81_FR_30668 81 FR 30573 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Related to Customer Rebates

81 FR 30573 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Related to Customer Rebates

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 95 (May 17, 2016)

Page Range30573-30575
FR Document2016-11541

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 95 (Tuesday, May 17, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 17, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30573-30575]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11541]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-77811; File No. SR-Phlx-2016-57]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Related to Customer 
Rebates

May 11, 2016.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that, on May 2, 2016, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (``Phlx'' or ``Exchange'') 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 Commission is publishing 
this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from 
interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend the Exchange's Pricing Schedule at 
Section B, entitled ``Customer Rebate Program.''
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
Web site at http://nasdaqomxphlx.cchwallstreet.com/, at the principal 
office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to amend the Exchange's 
Pricing Schedule at Section B, entitled ``Customer Rebate Program.'' 
Specifically, the Exchange is proposing to exclude options overlying 
NDX \3\ and MNX \4\ from receiving a Customer \5\ rebate.
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    \3\ NDX represents options on the Nasdaq 100 Index traded under 
the symbol NDX (``NDX'').
    \4\ MNX represents options on the one-tenth value of the Nasdaq 
100 Index traded under the symbol MNX (``MNX'').
    \5\ The term ``Customer'' applies to any transaction that is 
identified by a member or member organization for clearing in the 
Customer range at The Options Clearing Corporation which is not for 
the account of a broker or dealer or for the account of a 
``Professional'' (as that term is defined in Rule 1000(b)(14)).
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    Currently, the Exchange has a Customer Rebate Program consisting of 
five tiers that pay Customer rebates on three Categories, A,\6\ B \7\ 
and C \8\ of transactions.\9\ A Phlx member qualifies for a certain 
rebate tier based on the percentage of total national customer volume 
in multiply-listed options that it transacts monthly on Phlx. The 
Exchange calculates Customer volume in Multiply Listed Options by 
totaling electronically-delivered and executed volume, excluding volume 
associated with electronic Qualified Contingent Cross (``QCC'') 
Orders,\10\ as defined in Exchange Rule 1080(o).\11\ The Exchange pays 
the following rebates: \12\
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    \6\ Category A rebates are paid to members executing 
electronically-delivered Customer Simple Orders in Penny Pilot 
Options and Customer Simple Orders in Non-Penny Pilot Options in 
Section II symbols.
    \7\ Category B rebates are paid on Customer PIXL Orders in 
Section II symbols that execute against non-Initiating Order 
interest. In the instance where member organizations qualify for 
Tier 4 or higher in the Customer Rebate Program, Customer PIXL 
Orders that execute against a PIXL Initiating Order are paid a 
rebate of $0.14 per contract. Rebates on Customer PIXL Orders are 
capped at 4,000 contracts per order for Simple PIXL Orders.
    \8\ Category C rebates are paid to members executing 
electronically-delivered Customer Complex Orders in Penny Pilot 
Options and Non-Penny Pilot Options in Section II symbols. Rebates 
are paid on Customer PIXL Complex Orders in Section II symbols that 
execute against non-Initiating Order interest. Customer Complex PIXL 
Orders that execute against a Complex PIXL Initiating Order are not 
paid a rebate under any circumstances. The Category C Rebate is paid 
[sic] when an electronically-delivered Customer Complex Order, 
including Customer Complex PIXL Order, executes against another 
electronically-delivered Customer Complex Order. Rebates on Customer 
PIXL Orders are capped at 4,000 contracts per order leg for Complex 
PIXL Orders.
    \9\ See Section B of the Pricing Schedule.
    \10\ A QCC Order is comprised of an originating order to buy or 
sell at least 1,000 contracts, or 10,000 contracts in the case of 
Mini Options, that is identified as being part of a qualified 
contingent trade, as that term is defined in Rule 1080(o)(3), 
coupled with a contra-side order or orders totaling an equal number 
of contracts. See Rule 1080(o).
    \11\ Members and member organizations under common ownership may 
aggregate their Customer volume for purposes of calculating the 
Customer Rebate Tiers and receiving rebates. Common ownership means 
members or member organizations under 75% common ownership or 
control. See the Preface of the Pricing Schedule.
    \12\ SPY is included in the calculation of Customer volume in 
Multiply Listed Options that are electronically-delivered and 
executed for purposes of the Customer Rebate Program, however, the 
rebates do not apply to electronic executions in SPY. Additionally, 
the Exchange pays a $0.02 per contract Category A and B rebate and a 
$0.03 per contract Category C rebate in addition to the applicable 
Tier 2 and 3 rebate to a Specialist or Market Maker or its member or 
member organization affiliate under Common Ownership provided the 
Specialist or Market Maker has reached the Monthly Market Maker Cap, 
as defined in Section II. See Section B of the Pricing Schedule.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Percentage thresholds of
                                     national customer volume in
                                      multiply-listed equity and
       Customer rebate tiers             ETF options classes,       Category A      Category B      Category C
                                        excluding spy options
                                              (monthly)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tier 1.............................  0.00%-0.60%................           $0.00           $0.00           $0.00
Tier 2.............................  Above 0.60%-1.10%..........            0.10            0.10            0.17
Tier 3.............................  Above 1.10%-1.60%..........            0.15            0.12            0.17
Tier 4.............................  Above 1.60%-2.50%..........            0.20            0.16            0.22
Tier 5.............................  Above 2.50%................            0.21            0.17            0.22
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 30574]]

