81_FR_49007 81 FR 48864 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Affiliated Entities

81 FR 48864 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Affiliated Entities

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 143 (July 26, 2016)

Page Range48864-48869
FR Document2016-17586

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 143 (Tuesday, July 26, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48864-48869]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17586]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-78375; File No. SR-BX-2016-034]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to 
Affiliated Entities

July 20, 2016.
    Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on July 8, 2016, NASDAQ BX, Inc. (``BX'' or ``Exchange'') filed with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the 
proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III, below, which 
Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing 
this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from 
interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.

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[[Page 48865]]

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

    The Exchange proposes to amend the Exchange's transaction fees at 
chapter XV to permit certain affiliated market participants to 
aggregate eligible volume to all pricing in chapter XV, section 2(1) 
for which a volume threshold or volume percentage is required to obtain 
the pricing.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
Web site at http://nasdaqbx.cchwallstreet.com/, at the principal office 
of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to permit certain 
affiliated market participants to aggregate volume in chapter XV, 
section 2(1) for which a volume threshold or volume percentage is 
required to obtain the pricing and qualify for various pricing 
incentives. The Exchange's proposal is intended to incentivize 
Participants to submit for execution a greater amount of order flow on 
BX to obtain more advantageous pricing.
Affiliated Entity
    The Exchange proposes to add three definitions to chapter XV of BX 
Options Rules. The Exchange proposes to define the terms ``Appointed 
MM,'' ``Appointed OFP'' and ``Affiliated Entity.'' The Exchange 
proposes to define the term ``Appointed MM'' as a BX Options Market 
Maker \3\ who has been appointed by an Order Flow Provider (``OFP'') 
for purposes of qualifying as an Affiliated Entity. An OFP means is a 
Participant that submits orders, as agent or principal, to the 
Exchange.\4\ The Exchange proposes to define the term ``Appointed OFP'' 
as an OFP who has been appointed by a BX Options Market Maker for 
purposes of qualifying as an Affiliated Entity. The Exchange proposes 
to define the term ``Affiliated Entity'' as a relationship between an 
Appointed MM and an Appointed OFP for purposes of aggregating eligible 
volume for pricing in chapter XV, section 2(1) for which a volume 
threshold or volume percentage is required to qualify for higher 
rebates or lower fees. In order to become an Affiliated Entity, BX 
Options Market Makers and OFPs will be required to send an email to the 
Exchange to appoint their counterpart, at least 3 business days prior 
to the last day of the month to qualify for the next month.\5\ For 
example, with this proposal, market participants may submit emails to 
the Exchange to become Affiliated Entities eligible to qualify for 
discounted pricing starting August 1, 2016, provided the emails are 
sent at least 3 business days prior to the first business day of August 
2016. The Exchange will acknowledge receipt of the emails and specify 
the date the Affiliated Entity is eligible for applicable pricing in 
chapter XV, section 2(1). Each Affiliated Entity relationship will 
commence on the 1st of a month and may not be terminated prior to the 
end of any month. An Affiliated Entity relationship will terminate 
after a one (1) year period, unless either party terminates earlier in 
writing by sending an email to the Exchange at least 3 business days 
prior to the last day of the month to terminate for the next month. 
Affiliated Entity relationships must be renewed annually. For example, 
if the start date of the Affiliated Entity relationship is August 1, 
2016, the counterparties may determine to commence a new relationship 
as of August 1, 2017 by sending two new emails by July 27, 2017 (3 
business days prior to the end of the month). Participants under Common 
Ownership \6\ may not qualify as a counterparty comprising an 
Affiliated Entity. Each Participant may qualify for only one (1) 
Affiliated Entity relationship at any given time.
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    \3\ The term ``BX Options Market Maker'' or (``M'') is a 
Participant that has registered as a Market Maker on BX Options 
pursuant to chapter VII, Section 2, and must also remain in good 
standing pursuant to chapter VII, section 4. In order to receive 
Market Maker pricing in all securities, the Participant must be 
registered as a BX Options Market Maker in at least one security.
    \4\ Market Makers submitting quotes to the Exchange shall not be 
considered Appointed OFPs for the purpose of becoming an Affiliated 
Entity.
    \5\ The Exchange shall issue an Options Trader Alert specifying 
the email address and details required to apply to become an 
Affiliated Entity. Once the Exchange receives both emails, from the 
Affiliated [sic] MM and the Affiliated [sic] OFP, the Exchange will 
send a confirming email with the date of approval of the one (1) 
year term.
    \6\ The term ``Common Ownership'' means Participants under 75% 
common ownership or control. See chapter XV. Participants that are 
under 75% common ownership or control shall be considered under 
Common Ownership for purposes of pricing.
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    As proposed, an Affiliated Entity shall be eligible to aggregate 
their volume for purposes of qualifying for certain pricing in chapter 
XV, section 2(1) for which a volume threshold or volume percentage is 
required to obtain a higher rebate or lower fee. With this proposal, 
Affiliated Entities will be eligible to tier pricing in section 2(1) in 
both Penny and Non-Penny Pilot Options.\7\
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    \7\ See BX Rules at Section 2(1) of chapter XV.
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Chapter XV, Section 2(1)--Penny Pilot and Non-Penny Pilot Options 
Pricing
    Currently, the Exchange offers Customers,\8\ when trading with Non-
Customers,\9\ BX Options Market Makers or Firms \10\ the ability to 
obtain higher Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Add Liquidity in Penny 
Pilot Options Tiers Schedule which exclude Select Symbols (``non-Select 
Symbols'') with a tiered pricing model.\11\ Also, the Exchange offers 
Customers, when trading with Customers, Non-Customers, BX Options 
Market Makers or Firms the ability to obtain higher Penny Pilot Options 
Rebates to Remove Liquidity in non-Select Symbols with a tiered pricing 
model.\12\ Finally, the Exchange offers BX Options Market Makers, when 
trading with Customers the ability to obtain lower Penny Pilot Options 
Fees to Remove Liquidity in non-Select Symbols with a tiered pricing 
model. \13\ This pricing is reflected at chapter XV, section 2(1) and 
would be subject to aggregation by Affiliated Entities.
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    \8\ The term ``Customer'' or (``C'') applies to any transaction 
that is identified by a Participant for clearing in the Customer 
range at The Options Clearing Corporation which is not for the 
account of broker or dealer or for the account of a ``Professional'' 
(as that term is defined in chapter I, section 1(a)(48)).
    \9\ A Non-Customer includes a Professional, Broker-Dealer and 
Non-BX Options Market Maker.
    \10\ The term ``Firm'' or (``F'') applies to any transaction 
that is identified by a Participant for clearing in the Firm range 
at The Options Clearing Corporation.
    \11\ The Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Add Liquidity in non-
Select Symbols ranges from $0.00 to $0.20 per contract.
    \12\ The Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Remove Liquidity in non-
Select Symbols ranges from $0.00 to $0.35 per contract.
    \13\ Penny Pilot Options Fees to Remove Liquidity in non-Select 
Symbols ranges from $0.30 to $0.39 per contract.
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    The Exchange offers Customers, when trading with Non-Customers, BX

[[Page 48866]]

