80_FR_29880 80 FR 29781 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Y-Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change, and Amendment No. 1 Thereto, To Amend Rule 11.2 To State That the BATS Y-Exchange, Inc. Will Not Designate for Trading Any Security Admitted to Unlisted Trading Privileges on the Exchange Unless That Security Satisfies Certain Liquidity Requirements

80 FR 29781 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Y-Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change, and Amendment No. 1 Thereto, To Amend Rule 11.2 To State That the BATS Y-Exchange, Inc. Will Not Designate for Trading Any Security Admitted to Unlisted Trading Privileges on the Exchange Unless That Security Satisfies Certain Liquidity Requirements

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 99 (May 22, 2015)

Page Range29781-29783
FR Document2015-12415

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 99 (Friday, May 22, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 99 (Friday, May 22, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29781-29783]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12415]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-74988; File No. SR-BYX-2015-25]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Y-Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing of a Proposed Rule Change, and Amendment No. 1 Thereto, To Amend 
Rule 11.2 To State That the BATS Y-Exchange, Inc. Will Not Designate 
for Trading Any Security Admitted to Unlisted Trading Privileges on the 
Exchange Unless That Security Satisfies Certain Liquidity Requirements

May 18, 2015.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on May 5, 2015, BATS Y-Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``BYX'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II 
and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. On May 
15, 2015, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposal. Amendment 
No. 1 amended and replaced the original proposal in its entirety. The 
Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the 
proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, from interested 
persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange filed a proposal to amend Rule 11.2 to state that the 
Exchange will not designate for trading any security admitted to 
unlisted trading privileges on the Exchange unless that security 
satisfies certain liquidity requirements, as further described below.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's 
Web site at www.batstrading.com, at the principal office of the 
Exchange, 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 parts of such 
statements.

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

1. Purpose
    With limited exception, the current equity market structure under 
Regulation NMS applies the same rules with respect to, among other 
things, tick sizes, order protection, locked and crossed markets, and 
access fees to all exchange-listed securities. The Exchange believes 
that Regulation NMS, along with technological advancements, has 
produced great efficiencies to the equity market, resulting in intense 
competition between exchanges and broker-dealers. The Exchange believes 
the net result for most exchange-listed securities has been decreases 
in transaction costs, including decreases in explicit commissions and 
the narrowing of effective spreads investors pay to enter and exit 
positions. However, the Exchange recognizes that not all exchange-
listed securities have benefited to the same extent under the current 
one-size fits all approach to the equity market. In particular, 
investors continue to experience difficulty trading illiquid 
securities, including paying higher effective spreads and difficulty 
sourcing liquidity across multiple exchanges and non-exchange trading 
venues while minimizing market impact.
    The Exchange believes the market quality of securities that are 
today illiquid could benefit from a concentration of quoted liquidity 
on the listing exchange. By concentrating quoted liquidity on the 
listing exchange, for the reasons discussed below, the Exchange 
believes liquidity providers will quote more competitively, resulting 
in more efficient price formation and a narrower national best bid or 
offer (``NBBO''), as well as the display of more quoted size at price 
levels outside the NBBO (``depth of book''). In turn, the Exchange 
believes that these enhancements to market quality could ultimately 
increase investor and member interest in such securities resulting in 
greater average daily trading volume. As such, as described below, the 
Exchange is proposing to adopt rules to clarify the circumstances under 
which the Exchange would voluntarily provide advance notice to the 
industry that it is ceasing to quote and trade certain specific 
illiquid securities until such securities meet and sustain an average 
daily volume threshold indicative of increased liquidity.
    In particular, the Exchange proposes to amend Rule 11.2 to state 
that the Exchange may determine not to designate for trading any 
security admitted to unlisted trading privileges on the Exchange if 
that security falls below certain consolidated average daily volume 
requirements, as further described below. Rule 11.2 currently states 
that any class of securities listed or admitted to unlisted trading 
privileges on the Exchange pursuant to Chapter XIV of the Exchange's 
rules \3\ shall be eligible to become designated for trading on the 
Exchange. The Rule further states that all securities designated for 
trading are eligible for odd-lot, round-lot and mixed-lot executions, 
unless otherwise indicated

