80_FR_41652 80 FR 41517 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to SPY Position Limits

80 FR 41517 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to SPY Position Limits

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 135 (July 15, 2015)

Page Range41517-41519
FR Document2015-17300

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 135 (Wednesday, July 15, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 135 (Wednesday, July 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41517-41519]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17300]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-75412; File No. SR-BX-2015-039]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to SPY 
Position Limits

July 9, 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 July 8, 2015, NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (``BX'' or ``Exchange'') 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or 
``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II 
below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. 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.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of the 
Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange's [sic] proposes to extend for another twelve (12) 
month time period the pilot program to eliminate position limits for 
options on the SPDR[supreg] S&P 500[supreg] exchange-traded fund (``SPY 
ETF'' or ``SPY''),\3\ which list and trade under the symbol SPY (``SPY 
Pilot Program'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ ``SPDR[supreg],'' ``Standard & Poor's[supreg],'' 
``S&P[supreg],'' ``S&P 500[supreg],'' and ``Standard & Poor's 500'' 
are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services 
LLC. The SPY ETF represents ownership in the SPDR S&P 500 Trust, a 
unit investment trust that generally corresponds to the price and 
yield performance of the SPDR S&P 500 Index.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
Web site at http://nasdaqomxbx.cchwallstreet.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 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 purpose of the proposed rule change is to amend the 
Supplementary Material at the end of Chapter III, Section 7 (Position 
Limits) to extend the current pilot which expires on July 12, 2015 for 
an additional twelve (12) month time period to July 12, 2016 
(``Extended Pilot''). This filing does not propose any substantive 
changes to the SPY Pilot Program. In proposing to extend the SPY Pilot 
Program, the Exchange reaffirms its consideration of several factors 
that supported the original proposal of the SPY Pilot Program, 
including (1) the availability of economically equivalent products and 
their respective position limits; (2) the

[[Page 41518]]

liquidity of the option and the underlying security; (3) the market 
capitalization of the underlying security and the related index; (4) 
the reporting of large positions and requirements surrounding margin; 
and (5) the potential for market on close volatility.
    The Exchange submitted a report to the Commission on June 11, 2015, 
which report reflects, during the time period from May 2014 through May 
2015, the trading of standardized SPY options with no position limits 
consistent with option exchange provisions.\4\ The report was prepared 
in the manner specified in BX's prior rule filing extending the SPY 
Pilot Program.\5\ The Exchange notes that it is unaware of any problems 
created by the SPY Pilot Program and does not foresee any as a result 
of the proposed extension. The proposed extension will allow the 
Exchange and the Commission additional time to further evaluate the 
pilot program and its effect on the market.
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    \4\ The report is attached as Exhibit 3.
    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72143 (May 9, 2014), 
79 FR 27963 (May 15, 2014) (SR-BX-2014-025).
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    As with the original proposal to establish the SPY Pilot Program, 
the Exchange represents that a SPY Pilot Report will be submitted at 
least thirty (30) days before the end of the Extended Pilot and would 
analyze that period. The Pilot Report will detail the size and 
different types of strategies employed with respect to positions 
established as a result of the elimination of position limits in SPY. 
In addition, the report will note whether any problems resulted due to 
the no limit approach and any other information that may be useful in 
evaluating the effectiveness of the Extended Pilot. The Pilot Report 
will compare the impact of the SPY Pilot Program, if any, on the 
volumes of SPY options and the volatility in the price of the 
underlying SPY shares, particularly at expiration during the Extended 
Pilot. In preparing the report the Exchange will utilize various data 
elements such as volume and open interest. In addition the Exchange 
will make available to Commission staff data elements relating to the 
effectiveness of the SPY Pilot Program. Conditional on the findings in 
the SPY Pilot Report, the Exchange will file with the Commission a 
proposal to extend the pilot program, adopt the pilot program on a 
permanent basis or terminate the pilot. If the SPY Pilot Program is not 
extended or adopted on a permanent basis by the expiration of the 
Extended Pilot, the position limits for SPY options would revert to 
limits in effect prior to the commencement of the SPY Pilot Program.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act \6\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act \7\ in particular, in that it is 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 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.
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    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change would be 
beneficial to market participants, including market makers, 
institutional investors and retail investors, by permitting them to 
establish greater positions when pursuing their investment goals and 
needs. The Exchange also believes that economically equivalent products 
should be treated in an equivalent manner so as to avoid regulatory 
arbitrage, especially with respect to position limits. Treating SPY and 
SPX options differently by virtue of imposing different position limits 
is inconsistent with the notion of promoting just and equitable 
principles of trade and removing impediments to perfect the mechanisms 
of a free and open market. At the same time, the Exchange believes that 
the elimination of position limits for SPY options would not increase 
market volatility or facilitate the ability to manipulate the market.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The proposed rule change does not impose any burden on competition 
that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of 
the Act. In this regard, the Exchange notes that the rule change is 
being proposed as a competitive response to similar filings that the 
Exchange expects to be filed by other options exchanges. The Exchange 
believes this proposed rule change is necessary to permit fair 
competition among the options exchanges and to establish uniform 
position limits for a multiply listed options class.