    Today, options overlying NDX and MNX are included in the total 
volume to qualify a market participant for a Customer Rebate. The 
Exchange is proposing to continue to permit the electronically-
delivered and executed volume associated with options overlying NDX and 
MNX to be included in the calculation of total market volume. The 
Exchange proposes to exclude options overlying NDX and MNX as eligible 
to receive a Customer Rebate in any Category.
    In calculating electronically-delivered and executed Customer 
volume in Multiply Listed Options, the numerator of the equation will 
remain unchanged and will continue to include all electronically-
delivered and executed Customer volume in Multiply Listed Options, 
including NDX and MNX. The denominator of that equation will also 
remain unchanged and will continue to include national customer volume 
in multiply-listed equity and ETF options volume. By including options 
overlying NDX and MNX in the computation for Customer Rebates, members 
will continue to receive the benefit of those transactions toward 
calculating their eligible rebate tiers and earning a rebate on all 
qualifying transactions.
    At this time, the Exchange proposes to not pay Customer Rebates on 
options overlying NDX and MNX because of the exclusivity of these 
options. NDX and MNX are Phlx proprietary index options which currently 
trade on Phlx and one other options exchange. Therefore, the Exchange 
would not pay rebates on options overlying NDX and MNX as part of the 
Customer Rebate Program. The Exchange believes members will continue to 
be afforded an opportunity to achieve new Customer Rebate Program tiers 
or maintain their current level of Customer Rebate Program tiers.
2. Statutory Basis
    The proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,\13\ in 
general, and furthers the objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of 
the Act,\14\ in particular, in that it provides for the equitable 
allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among members and 
issuers and other persons using any facility or system which the 
Exchange operates or controls, and is not designed to permit unfair 
discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission and the courts have repeatedly expressed their 
preference for competition over regulatory intervention in determining 
prices, products, and services in the securities markets. In Regulation 
NMS, while adopting a series of steps to improve the current market 
model, the Commission highlighted the importance of market forces in 
determining prices and SRO revenues and, also, recognized that current 
regulation of the market system ``has been remarkably successful in 
promoting market competition in its broader forms that are most 
important to investors and listed companies.'' \15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 
2005), 70 FR 37497 [sic], 37499 (June 29, 2005) (``Regulation NMS 
Adopting Release'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Likewise, in NetCoalition v. Securities and Exchange Commission 
\16\ the D.C. Circuit upheld the Commission's use of a market-based 
approach in evaluating the fairness of market data fees against a 
challenge claiming that Congress mandated a cost-based approach.\17\ As 
the court emphasized, the Commission ``intended in Regulation NMS that 
`market forces, rather than regulatory requirements' play a role in 
determining the market data . . . to be made available to investors and 
at what cost.'' \18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 
2005) [sic] at 534-535.
    \17\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 
2005) [sic] at 534.
    \18\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 
2005) [sic] at 537.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, ``[n]o one disputes that competition for order flow is 
`fierce.' . . . As the SEC explained, `[i]n the U.S. national market 
system, buyers and sellers of securities, and the broker-dealers that 
act as their order-routing agents, have a wide range of choices of 
where to route orders for execution'; [and] `no exchange can afford to 
take its market share percentages for granted' because `no exchange 
possesses a monopoly, regulatory or otherwise, in the execution of 
order flow from broker dealers' . . . .'' \19\ Although the court and 
the SEC were discussing the cash equities markets, the Exchange 
believes that these views apply with equal force to the options 
markets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 
2005) [sic] at 539 (quoting Securities Exchange Act Release No. 
59039 (December 2, 2008), 73 FR 74770, 74782-83 (December 9, 2008) 
(SR-NYSEArca-2006-21) [sic].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It is reasonable to no longer pay Customer Rebates on options 
overlying NDX and MNX in any Category (A, B or C) because these 
proprietary index options only trade on two options markets at this 
time. The original intent of the Customer Rebate Program was to pay 
rebates on electronically-delivered Multiply-Listed Options. By 
definition, these indices qualify as Multiply-Listed Options because 
they trade on more than one options exchange. These proprietary index 
options trade on Phlx and one other options exchange. The Exchange does 
not desire to pay rebates on options overlying NDX and MNX because of 
their exclusivity. Despite the fact that technically these options 
trade on more than one venue, other exchanges cannot list these 
options. The Exchange believes it is reasonable to continue to count 
options overlying NDX and MNX in the total volume to qualify a market 
participant for a Customer Rebate, however, options overlying NDX and 
MNX will no longer be paid the Customer rebates in any Category because 
of the exclusivity of this option. Market participants would continue 
to benefit from NDX and MNX options volume in terms of qualifying for 
Customer Rebate Tiers. The Exchange believes that not paying Customer 
Rebates on options overlying NDX and MNX further aligns these products 
with other Singly Listed Options as compared to Multiply-Listed 
Options.
    It is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory to no longer pay 
Customer Rebates on options overlying NDX and MNX in any Category 
because the Exchange would apply its calculation to determine the 
eligibility and payment of Customer rebates in a uniform manner. The 
Exchange's proposal to no longer pay Customer Rebates on options 
overlying NDX and MNX in any Category is equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory because the Exchange would no longer pay Customer 
Rebates on any transaction with options overlying either NDX or MNX to 
any market participant. Also, any market participant is eligible to 
earn a Customer Rebate.

