81_FR_32455 81 FR 32356 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to Rules 15.1(a) and (c) in Order To Implement a Tape B Quoting Tier

81 FR 32356 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to Rules 15.1(a) and (c) in Order To Implement a Tape B Quoting Tier

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 99 (May 23, 2016)

Page Range32356-32358
FR Document2016-12013

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 99 (Monday, May 23, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 99 (Monday, May 23, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32356-32358]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12013]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-77846; File No. SR-BatsBZX-2016-18]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to Rules 
15.1(a) and (c) in Order To Implement a Tape B Quoting Tier

May 17, 2016.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on May 11, 2016, Bats BZX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``BZX'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and 
II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The 
Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the 
proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange filed a proposal to amend the fee schedule applicable 
to Members \3\ and non-members of the Exchange pursuant to BZX Rules 
15.1(a) and (c) in order to implement a Tape B Quoting Tier.
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    \3\ A 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 amend its Fee Schedule to adopt a new Tape 
B Quoting Tier in order to strengthen market quality in LMP Securities 
\4\ and ETPs \5\ more broadly, by providing an enhanced rebate in Tape 
B \6\ securities to Members that meet certain minimum quoting standards 
in at least 50 LMP Securities. In particular, the Exchange proposes to 
adopt the new Tape B Quoting Tier under which all Members would be 
eligible to receive an additional $0.0001 for each share of added 
displayed liquidity in all Tape B securities if the Member is enrolled 
in at least 50 LMP Securities for which: \7\ (i) The Member's NBBO Time 
\8\ is at least 15% or NBBO Size Time \9\ is at least 25%; and (ii) the 
Member's Displayed Size Time \10\ is at least 90%.

[[Page 32357]]

