 
and market participants by helping to ensure best executions and 
protection of bids and offers across multiple exchanges.
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    \14\ See id.
    \15\ See Rule 6.74B(b)(1)(C); see also Rule 24B.5B(b)(1)(iii).
    \16\ The Exchange also notes that the proposed order protection 
rule changes are consistent with similar electronic price 
improvement auction rules of other exchanges. See, e.g., BOX Rule 
7270(b)(2)(i) (Block Trades).
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    The following example demonstrates how the Exchange's proposal 
would provide an additional layer of order protection within the Rules. 
Assume that the NBBO for a particular option is $1.00-$1.20 with quotes 
on both sides for 100 contracts each. The CBOE BBO is $0.95-$1.25. An 
Initiating TPH submits an Agency Order to buy 500 contracts against a 
solicited order to sell 500 contracts into SAM priced at $1.21. An RFR 
is transmitted to TPHs that have elected to receive auction messages 
without any response. In this case, under current Rule 6.74B(b)(2)(A), 
the Agency Order would be executable against the solicited order 
because the execution price of $1.21 improves the CBOE best offer price 
of $1.25. Such execution, however, would be in violation of Rule 6.81 
because the Agency Order would have been executed outside of the NBBO 
of $1.00-$1.20. The Exchange proposes to remedy this inconsistency in 
the Rules by changing references to the BBO to NBBO and defining the 
term ``initial auction NBBO'' to mean priced at or within the NBBO as 
of the time of the initiation of the Auction (i.e. the time that the 
Agency Order is received in the OHS). Under the Exchange's proposal, 
the Agency Order would be rejected by the OHS and cancelled by the 
Exchange because, at the time when the Agency Order to buy 500 
contracts priced at $1.21 was received in the OHS, the solicited would 
have been outside of the NBBO of $1.00-$1.20.
    The Exchange's proposal would not, however, change the priority of 
public customer orders resting in the book. Assume again that the NBBO 
for a particular option is $1.00-$1.20 with quotes on both sides for 
100 contracts each. Assume this time, however, that there is also a 
public customer order to sell 50 contracts resting in the book at 
$1.20. The CBOE BBO is $0.95-$1.20. An Initiating TPH submits an Agency 
Order to buy 500 contracts against a solicited order to sell 500 
contracts into SAM priced at $1.20. An RFR is transmitted to TPHs that 
have elected to receive auction messages with a single response to sell 
150 contracts also at $1.20. In this case, under both current Rule 
6.74B(b)(2)(A) and the proposed rule changes, because there is a public 
customer order resting in the book on the opposite side of the Agency 
Order at the proposed price without sufficient size (considering all 
resting orders (i.e. 50), electronic quotes (i.e. 100), and responses 
(i.e. 150) (50 + 100 + 150 = 300)), both the Agency Order and solicited 
order would be cancelled.\17\
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    \17\ See Rule 6.74B(b)(2)(A). Note, however, that in this 
example, under both the current and proposed rules, had the resting 
order in the book to sell 50 contracts at $1.20 been a Market-Maker 
quote or order rather than a public customer order, the Agency Order 
to buy 500 contracts would trade against the solicited order at 
$1.20 because there would not have been a public customer order in 
the book on the opposite side of the Agency Order and there would 
have been insufficient size to execute the Agency Order at a price 
equal to, or better than, the initial auction NBBO. See Rules 
6.74B(b)(2)(A)(II)-(III).
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    The Exchange also proposes to amend Rules 6.74B(b)(1)(B) and 
24B.5B(b)(1)(ii) to further make clear that upon receiving a properly 
designated Agency Order for SAM or FLEX SAM Auction processing, the 
Exchange's RFR message would indicate the price, side, and size of the 
Agency Order that the Initiating TPH is seeking to cross. Rules 
6.74B(b)(1)(B) and 24B.5B(b)(1)(ii) both currently provide that the 
Exchange will send an RFR message to all TPHs that have elected to 
receive such messages, indicating the price and size of the Agency 
Order that the Initiating TPH is seeking to cross, but neither Rule 
6.74B(b)(1)(B) or 24B.5B(b)(1)(ii) currently specify that the RFR will 
also indicate the side (i.e. buy v. sell) of the Agency Order that the 
Initiating TPH is seeking to cross.\18\ In order to add additional 
clarity to the Rules and in an effort to minimize confusion among 
market participants, the Exchange proposes to add the ``side'' 
indication requirement to the SAM auction rules. The Exchange believes 
that the proposed changes will provide additional clarity regarding the 
Exchange's SAM auction processes and reduce the potential for confusion 
in the Rules.
