80_FR_63458 80 FR 63257 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Related to Fees for Use of BATS Exchange, Inc.

80 FR 63257 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Related to Fees for Use of BATS Exchange, Inc.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 201 (October 19, 2015)

Page Range63257-63261
FR Document2015-26426

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 201 (Monday, October 19, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 201 (Monday, October 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63257-63261]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26426]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-76130; File No. SR-BATS-2015-85]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Related to 
Fees for Use of BATS Exchange, Inc.

October 13, 2015.
    Pursuant to the provisions of 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 October 2, 2015, BATS Exchange, Inc. (the 
``Exchange'' or ``BATS'') 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. The Exchange has designated the proposed rule change as one 
establishing or changing a member due, fee, or other charge imposed by 
the Exchange under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(2)

[[Page 63258]]

thereunder,\4\ which renders the proposed rule change effective upon 
filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to 
solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of the 
Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange filed a proposal to amend the fee schedule applicable 
to Members\5\ and non-members of the Exchange pursuant to BATS Rules 
15.1(a) and (c).
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    \5\ The term ``Member'' is defined as ``any registered broker or 
dealer that has been admitted to membership in the Exchange.'' See 
Exchange Rule 1.5(n).
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    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
    The Exchange proposes to modify its fee schedule applicable to the 
Exchange's options platform (``BATS Options'') effective immediately, 
in order to modify certain standard pricing and to amend the thresholds 
related to meeting certain pricing tiers, the applicability of certain 
pricing tiers and the fees and rebates associated with certain pricing 
tiers, as described below.
Standard Pricing
    The Exchange proposes to modify certain standard pricing applicable 
to BATS Options, including: (i) The rebate to add liquidity in non-
Penny Pilot Securities \6\ applicable to Firm,\7\ Broker Dealer 
(``BD'') \8\ and Joint Back Office (``JBO'') \9\ orders, which yield 
fee code NF; (ii) the fee for Customer \10\ orders that remove 
liquidity in Penny Pilot Securities, which yield fee code PC; and (iii) 
the fee for non-Customer orders that remove liquidity in Penny Pilot 
Securities, which yield fee code PP. The proposed changes are set forth 
below.
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    \6\ ``Penny Pilot Securities'' are those issues quoted pursuant 
to Exchange Rule 21.5, Interpretation and Policy .01.
    \7\ ``Firm'' applies to any transaction identified by a Member 
for clearing in the Firm range at the Options Clearing Corporation 
(``OCC''), excluding any Joint Back office transaction.
    \8\ ``Broker Dealer'' applies to any order for the account of a 
broker dealer, including a foreign broker dealer, that clears in the 
Customer range at the OCC.
    \9\ ``Joint Back Office'' applies to any transaction identified 
by a Member for clearing in the Firm Range at the OCC that is 
identified with an origin code as Joint Back Office.
    \10\ ``Customer'' applies to any transaction identified by a 
Member for clearing in the Customer range at the OCC, excluding any 
transaction for a Broker Dealer or a ``Professional'' as defined in 
Exchange Rule 16.1.
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     The Exchange currently provides a rebate of $0.40 per 
contract for Firm, BD and JBO orders that add liquidity in non-Penny 
Pilot Securities, which yield fee code NF. The Exchange proposes to 
reduce this rebate to $0.36 per contract.
     The Exchange currently charges a fee of $0.45 per contract 
for Customer orders that remove liquidity in Penny Pilot Securities, 
which yield fee code PC. The Exchange proposes to increase this fee to 
$0.46 per contract.
     The Exchange currently charges a fee of $0.49 per contract 
or non-Customer orders that remove liquidity in Penny Pilot Securities, 
which yield fee code PP. The Exchange proposes to increase this fee to 
$0.50 per contract.
    Each of the changes to standard pricing described above is proposed 
in order to increase revenue generated by the Exchange or to decrease 
the rebates paid by the Exchange in order to contribute to the overall 
profitability of the Exchange. The Exchange believes that these changes 
represent relatively modest increases to fees charged and adjustments 
to the rebates that are necessary to fund the continued growth of the 
Exchange.
Non-Customer Penny Pilot Add Volume Tier Rebates and Thresholds
    The Exchange currently offers enhanced rebates under both the Firm, 
Broker Dealer, and Joint Back Office Penny Pilot Add Volume Tiers 
(which apply to fee code PF) and the Market Maker and Non-BATS Market 
Maker Penny Pilot Add Volume Tiers (which apply to fee code PM) to 
Members with trading activity on BATS Options that meets certain 
thresholds. More specifically, in Tier 3 of each of these sets of 
tiers, BATS Options offers an enhanced rebate of $0.47 per contract to 
orders that yield fee code PF and PM where: (i) The Member has an ADAV 
\11\ in Firm, BD and JBO orders in Penny Pilot Securities (yielding Fee 
Code PF) equal to or greater than 0.25% of average TCV; \12\ and (ii) 
the Member has an ADV \13\ equal to or greater than 1.50% of average 
TCV. The Exchange proposes to reduce the rebate offered in Tier 3 of 
each of these sets of tiers to $0.46 per contract. The Exchange has 
proposed this change for reasons consistent with the reason for the 
changes to Standard Pricing described above, including the generation 
of additional revenue by the Exchange in order to contribute to the 
overall profitability of the Exchange and to fund the continued growth 
of the Exchange.
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    \11\ ``ADAV'' means average daily added volume calculated as the 
number of contracts per day.
    \12\ ``TCV'' means total consolidated volume calculated as the 
volume reported by all exchanges to the consolidated transaction 
reporting plan for the month for which the fees apply, excluding 
volume on any day that the Exchange experiences an Exchange System 
Disruption and on any day with a scheduled early market close.
    \13\ ``ADV'' means average daily volume calculated as the number 
of contracts added or removed, combined, per day.
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    The Exchange also proposes to modify the criteria necessary to 
qualify for Tier 2 of the Market Maker and Non-BATS Market Maker Penny 
Pilot Add Volume Tiers, which applies to fee code PM and provides a 
rebate of $0.42 per contract. Currently, in order to qualify for such 
Tier, a Member of BATS Options must: (i) Have an ADAV equal to or 
greater than 1.00% of average TCV; and (ii) have an ADV equal to or 
greater than 2.00% of average TCV. The Exchange proposes to modify the 
first prong of this requirement such that a Member must have an ADAV in 
Market Maker \14\ and/or Non-BATS Market Maker \15\ orders equal to or 
greater than 1.00% of average TCV. The Exchange is proposing to require 
a Member's ADAV necessary to qualify for Tier 2 to be Market Maker and/
or Non-BATS Market Maker orders in order to incentivize the entry of 
such orders to the Exchange.
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    \14\ ``Market Maker'' applies to any transaction identified by a 
Member for clearing in the Market Maker range at the OCC.
    \15\ ``Non-BATS Market Maker'' applies to any transaction 
identified by a Member for clearing in the Market Maker range at the 
OCC, where such Member is not registered with the Exchange as a 
Market Maker, but is registered as a market maker on another options 
exchange.

