81_FR_47601 81 FR 47461 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Related to Functionality Offered by the Exchange's Options Platform To: Modify Various Rules To Eliminate the Display-Price Sliding Option; Modify Various Rules To Eliminate Price Improving Orders; and Adopt the Step Up Mechanism

81 FR 47461 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Related to Functionality Offered by the Exchange's Options Platform To: Modify Various Rules To Eliminate the Display-Price Sliding Option; Modify Various Rules To Eliminate Price Improving Orders; and Adopt the Step Up Mechanism

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 140 (July 21, 2016)

Page Range47461-47466
FR Document2016-17194

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 140 (Thursday, July 21, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 140 (Thursday, July 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47461-47466]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17194]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-78339; File No. SR-BatsEDGX-2016-29]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice 
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Related 
to Functionality Offered by the Exchange's Options Platform To: Modify 
Various Rules To Eliminate the Display-Price Sliding Option; Modify 
Various Rules To Eliminate Price Improving Orders; and Adopt the Step 
Up Mechanism

July 15, 2016.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on July 11, 2016, Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``EDGX'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and 
II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange 
has designated this proposal as a ``non-controversial'' proposed rule 
change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder,\4\ which renders it effective upon filing with 
the Commission. 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.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange filed a proposal related to functionality offered by 
the Exchange's options platform (``EDGX Options'') to: (i) Modify 
various rules to eliminate the display-price sliding option; (ii) 
modify various rules to eliminate Price Improving Orders, as defined 
below; and (iii) adopt the Step Up Mechanism, as described below.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's 
Web site at www.batstrading.com, at the principal office of the 
Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange is filing this proposal related to functionality 
offered by EDGX Options to: (i) Modify various rules to eliminate the 
display-price sliding option; (ii) modify various rules to eliminate 
Price Improving Orders, as defined below; and (iii) adopt the Step Up 
Mechanism, as described below.
Elimination of the Display-Price Sliding Option
    The Exchange currently offers various forms of sliding which, in 
all cases, result in the re-pricing of an order to, or ranking and/or 
display of an order at, a price other than an order's limit price in 
order to comply with applicable securities laws and/or Exchange rules. 
Specifically, the Exchange offers: (i) The display-price sliding 
process, pursuant to Rule 21.1(h); and (ii) the Price Adjust process, 
pursuant to Rule 21.1(i). Under the display-price sliding process an 
order that, at the time of entry, would lock or cross a Protected 
Quotation of another options exchange will be ranked at the locking 
price in the EDGX Options Book and displayed by the System \5\ at one 
minimum price variation below the current National Best Offer (``NBO'') 
\6\ (for bids) or one

[[Page 47462]]

minimum price variation above the current National Best Bid (``NBB'') 
\7\ (for offers). In contrast, under the Price Adjust process, an order 
that, at the time of entry, would lock or cross a Protected Quotation 
of another options exchange or the Exchange will be ranked and 
displayed by the System at one minimum price variation below the 
current NBO (for bids) or to one minimum price variation above the 
current NBB (for offers). Thus, the two primary differences between the 
display-price sliding process and the Price Adjust process are: (i) The 
ranking of an order at a more aggressive price than the price at which 
it is displayed (the display-price sliding process) versus ranking and 
displaying an order at the same price (the Price Adjust process); and 
(ii) sliding of an order that would lock or cross a Protected Quotation 
of another options exchange but not an order displayed by the Exchange 
(the display-price sliding process) or the sliding of an order that 
would lock or cross a Protected Quotation of another options exchange 
or the exchange (the Price Adjust process).
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    \5\ See Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(59) (defining the term System as 
the automated trading system used by EDGX Options for the trading of 
options contracts).
    \6\ See Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(29) (defining the terms ``NBB'', 
``NBO'', and ``NBBO'').
    \7\ Id.
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    Due to the general similarities between the two price sliding 
processes and to simplify the functionality offered by the Exchange, 
the Exchange proposes to eliminate the display-price sliding process 
for EDGX Options. In order to effect this change the Exchange proposes 
to delete Rule 21.1(h) in its entirety and to remove references to 
display-price sliding in paragraphs (d)(7) and (d)(8) of Rule 21.1, 
paragraph (f) of Rule 21.6 and paragraph (a)(1)(B) of Rule 21.9. The 
Exchange also proposes to delete Rule 21.1(j), which describes the 
relative handling of orders subject to the display-price sliding 
process and the Price Adjust process, as such provision is no longer 
necessary with the elimination of the display-price sliding process. 
The Exchange also proposes to capitalize the reference to the Price 
Adjust process in Rule 21.9(a)(1)(B) to achieve consistency with the 
rest of the Exchange's rules.
    In addition to the changes described above, the Exchange proposes 
to make the Price Adjust process the default price sliding 
functionality. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to modify Rule 
21.1(d)(7), which currently designates the display-price sliding 
process as the default, to instead state that the Price Adjust process 
is the default, unless otherwise specified by a User.
Elimination of Price Improving Orders
    Price Improving Orders are orders to buy or sell an option at a 
specified price at an increment smaller than the minimum price 
variation in the security.\8\ Price Improving Orders may be entered in 
increments as small as (1) one cent. Price Improving Orders are 
displayed at the minimum price variation in the security and shall be 
rounded up for sell orders and rounded down for buy orders. Unless a 
User \9\ has entered instructions not to do so, Price Improving Orders 
are currently subject to the display-price sliding process, as 
described above.
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    \8\ See Exchange Rule 21.1(d)(6).
    \9\ The term ``User'' means any Options Member or Sponsored 
Participant who is authorized to obtain access to the System 
pursuant to Rule 11.3 (Access). See Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(63).
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    The Exchange proposes to eliminate Price Improving Orders on EDGX 
Options in order to simplify System functionality. To effect this 
change, the Exchange proposes to delete paragraph (d)(6) from Rule 
21.1(d) in its entirety. The Exchange also proposes to remove a 
reference to Price Improving Orders contained in Rule 18.4(f)(2).
Step Up Mechanism
    The Exchange proposes to adopt a rule that governs the operation of 
its new Step Up Mechanism (``SUM'' or the ``SUM process''). As 
proposed, SUM is a feature within the Exchange's System that would 
provide automated order handling in designated classes for qualifying 
orders that are not automatically executed by the System. Regarding SUM 
eligibility, the Exchange shall designate eligible order size, eligible 
order type, eligible order origin code (e.g., Priority Customer Orders, 
non-Market Maker non-Priority Customer orders, and Market Maker 
orders),\10\ and classes in which SUM shall be activated. SUM shall 
automatically process upon receipt of: (i) An eligible order that is 
marketable against the Exchange's disseminated quotation while that 
quotation is not the national best bid or offer (``NBBO''); or (ii) an 
eligible order that would improve the Exchange's disseminated quotation 
and that is marketable against quotations disseminated by other 
exchanges that are participants in the Options Order Protection and 
Locked/Crossed Market Plan (the ``Linkage Plan'').
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    \10\ See Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(45) (defining ``Priority 
Customer'' and ``Priority Customer'') and Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(37) 
(defining ``Market Maker'').
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    For order handling and responses regarding SUM, orders that are 
received by SUM pursuant to the paragraph above shall be electronically 
exposed at the NBBO immediately upon receipt. The exposure shall be for 
a period of time determined by the Exchange on a class-by-class basis, 
which period of time shall not exceed one second. All Users will be 
permitted to submit responses to the exposure message during the 
exposure period. Responses (i) must be limited to the size of the order 
being exposed; (ii) may be modified, cancelled and/or replaced any time 
during the exposure period; and (iii) will be cancelled back at the end 
of the exposure period if unexecuted.
    Regarding the allocation of exposed orders, any responses priced at 
the prevailing NBBO or better shall immediately trade against the order 
(on a first come, first served basis). If during the exposure period 
the Exchange receives an unrelated order (or quote) on the opposite 
side of the market from the exposed order that could trade against the 
exposed order at the prevailing NBBO price or better, then the orders 
will trade at the prevailing NBBO price. The exposure period shall not 
terminate if a quantity remains on the exposed order after such trade. 
Responses that are not immediately executable based on the prevailing 
NBBO may become executable during the exposure period based on changes 
to the NBBO. In the event of a change to the NBBO and at the conclusion 
of the exposure period, the Exchange will evaluate remaining responses 
as well as the disseminated best bid/offer on other exchanges and 
execute any remaining portion of the exposed order to the fullest 
extent possible at the best price(s) by executing against responses and 
unrelated orders (pursuant to the matching algorithm in effect for the 
class). Following the exposure period, the Exchange will route the 
remaining portion of the exposed order to other exchanges, unless 
otherwise instructed by the User. Any portion of a routed order that 
returns unfilled shall trade against the Exchange's best bid/offer 
unless another exchange is quoting at a better price in which case new 
orders shall be generated and routed to trade against such better 
prices. All executions on the Exchange pursuant to this paragraph shall 
comply with Rule 27.2 (Order Protection).
    Regarding the early termination of the exposure period, in addition 
to the receipt of a response (or unrelated order or quote) to trade the 
entire exposed order at the NBBO or better, the exposure period will 
also terminate early: (i) If during the exposure period the NBBO 
updates such that the exposed order is no longer marketable against the 
prevailing NBBO; or (ii) if