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    \18\ The Exchange's other auction rules require the side of the 
Agency Order to be indicated in the RFR. See, e.g., Rule 
6.74A(b)(1)(B), Automated Improvement Mechanism, which provides that 
the Initiating TPH must expressly disclose the side of the Agency 
Order that it seeks to cross. (``When the Exchange receives a 
properly designated Agency Order for Auction processing, a Request 
for Responses (``RFR'') detailing the side and size of the order 
will be sent to all Trading Permit Holders that have elected to 
receive RFRs.'' Emphasis added.) Although not expressly stated in 
the Rules, prior to May 20, 2014, the Exchange's SAM RFR messages 
indicated the side of the Agency Order that the Initiating TPH 
sought to cross.
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2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the 
Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the 
Act.\19\ Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change 
is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) \20\ requirements that the rules 
of an exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts 
and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to 
foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, 
clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and 
facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and 
perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market 
system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. 
Additionally, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is 
consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) \21\ requirement that

[[Page 16043]]

the rules of an exchange not be designed to permit unfair 
discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
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    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \21\ Id.
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    In particular, the Exchange believes that the proposed changes 
would ensure further consistency within the Exchange's Rules. The 
Exchange also believes that the proposed rule changes would further the 
objectives of the Act to protect investors by promoting the intermarket 
price protection goals of the Exchange's Order Protection Rule 6.81 and 
the Options Intermarket Linkage Plan.\22\ The Exchange believes its 
proposal would help ensure intermarket competition across all 
exchanges, aid in preventing intermarket trade-throughs, and facilitate 
compliance with best execution practices. The Exchange believes that 
these objectives are consistent with the Act and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, 
the requirements of Section 11A of the Act. In addition, the Exchange 
believes that the proposed rule changes will clarify the manner in 
which orders are submitted into the SAM auction process and reduce the 
potential for confusion in the Rules. The Exchange believes that 
providing additional clarity to its Rules furthers the goal of 
promoting transparency in markets, which is in the best interests of 
market participants and the general public and consistent with the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ See generally Securities and Exchange Act Release No. 34-
43086 (July 28, 2000), 65 FR 48023 (August 4, 2000) (Order Approving 
Options Intermarket Linkage Plan) (File No. 4-429).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Rather, the Exchange 
believes that the proposed rule would bolster intermarket competition 
by promoting fair competition among individual markets, while at the 
same time assuring that market participants receive the benefits of 
markets that are linked together, through facilities and rules, in a 
unified system, which promotes interaction among the orders of buyers 
and sellers. The Exchange believes its proposal would help ensure 
intermarket competition across all exchanges, aid in preventing 
intermarket trade-throughs, and facilitate compliance with best 
execution practices. In addition, the Exchange believes that the 
proposed rule change would help promote fair and orderly markets by 
helping to ensure compliance with the Order Protection Rule. Thus, the 
Exchange does not believe the proposal creates any significant impact 
on competition.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    The Exchange neither solicited nor received written comments on the 
proposed rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not (i) 
significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \23\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\24\
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    \23\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \24\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). As required under Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written 
notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a 
brief description and the text of the proposed rule change, at least 
five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule 
change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission 
takes such action, the Commission will institute proceedings to 
determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or 
disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-CBOE-2015-031 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2015-031. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2015-031 and should be 
submitted on or before April 16, 2015.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\25\
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    \25\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-06893 Filed 3-25-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                  16040                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 58 / Thursday, March 26, 2015 / Notices

                                                  execution price at all price levels when                VI. Conclusion                                         Chicago Board Options Exchange,
                                                  a single order is executed at multiple                                                                         Incorporated
                                                                                                            It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
                                                  price levels; (3) updating the expiration               Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,54 that the                Rules
                                                  date of the pilot program related to the                proposed rule change, as modified by
                                                  suspension of certain provisions of the                                                                        *        *       *    *   *
                                                                                                          Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 (SR–BATS–
                                                  Proposed Rule to October 23, 2015 in                    2014–067) be, and hereby is, approved                  Rule 6.74B. Solicitation Auction
                                                  connection with the Limit Up-Limit                      on an accelerated basis.                               Mechanism
                                                  Down Plan and making clear that the                                                                               A Trading Permit Holder that
                                                                                                            For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                  Exchange would provide a publicly                       Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated             represents agency orders may
                                                  available assessment of the operation of                authority.55                                           electronically execute orders it
                                                  this portion of the Proposed Rule by                    Brent J. Fields,                                       represents as agent (‘‘Agency Order’’)
                                                  May 29, 2015; and (4) proposing an                      Secretary.                                             against solicited orders provided it
                                                  implementation date of May 8, 2015 to                   [FR Doc. 2015–06890 Filed 3–25–15; 8:45 am]            submits the Agency Order for electronic
                                                  allow all the other options exchanges                   BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                                                                                 execution into the solicitation auction
                                                  the time necessary to harmonize their                                                                          mechanism (the ‘‘Auction’’) pursuant to
                                                  rules with the Proposed Rule.49                                                                                this Rule.
                                                     The Commission believes                              SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                   (a) Auction Eligibility Requirements.
