81_FR_33819 81 FR 33716 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending the NYSE Arca Options Fee Schedule

81 FR 33716 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending the NYSE Arca Options Fee Schedule

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 103 (May 27, 2016)

Page Range33716-33718
FR Document2016-12512

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 103 (Friday, May 27, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 103 (Friday, May 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33716-33718]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12512]


=======================================================================
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-77885; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2016-75]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending the NYSE 
Arca Options Fee Schedule

May 23, 2016.
    Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 (``Act'') \2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ notice is hereby given 
that, on May 17, 2016, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``NYSE 
Arca'') 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 self-regulatory 
organization. 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\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
    \3\ 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 NYSE Arca Options Fee Schedule 
(``Fee Schedule''). The Exchange proposes to implement the fee change 
effective May 17, 2016. The proposed rule change is available on the 
Exchange's Web site at www.nyse.com, at the principal office of the 
Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The purpose of this filing is to restructure the Lead Market Maker 
(``LMM'') Rights Fees (``Rights Fee'') and to provide new opportunities 
for LMMs to achieve a discounted Rights Fee based on volume executed on 
the Exchange. The Exchange proposes to implement the fee change 
effective May 17, 2016.
    Currently, the Exchange charges a Rights Fee on each issue in an 
LMM's allocation, with rates based on the Average National Daily 
Customer Contracts (``CADV''). The monthly Rights Fee ranges from $45 
per month to $1,500 per month. With one exception, under the current 
Fee Schedule the more active an issue, the higher the Rights Fee. The 
one exception to this general rule is that the Exchange currently 
charges a higher rate for the lowest-volume issues (i.e., less than 101 
CADV) to balance the Exchange's revenue with the cost of listing and 
maintaining these low-volume issues.
    The Exchange proposes to restructure the LMM Rights Fee to be more 
aligned with the economic benefit of being the LMM in a given issue, 
based on trading activity in an issue. The Exchange proposes that some 
rates would decrease (for lower-volume issues) and others would 
increase (for higher-volume issues). Using the same CADV levels 
currently in place, the Exchange proposes to modify the Rights Fee as 
follows:

                             LMM Rights Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Current    Proposed
   Average national daily customer  contracts         fee         fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-100...........................................        $125         $25
101-1,000.......................................          45          35
1,001-2,000.....................................          75          75
2,001-5,000.....................................         200         200
5,001-15,000....................................         375         750
15,001-100,000..................................         750       1,500
100,000+........................................       1,500       3,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As shown in the chart above, the Exchange proposes to significantly 
decrease the Rights Fee for the lowest-volume issues (i.e., between 0-
100 contracts) to better account for the costs to each LMM, 
irrespective of costs and revenue to the Exchange associated with 
listing an issue.\4\ The Exchange also proposes to slightly decrease 
the Rights Fee for option issues trading between 101-1,000 CADV to 
similarly align with the cost to the Exchange associated with such 
issues. The Exchange believes the proposed reduction in the Rights Fee 
for issues trading under 1,001CADV [sic] would create an incentive for 
LMMs to request appointments in these lower-volume issues, which may 
result in increased liquidity to the benefit of market participants. In 
addition, the Exchange proposes to increase the Rights Fees associated 
with the three most active CADV categories of issues to better reflect 
the economic benefits of being an LMM in more actively-traded issues 
(i.e., option issues trading more than 5,000 CADV). The Exchange 
believes the proposed modifications to the Rights Fee are appropriate 
as an LMM would have an opportunity to interact with fewer than 101 
contracts per day to cover the proposed $25 per month Rights Fee and 
would have the opportunity to interact with more than 100,000 contracts 
per day to cover the proposed $3,000 per month Rights Fee.
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    \4\ In line with the proposed changes to the Rights Fee for the 
lowest-volume issues, the Exchange also proposes to delete from the 
Fee Schedule language regarding when the issues were listed and 
whether certain issues are ``grandfathered'' such that the LMM 
Rights Fee for the next highest tier applies, in addition to the 
related asterisk appearing after the 0-100 CADV level.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To potentially offset the proposed increase in Rights Fees for the 
most actively traded issues, the Exchange also proposes to adopt two 
additional discounts to the Rights Fee for the three most active CADV 
categories of issues. Specifically, the proposed discounts would be 
available to LMMs with issues in their appointment with a CADV above 
5,000 and would be based on the amount of monthly (i) total electronic 
volume and/or (ii) total posted volume executed by an LMM in the Market 
Maker range relative to other Marker [sic] Makers appointed in that 
issue.\5\ The Exchange notes that there is only one LMM per issue, and 
only LMMs are subject to the Rights Fee. Under the proposal, each month 
the LMM in an issue would be ranked against non-LMM Market Makers that 
quote and trade in that LMM's issue. For each issue, each month, if the 
LMM achieves the highest total electronic volume amongst all Market 
Makers, the LMM would receive a 50% discount to its Rights Fee. In 
addition, as proposed, for each issue, each month, if the LMM achieves 
the second highest total electronic volume amongst all Market