As proposed, the Exchange will publish and update periodically via 
circular a list of LMP Securities in which all Members will be eligible 
to enroll.\11\ All Members will be eligible to enroll in LMP 
Securities, there will be no limit to the number of LMP Securities in 
which a Member may enroll, and there will be no limit to the number of 
Members that can enroll in each LMP Security.\12\ All Members enrolled 
in LMP Securities will be eligible for the additional rebate where the 
Member meets the Tape B Quoting Tier requirements.
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    \4\ As proposed, LMP Securities means a list of securities 
included in the Liquidity Management Program, the universe of which 
will be determined by the Exchange and published in a circular 
distributed to Members and on the Exchange's Web site. Such LMP 
Securities will include all Bats-listed ETPs and certain non-Bats-
listed ETPs for which the Exchange wants to incentivize Members to 
provide enhanced market quality.
    \5\ For purposes of this filing, ETP means any security type 
defined in Exchange Rule 14.11.
    \6\ Tape B securities includes all securities listed on the 
Exchange, NYSE Arca, Inc., and NYSE MKT LLC.
    \7\ As proposed, a Member must be enrolled in at least 50 LMP 
Securities for which the Member meets proposed requirements (i) and 
(ii), as measured on a security by security basis, in order to 
qualify for the Tape B Quoting Tier. Where a Member is enrolled in 
50 or more LMP Securities, but only meets proposed requirements (i) 
and (ii) in 49 or fewer of those LMP Securities, the Member will not 
qualify for the Tape B Quoting Tier.
    \8\ As proposed, NBBO Time means the average of the percentage 
of time during regular trading hours during which the Member 
maintains at least 100 shares at each of the NBB and NBO. As an 
example, where the Member maintains at least 100 shares at the NBB 
for 20% of the time during regular trading hours and at least 100 
shares at the NBO for 10% of the time during regular trading hours, 
the Member's NBBO Time would be 15% ((.20 + .10)/2).
    \9\ As proposed, NBBO Size Time means the percentage of time 
during regular trading hours during which there are size-setting 
quotes at the NBBO on the Exchange. Stated another way, where the 
Exchange has size-setting quotes at the each of the NBB and NBO for 
any amount of time equal to or greater than 25% of regular trading 
hours, the proposed NBBO Size Time threshold will be met. A quote is 
a size-setting quote where it is the largest quote at the NBB or NBO 
and remains a size-setting quote until and unless another quote is 
at a more aggressive price or at the same price with greater size. 
The Exchange notes that, unlike NBBO Time, which applies to a 
particular Member's quoting activity, NBBO Size Time is calculated 
based on all quoting activity on the Exchange. As an example, where 
the NBB is 10.00 as quoted by a single exchange with 500 shares and 
the Exchange then quotes 600 shares at 10.00, such quote is a size-
setting quote until another exchange quotes 700 shares at 10.00 or 
quotes at a more aggressive price.
    \10\ As proposed, Displayed Size Time means the percentage of 
time during regular trading hours during which the Member maintains 
at least 2,500 displayed shares on the bid and separately maintains 
at least 2,500 displayed shares on the offer that are priced no more 
than 2% away from the NBB and NBO, respectively. Stated another way, 
where the Member maintains at least 2,500 displayed shares at or 
within 2% of the NBB and NBO on each of the bid and the offer, 
respectively, for any amount of time equal to or greater than 90% of 
regular trading hours, the Member will meet the proposed threshold. 
The Exchange notes that any displayed shares priced at or within 2% 
of the NBB or NBO (e.g. at multiple price levels) will be counted 
toward the 2,500 share requirement. As an example, where the NBBO is 
$10.00 by $10.01 all bid shares with a limit equal to or greater 
than $9.80 will be counted and any offer shares with a limit equal 
to or less than $10.21 will be counted. Where the Member maintains 
at least 2,500 displayed shares at or within those thresholds on 
each of the bid and the offer for any amount of time equal to or 
greater than 90% of regular trading hours, the Member will meet the 
proposed threshold.
    \11\ The Exchange anticipates that the initial list of LMP 
Securities will include at least 175 ETPs, at least 80 of which will 
be Bats-listed securities. A current list of LMP Securities will be 
available on www.batstrading.com, which will be updated as new 
securities are added to the list of LMP Securities. A direct link to 
the list of LMP Securities will be included in the circular 
described above. All Bats-listed securities will be LMP Securities 
immediately upon listing on the Exchange. The Exchange will not 
remove a security from the list of LMP Securities without 30 days 
prior notice provided via circular.
    \12\ After executing a form notifying the Exchange of its intent 
to enroll in LMP Securities, a Member is eligible to enroll in LMP 
Securities daily through the Exchange's Web site. There is no 
approval or disapproval process associated with enrollment and 
execution of the form is solely for administrative purposes. All 
Members will be eligible to enroll in all LMP Securities after 
executing the form.
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    In addition to the changes proposed above, the Exchange proposes to 
relocate the term ``Qualified LMM'' within the list of Definitions to 
its proper alphabetical placement.
Implementation Date