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

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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 and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\8\
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    \8\ 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.
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    A proposed rule change filed pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the 
Act \9\ normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date 
of its filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \10\ permits the 
Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent 
with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange 
has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that 
the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The Exchange 
believes that waiver of the operative delay is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest because it will permit 
the SPY Pilot Program to continue without interruption. The Commission 
believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest. Therefore, the 
Commission hereby waives the operative delay and designates the 
proposed rule change operative upon filing.\11\
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    \9\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \10\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \11\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

[[Page 41519]]

Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute 
proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 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 [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-BX-2015-039 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-BX-2015-039. 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 such 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-BX-2015-039, and should be 
submitted on or before August 5, 2015.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\12\
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    \12\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-17300 Filed 7-14-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 135 / Wednesday, July 15, 2015 / Notices                                                            41517

                                                  POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION                             consider the Request pertaining to the                     publishing this notice to solicit
                                                                                                           proposed Priority Mail Contract 130                        comments on the proposed rule change
                                                  [Docket Nos. MC2015–64 and CP2015–95;
                                                  Order No. 2575]
                                                                                                           product and the related contract,                          from interested persons.
                                                                                                           respectively.
                                                                                                                                                                      I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  New Postal Product                                         The Commission invites comments on
                                                                                                                                                                      Statement of the Terms of the Substance
                                                                                                           whether the Postal Service’s filings in
                                                  AGENCY:   Postal Regulatory Commission.                                                                             of the Proposed Rule Change
                                                                                                           the captioned dockets are consistent
                                                  ACTION:   Notice.                                        with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3632,                          The Exchange’s [sic] proposes to
                                                                                                           3633, or 3642, 39 CFR part 3015, and 39                    extend for another twelve (12) month
                                                  SUMMARY:   The Commission is noticing a                                                                             time period the pilot program to
                                                                                                           CFR part 3020, subpart B. Comments are
                                                  recent Postal Service filing concerning                                                                             eliminate position limits for options on
                                                                                                           due no later than July 16, 2015. The
                                                  the addition of Priority Mail Contract                                                                              the SPDR® S&P 500® exchange-traded
                                                                                                           public portions of these filings can be
                                                  130 to the competitive product list. This                                                                           fund (‘‘SPY ETF’’ or ‘‘SPY’’),3 which list
                                                                                                           accessed via the Commission’s Web site
                                                  notice informs the public of the filing,                                                                            and trade under the symbol SPY (‘‘SPY
                                                                                                           (http://www.prc.gov).
                                                  invites public comment, and takes other                                                                             Pilot Program’’).
                                                                                                             The Commission appoints Kenneth R.
                                                  administrative steps.                                                                                                  The text of the proposed rule change
                                                                                                           Moeller to serve as Public
                                                  DATES: Comments are due: July 16,                                                                                   is available on the Exchange’s Web site
                                                                                                           Representative in these dockets.
                                                  2015.                                                                                                               at http://
                                                  ADDRESSES: Submit comments
                                                                                                           III. Ordering Paragraphs                                   nasdaqomxbx.cchwallstreet.com/, at the
                                                  electronically via the Commission’s                        It is ordered:                                           principal office of the Exchange, and at
                                                  Filing Online system at http://                            1. The Commission establishes Docket                     the Commission’s Public Reference
                                                  www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit                     Nos. MC2015–64 and CP2015–95 to                            Room.
                                                  comments electronically should contact                   consider the matters raised in each                        II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  the person identified in the FOR FURTHER                 docket.                                                    Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  INFORMATION CONTACT section by                             2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Kenneth                    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  telephone for advice on filing                           R. Moeller is appointed to serve as an                     Change
                                                  alternatives.                                            officer of the Commission to represent
                                                                                                                                                                         In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                         the interests of the general public in
                                                                                                                                                                      Exchange included statements
                                                  David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at                   these proceedings (Public