Options Market Makers or Firms, the ability to obtain higher Penny 
Pilot Options Rebates to Add Liquidity in Select Symbols \14\ with a 
tiered pricing model.\15\ The Exchange offers BX Options Market Makers, 
when trading with Customers, the ability to obtain a lower Penny Pilot 
Options Fees to Add Liquidity in Select Symbols with a tiered pricing 
model.\16\ The Exchange offers Customers, when trading with Non-
Customers, BX Options Market Makers, Customers or Firms, the ability to 
obtain higher Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Remove Liquidity in Select 
Symbols with a tiered pricing model.\17\ The Exchange offers BX Options 
Market Makers, when trading with Customers, the ability to obtain a 
lower Penny Pilot Options Fees to Remove Liquidity in Select Symbols 
with a tiered pricing model.\18\ Finally, the Exchange offers BX 
Options Market Makers, when trading with Non-Customers, BX Options 
Market Makers or Firms, the ability to obtain lower Fees to Add 
Liquidity in Select Symbols with a tiered pricing model.\19\ This 
pricing is reflected at chapter XV, section 2(1) and would be subject 
to aggregation by Affiliated Entities.
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    \14\ The Select Symbols are: ASHR, DIA, DXJ, EEM, EFA, EWJ, EWT, 
EWW, EWY, EWZ, FAS, FAZ, FXE, FXI, FXP, GDX, GLD, HYG, IWM, IYR, 
KRE, OIH, QID, QLD, QQQ, RSX, SDS, SKF, SLV, SRS, SSO, TBT, TLT, 
TNA, TZA, UNG, URE, USO, UUP, UVXY, UYG, VXX, XHB, XLB, XLE, XLF, 
XLI, XLK, XLP, XLU, XLV, XLY, XME, XOP, XRT. See BX chapter XV, 
section 2(1) pricing.
    \15\ Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Add Liquidity in Select 
Symbols ranges from $0.00 to $0.25 per contract.
    \16\ Penny Pilot Options Fees to Add Liquidity in Select Symbols 
ranges from $0.29 to $0.44 per contract.
    \17\ Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Remove Liquidity in Select 
Symbols ranges from $0.00 to $0.37 per contract.
    \18\ Penny Pilot Options Fees to Remove Liquidity in Select 
Symbols ranges from $0.25 to $0.42 per contract.
    \19\ Penny Pilot Options Fees to Add Liquidity in Select Symbols 
ranges from $0.00 to $0.14 per contract.
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    Currently, the Exchange offers Customers, when trading with Non-
Customers, BX Options Market Makers or Firms, the ability to obtain 
higher Non-Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Add Liquidity with a tiered 
pricing model.\20\ Also, the Exchange offers BX Options Market Makers, 
when trading with Customers, the ability to obtain lower Non-Penny 
Pilot Options Fees to Remove Liquidity with a tiered pricing model.\21\ 
This pricing is reflected at chapter XV, section 2(1) and would be 
subject to aggregation by Affiliated Entities.
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    \20\ Non-Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Add Liquidity ranges 
from $0.00 to $0.20 per contract.
    \21\ Non-Penny Pilot Options Fees to Remove Liquidity ranges 
from $0.60 to $0.89 per contract.
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    The pricing noted herein demonstrates instances where the tiered 
pricing would provide a higher rebate or lower fee. In those cases 
where the pricing is the same for all tiers, the aggregation would not 
yield a higher rebate or lower fee.
    Currently, the Exchange also offers Customers, when trading with 
Non-Customers, BX Options Market Makers, Customers or Firms, the 
ability to obtain higher Rebates to Remove Liquidity in SPY Options in 
a tiered pricing model.\22\ This pricing is reflected at chapter XV, 
section 2(1) and would be subject to aggregation by Affiliated 
Entities.
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    \22\ The SPY rebate ranges from $0.10 to $0.51 per contract.
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    The Exchange's proposal would incentivize certain Participants, who 
are not by definition under Common Ownership, to enter into an 
Affiliated Entity relationship for the purpose of aggregating Customer 
volume to qualify for reduced Penny Pilot Options and non-Penny Pilot 
Options fees and higher Penny Pilot Options and non-Penny Pilot Options 
rebates. With respect to the pricing and the Affiliated Entity 
relationship, Appointed MMs would receive lower fees and Appointed OFPs 
would receive higher rebates, as applicable with this aggregated 
pricing.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal to amend its Pricing 
Schedule is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act,\23\ in general, 
and furthers the objectives of section 6(b)(4) and (b)(5) of the 
Act,\24\ in particular, in that it provides for the equitable 
allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among members and 
issuers and other persons using any facility or system which the 
Exchange operates or controls, and is not designed to permit unfair 
discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
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    \23\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \24\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4), (5).
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    The Commission and the courts have repeatedly expressed their 
preference for competition over regulatory intervention in determining 
prices, products, and services in the securities markets. In Regulation 
NMS, while adopting a series of steps to improve the current market 
model, the Commission highlighted the importance of market forces in 
determining prices and SRO revenues and, also, recognized that current 
regulation of the market system ``has been remarkably successful in 
promoting market competition in its broader forms that are most 
important to investors and listed companies.'' \25\
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    \25\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 29, 2005), 
70 FR 37496 at 37499 (File No. S7-10-04) (``Regulation NMS Adopting 
Release'').
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    Likewise, in NetCoalition v. Securities and Exchange Commission 
\26\ (``NetCoalition'') the D.C. Circuit upheld the Commission's use of 
a market-based approach in evaluating the fairness of market data fees 
against a challenge claiming that Congress mandated a cost-based 
approach.\27\ As the court emphasized, the Commission ``intended in 
Regulation NMS that `market forces, rather than regulatory 
requirements' play a role in determining the market data . . . to be 
made available to investors and at what cost.'' \28\
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    \26\ NetCoalition v. SEC, 615 F.3d 525 (D.C. Cir. 2010).
    \27\ See id. at 534-535.
    \28\ See id. at 537.
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    Further, ``[n]o one disputes that competition for order flow is 
`fierce.' . . . As the SEC explained, `[i]n the U.S. national market 
system, buyers and sellers of securities, and the broker-dealers that 
act as their order-routing agents, have a wide range of choices of 
where to route orders for execution'; [and] `no exchange can afford to 
take its market share percentages for granted' because `no exchange 
possesses a monopoly, regulatory or otherwise, in the execution of 
order flow from broker dealers'. . . .'' \29\ Although the court and 
the SEC were discussing the cash equities markets, the Exchange 
believes that these views apply with equal force to the options 
markets.
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    \29\ See id. at 539 (quoting Securities Exchange Act Commission 
at Release No. 59039 (December 2, 2008), 73 FR 74770 at 74782-74783 
(December 9, 2008) (SR-NYSEArca-2006-21)).
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    The Exchange's proposal to amend chapter XV, section 2 to add the 
definitions of ``Appointed MM,'' ``Appointed OFP'' and ``Affiliated 
Entity'' is reasonable because the Exchange is proposing to identify 
the applicable market participants that may qualify to aggregate volume 
as an Affiliated Entity. Further the Exchange seeks to make clear the 
manner in which Participants may participate on the Exchange as 
Affiliated Entities by setting timeframes for communicating agreements 
among market participants and terms of early termination. The Exchange 
also clearly states that no Participant under Common Ownership may 
become a counterparty to an Affiliated Entity. Any Participant who 
meets the definition of Common Ownership shall not be eligible to 
become an Affiliated Entity. The Exchange believes that these terms are 
reasonable because they would allow

[[Page 48867]]