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[[Page 63259]]

Non-Customer Penny Pilot Take Volume Tiers
    The Exchange currently offers a total of five Non-Customer Penny 
Pilot Take Volume Tiers that provide discounted fees for Non-Customer 
orders in Penny Pilot Securities that remove liquidity from BATS 
Options under fee code PP. The Exchange proposes various updates to the 
existing tiers as well as to add an additional tier, as set forth 
below.
     The Exchange currently charges $0.48 per contract for 
Members that qualify for Non-Customer Volume Tier 1, which requires 
that a Member has an ADV equal to or greater than 1.00% of average TCV. 
The Exchange proposes increasing this fee to $0.49 per contract.
     The Exchange currently charges $0.47 per contract for 
Members that qualify for Non-Customer Volume Tier 2, which requires 
that a Member has an ADV equal to or greater than 1.25% of average TCV. 
The Exchange proposes to increase this fee to $0.48 per contract. The 
Exchange also proposes to increase the ADV threshold required to reach 
Non-Customer Volume Tier 2 from 1.25% to 1.50% of average TCV.
     The Exchange currently charges $0.45 per contract for 
Members that qualify for Non-Customer Volume Tier 3, which requires 
that a Member: (i) Has an ADAV equal to or greater than 1.00% of 
average TCV, and (ii) has an ADV equal to or greater than 2.00% of 
average TCV. The Exchange proposes to increase this fee to $0.47 per 
contract. The Exchange also proposes to eliminate the first prong of 
the criteria, which contains an ADAV component, such that a Member 
would simply be required to reach an ADV equal to or greater than 2.00% 
of average TCV.
     The Exchange proposes to add a new tier, Non-Customer Take 
Volume Tier 4, which would charge $0.45 per share for any Member with 
an ADAV in Customer orders equal to or greater than 0.80% of average 
TCV. The Exchange notes that this is similar to but easier to attain 
than current Non-Customer Take Volume Tier 4, which results in a fee of 
$0.43 per contract for any Member with an ADAV in Customer orders equal 
to or greater than 2.00% of average TCV. Because the new tier is easier 
to attain, the Exchange has proposed a higher fee. In connection with 
this change, the Exchange proposes to rename current Non-Customer Take 
Volume Tier 4 as Non-Customer Take Volume Tier 5.
    The majority of the changes set forth above represent modest 
increases in rates or higher criteria to obtain such rates and are 
proposed for reasons consistent with the reason for the changes to 
Standard Pricing described above, including the generation of 
additional revenue by the Exchange in order to contribute to the 
overall profitability of the Exchange and to fund the continued growth 
of the Exchange. The Exchange notes that the addition of the new Non-
Customer Take Volume Tier 4 is intended to incentivize the entry of 
additional Customer orders to the Exchange.
NBBO Setter Tiers
    The Exchange's NBBO Setter Program is a program intended to 
incentivize aggressive quoting on BATS Options by providing an 
additional rebate upon execution for all orders that add liquidity that 
set either the NBB or NBO, subject to certain volume requirements. The 
Exchange currently operates three NBBO Setter Tiers that provide an 
additional rebate of either $0.02 per contract or $0.04 per contract to 
orders from qualifying Members that submit orders that yield PA, PF, 
PM, NA, NF and NM.
    The Exchange is proposing to add a new tier, Tier 4, which would 
provide an additional rebate of $0.05 per contract to orders yielding 
fee code PF or PM that establish a new NBBO and are submitted by a 
Member that has an ADAV in non-Customer orders equal to or greater than 
1.00% of average TCV and has an ADV in non-Customer orders equal to or 
greater than 1.80% of average TCV. The Exchange proposes to limit the 
applicability of Tier 4 to orders yielding fee code PF and PM, which 
represent added liquidity in Penny Pilot Securities for Market Maker 
orders, Non-BATS Market Maker orders, Firm orders, BD orders and JBO 
orders. Thus, contrary to other NBBO Setter Tiers, Tier 4 would not 
apply to Professional Customer orders or to orders in non-Penny Pilot 
Securities. The Exchange believes that this new tier will incentivize 
additional entry of orders that set a new NBBO, thereby contributing to 
the availability of aggressively priced liquidity on the Exchange and 
the price discovery process.
QIP Tiers
    Pursuant to the Quoting Incentive Program (``QIP'') the Exchange 
currently provides an additional rebate per contract for an order that 
adds liquidity to the BATS Options order book in options classes in 
which a Member is a Market Maker registered on BATS Options pursuant to 
Rule 22.2. A Market Maker must be registered with BATS Options in an 
average of 20% or more of the associated options series in a class in 
order to qualify for QIP rebates for that class. The Exchange currently 
offers two tiers, Tier 1 and Tier 2, which provide an additional rebate 
of $0.02 per contract or $0.04 per contract, respectively, for Members 
that satisfy applicable QIP criteria. The Exchange does not propose to 
modify the criteria necessary to qualify for QIP tiers or the rebates 
provided thereunder, however the Exchange does propose to limit the 
applicability of such tiers to fee codes PM and NM, which apply to 
added liquidity for Market Maker and Non-BATS Market Maker orders. 
Thus, QIP rebates would no longer be provided to orders yielding fee 
codes NA or PA, which apply to added liquidity in Professional Customer 
orders, or to fee codes NF or PF, which apply to added liquidity in 
Firm, BD and JBO orders. Because QIP rebates are no longer applicable, 
the Exchange also proposes to eliminate references to footnote 5 for 
each of these fee codes on the Fee Codes and Associated Fees chart.
Firm, Broker Dealer and Joint Back Office Non-Penny Pilot Add Volume 
Tiers
    The Exchange is also proposing to modify its Firm, BD and JBO Non-
Penny Pilot Add Volume Tiers, under which there are three tiers 
offering enhanced rebates for Firm, BD and JBO orders that add 
liquidity in non-Penny Pilot Securities. Specifically, the tiers 
provide the following rebates under the following conditions for Firm, 
BD and JBO orders that add volume in non-Penny Pilot Securities: Tier 1 
provides a $0.50 rebate per contract to a Member that has an ADV equal 
to or greater than 0.05% of average TCV; Tier 2 provides a $0.60 rebate 
per contract to a Member that has an ADV equal to or greater than 0.15% 
of average TCV; and Tier 3 provides a $0.65 rebate per contract to 
Member that has an ADV equal to or greater than 0.25% of average TCV. 
The Exchange proposes the following changes to these tiers.
     The Exchange proposes to reduce the rebate provided under 
Tier 1 from $0.50 per contract to $0.45 per contract and to increase 
the requirement such that a Member needs to have an ADV equal to or 
greater than 0.15% of average TCV (rather than 0.05% as currently 
required).
     The Exchange proposes to eliminate Tier 2 in its entirety.
     The Exchange proposes to rename current Tier 3 as Tier 2.
Other Changes
    The Exchange also proposes to amend the Standard Rates table, which 
summarizes the range of fees at the beginning of the fee schedule, in 
order to reflect the changes proposed above.