[[Page 33717]]

Makers, the LMM would receive a 25% discount to its Rights Fee. The 
Exchange believes the proposed discounts would incentivize an LMM to 
compete against non-LMMs in that issue to more aggressively quote in 
order to reduce the LMM's Rights Fee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Total posted volume executed by an LMM refers to the total 
volume executed from posted liquidity.
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    Similarly, for each issue, each month, if the LMM that [sic] 
achieves the highest total posted volume amongst all Market Makers, the 
LMM would receive a 50% discount to [sic] Rights Fee. And, for each 
issue, each month, if the LMM achieves the second highest posted volume 
amongst all Market Makers, the LMM would receive a 25% discount to 
[sic] Rights Fee. Again, the Exchange believes the proposed discounts 
would incentivize [sic] to compete against non-LMM Market Makers to 
reduce its own Rights Fee. For example, if one or more non-LMM Market 
Makers were ranked first and second in (i) total electronic volume and 
(ii) total posted volume, the LMM would not receive a discount to its 
Rights Fee. However, when the LMM achieves one or both of the top 
volume rankings, the LMM would be eligible for a reduction.
    The Exchange notes that the proposed discounts would be cumulative 
and the same LMM would be eligible to achieve the discount for each 
monthly volume category. For example, if in a given month an LMM ranked 
1st in Total Electronic Volume in the issue and also ranked 2nd in 
Total Posting Volume in the issue, that LMM would achieve a combined 
75% discount in that issue. The Exchange believes that the proposed 
discounts may incent LMMs that already transact a significant amount of 
business on the Exchange to quote and trade competitively in their 
issues to achieve the highest (or second highest) monthly ranking in 
total electronic volume and total posted volume. The Exchange also 
believes the proposed changes may generate interest in LMMs to apply 
for new issue allocations, which would increase not only an LMM's 
volume, but would encourage liquidity on the Exchange to the benefit of 
all market participants.
    The Exchange currently provides a 50% discount to an LMM's 
aggregate Rights Fees across all issues. This 50% discount is applied 
to an LMM that trades at least 50,000 contracts CADV, of which 10,000 
such contracts are in its LMM appointment (the ``Existing LMM 
Discount''), which discount is not being altered by this proposal.\6\ 
The Exchange would first determine whether an LMM qualified for the 
proposed per issue discounts and would apply any such discounts. Next, 
the Exchange would determine whether the LMM had qualified for the 
Existing LMM Discount. The 50% discount under the Existing LMM Discount 
would be applied only after any discount under the proposal is applied. 
Consider, for example, that an LMM has 10 issues in its allocation each 
of which are subject to a $500 per month Rights Fee (totaling $5,000). 
If the LMM achieved the proposed 50% discount for posted volume in two 
issues in its allocation, the LMM's Rights Fee for these issues would 
be reduced by $250 (reducing the LMM's overall Rights Fee to $4,500). 
