81_FR_39839 81 FR 39722 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Amending NYSE Rule 6A To Exclude the Physical Area Within Fully Enclosed Telephone Booths Located in 18 Broad Street From the Definition of Trading Floor

81 FR 39722 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Amending NYSE Rule 6A To Exclude the Physical Area Within Fully Enclosed Telephone Booths Located in 18 Broad Street From the Definition of Trading Floor

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 117 (June 17, 2016)

Page Range39722-39724
FR Document2016-14320

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 117 (Friday, June 17, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 117 (Friday, June 17, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39722-39724]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-14320]


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

[Release No. 34-78057; File No. SR-NYSE-2016-31]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; 
Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Amending NYSE Rule 6A To 
Exclude the Physical Area Within Fully Enclosed Telephone Booths 
Located in 18 Broad Street From the Definition of Trading Floor

June 13, 2016.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on May 31, 2016, New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE'' or the 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, 
and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The 
Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the 
proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Rule 6A (``Trading Floor'') to 
exclude an area in 18 Broad Street that has fully enclosed telephone 
booths from the definition of Trading Floor. 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 the 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to amend NYSE Rule 6A 
(``Trading Floor'') to exclude from the definition of ``Trading Floor'' 
the area within fully enclosed telephone booths located in 18 Broad 
Street.
    The Exchange currently defines ``Trading Floor'' \3\ in Rule 6A to 
mean the restricted-access physical areas designated by the Exchange 
for the trading of securities, commonly known as the ``Main Room,'' the 
``Blue Room'' and the ``Garage.'' \4\ Rule 6A also specifies that the 
Exchange's Trading Floor does not include areas designated by the 
Exchange where NYSE Amex-listed options are traded, commonly known as 
the ``Extended Blue Room,'' which, for the purposes of the Exchange's 
Rules, are referred to as the ``NYSE Amex Options Trading Floor.'' \5\ 
The Exchange proposes to add sub-paragraph numbering to Rule 6A, so 
that the first paragraph of the rule would be sub-paragraph (a) and the 
second paragraph would be sub-paragraph (b). As proposed, Rule 6A(a) 
would define the term ``Trading Floor,'' and proposed Rule 6A(b) would 
define which physical areas are excluded from the definition of 
``Trading Floor.''
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    \3\ Access to the Trading Floor is restricted at each entrance 
by turnstiles and only authorized visitors, members or member firm 
employees are permitted to enter.
    \4\ See NYSE Rule 6A; see also Securities Exchange Act Release 
No. 59479 (Mar. 2, 2009), 74 FR 10325 (Mar. 10, 2009) (SR-NYSE-2009-
23) (Notice of filing adopting NYSE Rule 6A and explaining that the 
proposed definition of ``Trading Floor'' will provide a more 
accurate description of the physical areas of the Floor where 
trading is actually conducted).
    \5\ Id. The term ``Trading Floor'' is distinct from the term 
``Floor.'' The term ``Floor'' means the trading Floor of the 
Exchange and the premises immediately adjacent thereto, such as the 
various entrances and lobbies of the 11 Wall Street, 18 New Street, 
8 Broad Street, 12 Broad Street and 18 Broad Street Buildings, and 
also means the telephone facilities available in these locations. 
See NYSE Rule 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange first proposes to amend Rule 6A to reflect the 
renaming of the physical area formerly known as the ``Garage.'' That 
area has been renamed the ``Buttonwood Room'' and the Exchange proposes 
to reflect this change in Rule 6A. Rule 6A also currently defines 
Trading Floor to include areas commonly known as the ``Blue Room'' and 
also refers to an area commonly referred to as the ``Extended Blue 
Room.'' \6\ The Exchange recently closed those areas and moved all 
member organizations, member organization employees and NYSE Amex 
Options trading activities that were previously housed in these areas 
to the Buttonwood Room. To reflect this change, the Exchange proposes 
to delete references to the Blue Room and Extended Blue Room from Rule 
6A and replace them with a reference to the Buttonwood Room.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ The Blue Room and Extended Blue Room are references to 
trading spaces previously utilized by member firm employees and NYSE 
Amex Options at 20 Broad Street.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With respect to proposed Rule 6A(b), the current rule already 
excludes the NYSE Amex Options Trading Floor from the definition of 
``Trading Floor.'' To reflect the change to the names of the trading 
rooms and the relocation of the NYSE Amex Options Trading Floor to the 
Buttonwood Room, the Exchange proposes to amend Rule 6A(b) to refer to 
the Buttonwood Room when referring to the NYSE Amex Options Trading 
Floor. Accordingly, the proposed rule would exclude from the definition 
of Trading Floor the designated areas in the Buttonwood Room where NYSE 
Amex-listed options are traded which, for the purposes of the 
Exchange's Rules, would continue to be referred to as the ``NYSE Amex 
Options Trading Floor.'' \7\ This proposed change does not make any 
substantive changes and reflects only the location change for NYSE Amex 
Options. This proposal would have no impact on the physical location of 
NYSE Amex Options personnel as they would remain in their current 
location in the Buttonwood Room.
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    \7\ As when the NYSE Amex Options Trading Floor was located in 
the Extended Blue Room, in the Buttonwood Room, the Exchange has 
erected physical barriers between the NYSE Amex Options Trading 
Floor and any Exchange member organizations or Exchange personnel 
that are also located in the Buttonwood Room.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange next proposes to amend Rule 6A(b) to exclude an 
additional area from the definition of Trading Floor. As proposed, the 
Exchange proposes to exclude from the definition of Trading