[[Page 29782]]

by the Exchange or limited pursuant to Exchange rules. The Exchange 
proposes to include these existing provisions of Rule 11.2 within 
subparagraph (a) of the proposed rule in order to separately propose 
additional provisions under subparagraphs (b), (c), and (d).
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    \3\ Chapter XIV of the Exchange's rules discusses the securities 
eligible to be designated for trading on the Exchange. Exchange Rule 
14.1, in particular, states that the Exchange may extend unlisted 
trading privileges to any Equity Security (as defined in the Rule) 
that is listed on another national securities exchange or with 
respect to which unlisted trading privileges may otherwise be 
extended in accordance with Section 12(f) of the Exchange Act.
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    The Exchange proposes to add new subparagraph (b) to Rule 11.2, 
which would state that the Exchange may determine not to designate for 
trading any security admitted to unlisted trading privileges on the 
Exchange pursuant to Chapter XIV of the Exchange's rules when that 
security's consolidated average daily trading volume is equal to or 
less than 2,500 shares during the preceding 90 calendar days.\4\ The 
Exchange further proposes to add new subparagraph (c) to Rule 11.2, 
which would state that any security not designated for trading by the 
Exchange pursuant to subparagraph (b) of this Rule may be designated 
for trading by the Exchange if its consolidated average daily trading 
volume exceeds 5,000 shares over any 90 calendar day period since the 
security was not designated for trading pursuant to subparagraph (b). 
The Exchange also proposes to make clear that new subparagraph (c) is 
not intended to limit the Exchange's ability to designate any security 
for trading pursuant to the Exchange's general authority under 
subparagraph (a) of Rule 11.2. The Exchange also proposes to add new 
subparagraph (d) to Rule 11.2, which would require the Exchange to 
provide notice at least one trading day in advance of any securities it 
is making unavailable for trading pursuant to subparagraph (b) of Rule 
11.2, and any securities it is making available for trading under 
subparagraph (c) of Rule 11.2.
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    \4\ Based on internal statistics, the Exchange anticipates that 
limiting the rule's applicability to those securities with a 
consolidated average daily trading volume of 2,500 shares or less 
during the preceding 90 calendar days will affect approximately 700 
securities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    While the Exchange is proposing to retain discretion over whether 
it will in fact determine not to quote and trade securities that meet 
the criteria described in proposed new subparagraphs (b) and (c) of 
Rule 11.2, the Exchange notes that nothing in its rules or applicable 
securities regulation requires it to designate for trading any class of 
securities listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on the 
Exchange pursuant to Chapter XIV of the Exchange's rules. The Exchange 
believes that adopting such a provision in its rules could enhance 
market quality for securities falling below the consolidated average 
daily volume threshold by facilitating the concentration of quoted 
liquidity on the listing exchange.\5\ In determining whether to 
exercise its discretion under proposed new subparagraphs (b) and (c) of 
Rule 11.2, the Exchange would consider such factors as member and 
investor feedback as well as whether the other non-listing exchanges 
have decided to cease quoting and trading in the effected securities. 
The Exchange further believes that adoption of a rule requiring it to 
provide advance notice to its members of any securities the Exchange is 
choosing not to trade under proposed new subparagraph (b) of Rule 11.2 
and any securities it is making available for trading pursuant to 
proposed new subparagraph (c) of Rule 11.2 will help avoid confusion by 
providing transparency and certainty to members and investors regarding 
the securities the Exchange is or is not designating for quoting and 
trading on the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The Exchange understands that the EDGA Exchange, Inc., EDGX 
Exchange, Inc., and BATS Exchange, Inc. will separately file 
substantially similar proposed rule changes with the Commission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that limiting the impact of paragraph (b) of 
the proposed rule change to securities with a consolidated average 
daily trading volume that is equal to or less than 2,500 shares during 
the preceding 90 calendar days is reasonable because such securities 
tend to be illiquid, as reflected by larger quoted and effective 
spreads, with smaller quoted size at both the NBBO and throughout the 
depth of book than more actively-traded securities. Similarly, the 
Exchange believes that considering to designate for trading those 
securities that have not been trading on the Exchange pursuant to 
paragraph (b) once such securities have a consolidated average daily 
trading volume that exceeds 5,000 shares over a 90 calendar day period 
since the security was not designated for trading pursuant to proposed 
subparagraph (b) of Rule 11.2 is reasonable because such activity may 
demonstrate that such securities are now trading more effectively. The 
Exchange believes that its proposed rule changes may facilitate an 
improvement in market quality for the effected securities.\6\ In 
particular, the Exchange believes that by concentrating the quoted 
liquidity in such securities on the listing exchange, liquidity 
providers will be incented to quote on such exchange more 
competitively, resulting in narrower bid-ask spreads and greater quoted 
depth of book. The Exchange believes liquidity providers would be so 
incented because concentrating the quoted liquidity in such securities 
on the listing exchange would: (i) Reduce liquidity providers' risk of 
adverse selection inherent in quoting in a fragmented market, (ii) 
provide greater certainty of execution on the one exchange at which 
liquidity providers are quoting, and (iii) enhance competition for 
order book priority at the NBBO and throughout the depth of book. 
Although the Exchange would be voluntarily foregoing potential market 
share by not quoting and trading securities subject to the Rule, the 
Exchange believes the aforementioned enhancements in market quality may 
increase investor interest in trading such securities, which in turn 
would generate increased volume and ultimately benefit the Exchange 
once such securities become eligible for trading on the Exchange under 
the rule in the future.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ Based on an internal study, the Exchange believes a majority 
of the securities that would be covered by the Rule's criteria are 
small-cap companies (i.e., companies with a market capitalization of 
$250 million or less). Suggesting that the current U.S. equity 
market often fails to provide sufficient liquidity for the 
securities of small-cap companies, the Commission's Advisory 
Committee on Small and Emerging Companies (``Advisory Committee'') 
recommended to the Commission concentrating the market for such 
securities through the creation of a separate U.S. equity market. 
See Recommendations Regarding Separate U.S. Equity Market for 
Securities of Small and Emerging Companies, by the Advisory 
Committee on Small and Emerging Companies, dated February 1, 2013. 
The Advisory Committee also stated that other actions with respect 
to trading venues may also be warranted to facilitate liquidity in 
small and emerging companies. Id.
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2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule changes are consistent 
with Section 6(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') 
\7\ and further the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \8\ 
because they are designed to promote just and equitable principles of 
trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and 
open market and a national market system, to foster cooperation and 
coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in 
securities, and, in general, to protect investors and the public 
interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange notes that nothing in its rules or any applicable 
securities regulation requires it to designate for trading any class of 
securities listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on the 
Exchange pursuant to Chapter XIV of the Exchange's rules. However, the 
Exchange believes adopting a rule to clarify the circumstances under 
which the Exchange would voluntarily provide