    The Exchange proposes to implement these amendments to its fee 
schedule effective June 1, 2016.
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.\13\ 
Specifically, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is 
consistent with Section 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,\14\ in that it 
provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and 
other charges among its Members and other persons using its facilities. 
The proposed rule change reflects a competitive pricing structure 
designed to incent market participants to direct their order flow to 
the Exchange and enhance market quality in LMP Securities and in Tape B 
securities. The Exchange believes that the proposed tier is equitable 
and non-discriminatory in that it would apply uniformly to all Members, 
any Member may enroll in any LMP Security, and enrollment is a purely 
administrative process. 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 at a particular 
venue to be excessive.
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    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
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    The Exchange believes that the proposed new tier is reasonable in 
that it will enhance market quality on the Exchange in two ways: (i) By 
incentivizing Members to meet certain quoting standards in LMP 
Securities designed to narrow spreads, increase size at the inside, and 
increase liquidity depth on the Exchange in such LMP Securities; and 
(ii) providing an additional rebate for all of a qualifying Member's 
orders that add liquidity in Tape B securities will incentivize Members 
to increase their participation on the Exchange in Tape B securities. 
The Exchange believes that the proposed quoting standards are 
reasonable because the NBBO Time and NBBO Size Time will either act to 
add additional liquidity at the NBBO in the LMP Securities or ensure 
that there is already significant size-setting quote activity on the 
Exchange in the LMP Securities and the Displayed Size Time will act to 
increase the depth of the market within 2% of the NBB and NBO for the 
vast majority of the trading day. The Exchange believes that such 
incentives will promote price discovery and market quality in such 
securities and, further, that the tightened spreads and increased 
liquidity from the proposal will benefit all investors by deepening the 
Exchange's liquidity pool, offering additional flexibility for all 
investors to enjoy cost savings, supporting the quality of price 
discovery, enhancing quoting competition across exchanges, promoting 
market transparency, and improving investor protection. The Exchange 
also believes that including all Bats-listed ETPs as LMP Securities is 
equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because it will help to 
strengthen the Exchange's market quality for Bats-listed securities by 
enhancing the quality of quoting in such securities, which will further 
assist the Exchange in competing as a listing venue for issuers seeking 
to list ETPs. The Exchange also believes that including only certain 
non-Bats-listed ETPs as LMP Securities is equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory because the Exchange has identified such non-Bats-listed 
ETPs as securities for which it would like to inject additional quoting 
competition, which it believes will generally act to narrow spreads, 
increase size at the inside, and increase liquidity depth in such 
securities. Accordingly, the Exchange believes that the proposal is 
reasonable, equitably allocated, and not unfairly discriminatory 
because it is consistent with the overall goals of enhancing market 
quality.
    The Exchange notes that the proposed pricing structure is not 
dissimilar from volume-based rebates and fees (``Volume Tiers'') that 
have been widely adopted by exchanges, including the Exchange, and are 
equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because they are open to all 
members on an equal basis and provide higher rebates and lower fees 
that are reasonably related to the value to an exchange's market 
quality. Much like Volume Tiers are generally designed to incentivize 
higher levels of liquidity provision and/or growth patterns on the 
Exchange, the proposal is designed to incentivize enhanced market 
quality on the Exchange through tighter spreads, greater size at the 
inside, and greater quoting depth in LMP Securities by offering an 
enhanced rebate in Tape B securities. Such enhanced rebate will 
simultaneously incentivize higher levels of liquidity provision in all 
Tape B securities. Where the NBBO Size Time is at least 25%, there is 
no minimum NBBO Time standard applicable to the Member, however, the 
Exchange believes that this is reasonable because where the NBBO Size 
Time is already at least 25%, a Member meeting the NBBO Time standard 
will not significantly enhance market quality at the NBBO for the 
product on the Exchange. The Exchange also notes that the Member must 
still have a Displayed Size Time of at least 90% to receive the 
enhanced rebate. As such, the Exchange believes that the proposed 
enhanced rebate will strengthen the Exchange's market quality for LMP 
Securities by enhancing the quality of quoting in such securities, as 
well as enhancing market quality in Tape B securities generally. 
Accordingly, the Exchange believes that the proposal will act to 
enhance liquidity and competition across exchanges in LMP Securities 
and enhance liquidity provision in Tape B securities on the Exchange by 
providing a rebate reasonably related to such enhanced market quality 
to the benefit of all investors, thereby promoting the