[[Page 39723]]

Floor the area within fully enclosed telephone booths located in 18 
Broad Street at the Southeast wall of the Trading Floor. The telephone 
booths would be located in a vestibule area adjacent to 18 Broad Street 
elevator banks that provide access to the Trading Floor and that are 
separated from the equity trading areas of the Main Room by 
approximately forty (40) feet and a partial physical barrier. As such, 
while inside the telephone booths, there is not any visual or auditory 
access to activities conducted at the trading posts or by Floor 
Brokers.
    These telephone booths would be designed for use by DMMs, but could 
be used by anyone on the Trading Floor. Because the telephone booths 
would be excluded from the definition of Trading Floor, there would not 
be any restrictions on the use of personal cell phones by DMMs while in 
these telephone booths, nor would there be restrictions on which 
cellular phone a Floor broker may use while in the telephone booth. For 
example, currently, a DMM who is not on the Trading Floor, i.e., is 
located outside the restricted-access areas of the Floor, may use a 
personal cell phone to communicate with an issuer. As proposed, because 
the area within the telephone booth would similarly be excluded from 
the definition of Trading Floor, a DMM could use a personal cell phone 
while inside the telephone booth to communicate with an issuer. A DMM's 
use of a personal cell phone while within the telephone booth would be 
no different than if the DMM used his or her personal cell phone to 
communicate with an issuer from the DMM's office off the Exchange or 
while outside the restricted-access areas of the Floor, i.e., outside 
the Trading Floor.
    While in the telephone booth, the DMM would not have access to any 
time and place information that he or she may have at the trading post. 
The proposed location of these telephone booths would ensure the 
privacy of any conversations, for a number of reasons: the closest 
location of any Floor Broker operations, which also contain privacy 
barriers, is approximately forty (40) feet from the proposed location 
of the telephone booths; there are high arching walls with limited line 
and sight vision separating the telephone booths from any trading posts 
on the Trading Floor; and lastly, the telephone booths are fully 
enclosed so any conversation that would occur would take place behind 
closed doors. The Exchange believes that the combination of these 
visual and acoustical barriers would substantially eliminate the risk 
that any conversations occurring inside the telephone booth could be 
overheard. In addition, it substantially eliminates the risk that an 
individual having a telephone conversation while inside the telephone 
booth would be able to hear or see anything at a trading post where 
securities trade.
    To the extent that a DMM would use the telephone booths to 
communicate off the Trading Floor, current Exchange restrictions 
governing the protection of material non-public information would 
continue to apply. Rule 98 (``Operation of a DMM Unit'') currently 
provides that that when a Floor-based employee of a DMM unit moves to a 
location off of the Trading Floor of the Exchange or if any person that 
provides risk management oversight or supervision of the Floor-based 
operations of the DMM unit is aware of Floor-based non-public order 
information, he or she shall not (1) make such information available to 
customers, (2) make such information available to individuals or 
systems responsible for making trading decisions in DMM securities in 
away markets or related products, or (3) use any such information in 
connection with making trading decisions in DMM securities in away 
markets or related products.\8\ The proposed rule change is not 
intended to circumvent the restrictions prescribed in Rule 98 