[[Page 47463]]

during the exposure of an order the Exchange is displaying an unrelated 
order on the same side of the market as the exposed order and such 
displayed order is subsequently locked or crossed by another options 
exchange. When the exposure period terminates early, the exposed order 
shall be processed in accordance with paragraph (c) of the proposed 
Rule (which regards allocation of exposed orders).
    The purpose of the proposed change is to provide all Exchange Users 
with the opportunity to improve their prices and ``step up'' to meet 
the NBBO in order to interact with orders sent to the Exchange. This 
will allow the market participant sending an order to EDGX Options to 
increase its chances of receiving an execution at EDGX Options (the 
market participant's chosen venue) instead of having the order be 
routed to another exchange. This ``step up'' process allows market 
participants to take into account factors beyond just disseminated 
prices, such as execution costs, system reliability, and quality of 
service, when determining the exchange to which to route an order. A 
market participant that prefers EDGX Options due to some combination of 
these other factors will know that, even if EDGX Options is not 
displaying a price that is the NBBO, the market participant may still 
receive an execution at EDGX Options because another User may ``step 
up'' to match the NBBO. Further, SUM and the ``step up'' process enable 
Users to add liquidity that is available to interact with orders sent 
to the Exchange. Indeed, when a User on EDGX Options ``steps up'' to 
match the NBBO that is displayed on another exchange, more contracts 
may be executed at this NBBO price on EDGX Options than are available 
at that same price on the other exchange.
    The Exchange's proposed SUM and the ``step up'' process are not 
novel concepts. As proposed, SUM is similar to the Hybrid Agency 
Liaison (``CBOE HAL'') offered on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Incorporated (``CBOE''), which provides the same manner of ``step up'' 
process and has been approved by the Commission.\11\ One difference 
between CBOE HAL and the proposed SUM is that CBOE HAL operates on 
CBOE's Hybrid Trading System, which combines both open outcry and 
electronic trading, whereas the proposed SUM would be entirely 
electronic (as EDGX Options is an all-electronic exchange). The 
proposed SUM rule does not incorporate CBOE HAL language regarding 
Hybrid.\12\
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    \11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60551 (August 20, 
2009), 74 FR 43196 (August 26, 2009) (SR-CBOE-2009-040) (``HAL 
Approval Order'').
    \12\ See CBOE Rule 6.14A. The Exchange notes, however, that C2 
Options Exchange, Incorporated (``C2''), which has adopted a HAL 
mechanism as well, is similar to the Exchange in this respect. See 
C2 Rule 6.18. Specifically, like the Exchange, C2 does not have open 
outcry but is a fully electronic exchange. The Exchange further 
notes that C2's version of HAL was adopted with certain distinctions 
from the CBOE's approved HAL rule pursuant to an immediately 
effective rule filing. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68573 
(January 3, 2013), 78 FR 1889 (January 9, 2013) (SR-C2-2012-043).
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    Another difference is that on CBOE HAL, only Market-Makers with an 
appointment in the relevant option class and Trading Permit Holders 
acting as agent for orders resting at the top of CBOE's book in the 
relevant option series opposite the order submitted to CBOE HAL may 
submit responses to the exposure message during the exposure period 
(unless CBOE determines, on a class-by-class basis, to allow all 
Trading Permit Holders to submit responses to the exposure message). 
The Exchange has determined that, on its proposed SUM, all Users may 
submit responses to the exposure message during the exposure period. 
This difference leads to various differences between the proposed rule 
applicable to SUM and the rule applicable to CBOE HAL. Specifically, 
pursuant to CBOE HAL, an order will not be exposed if the CBOE 
quotation contains resting orders and does not contain sufficient CBOE 
Market Maker quotation interest to satisfy the entire order. The 
Exchange did not propose this language or limitation because the 
proposed SUM process is not dependent only on Market Maker interest in 
any way, but rather, seeks to expose the order for execution to all 
participants on EDGX Options. Also, Interpretation and Policy .01 to 
CBOE Rule 6.14A (the CBOE rule regarding HAL), which prohibits the 
redistribution of exposure messages to market participants not eligible 
to respond to such messages (except in classes in which CBOE allows all 
Trading Permit Holders to respond to such messages) does not apply to 
the proposed SUM, as all Users of EDGX Options are permitted to respond 
to all exposure messages.\13\
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    \13\ The Exchange notes that while different from the CBOE rule, 
the proposal is identical to the corresponding C2 rule, Rule 6.18. 
See id.
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    The Exchange has also proposed different criteria for early 
termination of an exposure period than those reasons set forth in the 
corresponding CBOE rule regarding HAL. Although an exposure period will 
terminate early if an order is executed in full, the Exchange moved 
this provision to a separate section of the proposed rule. CBOE also 
terminates an exposure period in slightly different circumstances than 
the Exchange has proposed, including when a same side order is received 
by CBOE, if CBOE Market Maker interest decrements to an amount equal to 
the size of the exposed order and if the underlying security enters a 
limit up limit down state. While the Exchange does not believe early 
termination is necessary for SUM under any of these reasons, the 
Exchange has proposed to terminate an exposure period early in two 
other scenarios not covered by HAL, specifically when the exposed order 
is no longer marketable against the NBBO or if a resting order on the 
Exchange is locked or crossed by another options exchange. Although the 
early termination section of the proposed rule represents the greatest 
departure from the HAL rule, the Exchange does not believe that any of 
these differences raise new policy issues generally with respect to a 
step up process.
    With respect to the early termination scenarios not adopted by the 
Exchange, the Exchange believes that the fact that a User will have the 
ability to cancel its order after the SUM process is initiated coupled 
with the fact that the Exchange will only execute an order that has 
been exposed via the SUM process to the extent the order is marketable 
against the NBBO mitigate any potential concern regarding such 
differences. Further, regarding the additional early termination 
scenarios specified by the Exchange, the Exchange believes that these 
are reasonable reasons to terminate the SUM process. Specifically, if 
an order is no longer marketable, then it cannot be executed through 
the SUM process so no longer benefits from being exposed. If an order 
resting on the Exchange is locked or crossed by another options 
exchange then the Exchange believes that continuing to expose the order 
could present difficulties with respect to the handling of the resting 
order and, particularly with respect to a crossing quotation published 
by another options exchange, that the exposed order, if routable, 
should be routed to such options exchange for potential price 
improvement.
    In addition to the differences described above, the Exchange has 
used terminology throughout proposed Rule 21.18 that differs from 
terminology used in the corresponding CBOE rule regarding HAL in order 
to retain consistency with other Exchange rules or because the 
Exchange's System does not operate the same as CBOE (i.e., with respect 
to market turner and price

[[Page 47464]]