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. In terms of inter-market 
competition, the Exchange notes that it operates in a highly 
competitive market in which market participants can readily favor 
competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be 
excessive, or rebate opportunities available at other venues to be more 
favorable. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually adjust 
its fees to remain competitive with other exchanges and with 
alternative trading systems that have been exempted from compliance 
with the statutory standards applicable to exchanges. Because 
competitors are free to modify their own fees in response, and because 
market participants may readily adjust their

[[Page 30575]]

order routing practices, that the degree to which fee changes in this 
market may impose any burden on competition is extremely limited.
    The Exchange's proposal to no longer pay Customer Rebates on 
options overlying NDX and MNX in any Category does not impose an undue 
burden on intra-market competition because the Exchange would apply the 
calculation of Customer rebates and would pay rebates on qualifying 
orders in a uniform manner. No market participant would be paid a 
Customer Rebate in options overlying NDX or MNX. All market 
participants may participate in the Customer Rebate Program. Members 
would continue to benefit from the inclusion of options overlying NDX 
and MNX in the total volume to qualify a market participant for a 
Customer Rebate.
    Also, the Exchange's proposal to no longer pay Customer Rebates on 
options overlying NDX and MNX in any Category does not impose an undue 
burden on inter-market competition because there is only one other 
exchange that transacts options overlying NDX and MNX through a 
contractual agreement with the Exchange. That venue may choose to also 
not pay rebates on options overlying NDX or MNX. Other venues may not 
list these proprietary indices.

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

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.\20\
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    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

IV. Solicitation of Comments

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

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-Phlx-2016-57 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2016-57. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2016-57 and should be 
submitted on or before June 7, 2016.