applicable to DMMs. Accordingly, DMMs would continue to be subject to 
the restrictions against the misuse of material non-public information 
prescribed in Rule 98. To that end, any communication between a DMM and 
an issuer would be limited to information that is in the public domain 
and not deemed material, non-public information. Except for the 
requirement to protect against the misuse of material non-public 
information set forth in Rule 98, Exchange rules do not have any 
restrictions on DMMs communicating with issuers from locations off of 
the Trading Floor. To the contrary, an important element of the DMM 
role is its relationship with issuers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See NYSE Rule 98(c)(3)(C). Rule 98, however, permits a DMM 
that needs to take on a larger risk profile in a security because of 
a proposed floor broker transaction to discuss the proposed 
transaction, which would be deemed material non-public information, 
with the DMM's risk manager located off of the Trading Floor without 
violating Exchange rules or federal securities laws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Moreover, DMMs would continue to be subject to supplementary 
material .30 to Rule 36 (``DMM Unit Post Wires'') (``Rule 36.30''), 
which permits a DMM to maintain at their posts telephone lines and 
wired or wireless devices that are registered with the Exchange to 
communicate with personnel at the off-Floor offices of the DMM, the 
DMM's clearing firm, or with persons providing non-trading related 
services to the DMM. The Exchange is not proposing any changes to Rule 
36 and, therefore, the current restrictions in Rule 36 would remain 
applicable and would not be affected by the proposed amendment to the 
definition of Trading Floor in Rule 6A. The proposed amendment to Rule 
6A would allow the Exchange to delineate an area inside the telephone 
booth as being off the Trading Floor where a DMM may use a personal 
cell phone, which would not be subject to Rule 36.30.
    Because the proposed telephone booths would still fall within the 
broader definition of Floor under Exchange rules, the Exchange will 
retain jurisdiction in this area to regulate conduct that is 
inconsistent with Exchange Rules and the federal securities laws and 
rules thereunder.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule changes are consistent 
with, and further the objectives of, Section 6(b)(5) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 \9\ (the ``Act''), in that they are designed to 
prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just 
and equitable principles of trade, 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 
proposed rule change would exclude from the definition of Trading Floor 
fully-enclosed telephone booths that are located on the perimeter of 
the Trading Floor, approximately 40 feet away from any trading 
operations. The Exchange believes that excluding these telephone booths 
from the definition of Trading Floor is designed to prevent fraudulent 
and manipulative acts and practices and to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade because the visual and acoustic lines while within 
the fully-enclosed telephone booths to any trading activities are 
extremely limited. The Exchange believes that the combination of these 
visual and acoustical barriers would substantially eliminate the risk 
that any conversations occurring inside the telephone booth could be 
overheard. In addition, it substantially eliminates the risk that an 
individual having a telephone conversation while inside the telephone 
booth would be able to hear or see anything at a trading post where 
securities trade. Accordingly, because being inside the telephone 
booths would be akin to being off of the Trading Floor, the Exchange 
believes