If the LMM also qualified for the Existing LMM Discount, the Exchange 
would reduce the total Rights Fee of $4,500 by 50% to $2,250.
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    \6\ See Fee Schedule, Endnote 2, available here, https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/arca-options/NYSE_Arca_Options_Fee_Schedule.pdf. The Exchange is not making any 
changes to this discount.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with section 6(b) of the Act,\7\ in general, and furthers the 
objectives of sections 6(b)(4) and (5) of the Act,\8\ in particular, 
because it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, 
fees, and other charges among its members, issuers and other persons 
using its facilities and does not unfairly discriminate between 
customers, issuers, brokers or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that the proposed modifications to the LMM 
Rights Fees are reasonable, equitable and not unfairly discriminatory 
as the proposed Rights Fees are more closely aligned with the economic 
benefit of being LMM in a given issues. For example, an LMM would have 
an opportunity to interact with fewer than 101 contracts per day to 
cover the proposed $25 per month Rights Fee and would have the 
opportunity to interact with more than 100,000 contracts per day to 
cover the proposed $3,000 per month Rights Fee. The Exchange also 
believes that proposed Rights Fees are not unfairly discriminatory 
because they apply solely to LMMs (non-LMMs are not subject to this 
Fee) and LMMs trading issues with similar activity levels would be 
subject to the same Rights Fees. Moreover, the Exchange notes that an 
LMM can opt to relinquish any issue in its allocation to reduce its 
Rights Fee, so the proposed Rights Fees are completely voluntary.
    The Exchange also believes the proposed discounts on the Rights 
Fees available to LMMs with issues in their appointment with a CADV of 
5,001 or above are reasonable, equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory for a number of reasons. First, all LMMs trading issues 
with similar activity levels would be eligible to achieve the discount 
(e.g., those LMMs trading issues with a CADV of 5,001 or above). The 
Exchange notes that there is only one LMM per issue, and only LMMs are 
subject to the Rights Fee. Under the proposal, each month the LMM in an 
issue would be ranked against non-LMM Market Makers that quote and 
trade in that LMM's issue. Because the non-LMM Market Makers are not 
subject to the Rights Fee, the proposed discount would not disadvantage 
Market Makers. Instead, the proposed volume-based discounts would 
operate to incentivize each LMM to achieve first or second ranking in 
monthly volume for each issue, relative to non-LMM Market Makers to 
reduce its own Rights Fee. In addition, such discounts would reduce the 
overhead costs of LMM firms that are most actively trading in the 
issues, which reduced costs would enhance the ability of LMMs to 
provide liquidity to the benefit of all market participants.
    Finally, the Exchange is subject to significant competitive forces, 
as described below in the Exchange's statement regarding the burden on 
competition.
    For these reasons, the Exchange believes that the proposal is 
consistent with the Act.

