81 FR 49288 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Related to Affiliated Entities

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 144 (July 27, 2016)

Page Range		49288-49293
FR Document		2016-17666
Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 144 (Wednesday, July 27, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49288-49293]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17666]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-78380; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2016-090]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change 
Related to Affiliated Entities

July 21, 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 11, 2016, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (``Nasdaq'' 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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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend the NASDAQ Options Market LLC's 
(``NOM'') pricing at Chapter XV to permit certain affiliated market 
participants to aggregate eligible volume for pricing in Chapter XV, 
Sections 2(1) and 2(6), 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://nasdaq.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, 
Sections 2(1) and 2(6), for which a volume threshold or volume 
percentage is required to 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 NOM to obtain more 
advantageous pricing.
Affiliated Entity
    The Exchange proposes to add three definitions to Chapter XV of NOM

[[Page 49289]]

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 NOM 
Market Maker \3\ who has been appointed by an Order Flow Provider 
(``OFP'') for purposes of qualifying as an Affiliated Entity. An OFP is 
a Participant, other than a NOM Market Maker, that submits orders, as 
agent or principal, to the Exchange.\4\
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    \3\ The term ``NOM Market Maker'' or (``M'') is a Participant 
that has registered as a Market Maker on NOM pursuant to Chapter 
VII, Section 2, and must also remain in good standing pursuant to 
Chapter VII, Section 4. In order to receive NOM Market Maker pricing 
in all securities, the Participant must be registered as a NOM 
Market Maker in at least one security.
    \4\ Market Makers submitting quotes through SQF or orders 
through OTTO to the Exchange shall not be considered Appointed OFPs 
for the purpose of becoming an Affiliated Entity.
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    The Exchange proposes to define the term ``Appointed OFP'' as an 
OFP who has been appointed by a NOM 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, Sections 2(1) 
and 2(6), 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, NOM 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) and (6).
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    \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.
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    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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    \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, Sections 2(1) and 2(6) 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 aggregate 
pricing in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) in both Penny and Non-Penny Pilot 
Options \7\ and also aggregate MARS Payments in Chapter XV, Section 
2(6).
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    \7\ See NOM 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\ Professionals \9\ and 
NOM Market Makers the ability to obtain higher Penny Pilot Options 
Rebates to Add Liquidity with tiered pricing models.\10\ The Exchange 
offers additional volume incentives to Customers and Professionals in 
note 1 of Chapter XV, Section 2(1) to increase the Non-Penny Pilot 
Options Rebate to Add Liquidity, provided certain qualifications are 
met.\11\ The Exchange also offers NOM Market Makers the ability to 
obtain higher Penny Pilot Options Rebates to Add Liquidity.\12\ 
Additionally, the Exchange also offers additional volume incentives to 
NOM Market Makers in note 2 of Chapter XV, Section 2(1) to lower the 
Penny Pilot Options Fee for Removing Liquidity.\13\ Note ``c'' of 
Chapter XV, Section 2(1) \14\

[[Page 49290]]