[[Page 29783]]

advance notice to the industry that it is ceasing to quote and trade 
certain specific illiquid securities until such securities meet and 
sustain a consolidated average daily volume threshold indicative of 
increased liquidity would promote just and equitable principles of 
trade, remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and 
open market and a national market system by facilitating the 
concentration of displayed liquidity on the listing exchange for 
effected securities, which the Exchange believes could enhance the 
market quality of such securities.\9\ The Exchange believes that 
concentrating displayed liquidity on the listing exchange in certain 
illiquid securities may enhance market quality of such securities by 
enabling liquidity providers to more efficiently form competitive 
prices at the NBBO, and to provide greater quoted depth of book. In 
addition, the Exchange believes that if displayed liquidity is 
concentrated on the listing exchange in such securities, the listing 
exchange may have flexibility to innovate with alternative market 
structures, such as variable tick sizes or periodic batch auctions that 
are not currently possible under Regulation NMS when multiple exchanges 
are quoting and trading the securities, and which may further enhance 
the market quality of the effected illiquid securities.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See supra note 6.
    \10\ The Exchange is not proposing or advocating any form of 
trade-at prohibition, which, depending on its various iterations, 
would generally act to prevent trading off-exchange without first 
executing against all equal or better priced protected quotations. 
Rather, the Exchange is proposing and advocating a reduction in the 
number of displayed venues on which certain illiquid securities will 
be quoted and traded, which the Exchange believes will concentrate 
the quoting activity serving to enhance quote competition and 
thereby increase market quality by narrowing the NBBO and increasing 
the quoted depth of book for effected securities, without regard to 
off-exchange trading.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule change promotes just and equitable principles of 
trade because it will provide certainty and transparency to members and 
investors with respect to which securities the Exchange will or will 
not designate for quoting and trading on the Exchange, thereby avoiding 
confusion.