[[Page 63260]]

Implementation Date
    The Exchange proposes to implement these amendments to its Fee 
Schedule effective immediately.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations 
thereunder that are applicable to a national securities exchange, and, 
in particular, with the requirements of Section 6 of the Act.\16\ 
Specifically, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is 
consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,\17\ in that it provides for 
the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges 
among members and other persons using any facility or system which the 
Exchange operates or controls. The Exchange notes that it operates in a 
highly competitive market in which market participants can readily 
direct order flow to competing venues if they deem fee levels to be 
excessive.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Volume-based rebates and fees such as the ones currently maintained 
on BATS Options have been widely adopted by equities and options 
exchanges and are equitable because they are open to all Members on an 
equal basis and provide additional benefits or discounts that are 
reasonably related to the value to an exchange's market quality 
associated with higher levels of market activity, such as higher levels 
of liquidity provision and/or growth patterns, and introduction of 
higher volumes of orders into the price and volume discovery processes.
    As explained above, the Exchange is proposing various slight 
increases to fees as well as decreases in rebates in order to 
contribute to the overall profitability of the Exchange. The Exchange 
believes that these changes represent relatively modest increases to 
fees charged and adjustments to the rebates that are necessary to fund 
the continued growth of the Exchange. For the same reason, the Exchange 
believes that the modest increases to qualification thresholds for 
various pricing tiers is reasonable, fair and equitable and non-
discriminatory, specifically because such increases will either 
incentivize participants to further contribute to market quality to the 
Exchange or the Exchange will be providing fewer or lower enhanced 
rebates to participants. The Exchange also believes that the proposed 
fees and rebates remain consistent with pricing previously offered by 
the Exchange as well as competitors of the Exchange and do not 
represent a significant departure from the Exchange's general pricing 
structure.
    The Exchange believes that its proposed new Non-Customer Penny 
Pilot Take Volume Tier 4 is reasonable, fair and equitable, and non-
discriminatory in that it is aimed to attract additional liquidity to 
the Exchange and is consistent with other existing pricing tiers on the 
Exchange. The Exchange also believes that it is reasonable, fair and 
equitable, and non-discriminatory to limit the applicability of QIP 
rebates to Market Maker orders and Non-BATS Market Maker orders because 
QIP is a program aimed to incentivize active market making on the 
Exchange. Similarly, the Exchange believes it is reasonable, fair and 
equitable, and non-discriminatory to modify the Market Maker and Non-
BATS Market Maker Penny Pilot Add Tier 2 to require that qualifying 
ADAV results from Market Maker and Non-BATS Market Maker orders because 
the tier is intended to incentivize the entry of market orders and the 
enhanced rebates are provided to such orders (specifically, those 
yielding fee code PM, which are Market Maker or Non-BATS Market Maker 
orders in Penny Pilot Securities).
    The Exchange believes that new proposed NBBO Setter Tier 4 is 
reasonable, fair and equitable, and non-discriminatory because it will 
help to further incentivize the entry of aggressively priced liquidity 
to the Exchange. The Exchange believes it is reasonable, fair and 
equitable, and non-discriminatory to limit the new NBBO Setter Tier, 
Tier 4, to orders yielding fee codes applicable to Penny Pilot 
Securities (thus excluding non-Penny Pilot Securities) and to orders on 
behalf of participants that are most likely to actively engage in 
providing liquidity on the Exchange (thus excluding Customers and 
Professional Customers).
    The Exchange believes that the pricing continues to be reasonable, 
fair and equitable, and also consistent with or better than other 
options exchanges that operate similar market models.

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 not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange does not believe 
that any of the proposed changes to increase fees or decrease rebates 
burden competition, but instead, that they enhance competition as they 
are intended to increase the profitability, and thus, competitiveness 
of BATS Options by allowing the Exchange to create additional pricing 
incentives and to maintain and improve the infrastructure of the 
Exchange. Also, the Exchange believes that the increase to certain 
thresholds necessary to meet tiers offered by the Exchange contributes 
to rather than burdens competition, as such changes are intended to 
incentivize participants to increase their participation on the 
Exchange. Similarly, the introduction of new tiers is intended to 
provide incentives to Members to encourage them to enter orders to BATS 
Options, and thus is again intended to enhance competition. Finally, 
the Exchange does not believe that its proposal to limit the 
applicability of certain incentives to certain fee codes unnecessarily 
burdens competition, as each change is intended to more narrowly reward 
participation by those that are actually the target of the incentive 
and that are participating on the Exchange accordingly (i.e., limiting 
rebates to Market Maker and Non-BATS Market Maker incentives when the 
incentive is based on market making activity).
    As stated above, the Exchange notes that it operates in a highly 
competitive market in which market participants can readily direct 
order flow to competing venues if they deem fee levels to be excessive 
or providers of routing services if they deem routing fee levels to be 
excessive.

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

    The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, 
comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received 
any written comments from members or other interested parties.

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

    The foregoing rule change is effective upon filing pursuant to 
Section 19(b)(3)(A) \18\ of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 
19b-4 \19\ thereunder, because it establishes a due, fee, or other 
charge imposed by the Exchange.
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    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \19\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such

[[Page 63261]]

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 under Section 19(b)(2)(B) \20\ of the Act to 
determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or 
disapproved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 No. SR-BATS-2015-85 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 No. SR-BATS-2015-85. 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 No. SR-BATS-2015-85, and should be 
submitted on or before November 9, 2015.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\21\
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    \21\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-26426 Filed 10-16-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 201 / Monday, October 19, 2015 / Notices                                                  63257