[[Page 32358]]

principles discussed in Section 6(b)(5) of the Act.\15\
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    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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    The Exchange also believes that the clarifying change to 
alphabetize the Definitions section of the fee schedule is reasonable, 
fair and equitable and non-discriminatory because it is non-substantive 
and is designed to make sure that the fee schedule is as clear and 
easily understandable as possible.

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or 
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act, as amended. The 
Exchange does not believe that the changes burden competition, but 
instead, enhance competition, as these changes are intended to increase 
the competitiveness of the Exchange as it is designed to draw 
additional volume to the Exchange. The Exchange notes that it operates 
in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily 
direct order flow to competing venues if the deem fee structures to be 
unreasonable or excessive. The proposed changes are generally intended 
to enhance the rebates in Tape B securities, which is intended to 
enhance market quality in LMP Securities and Tape B securities. As 
such, the proposal is a competitive proposal that is intended to add 
additional liquidity to the Exchange, which will, in turn, benefit the 
Exchange and all Exchange participants.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) 
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \16\ and paragraph 
(f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\17\
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    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \17\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission 
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at 
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed 
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. 
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does 
not become operative before 30 days from the date of the filing. 
However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\18\ the Commission may 
designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest.
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    \18\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
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    The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative 
delay. The Exchange states that waiver of the 30-day operative delay 
will allow the Exchange to implement the proposal without delay on June 
1, 2016, allowing market participants to potentially realize the 
benefits of the proposal. The Exchange further states that waiver of 
the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest because it believes that the proposed 
rule change would promote enhanced market quality and serve as an 
additional safeguard against extreme price dislocation. The Commission 
believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest. The Commission hereby 
waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the proposed rule 
change to be operative upon filing with the Commission.\19\
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    \19\ For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this 
proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact 
on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
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    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

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-BatsBZX-2016-18 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-BatsBZX-2016-18. 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 will also be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-BatsBZX-2016-18 and should 
be submitted on or before June 13, 2016.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\20\
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    \20\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-12013 Filed 5-20-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                32356                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 99 / Monday, May 23, 2016 / Notices