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

    In accordance with section 6(b)(8) of the Act,\9\ the Exchange does 
not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any burden on 
competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the 
purposes of the Act. The Exchange believes that the proposed 
modifications on the LMM Rights Fees would not impose an unfair burden 
on competition because the proposed Rights Fees would more closely 
align with the economic benefit of being LMM in a given issue. Because 
the non-LMM Market Makers are not subject to the Rights Fee, the 
proposed discount would not disadvantage Market Makers. Instead, the 
proposed volume-based discounts would operate to incentivize each LMM 
to achieve first or second ranking in monthly volume for each issue, 
relative to non-LMM Market Makers to reduce its own Rights Fee. The 
Exchange believes that the proposed discounts would encourage LMMs to 
quote and trade competitively in their issues and would reduce the 
burden on competition among LMMs in

[[Page 33718]]

the most actively-traded issues because LMMs that achieve the discounts 
would have reduced overhead.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange notes that it operates in a highly competitive market 
in which market participants can readily favor competing venues. In 
such an environment, the Exchange must continually review, and consider 
adjusting, its fees and credits to remain competitive with other 
exchanges. For the reasons described above, the Exchange believes that 
the proposed rule change reflects this competitive environment.

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

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

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

    The foregoing rule change is effective upon filing pursuant to 
section 19(b)(3)(A) \10\ of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 
19b-4 \11\ thereunder, because it establishes a due, fee, or other 
charge imposed by the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission 
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under 
section 19(b)(2)(B) \12\ of the Act to determine whether the proposed 
rule change should be approved or disapproved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Solicitation of Comments

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

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-NYSEArca-2016-75 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-NYSEArca-2016-75. 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-NYSEArca-2016-75 and should 
be submitted on or before June 17, 2016.
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    \13\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\13\
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-12512 Filed 5-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                33716                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2016 / Notices

                                                are available at www.prc.gov, Docket                     of the most significant parts of such                    listing an issue.4 The Exchange also
                                                Nos. MC2016–140, CP2016–177.                             statements.                                              proposes to slightly decrease the Rights
                                                                                                                                                                  Fee for option issues trading between
                                                Stanley F. Mires,                                        A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                                                                                  101–1,000 CADV to similarly align with
                                                Attorney, Federal Compliance.                            Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                                                                                  the cost to the Exchange associated with
                                                [FR Doc. 2016–12533 Filed 5–26–16; 8:45 am]              Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                                                                                  such issues. The Exchange believes the
                                                                                                         Change
                                                BILLING CODE 7710–12–P                                                                                            proposed reduction in the Rights Fee for
                                                                                                         1. Purpose                                               issues trading under 1,001CADV [sic]
                                                                                                                                                                  would create an incentive for LMMs to
                                                                                                            The purpose of this filing is to                      request appointments in these lower-
                                                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                  restructure the Lead Market Maker
                                                COMMISSION                                                                                                        volume issues, which may result in
                                                                                                         (‘‘LMM’’) Rights Fees (‘‘Rights Fee’’) and               increased liquidity to the benefit of
                                                                                                         to provide new opportunities for LMMs                    market participants. In addition, the
                                                [Release No. 34–77885; File No. SR–
                                                NYSEArca–2016–75]                                        to achieve a discounted Rights Fee                       Exchange proposes to increase the
                                                                                                         based on volume executed on the                          Rights Fees associated with the three
                                                Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE                      Exchange. The Exchange proposes to                       most active CADV categories of issues to
                                                Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and                         implement the fee change effective May                   better reflect the economic benefits of
                                                Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed                      17, 2016.                                                being an LMM in more actively-traded
                                                Rule Change Amending the NYSE Arca                          Currently, the Exchange charges a                     issues (i.e., option issues trading more
                                                Options Fee Schedule                                     Rights Fee on each issue in an LMM’s                     than 5,000 CADV). The Exchange
                                                                                                         allocation, with rates based on the                      believes the proposed modifications to
                                                May 23, 2016.
                                                                                                         Average National Daily Customer                          the Rights Fee are appropriate as an
                                                   Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) 1 of the                 Contracts (‘‘CADV’’). The monthly                        LMM would have an opportunity to
                                                Securities Exchange Act of 1934                          Rights Fee ranges from $45 per month                     interact with fewer than 101 contracts
                                                (‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3                  to $1,500 per month. With one                            per day to cover the proposed $25 per
                                                notice is hereby given that, on May 17,                  exception, under the current Fee                         month Rights Fee and would have the
                                                2016, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’                  Schedule the more active an issue, the                   opportunity to interact with more than