checks).\14\ Further, the Exchange has made various wording and 
structural changes that the Exchange believes improve the general 
understandability of the SUM process. The Exchange also included a few 
additional details not included in the CBOE HAL rule, such as making 
clear that responses are cancelled at the end of the exposure period if 
unexecuted, stating that responses may become executable based on 
changes to the NBBO, and stating that an order will not be exposed when 
the NBBO is crossed. The Exchange does not believe the terminology used 
or different wording or structure represents any substantive difference 
between the proposed SUM process and HAL, but rather, that these are 
minor improvements to the language of the rule to highlight the exact 
operation of the proposed SUM process.
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    \14\ The Exchange did not include language included in the 
corresponding rule for CBOE HAL related to a price check parameters, 
as the Exchange does not have the same price check process as CBOE. 
That said, all orders exposed via SUM will be subject to the same 
price checks as all other orders on EDGX Options, including but not 
limited to, collars applicable to market orders and executions only 
within the NBBO.
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    Despite the differences highlighted above, the proposed SUM process 
would otherwise operate in similar manner to the CBOE HAL, which has 
been approved by the Commission. The Commission has always been clear 
that honoring better prices on other markets can be accomplished by 
matching those better prices.\15\ The proposed SUM's ``step up'' 
process would allow participants on EDGX Options to do just that. If an 
EDGX Options User wants to ensure that an order does not go through the 
proposed SUM process, then that User can submit an order that would not 
be exposed to SUM.\16\
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    \15\ For example, in adopting the Order Protection Rule (Rule 
611) under Regulation NMS in 2005, the Commission stated: ``The 
Order Protection Rule generally requires that trading centers match 
the best quoted prices, cancel orders without an execution, or route 
orders to the trading centers quoting the best prices.'' See 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 2005), 70 FR 
37496 (June 29, 2005), at 37525 (S7-10-04).
    \16\ A User will be able to opt-out of SUM by including a 
specific field in their orders submitted to the Exchange. As noted 
below, unless otherwise specified, all routable orders will be 
subject to SUM. Details regarding the ability to opt-out of SUM will 
be set forth in the Exchange's order entry specifications, which are 
made publicly available to all Users.
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    In addition to Rule 21.18 as described above, the Exchange also 
proposes to adopt Interpretation and Policy .01 to new Rule 21.18, 
which will state that all determinations by the Exchange pursuant to 
Rule 21.18 (i.e., eligible order size, order type, increment, order 
origin codes and classes) will be announced in a circular to Members 
and maintained in specifications made publicly available via the 
Exchange's Web site. The Exchange also proposes to adopt Interpretation 
and Policy .02 to new Rule 21.18 to make clear that the Exchange will 
not initiate the SUM process if the NBBO is crossed.
    The Exchange also proposes to add references to the proposed SUM 
process to paragraph (f)(6) of Rule 21.6 and paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 
21.9, in both cases to provide a complete list of potential ways an 
order may be handled by the Exchange. As proposed, Rule 21.9(a)(1) 
would also make clear that the SUM process is the default order 
handling process for any routable order.
    Finally, the Exchange proposes to adopt paragraph (b)(4) under Rule 
21.15 to refer to a new data feed that would be offered by the Exchange 
in connection with auctions on EDGX Options, including the SUM process. 
Specifically, the Rule would state that that Auction Feed is an 
uncompressed data product that provides information regarding the 
current status of price and size information related to auctions 
conducted by the Exchange. The Exchange intends to provide data 
regarding the SUM process to Users via its Multicast PITCH Feed, the 
main depth of book product offered by the Exchange, but believes that 
having a separate Auction Feed for Users that wish to receive such 
information separately is appropriate. The Exchange notes that the 
proposed language for the Auction Feed is directly based on Rule 
11.22(i) of Bats BZX Exchange, Inc. (``BZX''), which describes the BZX 
equities auction feed applicable to securities listed on BZX. In 
addition to referencing the Auction Feed in Rule 21.15(b), the Exchange 
proposes to modify current Rule 21.15(c) to make clear that information 
regarding Priority Customer Orders and trades will be included in the 
Auction Feed, just as such information is included on the Exchange's 
Multicast PITCH Feed today. The Exchange also notes that while SUM is 
not an auction process, per se, the Exchange believes that the options 
industry has often grouped step up processes with other auction 
processes when describing product offerings. Thus, the Exchange does 
not believe that including SUM information in the Auction Feed will 
cause any confusion. Further, the Exchange expects to propose 
additional (more traditional) auction processes over time and intends 
to include information regarding activity in such auctions in the 
Auction Feed. The Exchange notes that until additional auctions are 
proposed and implemented by EDGX Options, information regarding the SUM 
process would be the only data in the Auction Feed.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with the 
requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder that 
are applicable to a national securities exchange, and, in particular, 
with the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\17\ In particular, 
the proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \18\ because 
it is designed to simplify System functionality and to adopt the SUM 
process, which is designed to offer market participants greater 
flexibility with respect to orders entered into the EDGX Options Book, 
thereby promoting just and equitable principles of trade, fostering 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating 
transactions in securities, removing impediments to, and perfecting the 
mechanism of, a free and open market and a national market system.
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    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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Elimination of the Display-Price Sliding Process and Price Improving 
Orders
    The proposed change to eliminate display-price sliding under Rule 
21.1(g) (as well as references to such process elsewhere in Exchange 
rules) promotes just and equitable principles of trade and fosters 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating 
transactions in securities. Similarly, the proposed change to eliminate 
Price Improving Orders under Rule 21.1(d)(6) (as well as references to 
such orders elsewhere in Exchange rules) promotes just and equitable 
principles of trade and fosters cooperation and coordination with 
persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities. 
Specifically, both of the proposed changes are designed to simplify 
functionality on EDGX Options, particularly as the Exchange begins to 
adopt new processes such as the SUM process, proposed herein.
Step Up Mechanism
    Adopting SUM, a ``step up'' program, would provide eligible Users 
on EDGX Options with the opportunity to improve their prices to match 
the NBBO in order to interact with orders sent to the Exchange. This 
will allow the market participant sending an order to EDGX Options to 
increase its chances of receiving an execution at EDGX Options (the 
market participant's chosen venue) instead of having the order be 
routed to another exchange. This ``step up''

[[Page 47465]]

process allows market participants to take into account factors beyond 
just disseminated prices, such as execution costs, system reliability, 
and quality of service, when determining the exchange to which to route 
an order. A market participant that prefers EDGX Options due to some 
combination of these other factors will know that, even if EDGX Options 
is not displaying a price that is the NBBO, the market participant may 
still receive an execution at EDGX Options because another User may 
``step up'' to match the NBBO. Therefore, the fact that SUM allows a 
market participant who elects to send an order to EDGX Options to have 
a greater likelihood of achieving execution at this chosen venue 
without the risk of paying a lower price removes an impediment to and 
perfects the mechanism for a free and open national market system. 
Further, SUM and the ``step up'' process enable Users to add liquidity 
that is available to interact with orders sent to the Exchange. Indeed, 
when a User ``steps up'' to match the NBBO that is displayed on another 
exchange, more contracts may be executed at this NBBO price on EDGX 
Options than are available at that same price on the other exchange. 
This increased liquidity benefits all market participants on EDGX 
Options, thereby perfecting the mechanism for a free and open national 
market system and protecting investors and the public interest.
    The Exchange's proposed SUM process is similar to CBOE HAL, which 
provides the same manner of ``step up'' process. The differences 
between CBOE HAL and the proposed SUM process are described elsewhere 
in the proposal and the Exchange believes each relates either to the 
language used to describe each respective process or to the specific 
way that the Exchange's System operates generally or specifically with 
respect to SUM as compared to CBOE's implementation of HAL. The 
Exchange does not believe that any of these differences raise any new 
or significant policy concerns. Further, despite these differences, the 
proposed SUM process would otherwise operate in a similar manner to the 
CBOE HAL, which has been approved by the Commission.\19\ As such, the 
Exchange merely desires to adopt a mechanism that is similar to one 
that already exists on CBOE and other exchanges. Permitting the 
Exchange to operate on an even playing field relative to other 
exchanges removes impediments to and perfects the mechanism for a free 
and open market and a national market system.
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    \19\ See HAL Approval Order, supra note 11.
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    The Commission has always been clear that honoring better prices on 
other markets can be accomplished by matching those better prices.\20\ 
The proposed SUM's ``step up'' process would allow participants on EDGX 
Options to do just that.
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    \20\ See supra, note 14.
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. To the contrary, the 
Exchange does not believe the proposed rule changes regarding display 
price sliding and Price Improving Orders impact competition, but 
rather, that the changes will help to reduce the complexity of the 
operation of EDGX Options.
    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change to 
adopt the SUM process will impose any burden on competition that is not 
necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The 
Exchange's proposed SUM is open to all market participants. The ``step-
up'' feature of the proposed SUM allows for execution at the NBBO or 
price improvement. When such price improvement is achieved via this 
``stepping up'' to meet (or beat) the best quoted price at another 
exchange, market participants are able to receive the best quoted price 
while still achieving execution on EDGX Options, the exchange to which 
they elected to send their orders. As noted above, the SUM process is 
similar to processes offered by at least one other options exchange 
that competes with the Exchange, and therefore the proposal is a pro-
competitive proposal.
    For all the reasons stated above, the Exchange does not believe 
that the proposed rule changes will impose any burden on competition 
not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act, 
and believes the proposed change will enhance competition.

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

    The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written comments on 
the proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received any written 
comments from members or other interested parties.

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

    Because the proposed rule change does not (i) significantly affect 
the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any 
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 
days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the 
Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \21\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \22\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the 
Act \23\ normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date 
of its filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \24\ permits the 
Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent 
with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange 
has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that 
the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The Exchange 
states that waiver of the 30-day operative delay would allow the 
Exchange to immediately provide functionality on EDGX Options that is 
similar to functionality provided by other options exchanges, including 
but not limited to, CBOE and C2. The Commission believes the waiver of 
the operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and 
the public interest. Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the 
operative delay and designates the proposal operative upon filing.\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \24\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \25\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has also considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.