(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule changes will 
result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or 
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange 
notes that nothing in its rules or any applicable securities regulation 
require it to designate for trading any class of securities listed or 
admitted to unlisted trading privileges on the Exchange pursuant to 
Chapter XIV of the Exchange's rules. The Exchange believes enacting 
such a provision in its rules would not impose a burden on competition 
that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of 
the Act. While the Exchange will be voluntarily foregoing potential 
market share by not quoting and trading securities subject to the rule, 
the Exchange believes the proposal will enhance market quality in such 
securities by increasing quoting competition among liquidity providers 
on the listing exchange, which will result in better prices at the NBBO 
and greater depth of book. The Exchange further believes these 
enhancements in market quality may increase investor interest in 
trading such securities, which in turn would improve competition by 
generating increased volume which would also ultimately benefit the 
Exchange once such securities become eligible for trading on the 
Exchange under the rule in the future.

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

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

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

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may 
designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to 
be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which the Exchange consents, the Commission will: (a) By order approve 
or disapprove such proposed rule change, or (b) institute proceedings 
to determine whether the proposed rule change should be 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, as modified by Amendment No. 1, 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 [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-BYX-2015-25 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BYX-2015-25. 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 will also 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-BYX-2015-25 and should be 
submitted on or before June 12, 2015.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\11\
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    \11\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-12415 Filed 5-21-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 99 / Friday, May 22, 2015 / Notices                                                     29781

                                                    with respect to the proposed rule                       Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the                 Exchange recognizes that not all
                                                    change that are filed with the                          proposal. Amendment No. 1 amended                     exchange-listed securities have
                                                    Commission, and all written                             and replaced the original proposal in its             benefited to the same extent under the
                                                    communications relating to the                          entirety. The Commission is publishing                current one-size fits all approach to the
                                                    proposed rule change between the                        this notice to solicit comments on the                equity market. In particular, investors
                                                    Commission and any person, other than                   proposed rule change, as modified by                  continue to experience difficulty trading
                                                    those that may be withheld from the                     Amendment No. 1, from interested                      illiquid securities, including paying
                                                    public in accordance with the                           persons.                                              higher effective spreads and difficulty
                                                    provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                                                                           sourcing liquidity across multiple
                                                    available for Web site viewing and                      I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     exchanges and non-exchange trading
                                                    printing in the Commission’s Public                     Statement of the Terms of Substance of                venues while minimizing market
                                                    Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                       the Proposed Rule Change                              impact.
                                                    Washington, DC 20549, on official                          The Exchange filed a proposal to                      The Exchange believes the market
                                                    business days between the hours of                      amend Rule 11.2 to state that the                     quality of securities that are today
                                                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                  Exchange will not designate for trading               illiquid could benefit from a
                                                    filing will also be available for                       any security admitted to unlisted                     concentration of quoted liquidity on the
                                                    inspection and copying at the principal                 trading privileges on the Exchange                    listing exchange. By concentrating
                                                    office of the Exchange. All comments                    unless that security satisfies certain                quoted liquidity on the listing exchange,
                                                    received will be posted without change;                 liquidity requirements, as further                    for the reasons discussed below, the
                                                    the Commission does not edit personal                   described below.                                      Exchange believes liquidity providers
                                                    identifying information from                               The text of the proposed rule change               will quote more competitively, resulting
                                                    submissions. You should submit only                     is available at the Exchange’s Web site               in more efficient price formation and a
                                                    information that you wish to make                       at www.batstrading.com, at the                        narrower national best bid or offer
                                                    available publicly. All submissions                     principal office of the Exchange, and at              (‘‘NBBO’’), as well as the display of
                                                    should refer to File Number SR–EDGX–                    the Commission’s Public Reference                     more quoted size at price levels outside
                                                    2015–21 and should be submitted on or                   Room.                                                 the NBBO (‘‘depth of book’’). In turn,
                                                    before June 12, 2015.                                                                                         the Exchange believes that these