                                                                                                                                                                      concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                  202–789–6820.                                            Representative).
                                                                                                                                                                      the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                             3. Comments are due no later than
                                                                                                                                                                      any comments it received on the
                                                                                                           July 16, 2015.
                                                  Table of Contents                                                                                                   proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                                                                             4. The Secretary shall arrange for
                                                                                                                                                                      statements may be examined at the
                                                  I. Introduction                                          publication of this order in the Federal
                                                                                                                                                                      places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                  II. Notice of Commission Action                          Register.
                                                                                                                                                                      Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                  III. Ordering Paragraphs                                   By the Commission.                                       forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                  I. Introduction                                          Shoshana M. Grove,                                         the most significant aspects of such
                                                     In accordance with 39 U.S.C. 3642                     Secretary.                                                 statements.
                                                  and 39 CFR 3020.30 et seq., the Postal                   [FR Doc. 2015–17277 Filed 7–14–15; 8:45 am]                A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  Service filed a formal request and                       BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P                                     Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  associated supporting information to                                                                                Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  add Priority Mail Contract 130 to the                                                                               Change
                                                  competitive product list.1                               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                     The Postal Service                                    COMMISSION                                                 1. Purpose
                                                  contemporaneously filed a redacted                                                                                     The purpose of the proposed rule
                                                                                                           [Release No. 34–75412; File No. SR–BX–
                                                  contract related to the proposed new                     2015–039]
                                                                                                                                                                      change is to amend the Supplementary
                                                  product under 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(3) and                                                                              Material at the end of Chapter III,
                                                  39 CFR 3015.5. Id. Attachment B.                         Self-Regulatory Organizations;                             Section 7 (Position Limits) to extend the
                                                     To support its Request, the Postal                    NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing                      current pilot which expires on July 12,
                                                  Service filed a copy of the contract, a                  and Immediate Effectiveness of                             2015 for an additional twelve (12)
                                                  copy of the Governors’ Decision                          Proposed Rule Change to SPY                                month time period to July 12, 2016
                                                  authorizing the product, proposed                        Position Limits                                            (‘‘Extended Pilot’’). This filing does not
                                                  changes to the Mail Classification                                                                                  propose any substantive changes to the
                                                  Schedule, a Statement of Supporting                      July 9, 2015.                                              SPY Pilot Program. In proposing to
                                                  Justification, a certification of                           Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                     extend the SPY Pilot Program, the
                                                  compliance with 39 U.S.C. 3633(a), and                   Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                       Exchange reaffirms its consideration of
                                                  an application for non-public treatment                  ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                     several factors that supported the
                                                  of certain materials. It also filed                      notice is hereby given that on July 8,                     original proposal of the SPY Pilot
                                                  supporting financial workpapers.                         2015, NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (‘‘BX’’ or                       Program, including (1) the availability of
                                                  II. Notice of Commission Action                          ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities                    economically equivalent products and
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                           and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or                        their respective position limits; (2) the
                                                     The Commission establishes Docket                     ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
                                                  Nos. MC2015–64 and CP2015–95 to                          change as described in Items I and II                         3 ‘‘SPDR®,’’ ‘‘Standard & Poor’s®,’’ ‘‘S&P®,’’ ‘‘S&P

                                                                                                           below, which Items have been prepared                      500®,’’ and ‘‘Standard & Poor’s 500’’ are registered
                                                    1 Request of the United States Postal Service to                                                                  trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services
                                                  Add Priority Mail Contract 130 to Competitive
                                                                                                           by the Exchange. The Commission is                         LLC. The SPY ETF represents ownership in the
                                                  Product List and Notice of Filing (Under Seal) of                                                                   SPDR S&P 500 Trust, a unit investment trust that
                                                                                                                1 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                  Unredacted Governors’ Decision, Contract, and                                                                       generally corresponds to the price and yield
                                                  Supporting Data, July 8, 2015 (Request).                      2 17   CFR 240.19b–4.                                 performance of the SPDR S&P 500 Index.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:52 Jul 14, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000     Frm 00044      Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM   15JYN1


                                                  41518                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 135 / Wednesday, July 15, 2015 / Notices