                                                or ‘‘NYSE Arca’’) filed with the                         higher the Rights Fee. The one                           100,000 contracts per day to cover the
                                                Securities and Exchange Commission                       exception to this general rule is that the               proposed $3,000 per month Rights Fee.
                                                (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                       Exchange currently charges a higher rate                    To potentially offset the proposed
                                                change as described in Items I, II, and                  for the lowest-volume issues (i.e., less                 increase in Rights Fees for the most
                                                III below, which Items have been                         than 101 CADV) to balance the                            actively traded issues, the Exchange also
                                                prepared by the self-regulatory                          Exchange’s revenue with the cost of                      proposes to adopt two additional
                                                organization. The Commission is                          listing and maintaining these low-                       discounts to the Rights Fee for the three
                                                publishing this notice to solicit                        volume issues.                                           most active CADV categories of issues.
                                                comments on the proposed rule change
                                                                                                            The Exchange proposes to restructure                  Specifically, the proposed discounts
                                                from interested persons.
                                                                                                         the LMM Rights Fee to be more aligned                    would be available to LMMs with issues
                                                I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        with the economic benefit of being the                   in their appointment with a CADV
                                                Statement of the Terms of Substance of                   LMM in a given issue, based on trading                   above 5,000 and would be based on the
                                                the Proposed Rule Change                                 activity in an issue. The Exchange                       amount of monthly (i) total electronic
                                                  The Exchange proposes to amend the                     proposes that some rates would                           volume and/or (ii) total posted volume
                                                NYSE Arca Options Fee Schedule (‘‘Fee                    decrease (for lower-volume issues) and                   executed by an LMM in the Market
                                                Schedule’’). The Exchange proposes to                    others would increase (for higher-                       Maker range relative to other Marker
                                                implement the fee change effective May                   volume issues). Using the same CADV                      [sic] Makers appointed in that issue.5
                                                17, 2016. The proposed rule change is                    levels currently in place, the Exchange                  The Exchange notes that there is only
                                                available on the Exchange’s Web site at                  proposes to modify the Rights Fee as                     one LMM per issue, and only LMMs are
                                                www.nyse.com, at the principal office of                 follows:                                                 subject to the Rights Fee. Under the
                                                the Exchange, and at the Commission’s                                                                             proposal, each month the LMM in an
                                                Public Reference Room.                                                   LMM RIGHTS FEE                           issue would be ranked against non-
                                                                                                                                                                  LMM Market Makers that quote and
                                                II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        Average national                                        trade in that LMM’s issue. For each
                                                                                                                                        Current      Proposed
                                                Statement of the Purpose of, and                           daily customer                fee            fee       issue, each month, if the LMM achieves
                                                Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                       contracts                                            the highest total electronic volume
                                                Change                                                                                                            amongst all Market Makers, the LMM
                                                                                                         0–100 ....................         $125            $25
                                                  In its filing with the Commission, the                 101–1,000 .............              45             35   would receive a 50% discount to its
                                                self-regulatory organization included                    1,001–2,000 ..........               75             75   Rights Fee. In addition, as proposed, for
                                                statements concerning the purpose of,                    2,001–5,000 ..........              200            200   each issue, each month, if the LMM
                                                and basis for, the proposed rule change                  5,001–15,000 ........               375            750   achieves the second highest total
                                                                                                         15,001–100,000 ....                 750          1,500   electronic volume amongst all Market
                                                and discussed any comments it received
                                                                                                         100,000+ ...............          1,500          3,000
                                                on the proposed rule change. The text                                                                               4 In line with the proposed changes to the Rights
                                                of those statements may be examined at
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                           As shown in the chart above, the                       Fee for the lowest-volume issues, the Exchange also
                                                the places specified in Item IV below.                                                                            proposes to delete from the Fee Schedule language
                                                The Exchange has prepared summaries,                     Exchange proposes to significantly                       regarding when the issues were listed and whether
                                                set forth in sections A, B, and C below,                 decrease the Rights Fee for the lowest-                  certain issues are ‘‘grandfathered’’ such that the
                                                                                                         volume issues (i.e., between 0–100                       LMM Rights Fee for the next highest tier applies,
                                                                                                         contracts) to better account for the costs               in addition to the related asterisk appearing after
                                                  1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                                                                          the 0–100 CADV level.
                                                  2 15 U.S.C. 78a.                                       to each LMM, irrespective of costs and                     5 Total posted volume executed by an LMM refers
                                                  3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                    revenue to the Exchange associated with                  to the total volume executed from posted liquidity.