                                                Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS,                      ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                ETPs 5 more broadly, by providing an
                                                please contact the NRC’s Public                         notice is hereby given that on May 11,                enhanced rebate in Tape B 6 securities to
                                                Document Room (PDR) reference staff at                  2016, Bats BZX Exchange, Inc. (the                    Members that meet certain minimum
                                                1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by                     ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BZX’’) filed with the               quoting standards in at least 50 LMP
                                                email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The                      Securities and Exchange Commission                    Securities. In particular, the Exchange
                                                ADAMS accession number for each                         (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                    proposes to adopt the new Tape B
                                                document referenced in this document                    change as described in Items I and II                 Quoting Tier under which all Members
                                                (if that document is available in                       below, which Items have been prepared                 would be eligible to receive an
                                                ADAMS) is provided the first time that                  by the Exchange. The Commission is                    additional $0.0001 for each share of
                                                a document is referenced. This RIS is                   publishing this notice to solicit                     added displayed liquidity in all Tape B
                                                available under ADAMS Accession No.                     comments on the proposed rule change                  securities if the Member is enrolled in
                                                ML16068A436.                                            from interested persons.                              at least 50 LMP Securities for which: 7
                                                   • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and                                                                           (i) The Member’s NBBO Time 8 is at
                                                purchase copies of public documents at                  I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     least 15% or NBBO Size Time 9 is at
                                                the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One                         Statement of the Terms of Substance of                least 25%; and (ii) the Member’s
                                                White Flint North, 11555 Rockville                      the Proposed Rule Change                              Displayed Size Time 10 is at least 90%.
                                                Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.                           The Exchange filed a proposal to
                                                   • This RIS is also available on the                  amend the fee schedule applicable to                    5 For purposes of this filing, ETP means any

                                                NRC’s public Web site at http://                                                                              security type defined in Exchange Rule 14.11.
                                                                                                        Members 3 and non-members of the                        6 Tape B securities includes all securities listed
                                                www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-                             Exchange pursuant to BZX Rules 15.1(a)                on the Exchange, NYSE Arca, Inc., and NYSE MKT
                                                collections/gen-comm/reg-issues/ (select                and (c) in order to implement a Tape B                LLC.
                                                ‘‘2016’’ and then select ‘‘2016–07’’).                  Quoting Tier.                                           7 As proposed, a Member must be enrolled in at

                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                           The text of the proposed rule change               least 50 LMP Securities for which the Member
                                                                                                                                                              meets proposed requirements (i) and (ii), as
                                                Bryce Lehman, Office of Nuclear                         is available at the Exchange’s Web site               measured on a security by security basis, in order
                                                Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear                        at www.batstrading.com, at the                        to qualify for the Tape B Quoting Tier. Where a
                                                Regulatory Commission, Washington,                      principal office of the Exchange, and at              Member is enrolled in 50 or more LMP Securities,
                                                DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415–                      the Commission’s Public Reference                     but only meets proposed requirements (i) and (ii)
                                                                                                                                                              in 49 or fewer of those LMP Securities, the Member
                                                1626; email: Bryce.Lehman@nrc.gov.                      Room.                                                 will not qualify for the Tape B Quoting Tier.
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NRC                                                                              8 As proposed, NBBO Time means the average of
                                                                                                        II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                published a notice of opportunity for                   Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                                                                              the percentage of time during regular trading hours
                                                public comment on this RIS in the                                                                             during which the Member maintains at least 100
                                                                                                        Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                shares at each of the NBB and NBO. As an example,
                                                Federal Register (80 FR 80401) on                       Change                                                where the Member maintains at least 100 shares at
                                                December 24, 2015. The agency received                                                                        the NBB for 20% of the time during regular trading
                                                comments from four commenters. The                        In its filing with the Commission, the              hours and at least 100 shares at the NBO for 10%
                                                                                                        Exchange included statements                          of the time during regular trading hours, the
                                                staff considered all comments, which                                                                          Member’s NBBO Time would be 15% ((.20 + .10)/
                                                resulted in minor revisions to the RIS.                 concerning the purpose of and basis for               2).
                                                The evaluation of these comments and                    the proposed rule change and discussed                  9 As proposed, NBBO Size Time means the