                                                                                                            II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                    enhancements to market quality could
                                                      For the Commission, by the Division of                Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                    Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated                                                                    ultimately increase investor and
                                                    authority.11                                            Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                member interest in such securities
                                                                                                            Change                                                resulting in greater average daily trading
                                                    Robert W. Errett,
                                                    Deputy Secretary.                                         In its filing with the Commission, the              volume. As such, as described below,
                                                    [FR Doc. 2015–12412 Filed 5–21–15; 8:45 am]             Exchange included statements                          the Exchange is proposing to adopt rules
                                                                                                            concerning the purpose of and basis for               to clarify the circumstances under
                                                    BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                            the proposed rule change and discussed                which the Exchange would voluntarily
                                                                                                            any comments it received on the                       provide advance notice to the industry
                                                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                 proposed rule change. The text of these               that it is ceasing to quote and trade
                                                    COMMISSION                                              statements may be examined at the                     certain specific illiquid securities until
                                                                                                            places specified in Item IV below. The                such securities meet and sustain an
                                                    [Release No. 34–74988; File No. SR–BYX–                                                                       average daily volume threshold
                                                    2015–25]
                                                                                                            Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                                                                            forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of               indicative of increased liquidity.
                                                                                                            the most significant parts of such                       In particular, the Exchange proposes
                                                    Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS                                                                           to amend Rule 11.2 to state that the
                                                    Y-Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a                 statements.
                                                                                                                                                                  Exchange may determine not to
                                                    Proposed Rule Change, and                               (A) Self-Regulatory Organization’s                    designate for trading any security
                                                    Amendment No. 1 Thereto, To Amend                       Statement of the Purpose of, and                      admitted to unlisted trading privileges
                                                    Rule 11.2 To State That the BATS                        Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                on the Exchange if that security falls
                                                    Y-Exchange, Inc. Will Not Designate for                 Change                                                below certain consolidated average
                                                    Trading Any Security Admitted to                                                                              daily volume requirements, as further
                                                    Unlisted Trading Privileges on the                      1. Purpose
                                                                                                                                                                  described below. Rule 11.2 currently
                                                    Exchange Unless That Security                              With limited exception, the current                states that any class of securities listed
                                                    Satisfies Certain Liquidity                             equity market structure under                         or admitted to unlisted trading
                                                    Requirements                                            Regulation NMS applies the same rules                 privileges on the Exchange pursuant to
                                                    May 18, 2015.                                           with respect to, among other things, tick             Chapter XIV of the Exchange’s rules 3
                                                       Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                  sizes, order protection, locked and                   shall be eligible to become designated
                                                    Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                    crossed markets, and access fees to all               for trading on the Exchange. The Rule
                                                    ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                  exchange-listed securities. The                       further states that all securities
                                                    notice is hereby given that on May 5,                   Exchange believes that Regulation NMS,                designated for trading are eligible for
                                                    2015, BATS Y-Exchange, Inc. (the                        along with technological advancements,                odd-lot, round-lot and mixed-lot
                                                    ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BYX’’) filed with the                 has produced great efficiencies to the                executions, unless otherwise indicated
                                                                                                            equity market, resulting in intense
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    Securities and Exchange Commission
                                                    (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                      competition between exchanges and                        3 Chapter XIV of the Exchange’s rules discusses