Participants to elect to become a counterparty to an Affiliated Entity, 
provided they are not under Common Ownership.
    The Exchange's proposal to amend chapter XV, section 2 to add the 
definitions of ``Appointed MM,'' ``Appointed OFP'' and ``Affiliated 
Entity'' is equitable and not unreasonably discriminatory because all 
Participants that are not under Common Ownership by definition may 
choose to enter into an Affiliated Entity relationship.
Chapter XV, Section 2(1)--Penny Pilot and Non-Penny Pilot Options 
Pricing
    The Exchange's proposal to permit Affiliated Entities to aggregate 
volume for purposes of qualifying Appointed OFPs for higher Penny Pilot 
and Non-Penny Pilot Options, including SPY, rebates \30\ and qualifying 
Appointed MMs for lower fees \31\ is reasonable because it will attract 
additional Customer and non-Customer order flow to the Exchange. 
Customer liquidity benefits all market participants by providing more 
trading opportunities, which attracts BX Options Market Makers. An 
increase in the activity of these market participants in turn 
facilitates tighter spreads, which may cause an additional 
corresponding increase in order flow from other market participants. 
Also, the Exchange is incentivizing Participants to send non-Customer 
order flow to BX, which order flow will benefit all Participants 
because they may interact with the liquidity. Market participants 
directing order flow as OFPs may be eligible to qualify for higher 
rebates with this proposal as a result of aggregating volume with an 
Appointed MM and thereby qualifying for higher rebates. Permitting 
Participants to affiliate for purposes of qualifying Appointed OFPs for 
higher rebates and qualifying Appointed MMs for lower fees may also 
encourage Affiliated Entities to incentivize each other to attract and 
seek to execute more volume on BX. In turn, market participants would 
benefit from the increased liquidity with which to interact and 
potentially tighter spreads on orders. Overall, incentivizing market 
participants with increased opportunities to earn higher rebates or 
lower fees may increase the quality of the liquidity available on BX.
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    \30\ The Exchange would permit Affiliated Entities to aggregate 
volume to obtain higher Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Add Liquidity 
in non-Select Symbols, Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Remove 
Liquidity in non-Select Symbols, Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Add 
Liquidity in Select Symbols, Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Remove 
Liquidity in Select Symbols and Non-Penny Pilot Options Rebates to 
Add Liquidity.
    \31\ The Exchange would permit Affiliated Entities to aggregate 
volume to obtain lower Penny Pilot Options Fees to Remove Liquidity 
in non-Select Symbols, Penny Pilot Options Fees to Add Liquidity in 
Select Symbols, Penny Pilot Options Fees to Remove Liquidity in 
Select Symbols, Penny Pilot Options Fees to Remove Liquidity in 
Select Symbols and Non-Penny Pilot Options Fees to Remove Liquidity.
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    The Exchange's proposal to permit Affiliated Entities to aggregate 
volume for purposes of qualifying Appointed OFPs for higher Penny Pilot 
and Non-Penny Pilot Options, including SPY, rebates and qualifying 
Appointed MMs for lower fees is equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory because all BX Participants, other than those that meet 
the definition of Common Ownership, may elect to become an Affiliated 
Entity as either an Appointed MM or an Appointed OFP.\32\ Also, each BX 
Participant may participate in only one Affiliated Entity relationship 
at a given time, which imposes a measure of exclusivity among market 
participants, allowing each party to rely on the other's executed 
volume on BX to receive a corresponding benefit in terms of a higher 
rebate or lower fee. Any market participant that by definition is not 
under Common Ownership may elect to become a counterparty of an 
Affiliated Entity. Also, BX Options Market Makers are valuable market 
participants that provide liquidity in the marketplace and incur costs 
that other market participants do not incur. BX Options Market Makers 
are subject to burdensome quoting obligations \33\ to the market that 
do not apply to other market participants. Incentivizing these market 
participants to execute volume on BX may result in tighter spreads.
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    \32\ Both Participants must elect each other to qualify as an 
Affiliated Entity for one year. Participation is effected by an 
agreement of both parties. One party may elect to terminate the 
agreement at any time.
    \33\ Pursuant to BX Rules at chapter VII, section 5, entitled 
``Obligations of Market Makers,'' in registering as a market maker, 
an Options Participant commits himself to various obligations. 
Transactions of a BX Options Market Maker must constitute a course 
of dealings reasonably calculated to contribute to the maintenance 
of a fair and orderly market, and BX Options Market Makers should 
not make bids or offers or enter into transactions that are 
inconsistent with such course of dealings. Further, all BX Options 
Market Makers are designated as specialists on BX for all purposes 
under the Act or rules thereunder. See chapter VII, section 2.
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    The Exchange's proposal to exclude Participants that are under 
Common Ownership from qualifying as an Affiliated Entity is reasonable 
because Participants under Common Ownership may aggregate volume today 
for purposes of chapter XV, section 2(1) pricing.\34\ The Exchange's 
proposal to exclude Participants that by definition are under Common 
Ownership from qualifying as an Affiliated Entity is equitable and not 
unfairly discriminatory because the Exchange will apply all 
qualifications in a uniform manner when approving Affiliated Entities. 
Excluding Participants under Common Ownership from also qualifying as 
an Affiliated Entity is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory 
because they are able to aggregate volume today and qualify for higher 
rebates or lower fees.
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    \34\ See BX Rules at chapter XV for Common Ownership.
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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 not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Specifically, the Exchange does 
not believe that permitting Affiliated Entities to aggregate volume to 
qualify for certain rebates and reduced fees will impose any undue 
burden on competition, as discussed below.
    The Exchange operates in a highly competitive market in which many 
sophisticated and knowledgeable market participants can readily and do 
send order flow to competing exchanges if they deem fee levels or 
rebate incentives at a particular exchange to be excessive or 
inadequate. Additionally, new competitors have entered the market and 
still others are reportedly entering the market shortly. These market 
forces ensure that the Exchange's fees and rebates remain competitive 
with the fee structures at other trading platforms.
    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. In terms of inter-market 
competition, the Exchange notes that it operates in a highly 
competitive market in which market participants can readily favor 
competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be 
excessive, or rebate opportunities available at other venues to be more 
favorable. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually adjust 
its fees to remain competitive with other exchanges and with 
alternative trading systems that have been exempted from compliance 
with the statutory standards applicable to exchanges. Because 
competitors are free to modify their own fees in response, and because 
market participants may readily adjust their order routing practices, 
the Exchange believes that the degree to which fee changes in this 
market may impose any

[[Page 48868]]

burden on competition is extremely limited.
    In sum, if the changes proposed herein are unattractive to market 
participants, it is likely that the Exchange will lose market share as 
a result. Accordingly, the Exchange does not believe that the proposed 
changes will impair the ability of members or competing order execution 
venues to maintain their competitive standing in the financial markets. 
In terms of inter-market competition, the Exchange notes that other 
options markets have similar incentives in place to attract volume to 
their markets.\35\
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    \35\ See NYSE MKT LLC's (``NYSE Amex'') pricing at NYSE Amex 
Options Fee Schedule). NYSE Amex permits aggregation of volume to 
qualify for the Amex Customer Engagement or ACE Program. See Bats 
BZX Exchange, Inc.'s (``BZX'') fee schedule. BZX permits aggregation 
of volume to qualify for tiered pricing. See the Chicago Board 
Options Exchange Incorporated (``CBOE'') Fees Schedule. CBOE permits 
aggregation of volume to qualify for credits available under an 
Affiliated Volume Plan or ``AVP.''
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    The Exchange's proposal to amend chapter XV, section 2 to add the 
definitions of ``Appointed MM,'' ``Appointed OFP'' and ``Affiliated 
Entity'' does not impose an undue burden on competition because these 
definitions apply to all Participants uniformly.
Chapter XV, Section 2(1)--Penny Pilot and Non-Penny Pilot Options 
Pricing
    In terms of intra-market competition, the Exchange does not believe 
that its proposal to permit counterparties of an Affiliated Entity to 
aggregate volume for purposes of qualifying Appointed OFPs for higher 
rebates, including SPY, and qualifying Appointed MMs for lower fees 
within chapter XV, section 2(1) imposes an undue burden on intra-market 
competition because all BX Participants, other than those under Common 
Ownership, may become an Affiliated Entity as either an Appointed MM or 
an Appointed OFP. Also, each BX Participant may participate in only one 
Affiliated Entity relationship at a given time, which imposes a measure 
of exclusivity among market participants, allowing each party to rely 
on the other's executed BX volume on BX to receive a corresponding 
benefit in terms of a higher rebate or lower fee. The Exchange will 
apply all qualifications in a uniform manner to all market participants 
that elect to become counterparties of an Affiliated Entity. Any market 
participant that by definition is a Participant under Common Ownership 
may not become a counterparty of an Affiliated Entity. Also, BX Options 
Market Makers are valuable market participants that provide liquidity 
in the marketplace and incur costs that other market participants do 
not incur. BX Options Market Makers are subject to burdensome quoting 
obligations \36\ to the market that do not apply to other market 
participants. Incentivizing these market participants to execute volume 
on BX may result in tighter spreads. An increase in the activity of 
these market participants in turn facilitates tighter spreads, which 
may cause an additional corresponding increase in order flow from other 
market participants. Appointed OFPs directing order flow to the 
Exchange may be eligible to qualify for a higher rebate and Appointed 
MMs may be eligible to qualify for lower fees, with this proposal, as a 
result of aggregating volume. Permitting Participants to affiliate for 
purposes of qualifying for chapter XV, section 2(1) higher rebates or 
lower fees may also encourage the counterparties that comprise the 
Affiliated Entities to incentivize each other to attract and seek to 
execute more volume on BX.
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    \36\ See note 33 above.
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    The Exchange's proposal to exclude Participants that are under 
Common Ownership from becoming an Affiliated Entity does not impose and 
[sic] undue burden on intra-market competition because Participants 
under Common Ownership may aggregate volume today for purposes of 
qualifying for higher rebates or lower fees.

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

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to section 
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.\37\
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    \37\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
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    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is: (i) 
Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the 
protection of investors; or (iii) 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 should be approved or disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

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

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-BX-2016-034 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BX-2016-034. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml).
    Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written 
statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with 
the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed 
rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those 
that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions 
of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in 
the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, 
DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 
3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection 
and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments 
received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit 
personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit 
only information that you wish to make available publicly.
    All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BX-2016-034 and 
should be submitted on or before August 16, 2016.


[[Page 48869]]


    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\38\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-17586 Filed 7-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                48864                               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 26, 2016 / Notices