    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. 2016-11541 Filed 5-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 17, 2016 / Notices                                                                       30573

                                                  Institution and settlement of                                               notice is hereby given that, on May 2,                            places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                    administrative proceedings;                                               2016, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’ or                                Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                  Resolution of litigation claims;                                            ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities                           forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                  Formal orders of investigation; and                                         and Exchange Commission                                           the most significant aspects of such
                                                  Other matters relating to enforcement                                       (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                                statements.
                                                    proceedings.                                                              change as described in Items I, II, and
                                                                                                                                                                                                A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    At times, changes in Commission                                           III, below, which Items have been
                                                                                                                                                                                                Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  priorities require alterations in the                                       prepared by the Exchange. The
                                                                                                                                                                                                Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  scheduling of meeting items.                                                Commission is publishing this notice to
                                                                                                                                                                                                Change
                                                    For further information and to                                            solicit comments on the proposed rule
                                                  ascertain what, if any, matters have been                                   change from interested persons.                                   1. Purpose
                                                  added, deleted or postponed, please                                         I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                                    The purpose of the proposed rule
                                                  contact Brent J. Fields from the Office of                                  Statement of the Terms of Substance of                            change is to amend the Exchange’s
                                                  the Secretary at (202) 551–5400.                                            the Proposed Rule Change                                          Pricing Schedule at Section B, entitled
                                                    Dated: May 12, 2016.                                                         The Exchange proposes to amend the                             ‘‘Customer Rebate Program.’’
                                                  Brent J. Fields,                                                            Exchange’s Pricing Schedule at Section                            Specifically, the Exchange is proposing
                                                  Secretary.                                                                  B, entitled ‘‘Customer Rebate Program.’’                          to exclude options overlying NDX 3 and
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–11704 Filed 5–13–16; 4:15 pm]                                    The text of the proposed rule change                           MNX 4 from receiving a Customer 5
                                                  BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                                      is available on the Exchange’s Web site                           rebate.
                                                                                                                              at http://                                                           Currently, the Exchange has a
                                                                                                                              nasdaqomxphlx.cchwallstreet.com/, at                              Customer Rebate Program consisting of
                                                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                                     the principal office of the Exchange, and                         five tiers that pay Customer rebates on
                                                  COMMISSION                                                                  at the Commission’s Public Reference                              three Categories, A,6 B 7 and C 8 of
                                                                                                                              Room.                                                             transactions.9 A Phlx member qualifies
                                                  [Release No. 34–77811; File No. SR–Phlx–                                                                                                      for a certain rebate tier based on the
                                                  2016–57]                                                                    II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                                percentage of total national customer
                                                                                                                              Statement of the Purpose of, and                                  volume in multiply-listed options that it
                                                  Self-Regulatory Organizations;                                              Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing                                                                                                             transacts monthly on Phlx. The
                                                                                                                              Change                                                            Exchange calculates Customer volume
                                                  and Immediate Effectiveness of
                                                  Proposed Rule Change Related to                                                In its filing with the Commission, the                         in Multiply Listed Options by totaling
                                                  Customer Rebates                                                            Exchange included statements                                      electronically-delivered and executed
                                                                                                                              concerning the purpose of and basis for                           volume, excluding volume associated
                                                  May 11, 2016.                                                               the proposed rule change and discussed                            with electronic Qualified Contingent
                                                     Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                                      any comments it received on the                                   Cross (‘‘QCC’’) Orders,10 as defined in
                                                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934                                             proposed rule change. The text of these                           Exchange Rule 1080(o).11 The Exchange
                                                  (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                                     statements may be examined at the                                 pays the following rebates: 12

                                                                                                           Percentage thresholds of national customer volume in
                                                                                                              multiply-listed equity and ETF options classes,
                                                         Customer rebate tiers                                                                                                                  Category A        Category B          Category C
                                                                                                                            excluding spy options
                                                                                                                                  (monthly)

                                                  Tier   1   .......................................   0.00%–0.60% .........................................................................           $0.00               $0.00               $0.00
                                                  Tier   2   .......................................   Above 0.60%–1.10% ..............................................................                 0.10                0.10                0.17
                                                  Tier   3   .......................................   Above 1.10%–1.60% ..............................................................                 0.15                0.12                0.17
                                                  Tier   4   .......................................   Above 1.60%–2.50% ..............................................................                 0.20                0.16                0.22
                                                  Tier   5   .......................................   Above 2.50% ..........................................................................           0.21                0.17                0.22

