81_FR_3540 81 FR 3527 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Delete Phlx Rules 792, 794, 797, and 798

81 FR 3527 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Delete Phlx Rules 792, 794, 797, and 798

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 13 (January 21, 2016)

Page Range3527-3529
FR Document2016-01054

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 13 (Thursday, January 21, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 13 (Thursday, January 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3527-3529]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01054]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-76902; File No. SR-Phlx-2016-01]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Delete 
Phlx Rules 792, 794, 797, and 798

January 14, 2016.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on January 4, 2016, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (``Phlx'' or ``Exchange'') 
filed with the

[[Page 3528]]

Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the 
proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items 
have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this 
notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested 
persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to delete Rules 792, 794, 797, and 798 from 
the Phlx rules.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
Web site at http://nasdaqomxphlx.cchwallstreet.com/, at the principal 
office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The purpose of this proposed rule change is to delete Rules 792, 
794, 797, and 798, which generally concern member organization 
governance and ownership. As discussed below, the Exchange has 
determined that these rules are anachronistic and no longer serve a 
purpose. Consequently, the Exchange is proposing to eliminate the rules 
from the rulebook to avoid any confusion that may be caused by 
retaining them.
Rule 792
    Rule 792 concerns control of the voting stock of a member 
organization. The rule requires the officers and directors of a member 
organization that is a corporation to have working control of such 
member organization. To comply with the rule, such officers and 
directors must own at least fifty-five per cent (55%) of the voting 
stock, and shall have contributed at least thirty per cent (30%) of the 
total capital represented by all classes of stock. The rule allows the 
Exchange to waive these requirements in specific cases, when it appears 
that a majority of the officers and a majority of the directors are 
actively engaged in the conduct of the business of such member 
organization. As such, the rule is designed to ensure the management of 
a member organization has more than a simple majority vote and a 
significant investment in the firm.
    The Exchange believes that the rule is no longer relevant. The rule 
was adopted at a time when the Exchange was owned by its members, and 
member organizations (then known as ``member corporations'') were small 
and privately held. Many of the Exchange's current member organizations 
are large firms, which are publicly held and have a significant number 
of issued shares. As a consequence, it is unreasonable to require the 
management of the member organization to hold at least 55% of the 
voting stock and to contribute at least 30% of the member 
organization's total capital. Moreover, the Exchange notes that Phlx's 
affiliate exchanges NASDAQ OMX BX (``BX'') and The Nasdaq Stock Market 
(``Nasdaq'') do not have such restrictive ownership requirements. 
Accordingly, the Exchange does not believe the rule serves a regulatory 
purpose and it is accordingly proposing to delete the rule.
Rule 794
    Rule 794 concerns notice of the assignment of the voting stock of a 
member organization. Specifically, the rule requires that no holder of 
ten per cent (10%) or more of the common or voting stock in a member 
organization that is a corporation may sell, assign, transfer, pledge, 
or hypothecate their holdings of common or voting stock in such member 
organization, except to such member organization or to officers or 
directors thereof, without written notice to the Exchange. The rule 
allows the Exchange to keep apprised of the significant holders of the 
member organization's voting stock. Such holders would exercise 
significant control of the member organizations.
    Similar to Rule 792 discussed above, the Exchange believes that the 
rule is no longer relevant. The rule was adopted at a time when the 
Exchange was owned by its members, and member organizations were small 
and privately held. As noted, many of the Exchange's member 
organizations now are large firms, which are publicly held and have a 
significant number of issued shares. As a consequence, it is 
unreasonable to require notice of the sale, assignment, transfer, 
pledge, or hypothecation of 10% or more of the holdings of common or 
voting stock of the member organization. Moreover, to the extent a 
member organization is publicly held, the Exchange may readily access 
the largest holders of member organization's stock. To the extent the 
member organization is privately held, the Exchange may request a list 
of shareholders from the member organization. The ownership of a member 
organization is not a regulatory issue, but rather it was an issue to 
the Exchange when the requirement was adopted because it was member-
owned. As such, influence of a member organization translated to 
influence of the Exchange. The Exchange is now a wholly-owned 
subsidiary of a publicly-traded company; therefore, member organization 
influence as owners of the Exchange is no longer an issue.\3\ The 
Exchange notes that neither BX nor Nasdaq have a similar requirement. 
As a consequence, the Exchange does not believe the rule serves a 
regulatory purpose and it is accordingly proposing to delete the rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Exchange is wholly-owned by Nasdaq, Inc.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rule 797
    Rule 797 concerns loans to officers and directors of member 
organizations. Specifically, the rule prohibits a member organization 
from making any loan to any officer or director of the member 
organization. The Exchange believes that the rule is outdated and a 
remnant from when the Exchange was a member-owned organization. The 
Exchange notes that neither BX nor Nasdaq has a similar prohibition. 
Moreover, the Exchange notes that corporate law is generally a function 
of state law, which in most cases allows loans to officers and 
directors.\4\ Thus, the Exchange does not believe the rule serves a 
regulatory purpose and it is accordingly proposing to delete the rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See, e.g., DEL. CODE ANN. tit. 8, Sec.  143 (2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rule 798
    Rule 798 discusses what is required of a corporation to be issued a 
permit by the Exchange. A permit provides the right to a member to 
trade on the Exchange and the right to vote for a Member Representative 
Director. Permits are established by the Board of Directors. A 
corporation may be issued a permit by the Exchange if the corporation 
is incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and 
all of its shares are owned by the Exchange. The rule further provides 
that such a corporate member whose shares are owned by the Exchange is 
not liable for dues. This