                                                requirement would not be inconsistent                     Commission may designate, if                             with respect to the proposed rule
                                                with the Exchange’s obligations under                     consistent with the protection of                        change that are filed with the
                                                the Exchange Act to prevent fraudulent                    investors and the public interest, the                   Commission, and all written
                                                or manipulative acts and practices                        proposed rule change has become                          communications relating to the
                                                because Exchange member                                   effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)                proposed rule change between the
                                                organizations are subject to the same                     of the Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii)                     Commission and any person, other than
                                                supervisory requirements as FINRA                         thereunder.                                              those that may be withheld from the
                                                member firms, including an annual                            A proposed rule change filed under                    public in accordance with the
                                                certification requirement regarding                       Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 29 normally does not                    provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                compliance and supervisory processes                      become operative prior to 30 days after                  available for Web site viewing and
                                                set forth in Rule 3130. To the extent the                 the date of the filing. However, pursuant                printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                Exchange has proposed changes that                        to Rule 19b4(f)(6)(iii),30 the Commission                Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                differ from the FINRA version of the                      may designate a shorter time if such                     Washington, DC 20549 on official
                                                Exchange rules, such changes are                          action is consistent with the protection                 business days between the hours of
                                                generally technical in nature and do not                  of investors and the public interest.                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                change the substance of the proposed                         At any time within 60 days of the                     filing also will be available for
                                                rules. The Exchange also believes that                    filing of such proposed rule change, the                 inspection and copying at the principal
                                                the proposed conforming changes will                      Commission summarily may                                 office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                update and add specificity to the                         temporarily suspend such rule change if                  received will be posted without change;
                                                Exchange’s rules, which will promote                      it appears to the Commission that such                   the Commission does not edit personal
                                                just and equitable principles of trade                    action is necessary or appropriate in the                identifying information from
                                                and help to protect investors.                            public interest, for the protection of                   submissions. You should submit only
                                                                                                          investors, or otherwise in furtherance of                information that you wish to make
                                                B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                         the purposes of the Act. If the
                                                Statement on Burden on Competition                                                                                 available publicly. All submissions
                                                                                                          Commission takes such action, the                        should refer to File Number SR–NYSE–
                                                   In accordance with Section 6(b)(8) of                  Commission shall institute proceedings                   2016–50 and should be submitted on or
                                                the Act,26 the Exchange does not believe                  under Section 19(b)(2)(B) 31 of the Act to               before August 16, 2016.
                                                that the proposed rule changes will                       determine whether the proposed rule
                                                impose any burden on competition that                     change should be approved or                               For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                is not necessary or appropriate in                        disapproved.                                             Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                furtherance of the purposes of the Act.                                                                            authority.32
                                                The proposed rule changes are not                         IV. Solicitation of Comments                             Robert W. Errett,
                                                intended to address competitive issues                      Interested persons are invited to                      Deputy Secretary.
                                                but rather to achieve greater                             submit written data, views, and                          [FR Doc. 2016–17584 Filed 7–25–16; 8:45 am]
                                                transparency and consistency between                      arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                                                                                                                                   BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                the Exchange’s rules and FINRA’s                          including whether the proposed rule
                                                requirements concerning payments to                       change is consistent with the Act.
                                                unregistered persons, the effect of                       Comments may be submitted by any of                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                suspensions, revocations, cancellations,                  the following methods:                                   COMMISSION
                                                bars or other disqualifications, and                      Electronic Comments
                                                research analyst annual attestation
                                                requirements.                                               • Use the Commission’s Internet                        [Release No. 34–78375; File No. SR–BX–
                                                                                                          comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                        2016–034]
                                                C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                         rules/sro.shtml); or
                                                Statement on Comments on the                                • Send an email to rule-comments@                      Self-Regulatory Organizations;
                                                Proposed Rule Change Received From                        sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                  NASDAQ BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
                                                Members, Participants, or Others                          NYSE–2016–50 on the subject line.                        Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
                                                  No written comments were solicited                                                                               Rule Change Relating to Affiliated
                                                                                                          Paper Comments                                           Entities
                                                or received with respect to the proposed
                                                rule change.                                                • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                                                                                                                                   July 20, 2016.
                                                                                                          to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities
                                                III. Date of Effectiveness of the                         and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street                       Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                       NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.                          Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                Commission Action                                         All submissions should refer to File                     (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                   The Exchange has filed the proposed                    Number SR–NYSE–2016–50. This file                        notice is hereby given that on July 8,
                                                rule change pursuant to Section                           number should be included on the                         2016, NASDAQ BX, Inc. (‘‘BX’’ or
                                                19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 27 and Rule                   subject line if email is used. To help the               ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
                                                19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.28 Because the                     Commission process and review your                       and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or
                                                proposed rule change does not: (i)                        comments more efficiently, please use                    ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
                                                Significantly affect the protection of                    only one method. The Commission will                     change as described in Items I, II, and
                                                investors or the public interest; (ii)                    post all comments on the Commission’s                    III, below, which Items have been
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                impose any significant burden on                          Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                   prepared by the Exchange. The
                                                competition; and (iii) become operative                   rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                          Commission is publishing this notice to
                                                prior to 30 days from the date on which                   submission, all subsequent                               solicit comments on the proposed rule
                                                it was filed, or such shorter time as the                 amendments, all written statements                       change from interested persons.

                                                  26 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).                                      29 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                            32 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                  27 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).                              30 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).                       1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                  28 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                                   31 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).                            2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.




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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 26, 2016 / Notices                                                        48865

                                                I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        been appointed by an Order Flow                         Common Ownership 6 may not qualify
                                                Statement of the Terms of Substance of                   Provider (‘‘OFP’’) for purposes of                      as a counterparty comprising an
                                                the Proposed Rule Change                                 qualifying as an Affiliated Entity. An                  Affiliated Entity. Each Participant may
                                                   The Exchange proposes to amend the                    OFP means is a Participant that submits                 qualify for only one (1) Affiliated Entity
                                                Exchange’s transaction fees at chapter                   orders, as agent or principal, to the                   relationship at any given time.
                                                                                                         Exchange.4 The Exchange proposes to                       As proposed, an Affiliated Entity shall
                                                XV to permit certain affiliated market
                                                                                                         define the term ‘‘Appointed OFP’’ as an                 be eligible to aggregate their volume for
                                                participants to aggregate eligible volume
                                                                                                         OFP who has been appointed by a BX                      purposes of qualifying for certain
                                                to all pricing in chapter XV, section 2(1)
                                                                                                         Options Market Maker for purposes of                    pricing in chapter XV, section 2(1) for
                                                for which a volume threshold or volume
                                                                                                         qualifying as an Affiliated Entity. The                 which a volume threshold or volume
                                                percentage is required to obtain the
                                                                                                         Exchange proposes to define the term                    percentage is required to obtain a higher
                                                pricing.
                                                                                                         ‘‘Affiliated Entity’’ as a relationship                 rebate or lower fee. With this proposal,
                                                   The text of the proposed rule change
                                                                                                         between an Appointed MM and an                          Affiliated Entities will be eligible to tier
                                                is available on the Exchange’s Web site
                                                                                                                                                                 pricing in section 2(1) in both Penny
                                                at http://nasdaqbx.cchwallstreet.com/,                   Appointed OFP for purposes of
                                                                                                                                                                 and Non-Penny Pilot Options.7
                                                at the principal office of the Exchange,                 aggregating eligible volume for pricing
                                                and at the Commission’s Public                           in chapter XV, section 2(1) for which a                 Chapter XV, Section 2(1)—Penny Pilot
                                                Reference Room.                                          volume threshold or volume percentage                   and Non-Penny Pilot Options Pricing
                                                II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       is required to qualify for higher rebates                  Currently, the Exchange offers
                                                Statement of the Purpose of, and                         or lower fees. In order to become an                    Customers,8 when trading with Non-
                                                Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                   Affiliated Entity, BX Options Market                    Customers,9 BX Options Market Makers
                                                Change                                                   Makers and OFPs will be required to                     or Firms 10 the ability to obtain higher
                                                                                                         send an email to the Exchange to                        Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Add
                                                   In its filing with the Commission, the                appoint their counterpart, at least 3                   Liquidity in Penny Pilot Options Tiers
                                                Exchange included statements                             business days prior to the last day of the              Schedule which exclude Select Symbols
                                                concerning the purpose of and basis for                  month to qualify for the next month.5                   (‘‘non-Select Symbols’’) with a tiered
                                                the proposed rule change and discussed                   For example, with this proposal, market                 pricing model.11 Also, the Exchange
                                                any comments it received on the                          participants may submit emails to the                   offers Customers, when trading with
                                                proposed rule change. The text of these                  Exchange to become Affiliated Entities                  Customers, Non-Customers, BX Options
                                                statements may be examined at the                        eligible to qualify for discounted pricing              Market Makers or Firms the ability to
                                                places specified in Item IV below. The                                                                           obtain higher Penny Pilot Options
                                                                                                         starting August 1, 2016, provided the
                                                Exchange has prepared summaries, set                                                                             Rebates to Remove Liquidity in non-
                                                                                                         emails are sent at least 3 business days
                                                forth in sections A, B, and C below, of                                                                          Select Symbols with a tiered pricing
                                                                                                         prior to the first business day of August
                                                the most significant aspects of such                                                                             model.12 Finally, the Exchange offers
                                                                                                         2016. The Exchange will acknowledge
                                                statements.                                                                                                      BX Options Market Makers, when
                                                                                                         receipt of the emails and specify the
                                                A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        date the Affiliated Entity is eligible for              trading with Customers the ability to
                                                Statement of the Purpose of, and                         applicable pricing in chapter XV,                       obtain lower Penny Pilot Options Fees
                                                Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                   section 2(1). Each Affiliated Entity                    to Remove Liquidity in non-Select
                                                Change                                                   relationship will commence on the 1st                   Symbols with a tiered pricing model. 13
                                                                                                         of a month and may not be terminated                    This pricing is reflected at chapter XV,
                                                1. Purpose                                                                                                       section 2(1) and would be subject to
                                                                                                         prior to the end of any month. An
                                                   The purpose of the proposed rule                      Affiliated Entity relationship will                     aggregation by Affiliated Entities.
                                                change is to permit certain affiliated                                                                              The Exchange offers Customers, when
                                                                                                         terminate after a one (1) year period,                  trading with Non-Customers, BX
                                                market participants to aggregate volume                  unless either party terminates earlier in
                                                in chapter XV, section 2(1) for which a                  writing by sending an email to the                         6 The term ‘‘Common Ownership’’ means
                                                volume threshold or volume percentage                    Exchange at least 3 business days prior                 Participants under 75% common ownership or
                                                is required to obtain the pricing and                    to the last day of the month to terminate               control. See chapter XV. Participants that are under
                                                qualify for various pricing incentives.                                                                          75% common ownership or control shall be
                                                                                                         for the next month. Affiliated Entity
                                                The Exchange’s proposal is intended to                                                                           considered under Common Ownership for purposes
                                                                                                         relationships must be renewed                           of pricing.
                                                incentivize Participants to submit for
                                                                                                         annually. For example, if the start date                   7 See BX Rules at Section 2(1) of chapter XV.
                                                execution a greater amount of order flow
                                                                                                         of the Affiliated Entity relationship is                   8 The term ‘‘Customer’’ or (‘‘C’’) applies to any
                                                on BX to obtain more advantageous                                                                                transaction that is identified by a Participant for
                                                                                                         August 1, 2016, the counterparties may
                                                pricing.                                                                                                         clearing in the Customer range at The Options
                                                                                                         determine to commence a new                             Clearing Corporation which is not for the account
                                                Affiliated Entity                                        relationship as of August 1, 2017 by                    of broker or dealer or for the account of a
                                                                                                         sending two new emails by July 27,                      ‘‘Professional’’ (as that term is defined in chapter I,
                                                   The Exchange proposes to add three                                                                            section 1(a)(48)).
                                                definitions to chapter XV of BX Options                  2017 (3 business days prior to the end                     9 A Non-Customer includes a Professional,
                                                Rules. The Exchange proposes to define                   of the month). Participants under                       Broker-Dealer and Non-BX Options Market Maker.
                                                the terms ‘‘Appointed MM,’’                                                                                         10 The term ‘‘Firm’’ or (‘‘F’’) applies to any