                                                    Distributors, Inc., 225 Franklin Street,                12(d)(1)(J) of the Act for an exemption                 any provision of section 12(d)(1) if the
                                                    Boston, MA 02110.                                       from sections 12(d)(1)(A) and (B) of the                exemption is consistent with the public
                                                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        Act. The requested Order would permit                   interest and the protection of investors.
                                                    Dalia Osman Blass, Assistant Chief                      applicants to offer exchange-traded                        7. Applicants submit that for the
                                                    Counsel, at (202) 551–6821 (Division of                 managed funds. Because the relief                       reasons stated in the Reference Order:
                                                    Investment Management, Chief                            requested is the same as the relief                     (1) With respect to the relief requested
                                                    Counsel’s Office).                                      granted by the Commission under the                     pursuant to section 6(c) of the Act, the
                                                                                                            Reference Order and because the                         relief is appropriate, in the public
                                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                                                                                            Adviser has entered into, or anticipates                interest and consistent with the
                                                    following is a summary of the
                                                                                                            entering into, a licensing agreement                    protection of investors and the purposes
                                                    application. The complete application
                                                                                                            with Eaton Vance Management, or an                      fairly intended by the policy and
                                                    may be obtained via the Commission’s
                                                                                                            affiliate thereof in order to offer                     provisions of the Act; (2) with respect to
                                                    Web site by searching for the file
                                                                                                            exchange-traded managed funds,2 the                     the relief request pursuant to section
                                                    number, or for an applicant using the
                                                                                                            Order would incorporate by reference                    17(b) of the Act, the proposed
                                                    Company name box, at http://
                                                                                                            the terms and conditions of the                         transactions are reasonable and fair and
                                                    www.sec.gov/search/search.htm or by
                                                                                                            Reference Order.                                        do not involve overreaching on the part
                                                    calling (202) 551–8090.                                    5. Applicants request that the Order                 of any person concerned, are consistent
                                                    Applicants                                              apply to the Initial Fund and to any                    with the policies of each registered
                                                                                                            other existing or future open-end                       investment company concerned and
                                                       1. The Trust will be registered as an
                                                                                                            management investment company or                        consistent with the general purposes of
                                                    open-end management investment
                                                                                                            series thereof that: (a) Is advised by the              the Act; and (3) with respect to the relief
                                                    company under the Act and is a
                                                                                                            Adviser or any entity controlling,                      requested pursuant to section 12(d)(1)(J)
                                                    business trust organized under the laws
                                                                                                            controlled by, or under common control                  of the Act, the relief is consistent with
                                                    of Massachusetts. Applicants seek relief
                                                                                                            with the Adviser (any such entity                       the public interest and the protection of
                                                    with respect to a Fund (as defined
                                                                                                            included in the term ‘‘Adviser’’); and (b)              investors.
                                                    below, and the Fund, the ‘‘Initial
                                                                                                            operates as an exchange-traded managed
                                                    Fund’’). The portfolio positions of the                                                                           By the Division of Investment
                                                                                                            fund as described in the Reference
                                                    Fund will consist of securities and other                                                                       Management, pursuant to delegated
                                                                                                            Order; and (c) complies with the terms
                                                    assets selected and managed by its                                                                              authority.
                                                                                                            and conditions of the Order and of the
                                                    Adviser or Subadviser (as defined                                                                               Robert W. Errett,
                                                                                                            Reference Order, which is incorporated
                                                    below) to pursue the Fund’s investment                                                                          Deputy Secretary.
                                                                                                            by reference herein (each such company
                                                    objective.                                                                                                      [FR Doc. 2015–26422 Filed 10–16–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                            or series and Initial Fund, a ‘‘Fund’’).3
                                                       2. The Adviser, a Minnesota limited
                                                                                                               6. Section 6(c) of the Act provides that             BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                    liability company, will be the
                                                                                                            the Commission may exempt any
                                                    investment adviser to the Initial Fund.
                                                                                                            person, security or transaction, or any
                                                    An Adviser (as defined below) will                                                                              SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                                                                            class of persons, securities or
                                                    serve as investment adviser to the Fund.                                                                        COMMISSION
                                                                                                            transactions, from any provisions of the
                                                    The Adviser is, and any other Adviser
                                                                                                            Act, if and to the extent that such
                                                    will be, registered as an investment
                                                                                                            exemption is necessary or appropriate                   [Release No. 34–76130; File No. SR–BATS–
                                                    adviser under the Investment Advisers                                                                           2015–85]
                                                                                                            in the public interest and consistent
                                                    Act of 1940 (‘‘Advisers Act’’). The
                                                                                                            with the protection of investors and the
                                                    Adviser and the Trust may retain one or                                                                         Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS
                                                                                                            purposes fairly intended by the policy
                                                    more Subadvisers (each a ‘‘Subadviser’’)                                                                        Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
                                                                                                            and provisions of the Act. Section 17(b)
                                                    to manage the portfolio of the Fund.                                                                            Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed
                                                                                                            of the Act authorizes the Commission to
                                                    Any Subadviser will be registered, or                                                                           Rule Change Related to Fees for Use
                                                                                                            exempt a proposed transaction from
                                                    not subject to registration, under the                                                                          of BATS Exchange, Inc.
                                                                                                            section 17(a) of the Act if evidence
                                                    Advisers Act.
                                                                                                            establishes that the terms of the                       October 13, 2015.
                                                       3. The Distributor is a Delaware
                                                                                                            transaction, including the consideration
                                                    corporation and a broker-dealer                                                                                    Pursuant to the provisions of Section
                                                                                                            to be paid or received, are reasonable
                                                    registered under the Securities                                                                                 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act
                                                                                                            and fair and do not involve
                                                    Exchange Act of 1934 and will act as the                                                                        of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4
                                                                                                            overreaching on the part of any person
                                                    principal underwriter of Shares of the                                                                          thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that
                                                                                                            concerned, and the proposed
                                                    Fund. Applicants request that the                                                                               on October 2, 2015, BATS Exchange,
                                                                                                            transaction is consistent with the
                                                    requested relief apply to any distributor                                                                       Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BATS’’) filed
                                                                                                            policies of the registered investment
                                                    of Shares, whether affiliated or                                                                                with the Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                            company and the general purposes of
                                                    unaffiliated with the Adviser (included                                                                         Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the
                                                                                                            the Act. Section 12(d)(1)(J) of the Act
                                                    in the term ‘‘Distributor’’). Any                                                                               proposed rule change as described in
                                                                                                            provides that the Commission may
                                                    Distributor will comply with the terms                                                                          Items I, II and III below, which Items
                                                                                                            exempt any person, security, or
                                                    and conditions of the Order.                                                                                    have been prepared by the Exchange.
                                                                                                            transaction, or any class or classes of
                                                                                                            persons, securities or transactions, from               The Exchange has designated the
                                                    Applicants’ Requested Exemptive Relief
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                                    proposed rule change as one
                                                      4. Applicants seek the requested                        2 Eaton Vance Management has obtained patents         establishing or changing a member due,
                                                    Order under section 6(c) of the Act for                 with respect to certain aspects of the Funds’ method    fee, or other charge imposed by the
                                                    an exemption from sections 2(a)(32),                    of operation as exchange-traded managed funds.          Exchange under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii)
                                                    5(a)(1), 22(d) and 22(e) of the Act and                   3 All entities that currently intend to rely on the
                                                                                                                                                                    of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2)
                                                    rule 22c–1 under the Act, under                         Order are named as applicants. Any other entity
                                                                                                            that relies on the Order in the future will comply
                                                    sections 6(c) and 17(b) of the Act for an               with the terms and conditions of the Order and of
                                                                                                                                                                      1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                    exemption from sections 17(a)(1) and                    the Reference Order, which is incorporated by             2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                    17(a)(2) of the Act, and under section                  reference herein.                                         3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).




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                                                    63258                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 201 / Monday, October 19, 2015 / Notices

