80 FR 59844 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Extending the Pilot Period for the Exchange's Retail Liquidity Program Until March 31, 2016

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 191 (October 2, 2015)

Page Range		59844-59845
FR Document		2015-24970
Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 191 (Friday, October 2, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59844-59845]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24970]



[[Page 59844]]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-75993; File No. SR-NYSE-2015-41]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change 
Extending the Pilot Period for the Exchange's Retail Liquidity Program 
Until March 31, 2016

September 28, 2015.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on September 17, 2015, New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE'' or the 
``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 Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to extend the pilot period for the Exchange's 
Retail Liquidity Program (the ``Retail Liquidity Program'' or the 
``Program''), which is currently scheduled to expire on September 30, 
2015, until March 31, 2016. The text of the proposed rule change is 
available on the Exchange's Web site at www.nyse.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 self-regulatory organization 
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 those 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 the 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The purpose of this filing is to extend the pilot period of the 
Retail Liquidity Program,\3\ currently scheduled to expire on September 
30, 2015, until March 31, 2016.
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    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72629 (July 16, 
2014), 79 FR 42564 (July 22, 2014) (NYSE-2014-35).
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Background
    In July 2012, the Commission approved the Retail Liquidity Program 
on a pilot basis.\4\ The Program is designed to attract retail order 
flow to the Exchange, and allows such order flow to receive potential 
price improvement. The Program is currently limited to trades occurring 
at prices equal to or greater than $1.00 per share. Under the Program, 
Retail Liquidity Providers (``RLPs'') are able to provide potential 
price improvement in the form of a non-displayed order that is priced 
better than the Exchange's best protected bid or offer (``PBBO''), 
called a Retail Price Improvement Order (``RPI''). When there is an RPI 
in a particular security, the Exchange disseminates an indicator, known 
as the Retail Liquidity Identifier, indicating that such interest 
exists. Retail Member Organizations (``RMOs'') can submit a Retail 
Order to the Exchange, which would interact, to the extent possible, 
with available contra-side RPIs.
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    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67347 (July 3, 
2012), 77 FR 40673 (July 10, 2012) (``RLP Approval Order'') (SR-
NYSE-2011-55).
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    The Retail Liquidity Program was approved by the Commission on a 
pilot basis. Pursuant to NYSE Rule 107C(m), the pilot period for the 
Program is scheduled to end on September 30, 2015.
Proposal To Extend the Operation of the Program
    The Exchange established the Retail Liquidity Program in an attempt 
to attract retail order flow to the Exchange by potentially providing 
price improvement to such order flow. The Exchange believes that the 
Program promotes competition for retail order flow by allowing Exchange 
members to submit RPIs to interact with Retail Orders. Such competition 
has the ability to promote efficiency by facilitating the price 
discovery process and generating additional investor interest in 
trading securities, thereby promoting capital formation. The Exchange 
believes that extending the pilot is appropriate because it will allow 
the Exchange and the Commission additional time to analyze data 
regarding the Program that the Exchange has committed to provide.\5\ As 
such, the Exchange believes that it is appropriate to extend the 
current operation of the Program.\6\ Through this filing, the Exchange 
seeks to amend NYSE Rule 107C(m) and extend the current pilot period of 
the Program until March 31, 2016.

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    \5\ See id. at 40681.
    \6\ Concurrently with this filing, the Exchange has submitted a 
request for an extension of the exemption under Regulation NMS Rule 
612 previously granted by the Commission that permits it to accept 
and rank the undisplayed RPIs. See Letter from Martha Redding, Asst. 
Corporate Secretary, NYSE Group, Inc. to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, dated September 17, 2015.
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2. Statutory Basis
    The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the 
Act,\7\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),\8\ 
in particular, in that it is 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, and, in 
general, to protect investors and the public interest. The Exchange 
believes that extending the pilot period for the Retail Liquidity 
Program is consistent with these principles because the Program is 
reasonably designed to attract retail order flow to the exchange 
environment, while helping to ensure that retail investors benefit from 
the better price that liquidity providers are willing to give their 
orders. Additionally, as previously stated, the competition promoted by 
the Program may facilitate the price discovery process and potentially 
generate additional investor interest in trading securities. The 
extension of the pilot period will allow the Commission and the 
Exchange to continue to monitor the Program for its potential effects 
on public price discovery, and on the broader market structure.
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    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change 
simply extends an established pilot program for an additional six 
months, thus allowing the Retail Liquidity Program to enhance

[[Page 59845]]

competition for retail order flow and contribute to the public price 
discovery process.

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

    No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the 
proposed rule change.