                                                ‘‘Appointed OFP’’ and ‘‘Affiliated                       Participant must be registered as a BX Options          transaction that is identified by a Participant for
                                                                                                         Market Maker in at least one security.                  clearing in the Firm range at The Options Clearing
                                                Entity.’’ The Exchange proposes to                         4 Market Makers submitting quotes to the              Corporation.
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                                                define the term ‘‘Appointed MM’’ as a                    Exchange shall not be considered Appointed OFPs            11 The Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Add
                                                BX Options Market Maker 3 who has                        for the purpose of becoming an Affiliated Entity.       Liquidity in non-Select Symbols ranges from $0.00
                                                                                                           5 The Exchange shall issue an Options Trader          to $0.20 per contract.
                                                   3 The term ‘‘BX Options Market Maker’’ or (‘‘M’’)                                                                12 The Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Remove
                                                                                                         Alert specifying the email address and details
                                                is a Participant that has registered as a Market         required to apply to become an Affiliated Entity.       Liquidity in non-Select Symbols ranges from $0.00
                                                Maker on BX Options pursuant to chapter VII,             Once the Exchange receives both emails, from the        to $0.35 per contract.
                                                Section 2, and must also remain in good standing         Affiliated [sic] MM and the Affiliated [sic] OFP, the      13 Penny Pilot Options Fees to Remove Liquidity

                                                pursuant to chapter VII, section 4. In order to          Exchange will send a confirming email with the          in non-Select Symbols ranges from $0.30 to $0.39
                                                receive Market Maker pricing in all securities, the      date of approval of the one (1) year term.              per contract.



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                                                48866                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 26, 2016 / Notices

                                                Options Market Makers or Firms, the                      subject to aggregation by Affiliated                  broader forms that are most important to
                                                ability to obtain higher Penny Pilot                     Entities.                                             investors and listed companies.’’ 25
                                                Options Rebates to Add Liquidity in                        The pricing noted herein                               Likewise, in NetCoalition v. Securities
                                                Select Symbols 14 with a tiered pricing                  demonstrates instances where the tiered               and Exchange Commission 26
                                                model.15 The Exchange offers BX                          pricing would provide a higher rebate or              (‘‘NetCoalition’’) the D.C. Circuit upheld
                                                Options Market Makers, when trading                      lower fee. In those cases where the                   the Commission’s use of a market-based
                                                with Customers, the ability to obtain a                  pricing is the same for all tiers, the                approach in evaluating the fairness of
                                                lower Penny Pilot Options Fees to Add                    aggregation would not yield a higher                  market data fees against a challenge
                                                Liquidity in Select Symbols with a                       rebate or lower fee.                                  claiming that Congress mandated a cost-
                                                tiered pricing model.16 The Exchange                       Currently, the Exchange also offers                 based approach.27 As the court
                                                offers Customers, when trading with                      Customers, when trading with Non-                     emphasized, the Commission ‘‘intended
                                                Non-Customers, BX Options Market                         Customers, BX Options Market Makers,                  in Regulation NMS that ‘market forces,
                                                Makers, Customers or Firms, the ability                  Customers or Firms, the ability to obtain             rather than regulatory requirements’
                                                to obtain higher Penny Pilot Options                     higher Rebates to Remove Liquidity in                 play a role in determining the market
                                                Rebates to Remove Liquidity in Select                    SPY Options in a tiered pricing model.22              data . . . to be made available to
                                                Symbols with a tiered pricing model.17                   This pricing is reflected at chapter XV,              investors and at what cost.’’ 28
                                                The Exchange offers BX Options Market                    section 2(1) and would be subject to                     Further, ‘‘[n]o one disputes that
                                                Makers, when trading with Customers,                     aggregation by Affiliated Entities.                   competition for order flow is ‘fierce.’
                                                the ability to obtain a lower Penny Pilot                                                                      . . . As the SEC explained, ‘[i]n the U.S.
                                                                                                           The Exchange’s proposal would
                                                Options Fees to Remove Liquidity in                                                                            national market system, buyers and
                                                                                                         incentivize certain Participants, who are
                                                Select Symbols with a tiered pricing                                                                           sellers of securities, and the broker-
                                                                                                         not by definition under Common
                                                model.18 Finally, the Exchange offers                                                                          dealers that act as their order-routing
                                                                                                         Ownership, to enter into an Affiliated
                                                BX Options Market Makers, when                                                                                 agents, have a wide range of choices of
                                                                                                         Entity relationship for the purpose of
                                                trading with Non-Customers, BX                                                                                 where to route orders for execution’;
                                                                                                         aggregating Customer volume to qualify
                                                Options Market Makers or Firms, the                                                                            [and] ‘no exchange can afford to take its
                                                                                                         for reduced Penny Pilot Options and
                                                ability to obtain lower Fees to Add                                                                            market share percentages for granted’
                                                                                                         non-Penny Pilot Options fees and higher
                                                Liquidity in Select Symbols with a                                                                             because ‘no exchange possesses a
                                                                                                         Penny Pilot Options and non-Penny
                                                tiered pricing model.19 This pricing is                                                                        monopoly, regulatory or otherwise, in
                                                                                                         Pilot Options rebates. With respect to
                                                reflected at chapter XV, section 2(1) and                                                                      the execution of order flow from broker
                                                                                                         the pricing and the Affiliated Entity
                                                would be subject to aggregation by                                                                             dealers’. . . .’’ 29 Although the court
                                                                                                         relationship, Appointed MMs would
                                                Affiliated Entities.                                                                                           and the SEC were discussing the cash
                                                                                                         receive lower fees and Appointed OFPs
                                                                                                                                                               equities markets, the Exchange believes
                                                   Currently, the Exchange offers                        would receive higher rebates, as
                                                                                                                                                               that these views apply with equal force
                                                Customers, when trading with Non-                        applicable with this aggregated pricing.
                                                                                                                                                               to the options markets.
                                                Customers, BX Options Market Makers                      2. Statutory Basis                                       The Exchange’s proposal to amend
                                                or Firms, the ability to obtain higher                                                                         chapter XV, section 2 to add the
                                                Non-Penny Pilot Options Rebates to                          The Exchange believes that its
                                                                                                                                                               definitions of ‘‘Appointed MM,’’
                                                Add Liquidity with a tiered pricing                      proposal to amend its Pricing Schedule
                                                                                                                                                               ‘‘Appointed OFP’’ and ‘‘Affiliated
                                                model.20 Also, the Exchange offers BX                    is consistent with section 6(b) of the
                                                                                                                                                               Entity’’ is reasonable because the
                                                Options Market Makers, when trading                      Act,23 in general, and furthers the
                                                                                                                                                               Exchange is proposing to identify the
                                                with Customers, the ability to obtain                    objectives of section 6(b)(4) and (b)(5) of
                                                                                                                                                               applicable market participants that may
                                                lower Non-Penny Pilot Options Fees to                    the Act,24 in particular, in that it
                                                                                                                                                               qualify to aggregate volume as an
                                                Remove Liquidity with a tiered pricing                   provides for the equitable allocation of
                                                                                                                                                               Affiliated Entity. Further the Exchange
                                                model.21 This pricing is reflected at                    reasonable dues, fees and other charges
                                                                                                                                                               seeks to make clear the manner in
                                                chapter XV, section 2(1) and would be                    among members and issuers and other
                                                                                                                                                               which Participants may participate on
                                                                                                         persons using any facility or system
                                                                                                                                                               the Exchange as Affiliated Entities by
                                                  14 The Select Symbols are: ASHR, DIA, DXJ, EEM,        which the Exchange operates or
                                                                                                                                                               setting timeframes for communicating
                                                EFA, EWJ, EWT, EWW, EWY, EWZ, FAS, FAZ,                  controls, and is not designed to permit
                                                                                                                                                               agreements among market participants
                                                FXE, FXI, FXP, GDX, GLD, HYG, IWM, IYR, KRE,             unfair discrimination between
                                                OIH, QID, QLD, QQQ, RSX, SDS, SKF, SLV, SRS,                                                                   and terms of early termination. The
                                                                                                         customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
                                                SSO, TBT, TLT, TNA, TZA, UNG, URE, USO, UUP,                                                                   Exchange also clearly states that no
                                                UVXY, UYG, VXX, XHB, XLB, XLE, XLF, XLI, XLK,               The Commission and the courts have                 Participant under Common Ownership
                                                XLP, XLU, XLV, XLY, XME, XOP, XRT. See BX                repeatedly expressed their preference                 may become a counterparty to an
                                                chapter XV, section 2(1) pricing.                        for competition over regulatory
                                                  15 Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Add Liquidity                                                              Affiliated Entity. Any Participant who
                                                                                                         intervention in determining prices,                   meets the definition of Common
                                                in Select Symbols ranges from $0.00 to $0.25 per
                                                contract.                                                products, and services in the securities              Ownership shall not be eligible to
                                                  16 Penny Pilot Options Fees to Add Liquidity in        markets. In Regulation NMS, while                     become an Affiliated Entity. The
                                                Select Symbols ranges from $0.29 to $0.44 per            adopting a series of steps to improve the             Exchange believes that these terms are
                                                contract.                                                current market model, the Commission
                                                  17 Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Remove                                                                     reasonable because they would allow
                                                                                                         highlighted the importance of market
                                                Liquidity in Select Symbols ranges from $0.00 to
                                                $0.37 per contract.                                      forces in determining prices and SRO                     25 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808
                                                  18 Penny Pilot Options Fees to Remove Liquidity        revenues and, also, recognized that                   (June 29, 2005), 70 FR 37496 at 37499 (File No. S7–
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                                                in Select Symbols ranges from $0.25 to $0.42 per         current regulation of the market system               10–04) (‘‘Regulation NMS Adopting Release’’).
                                                contract.                                                ‘‘has been remarkably successful in                      26 NetCoalition v. SEC, 615 F.3d 525 (D.C. Cir.
                                                  19 Penny Pilot Options Fees to Add Liquidity in                                                              2010).
                                                                                                         promoting market competition in its
                                                Select Symbols ranges from $0.00 to $0.14 per                                                                     27 See id. at 534–535.