                                                    thereunder,4 which renders the                          Securities 6 applicable to Firm,7 Broker                 trading activity on BATS Options that
                                                    proposed rule change effective upon                     Dealer (‘‘BD’’) 8 and Joint Back Office                  meets certain thresholds. More
                                                    filing with the Commission. The                         (‘‘JBO’’) 9 orders, which yield fee code                 specifically, in Tier 3 of each of these
                                                    Commission is publishing this notice to                 NF; (ii) the fee for Customer 10 orders                  sets of tiers, BATS Options offers an
                                                    solicit comments on the proposed rule                   that remove liquidity in Penny Pilot                     enhanced rebate of $0.47 per contract to
                                                    change from interested persons.                         Securities, which yield fee code PC; and                 orders that yield fee code PF and PM
                                                                                                            (iii) the fee for non-Customer orders that               where: (i) The Member has an ADAV 11
                                                    I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       remove liquidity in Penny Pilot
                                                    Statement of the Terms of the Substance                                                                          in Firm, BD and JBO orders in Penny
                                                                                                            Securities, which yield fee code PP. The                 Pilot Securities (yielding Fee Code PF)
                                                    of the Proposed Rule Change                             proposed changes are set forth below.                    equal to or greater than 0.25% of
                                                                                                               • The Exchange currently provides a
                                                       The Exchange filed a proposal to                                                                              average TCV; 12 and (ii) the Member has
                                                                                                            rebate of $0.40 per contract for Firm, BD
                                                    amend the fee schedule applicable to                                                                             an ADV 13 equal to or greater than
                                                                                                            and JBO orders that add liquidity in
                                                    Members5 and non-members of the                                                                                  1.50% of average TCV. The Exchange
                                                                                                            non-Penny Pilot Securities, which yield
                                                    Exchange pursuant to BATS Rules                         fee code NF. The Exchange proposes to                    proposes to reduce the rebate offered in
                                                    15.1(a) and (c).                                        reduce this rebate to $0.36 per contract.                Tier 3 of each of these sets of tiers to
                                                       The text of the proposed rule change                    • The Exchange currently charges a                    $0.46 per contract. The Exchange has
                                                    is available at the Exchange’s Web site                 fee of $0.45 per contract for Customer                   proposed this change for reasons
                                                    at www.batstrading.com, at the                          orders that remove liquidity in Penny                    consistent with the reason for the
                                                    principal office of the Exchange, and at                Pilot Securities, which yield fee code                   changes to Standard Pricing described
                                                    the Commission’s Public Reference                       PC. The Exchange proposes to increase                    above, including the generation of
                                                    Room.                                                   this fee to $0.46 per contract.                          additional revenue by the Exchange in
                                                                                                               • The Exchange currently charges a                    order to contribute to the overall
                                                    II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                      fee of $0.49 per contract or non-                        profitability of the Exchange and to fund
                                                    Statement of the Purpose of, and                        Customer orders that remove liquidity                    the continued growth of the Exchange.
                                                    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  in Penny Pilot Securities, which yield
                                                    Change                                                                                                              The Exchange also proposes to modify
                                                                                                            fee code PP. The Exchange proposes to                    the criteria necessary to qualify for Tier
                                                      In its filing with the Commission, the                increase this fee to $0.50 per contract.
                                                                                                                                                                     2 of the Market Maker and Non-BATS
                                                                                                               Each of the changes to standard
                                                    Exchange included statements                                                                                     Market Maker Penny Pilot Add Volume
                                                                                                            pricing described above is proposed in
                                                    concerning the purpose of and basis for                                                                          Tiers, which applies to fee code PM and
                                                                                                            order to increase revenue generated by
                                                    the proposed rule change and discussed                  the Exchange or to decrease the rebates                  provides a rebate of $0.42 per contract.
                                                    any comments it received on the                         paid by the Exchange in order to                         Currently, in order to qualify for such
                                                    proposed rule change. The text of these                 contribute to the overall profitability of               Tier, a Member of BATS Options must:
                                                    statements may be examined at the                       the Exchange. The Exchange believes                      (i) Have an ADAV equal to or greater
                                                    places specified in Item IV below. The                  that these changes represent relatively                  than 1.00% of average TCV; and (ii)
                                                    Exchange has prepared summaries, set                    modest increases to fees charged and                     have an ADV equal to or greater than
                                                    forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of                 adjustments to the rebates that are                      2.00% of average TCV. The Exchange
                                                    the most significant parts of such                      necessary to fund the continued growth                   proposes to modify the first prong of
                                                    statements.                                             of the Exchange.                                         this requirement such that a Member
                                                    A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                                                                                must have an ADAV in Market Maker 14
                                                                                                            Non-Customer Penny Pilot Add Volume
                                                    Statement of the Purpose of, and                                                                                 and/or Non-BATS Market Maker 15
                                                                                                            Tier Rebates and Thresholds
                                                    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                                                                           orders equal to or greater than 1.00% of
                                                    Change                                                    The Exchange currently offers                          average TCV. The Exchange is
                                                                                                            enhanced rebates under both the Firm,                    proposing to require a Member’s ADAV
                                                    1. Purpose                                              Broker Dealer, and Joint Back Office                     necessary to qualify for Tier 2 to be
                                                                                                            Penny Pilot Add Volume Tiers (which                      Market Maker and/or Non-BATS Market
                                                      The Exchange proposes to modify its                   apply to fee code PF) and the Market
                                                    fee schedule applicable to the                                                                                   Maker orders in order to incentivize the
                                                                                                            Maker and Non-BATS Market Maker
                                                    Exchange’s options platform (‘‘BATS                                                                              entry of such orders to the Exchange.
                                                                                                            Penny Pilot Add Volume Tiers (which
                                                    Options’’) effective immediately, in                    apply to fee code PM) to Members with                       11 ‘‘ADAV’’ means average daily added volume
                                                    order to modify certain standard pricing
                                                                                                                                                                     calculated as the number of contracts per day.
                                                    and to amend the thresholds related to                    6 ‘‘Penny Pilot Securities’’ are those issues quoted
                                                                                                                                                                        12 ‘‘TCV’’ means total consolidated volume
                                                    meeting certain pricing tiers, the                      pursuant to Exchange Rule 21.5, Interpretation and
                                                                                                                                                                     calculated as the volume reported by all exchanges
                                                    applicability of certain pricing tiers and              Policy .01.
                                                                                                              7 ‘‘Firm’’ applies to any transaction identified by
                                                                                                                                                                     to the consolidated transaction reporting plan for
                                                    the fees and rebates associated with                    a Member for clearing in the Firm range at the
                                                                                                                                                                     the month for which the fees apply, excluding
                                                    certain pricing tiers, as described below.                                                                       volume on any day that the Exchange experiences
                                                                                                            Options Clearing Corporation (‘‘OCC’’), excluding
                                                                                                                                                                     an Exchange System Disruption and on any day
                                                                                                            any Joint Back office transaction.
                                                    Standard Pricing                                          8 ‘‘Broker Dealer’’ applies to any order for the
                                                                                                                                                                     with a scheduled early market close.
                                                                                                                                                                        13 ‘‘ADV’’ means average daily volume calculated
                                                                                                            account of a broker dealer, including a foreign
                                                      The Exchange proposes to modify                       broker dealer, that clears in the Customer range at      as the number of contracts added or removed,
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                                                    certain standard pricing applicable to                  the OCC.                                                 combined, per day.
                                                                                                                                                                        14 ‘‘Market Maker’’ applies to any transaction
                                                    BATS Options, including: (i) The rebate                   9 ‘‘Joint Back Office’’ applies to any transaction

                                                                                                            identified by a Member for clearing in the Firm          identified by a Member for clearing in the Market
                                                    to add liquidity in non-Penny Pilot                                                                              Maker range at the OCC.
                                                                                                            Range at the OCC that is identified with an origin
                                                                                                            code as Joint Back Office.                                  15 ‘‘Non-BATS Market Maker’’ applies to any
                                                      4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).                               10 ‘‘Customer’’ applies to any transaction             transaction identified by a Member for clearing in
                                                      5 The  term ‘‘Member’’ is defined as ‘‘any            identified by a Member for clearing in the Customer      the Market Maker range at the OCC, where such
                                                    registered broker or dealer that has been admitted      range at the OCC, excluding any transaction for a        Member is not registered with the Exchange as a
                                                    to membership in the Exchange.’’ See Exchange           Broker Dealer or a ‘‘Professional’’ as defined in        Market Maker, but is registered as a market maker
                                                    Rule 1.5(n).                                            Exchange Rule 16.1.                                      on another options exchange.