[[Page 39724]]

that it would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free 
and open market and a national market system to treat the areas within 
the telephone booths similarly to areas located outside of the Trading 
Floor.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange further believes that the proposed rule change would 
remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open 
market and a national market system because it will reduce the burdens 
on the ability of a DMM to communicate with an issuer. Currently, a DMM 
may use a personal cell phone to communicate with an issuer outside of 
the Trading Floor, but short of going to an office at a separate 
physical location, there are limited areas where a DMM may have a 
private conversation. The telephone booths would provide a physical 
space in which a DMM could have a private conversation with an issuer 
while at the same time remaining subject to existing Rule 98 
requirements to protect against the misuse of material, non-public 
information. The Exchange further believes that updating the references 
in the Exchange rules to reflect the correct use of the Exchange 
Trading Floor would eliminate any potential confusion among investors 
and other market participants on the Exchange as to areas of the 
Trading Floor where certain conduct is, or is not, permitted.

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule changes will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change is 
not designed to address any issues relating to competition. Rather, the 
proposed rule change would ease burdens on the ability of a DMM to have 
a private conversation with an issuer by providing a physical location 
that would be excluded from the definition of Trading Floor that is 
private.

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

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or up to 90 days (i) as the Commission may designate 
if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its 
reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the self-regulatory 
organization consents, the Commission will:
    (A) By order approve or disapprove the proposed rule change, or
    (B) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be 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-NYSE-2016-31 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-NYSE-2016-31. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2016-31, and should be 
submitted on or before July 8, 2016.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\10\
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    \10\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-14320 Filed 6-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                39722                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 117 / Friday, June 17, 2016 / Notices

                                                DATES:  Effective date: June 17, 2016.                     II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                         Rule 6A(b) would define which physical
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:      Kyle                 Statement of the Purpose of, and                           areas are excluded from the definition of
                                                Coppin, (202) 268–2368.                                    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                     ‘‘Trading Floor.’’
                                                                                                           Change                                                        The Exchange first proposes to amend
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                                                                                                                                                      Rule 6A to reflect the renaming of the
                                                United States Postal Service® hereby                          In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                                                                           self-regulatory organization included                      physical area formerly known as the
                                                gives notice that, pursuant to 39 U.S.C.
                                                                                                           statements concerning the purpose of,                      ‘‘Garage.’’ That area has been renamed
                                                3642, on May 31, 2016, it filed with the
                                                                                                           and basis for, the proposed rule change                    the ‘‘Buttonwood Room’’ and the
                                                Postal Regulatory Commission a Request
                                                                                                           and discussed any comments it received                     Exchange proposes to reflect this change
                                                of The United States Postal Service to                                                                                in Rule 6A. Rule 6A also currently
                                                add Global Expedited Package Services                      on the proposed rule change. The text
                                                                                                           of those statements may be examined at                     defines Trading Floor to include areas
                                                6 Contracts to the Competitive Products                                                                               commonly known as the ‘‘Blue Room’’
                                                List. Documents are available at                           the places specified in Item IV below.
                                                                                                           The Exchange has prepared summaries,                       and also refers to an area commonly
                                                www.prc.gov, Docket Nos. MC2016–149                                                                                   referred to as the ‘‘Extended Blue
                                                and CP2016–188.                                            set forth in sections A, B, and C below,
                                                                                                           of the most significant parts of such                      Room.’’ 6 The Exchange recently closed
                                                Stanley F. Mires,                                          statements.                                                those areas and moved all member
                                                Attorney, Federal Compliance.                                                                                         organizations, member organization
                                                [FR Doc. 2016–14375 Filed 6–16–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                           A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          employees and NYSE Amex Options
                                                                                                           Statement of the Purpose of, and the                       trading activities that were previously
                                                BILLING CODE 7710–12–P
                                                                                                           Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                     housed in these areas to the Buttonwood
                                                                                                           Change                                                     Room. To reflect this change, the
                                                                                                           1. Purpose                                                 Exchange proposes to delete references
                                                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                                                                               to the Blue Room and Extended Blue
                                                COMMISSION                                                    The purpose of the proposed rule                        Room from Rule 6A and replace them