[[Page 47466]]

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 No. SR-BatsEDGX-2016-29 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File No. SR-BatsEDGX-2016-29. 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 No. SR-BatsEDGX-2016-29, and should be 
submitted on or before August 11, 2016.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\26\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-17194 Filed 7-20-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 140 / Thursday, July 21, 2016 / Notices                                                      47461

                                                       At any time within 60 days of the                     submissions. You should submit only                      eliminate Price Improving Orders, as
                                                    filing of the proposed rule change, the                  information that you wish to make                        defined below; and (iii) adopt the Step
                                                    Commission summarily may                                 available publicly. All submissions                      Up Mechanism, as described below.
                                                    temporarily suspend such rule change if                  should refer to File Number SR–ISE–                         The text of the proposed rule change
                                                    it appears to the Commission that such                   2016–17, and should be submitted on or                   is available at the Exchange’s Web site
                                                    action is necessary or appropriate in the                before August 11, 2016.                                  at www.batstrading.com, at the
                                                    public interest, for the protection of                     For the Commission, by the Division of                 principal office of the Exchange, and at
                                                    investors, or otherwise in furtherance of                Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated               the Commission’s Public Reference
                                                    the purposes of the Act. If the                          authority.10                                             Room.
                                                    Commission takes such action, the                        Robert W. Errett,                                        II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    Commission shall institute proceedings                   Deputy Secretary.                                        Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                    to determine whether the proposed rule                   [FR Doc. 2016–17197 Filed 7–20–16; 8:45 am]              Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                    should be approved or disapproved.
                                                                                                             BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                   Change
                                                    IV. Solicitation of Comments                                                                                         In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                      Interested persons are invited to                                                                               Exchange included statements
                                                                                                             SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                    submit written data, views, and                                                                                   concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                                                                             COMMISSION
                                                    arguments concerning the foregoing,                                                                               the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                    including whether the proposed rule                      [Release No. 34–78339; File No. SR–                      any comments it received on the
                                                    change is consistent with the Act.                       BatsEDGX–2016–29]                                        proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                    Comments may be submitted by any of                                                                               statements may be examined at the
                                                    the following methods:                                   Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats
                                                                                                                                                                      places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                                                                             EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing
                                                    Electronic Comments                                                                                               Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                                                                             and Immediate Effectiveness of a
                                                                                                                                                                      forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                      • Use the Commission’s Internet                        Proposed Rule Change Related to
                                                                                                                                                                      the most significant parts of such
                                                    comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                        Functionality Offered by the
                                                                                                                                                                      statements.
                                                    rules/sro.shtml); or                                     Exchange’s Options Platform To:
                                                      • Send an email to rule-comments@                      Modify Various Rules To Eliminate the                    A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                  Display-Price Sliding Option; Modify                     Statement of the Purpose of, and the
                                                    ISE–2016–17 on the subject line.                         Various Rules To Eliminate Price                         Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                             Improving Orders; and Adopt the Step                     Change
                                                    Paper Comments
                                                                                                             Up Mechanism
                                                       • Send paper comments in triplicate                                                                            1. Purpose
                                                    to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities                July 15, 2016.                                              The Exchange is filing this proposal
                                                    and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street                       Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                   related to functionality offered by EDGX
                                                    NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.                          Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                     Options to: (i) Modify various rules to
                                                    All submissions should refer to File                     ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                   eliminate the display-price sliding
                                                    Number SR–ISE–2016–17. This file                         notice is hereby given that on July 11,                  option; (ii) modify various rules to
                                                    number should be included on the                         2016, Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the                      eliminate Price Improving Orders, as
                                                    subject line if email is used. To help the               ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘EDGX’’) filed with the                 defined below; and (iii) adopt the Step
                                                    Commission process and review your                       Securities and Exchange Commission                       Up Mechanism, as described below.
                                                    comments more efficiently, please use                    (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
                                                                                                             change as described in Items I and II                    Elimination of the Display-Price Sliding
                                                    only one method. The Commission will                                                                              Option
                                                    post all comments on the Commission’s                    below, which Items have been prepared
                                                    Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                   by the Exchange. The Exchange has                           The Exchange currently offers various
                                                    rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                          designated this proposal as a ‘‘non-                     forms of sliding which, in all cases,
                                                    submission, all subsequent                               controversial’’ proposed rule change                     result in the re-pricing of an order to, or
                                                    amendments, all written statements                       pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the                   ranking and/or display of an order at, a
                                                    with respect to the proposed rule                        Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii)                          price other than an order’s limit price in
                                                    change that are filed with the                           thereunder,4 which renders it effective                  order to comply with applicable
                                                    Commission, and all written                              upon filing with the Commission. The                     securities laws and/or Exchange rules.
                                                    communications relating to the                           Commission is publishing this notice to                  Specifically, the Exchange offers: (i) The
                                                    proposed rule change between the                         solicit comments on the proposed rule                    display-price sliding process, pursuant
                                                    Commission and any person, other than                    change from interested persons.                          to Rule 21.1(h); and (ii) the Price Adjust
                                                    those that may be withheld from the                      I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        process, pursuant to Rule 21.1(i). Under
                                                    public in accordance with the                            Statement of the Terms of Substance of                   the display-price sliding process an
                                                    provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                      the Proposed Rule Change                                 order that, at the time of entry, would
                                                    available for Web site viewing and                                                                                lock or cross a Protected Quotation of
                                                                                                                The Exchange filed a proposal related                 another options exchange will be ranked
                                                    printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                                                                             to functionality offered by the                          at the locking price in the EDGX
                                                    Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                                                                             Exchange’s options platform (‘‘EDGX                      Options Book and displayed by the
                                                    Washington, DC 20549 on official
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                                                                                                             Options’’) to: (i) Modify various rules to               System 5 at one minimum price
                                                    business days between the hours of
                                                                                                             eliminate the display-price sliding                      variation below the current National
                                                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
                                                                                                             option; (ii) modify various rules to                     Best Offer (‘‘NBO’’) 6 (for bids) or one
                                                    filing also will be available for
                                                    inspection and copying at the principal                       10 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                            5 See Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(59) (defining the term
                                                    office of the Exchange. All comments                          1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                              System as the automated trading system used by
                                                    received will be posted without change;                       2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                                                                                                                                      EDGX Options for the trading of options contracts).
                                                    the Commission does not edit personal                         3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).                             6 See Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(29) (defining the

                                                    identifying information from                                  4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).                      terms ‘‘NBB’’, ‘‘NBO’’, and ‘‘NBBO’’).



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                                                    47462                          Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 140 / Thursday, July 21, 2016 / Notices