[[Page 3529]]

rule was intended to permit Exchange membership for the Exchange's 
subsidiary, the Stock Clearing Corporation of Philadelphia 
(``SCCP'').\5\ The Exchange has since wound down SCCP and made it 
inactive. Thus, the Exchange is deleting the rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57134 (January 11, 
2008), 73 FR 3306 (January 17, 2008) (SR-Phlx-2005-68) at note 6 
(establishing the purpose of the requirement).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\6\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act,\7\ in particular, in that it is designed to prevent 
fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and 
equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination 
with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, to 
remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open 
market and a national market system and, in general, to protect 
investors and the public interest. The Exchange believes the proposed 
changes are consistent with just and equitable principles of trade 
because they delete outdated and potentially confusing rules. Each of 
the rules that the Exchange proposes to delete is anachronistic and 
does not have application to the Exchange's current function as a for-
profit exchange whereby members no longer own the Exchange,\8\ but 
rather are granted permits to trade thereon. Thus, the governance and 
ownership requirements of Rules 792, 794 and 797, which generally 
restrict member organizations from taking corporate actions that they 
would otherwise be able to do, are no longer relevant. Eliminating Rule 
798 is consistent with just and equitable principles of trade because 
the Exchange no longer operates SCCP, which was the sole reason for the 
rule's adoption. Thus, removing it from the rules promotes clarity and 
eliminates potential confusion caused by allowing it to remain.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \8\ See note 3 above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The proposed rule change does not impose any burden on competition 
that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of 
the Act. Rather it is designed to promote competition among exchanges 
by removing archaic and overly restrictive rules in comparison to the 
rules of other exchanges. Thus, the Exchange is able to compete without 
the needless restrictions currently imposed by the deleted rules. Last, 
the proposed changes promote clarity in the application of the 
Exchange's rules by eliminating unneeded rules.

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

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

    Because the proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect 
the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any 
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 
days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the 
Commission may designate, the proposed rule change has become effective 
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \9\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
thereunder.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \10\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). As required under Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written 
notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a 
brief description and the text of the proposed rule change, at least 
five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule 
change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

IV. Solicitation of Comments

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

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-Phlx-2016-01 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2016-01. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2016-01 and should be 
submitted on or before February 11, 2016.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\11\
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-01054 Filed 1-20-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 13 / Thursday, January 21, 2016 / Notices                                                  3527