                                                                                                           change is to amend NYSE Rule 6A                            with a reference to the Buttonwood
                                                [Release No. 34–78057; File No. SR–NYSE–                   (‘‘Trading Floor’’) to exclude from the
                                                2016–31]                                                                                                              Room.
                                                                                                           definition of ‘‘Trading Floor’’ the area                      With respect to proposed Rule 6A(b),
                                                Self-Regulatory Organizations; New                         within fully enclosed telephone booths                     the current rule already excludes the
                                                York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of                         located in 18 Broad Street.                                NYSE Amex Options Trading Floor
                                                                                                              The Exchange currently defines                          from the definition of ‘‘Trading Floor.’’
                                                Filing of Proposed Rule Change
                                                                                                           ‘‘Trading Floor’’ 3 in Rule 6A to mean                     To reflect the change to the names of the
                                                Amending NYSE Rule 6A To Exclude
                                                                                                           the restricted-access physical areas                       trading rooms and the relocation of the
                                                the Physical Area Within Fully
                                                                                                           designated by the Exchange for the                         NYSE Amex Options Trading Floor to
                                                Enclosed Telephone Booths Located
                                                                                                           trading of securities, commonly known                      the Buttonwood Room, the Exchange
                                                in 18 Broad Street From the Definition
                                                                                                           as the ‘‘Main Room,’’ the ‘‘Blue Room’’                    proposes to amend Rule 6A(b) to refer
                                                of Trading Floor
                                                                                                           and the ‘‘Garage.’’ 4 Rule 6A also                         to the Buttonwood Room when referring
                                                June 13, 2016.                                             specifies that the Exchange’s Trading                      to the NYSE Amex Options Trading
                                                   Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                     Floor does not include areas designated                    Floor. Accordingly, the proposed rule
                                                Securities Exchange Act of 1934                            by the Exchange where NYSE Amex-                           would exclude from the definition of
                                                (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                    listed options are traded, commonly                        Trading Floor the designated areas in
                                                notice is hereby given that on May 31,                     known as the ‘‘Extended Blue Room,’’                       the Buttonwood Room where NYSE
                                                2016, New York Stock Exchange LLC                          which, for the purposes of the                             Amex-listed options are traded which,
                                                (‘‘NYSE’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with                  Exchange’s Rules, are referred to as the                   for the purposes of the Exchange’s
                                                the Securities and Exchange                                ‘‘NYSE Amex Options Trading Floor.’’ 5                     Rules, would continue to be referred to
                                                Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the                        The Exchange proposes to add sub-                          as the ‘‘NYSE Amex Options Trading
                                                proposed rule change as described in                       paragraph numbering to Rule 6A, so that                    Floor.’’ 7 This proposed change does not
                                                Items I, II, and III below, which Items                    the first paragraph of the rule would be                   make any substantive changes and
                                                have been prepared by the Exchange.                        sub-paragraph (a) and the second                           reflects only the location change for
                                                The Commission is publishing this                          paragraph would be sub-paragraph (b).                      NYSE Amex Options. This proposal
                                                notice to solicit comments on the                          As proposed, Rule 6A(a) would define                       would have no impact on the physical
                                                proposed rule change from interested                       the term ‘‘Trading Floor,’’ and proposed                   location of NYSE Amex Options
                                                persons.                                                                                                              personnel as they would remain in their
                                                                                                              3 Access to the Trading Floor is restricted at each
                                                                                                                                                                      current location in the Buttonwood
                                                I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          entrance by turnstiles and only authorized visitors,
                                                                                                                                                                      Room.
                                                Statement of the Terms of Substance of                     members or member firm employees are permitted
                                                                                                           to enter.                                                     The Exchange next proposes to amend
                                                the Proposed Rule Change                                      4 See NYSE Rule 6A; see also Securities Exchange        Rule 6A(b) to exclude an additional area
                                                   The Exchange proposes to amend                          Act Release No. 59479 (Mar. 2, 2009), 74 FR 10325          from the definition of Trading Floor. As
                                                                                                           (Mar. 10, 2009) (SR–NYSE–2009–23) (Notice of               proposed, the Exchange proposes to
                                                NYSE Rule 6A (‘‘Trading Floor’’) to                        filing adopting NYSE Rule 6A and explaining that
                                                exclude an area in 18 Broad Street that                    the proposed definition of ‘‘Trading Floor’’ will          exclude from the definition of Trading
                                                has fully enclosed telephone booths                        provide a more accurate description of the physical
                                                from the definition of Trading Floor.                      areas of the Floor where trading is actually                  6 The Blue Room and Extended Blue Room are