                                                    minimum price variation above the                        Elimination of Price Improving Orders                   above shall be electronically exposed at
                                                    current National Best Bid (‘‘NBB’’) 7 (for                  Price Improving Orders are orders to                 the NBBO immediately upon receipt.
                                                    offers). In contrast, under the Price                    buy or sell an option at a specified price              The exposure shall be for a period of
                                                    Adjust process, an order that, at the time               at an increment smaller than the                        time determined by the Exchange on a
                                                    of entry, would lock or cross a Protected                minimum price variation in the                          class-by-class basis, which period of
                                                    Quotation of another options exchange                    security.8 Price Improving Orders may                   time shall not exceed one second. All
                                                    or the Exchange will be ranked and                       be entered in increments as small as (1)                Users will be permitted to submit
                                                    displayed by the System at one                           one cent. Price Improving Orders are                    responses to the exposure message
                                                    minimum price variation below the                        displayed at the minimum price                          during the exposure period. Responses
                                                    current NBO (for bids) or to one                         variation in the security and shall be                  (i) must be limited to the size of the
                                                    minimum price variation above the                        rounded up for sell orders and rounded                  order being exposed; (ii) may be
                                                    current NBB (for offers). Thus, the two                  down for buy orders. Unless a User 9 has                modified, cancelled and/or replaced any
                                                                                                             entered instructions not to do so, Price                time during the exposure period; and
                                                    primary differences between the
                                                                                                             Improving Orders are currently subject                  (iii) will be cancelled back at the end of
                                                    display-price sliding process and the
                                                                                                             to the display-price sliding process, as                the exposure period if unexecuted.
                                                    Price Adjust process are: (i) The ranking                                                                           Regarding the allocation of exposed
                                                    of an order at a more aggressive price                   described above.
                                                                                                                The Exchange proposes to eliminate                   orders, any responses priced at the
                                                    than the price at which it is displayed                                                                          prevailing NBBO or better shall
                                                    (the display-price sliding process)                      Price Improving Orders on EDGX
                                                                                                             Options in order to simplify System                     immediately trade against the order (on
                                                    versus ranking and displaying an order                                                                           a first come, first served basis). If during
                                                                                                             functionality. To effect this change, the
                                                    at the same price (the Price Adjust                                                                              the exposure period the Exchange
                                                                                                             Exchange proposes to delete paragraph
                                                    process); and (ii) sliding of an order that                                                                      receives an unrelated order (or quote) on
                                                                                                             (d)(6) from Rule 21.1(d) in its entirety.
                                                    would lock or cross a Protected                          The Exchange also proposes to remove                    the opposite side of the market from the
                                                    Quotation of another options exchange                    a reference to Price Improving Orders                   exposed order that could trade against
                                                    but not an order displayed by the                        contained in Rule 18.4(f)(2).                           the exposed order at the prevailing
                                                    Exchange (the display-price sliding                                                                              NBBO price or better, then the orders
                                                    process) or the sliding of an order that                 Step Up Mechanism                                       will trade at the prevailing NBBO price.
                                                    would lock or cross a Protected                             The Exchange proposes to adopt a                     The exposure period shall not terminate
                                                    Quotation of another options exchange                    rule that governs the operation of its                  if a quantity remains on the exposed
                                                    or the exchange (the Price Adjust                        new Step Up Mechanism (‘‘SUM’’ or the                   order after such trade. Responses that
                                                    process).                                                ‘‘SUM process’’). As proposed, SUM is                   are not immediately executable based
                                                                                                             a feature within the Exchange’s System                  on the prevailing NBBO may become
                                                       Due to the general similarities
                                                                                                             that would provide automated order                      executable during the exposure period
                                                    between the two price sliding processes                                                                          based on changes to the NBBO. In the
                                                    and to simplify the functionality offered                handling in designated classes for
                                                                                                             qualifying orders that are not                          event of a change to the NBBO and at
                                                    by the Exchange, the Exchange proposes                                                                           the conclusion of the exposure period,
                                                                                                             automatically executed by the System.
                                                    to eliminate the display-price sliding                                                                           the Exchange will evaluate remaining
                                                                                                             Regarding SUM eligibility, the Exchange
                                                    process for EDGX Options. In order to                                                                            responses as well as the disseminated
                                                                                                             shall designate eligible order size,
                                                    effect this change the Exchange                                                                                  best bid/offer on other exchanges and
                                                                                                             eligible order type, eligible order origin
                                                    proposes to delete Rule 21.1(h) in its                                                                           execute any remaining portion of the
                                                                                                             code (e.g., Priority Customer Orders,
                                                    entirety and to remove references to                     non-Market Maker non-Priority                           exposed order to the fullest extent
                                                    display-price sliding in paragraphs                      Customer orders, and Market Maker                       possible at the best price(s) by executing
                                                    (d)(7) and (d)(8) of Rule 21.1, paragraph                orders),10 and classes in which SUM                     against responses and unrelated orders
                                                    (f) of Rule 21.6 and paragraph (a)(1)(B)                 shall be activated. SUM shall                           (pursuant to the matching algorithm in
                                                    of Rule 21.9. The Exchange also                          automatically process upon receipt of:                  effect for the class). Following the
                                                    proposes to delete Rule 21.1(j), which                   (i) An eligible order that is marketable                exposure period, the Exchange will
                                                    describes the relative handling of orders                against the Exchange’s disseminated                     route the remaining portion of the
                                                    subject to the display-price sliding                     quotation while that quotation is not the               exposed order to other exchanges,
                                                    process and the Price Adjust process, as                 national best bid or offer (‘‘NBBO’’); or               unless otherwise instructed by the User.
                                                    such provision is no longer necessary                    (ii) an eligible order that would improve               Any portion of a routed order that
                                                    with the elimination of the display-price                the Exchange’s disseminated quotation                   returns unfilled shall trade against the
                                                    sliding process. The Exchange also                       and that is marketable against                          Exchange’s best bid/offer unless another
                                                    proposes to capitalize the reference to                  quotations disseminated by other                        exchange is quoting at a better price in
                                                    the Price Adjust process in Rule                         exchanges that are participants in the                  which case new orders shall be
                                                    21.9(a)(1)(B) to achieve consistency with                Options Order Protection and Locked/                    generated and routed to trade against
                                                    the rest of the Exchange’s rules.                        Crossed Market Plan (the ‘‘Linkage                      such better prices. All executions on the
                                                                                                             Plan’’).                                                Exchange pursuant to this paragraph
                                                       In addition to the changes described
                                                                                                                For order handling and responses                     shall comply with Rule 27.2 (Order
                                                    above, the Exchange proposes to make                                                                             Protection).
                                                    the Price Adjust process the default                     regarding SUM, orders that are received
                                                                                                             by SUM pursuant to the paragraph                           Regarding the early termination of the
                                                    price sliding functionality. Specifically,                                                                       exposure period, in addition to the
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    the Exchange proposes to modify Rule                          8 See                                              receipt of a response (or unrelated order
                                                                                                                      Exchange Rule 21.1(d)(6).
                                                    21.1(d)(7), which currently designates                        9 The                                              or quote) to trade the entire exposed
                                                                                                                      term ‘‘User’’ means any Options Member or
                                                    the display-price sliding process as the                 Sponsored Participant who is authorized to obtain       order at the NBBO or better, the
                                                    default, to instead state that the Price                 access to the System pursuant to Rule 11.3 (Access).    exposure period will also terminate
                                                    Adjust process is the default, unless                    See Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(63).                          early: (i) If during the exposure period
                                                                                                                10 See Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(45) (defining
                                                    otherwise specified by a User.                                                                                   the NBBO updates such that the
                                                                                                             ‘‘Priority Customer’’ and ‘‘Priority Customer’’) and
                                                                                                             Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(37) (defining ‘‘Market            exposed order is no longer marketable
                                                      7 Id.                                                  Maker’’).                                               against the prevailing NBBO; or (ii) if


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                                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 140 / Thursday, July 21, 2016 / Notices                                             47463