                                                    1 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                                   Orders that execute against a PIXL Initiating Order               trade, as that term is defined in Rule 1080(o)(3),
                                                    2 17  CFR 240.19b–4.                                                      are paid a rebate of $0.14 per contract. Rebates on               coupled with a contra-side order or orders totaling
                                                    3 NDX represents options on the Nasdaq 100                                Customer PIXL Orders are capped at 4,000 contracts                an equal number of contracts. See Rule 1080(o).
                                                  Index traded under the symbol NDX (‘‘NDX’’).                                per order for Simple PIXL Orders.                                    11 Members and member organizations under
                                                                                                                                 8 Category C rebates are paid to members
                                                    4 MNX represents options on the one-tenth value                                                                                             common ownership may aggregate their Customer
                                                                                                                              executing electronically-delivered Customer                       volume for purposes of calculating the Customer
                                                  of the Nasdaq 100 Index traded under the symbol
                                                                                                                              Complex Orders in Penny Pilot Options and Non-                    Rebate Tiers and receiving rebates. Common
                                                  MNX (‘‘MNX’’).
                                                    5 The term ‘‘Customer’’ applies to any transaction
                                                                                                                              Penny Pilot Options in Section II symbols. Rebates                ownership means members or member
                                                                                                                              are paid on Customer PIXL Complex Orders in                       organizations under 75% common ownership or
                                                  that is identified by a member or member                                    Section II symbols that execute against non-
                                                  organization for clearing in the Customer range at                                                                                            control. See the Preface of the Pricing Schedule.
                                                                                                                              Initiating Order interest. Customer Complex PIXL                     12 SPY is included in the calculation of Customer
                                                  The Options Clearing Corporation which is not for                           Orders that execute against a Complex PIXL
                                                  the account of a broker or dealer or for the account                        Initiating Order are not paid a rebate under any                  volume in Multiply Listed Options that are
                                                  of a ‘‘Professional’’ (as that term is defined in Rule                      circumstances. The Category C Rebate is paid [sic]                electronically-delivered and executed for purposes
                                                  1000(b)(14)).                                                               when an electronically-delivered Customer                         of the Customer Rebate Program, however, the
                                                    6 Category A rebates are paid to members                                  Complex Order, including Customer Complex PIXL                    rebates do not apply to electronic executions in
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  executing electronically-delivered Customer Simple                          Order, executes against another electronically-                   SPY. Additionally, the Exchange pays a $0.02 per
                                                  Orders in Penny Pilot Options and Customer                                  delivered Customer Complex Order. Rebates on                      contract Category A and B rebate and a $0.03 per
                                                  Simple Orders in Non-Penny Pilot Options in                                 Customer PIXL Orders are capped at 4,000 contracts                contract Category C rebate in addition to the
                                                  Section II symbols.                                                         per order leg for Complex PIXL Orders.                            applicable Tier 2 and 3 rebate to a Specialist or
                                                    7 Category B rebates are paid on Customer PIXL                               9 See Section B of the Pricing Schedule.                       Market Maker or its member or member
                                                  Orders in Section II symbols that execute against                              10 A QCC Order is comprised of an originating                  organization affiliate under Common Ownership
                                                  non-Initiating Order interest. In the instance where                        order to buy or sell at least 1,000 contracts, or                 provided the Specialist or Market Maker has
                                                  member organizations qualify for Tier 4 or higher                           10,000 contracts in the case of Mini Options, that                reached the Monthly Market Maker Cap, as defined
                                                  in the Customer Rebate Program, Customer PIXL                               is identified as being part of a qualified contingent             in Section II. See Section B of the Pricing Schedule.



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                                                  30574                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 17, 2016 / Notices