                                                                                                            broker-dealers. The Exchange believes                 the securities eligible to be designated for trading
                                                    change as described in Items I, II and III                                                                    on the Exchange. Exchange Rule 14.1, in particular,
                                                    below, which Items have been prepared                   the net result for most exchange-listed               states that the Exchange may extend unlisted
                                                    by the Exchange. On May 15, 2015, the                   securities has been decreases in                      trading privileges to any Equity Security (as defined
                                                                                                            transaction costs, including decreases in             in the Rule) that is listed on another national
                                                                                                            explicit commissions and the narrowing                securities exchange or with respect to which
                                                      11 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                                                                                  unlisted trading privileges may otherwise be
                                                      1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                of effective spreads investors pay to                 extended in accordance with Section 12(f) of the
                                                      2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                   enter and exit positions. However, the                Exchange Act.



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                                                    29782                              Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 99 / Friday, May 22, 2015 / Notices

                                                    by the Exchange or limited pursuant to                   concentration of quoted liquidity on the              believes that by concentrating the
                                                    Exchange rules. The Exchange proposes                    listing exchange.5 In determining                     quoted liquidity in such securities on
                                                    to include these existing provisions of                  whether to exercise its discretion under              the listing exchange, liquidity providers
                                                    Rule 11.2 within subparagraph (a) of the                 proposed new subparagraphs (b) and (c)                will be incented to quote on such
                                                    proposed rule in order to separately                     of Rule 11.2, the Exchange would                      exchange more competitively, resulting
                                                    propose additional provisions under                      consider such factors as member and                   in narrower bid-ask spreads and greater
                                                    subparagraphs (b), (c), and (d).                         investor feedback as well as whether the              quoted depth of book. The Exchange
                                                       The Exchange proposes to add new                      other non-listing exchanges have                      believes liquidity providers would be so
                                                    subparagraph (b) to Rule 11.2, which                     decided to cease quoting and trading in               incented because concentrating the
                                                    would state that the Exchange may                        the effected securities. The Exchange                 quoted liquidity in such securities on
                                                    determine not to designate for trading                   further believes that adoption of a rule              the listing exchange would: (i) Reduce
                                                    any security admitted to unlisted                        requiring it to provide advance notice to             liquidity providers’ risk of adverse
                                                    trading privileges on the Exchange                       its members of any securities the                     selection inherent in quoting in a
                                                    pursuant to Chapter XIV of the                           Exchange is choosing not to trade under               fragmented market, (ii) provide greater
                                                    Exchange’s rules when that security’s                    proposed new subparagraph (b) of Rule                 certainty of execution on the one
                                                    consolidated average daily trading                       11.2 and any securities it is making                  exchange at which liquidity providers
                                                    volume is equal to or less than 2,500                    available for trading pursuant to                     are quoting, and (iii) enhance
                                                    shares during the preceding 90 calendar                  proposed new subparagraph (c) of Rule                 competition for order book priority at
                                                    days.4 The Exchange further proposes to                  11.2 will help avoid confusion by                     the NBBO and throughout the depth of
                                                    add new subparagraph (c) to Rule 11.2,                   providing transparency and certainty to               book. Although the Exchange would be
                                                    which would state that any security not                  members and investors regarding the                   voluntarily foregoing potential market
                                                    designated for trading by the Exchange                   securities the Exchange is or is not                  share by not quoting and trading
                                                    pursuant to subparagraph (b) of this                     designating for quoting and trading on                securities subject to the Rule, the
                                                    Rule may be designated for trading by                    the Exchange.                                         Exchange believes the aforementioned
                                                    the Exchange if its consolidated average                    The Exchange believes that limiting                enhancements in market quality may
                                                    daily trading volume exceeds 5,000                       the impact of paragraph (b) of the                    increase investor interest in trading
                                                    shares over any 90 calendar day period                   proposed rule change to securities with               such securities, which in turn would
                                                    since the security was not designated for                a consolidated average daily trading                  generate increased volume and
                                                    trading pursuant to subparagraph (b).                    volume that is equal to or less than                  ultimately benefit the Exchange once
                                                    The Exchange also proposes to make                       2,500 shares during the preceding 90                  such securities become eligible for
                                                    clear that new subparagraph (c) is not                   calendar days is reasonable because                   trading on the Exchange under the rule
                                                    intended to limit the Exchange’s ability                 such securities tend to be illiquid, as               in the future.
                                                    to designate any security for trading                    reflected by larger quoted and effective
                                                    pursuant to the Exchange’s general                       spreads, with smaller quoted size at                  2. Statutory Basis