                                                the resulting changes to the RIS are                    any comments it received on the                       percentage of time during regular trading hours
                                                discussed in a publicly-available                       proposed rule change. The text of these               during which there are size-setting quotes at the
                                                                                                                                                              NBBO on the Exchange. Stated another way, where
                                                memorandum which is available in                        statements may be examined at the                     the Exchange has size-setting quotes at the each of
                                                ADAMS under Accession No.                               places specified in Item IV below. The                the NBB and NBO for any amount of time equal to
                                                ML16060A450.                                            Exchange has prepared summaries, set                  or greater than 25% of regular trading hours, the
                                                                                                        forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of               proposed NBBO Size Time threshold will be met.
                                                   Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 17th day                                                                A quote is a size-setting quote where it is the largest
                                                of May 2016.                                            the most significant parts of such                    quote at the NBB or NBO and remains a size-setting
                                                   For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.               statements.                                           quote until and unless another quote is at a more
                                                                                                                                                              aggressive price or at the same price with greater
                                                Sheldon D. Stuchell,                                    A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     size. The Exchange notes that, unlike NBBO Time,
                                                Chief, Generic Communications Branch,                   Statement of the Purpose of, and                      which applies to a particular Member’s quoting
                                                Division of Policy and Rulemaking, Office               Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                activity, NBBO Size Time is calculated based on all
                                                of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.                                                                                quoting activity on the Exchange. As an example,
                                                                                                        Change                                                where the NBB is 10.00 as quoted by a single
                                                [FR Doc. 2016–12039 Filed 5–20–16; 8:45 am]                                                                   exchange with 500 shares and the Exchange then
                                                                                                        1. Purpose                                            quotes 600 shares at 10.00, such quote is a size-
                                                BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
                                                                                                          The Exchange proposes to amend its                  setting quote until another exchange quotes 700
                                                                                                                                                              shares at 10.00 or quotes at a more aggressive price.
                                                                                                        Fee Schedule to adopt a new Tape B                      10 As proposed, Displayed Size Time means the
                                                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                 Quoting Tier in order to strengthen                   percentage of time during regular trading hours
                                                COMMISSION                                              market quality in LMP Securities 4 and                during which the Member maintains at least 2,500
                                                                                                                                                              displayed shares on the bid and separately
                                                [Release No. 34–77846; File No. SR–                       1 15
                                                                                                                                                              maintains at least 2,500 displayed shares on the
                                                BatsBZX–2016–18]                                                U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                             offer that are priced no more than 2% away from
                                                                                                          2 17  CFR 240.19b–4.                                the NBB and NBO, respectively. Stated another
                                                                                                           3 A Member is defined as ‘‘any registered broker
                                                Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats                                                                           way, where the Member maintains at least 2,500
                                                                                                        or dealer that has been admitted to membership in     displayed shares at or within 2% of the NBB and
                                                BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing                    the Exchange.’’ See Exchange Rule 1.5(n).             NBO on each of the bid and the offer, respectively,
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                and Immediate Effectiveness of a                           4 As proposed, LMP Securities means a list of      for any amount of time equal to or greater than 90%
                                                Proposed Rule Change to Rules 15.1(a)                   securities included in the Liquidity Management       of regular trading hours, the Member will meet the
                                                and (c) in Order To Implement a Tape                    Program, the universe of which will be determined     proposed threshold. The Exchange notes that any
                                                                                                        by the Exchange and published in a circular           displayed shares priced at or within 2% of the NBB
                                                B Quoting Tier                                          distributed to Members and on the Exchange’s Web      or NBO (e.g. at multiple price levels) will be
                                                                                                        site. Such LMP Securities will include all Bats-      counted toward the 2,500 share requirement. As an
                                                May 17, 2016.
                                                                                                        listed ETPs and certain non-Bats-listed ETPs for      example, where the NBBO is $10.00 by $10.01 all
                                                  Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                   which the Exchange wants to incentivize Members       bid shares with a limit equal to or greater than $9.80
                                                Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                    to provide enhanced market quality.                   will be counted and any offer shares with a limit



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                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 99 / Monday, May 23, 2016 / Notices                                             32357