                                                contract.                                                                                                         28 See id. at 537.
                                                  20 Non-Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Add                22 The SPY rebate ranges from $0.10 to $0.51 per       29 See id. at 539 (quoting Securities Exchange Act
                                                Liquidity ranges from $0.00 to $0.20 per contract.       contract.                                             Commission at Release No. 59039 (December 2,
                                                  21 Non-Penny Pilot Options Fees to Remove                23 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                                                                                                                                               2008), 73 FR 74770 at 74782–74783 (December 9,
                                                Liquidity ranges from $0.60 to $0.89 per contract.         24 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4), (5).                        2008) (SR–NYSEArca–2006–21)).



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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 26, 2016 / Notices                                            48867

                                                Participants to elect to become a                        turn, market participants would benefit                 exclude Participants that by definition
                                                counterparty to an Affiliated Entity,                    from the increased liquidity with which                 are under Common Ownership from
                                                provided they are not under Common                       to interact and potentially tighter                     qualifying as an Affiliated Entity is
                                                Ownership.                                               spreads on orders. Overall, incentivizing               equitable and not unfairly
                                                   The Exchange’s proposal to amend                      market participants with increased                      discriminatory because the Exchange
                                                chapter XV, section 2 to add the                         opportunities to earn higher rebates or                 will apply all qualifications in a
                                                definitions of ‘‘Appointed MM,’’                         lower fees may increase the quality of                  uniform manner when approving
                                                ‘‘Appointed OFP’’ and ‘‘Affiliated                       the liquidity available on BX.                          Affiliated Entities. Excluding
                                                Entity’’ is equitable and not                               The Exchange’s proposal to permit                    Participants under Common Ownership
                                                unreasonably discriminatory because all                  Affiliated Entities to aggregate volume                 from also qualifying as an Affiliated
                                                Participants that are not under Common                   for purposes of qualifying Appointed                    Entity is equitable and not unfairly
                                                Ownership by definition may choose to                    OFPs for higher Penny Pilot and Non-                    discriminatory because they are able to
                                                enter into an Affiliated Entity                          Penny Pilot Options, including SPY,                     aggregate volume today and qualify for
                                                relationship.                                            rebates and qualifying Appointed MMs                    higher rebates or lower fees.
                                                                                                         for lower fees is equitable and not
                                                Chapter XV, Section 2(1)—Penny Pilot                                                                             B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                         unfairly discriminatory because all BX
                                                and Non-Penny Pilot Options Pricing                                                                              Statement on Burden on Competition
                                                                                                         Participants, other than those that meet
                                                   The Exchange’s proposal to permit                     the definition of Common Ownership,                        The Exchange does not believe that
                                                Affiliated Entities to aggregate volume                  may elect to become an Affiliated Entity                the proposed rule change will impose
                                                for purposes of qualifying Appointed                     as either an Appointed MM or an                         any burden on competition not
                                                OFPs for higher Penny Pilot and Non-                     Appointed OFP.32 Also, each BX                          necessary or appropriate in furtherance
                                                Penny Pilot Options, including SPY,                      Participant may participate in only one                 of the purposes of the Act. Specifically,
                                                rebates 30 and qualifying Appointed                      Affiliated Entity relationship at a given               the Exchange does not believe that
                                                MMs for lower fees 31 is reasonable                      time, which imposes a measure of                        permitting Affiliated Entities to
                                                because it will attract additional                       exclusivity among market participants,                  aggregate volume to qualify for certain
                                                Customer and non-Customer order flow                     allowing each party to rely on the                      rebates and reduced fees will impose
                                                to the Exchange. Customer liquidity                      other’s executed volume on BX to                        any undue burden on competition, as
                                                benefits all market participants by                      receive a corresponding benefit in terms                discussed below.
                                                providing more trading opportunities,                    of a higher rebate or lower fee. Any                       The Exchange operates in a highly
                                                which attracts BX Options Market                         market participant that by definition is                competitive market in which many
                                                Makers. An increase in the activity of                   not under Common Ownership may                          sophisticated and knowledgeable
                                                these market participants in turn                        elect to become a counterparty of an                    market participants can readily and do
                                                facilitates tighter spreads, which may                   Affiliated Entity. Also, BX Options                     send order flow to competing exchanges
                                                cause an additional corresponding                        Market Makers are valuable market                       if they deem fee levels or rebate
                                                increase in order flow from other market                 participants that provide liquidity in the              incentives at a particular exchange to be
                                                participants. Also, the Exchange is                      marketplace and incur costs that other                  excessive or inadequate. Additionally,
                                                incentivizing Participants to send non-                  market participants do not incur. BX                    new competitors have entered the
                                                Customer order flow to BX, which order                   Options Market Makers are subject to                    market and still others are reportedly
                                                flow will benefit all Participants                       burdensome quoting obligations 33 to                    entering the market shortly. These
                                                because they may interact with the                       the market that do not apply to other                   market forces ensure that the Exchange’s
                                                liquidity. Market participants directing                 market participants. Incentivizing these                fees and rebates remain competitive
                                                order flow as OFPs may be eligible to                    market participants to execute volume                   with the fee structures at other trading
                                                qualify for higher rebates with this                     on BX may result in tighter spreads.                    platforms.
                                                proposal as a result of aggregating                         The Exchange’s proposal to exclude                      The Exchange does not believe that
                                                volume with an Appointed MM and                          Participants that are under Common                      the proposed rule change will impose
                                                thereby qualifying for higher rebates.                   Ownership from qualifying as an                         any burden on competition not
                                                Permitting Participants to affiliate for                 Affiliated Entity is reasonable because                 necessary or appropriate in furtherance
                                                purposes of qualifying Appointed OFPs                    Participants under Common Ownership                     of the purposes of the Act. In terms of
                                                for higher rebates and qualifying                        may aggregate volume today for                          inter-market competition, the Exchange
                                                Appointed MMs for lower fees may also                    purposes of chapter XV, section 2(1)                    notes that it operates in a highly
                                                encourage Affiliated Entities to                         pricing.34 The Exchange’s proposal to                   competitive market in which market
                                                incentivize each other to attract and                                                                            participants can readily favor competing
                                                seek to execute more volume on BX. In                       32 Both Participants must elect each other to        venues if they deem fee levels at a
                                                                                                         qualify as an Affiliated Entity for one year.           particular venue to be excessive, or
                                                                                                         Participation is effected by an agreement of both       rebate opportunities available at other
                                                  30 The Exchange would permit Affiliated Entities
                                                                                                         parties. One party may elect to terminate the
                                                to aggregate volume to obtain higher Penny Pilot         agreement at any time.                                  venues to be more favorable. In such an
                                                Options Rebates to Add Liquidity in non-Select              33 Pursuant to BX Rules at chapter VII, section 5,   environment, the Exchange must
                                                Symbols, Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Remove           entitled ‘‘Obligations of Market Makers,’’ in           continually adjust its fees to remain
                                                Liquidity in non-Select Symbols, Penny Pilot             registering as a market maker, an Options
                                                Options Rebates to Add Liquidity in Select               Participant commits himself to various obligations.
                                                                                                                                                                 competitive with other exchanges and
                                                Symbols, Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Remove           Transactions of a BX Options Market Maker must          with alternative trading systems that
                                                Liquidity in Select Symbols and Non-Penny Pilot          constitute a course of dealings reasonably              have been exempted from compliance
                                                Options Rebates to Add Liquidity.                        calculated to contribute to the maintenance of a fair   with the statutory standards applicable
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                                                  31 The Exchange would permit Affiliated Entities       and orderly market, and BX Options Market Makers
                                                to aggregate volume to obtain lower Penny Pilot          should not make bids or offers or enter into
                                                                                                                                                                 to exchanges. Because competitors are
                                                Options Fees to Remove Liquidity in non-Select           transactions that are inconsistent with such course     free to modify their own fees in
                                                Symbols, Penny Pilot Options Fees to Add                 of dealings. Further, all BX Options Market Makers      response, and because market
                                                Liquidity in Select Symbols, Penny Pilot Options         are designated as specialists on BX for all purposes    participants may readily adjust their
                                                Fees to Remove Liquidity in Select Symbols, Penny        under the Act or rules thereunder. See chapter VII,
                                                Pilot Options Fees to Remove Liquidity in Select         section 2.                                              order routing practices, the Exchange
                                                Symbols and Non-Penny Pilot Options Fees to                 34 See BX Rules at chapter XV for Common             believes that the degree to which fee
                                                Remove Liquidity.                                        Ownership.                                              changes in this market may impose any