                                                    otherwise payable to the Fund of Funds                  purchases of securities in Affiliated                  Company may invest. These findings
                                                    Sub-Adviser, directly or indirectly, by                 Underwritings are in the best interest of              and their basis will be recorded fully in
                                                    the Investing Management Company in                     shareholders of the Fund.                              the minute books of the appropriate
                                                    an amount at least equal to any                            8. Each Fund (or its respective Master              Investing Management Company.
                                                    compensation received from a Fund (or                   Fund) will maintain and preserve                          11. Any sales charges and/or service
                                                    its respective Master Fund) by the Fund                 permanently in an easily accessible                    fees charged with respect to shares of a
                                                    of Funds Sub-Adviser, or an affiliated                  place a written copy of the procedures                 Fund of Funds will not exceed the
                                                    person of the Fund of Funds Sub-                        described in the preceding condition,                  limits applicable to a fund of funds as
                                                    Adviser, other than any advisory fees                   and any modifications to such                          set forth in NASD Conduct Rule 2830.
                                                    paid to the Fund of Funds Sub-Adviser                   procedures, and will maintain and                         12. No Fund (or its respective Master
                                                    or its affiliated person by the Fund (or                preserve for a period of not less than six             Fund) will acquire securities of an
                                                    its respective Master Fund), in                         years from the end of the fiscal year in               investment company or company
                                                    connection with the investment by the                   which any purchase in an Affiliated                    relying on section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of
                                                    Investing Management Company in the                     Underwriting occurred, the first two                   the Act in excess of the limits contained
                                                    Fund made at the direction of the Fund                  years in an easily accessible place, a                 in section 12(d)(1)(A) of the Act, except
                                                    of Funds Sub-Adviser. In the event that                 written record of each purchase of                     to the extent that (i) the Fund (or its
                                                    the Fund of Funds Sub-Adviser waives                    securities in Affiliated Underwritings                 respective Master Fund) acquires
                                                    fees, the benefit of the waiver will be                 once an investment by a Fund of Funds                  securities of another investment
                                                    passed through to the Investing                         in the securities of the Fund exceeds the              company pursuant to exemptive relief
                                                    Management Company.                                     limit of section 12(d)(1)(A)(i) of the Act,            from the Commission permitting the
                                                       6. No Fund of Funds or Fund of                       setting forth from whom the securities                 Fund (or its respective Master Fund) to
                                                    Funds Affiliate (except to the extent it                were acquired, the identity of the                     acquire securities of one or more
                                                    is acting in its capacity as an investment              underwriting syndicate’s members, the                  investment companies for short-term
                                                    adviser to a Fund (or its respective                    terms of the purchase, and the                         cash management purposes, (ii) the
                                                    Master Fund)) will cause a Fund (or its                 information or materials upon which                    Fund acquires securities of the Master
                                                    respective Master Fund) to purchase a                   the Board’s determinations were made.                  Fund pursuant to the Master-Feeder
                                                    security in an Affiliated Underwriting.                    9. Before investing in a Fund in                    Relief, or (iii) the Fund invests in a
                                                       7. The Board of the Fund (or its                     excess of the limits in section                        Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a
                                                    respective Master Fund), including a                    12(d)(1)(A), a Fund of Funds will                      wholly-owned and controlled
                                                    majority of the independent Board                       execute a FOF Participation Agreement                  subsidiary of the Fund (or its respective
                                                    members, will adopt procedures                          with the Fund stating that their                       Master Fund) as described in the
                                                    reasonably designed to monitor any                      respective boards of directors or trustees             application. Further, no Wholly-Owned
                                                    purchases of securities by the Fund (or                 and their investment advisers, or trustee              Subsidiary will acquire securities of any
                                                    its respective Master Fund) in an                       and Sponsor, as applicable, understand                 other investment company or company
                                                    Affiliated Underwriting, once an                        the terms and conditions of the order,                 relying on section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of
                                                    investment by a Fund of Funds in the                    and agree to fulfill their responsibilities            the Act other than money market funds
                                                    securities of the Fund exceeds the limit                under the order. At the time of its                    that comply with rule 2a–7 for short-
                                                    of section 12(d)(1)(A)(i) of the Act,                   investment in Shares of a Fund in                      term cash management purposes.
                                                    including any purchases made directly                   excess of the limit in section                            For the Commission, by the Division
                                                    from an Underwriting Affiliate. The                     12(d)(1)(A)(i), a Fund of Funds will                   of Investment Management, under
                                                    Board will review these purchases                       notify the Fund of the investment. At                  delegated authority.
                                                    periodically, but no less frequently than               such time, the Fund of Funds will also
                                                    annually, to determine whether the                      transmit to the Fund a list of the names               Robert W. Errett,
                                                    purchases were influenced by the                        of each Fund of Funds Affiliate and                    Deputy Secretary.
                                                    investment by the Fund of Funds in the                  Underwriting Affiliate. The Fund of                    [FR Doc. 2016–01147 Filed 1–20–16; 8:45 am]
                                                    Fund. The Board will consider, among                    Funds will notify the Fund of any                      BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                    other things: (i) Whether the purchases                 changes to the list as soon as reasonably
                                                    were consistent with the investment                     practicable after a change occurs. The
                                                    objectives and policies of the Fund (or                 Fund and the Fund of Funds will                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                    its respective Master Fund); (ii) how the               maintain and preserve a copy of the                    COMMISSION
                                                    performance of securities purchased in                  order, the FOF Participation Agreement,
                                                    an Affiliated Underwriting compares to                  and the list with any updated                          [Release No. 34–76902; File No. SR–Phlx–
                                                                                                                                                                   2016–01]
                                                    the performance of comparable                           information for the duration of the
                                                    securities purchased during a                           investment and for a period of not less                Self-Regulatory Organizations;
                                                    comparable period of time in                            than six years thereafter, the first two               NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of
                                                    underwritings other than Affiliated                     years in an easily accessible place.                   Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
                                                    Underwritings or to a benchmark such                       10. Before approving any advisory
                                                                                                                                                                   Proposed Rule Change To Delete Phlx
                                                    as a comparable market index; and (iii)                 contract under section 15 of the Act, the
                                                                                                                                                                   Rules 792, 794, 797, and 798
                                                    whether the amount of securities                        board of directors or trustees of each
                                                    purchased by the Fund (or its respective                Investing Management Company,                          January 14, 2016.
                                                    Master Fund) in Affiliated                              including a majority of the independent                   Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
asabaliauskas on DSK9F6TC42PROD with NOTICES