                                                  Amendment No. 2 would provide                           COMMISSION                                             A Trading Permit Holder (the ‘‘Initiating
                                                  market participants with additional                                                                            Trading Permit Holder’’) may initiate an
                                                  clarity by making technical, non-                       [Release No. 34–74560; File No. SR–CBOE–
                                                                                                                                                                 Auction provided all of the following
                                                                                                          2015–031]                                              are met:
                                                  substantive corrections to certain
                                                                                                                                                                    (1) The Agency Order is in a class
                                                  portions of the filing.50 The Commission                                                                       designated as eligible for Auctions as
                                                  believes the amendment to the                           Self-Regulatory Organizations;
                                                                                                          Chicago Board Options Exchange,                        determined by the Exchange and within
                                                  determination of Theoretical Price when                                                                        the designated Auction order eligibility
                                                                                                          Incorporated; Notice of Filing and
                                                  a single order is executed at multiple                                                                         size parameters as such size parameters
                                                                                                          Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed
                                                  price levels is consistent with the                     Rule Change Relating to the                            are determined by the Exchange
                                                  protection of investors because the                     Solicitation Auction Mechanism                         (however, the eligible order size may
                                                  revised provision provides additional                                                                          not be less than 500 standard option
                                                  certainty to market participants and                    March 20, 2015.                                        contracts or 5,000 mini-option
                                                  eliminates the discretion of the                           Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                 contracts);
                                                  Exchange to determine Theoretical Price                 Securities Exchange Act of 1934                           (2) Each order entered into the
                                                  in certain circumstances.51 The                         (‘‘Act’’), 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2               Auction shall be designated as all-or-
                                                  Commission further believes that                        notice is hereby given that, on March                  none and must be stopped with a
                                                  approval of the proposed rule change, as                18, 2015, Chicago Board Options                        solicited order priced at or within the
                                                  modified by Amendment Nos. 1 and 2,                     Exchange, Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’               NBBO as of the time of the initiation of
                                                  on an accelerated basis would permit                    or ‘‘CBOE’’) filed with the Securities                 the Auction (i.e. the time that the
                                                  other options exchanges to complete the                 and Exchange Commission (the                           Agency Order is received in the order
                                                  process of filing similar proposals to                  ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                      handling system (‘‘OHS’’) (the ‘‘initial
                                                  adopt the new, harmonized rule on a                     change as described in Items I, II, and                auction NBBO’’); and
                                                  timely basis.52                                         III below, which Items have been                          (3) The minimum price increment for
                                                                                                          prepared by the Exchange. The                          an Initiating Trading Permit Holder’s
                                                     As discussed above, the Commission                   Exchange filed the proposal as a ‘‘non-                single price submission shall be
                                                  believes that the revisions in                          controversial’’ proposed rule change                   determined by the Exchange on a series
                                                  Amendment No. 2 are being made to                       pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of                basis and may not be smaller than one
                                                  provide additional clarity to the                       the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)                         cent.
                                                  proposed rule change and to provide                     thereunder.4 The Commission is                            (b) Auction Process. The Auction
                                                  additional certainty and consistency by                 publishing this notice to solicit                      shall proceed as follows:
                                                  eliminating the discretion of the                       comments on the proposed rule change                      (1) Auction Period and Requests for
                                                  Exchange to determine Theoretical Price                 from interested persons.                               Responses.
                                                  in certain circumstances. The                                                                                     (A) To initiate the Auction, the
                                                                                                          I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                      Initiating Trading Permit Holder must
                                                  Commission believes Amendment No. 2                     Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                  is consistent with the purpose of the                                                                          mark the Agency Order for Auction
                                                                                                          the Proposed Rule Change                               processing, and specify a single price at
                                                  proposed rule change and is consistent
                                                  with the protection of investors and the                   The Exchange proposes to amend                      which it seeks to cross the Agency
                                                  public interest. Accordingly, the                       Rules 6.74B and 24B.5B relating to the                 Order with a solicited order priced at or
                                                  Commission finds good cause, pursuant                   Solicitation Auction Mechanism                         within the initial auction NBBO.
                                                                                                          (‘‘SAM’’). The text of the proposed rule                  (B) When the Exchange receives a
                                                  to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,53 to
                                                                                                          change is provided below (additions are                properly designated Agency Order for
                                                  approve the proposed rule change, as
                                                                                                          italicized; deletions are [bracketed]).                Auction processing, a Request for
                                                  modified by Amendment Nos. 1 and 2,
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                                                                                                          *      *    *     *     *                              Responses message indicating the price,
                                                  on an accelerated basis.                                                                                       side, and size will be sent to all Trading
                                                                                                            54 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
                                                                                                                                                                 Permit Holders that have elected to
                                                    49 See Amendment No. 2, supra note 6.                   55 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                           receive such messages.
                                                    50 See id.                                              1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                  (C)–(G) No change.