                                                     Today, options overlying NDX and                        markets. In Regulation NMS, while                     and one other options exchange. The
                                                  MNX are included in the total volume                       adopting a series of steps to improve the             Exchange does not desire to pay rebates
                                                  to qualify a market participant for a                      current market model, the Commission                  on options overlying NDX and MNX
                                                  Customer Rebate. The Exchange is                           highlighted the importance of market                  because of their exclusivity. Despite the
                                                  proposing to continue to permit the                        forces in determining prices and SRO                  fact that technically these options trade
                                                  electronically-delivered and executed                      revenues and, also, recognized that                   on more than one venue, other
                                                  volume associated with options                             current regulation of the market system               exchanges cannot list these options. The
                                                  overlying NDX and MNX to be included                       ‘‘has been remarkably successful in                   Exchange believes it is reasonable to
                                                  in the calculation of total market                         promoting market competition in its                   continue to count options overlying
                                                  volume. The Exchange proposes to                           broader forms that are most important to              NDX and MNX in the total volume to
                                                  exclude options overlying NDX and                          investors and listed companies.’’ 15                  qualify a market participant for a
                                                  MNX as eligible to receive a Customer                         Likewise, in NetCoalition v. Securities            Customer Rebate, however, options
                                                  Rebate in any Category.                                    and Exchange Commission 16 the D.C.                   overlying NDX and MNX will no longer
                                                     In calculating electronically-delivered                 Circuit upheld the Commission’s use of                be paid the Customer rebates in any
                                                  and executed Customer volume in                            a market-based approach in evaluating                 Category because of the exclusivity of
                                                  Multiply Listed Options, the numerator                     the fairness of market data fees against              this option. Market participants would
                                                  of the equation will remain unchanged                      a challenge claiming that Congress                    continue to benefit from NDX and MNX
                                                  and will continue to include all                           mandated a cost-based approach.17 As                  options volume in terms of qualifying
                                                  electronically-delivered and executed                      the court emphasized, the Commission                  for Customer Rebate Tiers. The
                                                  Customer volume in Multiply Listed                         ‘‘intended in Regulation NMS that                     Exchange believes that not paying
                                                  Options, including NDX and MNX. The                        ‘market forces, rather than regulatory                Customer Rebates on options overlying
                                                  denominator of that equation will also                     requirements’ play a role in determining              NDX and MNX further aligns these
                                                  remain unchanged and will continue to                      the market data . . . to be made                      products with other Singly Listed
                                                  include national customer volume in                        available to investors and at what                    Options as compared to Multiply-Listed
                                                  multiply-listed equity and ETF options                     cost.’’ 18                                            Options.
                                                  volume. By including options overlying                        Further, ‘‘[n]o one disputes that                    It is equitable and not unfairly
                                                  NDX and MNX in the computation for                         competition for order flow is ‘fierce.’               discriminatory to no longer pay
                                                  Customer Rebates, members will                             . . . As the SEC explained, ‘[i]n the U.S.            Customer Rebates on options overlying
                                                  continue to receive the benefit of those                   national market system, buyers and                    NDX and MNX in any Category because
                                                  transactions toward calculating their                      sellers of securities, and the broker-                the Exchange would apply its
                                                  eligible rebate tiers and earning a rebate                 dealers that act as their order-routing               calculation to determine the eligibility
                                                  on all qualifying transactions.                            agents, have a wide range of choices of               and payment of Customer rebates in a
                                                     At this time, the Exchange proposes to                  where to route orders for execution’;                 uniform manner. The Exchange’s
                                                  not pay Customer Rebates on options                        [and] ‘no exchange can afford to take its             proposal to no longer pay Customer
                                                  overlying NDX and MNX because of the                       market share percentages for granted’                 Rebates on options overlying NDX and
                                                  exclusivity of these options. NDX and                      because ‘no exchange possesses a                      MNX in any Category is equitable and
                                                  MNX are Phlx proprietary index options                     monopoly, regulatory or otherwise, in                 not unfairly discriminatory because the
                                                  which currently trade on Phlx and one                      the execution of order flow from broker               Exchange would no longer pay
                                                  other options exchange. Therefore, the                     dealers’ . . . .’’ 19 Although the court              Customer Rebates on any transaction
                                                  Exchange would not pay rebates on                          and the SEC were discussing the cash                  with options overlying either NDX or
                                                  options overlying NDX and MNX as part                      equities markets, the Exchange believes               MNX to any market participant. Also,
                                                  of the Customer Rebate Program. The                        that these views apply with equal force               any market participant is eligible to earn
                                                  Exchange believes members will                             to the options markets.                               a Customer Rebate.
                                                  continue to be afforded an opportunity                        It is reasonable to no longer pay
                                                                                                                                                                   B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  to achieve new Customer Rebate                             Customer Rebates on options overlying
                                                                                                                                                                   Statement on Burden on Competition
                                                  Program tiers or maintain their current                    NDX and MNX in any Category (A, B or
                                                  level of Customer Rebate Program tiers.                    C) because these proprietary index                       The Exchange does not believe that
                                                                                                             options only trade on two options                     the proposed rule change will impose
                                                  2. Statutory Basis                                         markets at this time. The original intent             any burden on competition not
                                                     The proposal is consistent with                         of the Customer Rebate Program was to                 necessary or appropriate in furtherance
                                                  Section 6(b) of the Act,13 in general, and                 pay rebates on electronically-delivered               of the purposes of the Act. In terms of
                                                  furthers the objectives of Sections                        Multiply-Listed Options. By definition,               inter-market competition, the Exchange
                                                  6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,14 in                       these indices qualify as Multiply-Listed              notes that it operates in a highly
                                                  particular, in that it provides for the                    Options because they trade on more                    competitive market in which market
                                                  equitable allocation of reasonable dues,                   than one options exchange. These                      participants can readily favor competing
                                                  fees and other charges among members                       proprietary index options trade on Phlx               venues if they deem fee levels at a
                                                  and issuers and other persons using any                                                                          particular venue to be excessive, or
                                                  facility or system which the Exchange                         15 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808   rebate opportunities available at other
                                                  operates or controls, and is not designed                  (June 9, 2005), 70 FR 37497 [sic], 37499 (June 29,    venues to be more favorable. In such an
                                                                                                             2005) (‘‘Regulation NMS Adopting Release’’).          environment, the Exchange must
                                                  to permit unfair discrimination between                       16 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808
                                                  customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.                                                                         continually adjust its fees to remain
                                                                                                             (June 9, 2005) [sic] at 534–535.
                                                                                                                                                                   competitive with other exchanges and
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                                                     The Commission and the courts have                         17 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808