                                                    authority under subparagraph (a) of                      both the NBBO and throughout the                         The Exchange believes that the
                                                    Rule 11.2. The Exchange also proposes                    depth of book than more actively-traded               proposed rule changes are consistent
                                                    to add new subparagraph (d) to Rule                      securities. Similarly, the Exchange                   with Section 6(b) of the Securities
                                                    11.2, which would require the Exchange                   believes that considering to designate                Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) 7 and
                                                    to provide notice at least one trading                   for trading those securities that have not            further the objectives of Section 6(b)(5)
                                                    day in advance of any securities it is                   been trading on the Exchange pursuant                 of the Act 8 because they are designed to
                                                    making unavailable for trading pursuant                  to paragraph (b) once such securities                 promote just and equitable principles of
                                                    to subparagraph (b) of Rule 11.2, and                    have a consolidated average daily                     trade, to remove impediments to and
                                                    any securities it is making available for                trading volume that exceeds 5,000                     perfect the mechanism of a free and
                                                    trading under subparagraph (c) of Rule                   shares over a 90 calendar day period                  open market and a national market
                                                    11.2.                                                    since the security was not designated for             system, to foster cooperation and
                                                       While the Exchange is proposing to                    trading pursuant to proposed                          coordination with persons engaged in
                                                    retain discretion over whether it will in                subparagraph (b) of Rule 11.2 is                      facilitating transactions in securities,
                                                    fact determine not to quote and trade                    reasonable because such activity may                  and, in general, to protect investors and
                                                    securities that meet the criteria                        demonstrate that such securities are                  the public interest.
                                                    described in proposed new                                now trading more effectively. The
                                                                                                                                                                      The Exchange notes that nothing in its
                                                    subparagraphs (b) and (c) of Rule 11.2,                  Exchange believes that its proposed rule
                                                                                                                                                                   rules or any applicable securities
                                                    the Exchange notes that nothing in its                   changes may facilitate an improvement
                                                    rules or applicable securities regulation                                                                      regulation requires it to designate for
                                                                                                             in market quality for the effected
                                                    requires it to designate for trading any                                                                       trading any class of securities listed or
                                                                                                             securities.6 In particular, the Exchange
                                                    class of securities listed or admitted to                                                                      admitted to unlisted trading privileges
                                                    unlisted trading privileges on the                          5 The Exchange understands that the EDGA
                                                                                                                                                                   on the Exchange pursuant to Chapter
                                                    Exchange pursuant to Chapter XIV of                      Exchange, Inc., EDGX Exchange, Inc., and BATS         XIV of the Exchange’s rules. However,
                                                    the Exchange’s rules. The Exchange                       Exchange, Inc. will separately file substantially     the Exchange believes adopting a rule to
                                                                                                             similar proposed rule changes with the                clarify the circumstances under which
                                                    believes that adopting such a provision                  Commission.
                                                    in its rules could enhance market                           6 Based on an internal study, the Exchange
                                                                                                                                                                   the Exchange would voluntarily provide
                                                    quality for securities falling below the
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                                                                                                             believes a majority of the securities that would be
                                                                                                             covered by the Rule’s criteria are small-cap          equity market. See Recommendations Regarding
                                                    consolidated average daily volume                                                                              Separate U.S. Equity Market for Securities of Small
                                                                                                             companies (i.e., companies with a market
                                                    threshold by facilitating the                            capitalization of $250 million or less). Suggesting   and Emerging Companies, by the Advisory
                                                                                                             that the current U.S. equity market often fails to    Committee on Small and Emerging Companies,
                                                       4 Based on internal statistics, the Exchange          provide sufficient liquidity for the securities of    dated February 1, 2013. The Advisory Committee
                                                    anticipates that limiting the rule’s applicability to    small-cap companies, the Commission’s Advisory        also stated that other actions with respect to trading
                                                    those securities with a consolidated average daily       Committee on Small and Emerging Companies             venues may also be warranted to facilitate liquidity
                                                    trading volume of 2,500 shares or less during the        (‘‘Advisory Committee’’) recommended to the           in small and emerging companies. Id.
                                                                                                                                                                     7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                                    preceding 90 calendar days will affect                   Commission concentrating the market for such
                                                    approximately 700 securities.                            securities through the creation of a separate U.S.      8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).