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                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 201 / Monday, October 19, 2015 / Notices                                            63259

                                                    Non-Customer Penny Pilot Take Volume                    above, including the generation of                    offers two tiers, Tier 1 and Tier 2, which
                                                    Tiers                                                   additional revenue by the Exchange in                 provide an additional rebate of $0.02
                                                       The Exchange currently offers a total                order to contribute to the overall                    per contract or $0.04 per contract,
                                                    of five Non-Customer Penny Pilot Take                   profitability of the Exchange and to fund             respectively, for Members that satisfy
                                                    Volume Tiers that provide discounted                    the continued growth of the Exchange.                 applicable QIP criteria. The Exchange
                                                    fees for Non-Customer orders in Penny                   The Exchange notes that the addition of               does not propose to modify the criteria
                                                    Pilot Securities that remove liquidity                  the new Non-Customer Take Volume                      necessary to qualify for QIP tiers or the
                                                    from BATS Options under fee code PP.                    Tier 4 is intended to incentivize the                 rebates provided thereunder, however
                                                    The Exchange proposes various updates                   entry of additional Customer orders to                the Exchange does propose to limit the
                                                                                                            the Exchange.                                         applicability of such tiers to fee codes
                                                    to the existing tiers as well as to add an
                                                                                                                                                                  PM and NM, which apply to added
                                                    additional tier, as set forth below.                    NBBO Setter Tiers
                                                       • The Exchange currently charges                                                                           liquidity for Market Maker and Non-
                                                                                                               The Exchange’s NBBO Setter Program                 BATS Market Maker orders. Thus, QIP
                                                    $0.48 per contract for Members that                     is a program intended to incentivize                  rebates would no longer be provided to
                                                    qualify for Non-Customer Volume Tier                    aggressive quoting on BATS Options by                 orders yielding fee codes NA or PA,
                                                    1, which requires that a Member has an                  providing an additional rebate upon                   which apply to added liquidity in
                                                    ADV equal to or greater than 1.00% of                   execution for all orders that add                     Professional Customer orders, or to fee
                                                    average TCV. The Exchange proposes                      liquidity that set either the NBB or NBO,             codes NF or PF, which apply to added
                                                    increasing this fee to $0.49 per contract.              subject to certain volume requirements.               liquidity in Firm, BD and JBO orders.
                                                       • The Exchange currently charges                     The Exchange currently operates three                 Because QIP rebates are no longer
                                                    $0.47 per contract for Members that                     NBBO Setter Tiers that provide an                     applicable, the Exchange also proposes
                                                    qualify for Non-Customer Volume Tier                    additional rebate of either $0.02 per                 to eliminate references to footnote 5 for
                                                    2, which requires that a Member has an                  contract or $0.04 per contract to orders              each of these fee codes on the Fee Codes
                                                    ADV equal to or greater than 1.25% of                   from qualifying Members that submit                   and Associated Fees chart.
                                                    average TCV. The Exchange proposes to                   orders that yield PA, PF, PM, NA, NF
                                                    increase this fee to $0.48 per contract.                and NM.                                               Firm, Broker Dealer and Joint Back
                                                    The Exchange also proposes to increase                     The Exchange is proposing to add a                 Office Non-Penny Pilot Add Volume
                                                    the ADV threshold required to reach                     new tier, Tier 4, which would provide                 Tiers
                                                    Non-Customer Volume Tier 2 from                         an additional rebate of $0.05 per                       The Exchange is also proposing to
                                                    1.25% to 1.50% of average TCV.                          contract to orders yielding fee code PF               modify its Firm, BD and JBO Non-Penny
                                                       • The Exchange currently charges                     or PM that establish a new NBBO and                   Pilot Add Volume Tiers, under which
                                                    $0.45 per contract for Members that                     are submitted by a Member that has an                 there are three tiers offering enhanced
                                                    qualify for Non-Customer Volume Tier                    ADAV in non-Customer orders equal to                  rebates for Firm, BD and JBO orders that
                                                    3, which requires that a Member: (i) Has                or greater than 1.00% of average TCV                  add liquidity in non-Penny Pilot
                                                    an ADAV equal to or greater than 1.00%                  and has an ADV in non-Customer orders                 Securities. Specifically, the tiers provide
                                                    of average TCV, and (ii) has an ADV                     equal to or greater than 1.80% of                     the following rebates under the
                                                    equal to or greater than 2.00% of                       average TCV. The Exchange proposes to                 following conditions for Firm, BD and
                                                    average TCV. The Exchange proposes to                   limit the applicability of Tier 4 to orders           JBO orders that add volume in non-
                                                    increase this fee to $0.47 per contract.                yielding fee code PF and PM, which                    Penny Pilot Securities: Tier 1 provides
                                                    The Exchange also proposes to                           represent added liquidity in Penny Pilot              a $0.50 rebate per contract to a Member
                                                    eliminate the first prong of the criteria,              Securities for Market Maker orders,                   that has an ADV equal to or greater than
                                                    which contains an ADAV component,                       Non-BATS Market Maker orders, Firm                    0.05% of average TCV; Tier 2 provides
                                                    such that a Member would simply be                      orders, BD orders and JBO orders. Thus,               a $0.60 rebate per contract to a Member
                                                    required to reach an ADV equal to or                    contrary to other NBBO Setter Tiers,                  that has an ADV equal to or greater than
                                                    greater than 2.00% of average TCV.                      Tier 4 would not apply to Professional                0.15% of average TCV; and Tier 3
                                                       • The Exchange proposes to add a                     Customer orders or to orders in non-                  provides a $0.65 rebate per contract to
                                                    new tier, Non-Customer Take Volume                      Penny Pilot Securities. The Exchange                  Member that has an ADV equal to or
                                                    Tier 4, which would charge $0.45 per                    believes that this new tier will                      greater than 0.25% of average TCV. The
                                                    share for any Member with an ADAV in                    incentivize additional entry of orders                Exchange proposes the following
                                                    Customer orders equal to or greater than                that set a new NBBO, thereby                          changes to these tiers.
                                                    0.80% of average TCV. The Exchange                      contributing to the availability of                     • The Exchange proposes to reduce
                                                    notes that this is similar to but easier to             aggressively priced liquidity on the                  the rebate provided under Tier 1 from
                                                    attain than current Non-Customer Take                   Exchange and the price discovery                      $0.50 per contract to $0.45 per contract
                                                    Volume Tier 4, which results in a fee of                process.                                              and to increase the requirement such
                                                    $0.43 per contract for any Member with                                                                        that a Member needs to have an ADV
                                                    an ADAV in Customer orders equal to                     QIP Tiers
                                                                                                                                                                  equal to or greater than 0.15% of
                                                    or greater than 2.00% of average TCV.                     Pursuant to the Quoting Incentive                   average TCV (rather than 0.05% as
                                                    Because the new tier is easier to attain,               Program (‘‘QIP’’) the Exchange currently              currently required).
                                                    the Exchange has proposed a higher fee.                 provides an additional rebate per                       • The Exchange proposes to eliminate
                                                    In connection with this change, the                     contract for an order that adds liquidity             Tier 2 in its entirety.
                                                    Exchange proposes to rename current                     to the BATS Options order book in                       • The Exchange proposes to rename
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                                                    Non-Customer Take Volume Tier 4 as                      options classes in which a Member is a                current Tier 3 as Tier 2.
                                                    Non-Customer Take Volume Tier 5.                        Market Maker registered on BATS
                                                       The majority of the changes set forth                Options pursuant to Rule 22.2. A Market               Other Changes
                                                    above represent modest increases in                     Maker must be registered with BATS                      The Exchange also proposes to amend
                                                    rates or higher criteria to obtain such                 Options in an average of 20% or more                  the Standard Rates table, which
                                                    rates and are proposed for reasons                      of the associated options series in a                 summarizes the range of fees at the
                                                    consistent with the reason for the                      class in order to qualify for QIP rebates             beginning of the fee schedule, in order
                                                    changes to Standard Pricing described                   for that class. The Exchange currently                to reflect the changes proposed above.