                                                                                                           conducted).                                                references to trading spaces previously utilized by
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                The proposed rule change is available                         5 Id. The term ‘‘Trading Floor’’ is distinct from the   member firm employees and NYSE Amex Options
                                                on the Exchange’s Web site at                              term ‘‘Floor.’’ The term ‘‘Floor’’ means the trading       at 20 Broad Street.
                                                www.nyse.com, at the principal office of                   Floor of the Exchange and the premises                        7 As when the NYSE Amex Options Trading Floor

                                                the Exchange, and at the Commission’s                      immediately adjacent thereto, such as the various          was located in the Extended Blue Room, in the
                                                                                                           entrances and lobbies of the 11 Wall Street, 18 New        Buttonwood Room, the Exchange has erected
                                                Public Reference Room.                                     Street, 8 Broad Street, 12 Broad Street and 18 Broad       physical barriers between the NYSE Amex Options
                                                                                                           Street Buildings, and also means the telephone             Trading Floor and any Exchange member
                                                  1 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                 facilities available in these locations. See NYSE          organizations or Exchange personnel that are also
                                                  2 17   CFR 240.19b–4.                                    Rule 6.                                                    located in the Buttonwood Room.



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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 117 / Friday, June 17, 2016 / Notices                                          39723

                                                Floor the area within fully enclosed                    could be overheard. In addition, it                    non-trading related services to the
                                                telephone booths located in 18 Broad                    substantially eliminates the risk that an              DMM. The Exchange is not proposing
                                                Street at the Southeast wall of the                     individual having a telephone                          any changes to Rule 36 and, therefore,
                                                Trading Floor. The telephone booths                     conversation while inside the telephone                the current restrictions in Rule 36
                                                would be located in a vestibule area                    booth would be able to hear or see                     would remain applicable and would not
                                                adjacent to 18 Broad Street elevator                    anything at a trading post where                       be affected by the proposed amendment
                                                banks that provide access to the Trading                securities trade.                                      to the definition of Trading Floor in
                                                Floor and that are separated from the                      To the extent that a DMM would use                  Rule 6A. The proposed amendment to
                                                equity trading areas of the Main Room                   the telephone booths to communicate                    Rule 6A would allow the Exchange to
                                                by approximately forty (40) feet and a                  off the Trading Floor, current Exchange                delineate an area inside the telephone
                                                partial physical barrier. As such, while                restrictions governing the protection of               booth as being off the Trading Floor
                                                inside the telephone booths, there is not               material non-public information would                  where a DMM may use a personal cell
                                                any visual or auditory access to                        continue to apply. Rule 98 (‘‘Operation                phone, which would not be subject to
                                                activities conducted at the trading posts               of a DMM Unit’’) currently provides that               Rule 36.30.
                                                or by Floor Brokers.                                    that when a Floor-based employee of a                    Because the proposed telephone
                                                   These telephone booths would be                      DMM unit moves to a location off of the                booths would still fall within the
                                                designed for use by DMMs, but could be                  Trading Floor of the Exchange or if any                broader definition of Floor under
                                                used by anyone on the Trading Floor.                    person that provides risk management                   Exchange rules, the Exchange will retain
                                                Because the telephone booths would be                   oversight or supervision of the Floor-                 jurisdiction in this area to regulate
                                                excluded from the definition of Trading                 based operations of the DMM unit is                    conduct that is inconsistent with
                                                Floor, there would not be any                           aware of Floor-based non-public order                  Exchange Rules and the federal
                                                restrictions on the use of personal cell                information, he or she shall not (1) make              securities laws and rules thereunder.
                                                phones by DMMs while in these                           such information available to customers,
                                                                                                                                                               2. Statutory Basis
                                                telephone booths, nor would there be                    (2) make such information available to
                                                restrictions on which cellular phone a                  individuals or systems responsible for                    The Exchange believes that the
                                                Floor broker may use while in the                       making trading decisions in DMM                        proposed rule changes are consistent
                                                telephone booth. For example,                           securities in away markets or related                  with, and further the objectives of,
                                                currently, a DMM who is not on the                      products, or (3) use any such                          Section 6(b)(5) of the Securities
                                                Trading Floor, i.e., is located outside the             information in connection with making                  Exchange Act of 1934 9 (the ‘‘Act’’), in
                                                restricted-access areas of the Floor, may               trading decisions in DMM securities in                 that they are designed to prevent