                                                  repeatedly expressed their preference                      (June 9, 2005) [sic] at 534.                          with alternative trading systems that
                                                  for competition over regulatory                               18 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808   have been exempted from compliance
                                                  intervention in determining prices,                        (June 9, 2005) [sic] at 537.                          with the statutory standards applicable
                                                                                                                19 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808
                                                  products, and services in the securities                                                                         to exchanges. Because competitors are
                                                                                                             (June 9, 2005) [sic] at 539 (quoting Securities
                                                                                                             Exchange Act Release No. 59039 (December 2,
                                                                                                                                                                   free to modify their own fees in
                                                    13 15   U.S.C. 78f(b).                                   2008), 73 FR 74770, 74782–83 (December 9, 2008)       response, and because market
                                                    14 15   U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).                        (SR–NYSEArca–2006–21) [sic].                          participants may readily adjust their


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                                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 17, 2016 / Notices                                           30575

                                                  order routing practices, that the degree                   including whether the proposed rule                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                  to which fee changes in this market may                    change is consistent with the Act.                     COMMISSION
                                                  impose any burden on competition is                        Comments may be submitted by any of
                                                  extremely limited.                                         the following methods:                                 [Release No. 34–77809; File No. SR–ICEEU–
                                                    The Exchange’s proposal to no longer                                                                            2016–006]
                                                  pay Customer Rebates on options                            Electronic Comments
                                                  overlying NDX and MNX in any                                 • Use the Commission’s Internet                      Self-Regulatory Organizations; ICE
                                                  Category does not impose an undue                          comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                      Clear Europe Limited; Notice of Filing
                                                  burden on intra-market competition                         rules/sro.shtml); or                                   and Immediate Effectiveness of a
                                                  because the Exchange would apply the
                                                  calculation of Customer rebates and                          • Send an email to rule-comments@                    Proposed Rule Change Relating to
                                                                                                             sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                Accounts Categories for Positions of
                                                  would pay rebates on qualifying orders
                                                                                                             Phlx–2016–57 on the subject line.                      Clearing Member Affiliates
                                                  in a uniform manner. No market
                                                  participant would be paid a Customer                       Paper Comments                                         May 11, 2016.
                                                  Rebate in options overlying NDX or
                                                  MNX. All market participants may                             • Send paper comments in triplicate                     Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                  participate in the Customer Rebate                         to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                  Program. Members would continue to                         Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                          (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                  benefit from the inclusion of options                      Washington, DC 20549–1090.                             notice is hereby given that on April 28
                                                  overlying NDX and MNX in the total                                                                                2016, ICE Clear Europe Limited (‘‘ICE
                                                                                                             All submissions should refer to File                   Clear Europe’’ or ‘‘Clearing House’’)
                                                  volume to qualify a market participant                     Number SR–Phlx–2016–57. This file
                                                  for a Customer Rebate.                                                                                            filed with the Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                             number should be included on the
                                                    Also, the Exchange’s proposal to no                                                                             Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the
                                                                                                             subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                  longer pay Customer Rebates on options                                                                            proposed rule changes described in
                                                                                                             Commission process and review your
                                                  overlying NDX and MNX in any                                                                                      Items I, II and III below, which Items
                                                                                                             comments more efficiently, please use
                                                  Category does not impose an undue                                                                                 have been prepared by ICE Clear
                                                                                                             only one method. The Commission will
                                                  burden on inter-market competition                                                                                Europe. ICE Clear Europe filed the
                                                                                                             post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                  because there is only one other                                                                                   proposal pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)
                                                                                                             Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                  exchange that transacts options                                                                                   of the Act,3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(i) 4