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                                                    63260                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 201 / Monday, October 19, 2015 / Notices

                                                    Implementation Date                                        well as competitors of the Exchange and               increase the profitability, and thus,
                                                       The Exchange proposes to implement                      do not represent a significant departure              competitiveness of BATS Options by
                                                    these amendments to its Fee Schedule                       from the Exchange’s general pricing                   allowing the Exchange to create
                                                    effective immediately.                                     structure.                                            additional pricing incentives and to
                                                                                                                  The Exchange believes that its                     maintain and improve the infrastructure
                                                    2. Statutory Basis                                         proposed new Non-Customer Penny                       of the Exchange. Also, the Exchange
                                                       The Exchange believes that the                          Pilot Take Volume Tier 4 is reasonable,               believes that the increase to certain
                                                    proposed rule change is consistent with                    fair and equitable, and non-                          thresholds necessary to meet tiers
                                                    the requirements of the Act and the                        discriminatory in that it is aimed to                 offered by the Exchange contributes to
                                                    rules and regulations thereunder that                      attract additional liquidity to the                   rather than burdens competition, as
                                                    are applicable to a national securities                    Exchange and is consistent with other                 such changes are intended to
                                                    exchange, and, in particular, with the                     existing pricing tiers on the Exchange.               incentivize participants to increase their
                                                    requirements of Section 6 of the Act.16                    The Exchange also believes that it is                 participation on the Exchange.
                                                    Specifically, the Exchange believes that                   reasonable, fair and equitable, and non-              Similarly, the introduction of new tiers
                                                    the proposed rule change is consistent                     discriminatory to limit the applicability             is intended to provide incentives to
                                                    with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,17 in that                 of QIP rebates to Market Maker orders                 Members to encourage them to enter
                                                    it provides for the equitable allocation                   and Non-BATS Market Maker orders                      orders to BATS Options, and thus is
                                                    of reasonable dues, fees and other                         because QIP is a program aimed to                     again intended to enhance competition.
                                                    charges among members and other                            incentivize active market making on the               Finally, the Exchange does not believe
                                                    persons using any facility or system                       Exchange. Similarly, the Exchange                     that its proposal to limit the
                                                    which the Exchange operates or                             believes it is reasonable, fair and                   applicability of certain incentives to
                                                    controls. The Exchange notes that it                       equitable, and non-discriminatory to                  certain fee codes unnecessarily burdens
                                                    operates in a highly competitive market                    modify the Market Maker and Non-                      competition, as each change is intended
                                                    in which market participants can                           BATS Market Maker Penny Pilot Add                     to more narrowly reward participation
                                                    readily direct order flow to competing                     Tier 2 to require that qualifying ADAV                by those that are actually the target of
                                                    venues if they deem fee levels to be                       results from Market Maker and Non-                    the incentive and that are participating
                                                    excessive.                                                 BATS Market Maker orders because the                  on the Exchange accordingly (i.e.,
                                                       Volume-based rebates and fees such                      tier is intended to incentivize the entry             limiting rebates to Market Maker and
                                                    as the ones currently maintained on                        of market orders and the enhanced                     Non-BATS Market Maker incentives
                                                    BATS Options have been widely                              rebates are provided to such orders                   when the incentive is based on market
                                                    adopted by equities and options                            (specifically, those yielding fee code                making activity).
                                                    exchanges and are equitable because                        PM, which are Market Maker or Non-                       As stated above, the Exchange notes
                                                    they are open to all Members on an                         BATS Market Maker orders in Penny                     that it operates in a highly competitive
                                                    equal basis and provide additional                         Pilot Securities).                                    market in which market participants can
                                                    benefits or discounts that are reasonably                     The Exchange believes that new                     readily direct order flow to competing
                                                    related to the value to an exchange’s                      proposed NBBO Setter Tier 4 is                        venues if they deem fee levels to be
                                                    market quality associated with higher                      reasonable, fair and equitable, and non-              excessive or providers of routing
                                                    levels of market activity, such as higher                  discriminatory because it will help to                services if they deem routing fee levels
                                                    levels of liquidity provision and/or                       further incentivize the entry of                      to be excessive.
                                                    growth patterns, and introduction of                       aggressively priced liquidity to the
                                                    higher volumes of orders into the price                    Exchange. The Exchange believes it is                 C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    and volume discovery processes.                            reasonable, fair and equitable, and non-              Statement on Comments on the
                                                       As explained above, the Exchange is                     discriminatory to limit the new NBBO                  Proposed Rule Change Received From
                                                    proposing various slight increases to                      Setter Tier, Tier 4, to orders yielding fee           Members, Participants, or Others
                                                    fees as well as decreases in rebates in                    codes applicable to Penny Pilot                         The Exchange has not solicited, and
                                                    order to contribute to the overall                         Securities (thus excluding non-Penny                  does not intend to solicit, comments on
                                                    profitability of the Exchange. The                         Pilot Securities) and to orders on behalf             this proposed rule change. The
                                                    Exchange believes that these changes                       of participants that are most likely to               Exchange has not received any written
                                                    represent relatively modest increases to                   actively engage in providing liquidity                comments from members or other
                                                    fees charged and adjustments to the                        on the Exchange (thus excluding                       interested parties.
                                                    rebates that are necessary to fund the                     Customers and Professional Customers).
                                                    continued growth of the Exchange. For                         The Exchange believes that the                     III. Date of Effectiveness of the
                                                    the same reason, the Exchange believes                     pricing continues to be reasonable, fair              Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
                                                    that the modest increases to                               and equitable, and also consistent with               Commission Action
                                                    qualification thresholds for various                       or better than other options exchanges                   The foregoing rule change is effective
                                                    pricing tiers is reasonable, fair and                      that operate similar market models.                   upon filing pursuant to Section
                                                    equitable and non-discriminatory,                                                                                19(b)(3)(A) 18 of the Act and
                                                                                                               B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    specifically because such increases will                   Statement on Burden on Competition                    subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b–4 19
                                                    either incentivize participants to further                                                                       thereunder, because it establishes a due,
                                                    contribute to market quality to the                          The Exchange does not believe that                  fee, or other charge imposed by the
                                                                                                               the proposed rule change will impose
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                                                    Exchange or the Exchange will be                                                                                 Exchange.
                                                    providing fewer or lower enhanced                          any burden on competition not                            At any time within 60 days of the
                                                    rebates to participants. The Exchange                      necessary or appropriate in furtherance               filing of such proposed rule change, the
                                                    also believes that the proposed fees and                   of the purposes of the Act. The                       Commission summarily may
                                                    rebates remain consistent with pricing                     Exchange does not believe that any of                 temporarily suspend such rule change if
                                                    previously offered by the Exchange as                      the proposed changes to increase fees or              it appears to the Commission that such
                                                                                                               decrease rebates burden competition,
                                                      16 15   U.S.C. 78f.                                      but instead, that they enhance                          18 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                                      17 15   U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).                                competition as they are intended to                     19 17   CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).