                                                    51 See id.                                              2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                     (2) Auction Conclusion and Order
                                                    52 See id.                                              3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).                       Allocation. The Auction shall conclude
                                                    53 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).                                 4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                            at the sooner of subparagraphs (b)(2)(A)


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 58 / Thursday, March 26, 2015 / Notices                                                    16041

                                                  through (F) of Rule 6.74A. At the                       the proposed rule change and discussed                Agency Order and solicited order will
                                                  conclusion of the Auction, the Agency                   any comments it received on the                       be cancelled.9
                                                  Order will be automatically executed in                 proposed rule change. The text of these                  Although TPHs are subject to the
                                                  full or cancelled and allocated subject to              statements may be examined at the                     Exchange’s Order Protection Rule 6.81
                                                  the following:                                          places specified in Item IV below. The                and thus, prevented from trading
                                                     (A) The Agency Order will be                         Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                                                                                                                                through the displayed national best bid
                                                  executed against the solicited order at                 forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                                                                                                                                and offer (‘‘NBBO’’), including within
                                                  the proposed execution price, provided                  the most significant aspects of such
                                                  that:                                                                                                         the context of SAM auctions, Rule 6.74B
                                                                                                          statements.
                                                     (I) The execution price must be equal                                                                      does not specifically require Initiating
                                                                                                          A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     TPHs to stop Agency Orders at or within
                                                  to or better than the initial auction
                                                                                                          Statement of the Purpose of, and                      the NBBO or expressly prohibit Agency
                                                  NBBO. If the execution would take
                                                                                                          Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                Orders from being executed against
                                                  place outside the initial auction NBBO,
                                                                                                          Change                                                solicited orders at prices outside the
                                                  the Agency Order and solicited order
                                                  will be cancelled;                                      1. Purpose                                            NBBO.10 In addition, current Rule 6.74B
                                                     (II)–(III) No change.                                                                                      does not specify whether the Agency
                                                                                                             The Exchange proposes to make                      Order may be executed against a
                                                  . . . Interpretations and Policies:
                                                                                                          changes to its existing SAM auction                   solicited order priced at or within the
                                                  .01–.03 No change.
                                                                                                          rules in Rule 6.74B and Flexible                      BBO as of the time that the Agency
                                                  *      *      *    *     *                              Exchange Option Solicitation Auction                  Order is received in the Exchange’s
                                                  Rule 24B.5B. FLEX Solicitation Auction                  Mechanism (‘‘FLEX SAM’’) rules in                     order handling system (‘‘OHS’’), as of
                                                  Mechanism                                               Rule 24B.5B. The Exchange believes                    the time of the beginning of the auction
                                                                                                          that the proposed amendments would                    (i.e. the time when requests for
                                                     A FLEX Trader that represents agency                 ensure greater consistency between the
                                                  orders may electronically execute orders                                                                      responses (‘‘RFRs’’) are sent), or as of
                                                                                                          Exchange’s SAM auction rules and                      the time of execution.11 Accordingly,
                                                  it represents as agent (‘‘Agency Order’’)               Order Protection Rule 6.81 5 and
                                                  against solicited orders provided it                                                                          the Exchange is proposing to make
                                                                                                          provide additional clarity in the Rules
                                                  submits the Agency Order for electronic                                                                       several clarifying amendments to Rule
                                                                                                          regarding the Exchange’s SAM Auction
                                                  execution into the solicitation auction                                                                       6.74B to require that Agency Orders be
                                                                                                          procedures.