                                                    Underwritings and the amount                            directors or trustees, will find that the              Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                    purchased directly from an                              advisory fees charged under such                       (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                    Underwriting Affiliate have changed                     contract are based on services provided                notice is hereby given that on January 4,
                                                    significantly from prior years. The                     that will be in addition to, rather than               2016, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC
                                                    Board will take any appropriate actions                 duplicative of, the services provided                  (‘‘Phlx’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the
                                                    based on its review, including, if                      under the advisory contract(s) of any
                                                    appropriate, the institution of                         Fund (or its respective Master Fund) in                  1 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                    procedures designed to ensure that                      which the Investing Management                           2 17   CFR 240.19b–4.



                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:26 Jan 20, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00151   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\21JAN1.SGM     21JAN1


                                                    3528                         Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 13 / Thursday, January 21, 2016 / Notices

                                                    Securities and Exchange Commission                      (30%) of the total capital represented by              10% or more of the holdings of common
                                                    (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed                all classes of stock. The rule allows the              or voting stock of the member
                                                    rule change as described in Items I and                 Exchange to waive these requirements                   organization. Moreover, to the extent a
                                                    II below, which Items have been                         in specific cases, when it appears that                member organization is publicly held,
                                                    prepared by the Exchange. The                           a majority of the officers and a majority              the Exchange may readily access the
                                                    Commission is publishing this notice to                 of the directors are actively engaged in               largest holders of member organization’s
                                                    solicit comments on the proposed rule                   the conduct of the business of such                    stock. To the extent the member
                                                    change from interested persons.                         member organization. As such, the rule                 organization is privately held, the
                                                                                                            is designed to ensure the management of                Exchange may request a list of
                                                    I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                            a member organization has more than a                  shareholders from the member
                                                    Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                                                                            simple majority vote and a significant                 organization. The ownership of a
                                                    the Proposed Rule Change
                                                                                                            investment in the firm.                                member organization is not a regulatory
                                                       The Exchange proposes to delete                         The Exchange believes that the rule is              issue, but rather it was an issue to the
                                                    Rules 792, 794, 797, and 798 from the                   no longer relevant. The rule was                       Exchange when the requirement was
                                                    Phlx rules.                                             adopted at a time when the Exchange                    adopted because it was member-owned.
                                                       The text of the proposed rule change                 was owned by its members, and member                   As such, influence of a member
                                                    is available on the Exchange’s Web site                 organizations (then known as ‘‘member                  organization translated to influence of
                                                    at http://                                              corporations’’) were small and privately               the Exchange. The Exchange is now a
                                                    nasdaqomxphlx.cchwallstreet.com/, at                    held. Many of the Exchange’s current                   wholly-owned subsidiary of a publicly-
                                                    the principal office of the Exchange, and               member organizations are large firms,                  traded company; therefore, member
                                                    at the Commission’s Public Reference                    which are publicly held and have a                     organization influence as owners of the
                                                    Room.                                                   significant number of issued shares. As                Exchange is no longer an issue.3 The
                                                    II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                      a consequence, it is unreasonable to                   Exchange notes that neither BX nor
                                                    Statement of the Purpose of, and                        require the management of the member                   Nasdaq have a similar requirement. As
                                                    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  organization to hold at least 55% of the               a consequence, the Exchange does not