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                                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 201 / Monday, October 19, 2015 / Notices                                                   63261

                                                    action is necessary or appropriate in the                  information that you wish to make                     currently applicable to NOM Market
                                                    public interest, for the protection of                     available publicly. All submissions                   Makers.4
                                                    investors, or otherwise in furtherance of                  should refer to File No. SR–BATS–                        While the changes proposed herein
                                                    the purposes of the Act. If the                            2015–85, and should be submitted on or                are effective upon filing, the Exchange
                                                    Commission takes such action, the                          before November 9, 2015.                              has designated that the amendments be
                                                    Commission shall institute proceedings                       For the Commission, by the Division of              operative on October 1, 2015.
                                                    under Section 19(b)(2)(B) 20 of the Act to                 Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated               The text of the proposed rule change
                                                    determine whether the proposed rule                        authority.21                                          is available on the Exchange’s Web site
                                                    change should be approved or                               Robert W. Errett,                                     at http://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at
                                                    disapproved.                                               Deputy Secretary.                                     the principal office of the Exchange, and
                                                                                                                                                                     at the Commission’s Public Reference
                                                    IV. Solicitation of Comments                               [FR Doc. 2015–26426 Filed 10–16–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                                     Room.
                                                                                                               BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                      Interested persons are invited to
                                                                                                                                                                     II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    submit written data, views, and
                                                                                                                                                                     Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                    arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                                                                               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                    including whether the proposed rule
                                                                                                               COMMISSION                                            Change
                                                    change is consistent with the Act.
                                                    Comments may be submitted by any of                        [Release No. 34–76131; File No. SR–                      In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                    the following methods:                                     NASDAQ–2015–113]                                      Exchange included statements
                                                                                                                                                                     concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                    Electronic Comments                                        Self-Regulatory Organizations; The                    the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                      • Use the Commission’s Internet                          NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of                    any comments it received on the
                                                    comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                          Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of                 proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                    rules/sro.shtml); or                                       Proposed Rule Change To Modify                        statements may be examined at the
                                                      • Send an email to rule-comments@                        Chapter XV, Entitled ‘‘Options                        places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                    sec.gov. Please include File No. SR–                       Pricing,’’ at Section 2 Governing                     Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                    BATS–2015–85 on the subject line.                          Pricing for NASDAQ Members                            forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                    Paper Comments                                             October 13, 2015.
                                                                                                                                                                     Pilot); 61455 (February 1, 2010), 75 FR 6239
                                                       • Send paper comments in triplicate                        Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                (February 8, 2010) (SR–NASDAQ–2010–013)
                                                    to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934                       (notice of filing and immediate effectiveness adding
                                                    and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street                      (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2               seventy-five classes to Penny Pilot); 62029 (May 4,
                                                                                                               notice is hereby given that on                        2010), 75 FR 25895 (May 10, 2010) (SR–NASDAQ–
                                                    NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.                                                                                  2010–053) (notice of filing and immediate
                                                    All submissions should refer to File No.                   September 29, 2015, The NASDAQ                        effectiveness adding seventy-five classes to Penny
                                                    SR–BATS–2015–85. This file number                          Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or                       Pilot); 65969 (December 15, 2011), 76 FR 79268
                                                    should be included on the subject line                     ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities               (December 21, 2011) (SR–NASDAQ–2011–169)
                                                                                                               and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or                   (notice of filing and immediate effectiveness
                                                    if email is used. To help the                                                                                    extension and replacement of Penny Pilot); 67325
                                                    Commission process and review your                         ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                     (June 29, 2012), 77 FR 40127 (July 6, 2012) (SR–
                                                    comments more efficiently, please use                      change as described in Items I, II, and               NASDAQ–2012–075) (notice of filing and
                                                                                                               III, below, which Items have been                     immediate effectiveness and extension and
                                                    only one method. The Commission will                                                                             replacement of Penny Pilot through December 31,
                                                    post all comments on the Commission’s                      prepared by the Exchange. The                         2012); 68519 (December 21, 2012), 78 FR 136
                                                    Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                     Commission is publishing this notice to               (January 2, 2013) (SR–NASDAQ–2012–143) (notice
                                                    rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                            solicit comments on the proposed rule                 of filing and immediate effectiveness and extension
                                                                                                               change from interested persons.                       and replacement of Penny Pilot through June 30,
                                                    submission, all subsequent                                                                                       2013); 69787 (June 18, 2013), 78 FR 37858 (June 24,
                                                    amendments, all written statements                         I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     2013) (SR–NASDAQ–2013–082) (notice of filing
                                                    with respect to the proposed rule                          Statement of the Terms of Substance of                and immediate effectiveness and extension and
                                                                                                                                                                     replacement of Penny Pilot through December 31,
                                                    change that are filed with the                             the Proposed Rule Change                              2013); 71105 (December 17, 2013), 78 FR 77530
                                                    Commission, and all written                                   The Exchange proposes to modify                    (December 23, 2013) (SR–NASDAQ–2013–154)
                                                    communications relating to the                             Chapter XV, entitled ‘‘Options Pricing,’’
                                                                                                                                                                     (notice of filing and immediate effectiveness and
                                                    proposed rule change between the                                                                                 extension and replacement of Penny Pilot through
                                                                                                               at Section 2 governing pricing for                    June 30, 2014); 79 FR 31151 (May 23, 2014), 79 FR
                                                    Commission and any person, other than                      NASDAQ members using the NASDAQ                       31151 (May 30, 2014) (SR–NASDAQ–2014–056)
                                                    those that may be withheld from the                        Options Market (‘‘NOM’’), NASDAQ’s                    (notice of filing and immediate effectiveness and
                                                    public in accordance with the                              facility for executing and routing
                                                                                                                                                                     extension and replacement of Penny Pilot through
                                                    provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                                                                              December 31, 2014); 73686 (December 2, 2014), 79
                                                                                                               standardized equity and index options.                FR 71477 (November 25, 2014) (SR–NASDAQ–
                                                    available for Web site viewing and                         Specifically, NOM proposes to amend                   2014–115) (notice of filing and immediate
                                                    printing in the Commission’s Public                        certain Penny Pilot Options 3 rebates                 effectiveness and extension and replacement of
                                                    Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                                                                                Penny Pilot through June 30, 2015) and 75283 (June
                                                    Washington, DC 20549 on official                                                                                 24, 2015), 80 FR 37347 (June 30, 2015) (SR–
                                                                                                                 21 17  CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                         NASDAQ–2015–063) (Notice of Filing and
                                                    business days between the hours of                           1 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                             Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change
                                                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such                       2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                Relating to Extension of the Exchange’s Penny Pilot
                                                    filing also will be available for                                                                                Program and Replacement of Penny Pilot Issues
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                  3 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 57579

                                                    inspection and copying at the principal                    (March 28, 2008), 73 FR 18587 (April 4, 2008) (SR–    That Have Been Delisted.) See also NOM Rules,
                                                                                                               NASDAQ–2008–026) (notice of filing and                Chapter VI, Section 5.
                                                    office of the Exchange. All comments                       immediate effectiveness establishing Penny Pilot);       4 The term ‘‘NOM Market Maker’’ means a
                                                    received will be posted without change;                    60874 (October 23, 2009), 74 FR 56682 (November       Participant that has registered as a Market Maker on
                                                    the Commission does not edit personal                      2, 2009)(SR–NASDAQ–2009–091) (notice of filing        NOM pursuant to Chapter VII, Section 2, and must
                                                    identifying information from                               and immediate effectiveness expanding and             also remain in good standing pursuant to Chapter
                                                                                                               extending Penny Pilot); 60965 (November 9, 2009),     VII, Section 4. In order to receive NOM Market
                                                    submissions. You should submit only                        74 FR 59292 (November 17, 2009)(SR–NASDAQ–            Maker pricing in all securities, the Participant must
                                                                                                               2009–097) (notice of filing and immediate             be registered as a NOM Market Maker in at least one
                                                      20 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).                             effectiveness adding seventy-five classes to Penny    security.



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Document Created: 2015-12-15 08:35:48
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 08:35:48
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 63257 

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