                                                use a personal cell phone to                            away markets or related products.8 The                 fraudulent and manipulative acts and
                                                communicate with an issuer. As                          proposed rule change is not intended to                practices, to promote just and equitable
                                                proposed, because the area within the                   circumvent the restrictions prescribed                 principles of trade, to remove
                                                telephone booth would similarly be                      in Rule 98 applicable to DMMs.                         impediments to and perfect the
                                                excluded from the definition of Trading                 Accordingly, DMMs would continue to                    mechanism of a free and open market
                                                Floor, a DMM could use a personal cell                  be subject to the restrictions against the             and a national market system and, in
                                                phone while inside the telephone booth                  misuse of material non-public                          general, to protect investors and the
                                                to communicate with an issuer. A                        information prescribed in Rule 98. To                  public interest. The proposed rule
                                                DMM’s use of a personal cell phone                      that end, any communication between a                  change would exclude from the
                                                while within the telephone booth would                  DMM and an issuer would be limited to                  definition of Trading Floor fully-
                                                be no different than if the DMM used                    information that is in the public domain               enclosed telephone booths that are
                                                his or her personal cell phone to                       and not deemed material, non-public                    located on the perimeter of the Trading
                                                communicate with an issuer from the                     information. Except for the requirement                Floor, approximately 40 feet away from
                                                DMM’s office off the Exchange or while                  to protect against the misuse of material              any trading operations. The Exchange
                                                outside the restricted-access areas of the              non-public information set forth in Rule               believes that excluding these telephone
                                                Floor, i.e., outside the Trading Floor.                 98, Exchange rules do not have any                     booths from the definition of Trading
                                                   While in the telephone booth, the                    restrictions on DMMs communicating                     Floor is designed to prevent fraudulent
                                                DMM would not have access to any time                   with issuers from locations off of the                 and manipulative acts and practices and
                                                and place information that he or she                    Trading Floor. To the contrary, an                     to promote just and equitable principles
                                                may have at the trading post. The                                                                              of trade because the visual and acoustic
                                                                                                        important element of the DMM role is
                                                proposed location of these telephone                                                                           lines while within the fully-enclosed
                                                                                                        its relationship with issuers.
                                                booths would ensure the privacy of any                     Moreover, DMMs would continue to                    telephone booths to any trading
                                                conversations, for a number of reasons:                 be subject to supplementary material .30               activities are extremely limited. The
                                                the closest location of any Floor Broker                to Rule 36 (‘‘DMM Unit Post Wires’’)                   Exchange believes that the combination
                                                operations, which also contain privacy                  (‘‘Rule 36.30’’), which permits a DMM                  of these visual and acoustical barriers
                                                barriers, is approximately forty (40) feet              to maintain at their posts telephone                   would substantially eliminate the risk
                                                from the proposed location of the                       lines and wired or wireless devices that               that any conversations occurring inside
                                                telephone booths; there are high arching                are registered with the Exchange to                    the telephone booth could be overheard.
                                                walls with limited line and sight vision                communicate with personnel at the off-                 In addition, it substantially eliminates
                                                separating the telephone booths from                    Floor offices of the DMM, the DMM’s                    the risk that an individual having a
                                                any trading posts on the Trading Floor;                 clearing firm, or with persons providing               telephone conversation while inside the
                                                and lastly, the telephone booths are                                                                           telephone booth would be able to hear
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                fully enclosed so any conversation that                    8 See NYSE Rule 98(c)(3)(C). Rule 98, however,      or see anything at a trading post where
                                                would occur would take place behind                     permits a DMM that needs to take on a larger risk      securities trade. Accordingly, because
                                                closed doors. The Exchange believes                     profile in a security because of a proposed floor      being inside the telephone booths
                                                that the combination of these visual and                broker transaction to discuss the proposed             would be akin to being off of the
                                                                                                        transaction, which would be deemed material non-
                                                acoustical barriers would substantially                 public information, with the DMM’s risk manager        Trading Floor, the Exchange believes
                                                eliminate the risk that any conversations               located off of the Trading Floor without violating
                                                occurring inside the telephone booth                    Exchange rules or federal securities laws.              9 15   U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).