                                                  mechanism (the ‘‘SAM Auction’’)                                                                               stopped and executed at or within the
                                                  pursuant to this Rule.                                     Rules 6.74B and 24B.5B permit                      NBBO and to define when the NBBO
                                                     (a) No change.                                       Trading Permit Holders (‘‘TPHs’’) and                 will be looked at for purposes of order
                                                     (b) SAM Auction Process. Only one                    FLEX Traders to electronically execute                protection during the SAM auction
                                                  SAM Auction may be ongoing at any                       an all-or-none (‘‘AON’’) orders for 500
                                                                                                                                                                process.12
                                                  given time in a series and SAM                          or more standard (or FLEX) options
                                                                                                          contracts or 5,000 or more mini-options                  Specifically, the Exchange is
                                                  Auctions in the same series may not                                                                           proposing to amend Rules 6.74B(a)(2),
                                                  queue or overlap in any manner. In                      contracts that they represent as agent
                                                                                                          (‘‘Agency Order’’) against solicited                  6.74B(b)(1)(A), and 6.74B(b)(2)(A)(I) to
                                                  addition, unrelated FLEX Orders may
                                                                                                          orders provided the TPH (or FLEX                      provide that Agency Orders submitted
                                                  not be submitted to the electronic book
                                                                                                          Trader) submits the Agency Order for                  into SAM must be stopped with a
                                                  for the duration of a SAM Auction. The
                                                  SAM Auction may not be cancelled and                    electronic execution into SAM for                     solicited order priced at or within the
                                                  shall proceed as follows:                               auction (the ‘‘Auction’’) pursuant to                 national best bid or offer (‘‘NBBO’’) as
                                                     (1) SAM Auction Period and Requests                  Rule 6.74B or Rule 24B.5B (for FLEX                   of the time of the initiation of the
                                                  for Responses (‘‘RFR’’).                                orders).6 Under Rules 6.74B(a)(2) and                 Auction (i.e. the time that the Agency
                                                     (i) No change.                                       (b)(1)(A), each order entered into SAM                Order is received for SAM auction
                                                     (ii) When the Exchange receives a                    shall be designated AON by the                        processing in the OHS) (the ‘‘initial
                                                  properly designated Agency Order for                    Initiating TPH with the Agency Order                  auction NBBO’’) and that Agency Orders
                                                  SAM Auction processing, an RFR                          marked for auction processing with a                  that are submitted for electronic
                                                  message indicating the price, side and                  specific single price at which the                    execution into SAM must be executed at
                                                  size will be sent to all FLEX Traders that              Initiating TPH seeks to cross the Agency              a price at or better than the initial
                                                  have elected to receive such messages.                  Order with the solicited order.7
                                                     (iii)–(vii) No change.                               Pursuant to Rule 6.74B(b)(2)(A)(I), the                 9 See Rule 6.74(b)(2)(A)(I); see also Rule

                                                     (2)–(3) No change.                                   Agency Order will be executed against                 24B.5B(b)(3)(i)(A).
                                                                                                          the solicited order at the proposed                     10 Notably, the Exchange’s other auction rules
                                                  *       *     *    *     *                                                                                    expressly provide that Initiating TPHs must stop
                                                                                                          execution price, provided that, among
                                                     The text of the proposed rule change                                                                       Agency Orders at or within the NBBO and prohibit
                                                                                                          other things, the execution price must
                                                  is also available on the Exchange’s Web                                                                       Agency Orders from being executed against
                                                                                                          be equal to or better than the CBOE best              solicited orders at prices outside the NBBO. See
                                                  site (http://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/
                                                                                                          bid or offer (‘‘BBO’’).8 If the execution             Rule 6.74A(a)(3), (b)(1)(A), (b)(3)(D) (Automated
                                                  CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at                                                                             Improvement Mechanism (‘‘AIM’’)).
                                                                                                          would take place outside the BBO, the
                                                  the Exchange’s Office of the Secretary,                                                                         11 SAM auction functionality has been

                                                  and at the Commission’s Public                             5 See also Securities and Exchange Act Release
                                                                                                                                                                deactivated since May 20, 2014. See RG14–076
                                                  Reference Room.                                                                                               (Deactivation of the Solicitation Auction
                                                                                                          No. 34–43086 (July 28, 2000), 65 FR 48023 (August     Mechanism (SAM) (May 16, 2014)). Prior to May 20,
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                                                  II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                      4, 2000) (Order Approving Options Intermarket         2014, SAM auction prices were checked against the
                                                                                                          Linkage Plan) (File No. 4–429).                       BBO at the time that the Agency Order was received
                                                  Statement of the Purpose of, and                           6 Neither SAM nor FLEX SAM functionality is
                                                                                                                                                                for auction processing in the OHS.
                                                  Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  currently activated for auctions on the Exchange.       12 Consistent with these objectives, effective May
                                                  Change                                                  See RG14–076 (Deactivation of the Solicitation        20, 2014, the Exchange deactivated SAM. Any
                                                                                                          Auction Mechanism (SAM) (May 16, 2014)); see          future reactivation of SAM will be announced via
                                                    In its filing with the Commission, the                also notes 7 and 8, infra.                            Regulatory Circular prior to reactivation. See RG14–
                                                  Exchange included statements                               7 See also Rules 24B.5B(a)(2) and (b)(1)(i).
                                                                                                                                                                076 (Deactivation of the Solicitation Auction
                                                  concerning the purpose of and basis for                    8 See also Rule 24B.5B(b)(3)(i)(A).                Mechanism (SAM) (May 16, 2014)).