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                                                48868                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 26, 2016 / Notices

                                                burden on competition is extremely                       provide liquidity in the marketplace and                    IV. Solicitation of Comments
                                                limited.                                                 incur costs that other market
                                                   In sum, if the changes proposed                       participants do not incur. BX Options                         Interested persons are invited to
                                                herein are unattractive to market                        Market Makers are subject to                                submit written data, views, and
                                                participants, it is likely that the                      burdensome quoting obligations 36 to                        arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                Exchange will lose market share as a                     the market that do not apply to other                       including whether the proposed rule
                                                result. Accordingly, the Exchange does                   market participants. Incentivizing these                    change is consistent with the Act.
                                                not believe that the proposed changes                    market participants to execute volume                       Comments may be submitted by any of
                                                will impair the ability of members or                    on BX may result in tighter spreads. An                     the following methods:
                                                competing order execution venues to                      increase in the activity of these market
                                                maintain their competitive standing in                                                                               Electronic Comments
                                                                                                         participants in turn facilitates tighter
                                                the financial markets. In terms of inter-                spreads, which may cause an additional                        • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                market competition, the Exchange notes                   corresponding increase in order flow                        comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                that other options markets have similar
                                                                                                         from other market participants.                             rules/sro.shtml); or
                                                incentives in place to attract volume to
                                                                                                         Appointed OFPs directing order flow to                        • Send an email to rule-comments@
                                                their markets.35
                                                   The Exchange’s proposal to amend                      the Exchange may be eligible to qualify                     sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                chapter XV, section 2 to add the                         for a higher rebate and Appointed MMs                       BX–2016–034 on the subject line.
                                                definitions of ‘‘Appointed MM,’’                         may be eligible to qualify for lower fees,
                                                ‘‘Appointed OFP’’ and ‘‘Affiliated                       with this proposal, as a result of                          Paper Comments
                                                Entity’’ does not impose an undue                        aggregating volume. Permitting
                                                                                                         Participants to affiliate for purposes of                     • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                burden on competition because these                                                                                  to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                                definitions apply to all Participants                    qualifying for chapter XV, section 2(1)
                                                                                                         higher rebates or lower fees may also                       Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                uniformly.
                                                                                                         encourage the counterparties that                           Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                Chapter XV, Section 2(1)—Penny Pilot                     comprise the Affiliated Entities to
                                                and Non-Penny Pilot Options Pricing                                                                                  All submissions should refer to File
                                                                                                         incentivize each other to attract and                       Number SR–BX–2016–034. This file
                                                   In terms of intra-market competition,                 seek to execute more volume on BX.                          number should be included on the
                                                the Exchange does not believe that its                     The Exchange’s proposal to exclude                        subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                proposal to permit counterparties of an                                                                              Commission process and review your
                                                                                                         Participants that are under Common
                                                Affiliated Entity to aggregate volume for
                                                                                                         Ownership from becoming an Affiliated                       comments more efficiently, please use
                                                purposes of qualifying Appointed OFPs
                                                                                                         Entity does not impose and [sic] undue                      only one method. The Commission will
                                                for higher rebates, including SPY, and
                                                qualifying Appointed MMs for lower                       burden on intra-market competition                          post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                fees within chapter XV, section 2(1)                     because Participants under Common                           Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                imposes an undue burden on intra-                        Ownership may aggregate volume today                        rules/sro.shtml).
                                                market competition because all BX                        for purposes of qualifying for higher                          Copies of the submission, all
                                                Participants, other than those under                     rebates or lower fees.                                      subsequent amendments, all written
                                                Common Ownership, may become an                          C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                           statements with respect to the proposed
                                                Affiliated Entity as either an Appointed                 Statement on Comments on the                                rule change that are filed with the
                                                MM or an Appointed OFP. Also, each                       Proposed Rule Change Received From                          Commission, and all written
                                                BX Participant may participate in only                   Members, Participants, or Others                            communications relating to the
                                                one Affiliated Entity relationship at a                                                                              proposed rule change between the
                                                given time, which imposes a measure of                     No written comments were either                           Commission and any person, other than
                                                exclusivity among market participants,                   solicited or received.                                      those that may be withheld from the
                                                allowing each party to rely on the
                                                                                                         III. Date of Effectiveness of the                           public in accordance with the
                                                other’s executed BX volume on BX to
                                                                                                         Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                         provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                receive a corresponding benefit in terms
                                                of a higher rebate or lower fee. The                     Commission Action                                           available for Web site viewing and
                                                Exchange will apply all qualifications in                                                                            printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                                                                            The foregoing rule change has become                     Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                a uniform manner to all market
                                                                                                         effective pursuant to section                               Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                                participants that elect to become
                                                                                                         19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.37                               business days between the hours of
                                                counterparties of an Affiliated Entity.
                                                Any market participant that by                              At any time within 60 days of the                        10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                definition is a Participant under                        filing of the proposed rule change, the                     filing also will be available for
                                                Common Ownership may not become a                        Commission summarily may                                    inspection and copying at the principal
                                                counterparty of an Affiliated Entity.                    temporarily suspend such rule change if                     office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                Also, BX Options Market Makers are                       it appears to the Commission that such                      received will be posted without change;
                                                valuable market participants that                        action is: (i) Necessary or appropriate in                  the Commission does not edit personal
                                                                                                         the public interest; (ii) for the protection                identifying information from
                                                   35 See NYSE MKT LLC’s (‘‘NYSE Amex’’) pricing         of investors; or (iii) otherwise in                         submissions. You should submit only
                                                at NYSE Amex Options Fee Schedule). NYSE Amex            furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
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                                                                                                                                                                     information that you wish to make
                                                permits aggregation of volume to qualify for the
                                                Amex Customer Engagement or ACE Program. See
                                                                                                         If the Commission takes such action, the                    available publicly.
                                                Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.’s (‘‘BZX’’) fee schedule.        Commission shall institute proceedings
                                                                                                                                                                        All submissions should refer to File
                                                BZX permits aggregation of volume to qualify for         to determine whether the proposed rule
                                                tiered pricing. See the Chicago Board Options                                                                        Number SR–BX–2016–034 and should
                                                                                                         should be approved or disapproved.
                                                Exchange Incorporated (‘‘CBOE’’) Fees Schedule.                                                                      be submitted on or before August 16,
                                                CBOE permits aggregation of volume to qualify for                                                                    2016.
                                                                                                              36 See   note 33 above.
                                                credits available under an Affiliated Volume Plan
                                                or ‘‘AVP.’’                                                   37 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).