                                                  liquidity of the option and the                          in effect prior to the commencement of                     C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  underlying security; (3) the market                      the SPY Pilot Program.                                     Statement on Comments on the
                                                  capitalization of the underlying security                                                                           Proposed Rule Change Received From
                                                  and the related index; (4) the reporting                 2. Statutory Basis                                         Members, Participants, or Others
                                                  of large positions and requirements                         The Exchange believes that its                            No written comments were either
                                                  surrounding margin; and (5) the                          proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)                   solicited or received.
                                                  potential for market on close volatility.                of the Act 6 in general, and furthers the                  III. Date of Effectiveness of the
                                                     The Exchange submitted a report to                    objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 7                 Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
                                                  the Commission on June 11, 2015,                         in particular, in that it is designed to                   Commission Action
                                                  which report reflects, during the time                   prevent fraudulent and manipulative
                                                  period from May 2014 through May                                                                                       Because the foregoing proposed rule
                                                                                                           acts and practices, to promote just and
                                                  2015, the trading of standardized SPY                                                                               change does not: (i) Significantly affect
                                                                                                           equitable principles of trade, to foster                   the protection of investors or the public
                                                  options with no position limits                          cooperation and coordination with
                                                  consistent with option exchange                                                                                     interest; (ii) impose any significant
                                                                                                           persons engaged in facilitating                            burden on competition; and (iii) become
                                                  provisions.4 The report was prepared in                  transactions in securities, to remove
                                                  the manner specified in BX’s prior rule                                                                             operative for 30 days from the date on
                                                                                                           impediments to and perfect the                             which it was filed, or such shorter time
                                                  filing extending the SPY Pilot Program.5
                                                                                                           mechanism of a free and open market                        as the Commission may designate, it has
                                                  The Exchange notes that it is unaware
                                                  of any problems created by the SPY                       and a national market system and, in                       become effective pursuant to Section
                                                  Pilot Program and does not foresee any                   general, to protect investors and the                      19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b–
                                                  as a result of the proposed extension.                   public interest.                                           4(f)(6) thereunder.8
                                                  The proposed extension will allow the                       The Exchange believes that the                             A proposed rule change filed
                                                  Exchange and the Commission                              proposed rule change would be                              pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6) under the
                                                  additional time to further evaluate the                                                                             Act 9 normally does not become
                                                                                                           beneficial to market participants,
                                                  pilot program and its effect on the                                                                                 operative for 30 days after the date of its
                                                                                                           including market makers, institutional
                                                                                                                                                                      filing. However, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) 10
                                                  market.                                                  investors and retail investors, by                         permits the Commission to designate a
                                                     As with the original proposal to                      permitting them to establish greater                       shorter time if such action is consistent
                                                  establish the SPY Pilot Program, the                     positions when pursuing their                              with the protection of investors and the
                                                  Exchange represents that a SPY Pilot                     investment goals and needs. The                            public interest. The Exchange has asked
                                                  Report will be submitted at least thirty                 Exchange also believes that                                the Commission to waive the 30-day
                                                  (30) days before the end of the Extended                 economically equivalent products                           operative delay so that the proposal may
                                                  Pilot and would analyze that period.                     should be treated in an equivalent                         become operative immediately upon
                                                  The Pilot Report will detail the size and                manner so as to avoid regulatory                           filing. The Exchange believes that
                                                  different types of strategies employed                   arbitrage, especially with respect to                      waiver of the operative delay is
                                                  with respect to positions established as                 position limits. Treating SPY and SPX                      consistent with the protection of
                                                  a result of the elimination of position                  options differently by virtue of imposing                  investors and the public interest
                                                  limits in SPY. In addition, the report                   different position limits is inconsistent                  because it will permit the SPY Pilot
                                                  will note whether any problems resulted                  with the notion of promoting just and                      Program to continue without
                                                  due to the no limit approach and any                     equitable principles of trade and                          interruption. The Commission believes
                                                  other information that may be useful in                  removing impediments to perfect the                        that waiving the 30-day operative delay
                                                  evaluating the effectiveness of the                      mechanisms of a free and open market.                      is consistent with the protection of
                                                  Extended Pilot. The Pilot Report will                                                                               investors and the public interest.
                                                                                                           At the same time, the Exchange believes
                                                  compare the impact of the SPY Pilot                                                                                 Therefore, the Commission hereby
                                                                                                           that the elimination of position limits
                                                  Program, if any, on the volumes of SPY                                                                              waives the operative delay and
                                                                                                           for SPY options would not increase
                                                  options and the volatility in the price of                                                                          designates the proposed rule change
                                                  the underlying SPY shares, particularly                  market volatility or facilitate the ability                operative upon filing.11
                                                  at expiration during the Extended Pilot.                 to manipulate the market.                                     At any time within 60 days of the
                                                  In preparing the report the Exchange                     B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          filing of the proposed rule change, the
                                                  will utilize various data elements such                  Statement on Burden on Competition                         Commission summarily may
                                                  as volume and open interest. In addition                                                                            temporarily suspend such rule change if
                                                  the Exchange will make available to                         The proposed rule change does not                       it appears to the Commission that such
                                                  Commission staff data elements relating                  impose any burden on competition that                      action is necessary or appropriate in the
                                                  to the effectiveness of the SPY Pilot                    is not necessary or appropriate in                         public interest, for the protection of
                                                  Program. Conditional on the findings in                  furtherance of the purposes of the Act.                    investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
                                                  the SPY Pilot Report, the Exchange will                  In this regard, the Exchange notes that                    the purposes of the Act. If the
                                                  file with the Commission a proposal to                   the rule change is being proposed as a
                                                  extend the pilot program, adopt the                      competitive response to similar filings
                                                                                                                                                                        8 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). As required under Rule