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                                                  16042                         Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 58 / Thursday, March 26, 2015 / Notices

                                                  auction NBBO.13 Agency Orders paired                    against the solicited order because the                 would indicate the price, side, and size
                                                  against solicited orders priced outside of              execution price of $1.21 improves the                   of the Agency Order that the Initiating
                                                  the NBBO that are submitted for                         CBOE best offer price of $1.25. Such                    TPH is seeking to cross. Rules
                                                  electronic execution into SAM would be                  execution, however, would be in                         6.74B(b)(1)(B) and 24B.5B(b)(1)(ii) both
                                                  rejected by the OHS and cancelled by                    violation of Rule 6.81 because the                      currently provide that the Exchange will
                                                  the Exchange.                                           Agency Order would have been                            send an RFR message to all TPHs that
                                                     The Exchange believes that requiring                 executed outside of the NBBO of $1.00–                  have elected to receive such messages,
                                                  SAM orders to be stopped and executed                   $1.20. The Exchange proposes to                         indicating the price and size of the
                                                  at a price equal to, or better than, the                remedy this inconsistency in the Rules                  Agency Order that the Initiating TPH is
                                                  NBBO as of the time of receipt of the                   by changing references to the BBO to                    seeking to cross, but neither Rule
                                                  Agency Order in the OHS is consistent                   NBBO and defining the term ‘‘initial                    6.74B(b)(1)(B) or 24B.5B(b)(1)(ii)
                                                  with the Order Protection Rule 6.81. As                 auction NBBO’’ to mean priced at or                     currently specify that the RFR will also
                                                  proposed, the range of permissible                      within the NBBO as of the time of the                   indicate the side (i.e. buy v. sell) of the
                                                  crossing prices and executions would be                 initiation of the Auction (i.e. the time                Agency Order that the Initiating TPH is
                                                  defined based on a snapshot of the                      that the Agency Order is received in the                seeking to cross.18 In order to add
                                                  market at the time when the Agency                      OHS). Under the Exchange’s proposal,                    additional clarity to the Rules and in an
                                                  Order is received.14 This proposed rule                 the Agency Order would be rejected by                   effort to minimize confusion among
                                                  change would thus, make clear that                      the OHS and cancelled by the Exchange                   market participants, the Exchange
                                                  although the NBBO may update during                     because, at the time when the Agency                    proposes to add the ‘‘side’’ indication
                                                  the SAM auction response time                           Order to buy 500 contracts priced at                    requirement to the SAM auction rules.
                                                  (currently SAM auctions last one                        $1.21 was received in the OHS, the                      The Exchange believes that the
                                                  second),15 the initial auction NBBO                     solicited would have been outside of the                proposed changes will provide
                                                  would be considered the NBBO for SAM                    NBBO of $1.00–$1.20.                                    additional clarity regarding the
                                                  auction execution purposes.                                The Exchange’s proposal would not,                   Exchange’s SAM auction processes and
                                                  Accordingly, a SAM order execution                      however, change the priority of public                  reduce the potential for confusion in the
                                                  outside of the NBBO would not violate                   customer orders resting in the book.                    Rules.
                                                  the Order Protection Rule if the                        Assume again that the NBBO for a
                                                  execution price were within the NBBO                                                                            2. Statutory Basis
                                                                                                          particular option is $1.00–$1.20 with
                                                  that existed when the Agency Order was                  quotes on both sides for 100 contracts                     The Exchange believes the proposed
                                                  received in the OHS. The Exchange                       each. Assume this time, however, that                   rule change is consistent with the Act
                                                  believes that the proposed rule changes                 there is also a public customer order to                and the rules and regulations
                                                  would promote consistency within the                    sell 50 contracts resting in the book at                thereunder applicable to the Exchange
                                                  Rules and across the Exchange’s various                 $1.20. The CBOE BBO is $0.95–$1.20.                     and, in particular, the requirements of
                                                  auction procedures.16 The Exchange                      An Initiating TPH submits an Agency                     Section 6(b) of the Act.19 Specifically,
                                                  also believes that the proposed rule                    Order to buy 500 contracts against a                    the Exchange believes the proposed rule
                                                  changes would further the interests of                  solicited order to sell 500 contracts into              change is consistent with the Section
                                                  investors and market participants by                    SAM priced at $1.20. An RFR is                          6(b)(5) 20 requirements that the rules of
                                                  helping to ensure best executions and                   transmitted to TPHs that have elected to                an exchange be designed to prevent
                                                  protection of bids and offers across                    receive auction messages with a single                  fraudulent and manipulative acts and
                                                  multiple exchanges.                                     response to sell 150 contracts also at                  practices, to promote just and equitable
                                                     The following example demonstrates                   $1.20. In this case, under both current                 principles of trade, to foster cooperation
                                                  how the Exchange’s proposal would                       Rule 6.74B(b)(2)(A) and the proposed                    and coordination with persons engaged
                                                  provide an additional layer of order                    rule changes, because there is a public                 in regulating, clearing, settling,
                                                  protection within the Rules. Assume                     customer order resting in the book on                   processing information with respect to,
                                                  that the NBBO for a particular option is                the opposite side of the Agency Order                   and facilitating transactions in
                                                  $1.00–$1.20 with quotes on both sides                   at the proposed price without sufficient                securities, to remove impediments to
                                                  for 100 contracts each. The CBOE BBO                    size (considering all resting orders (i.e.              and perfect the mechanism of a free and
                                                  is $0.95–$1.25. An Initiating TPH                       50), electronic quotes (i.e. 100), and                  open market and a national market
                                                  submits an Agency Order to buy 500                      responses (i.e. 150) (50 + 100 + 150 =                  system, and, in general, to protect
                                                  contracts against a solicited order to sell             300)), both the Agency Order and                        investors and the public interest.