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                                                39724                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 117 / Friday, June 17, 2016 / Notices

                                                that it would remove impediments to                     and publishes its reasons for so finding               2016–31, and should be submitted on or
                                                and perfect the mechanism of a free and                 or (ii) as to which the self-regulatory                before July 8, 2016.
                                                open market and a national market                       organization consents, the Commission                    For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                system to treat the areas within the                    will:                                                  Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                telephone booths similarly to areas                       (A) By order approve or disapprove                   authority.10
                                                located outside of the Trading Floor.                   the proposed rule change, or                           Robert W. Errett,
                                                   The Exchange further believes that the                 (B) institute proceedings to determine               Deputy Secretary.
                                                proposed rule change would remove                       whether the proposed rule change
                                                                                                                                                               [FR Doc. 2016–14320 Filed 6–16–16; 8:45 am]
                                                impediments to and perfect the                          should be disapproved.
                                                                                                                                                               BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                mechanism of a free and open market                     IV. Solicitation of Comments
                                                and a national market system because it
                                                will reduce the burdens on the ability of                 Interested persons are invited to
                                                                                                        submit written data, views, and                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                a DMM to communicate with an issuer.                                                                           COMMISSION
                                                Currently, a DMM may use a personal                     arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                cell phone to communicate with an                       including whether the proposed rule                    [Release No. 34–78050; File No. SR–
                                                issuer outside of the Trading Floor, but                change is consistent with the Act.                     NASDAQ–2016–081]
                                                short of going to an office at a separate               Comments may be submitted by any of
                                                                                                        the following methods:                                 Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
                                                physical location, there are limited areas
                                                                                                                                                               NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of
                                                where a DMM may have a private                          Electronic Comments                                    Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
                                                conversation. The telephone booths
                                                would provide a physical space in                         • Use the Commission’s Internet                      Proposed Rule Change To Eliminate
                                                                                                        comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                      the Limited WebLink ACT or Nasdaq
                                                which a DMM could have a private
                                                                                                        rules/sro.shtml); or                                   Workstation Post Trade Fee Tier Under
                                                conversation with an issuer while at the
                                                                                                          • Send an email to rule-comments@                    Rule 7015(e)
                                                same time remaining subject to existing
                                                                                                        sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                Rule 98 requirements to protect against                                                                        June 13, 2016.
                                                                                                        NYSE–2016–31 on the subject line.
                                                the misuse of material, non-public                                                                                Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                information. The Exchange further                       Paper Comments                                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                believes that updating the references in                   • Send paper comments in triplicate                 (‘‘Act’’), 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                the Exchange rules to reflect the correct               to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities              notice is hereby given that on June 3,
                                                use of the Exchange Trading Floor                       and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street                  2016, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
                                                would eliminate any potential                           NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.                        (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the
                                                confusion among investors and other                     All submissions should refer to File                   Securities and Exchange Commission
                                                market participants on the Exchange as                  Number SR–NYSE–2016–31. This file                      (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed
                                                to areas of the Trading Floor where                     number should be included on the                       rule change as described in Items I, II,
                                                certain conduct is, or is not, permitted.               subject line if email is used. To help the             and III, below, which Items have been
                                                B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       Commission process and review your                     prepared by the Exchange. The
                                                Statement on Burden on Competition                      comments more efficiently, please use                  Commission is publishing this notice to
                                                                                                        only one method. The Commission will                   solicit comments on the proposed rule
                                                  The Exchange does not believe that                                                                           change from interested persons.
                                                the proposed rule changes will impose                   post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                any burden on competition that is not                   Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                 I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                necessary or appropriate in furtherance                 rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                        Statement of the Terms of the Substance
                                                of the purposes of the Act. The                         submission, all subsequent                             of the Proposed Rule Change
                                                proposed rule change is not designed to                 amendments, all written statements
                                                                                                                                                                  The Exchange proposes to amend
                                                address any issues relating to                          with respect to the proposed rule
                                                                                                                                                               Rule 7015(e) to eliminate the limited
                                                competition. Rather, the proposed rule                  change that are filed with the
                                                                                                                                                               WebLink ACT or Nasdaq Workstation
                                                change would ease burdens on the                        Commission, and all written
                                                                                                                                                               Post Trade (‘‘Post Trade’’) fee tier. While
                                                ability of a DMM to have a private                      communications relating to the
                                                                                                                                                               these amendments are effective upon
                                                conversation with an issuer by                          proposed rule change between the
                                                                                                                                                               filing, the Exchange has designated the
                                                providing a physical location that                      Commission and any person, other than
                                                                                                                                                               proposed amendments to be operative
                                                would be excluded from the definition                   those that may be withheld from the
                                                                                                                                                               on June 1, 2016.
                                                of Trading Floor that is private.                       public in accordance with the                             The text of the proposed rule change
                                                                                                        provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                    is available on the Exchange’s Web site
                                                C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       available for Web site viewing and
                                                Statement on Comments on the                                                                                   at http://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at
                                                                                                        printing in the Commission’s Public                    the principal office of the Exchange, and
                                                Proposed Rule Change Received From                      Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                Members, Participants, or Others                                                                               at the Commission’s Public Reference
                                                                                                        Washington, DC 20549 on official                       Room.
                                                  No written comments were solicited                    business days between the hours of
                                                or received with respect to the proposed                10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such                II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                rule change.                                            filing also will be available for                      Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                        inspection and copying at the principal                Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                III. Date of Effectiveness of the                       office of the Exchange. All comments                   Change
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                                                Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                     received will be posted without change;
                                                Commission Action                                                                                                 In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                                                                        the Commission does not edit personal                  Exchange included statements
                                                   Within 45 days of the date of                        identifying information from                           concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                publication of this notice in the Federal               submissions. You should submit only
                                                Register or up to 90 days (i) as the                    information that you wish to make                        10 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                Commission may designate if it finds                    available publicly. All submissions                      1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                such longer period to be appropriate                    should refer to File Number SR–NYSE–                     2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.




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Document Created: 2016-06-17 01:04:54
Document Modified: 2016-06-17 01:04:54
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 39722 

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