                                                  pilot program on a permanent basis or                                                                               19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the
                                                                                                           that the Exchange expects to be filed by                   Commission with written notice of its intent to file
                                                  terminate the pilot. If the SPY Pilot                    other options exchanges. The Exchange                      the proposed rule change, along with a brief
                                                  Program is not extended or adopted on                    believes this proposed rule change is                      description and the text of the proposed rule
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  a permanent basis by the expiration of                   necessary to permit fair competition
                                                                                                                                                                      change, at least five business days prior to the date
                                                  the Extended Pilot, the position limits                                                                             of filing of the proposed rule change, or such
                                                                                                           among the options exchanges and to                         shorter time as designated by the Commission.
                                                  for SPY options would revert to limits
                                                                                                           establish uniform position limits for a                      9 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
                                                                                                                                                                        10 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
                                                    4 The
                                                                                                           multiply listed options class.
                                                          report is attached as Exhibit 3.                                                                              11 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
                                                    5 SeeSecurities Exchange Act Release No. 72143                                                                    operative delay, the Commission has considered the
                                                                                                                6 15   U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                                  (May 9, 2014), 79 FR 27963 (May 15, 2014) (SR–                                                                      proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition,
                                                  BX–2014–025).                                                 7 15   U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                              and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).



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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 135 / Wednesday, July 15, 2015 / Notices                                                      41519