                                                  500 contracts into SAM priced at $1.21.                 solicited order would be cancelled.17                   Additionally, the Exchange believes the
                                                  An RFR is transmitted to TPHs that have                    The Exchange also proposes to amend                  proposed rule change is consistent with
                                                  elected to receive auction messages                     Rules 6.74B(b)(1)(B) and 24B.5B(b)(1)(ii)               the Section 6(b)(5) 21 requirement that
                                                  without any response. In this case,                     to further make clear that upon
                                                                                                                                                                    18 The Exchange’s other auction rules require the
                                                  under current Rule 6.74B(b)(2)(A), the                  receiving a properly designated Agency                  side of the Agency Order to be indicated in the RFR.
                                                  Agency Order would be executable                        Order for SAM or FLEX SAM Auction                       See, e.g., Rule 6.74A(b)(1)(B), Automated
                                                                                                          processing, the Exchange’s RFR message                  Improvement Mechanism, which provides that the
                                                     13 The Exchange’s proposal to consider the NBBO                                                              Initiating TPH must expressly disclose the side of
                                                  as of the time that the Agency Order is received in       17 See Rule 6.74B(b)(2)(A). Note, however, that in    the Agency Order that it seeks to cross. (‘‘When the
                                                  the OHS for purposes of the entire auction period       this example, under both the current and proposed       Exchange receives a properly designated Agency
                                                  (i.e. 1 second) is consistent with the exception to     rules, had the resting order in the book to sell 50     Order for Auction processing, a Request for
                                                  the Exchange’s Order Protection Rule in Rule            contracts at $1.20 been a Market-Maker quote or         Responses (‘‘RFR’’) detailing the side and size of the
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                                                  6.81(b)(8).                                             order rather than a public customer order, the          order will be sent to all Trading Permit Holders that
                                                     14 See id.
                                                                                                          Agency Order to buy 500 contracts would trade           have elected to receive RFRs.’’ Emphasis added.)
                                                     15 See Rule 6.74B(b)(1)(C); see also Rule
                                                                                                          against the solicited order at $1.20 because there      Although not expressly stated in the Rules, prior to
                                                  24B.5B(b)(1)(iii).                                      would not have been a public customer order in the      May 20, 2014, the Exchange’s SAM RFR messages
                                                     16 The Exchange also notes that the proposed         book on the opposite side of the Agency Order and       indicated the side of the Agency Order that the
                                                  order protection rule changes are consistent with       there would have been insufficient size to execute      Initiating TPH sought to cross.
                                                                                                                                                                    19 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                                  similar electronic price improvement auction rules      the Agency Order at a price equal to, or better than,
                                                                                                                                                                    20 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
                                                  of other exchanges. See, e.g., BOX Rule 7270(b)(2)(i)   the initial auction NBBO. See Rules
                                                  (Block Trades).                                         6.74B(b)(2)(A)(II)–(III).                                 21 Id.




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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 58 / Thursday, March 26, 2015 / Notices                                                    16043

                                                  the rules of an exchange not be designed                Protection Rule. Thus, the Exchange                     Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                  to permit unfair discrimination between                 does not believe the proposal creates                   Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                  customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.                any significant impact on competition.                  All submissions should refer to File
                                                     In particular, the Exchange believes                                                                         Number SR–CBOE–2015–031. This file
                                                                                                          C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  that the proposed changes would ensure                  Statement on Comments on the                            number should be included on the
                                                  further consistency within the                          Proposed Rule Change Received From                      subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                  Exchange’s Rules. The Exchange also                     Members, Participants, or Others                        Commission process and review your
                                                  believes that the proposed rule changes                                                                         comments more efficiently, please use
                                                  would further the objectives of the Act                   The Exchange neither solicited nor                    only one method. The Commission will
                                                  to protect investors by promoting the                   received written comments on the                        post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                  intermarket price protection goals of the               proposed rule change.                                   Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                  Exchange’s Order Protection Rule 6.81                   III. Date of Effectiveness of the                       rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                  and the Options Intermarket Linkage                     Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                     submission, all subsequent
                                                  Plan.22 The Exchange believes its                       Commission Action                                       amendments, all written statements
                                                  proposal would help ensure intermarket                                                                          with respect to the proposed rule
                                                                                                             Because the foregoing proposed rule
                                                  competition across all exchanges, aid in                                                                        change that are filed with the
                                                                                                          change does not (i) significantly affect
                                                  preventing intermarket trade-throughs,                                                                          Commission, and all written
                                                                                                          the protection of investors or the public
                                                  and facilitate compliance with best                                                                             communications relating to the
                                                                                                          interest; (ii) impose any significant
                                                  execution practices. The Exchange                                                                               proposed rule change between the
                                                                                                          burden on competition; and (iii) become
                                                  believes that these objectives are                                                                              Commission and any person, other than
                                                                                                          operative for 30 days from the date on
                                                  consistent with the Act and the rules                                                                           those that may be withheld from the
                                                                                                          which it was filed, or such shorter time