                                                                                                             rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                  overlying NDX and MNX through a                                                                                   thereunder, so that the proposal was
                                                                                                             submission, all subsequent
                                                  contractual agreement with the                                                                                    effective upon filing with the
                                                                                                             amendments, all written statements
                                                  Exchange. That venue may choose to                                                                                Commission. The Commission is
                                                                                                             with respect to the proposed rule
                                                  also not pay rebates on options                                                                                   publishing this notice to solicit
                                                                                                             change that are filed with the
                                                  overlying NDX or MNX. Other venues                                                                                comments on the proposed rule change
                                                                                                             Commission, and all written
                                                  may not list these proprietary indices.
                                                                                                             communications relating to the                         from interested persons.
                                                  C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          proposed rule change between the
                                                                                                                                                                    I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  Statement on Comments on the                               Commission and any person, other than
                                                  Proposed Rule Change Received From                         those that may be withheld from the                    Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                  Members, Participants, or Others                           public in accordance with the                          the Proposed Rule Change
                                                    No written comments were either                          provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                      The principal purpose of the
                                                  solicited or received.                                     available for Web site viewing and                     proposed changes is to clarify the
                                                                                                             printing in the Commission’s Public                    account categories to be used for
                                                  III. Date of Effectiveness of the                          Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                  Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                                                                               positions of affiliates of Clearing
                                                                                                             Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                                  Commission Action                                                                                                 Members.
                                                                                                             business days between the hours of
                                                     The foregoing rule change has become                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                 II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  effective pursuant to Section                              filing also will be available for                      Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.20                              inspection and copying at the principal                Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                     At any time within 60 days of the                       office of the Exchange. All comments                   Change
                                                  filing of the proposed rule change, the                    received will be posted without change;
                                                  Commission summarily may                                   the Commission does not edit personal                    In its filing with the Commission, ICE
                                                  temporarily suspend such rule change if                    identifying information from                           Clear Europe included statements
                                                  it appears to the Commission that such                     submissions. You should submit only                    concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                  action is: (i) Necessary or appropriate in                 information that you wish to make                      the proposed rule change. The text of
                                                  the public interest; (ii) for the protection               available publicly. All submissions                    these statements may be examined at
                                                  of investors; or (iii) otherwise in                        should refer to File Number SR–Phlx–                   the places specified in Item IV below.
                                                  furtherance of the purposes of the Act.                    2016–57 and should be submitted on or                  ICE Clear Europe has prepared
                                                  If the Commission takes such action, the                   before June 7, 2016.                                   summaries, set forth in sections A, B,
                                                  Commission shall institute proceedings                       For the Commission, by the Division of               and C below, of the most significant
                                                  to determine whether the proposed rule                     Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated             aspects of such statements.
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  should be approved or disapproved.                         authority.21
                                                  IV. Solicitation of Comments                               Robert W. Errett,
                                                    Interested persons are invited to                        Deputy Secretary.
                                                  submit written data, views and                             [FR Doc. 2016–11541 Filed 5–16–16; 8:45 am]              1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                  arguments concerning the foregoing,                        BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                   2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                                                                                                                                      3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

                                                    20 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).                           21 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                           4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(4)(i).




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Document Created: 2018-02-07 15:05:32
Document Modified: 2018-02-07 15:05:32
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 Citation81 FR 30573 

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