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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2016 / Notices                                             33717

                                                Makers, the LMM would receive a 25%                     qualified for the proposed per issue                    above are reasonable, equitable and not
                                                discount to its Rights Fee. The Exchange                discounts and would apply any such                      unfairly discriminatory for a number of
                                                believes the proposed discounts would                   discounts. Next, the Exchange would                     reasons. First, all LMMs trading issues
                                                incentivize an LMM to compete against                   determine whether the LMM had                           with similar activity levels would be
                                                non-LMMs in that issue to more                          qualified for the Existing LMM                          eligible to achieve the discount (e.g.,
                                                aggressively quote in order to reduce the               Discount. The 50% discount under the                    those LMMs trading issues with a CADV
                                                LMM’s Rights Fee.                                       Existing LMM Discount would be                          of 5,001 or above). The Exchange notes
                                                   Similarly, for each issue, each month,               applied only after any discount under                   that there is only one LMM per issue,
                                                if the LMM that [sic] achieves the                      the proposal is applied. Consider, for                  and only LMMs are subject to the Rights
                                                highest total posted volume amongst all                 example, that an LMM has 10 issues in                   Fee. Under the proposal, each month
                                                Market Makers, the LMM would receive                    its allocation each of which are subject                the LMM in an issue would be ranked
                                                a 50% discount to [sic] Rights Fee. And,                to a $500 per month Rights Fee (totaling                against non-LMM Market Makers that
                                                for each issue, each month, if the LMM                  $5,000). If the LMM achieved the                        quote and trade in that LMM’s issue.
                                                achieves the second highest posted                      proposed 50% discount for posted                        Because the non-LMM Market Makers
                                                volume amongst all Market Makers, the                   volume in two issues in its allocation,                 are not subject to the Rights Fee, the
                                                LMM would receive a 25% discount to                     the LMM’s Rights Fee for these issues                   proposed discount would not
                                                [sic] Rights Fee. Again, the Exchange                   would be reduced by $250 (reducing the                  disadvantage Market Makers. Instead,
                                                believes the proposed discounts would                   LMM’s overall Rights Fee to $4,500). If                 the proposed volume-based discounts
                                                incentivize [sic] to compete against non-               the LMM also qualified for the Existing                 would operate to incentivize each LMM
                                                LMM Market Makers to reduce its own                     LMM Discount, the Exchange would                        to achieve first or second ranking in
                                                Rights Fee. For example, if one or more                 reduce the total Rights Fee of $4,500 by                monthly volume for each issue, relative
                                                non-LMM Market Makers were ranked                       50% to $2,250.                                          to non-LMM Market Makers to reduce
                                                first and second in (i) total electronic                                                                        its own Rights Fee. In addition, such
                                                volume and (ii) total posted volume, the                2. Statutory Basis
                                                                                                                                                                discounts would reduce the overhead
                                                LMM would not receive a discount to its                    The Exchange believes that the                       costs of LMM firms that are most
                                                Rights Fee. However, when the LMM                       proposed rule change is consistent with                 actively trading in the issues, which
                                                achieves one or both of the top volume                  section 6(b) of the Act,7 in general, and               reduced costs would enhance the ability
                                                rankings, the LMM would be eligible for                 furthers the objectives of sections 6(b)(4)             of LMMs to provide liquidity to the
                                                a reduction.                                            and (5) of the Act,8 in particular,                     benefit of all market participants.
                                                   The Exchange notes that the proposed                 because it provides for the equitable                      Finally, the Exchange is subject to
                                                discounts would be cumulative and the                   allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and                significant competitive forces, as
                                                same LMM would be eligible to achieve                   other charges among its members,                        described below in the Exchange’s
                                                the discount for each monthly volume                    issuers and other persons using its                     statement regarding the burden on
                                                category. For example, if in a given                    facilities and does not unfairly                        competition.
                                                month an LMM ranked 1st in Total                        discriminate between customers,                            For these reasons, the Exchange
                                                Electronic Volume in the issue and also                 issuers, brokers or dealers.                            believes that the proposal is consistent