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

    The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \9\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\10\ 
Because the 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, if consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \11\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\12\
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    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \10\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) 
requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the 
Exchange's intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a 
brief description and 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. The 
Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \13\ normally 
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the 
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\14\ the Commission 
may 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 proposed 
rule change may become operative before the current expiration of the 
pilot period. The Exchange stated that an immediate operative date 
would be consistent with the protection of investors and the public 
interest because the pilot period is set to expire on September 30, 
2015, and a waiver would permit the beneficial aspects of the Program 
to continue uninterrupted. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-
day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and 
the public interest because such waiver would allow the pilot period to 
continue uninterrupted after its current expiration date of September 
30, 2015, thereby avoiding any potential investor confusion that could 
result from temporary interruption in the pilot program. For this 
reason, the Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay and 
designates the proposal operative upon filing.\15\
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    \13\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \14\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \15\ 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).
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    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission 
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to 
determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or 
disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

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

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-NYSE-2015-41 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2015-41. 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 offices 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-NYSE-2015-41, 
and should be submitted on or before October 23, 2015.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\16\
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    \16\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12), (59).
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Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-24970 Filed 10-1-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 191 / Friday, October 2, 2015 / Notices 59845

competition for retail order flow and with the protection of investors and the communications relating to the
contribute to the public price discovery public interest because such waiver proposed rule change between the
process. would allow the pilot period to Commission and any person, other than
continue uninterrupted after its current those that may be withheld from the
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
expiration date of September 30, 2015, public in accordance with the
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From thereby avoiding any potential investor provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
Members, Participants, or Others confusion that could result from available for Web site viewing and
temporary interruption in the pilot printing in the Commission’s Public
No written comments were solicited program. For this reason, the Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
or received with respect to the proposed Commission hereby waives the 30-day Washington, DC 20549 on official
rule change. operative delay and designates the business days between the hours of
III. Date of Effectiveness of the proposal operative upon filing.15 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for At any time within 60 days of the filing also will be available for
Commission Action filing of the proposed rule change, the inspection and copying at the principal
Commission summarily may offices of the Exchange. All comments
The Exchange has filed the proposed
temporarily suspend such rule change if received will be posted without change;
rule change pursuant to Section
it appears to the Commission that such the Commission does not edit personal
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 9 and Rule
action is necessary or appropriate in the identifying information from
19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.10 Because the
public interest, for the protection of submissions. You should submit only
proposed rule change does not: (i)
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of information that you wish to make
Significantly affect the protection of
the purposes of the Act. If the available publicly. All submissions
investors or the public interest; (ii)
impose any significant burden on Commission takes such action, the should refer to File Number SR–NYSE–
competition; and (iii) become operative Commission shall institute proceedings 2015–41, and should be submitted on or
for 30 days from the date on which it to determine whether the proposed rule before October 23, 2015.
was filed, or such shorter time as the change should be approved or For the Commission, by the Division of
Commission may designate, if disapproved. Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
consistent with the protection of IV. Solicitation of Comments authority.16
investors and the public interest, the Robert W. Errett,
Interested persons are invited to Deputy Secretary.
proposed rule change has become
submit written data, views, and
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) [FR Doc. 2015–24970 Filed 10–1–15; 8:45 am]
arguments concerning the foregoing,
of the Act 11 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
including whether the proposed rule
thereunder.12
change is consistent with the Act.
A proposed rule change filed under
Comments may be submitted by any of
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 13 normally does not
the following methods: DEPARTMENT OF STATE
become operative prior to 30 days after
the date of the filing. However, pursuant Electronic Comments [Public Notice: 9310]
to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),14 the • Use the Commission’s Internet
Commission may designate a shorter comment form (http://www.sec.gov/ U.S. Department of State Advisory
time if such action is consistent with the rules/sro.shtml); or Committee on Private International
protection of investors and the public • Send an email to rule-comments@ Law (ACPIL): Public Meeting on
interest. The Exchange has asked the sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– Electronic Commerce
Commission to waive the 30-day NYSE–2015–41 on the subject line.
operative delay so that the proposed The Office of the Assistant Legal
rule change may become operative Paper Comments Adviser for Private International Law,
before the current expiration of the pilot Department of State, gives notice of a
• Send paper comments in triplicate public meeting to discuss a Working
period. The Exchange stated that an to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
immediate operative date would be Paper prepared by the Secretariat of the
Commission, 100 F Street NE., United Nations Commission on
consistent with the protection of Washington, DC 20549–1090.
investors and the public interest International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
because the pilot period is set to expire All submissions should refer to File The public meeting will take place on
on September 30, 2015, and a waiver Number SR–NYSE–2015–41. This file Tuesday, October 27, 2015 from 10 a.m.
would permit the beneficial aspects of number should be included on the until 12 p.m. EDT. This is not a meeting
the Program to continue uninterrupted. subject line if email is used. To help the of the full Advisory Committee.
The Commission believes that waiving Commission process and review your The UNCITRAL Secretariat has
the 30-day operative delay is consistent comments more efficiently, please use revised draft provisions on electronic
only one method. The Commission will transferable records, which are
9 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
post all comments on the Commission’s presented for in the form of a model
10 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/ law, for discussion during the next
11 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the meeting of UNCITRAL’s Working Group
12 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b– submission, all subsequent IV, which will meet November 9–13,
4(f)(6)(iii) requires the Exchange to give the amendments, all written statements 2015. The Working Paper, which is
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Commission written notice of the Exchange’s intent with respect to the proposed rule
to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief numbered WP.135 and includes
description and text of the proposed rule change, change that are filed with the WP.135/Add.1, is available at http://
at least five business days prior to the date of filing Commission, and all written www.uncitral.org/uncitral/en/
of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time commission/working_groups/
as designated by the Commission. The Exchange 15 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
has satisfied this requirement. 4Electronic_Commerce.html.
operative delay, the Commission has considered the
13 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition,
14 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 16 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12), (59).

VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:43 Oct 01, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00126 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM 02OCN1
Document Created: 2015-12-15 08:44:41
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 08:44:41
Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
FR Citation		80 FR 59844