                                                    during the exposure of an order the                      SUM rule does not incorporate CBOE                      CBOE also terminates an exposure
                                                    Exchange is displaying an unrelated                      HAL language regarding Hybrid.12                        period in slightly different
                                                    order on the same side of the market as                    Another difference is that on CBOE                    circumstances than the Exchange has
                                                    the exposed order and such displayed                     HAL, only Market-Makers with an                         proposed, including when a same side
                                                    order is subsequently locked or crossed                  appointment in the relevant option class                order is received by CBOE, if CBOE
                                                    by another options exchange. When the                    and Trading Permit Holders acting as                    Market Maker interest decrements to an
                                                    exposure period terminates early, the                    agent for orders resting at the top of                  amount equal to the size of the exposed
                                                    exposed order shall be processed in                      CBOE’s book in the relevant option                      order and if the underlying security
                                                    accordance with paragraph (c) of the                     series opposite the order submitted to                  enters a limit up limit down state. While
                                                    proposed Rule (which regards allocation                  CBOE HAL may submit responses to the                    the Exchange does not believe early
                                                    of exposed orders).                                      exposure message during the exposure                    termination is necessary for SUM under
                                                       The purpose of the proposed change                    period (unless CBOE determines, on a                    any of these reasons, the Exchange has
                                                    is to provide all Exchange Users with                    class-by-class basis, to allow all Trading              proposed to terminate an exposure
                                                    the opportunity to improve their prices                  Permit Holders to submit responses to                   period early in two other scenarios not
                                                                                                             the exposure message). The Exchange                     covered by HAL, specifically when the
                                                    and ‘‘step up’’ to meet the NBBO in
                                                                                                             has determined that, on its proposed                    exposed order is no longer marketable
                                                    order to interact with orders sent to the
                                                                                                             SUM, all Users may submit responses to                  against the NBBO or if a resting order
                                                    Exchange. This will allow the market
                                                                                                             the exposure message during the                         on the Exchange is locked or crossed by
                                                    participant sending an order to EDGX
                                                                                                             exposure period. This difference leads                  another options exchange. Although the
                                                    Options to increase its chances of
                                                                                                             to various differences between the                      early termination section of the
                                                    receiving an execution at EDGX Options
                                                                                                             proposed rule applicable to SUM and                     proposed rule represents the greatest
                                                    (the market participant’s chosen venue)
                                                                                                             the rule applicable to CBOE HAL.                        departure from the HAL rule, the
                                                    instead of having the order be routed to
                                                                                                             Specifically, pursuant to CBOE HAL, an                  Exchange does not believe that any of
                                                    another exchange. This ‘‘step up’’
                                                                                                             order will not be exposed if the CBOE                   these differences raise new policy issues
                                                    process allows market participants to                    quotation contains resting orders and
                                                    take into account factors beyond just                                                                            generally with respect to a step up
                                                                                                             does not contain sufficient CBOE                        process.
                                                    disseminated prices, such as execution                   Market Maker quotation interest to
                                                    costs, system reliability, and quality of                                                                          With respect to the early termination
                                                                                                             satisfy the entire order. The Exchange                  scenarios not adopted by the Exchange,
                                                    service, when determining the exchange                   did not propose this language or
                                                    to which to route an order. A market                                                                             the Exchange believes that the fact that
                                                                                                             limitation because the proposed SUM                     a User will have the ability to cancel its
                                                    participant that prefers EDGX Options                    process is not dependent only on
                                                    due to some combination of these other                                                                           order after the SUM process is initiated
                                                                                                             Market Maker interest in any way, but                   coupled with the fact that the Exchange
                                                    factors will know that, even if EDGX                     rather, seeks to expose the order for
                                                    Options is not displaying a price that is                                                                        will only execute an order that has been
                                                                                                             execution to all participants on EDGX                   exposed via the SUM process to the
                                                    the NBBO, the market participant may                     Options. Also, Interpretation and Policy
                                                    still receive an execution at EDGX                                                                               extent the order is marketable against
                                                                                                             .01 to CBOE Rule 6.14A (the CBOE rule                   the NBBO mitigate any potential
                                                    Options because another User may ‘‘step                  regarding HAL), which prohibits the
                                                    up’’ to match the NBBO. Further, SUM                                                                             concern regarding such differences.
                                                                                                             redistribution of exposure messages to                  Further, regarding the additional early
                                                    and the ‘‘step up’’ process enable Users                 market participants not eligible to
                                                    to add liquidity that is available to                                                                            termination scenarios specified by the
                                                                                                             respond to such messages (except in
                                                    interact with orders sent to the                                                                                 Exchange, the Exchange believes that
                                                                                                             classes in which CBOE allows all
                                                    Exchange. Indeed, when a User on                                                                                 these are reasonable reasons to
                                                                                                             Trading Permit Holders to respond to
                                                    EDGX Options ‘‘steps up’’ to match the                                                                           terminate the SUM process.
                                                                                                             such messages) does not apply to the
                                                    NBBO that is displayed on another                                                                                Specifically, if an order is no longer
                                                                                                             proposed SUM, as all Users of EDGX
                                                    exchange, more contracts may be                                                                                  marketable, then it cannot be executed
                                                                                                             Options are permitted to respond to all
                                                    executed at this NBBO price on EDGX                                                                              through the SUM process so no longer
                                                                                                             exposure messages.13
                                                    Options than are available at that same                    The Exchange has also proposed                        benefits from being exposed. If an order
                                                    price on the other exchange.                             different criteria for early termination of             resting on the Exchange is locked or
                                                                                                             an exposure period than those reasons                   crossed by another options exchange
                                                       The Exchange’s proposed SUM and
                                                                                                             set forth in the corresponding CBOE                     then the Exchange believes that
                                                    the ‘‘step up’’ process are not novel
                                                                                                             rule regarding HAL. Although an                         continuing to expose the order could
                                                    concepts. As proposed, SUM is similar
                                                                                                             exposure period will terminate early if                 present difficulties with respect to the
                                                    to the Hybrid Agency Liaison (‘‘CBOE
                                                                                                             an order is executed in full, the                       handling of the resting order and,
                                                    HAL’’) offered on the Chicago Board
                                                                                                             Exchange moved this provision to a                      particularly with respect to a crossing
                                                    Options Exchange, Incorporated
                                                                                                             separate section of the proposed rule.                  quotation published by another options
                                                    (‘‘CBOE’’), which provides the same
                                                                                                                                                                     exchange, that the exposed order, if
                                                    manner of ‘‘step up’’ process and has
                                                                                                                12 See CBOE Rule 6.14A. The Exchange notes,          routable, should be routed to such
                                                    been approved by the Commission.11
                                                                                                             however, that C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated         options exchange for potential price
                                                    One difference between CBOE HAL and                      (‘‘C2’’), which has adopted a HAL mechanism as          improvement.
                                                    the proposed SUM is that CBOE HAL                        well, is similar to the Exchange in this respect. See
                                                                                                                                                                       In addition to the differences
                                                    operates on CBOE’s Hybrid Trading                        C2 Rule 6.18. Specifically, like the Exchange, C2
                                                                                                                                                                     described above, the Exchange has used
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                                                    System, which combines both open                         does not have open outcry but is a fully electronic
                                                                                                             exchange. The Exchange further notes that C2’s          terminology throughout proposed Rule
                                                    outcry and electronic trading, whereas                   version of HAL was adopted with certain                 21.18 that differs from terminology used
                                                    the proposed SUM would be entirely                       distinctions from the CBOE’s approved HAL rule
                                                                                                                                                                     in the corresponding CBOE rule
                                                    electronic (as EDGX Options is an all-                   pursuant to an immediately effective rule filing. See
                                                                                                             Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68573 (January      regarding HAL in order to retain
                                                    electronic exchange). The proposed                       3, 2013), 78 FR 1889 (January 9, 2013) (SR–C2–          consistency with other Exchange rules
                                                                                                             2012–043).                                              or because the Exchange’s System does
                                                      11 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60551          13 The Exchange notes that while different from

                                                    (August 20, 2009), 74 FR 43196 (August 26, 2009)         the CBOE rule, the proposal is identical to the
                                                                                                                                                                     not operate the same as CBOE (i.e., with
                                                    (SR–CBOE–2009–040) (‘‘HAL Approval Order’’).             corresponding C2 rule, Rule 6.18. See id.               respect to market turner and price


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                                                    47464                          Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 140 / Thursday, July 21, 2016 / Notices

                                                    checks).14 Further, the Exchange has                     maintained in specifications made                     would be the only data in the Auction
                                                    made various wording and structural                      publicly available via the Exchange’s                 Feed.
                                                    changes that the Exchange believes                       Web site. The Exchange also proposes to
                                                                                                                                                                   2. Statutory Basis
                                                    improve the general understandability                    adopt Interpretation and Policy .02 to
                                                    of the SUM process. The Exchange also                    new Rule 21.18 to make clear that the                    The Exchange believes that its
                                                    included a few additional details not                    Exchange will not initiate the SUM                    proposal is consistent with the
                                                    included in the CBOE HAL rule, such as                   process if the NBBO is crossed.                       requirements of the Act and the rules
                                                    making clear that responses are                             The Exchange also proposes to add                  and regulations thereunder that are
                                                    cancelled at the end of the exposure                     references to the proposed SUM process                applicable to a national securities
                                                    period if unexecuted, stating that                       to paragraph (f)(6) of Rule 21.6 and                  exchange, and, in particular, with the
                                                    responses may become executable based                    paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 21.9, in both                requirements of Section 6(b) of the
                                                    on changes to the NBBO, and stating                      cases to provide a complete list of                   Act.17 In particular, the proposal is
                                                    that an order will not be exposed when                   potential ways an order may be handled                consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the
                                                    the NBBO is crossed. The Exchange                        by the Exchange. As proposed, Rule                    Act 18 because it is designed to simplify
                                                    does not believe the terminology used or                 21.9(a)(1) would also make clear that the             System functionality and to adopt the
                                                    different wording or structure represents                SUM process is the default order                      SUM process, which is designed to offer
                                                    any substantive difference between the                   handling process for any routable order.              market participants greater flexibility
                                                    proposed SUM process and HAL, but                           Finally, the Exchange proposes to                  with respect to orders entered into the
                                                    rather, that these are minor                             adopt paragraph (b)(4) under Rule 21.15               EDGX Options Book, thereby promoting
                                                    improvements to the language of the                      to refer to a new data feed that would                just and equitable principles of trade,
                                                    rule to highlight the exact operation of                 be offered by the Exchange in                         fostering cooperation and coordination
                                                    the proposed SUM process.                                connection with auctions on EDGX                      with persons engaged in facilitating
                                                       Despite the differences highlighted                   Options, including the SUM process.                   transactions in securities, removing
                                                    above, the proposed SUM process                          Specifically, the Rule would state that               impediments to, and perfecting the
                                                    would otherwise operate in similar                       that Auction Feed is an uncompressed                  mechanism of, a free and open market
                                                    manner to the CBOE HAL, which has                        data product that provides information                and a national market system.
                                                    been approved by the Commission. The                     regarding the current status of price and
                                                    Commission has always been clear that                    size information related to auctions                  Elimination of the Display-Price Sliding
                                                    honoring better prices on other markets                  conducted by the Exchange. The                        Process and Price Improving Orders
                                                    can be accomplished by matching those                    Exchange intends to provide data                         The proposed change to eliminate
                                                    better prices.15 The proposed SUM’s                      regarding the SUM process to Users via                display-price sliding under Rule 21.1(g)
                                                    ‘‘step up’’ process would allow                          its Multicast PITCH Feed, the main                    (as well as references to such process
                                                    participants on EDGX Options to do just                  depth of book product offered by the                  elsewhere in Exchange rules) promotes
                                                    that. If an EDGX Options User wants to                   Exchange, but believes that having a                  just and equitable principles of trade
                                                    ensure that an order does not go through                 separate Auction Feed for Users that                  and fosters cooperation and
                                                    the proposed SUM process, then that                      wish to receive such information                      coordination with persons engaged in
                                                    User can submit an order that would not                  separately is appropriate. The Exchange               facilitating transactions in securities.
                                                    be exposed to SUM.16                                     notes that the proposed language for the              Similarly, the proposed change to
                                                       In addition to Rule 21.18 as described                Auction Feed is directly based on Rule                eliminate Price Improving Orders under
                                                    above, the Exchange also proposes to                     11.22(i) of Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.                   Rule 21.1(d)(6) (as well as references to
                                                    adopt Interpretation and Policy .01 to                   (‘‘BZX’’), which describes the BZX                    such orders elsewhere in Exchange
                                                    new Rule 21.18, which will state that all                equities auction feed applicable to                   rules) promotes just and equitable
                                                    determinations by the Exchange                           securities listed on BZX. In addition to              principles of trade and fosters
                                                    pursuant to Rule 21.18 (i.e., eligible                   referencing the Auction Feed in Rule                  cooperation and coordination with
                                                    order size, order type, increment, order                 21.15(b), the Exchange proposes to                    persons engaged in facilitating
                                                    origin codes and classes) will be                        modify current Rule 21.15(c) to make                  transactions in securities. Specifically,
                                                    announced in a circular to Members and                   clear that information regarding Priority             both of the proposed changes are
                                                                                                             Customer Orders and trades will be                    designed to simplify functionality on
                                                       14 The Exchange did not include language              included in the Auction Feed, just as                 EDGX Options, particularly as the
                                                    included in the corresponding rule for CBOE HAL          such information is included on the
                                                    related to a price check parameters, as the Exchange
                                                                                                                                                                   Exchange begins to adopt new processes
                                                    does not have the same price check process as            Exchange’s Multicast PITCH Feed today.                such as the SUM process, proposed
                                                    CBOE. That said, all orders exposed via SUM will         The Exchange also notes that while                    herein.
                                                    be subject to the same price checks as all other         SUM is not an auction process, per se,
                                                    orders on EDGX Options, including but not limited        the Exchange believes that the options                Step Up Mechanism
                                                    to, collars applicable to market orders and
                                                    executions only within the NBBO.                         industry has often grouped step up                       Adopting SUM, a ‘‘step up’’ program,
                                                       15 For example, in adopting the Order Protection      processes with other auction processes                would provide eligible Users on EDGX
                                                    Rule (Rule 611) under Regulation NMS in 2005, the        when describing product offerings.                    Options with the opportunity to
                                                    Commission stated: ‘‘The Order Protection Rule           Thus, the Exchange does not believe                   improve their prices to match the NBBO
                                                    generally requires that trading centers match the
                                                    best quoted prices, cancel orders without an             that including SUM information in the                 in order to interact with orders sent to
                                                    execution, or route orders to the trading centers        Auction Feed will cause any confusion.                the Exchange. This will allow the
                                                                                                             Further, the Exchange expects to
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                                                    quoting the best prices.’’ See Securities Exchange                                                             market participant sending an order to
                                                    Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 2005), 70 FR 37496        propose additional (more traditional)
                                                    (June 29, 2005), at 37525 (S7–10–04).
                                                                                                                                                                   EDGX Options to increase its chances of
                                                       16 A User will be able to opt-out of SUM by
                                                                                                             auction processes over time and intends               receiving an execution at EDGX Options
                                                    including a specific field in their orders submitted     to include information regarding                      (the market participant’s chosen venue)
                                                    to the Exchange. As noted below, unless otherwise        activity in such auctions in the Auction              instead of having the order be routed to
                                                    specified, all routable orders will be subject to        Feed. The Exchange notes that until                   another exchange. This ‘‘step up’’
                                                    SUM. Details regarding the ability to opt-out of
                                                    SUM will be set forth in the Exchange’s order entry
                                                                                                             additional auctions are proposed and
                                                    specifications, which are made publicly available to     implemented by EDGX Options,                            17   15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                                    all Users.                                               information regarding the SUM process                   18   15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).