                                                As proposed, the Exchange will publish                    Exchange and enhance market quality in               not unfairly discriminatory because the
                                                and update periodically via circular a                    LMP Securities and in Tape B securities.             Exchange has identified such non-Bats-
                                                list of LMP Securities in which all                       The Exchange believes that the                       listed ETPs as securities for which it
                                                Members will be eligible to enroll.11 All                 proposed tier is equitable and non-                  would like to inject additional quoting
                                                Members will be eligible to enroll in                     discriminatory in that it would apply                competition, which it believes will
                                                LMP Securities, there will be no limit to                 uniformly to all Members, any Member                 generally act to narrow spreads, increase
                                                the number of LMP Securities in which                     may enroll in any LMP Security, and                  size at the inside, and increase liquidity
                                                a Member may enroll, and there will be                    enrollment is a purely administrative                depth in such securities. Accordingly,
                                                no limit to the number of Members that                    process. The Exchange notes that it                  the Exchange believes that the proposal
                                                can enroll in each LMP Security.12 All                    operates in a highly competitive market              is reasonable, equitably allocated, and
                                                Members enrolled in LMP Securities                        in which market participants can                     not unfairly discriminatory because it is
                                                will be eligible for the additional rebate                readily direct order flow to competing               consistent with the overall goals of
                                                where the Member meets the Tape B                         venues if they deem fee levels at a                  enhancing market quality.
                                                Quoting Tier requirements.                                particular venue to be excessive.
                                                   In addition to the changes proposed                                                                            The Exchange notes that the proposed
                                                                                                             The Exchange believes that the
                                                above, the Exchange proposes to                                                                                pricing structure is not dissimilar from
                                                                                                          proposed new tier is reasonable in that
                                                relocate the term ‘‘Qualified LMM’’                                                                            volume-based rebates and fees
                                                                                                          it will enhance market quality on the
                                                within the list of Definitions to its                     Exchange in two ways: (i) By                         (‘‘Volume Tiers’’) that have been widely
                                                proper alphabetical placement.                            incentivizing Members to meet certain                adopted by exchanges, including the
                                                                                                          quoting standards in LMP Securities                  Exchange, and are equitable and not
                                                Implementation Date
                                                                                                          designed to narrow spreads, increase                 unfairly discriminatory because they are
                                                   The Exchange proposes to implement                                                                          open to all members on an equal basis
                                                                                                          size at the inside, and increase liquidity
                                                these amendments to its fee schedule                                                                           and provide higher rebates and lower
                                                                                                          depth on the Exchange in such LMP
                                                effective June 1, 2016.                                                                                        fees that are reasonably related to the
                                                                                                          Securities; and (ii) providing an
                                                2. Statutory Basis                                        additional rebate for all of a qualifying            value to an exchange’s market quality.
                                                                                                          Member’s orders that add liquidity in                Much like Volume Tiers are generally
                                                   The Exchange believes that the
                                                proposed rule change is consistent with                   Tape B securities will incentivize                   designed to incentivize higher levels of
                                                the requirements of the Act and the                       Members to increase their participation              liquidity provision and/or growth
                                                rules and regulations thereunder that                     on the Exchange in Tape B securities.                patterns on the Exchange, the proposal
                                                are applicable to a national securities                   The Exchange believes that the                       is designed to incentivize enhanced
                                                exchange, and, in particular, with the                    proposed quoting standards are                       market quality on the Exchange through
                                                requirements of Section 6 of the Act.13                   reasonable because the NBBO Time and                 tighter spreads, greater size at the
                                                Specifically, the Exchange believes that                  NBBO Size Time will either act to add                inside, and greater quoting depth in
                                                the proposed rule change is consistent                    additional liquidity at the NBBO in the              LMP Securities by offering an enhanced
                                                with Section 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the                   LMP Securities or ensure that there is               rebate in Tape B securities. Such
                                                Act,14 in that it provides for the                        already significant size-setting quote               enhanced rebate will simultaneously
                                                equitable allocation of reasonable dues,                  activity on the Exchange in the LMP                  incentivize higher levels of liquidity
                                                fees and other charges among its                          Securities and the Displayed Size Time               provision in all Tape B securities.
                                                Members and other persons using its                       will act to increase the depth of the                Where the NBBO Size Time is at least
                                                facilities. The proposed rule change                      market within 2% of the NBB and NBO                  25%, there is no minimum NBBO Time
                                                reflects a competitive pricing structure                  for the vast majority of the trading day.            standard applicable to the Member,
                                                designed to incent market participants                    The Exchange believes that such                      however, the Exchange believes that this
                                                to direct their order flow to the                         incentives will promote price discovery              is reasonable because where the NBBO
                                                                                                          and market quality in such securities                Size Time is already at least 25%, a
                                                equal to or less than $10.21 will be counted. Where       and, further, that the tightened spreads             Member meeting the NBBO Time
                                                the Member maintains at least 2,500 displayed             and increased liquidity from the                     standard will not significantly enhance
                                                shares at or within those thresholds on each of the       proposal will benefit all investors by
                                                bid and the offer for any amount of time equal to                                                              market quality at the NBBO for the
                                                or greater than 90% of regular trading hours, the
                                                                                                          deepening the Exchange’s liquidity                   product on the Exchange. The Exchange
                                                Member will meet the proposed threshold.                  pool, offering additional flexibility for            also notes that the Member must still
                                                   11 The Exchange anticipates that the initial list of   all investors to enjoy cost savings,                 have a Displayed Size Time of at least
                                                LMP Securities will include at least 175 ETPs, at         supporting the quality of price
                                                least 80 of which will be Bats-listed securities. A                                                            90% to receive the enhanced rebate. As
                                                                                                          discovery, enhancing quoting
                                                current list of LMP Securities will be available on                                                            such, the Exchange believes that the
                                                www.batstrading.com, which will be updated as             competition across exchanges,
                                                                                                                                                               proposed enhanced rebate will
                                                new securities are added to the list of LMP               promoting market transparency, and
                                                                                                                                                               strengthen the Exchange’s market
                                                Securities. A direct link to the list of LMP Securities   improving investor protection. The
                                                will be included in the circular described above. All                                                          quality for LMP Securities by enhancing
                                                                                                          Exchange also believes that including
                                                Bats-listed securities will be LMP Securities
                                                                                                          all Bats-listed ETPs as LMP Securities is            the quality of quoting in such securities,
                                                immediately upon listing on the Exchange. The                                                                  as well as enhancing market quality in
                                                Exchange will not remove a security from the list         equitable and not unfairly
                                                of LMP Securities without 30 days prior notice            discriminatory because it will help to               Tape B securities generally.
                                                provided via circular.                                    strengthen the Exchange’s market                     Accordingly, the Exchange believes that
                                                   12 After executing a form notifying the Exchange
                                                                                                          quality for Bats-listed securities by                the proposal will act to enhance
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                                                of its intent to enroll in LMP Securities, a Member                                                            liquidity and competition across
                                                is eligible to enroll in LMP Securities daily through     enhancing the quality of quoting in such
                                                the Exchange’s Web site. There is no approval or          securities, which will further assist the            exchanges in LMP Securities and
                                                disapproval process associated with enrollment and        Exchange in competing as a listing                   enhance liquidity provision in Tape B
                                                execution of the form is solely for administrative
                                                                                                          venue for issuers seeking to list ETPs.              securities on the Exchange by providing
                                                purposes. All Members will be eligible to enroll in                                                            a rebate reasonably related to such
                                                all LMP Securities after executing the form.              The Exchange also believes that
                                                   13 15 U.S.C. 78f.                                      including only certain non-Bats-listed               enhanced market quality to the benefit
                                                   14 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).                        ETPs as LMP Securities is equitable and              of all investors, thereby promoting the