                                                  and regulations thereunder applicable to                                                                        public in accordance with the
                                                                                                          as the Commission may designate, it has
                                                  the Exchange and, in particular, the                                                                            provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                                                                          become effective pursuant to Section
                                                  requirements of Section 11A of the Act.                                                                         available for Web site viewing and
                                                                                                          19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 23 and Rule 19b–
                                                  In addition, the Exchange believes that                                                                         printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                                                                          4(f)(6) thereunder.24
                                                  the proposed rule changes will clarify                     At any time within 60 days of the                    Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                  the manner in which orders are                          filing of the proposed rule change, the                 Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                                  submitted into the SAM auction process                  Commission summarily may                                business days between the hours of
                                                  and reduce the potential for confusion                  temporarily suspend such rule change if                 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                  in the Rules. The Exchange believes that                it appears to the Commission that such                  filing also will be available for
                                                  providing additional clarity to its Rules               action is necessary or appropriate in the               inspection and copying at the principal
                                                  furthers the goal of promoting                          public interest, for the protection of                  office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                  transparency in markets, which is in the                investors, or otherwise in furtherance of               received will be posted without change;
                                                  best interests of market participants and               the purposes of the Act. If the                         the Commission does not edit personal
                                                  the general public and consistent with                  Commission takes such action, the                       identifying information from
                                                  the Act.                                                Commission will institute proceedings                   submissions. You should submit only
                                                  B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       to determine whether the proposed rule                  information that you wish to make
                                                  Statement on Burden on Competition                      change should be approved or                            available publicly. All submissions
                                                                                                          disapproved.                                            should refer to File Number SR–CBOE–
                                                    The Exchange does not believe that                                                                            2015–031 and should be submitted on
                                                  the proposed rule change will impose                    IV. Solicitation of Comments                            or before April 16, 2015.
                                                  any burden on competition that is not                     Interested persons are invited to                       For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                  necessary or appropriate in furtherance                 submit written data, views and                          Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                  of the purposes of the Act. Rather, the                 arguments concerning the foregoing,                     authority.25
                                                  Exchange believes that the proposed                     including whether the proposed rule                     Brent J. Fields,
                                                  rule would bolster intermarket                          change is consistent with the Act.                      Secretary.
                                                  competition by promoting fair                           Comments may be submitted by any of                     [FR Doc. 2015–06893 Filed 3–25–15; 8:45 am]
                                                  competition among individual markets,                   the following methods:                                  BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                  while at the same time assuring that
                                                  market participants receive the benefits                Electronic Comments
                                                  of markets that are linked together,                      • Use the Commission’s Internet                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                  through facilities and rules, in a unified              comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                       COMMISSION
                                                  system, which promotes interaction                      rules/sro.shtml); or
                                                  among the orders of buyers and sellers.                   • Send an email to rule-comments@                     [File No. 500–1]
                                                  The Exchange believes its proposal                      sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                  would help ensure intermarket                           CBOE–2015–031 on the subject line.                      In the Matter of Winsonic Digital Media
                                                  competition across all exchanges, aid in                                                                        Group, Ltd.; Order of Suspension of
                                                                                                          Paper Comments                                          Trading Pursuant to Section 12(K) of
                                                  preventing intermarket trade-throughs,
                                                  and facilitate compliance with best                       • Send paper comments in triplicate                   the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                  execution practices. In addition, the                   to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                                                                                  March 24, 2015.
                                                  Exchange believes that the proposed
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                            23 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                                                                                                                                                    It appears to the Securities and
                                                  rule change would help promote fair                                                                             Exchange Commission that there is a
                                                                                                            24 17  CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). As required under Rule
                                                  and orderly markets by helping to                                                                               lack of current and accurate information
                                                                                                          19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the
                                                  ensure compliance with the Order                        Commission with written notice of its intent to file    concerning the securities of Winsonic
                                                                                                          the proposed rule change, along with a brief            Digital Media Group, Ltd. (‘‘Winsonic’’)
                                                    22 See generally Securities and Exchange Act          description and the text of the proposed rule
                                                  Release No. 34–43086 (July 28, 2000), 65 FR 48023       change, at least five business days prior to the date   because it has not filed any periodic
                                                  (August 4, 2000) (Order Approving Options               of filing of the proposed rule change, or such
                                                  Intermarket Linkage Plan) (File No. 4–429).             shorter time as designated by the Commission.             25 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).



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Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:46:38
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:46:38
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
FR Citation80 FR 16040 

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