                                                ranked 2nd in Total Posting Volume in                      The Exchange believes that the                       with the Act.
                                                the issue, that LMM would achieve a                     proposed modifications to the LMM
                                                                                                                                                                B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                combined 75% discount in that issue.                    Rights Fees are reasonable, equitable
                                                                                                                                                                Statement on Burden on Competition
                                                The Exchange believes that the                          and not unfairly discriminatory as the
                                                proposed discounts may incent LMMs                      proposed Rights Fees are more closely                      In accordance with section 6(b)(8) of
                                                that already transact a significant                     aligned with the economic benefit of                    the Act,9 the Exchange does not believe
                                                amount of business on the Exchange to                   being LMM in a given issues. For                        that the proposed rule change would
                                                quote and trade competitively in their                  example, an LMM would have an                           impose any burden on competition that
                                                issues to achieve the highest (or second                opportunity to interact with fewer than                 is not necessary or appropriate in
                                                highest) monthly ranking in total                       101 contracts per day to cover the                      furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
                                                electronic volume and total posted                      proposed $25 per month Rights Fee and                   The Exchange believes that the
                                                volume. The Exchange also believes the                  would have the opportunity to interact                  proposed modifications on the LMM
                                                proposed changes may generate interest                  with more than 100,000 contracts per                    Rights Fees would not impose an unfair
                                                in LMMs to apply for new issue                          day to cover the proposed $3,000 per                    burden on competition because the
                                                allocations, which would increase not                   month Rights Fee. The Exchange also                     proposed Rights Fees would more
                                                only an LMM’s volume, but would                         believes that proposed Rights Fees are                  closely align with the economic benefit
                                                encourage liquidity on the Exchange to                  not unfairly discriminatory because they                of being LMM in a given issue. Because
                                                the benefit of all market participants.                 apply solely to LMMs (non-LMMs are                      the non-LMM Market Makers are not
                                                   The Exchange currently provides a                    not subject to this Fee) and LMMs                       subject to the Rights Fee, the proposed
                                                50% discount to an LMM’s aggregate                      trading issues with similar activity                    discount would not disadvantage
                                                Rights Fees across all issues. This 50%                 levels would be subject to the same                     Market Makers. Instead, the proposed
                                                discount is applied to an LMM that                      Rights Fees. Moreover, the Exchange                     volume-based discounts would operate
                                                trades at least 50,000 contracts CADV, of               notes that an LMM can opt to relinquish                 to incentivize each LMM to achieve first
                                                which 10,000 such contracts are in its                  any issue in its allocation to reduce its               or second ranking in monthly volume
                                                LMM appointment (the ‘‘Existing LMM                     Rights Fee, so the proposed Rights Fees                 for each issue, relative to non-LMM
                                                Discount’’), which discount is not being                                                                        Market Makers to reduce its own Rights
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                                                                                                        are completely voluntary.
                                                altered by this proposal.6 The Exchange                    The Exchange also believes the                       Fee. The Exchange believes that the
                                                would first determine whether an LMM                    proposed discounts on the Rights Fees                   proposed discounts would encourage
                                                                                                        available to LMMs with issues in their                  LMMs to quote and trade competitively
                                                  6 See Fee Schedule, Endnote 2, available here,
                                                                                                        appointment with a CADV of 5,001 or                     in their issues and would reduce the
                                                https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/
                                                arca-options/NYSE_Arca_Options_Fee_
                                                                                                                                                                burden on competition among LMMs in
                                                                                                         7 15   U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                                Schedule.pdf. The Exchange is not making any
                                                changes to this discount.                                8 15   U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).                         9 15   U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).