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                                                32358                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 99 / Monday, May 23, 2016 / Notices

                                                principles discussed in Section 6(b)(5)                    19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 16 and paragraph                   Electronic Comments
                                                of the Act.15                                              (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4 thereunder.17
                                                                                                                                                                       • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                  The Exchange also believes that the                         A proposed rule change filed under
                                                                                                           Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally does not                        comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                clarifying change to alphabetize the                                                                                 rules/sro.shtml); or
                                                Definitions section of the fee schedule is                 become operative before 30 days from
                                                reasonable, fair and equitable and non-                    the date of the filing. However, pursuant                   • Send an email to rule-comments@
                                                discriminatory because it is non-                          to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),18 the                           sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                substantive and is designed to make                        Commission may designate a shorter                        BatsBZX–2016–18 on the subject line.
                                                sure that the fee schedule is as clear and                 time if such action is consistent with the
                                                                                                           protection of investors and the public                    Paper Comments
                                                easily understandable as possible.
                                                                                                           interest.                                                   • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                             The Exchange has asked the                             to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                                Statement on Burden on Competition                         Commission to waive the 30-day                            Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                   The Exchange does not believe that                      operative delay. The Exchange states                      Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                                                                           that waiver of the 30-day operative
                                                the proposed rule change will result in                                                                              All submissions should refer to File
                                                                                                           delay will allow the Exchange to
                                                any burden on competition that is not                                                                                Number SR–BatsBZX–2016–18. This file
                                                                                                           implement the proposal without delay
                                                necessary or appropriate in furtherance                                                                              number should be included on the
                                                                                                           on June 1, 2016, allowing market
                                                of the purposes of the Act, as amended.                                                                              subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                                                                           participants to potentially realize the
                                                The Exchange does not believe that the                                                                               Commission process and review your
                                                                                                           benefits of the proposal. The Exchange
                                                changes burden competition, but                            further states that waiver of the 30-day                  comments more efficiently, please use
                                                instead, enhance competition, as these                     operative delay is consistent with the                    only one method. The Commission will
                                                changes are intended to increase the                       protection of investors and the public                    post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                competitiveness of the Exchange as it is                   interest because it believes that the                     Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                designed to draw additional volume to                      proposed rule change would promote                        rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                the Exchange. The Exchange notes that                      enhanced market quality and serve as an                   submission, all subsequent
                                                it operates in a highly competitive                        additional safeguard against extreme                      amendments, all written statements
                                                market in which market participants can                    price dislocation. The Commission
                                                readily direct order flow to competing                                                                               with respect to the proposed rule
                                                                                                           believes that waiving the 30-day                          change that are filed with the
                                                venues if the deem fee structures to be                    operative delay is consistent with the
                                                unreasonable or excessive. The                                                                                       Commission, and all written
                                                                                                           protection of investors and the public                    communications relating to the
                                                proposed changes are generally                             interest. The Commission hereby waives
                                                intended to enhance the rebates in Tape                                                                              proposed rule change between the
                                                                                                           the 30-day operative delay and
                                                B securities, which is intended to                                                                                   Commission and any person, other than
                                                                                                           designates the proposed rule change to
                                                enhance market quality in LMP                                                                                        those that may be withheld from the
                                                                                                           be operative upon filing with the
                                                Securities and Tape B securities. As                       Commission.19                                             public in accordance with the
                                                such, the proposal is a competitive                                                                                  provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                                                                              At any time within 60 days of the
                                                proposal that is intended to add                                                                                     available for Web site viewing and
                                                                                                           filing of the proposed rule change, the
                                                additional liquidity to the Exchange,                                                                                printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                                                                           Commission summarily may
                                                which will, in turn, benefit the                                                                                     Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                                                                           temporarily suspend such rule change if
                                                Exchange and all Exchange participants.                    it appears to the Commission that such                    Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                                                                                           action is necessary or appropriate in the                 business days between the hours of
                                                C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                                                                                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
                                                Statement on Comments on the                               public interest, for the protection of
                                                                                                           investors, or otherwise in furtherance of                 filing will also be available for
                                                Proposed Rule Change Received From                                                                                   inspection and copying at the principal
                                                Members, Participants or Others                            the purposes of the Act.
                                                                                                                                                                     office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                                                                           IV. Solicitation of Comments                              received will be posted without change;
                                                  The Exchange has not solicited, and
                                                does not intend to solicit, comments on                      Interested persons are invited to                       the Commission does not edit personal
                                                this proposed rule change. The                             submit written data, views, and                           identifying information from
                                                Exchange has not received any written                      arguments concerning the foregoing,                       submissions. You should submit only
                                                comments from members or other                             including whether the proposed rule                       information that you wish to make
                                                interested parties.                                        change is consistent with the Act.                        available publicly. All submissions
                                                                                                           Comments may be submitted by any of                       should refer to File Number SR–
                                                III. Date of Effectiveness of the                          the following methods:                                    BatsBZX–2016–18 and should be
                                                Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                                                                                  submitted on or before June 13, 2016.
                                                Commission Action                                            16 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                                                                                             17 17
                                                                                                                                                                       For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                                                                                    CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
                                                  Because the foregoing proposed rule                      4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give
                                                                                                                                                                     Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                change does not: (i) Significantly affect                  the Commission written notice of its intent to file       authority.20
                                                the protection of investors or the public                  the proposed rule change at least five business days      Robert W. Errett,
                                                interest; (ii) impose any significant                      prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule
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                                                                                                           change, or such shorter time as designated by the         Deputy Secretary.
                                                burden on competition; and (iii) become                    Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this               [FR Doc. 2016–12013 Filed 5–20–16; 8:45 am]
                                                operative for 30 days from the date on                     requirement.
                                                                                                                                                                     BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                which it was filed, or such shorter time                      18 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).

                                                as the Commission may designate, it has                       19 For purposes only of waiving the operative

                                                become effective pursuant to Section                       delay for this proposal, the Commission has
                                                                                                           considered the proposed rule’s impact on
                                                                                                           efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
                                                  15 15   U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                                15 U.S.C. 78c(f).                                           20 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).



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Document Created: 2018-02-07 15:07:52
Document Modified: 2018-02-07 15:07:52
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 32356 

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