                                                    Change                                                  voting stock and to contribute at least                believe the rule serves a regulatory
                                                                                                            30% of the member organization’s total                 purpose and it is accordingly proposing
                                                       In its filing with the Commission, the               capital. Moreover, the Exchange notes                  to delete the rule.
                                                    Exchange included statements                            that Phlx’s affiliate exchanges NASDAQ
                                                    concerning the purpose of and basis for                 OMX BX (‘‘BX’’) and The Nasdaq Stock                   Rule 797
                                                    the proposed rule change and discussed                  Market (‘‘Nasdaq’’) do not have such                     Rule 797 concerns loans to officers
                                                    any comments it received on the                         restrictive ownership requirements.                    and directors of member organizations.
                                                    proposed rule change. The text of these                 Accordingly, the Exchange does not                     Specifically, the rule prohibits a
                                                    statements may be examined at the                       believe the rule serves a regulatory                   member organization from making any
                                                    places specified in Item IV below. The                  purpose and it is accordingly proposing                loan to any officer or director of the
                                                    Exchange has prepared summaries, set                    to delete the rule.                                    member organization. The Exchange
                                                    forth in sections A, B, and C below, of                                                                        believes that the rule is outdated and a
                                                    the most significant aspects of such                    Rule 794
                                                                                                                                                                   remnant from when the Exchange was a
                                                    statements.                                                Rule 794 concerns notice of the                     member-owned organization. The
                                                    A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       assignment of the voting stock of a                    Exchange notes that neither BX nor
                                                    Statement of the Purpose of, and                        member organization. Specifically, the                 Nasdaq has a similar prohibition.
                                                    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  rule requires that no holder of ten per                Moreover, the Exchange notes that
                                                    Change                                                  cent (10%) or more of the common or                    corporate law is generally a function of
                                                                                                            voting stock in a member organization                  state law, which in most cases allows
                                                    1. Purpose                                              that is a corporation may sell, assign,                loans to officers and directors.4 Thus,
                                                       The purpose of this proposed rule                    transfer, pledge, or hypothecate their                 the Exchange does not believe the rule
                                                    change is to delete Rules 792, 794, 797,                holdings of common or voting stock in                  serves a regulatory purpose and it is
                                                    and 798, which generally concern                        such member organization, except to                    accordingly proposing to delete the rule.
                                                    member organization governance and                      such member organization or to officers
                                                    ownership. As discussed below, the                      or directors thereof, without written                  Rule 798
                                                    Exchange has determined that these                      notice to the Exchange. The rule allows                   Rule 798 discusses what is required of
                                                    rules are anachronistic and no longer                   the Exchange to keep apprised of the                   a corporation to be issued a permit by
                                                    serve a purpose. Consequently, the                      significant holders of the member                      the Exchange. A permit provides the
                                                    Exchange is proposing to eliminate the                  organization’s voting stock. Such                      right to a member to trade on the
                                                    rules from the rulebook to avoid any                    holders would exercise significant                     Exchange and the right to vote for a
                                                    confusion that may be caused by                         control of the member organizations.                   Member Representative Director.
                                                    retaining them.                                            Similar to Rule 792 discussed above,                Permits are established by the Board of
                                                                                                            the Exchange believes that the rule is no              Directors. A corporation may be issued
                                                    Rule 792                                                longer relevant. The rule was adopted at               a permit by the Exchange if the
                                                       Rule 792 concerns control of the                     a time when the Exchange was owned                     corporation is incorporated under the
                                                    voting stock of a member organization.                  by its members, and member                             laws of the Commonwealth of
asabaliauskas on DSK9F6TC42PROD with NOTICES