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                                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 140 / Thursday, July 21, 2016 / Notices                                                         47465

                                                    process allows market participants to                       The Commission has always been                           III. Date of Effectiveness of the
                                                    take into account factors beyond just                     clear that honoring better prices on                       Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
                                                    disseminated prices, such as execution                    other markets can be accomplished by                       Commission Action
                                                    costs, system reliability, and quality of                 matching those better prices.20 The                           Because the proposed rule change
                                                    service, when determining the exchange                    proposed SUM’s ‘‘step up’’ process                         does not (i) significantly affect the
                                                    to which to route an order. A market                      would allow participants on EDGX                           protection of investors or the public
                                                    participant that prefers EDGX Options                     Options to do just that.                                   interest; (ii) impose any significant
                                                    due to some combination of these other                                                                               burden on competition; and (iii) become
                                                    factors will know that, even if EDGX                      B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                                                                                         operative for 30 days from the date on
                                                    Options is not displaying a price that is                 Statement on Burden on Competition
                                                                                                                                                                         which it was filed, or such shorter time
                                                    the NBBO, the market participant may                         The Exchange does not believe that                      as the Commission may designate, it has
                                                    still receive an execution at EDGX                                                                                   become effective pursuant to Section
                                                                                                              the proposed rule change will impose
                                                    Options because another User may ‘‘step                                                                              19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 21 and Rule 19b–
                                                                                                              any burden on competition that is not
                                                    up’’ to match the NBBO. Therefore, the                                                                               4(f)(6) thereunder.22
                                                                                                              necessary or appropriate in furtherance
                                                    fact that SUM allows a market                                                                                           A proposed rule change filed
                                                                                                              of the purposes of the Act. To the
                                                    participant who elects to send an order                                                                              pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6) under the
                                                                                                              contrary, the Exchange does not believe
                                                    to EDGX Options to have a greater                                                                                    Act 23 normally does not become
                                                    likelihood of achieving execution at this                 the proposed rule changes regarding
                                                                                                                                                                         operative for 30 days after the date of its
                                                    chosen venue without the risk of paying                   display price sliding and Price
                                                                                                                                                                         filing. However, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) 24
                                                    a lower price removes an impediment to                    Improving Orders impact competition,
                                                                                                                                                                         permits the Commission to designate a
                                                    and perfects the mechanism for a free                     but rather, that the changes will help to                  shorter time if such action is consistent
                                                    and open national market system.                          reduce the complexity of the operation                     with the protection of investors and the
                                                    Further, SUM and the ‘‘step up’’ process                  of EDGX Options.                                           public interest. The Exchange has asked
                                                    enable Users to add liquidity that is                        The Exchange does not believe that                      the Commission to waive the 30-day
                                                    available to interact with orders sent to                 the proposed rule change to adopt the                      operative delay so that the proposal may
                                                    the Exchange. Indeed, when a User                         SUM process will impose any burden                         become operative immediately upon
                                                    ‘‘steps up’’ to match the NBBO that is                    on competition that is not necessary or                    filing. The Exchange states that waiver
                                                    displayed on another exchange, more                       appropriate in furtherance of the                          of the 30-day operative delay would
                                                    contracts may be executed at this NBBO                    purposes of the Act. The Exchange’s                        allow the Exchange to immediately
                                                    price on EDGX Options than are                            proposed SUM is open to all market                         provide functionality on EDGX Options
                                                    available at that same price on the other                 participants. The ‘‘step-up’’ feature of                   that is similar to functionality provided
                                                    exchange. This increased liquidity                        the proposed SUM allows for execution                      by other options exchanges, including
                                                    benefits all market participants on                       at the NBBO or price improvement.                          but not limited to, CBOE and C2. The
                                                    EDGX Options, thereby perfecting the                      When such price improvement is                             Commission believes the waiver of the
                                                    mechanism for a free and open national                    achieved via this ‘‘stepping up’’ to meet                  operative delay is consistent with the
                                                    market system and protecting investors                    (or beat) the best quoted price at another                 protection of investors and the public
                                                    and the public interest.                                  exchange, market participants are able                     interest. Therefore, the Commission
                                                       The Exchange’s proposed SUM                            to receive the best quoted price while                     hereby waives the operative delay and
                                                    process is similar to CBOE HAL, which                     still achieving execution on EDGX                          designates the proposal operative upon
                                                    provides the same manner of ‘‘step up’’                   Options, the exchange to which they                        filing.25
                                                    process. The differences between CBOE                     elected to send their orders. As noted                        At any time within 60 days of the
                                                    HAL and the proposed SUM process are                      above, the SUM process is similar to                       filing of the proposed rule change, the
                                                    described elsewhere in the proposal and                   processes offered by at least one other                    Commission summarily may
                                                    the Exchange believes each relates                                                                                   temporarily suspend such rule change if
                                                                                                              options exchange that competes with
                                                    either to the language used to describe                                                                              it appears to the Commission that such
                                                                                                              the Exchange, and therefore the
                                                    each respective process or to the                                                                                    action is necessary or appropriate in the
                                                                                                              proposal is a pro-competitive proposal.
                                                    specific way that the Exchange’s System                                                                              public interest, for the protection of
                                                                                                                 For all the reasons stated above, the                   investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
                                                    operates generally or specifically with
                                                    respect to SUM as compared to CBOE’s                      Exchange does not believe that the                         the purposes of the Act. If the
                                                    implementation of HAL. The Exchange                       proposed rule changes will impose any                      Commission takes such action, the
                                                    does not believe that any of these                        burden on competition not necessary or                     Commission shall institute proceedings
                                                    differences raise any new or significant                  appropriate in furtherance of the                          to determine whether the proposed rule
                                                    policy concerns. Further, despite these                   purposes of the Act, and believes the                      change should be approved or
                                                    differences, the proposed SUM process                     proposed change will enhance                               disapproved.
                                                    would otherwise operate in a similar                      competition.
                                                    manner to the CBOE HAL, which has
                                                                                                                                                                           21  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                                                                                              C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                            22  17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). As required under Rule
                                                    been approved by the Commission.19 As                     Statement on Comments on the                               19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the
                                                    such, the Exchange merely desires to                      Proposed Rule Change Received From                         Commission with written notice of its intent to file
                                                    adopt a mechanism that is similar to one                  Members, Participants, or Others                           the proposed rule change, along with a brief
                                                    that already exists on CBOE and other                                                                                description and the text of the proposed rule
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                                                                                                                The Exchange has neither solicited                       change, at least five business days prior to the date
                                                    exchanges. Permitting the Exchange to                                                                                of filing of the proposed rule change, or such
                                                    operate on an even playing field relative                 nor received written comments on the                       shorter time as designated by the Commission.
                                                    to other exchanges removes                                proposed rule change. The Exchange                            23 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).