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                                                33718                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2016 / Notices

                                                the most actively-traded issues because                 Paper Comments                                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                LMMs that achieve the discounts would                                                                          COMMISSION
                                                have reduced overhead.                                    • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                  The Exchange notes that it operates in                to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                                                                               [Release No. 34–77884; File No. SR–
                                                a highly competitive market in which                    Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                          BatsBZX–2016–17]
                                                market participants can readily favor                   Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                competing venues. In such an                                                                                   Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats
                                                                                                        All submissions should refer to File
                                                environment, the Exchange must                                                                                 BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing
                                                continually review, and consider                        Number SR–NYSEArca–2016–75. This
                                                                                                        file number should be included on the                  and Immediate Effectiveness of a
                                                adjusting, its fees and credits to remain                                                                      Proposed Rule Change Related to Fees
                                                competitive with other exchanges. For                   subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                                                                                                                               as They Apply to the Equity Options
                                                the reasons described above, the                        Commission process and review your
                                                                                                                                                               Platform
                                                Exchange believes that the proposed                     comments more efficiently, please use
                                                rule change reflects this competitive                   only one method. The Commission will                   May 23, 2016.
                                                environment.                                            post all comments on the Commission’s                     Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                                                                        Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                 Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                        rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                        (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                Statement on Comments on the
                                                                                                        submission, all subsequent                             notice is hereby given that on May 16,
                                                Proposed Rule Change Received From
                                                Members, Participants, or Others                        amendments, all written statements                     2016, Bats BZX Exchange, Inc. (the
                                                                                                        with respect to the proposed rule                      ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BZX’’) filed with the
                                                  No written comments were solicited                    change that are filed with the                         Securities and Exchange Commission
                                                or received with respect to the proposed                Commission, and all written                            (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
                                                rule change.                                            communications relating to the                         change as described in Items I, II, and
                                                III. Date of Effectiveness of the                       proposed rule change between the                       III below, which Items have been
                                                Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                     Commission and any person, other than                  prepared by the Exchange. The
                                                Commission Action                                       those that may be withheld from the                    Commission is publishing this notice to
                                                                                                        public in accordance with the                          solicit comments on the proposed rule
                                                   The foregoing rule change is effective
                                                                                                        provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                    change from interested persons.
                                                upon filing pursuant to section
                                                19(b)(3)(A) 10 of the Act and                           available for Web site viewing and                     I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b–4 11                    printing in the Commission’s Public                    Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                thereunder, because it establishes a due,               Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                      the Proposed Rule Change
                                                fee, or other charge imposed by the                     Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                                Exchange.                                                                                                         The Exchange filed a proposal to
                                                                                                        business days between the hours of                     amend the fee schedule applicable to
                                                   At any time within 60 days of the                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                filing of such proposed rule change, the                                                                       Members 3 and non-members of the
                                                                                                        filing also will be available for                      Exchange pursuant to BZX Rules 15.1(a)
                                                Commission summarily may                                inspection and copying at the principal
                                                temporarily suspend such rule change if                                                                        and (c). Changes to the fee schedule
                                                                                                        office of the Exchange. All comments                   pursuant to this proposal are effective
                                                it appears to the Commission that such                  received will be posted without change;
                                                action is necessary or appropriate in the                                                                      upon filing.
                                                                                                        the Commission does not edit personal                     The text of the proposed rule change
                                                public interest, for the protection of
                                                                                                        identifying information from                           is available at the Exchange’s Web site
                                                investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
                                                the purposes of the Act. If the                         submissions. You should submit only                    at www.batstrading.com, at the
                                                Commission takes such action, the                       information that you wish to make                      principal office of the Exchange, and at
                                                Commission shall institute proceedings                  available publicly. All submissions                    the Commission’s Public Reference
                                                under section 19(b)(2)(B) 12 of the Act to              should refer to File Number SR–                        Room.
                                                determine whether the proposed rule                     NYSEArca–2016–75 and should be
                                                                                                                                                               II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                change should be approved or                            submitted on or before June 17, 2016.
                                                                                                                                                               Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                disapproved.                                              For the Commission, by the Division of               Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                IV. Solicitation of Comments                            Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated             Change
                                                                                                        authority.13
                                                  Interested persons are invited to                                                                              In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                                                                        Robert W. Errett,
                                                submit written data, views and                                                                                 Exchange included statements
                                                arguments concerning the foregoing,                     Deputy Secretary.                                      concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                including whether the proposed rule                     [FR Doc. 2016–12512 Filed 5–26–16; 8:45 am]            the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                change is consistent with the Act.                      BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                 any comments it received on the
                                                Comments may be submitted by any of                                                                            proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                the following methods:                                                                                         statements may be examined at the
                                                Electronic Comments                                                                                            places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                                                                                                                               Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                  • Use the Commission’s Internet                                                                              forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                                                                              the most significant parts of such
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                rules/sro.shtml); or                                                                                           statements.
                                                  • Send an email to rule-comments@
                                                sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                                                                          1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                NYSEArca–2016–75 on the subject line.                                                                            2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                                                                                                                                 3 The term ‘‘Member’’ is defined as ‘‘any
                                                  10 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).                                                                                   registered broker or dealer that has been admitted
                                                  11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).                                                                                   to membership in the Exchange.’’ See Exchange
                                                  12 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).                              13 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                         Rule 1.5(n).



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Document Created: 2018-02-07 15:10:19
Document Modified: 2018-02-07 15:10:19
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 33716 

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