                                                    The rule requires the officers and                      organizations were small and privately                 Pennsylvania, and all of its shares are
                                                    directors of a member organization that                 held. As noted, many of the Exchange’s                 owned by the Exchange. The rule
                                                    is a corporation to have working control                member organizations now are large                     further provides that such a corporate
                                                    of such member organization. To                         firms, which are publicly held and have                member whose shares are owned by the
                                                    comply with the rule, such officers and                 a significant number of issued shares.                 Exchange is not liable for dues. This
                                                    directors must own at least fifty-five per              As a consequence, it is unreasonable to
                                                    cent (55%) of the voting stock, and shall               require notice of the sale, assignment,                  3 The    Exchange is wholly-owned by Nasdaq, Inc.
                                                    have contributed at least thirty per cent               transfer, pledge, or hypothecation of                    4 See,   e.g., DEL. CODE ANN. tit. 8, § 143 (2015).



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                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 13 / Thursday, January 21, 2016 / Notices                                                   3529

                                                    rule was intended to permit Exchange                    exchanges. Thus, the Exchange is able to                Paper Comments
                                                    membership for the Exchange’s                           compete without the needless
                                                    subsidiary, the Stock Clearing                          restrictions currently imposed by the                     • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                    Corporation of Philadelphia (‘‘SCCP’’).5                deleted rules. Last, the proposed                       to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities
                                                    The Exchange has since wound down                       changes promote clarity in the                          and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street
                                                    SCCP and made it inactive. Thus, the                    application of the Exchange’s rules by                  NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                    Exchange is deleting the rule.                          eliminating unneeded rules.                             All submissions should refer to File
                                                    2. Statutory Basis                                      C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       Number SR–Phlx–2016–01. This file
                                                       The Exchange believes that its                       Statement on Comments on the                            number should be included on the
                                                    proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)                Proposed Rule Change Received From                      subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                    of the Act,6 in general, and furthers the               Members, Participants, or Others                        Commission process and review your
                                                    objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,7                No written comments were either                       comments more efficiently, please use
                                                    in particular, in that it is designed to                solicited or received.                                  only one method. The Commission will
                                                    prevent fraudulent and manipulative                                                                             post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                                                                            III. Date of Effectiveness of the
                                                    acts and practices, to promote just and                                                                         Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                                                                            Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
                                                    equitable principles of trade, to foster                                                                        rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                                                                            Commission Action
                                                    cooperation and coordination with                                                                               submission, all subsequent
                                                    persons engaged in facilitating                            Because the proposed rule change                     amendments, all written statements
                                                    transactions in securities, to remove                   does not: (i) Significantly affect the                  with respect to the proposed rule
                                                    impediments to and perfect the                          protection of investors or the public                   change that are filed with the
                                                    mechanism of a free and open market                     interest; (ii) impose any significant
                                                                                                                                                                    Commission, and all written
                                                    and a national market system and, in                    burden on competition; and (iii) become
                                                                                                                                                                    communications relating to the
                                                    general, to protect investors and the                   operative for 30 days from the date on
                                                                                                            which it was filed, or such shorter time                proposed rule change between the
                                                    public interest. The Exchange believes
                                                                                                            as the Commission may designate, the                    Commission and any person, other than
                                                    the proposed changes are consistent
                                                                                                            proposed rule change has become                         those that may be withheld from the
                                                    with just and equitable principles of
                                                    trade because they delete outdated and                  effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)               public in accordance with the
                                                    potentially confusing rules. Each of the                of the Act 9 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)                       provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                    rules that the Exchange proposes to                     thereunder.10                                           available for Web site viewing and