                                                  Commission takes such action, the                          For the Commission, by the Division of                  the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                  Commission shall institute proceedings                   Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated                any comments it received on the
                                                  to determine whether the proposed rule                   authority.12                                              proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                  should be approved or disapproved.                       Brent J. Fields,                                          statements may be examined at the
                                                                                                           Secretary.                                                places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                  IV. Solicitation of Comments                             [FR Doc. 2015–17300 Filed 7–14–15; 8:45 am]               Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                    Interested persons are invited to                      BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                    forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                  submit written data, views, and                                                                                    the most significant aspects of such
                                                  arguments concerning the foregoing,                                                                                statements.
                                                                                                           SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                  including whether the proposed rule                      COMMISSION                                                A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  change is consistent with the Act.                                                                                 Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  Comments may be submitted by any of                      [Release No. 34–75413; File No. SR–                       Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  the following methods:                                   NASDAQ–2015–072]                                          Change
                                                  Electronic Comments                                      Self-Regulatory Organizations; The                        1. Purpose
                                                                                                           NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of                           The purpose of the proposed rule
                                                    • Use the Commission’s Internet                        Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of                     change is to amend the Supplementary
                                                  comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                        Proposed Rule Change to SPY                               Material at the end of Chapter III,
                                                  rules/sro.shtml); or                                     Position Limits                                           Section 7 (Position Limits) to extend the
                                                    • Send an email to rule-comments@                      July 9, 2015.                                             current pilot which expires on July 12,
                                                  sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                     Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                    2015 for an additional twelve (12)
                                                  BX–2015–039 on the subject line.                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                      month time period to July 12, 2016
                                                                                                           ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                    (‘‘Extended Pilot’’). This filing does not
                                                  Paper Comments
                                                                                                           notice is hereby given that on July 8,                    propose any substantive changes to the
                                                    • Send paper comments in triplicate                    2015, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC                         SPY Pilot Program. In proposing to
                                                  to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities                (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the               extend the SPY Pilot Program, the
                                                  and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street                    Securities and Exchange Commission                        Exchange reaffirms its consideration of
                                                  NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.                          (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed                  several factors that supported the
                                                                                                           rule change as described in Items I and                   original proposal of the SPY Pilot
                                                  All submissions should refer to File                                                                               Program, including (1) the availability of
                                                                                                           II below, which Items have been
                                                  Number SR–BX–2015–039. This file                                                                                   economically equivalent products and
                                                                                                           prepared by the Exchange. The
                                                  number should be included on the                         Commission is publishing this notice to                   their respective position limits; (2) the
                                                  subject line if email is used. To help the               solicit comments on the proposed rule                     liquidity of the option and the
                                                  Commission process and review your                       change from interested persons.                           underlying security; (3) the market
                                                  comments more efficiently, please use                                                                              capitalization of the underlying security
                                                  only one method. The Commission will                     I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                         and the related index; (4) the reporting
                                                  post all comments on the Commission’s                    Statement of the Terms of the Substance                   of large positions and requirements
                                                  Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                   of the Proposed Rule Change                               surrounding margin; and (5) the
                                                  rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                             The Exchange proposes to extend for                    potential for market on close volatility.
                                                  submission, all subsequent                               another twelve (12) month time period                        The Exchange submitted a report to
                                                  amendments, all written statements                       the pilot program to eliminate position                   the Commission on June 11, 2015,
                                                  with respect to the proposed rule                        limits for options on the SPDR® S&P                       which report reflects, during the time
                                                  change that are filed with the                           500® exchange-traded fund (‘‘SPY ETF’’                    period from May 2014 through May
                                                  Commission, and all written                              or ‘‘SPY’’),3 which list and trade under                  2015, the trading of standardized SPY
                                                  communications relating to the                           the symbol SPY (‘‘SPY Pilot Program’’).                   options with no position limits
                                                  proposed rule change between the                            The text of the proposed rule change                   consistent with option exchange
                                                  Commission and any person, other than                    is available on the Exchange’s Web site                   provisions.4 The report was prepared in
                                                  those that may be withheld from the                      at http://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at                    the manner specified in the Exchange’s
                                                  public in accordance with the                            the principal office of the Exchange, and                 prior filing extending the SPY Pilot
                                                  provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                      at the Commission’s Public Reference                      Program.5 The Exchange notes that it is
                                                  available for Web site viewing and                       Room.                                                     unaware of any problems created by the
                                                  printing in the Commission’s Public                                                                                SPY Pilot Program and does not foresee
                                                                                                           II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        any as a result of the proposed
                                                  Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                        Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  Washington, DC 20549 on official                                                                                   extension. The proposed extension will
                                                                                                           Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                    allow the Exchange and the Commission
                                                  business days between the hours of                       Change
                                                  10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such                                                                            additional time to further evaluate the
                                                  filing also will be available for                           In its filing with the Commission, the                 pilot program and its effect on the
                                                  inspection and copying at the principal                  Exchange included statements                              market.
                                                  office of the Exchange. All comments                     concerning the purpose of and basis for                      As with the original proposal to
                                                  received will be posted without change;                                                                            establish the SPY Pilot Program, the
                                                  the Commission does not edit personal
                                                                                                                12 17
                                                                                                                    CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                             Exchange represents that a SPY Pilot
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                1 15
                                                                                                                   U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                  identifying information from                                                                                       Report will be submitted at least thirty
                                                                                                              2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                  submissions. You should submit only                                                                                (30) days before the end of the Extended
                                                                                                              3 ‘‘SPDR®,’’ ‘‘Standard & Poor’s®,’’ ‘‘S&P®,’’ ‘‘S&P
                                                  information that you wish to make                        500®,’’ and ‘‘Standard & Poor’s 500’’ are registered
                                                                                                                                                                     Pilot and would analyze that period.
                                                  available publicly. All submissions                      trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services
                                                                                                                                                                       4 The report is attached as Exhibit 3.
                                                  should refer to File Number SR–BX–                       LLC. The SPY ETF represents ownership in the
                                                                                                           SPDR S&P 500 Trust, a unit investment trust that            5 SeeSecurities Exchange Act Release No. 72142
                                                  2015–039, and should be submitted on                     generally corresponds to the price and yield              (May 9, 2014), 79 FR 27961 (May 15, 2014) (SR–
                                                  or before August 5, 2015.                                performance of the SPDR S&P 500 Index.                    NASDAQ–2014–052).



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Document Created: 2015-12-15 13:32:36
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 13:32:36
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 41517 

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