                                                    impediments to and perfects the                           has not received any written comments                         24 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).

                                                    mechanism for a free and open market                      from members or other interested                              25 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day

                                                    and a national market system.                             parties.                                                   operative delay, the Commission has also
                                                                                                                                                                         considered the proposed rule’s impact on
                                                                                                                                                                         efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
                                                      19   See HAL Approval Order, supra note 11.                  20   See supra, note 14.                              15 U.S.C. 78c(f).



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                                                    47466                          Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 140 / Thursday, July 21, 2016 / Notices

                                                    IV. Solicitation of Comments                               For the Commission, by the Division of                   discussed below). The proposed rule
                                                                                                             Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated                 change would amend GSD Rule 1
                                                      Interested persons are invited to                      authority.26
                                                                                                                                                                        (Definitions) to add certain defined
                                                    submit written data, views, and                          Robert W. Errett,                                          terms and would amend Section 1b of
                                                    arguments concerning the foregoing,                      Deputy Secretary.                                          GSD Rule 4 (Clearing Fund and Loss
                                                    including whether the proposed rule                      [FR Doc. 2016–17194 Filed 7–20–16; 8:45 am]                Allocations) to include the Blackout
                                                    change is consistent with the Act.                       BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                     Period Exposure Charge and the manner
                                                    Comments may be submitted by any of                                                                                 in which FICC determines and imposes
                                                    the following methods:                                                                                              such charge. FICC is filing this proposed
                                                                                                             SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                    Electronic Comments                                      COMMISSION                                                 rule change in order to provide
                                                                                                                                                                        transparency in the GSD Rules with
                                                      • Use the Commission’s Internet                        [Release No. 34–78347; File No. SR–FICC–                   respect to this existing charge.
                                                    comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                        2016–003]
                                                    rules/sro.shtml); or                                                                                                II. Clearing Agency’s Statement of the
                                                                                                             Self-Regulatory Organizations; Fixed                       Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the
                                                      • Send an email to rule-comments@                      Income Clearing Corporation; Notice of                     Proposed Rule Change
                                                    sec.gov. Please include File No. SR–                     Filing of Proposed Rule Change To
                                                    BatsEDGX–2016–29 on the subject line.                    Describe the Blackout Period                                 In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                                                                             Exposure Charge That May Be                                clearing agency included statements
                                                    Paper Comments
                                                                                                             Imposed on GCF Repo Participants                           concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                      • Send paper comments in triplicate                                                                               the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                                                                             July 15, 2016.
                                                    to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                                                                               any comments it received on the
                                                                                                                Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                    Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                                                                                       proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                                                                             Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                    Washington, DC 20549–1090.                                                                                          statements may be examined at the
                                                                                                             (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                                                                             notice is hereby given that on July 12,                    places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                    All submissions should refer to File No.
                                                                                                             2016, Fixed Income Clearing                                clearing agency has prepared
                                                    SR–BatsEDGX–2016–29. This file
                                                                                                             Corporation (‘‘FICC’’) filed with the                      summaries, set forth in sections (A), (B),
                                                    number should be included on the
                                                                                                             Securities and Exchange Commission                         and (C) below, of the most significant
                                                    subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                                                                             (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                         aspects of such statements.
                                                    Commission process and review your
                                                    comments more efficiently, please use                    change as described in Items I, II and III                 (A) Clearing Agency’s Statement of the
                                                    only one method. The Commission will                     below, which Items have been prepared                      Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the
                                                    post all comments on the Commission’s                    by the clearing agency. The Commission                     Proposed Rule Change
                                                                                                             is publishing this notice to solicit
                                                    Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                                                                             comments on the proposed rule change                       1. Purpose
                                                    rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                                                                             from interested persons.
                                                    submission, all subsequent                                                                                             The proposed rule change provides
                                                    amendments, all written statements                       I. Clearing Agency’s Statement of the                      transparency in the GSD Rules with
                                                    with respect to the proposed rule                        Terms of Substance of the Proposed                         respect to the Blackout Period Exposure
                                                    change that are filed with the                           Rule Change                                                Charge, which FICC may temporarily
                                                    Commission, and all written                                 The proposed rule change would                          impose on a GCF Repo Participant as
                                                    communications relating to the                           amend the Government Securities                            part of such GCF Repo Participant’s
                                                    proposed rule change between the                         Division (‘‘GSD’’) Rulebook (the ‘‘GSD                     Required Fund Deposit. FICC imposes
                                                    Commission and any person, other than                    Rules’’) 3 to include a margin charge                      the Blackout Period Exposure Charge
                                                    those that may be withheld from the                      increase (the ‘‘Blackout Period Exposure                   where FICC determines, based on prior
                                                    public in accordance with the                            Charge’’ as further described below) that                  backtesting deficiencies of such GCF
                                                    provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                      may be imposed on Netting Members                          Repo Participant’s Required Fund
                                                    available for Web site viewing and                       that participate in the GCF Repo®                          Deposit, that the GCF Repo Participant
                                                    printing in the Commission’s Public                      service (‘‘GCF Repo Participants’’). The                   may experience a deficiency due to
                                                    Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                        charge would be imposed at the                             reductions in the notional value of the
                                                    Washington, DC 20549, on official                        beginning of each month for GCF Repo                       MBS used by such GCF Repo
                                                    business days between the hours of                       Participants whose portfolios
                                                                                                                                                                        Participant to collateralize its GCF Repo
                                                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                   experience backtesting deficiencies
                                                                                                                                                                        trading activity that occur during the
                                                    filing also will be available for                        attributable to such Participants’ use of
                                                                                                             mortgage-backed securities (‘‘MBS’’) as                    monthly Blackout Period. Because this
                                                    inspection and copying at the principal                                                                             reduction in notional value that occurs
                                                                                                             collateral for GCF Repo Transactions.
                                                    office of the Exchange. All comments                                                                                during the Blackout Period is not
                                                                                                             The charge is designed to mitigate
                                                    received will be posted without change;                                                                             reflected on GCF Clearing Agent Banks’
                                                                                                             FICC’s exposure resulting from potential
                                                    the Commission does not edit personal                    decreases in the collateral value of MBS                   collateral reports to FICC until after the
                                                    identifying information from                             pools that occur during the monthly                        Blackout Period ends, the value of GCF
                                                    submissions. You should submit only                                                                                 Repo Participants’ collateral may be
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                             Blackout Period (as defined and
                                                    information that you wish to make                                                                                   overstated during this period, creating
                                                    available publicly. All submissions                           17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                                                                                  26                                                    an exposure for FICC that may not be
                                                    should refer to File No. SR–BatsEDGX–                         1 15
                                                                                                                    U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                   covered by such Participants’ Required
                                                    2016–29, and should be submitted on or                     2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                                                                                                                                        Fund Deposits. The Blackout Period
                                                                                                               3 The GSD Rules are available at http://
                                                    before August 11, 2016.                                                                                             Exposure Charge is designed to mitigate
                                                                                                             www.dtcc.com/legal/rules-and-procedures.
                                                                                                             Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise            that risk to FICC.
                                                                                                             defined shall have the meaning assigned to such
                                                                                                             terms in the GSD Rules.



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Document Created: 2018-02-08 07:59:01
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 07:59:01
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 47461 

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