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                                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 99 / Friday, May 22, 2015 / Notices                                                  29783

                                                    advance notice to the industry that it is               class of securities listed or admitted to               • Send an email to rule-comments@
                                                    ceasing to quote and trade certain                      unlisted trading privileges on the                    sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                    specific illiquid securities until such                 Exchange pursuant to Chapter XIV of                   BYX–2015–25 on the subject line.
                                                    securities meet and sustain a                           the Exchange’s rules. The Exchange
                                                    consolidated average daily volume                       believes enacting such a provision in its             Paper Comments
                                                    threshold indicative of increased                       rules would not impose a burden on                      • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                    liquidity would promote just and                        competition that is not necessary or                  to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities
                                                    equitable principles of trade, remove                   appropriate in furtherance of the
                                                                                                                                                                  and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street
                                                    impediments to and perfect the                          purposes of the Act. While the Exchange
                                                    mechanism of a free and open market                                                                           NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                                                                            will be voluntarily foregoing potential
                                                    and a national market system by                         market share by not quoting and trading               All submissions should refer to File
                                                    facilitating the concentration of                       securities subject to the rule, the                   Number SR–BYX–2015–25. This file
                                                    displayed liquidity on the listing                      Exchange believes the proposal will                   number should be included on the
                                                    exchange for effected securities, which                 enhance market quality in such                        subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                    the Exchange believes could enhance                     securities by increasing quoting                      Commission process and review your
                                                    the market quality of such securities.9                 competition among liquidity providers                 comments more efficiently, please use
                                                    The Exchange believes that                              on the listing exchange, which will                   only one method. The Commission will
                                                    concentrating displayed liquidity on the                result in better prices at the NBBO and               post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                    listing exchange in certain illiquid                    greater depth of book. The Exchange                   Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                    securities may enhance market quality                   further believes these enhancements in
                                                    of such securities by enabling liquidity                                                                      rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                                                                            market quality may increase investor                  submission, all subsequent
                                                    providers to more efficiently form                      interest in trading such securities,
                                                    competitive prices at the NBBO, and to                                                                        amendments, all written statements
                                                                                                            which in turn would improve
                                                    provide greater quoted depth of book. In                                                                      with respect to the proposed rule
                                                                                                            competition by generating increased
                                                    addition, the Exchange believes that if                                                                       change that are filed with the
                                                                                                            volume which would also ultimately
                                                    displayed liquidity is concentrated on                  benefit the Exchange once such                        Commission, and all written
                                                    the listing exchange in such securities,                securities become eligible for trading on             communications relating to the
                                                    the listing exchange may have flexibility               the Exchange under the rule in the                    proposed rule change between the
                                                    to innovate with alternative market                     future.                                               Commission and any person, other than
                                                    structures, such as variable tick sizes or                                                                    those that may be withheld from the
                                                    periodic batch auctions that are not                    (C) Self-Regulatory Organization’s                    public in accordance with the
                                                    currently possible under Regulation                     Statement on Comments on the                          provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                    NMS when multiple exchanges are                         Proposed Rule Change Received From                    available for Web site viewing and
                                                    quoting and trading the securities, and                 Members, Participants or Others                       printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                    which may further enhance the market                      The Exchange has neither solicited                  Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                    quality of the effected illiquid                        nor received written comments on the                  Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                                    securities.10                                           proposed rule changes.                                business days between the hours of
                                                       The proposed rule change promotes
                                                                                                            III. Date of Effectiveness of the                     10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                    just and equitable principles of trade
                                                    because it will provide certainty and                   Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                   filing will also be available for
                                                    transparency to members and investors                   Commission Action                                     inspection and copying at the principal
                                                    with respect to which securities the                       Within 45 days of the date of                      office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                    Exchange will or will not designate for                 publication of this notice in the Federal             received will be posted without change;
                                                    quoting and trading on the Exchange,                    Register or within such longer period (i)             the Commission does not edit personal
                                                    thereby avoiding confusion.                             as the Commission may designate up to                 identifying information from
                                                                                                            90 days of such date if it finds such                 submissions. You should submit only
                                                    (B) Self-Regulatory Organization’s                                                                            information that you wish to make
                                                    Statement on Burden on Competition                      longer period to be appropriate and
                                                                                                            publishes its reasons for so finding or               available publicly. All submissions
                                                      The Exchange does not believe that                    (ii) as to which the Exchange consents,               should refer to File Number SR–BYX–
                                                    the proposed rule changes will result in                the Commission will: (a) By order                     2015–25 and should be submitted on or
                                                    any burden on competition that is not                   approve or disapprove such proposed                   before June 12, 2015.
                                                    necessary or appropriate in furtherance                 rule change, or (b) institute proceedings
                                                    of the purposes of the Act. The                                                                                 For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                                                                            to determine whether the proposed rule                Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                    Exchange notes that nothing in its rules                change should be disapproved.
                                                    or any applicable securities regulation                                                                       authority.11
                                                    require it to designate for trading any                 IV. Solicitation of Comments                          Robert W. Errett,
                                                                                                               Interested persons are invited to                  Deputy Secretary.
                                                      9 See supra note 6.                                   submit written data, views, and                       [FR Doc. 2015–12415 Filed 5–21–15; 8:45 am]
                                                      10 The  Exchange is not proposing or advocating
                                                    any form of trade-at prohibition, which, depending
                                                                                                            arguments concerning the foregoing,                   BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                    on its various iterations, would generally act to       including whether the proposed rule
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    prevent trading off-exchange without first executing    change, as modified by Amendment No.
                                                    against all equal or better priced protected            1, is consistent with the Act. Comments
                                                    quotations. Rather, the Exchange is proposing and
                                                    advocating a reduction in the number of displayed       may be submitted by any of the
                                                    venues on which certain illiquid securities will be     following methods:
                                                    quoted and traded, which the Exchange believes
                                                    will concentrate the quoting activity serving to        Electronic Comments
                                                    enhance quote competition and thereby increase
                                                    market quality by narrowing the NBBO and
                                                                                                              • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                    increasing the quoted depth of book for effected        comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                    securities, without regard to off-exchange trading.     rules/sro.shtml); or                                    11 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).



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Document Created: 2015-12-15 15:46:02
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 15:46:02
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 29781 

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