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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 26, 2016 / Notices                                                      48869

                                                  For the Commission, by the Division of                 set forth in sections A, B, and C below,                 Distributors, Inc. will be the Fund’s
                                                Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated               of the most significant parts of such                    distributor (‘‘Distributor’’).
                                                authority.38                                             statements.                                                 Commentary .06 to Rule 8.600
                                                Robert W. Errett,                                                                                                 provides that, if the investment adviser
                                                Deputy Secretary.                                        A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        to the investment company issuing
                                                [FR Doc. 2016–17586 Filed 7–25–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                         Statement of the Purpose of, and the                     Managed Fund Shares is affiliated with
                                                BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                         Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                   a broker-dealer, such investment adviser
                                                                                                         Change                                                   shall erect a ‘‘fire wall’’ between the
                                                                                                         1. Purpose                                               investment adviser and the broker-
                                                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                                                                           dealer with respect to access to
                                                COMMISSION                                                  The Exchange proposes to list and                     information concerning the composition
                                                                                                         trade shares (‘‘Shares’’) of the following               and/or changes to such investment
                                                [Release No. 34–78373; File No. SR–
                                                                                                         under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.600,4                    company portfolio.7 In addition,
                                                NYSEArca–2016–97]
                                                                                                         which governs the listing and trading of                 Commentary .06 further requires that
                                                Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE                      Managed Fund Shares: 5 PowerShares                       personnel who make decisions on the
                                                Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed                 Government Collateral Pledge Portfolio                   open-end fund’s portfolio composition
                                                Rule Change Relating to the Listing                      (‘‘Fund’’). The Fund is a series of the                  must be subject to procedures designed
                                                and Trading of Shares of PowerShares                     PowerShares Actively Managed                             to prevent the use and dissemination of
                                                Government Collateral Pledge Portfolio                   Exchange Traded Trust (the ‘‘Trust’’).6                  material nonpublic information
                                                Under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.600                      Invesco PowerShares Capital                              regarding the open-end fund’s portfolio.
                                                                                                         Management LLC is the investment                         The Adviser and Sub-Adviser each is
                                                July 20, 2016.                                                                                                    not registered as a broker-dealer but is
                                                                                                         advisor for the Fund (‘‘Adviser’’).
                                                   Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the                                                                          affiliated with a broker-dealer. The
                                                                                                         Invesco Advisers, Inc. is the sub-adviser
                                                Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                                                                              Adviser and Sub-Adviser each has
                                                                                                         for the Fund (‘‘Invesco’’ or ‘‘Sub-
                                                ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3                                                                            implemented and will maintain a fire
                                                                                                         Adviser’’). The Bank of New York                         wall with respect to its affiliated broker-
                                                notice is hereby given that, on July 6,
                                                                                                         Mellon (‘‘BNYM’’ or ‘‘Custodian’’) will                  dealer regarding access to information
                                                2016, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’
                                                                                                         be the administrator, custodian and                      concerning the composition and/or
                                                or ‘‘NYSE Arca’’) filed with the
                                                                                                         transfer agent for the Fund. Invesco                     changes to the Fund’s portfolio. In the
                                                Securities and Exchange Commission
                                                (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                                                                            event (a) the Adviser or Sub-Adviser
                                                                                                            4 The Commission has previously approved
                                                change as described in Items I and II                                                                             becomes registered as a broker-dealer or
                                                                                                         listing and trading on the Exchange of actively
                                                below, which Items have been prepared                    managed funds under Rule 8.600. See, e.g.,               newly affiliated with a broker-dealer, or
                                                by the self-regulatory organization. The                 Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 57801 (May          (b) any new adviser or sub-adviser
                                                Commission is publishing this notice to                  8, 2008), 73 FR 27878 (May 14, 2008) (SR–                becomes registered as a broker-dealer or
                                                                                                         NYSEArca–2008–31) (order approving Exchange              newly affiliated with a broker-dealer, it
                                                solicit comments on the proposed rule                    listing and trading of twelve actively-managed
                                                change from interested persons.                          funds of the WisdomTree Trust); 66321 (February          will implement a fire wall with respect
                                                                                                         3, 2012), 77 FR 6850 (February 9, 2012) (SR–             to its relevant personnel or such broker-
                                                I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        NYSEArca–2011–95) (order approving listing and           dealer affiliate regarding access to
                                                Statement of the Terms of Substance of                   trading of PIMCO Total Return Exchange Traded            information concerning the composition
                                                the Proposed Rule Change                                 Fund); 66670 (March 28, 2012), 77 FR 20087 (April
                                                                                                                                                                  and/or changes to the portfolio, and will
                                                                                                         3, 2012) (SR–NYSEArca–2012–09) (order approving
                                                   The Exchange proposes to list and                     listing and trading of PIMCO Global Advantage            be subject to procedures designed to
                                                trade shares of the following under                      Inflation-Linked Bond Strategy Fund).
                                                                                                            5 A Managed Fund Share is a security that
                                                NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.600                                                                                        7 An investment adviser to an open-end fund is
                                                                                                         represents an interest in an investment company          required to be registered under the Investment
                                                (‘‘Managed Fund Shares’’): PowerShares                   registered under the Investment Company Act of           Advisers Act of 1940 (the ‘‘Advisers Act’’). As a
                                                Government Collateral Pledge Portfolio.                  1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–1) (‘‘1940 Act’’) organized as       result, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser and their
                                                The proposed rule change is available                    an open-end investment company or similar entity         related personnel are subject to the provisions of
                                                on the Exchange’s Web site at                            that invests in a portfolio of securities selected by    Rule 204A–1 under the Advisers Act relating to
                                                                                                         its investment adviser consistent with its               codes of ethics. This Rule requires investment
                                                www.nyse.com, at the principal office of                 investment objectives and policies. In contrast, an      advisers to adopt a code of ethics that reflects the
                                                the Exchange, and at the Commission’s                    open-end investment company that issues                  fiduciary nature of the relationship to clients as
                                                Public Reference Room.                                   Investment Company Units, listed and traded on           well as compliance with other applicable securities
                                                                                                         the Exchange under NYSE Arca Equities Rule               laws. Accordingly, procedures designed to prevent
                                                II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       5.2(j)(3), seeks to provide investment results that      the communication and misuse of non-public
                                                Statement of the Purpose of, and                         correspond generally to the price and yield              information by an investment adviser must be
                                                Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                   performance of a specific foreign or domestic stock      consistent with Rule 204A–1 under the Advisers
                                                                                                         index, fixed income securities index or combination      Act. The Exchange represents that the Adviser and
                                                Change                                                   thereof.                                                 its related personnel are subject to Investment
                                                                                                            6 The Trust is registered under the 1940 Act. On      Advisers Act Rule 204A–1. In addition, Rule
                                                  In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                                                                         May 20, 2016, the Trust filed with the Commission        206(4)–7 under the Advisers Act makes it unlawful
                                                self-regulatory organization included                    an amendment to its registration statement on Form       for an investment adviser to provide investment
                                                statements concerning the purpose of,                    N–1A under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C.         advice to clients unless such investment adviser has
                                                and basis for, the proposed rule change                  77a) (‘‘Securities Act’’) and the 1940 Act relating to   (i) adopted and implemented written policies and
                                                and discussed any comments it received                   the Fund (File Nos. 333–147622 and 811–22148)            procedures reasonably designed to prevent
                                                                                                         (the ‘‘Registration Statement’’). The description of     violation, by the investment adviser and its
                                                on the proposed rule change. The text                    the operation of the Trust and the Fund herein is        supervised persons, of the Advisers Act and the
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                                                of those statements may be examined at                   based, in part, on the Registration Statement. In        Commission rules adopted thereunder; (ii)
                                                the places specified in Item IV below.                   addition, the Commission has issued an order             implemented, at a minimum, an annual review
                                                The Exchange has prepared summaries,                     granting certain exemptive relief to the Trust and       regarding the adequacy of the policies and
                                                                                                         the Adviser (as defined below) under the 1940 Act.       procedures established pursuant to subparagraph (i)
                                                  38 17
                                                                                                         See Investment Company Act Release No. 28171             above and the effectiveness of their
                                                        CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                             (February 27, 2008) (File No. 812–13386)                 implementation; and (iii) designated an individual
                                                  1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                 (‘‘Exemptive Order’’). The Fund will be offered in       (who is a supervised person) responsible for
                                                  2 15 U.S.C. 78a.
                                                                                                         reliance upon the Exemptive Order issued to the          administering the policies and procedures adopted
                                                  3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                    Trust and the Adviser.                                   under subparagraph (i) above.



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Document Created: 2018-02-08 08:00:35
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 08:00:35
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 48864 

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