                                                    delete is anachronistic and does not                       At any time within 60 days of the                    printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                    have application to the Exchange’s                      filing of the proposed rule change, the                 Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                    current function as a for-profit exchange               Commission summarily may                                Washington, DC 20549 on official
                                                    whereby members no longer own the                       temporarily suspend such rule change if                 business days between the hours of
                                                    Exchange,8 but rather are granted                       it appears to the Commission that such                  10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                    permits to trade thereon. Thus, the                     action is necessary or appropriate in the               filing also will be available for
                                                    governance and ownership                                public interest, for the protection of                  inspection and copying at the principal
                                                    requirements of Rules 792, 794 and 797,                 investors, or otherwise in furtherance of               office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                    which generally restrict member                         the purposes of the Act. If the                         received will be posted without change;
                                                    organizations from taking corporate                     Commission takes such action, the                       the Commission does not edit personal
                                                    actions that they would otherwise be                    Commission shall institute proceedings                  identifying information from
                                                    able to do, are no longer relevant.                     to determine whether the proposed rule
                                                                                                                                                                    submissions. You should submit only
                                                    Eliminating Rule 798 is consistent with                 change should be approved or
                                                                                                                                                                    information that you wish to make
                                                    just and equitable principles of trade                  disapproved.
                                                                                                                                                                    available publicly. All submissions
                                                    because the Exchange no longer                          IV. Solicitation of Comments                            should refer to File Number SR–Phlx–
                                                    operates SCCP, which was the sole
                                                                                                              Interested persons are invited to                     2016–01 and should be submitted on or
                                                    reason for the rule’s adoption. Thus,
                                                                                                            submit written data, views, and                         before February 11, 2016.
                                                    removing it from the rules promotes
                                                    clarity and eliminates potential                        arguments concerning the foregoing,                       For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                    confusion caused by allowing it to                      including whether the proposed rule                     Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                    remain.                                                 change is consistent with the Act.                      authority.11
                                                                                                            Comments may be submitted by any of                     Robert W. Errett,
                                                    B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       the following methods:
                                                    Statement on Burden on Competition                                                                              Deputy Secretary.
                                                                                                            Electronic Comments                                     [FR Doc. 2016–01054 Filed 1–20–16; 8:45 am]
                                                       The proposed rule change does not
                                                    impose any burden on competition that                     • Use the Commission’s Internet                       BILLING CODE 8011–01–P

                                                    is not necessary or appropriate in                      comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                    furtherance of the purposes of the Act.                 rules/sro.shtml); or
                                                    Rather it is designed to promote                          • Send an email to rule-comments@
                                                    competition among exchanges by                          sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                    removing archaic and overly restrictive                 Phlx–2016–01 on the subject line.
asabaliauskas on DSK9F6TC42PROD with NOTICES




                                                    rules in comparison to the rules of other                 9 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                                                                                              10 17  CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). As required under Rule
                                                      5 See  Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57134      19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the
                                                    (January 11, 2008), 73 FR 3306 (January 17, 2008)       Commission with written notice of its intent to file
                                                    (SR–Phlx–2005–68) at note 6 (establishing the           the proposed rule change, along with a brief
                                                    purpose of the requirement).                            description and the text of the proposed rule
                                                       6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                                                                                            change, at least five business days prior to the date
                                                       7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
                                                                                                            of filing of the proposed rule change, or such
                                                       8 See note 3 above.                                  shorter time as designated by the Commission.             11 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).



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Document Created: 2018-02-02 12:33:24
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 12:33:24
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 3527 

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