offers Participants an opportunity to increase the Tier 8 Customer and 
Professional Penny Pilot Options rebate, provided certain 
qualifications are met. 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\ The term ``Professional'' or (``P'') means any person or 
entity that (i) is not a broker or dealer in securities, and (ii) 
places more than 390 orders in listed options per day on average 
during a calendar month for its own beneficial account(s) pursuant 
to Chapter I, Section 1(a)(48). All Professional orders shall be 
appropriately marked by Participants.
    \10\ For Customers and Professionals, there are currently 8 
Penny Pilot Options Rebate to Add Liquidity Tiers for Customers and 
Professionals with rebates that range from $0.20 to $0.48 per 
contract. Additionally, notes c and d in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) 
permit additional incentives based on volume in the Customer and 
Professional Penny Pilot Options Rebate to Add Liquidity tiers. For 
NOM Market Makers, there are currently 6 Penny Pilot Options Rebate 
to Add Liquidity Tiers with rebates ranging from $0.20 to $0.42 per 
contract.
    \11\ Note 1 of Chapter XV, Section 2(1) states that a 
Participant that qualifies for Customer or Professional Penny Pilot 
Options Rebate to Add Liquidity Tiers 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 in a month 
will receive an additional $0.10 per contract Non-Penny Pilot 
Options Rebate to Add Liquidity for each transaction which adds 
liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Options in that month. A Participant 
that qualifies for Customer or Professional Penny Pilot Options 
Rebate to Add Liquidity Tiers 7 or 8 in a month will receive an 
additional $0.20 per contract Non-Penny Pilot Options Rebate to Add 
Liquidity for each transaction which adds liquidity in Non-Penny 
Pilot Options in that month.
    \12\ There are currently 6 Penny Pilot Options Rebate to Add 
Liquidity Tiers for NOM Market Makers with rebates that range from 
$0.20 to $0.42 per contract.
    \13\ Note 2 of Chapter XV, Section 2(1) states that Participants 
that add 1.30% of Customer, Professional, Firm, Broker-Dealer or 
Non-NOM Market Maker liquidity in Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-
Penny Pilot Options of total industry customer equity and ETF option 
ADV contracts per day in a month will be subject to the following 
pricing applicable to executions: A $0.48 per contract Penny Pilot 
Options Fee for Removing Liquidity when the Participant is (i) both 
the buyer and the seller or (ii) the Participant removes liquidity 
from another Participant under Common Ownership. Participants that 
add 1.50% of Customer, Professional, Firm, Broker-Dealer or Non-NOM 
Market Maker liquidity in Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-Penny Pilot 
Options of total industry customer equity and ETF option ADV 
contracts per day in a month and meet or exceed the cap for the 
NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Cross during the month will be subject 
to the following pricing applicable to executions less than 10,000 
contracts: a $0.32 per contract Penny Pilot Options Fee for Removing 
Liquidity when the Participant is (i) both the buyer and seller or 
(ii) the Participant removes liquidity from another Participant 
under Common Ownership. Participants that add 1.75% of Customer, 
Professional, Firm, Broker-Dealer or Non-NOM Market Maker liquidity 
in Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-Penny Pilot Options of total 
industry customer equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a 
month will be subject to the following pricing applicable to 
executions less than 10,000 contracts: a $0.32 per contract Penny 
Pilot Options Fee for Removing Liquidity when the Participant is (i) 
both the buyer and seller or (ii) the Participant removes liquidity 
from another Participant under Common Ownership
    \14\ Note ``c'' of Chapter XV, Section 2(1) provides, 
``Participants that: (1) Add Customer, Professional, Firm, Non-NOM 
Market Maker and/or Broker-Dealer liquidity in Penny Pilot Options 
and/or Non- Penny Pilot Options of 1.15% or more of total industry 
customer equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a month will 
receive an additional $0.02 per contract Penny Pilot Options 
Customer and/or Professional Rebate to Add Liquidity for each 
transaction which adds liquidity in Penny Pilot Options in that 
month; or (2) add Customer, Professional, Firm, Non-NOM Market Maker 
and/or Broker-Dealer liquidity in Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-
Penny Pilot Options of 1.30% or more of total industry customer 
equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a month will receive 
an additional $0.05 per contract Penny Pilot Options Customer and/or 
Professional Rebate to Add Liquidity for each transaction which adds 
liquidity in Penny Pilot Options in that month; or (3) (a) add 
Customer, Professional, Firm, Non-NOM Market Maker and/or Broker-
Dealer liquidity in Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-Penny Pilot 
Options above 0.80% of total industry customer equity and ETF option 
ADV contracts per day in a month, (b) add Customer, Professional, 
Firm, Non-NOM Market Maker and/or Broker-Dealer liquidity in Non-
Penny Pilot Options above 0.15% of total industry customer equity 
and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a month, and (c) execute 
greater than 0.04% of Consolidated Volume (``CV'') via Market-on-
Close/Limit-on-Close (``MOC/LOC'') volume within the NASDAQ Stock 
Market Closing Cross within a month will receive an additional $0.05 
per contract Penny Pilot Options Customer and/or Professional Rebate 
to Add Liquidity for each transaction which adds liquidity in Penny 
Pilot Options in a month. Consolidated Volume shall mean the total 
consolidated volume reported to all consolidated transaction 
reporting plans by all exchanges and trade reporting facilities 
during a month in equity securities, excluding executed orders with 
a size of less than one round lot. For purposes of calculating 
Consolidated Volume and the extent of an equity member's trading 
activity, expressed as a percentage of or ratio to Consolidated 
Volume, the date of the annual reconstitution of the Russell 
Investments Indexes shall be excluded from both total Consolidated 
Volume and the member's trading activity.''
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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 volume to 
qualify for higher rebates and lower fees. With this proposal the 
Exchange is offering Affiliated [sic] OFPs the ability to obtain higher 
rebates and is also offering Appointed MMs the ability to obtain lower 
fees by aggregating volume at Chapter XV, Section 2(1).
Chapter XV, Section 2(6)--MARS Pricing
    The Exchange currently offers a Market Access and Routing Subsidy 
or ``MARS'' to qualifying NOM Participants in Chapter XV, Section 
2(6).\15\ NOM Participants that have System Eligibility and have 
executed the requisite number of Eligible Contracts in a month are paid 
rebates based on average daily volume in a month. There is a 3 tiered 
rebate schedule today for such MARS rebates.\16\ MARS Payments are made 
to NOM Participants that have System Eligibility and have routed the 
requisite number of Eligible Contracts daily in a month, which were 
executed on NOM, for the purpose of qualifying for the MARS 
Payment.\17\
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    \15\ The Participant remains solely responsible for implementing 
and operating its System, as that term is defined in note 17 below.
    \16\ NOM Participants that qualify for Customer and Professional 
Penny Pilot Options Rebate to Add Liquidity Tier 8 are eligible to 
receive $0.09 per contract in addition to any MARS Payment tier on 
MARS Eligible Contracts the NOM Participant qualifies for in a given 
month. Also, note 4 of Chapter XV, Section 2(1) permits NOM 
Participants that qualify for MARS Payment Tiers 1, 2 or 3 to 
receive a Customer and Professional Penny Pilot Options Fee for 
Removing Liquidity of $0.48 per contract when removing Customer and 
Professional liquidity in Penny Pilot Options, excluding SPY.
    \17\ To qualify for MARS, the NOM Participant's routing system 
(``System'') would be required to meet the following criteria: (1) 
Enable the electronic routing of orders to all of the U.S. options 
exchanges, including NOM; (2) provide current consolidated market 
data from the U.S. options exchanges; and (3) be capable of 
interfacing with NOM's API to access current NOM match engine 
functionality. Also, the Participant's System would also need to 
cause NOM to be the one of the top three default destination 
exchanges for individually executed marketable orders if NOM is at 
the national best bid or offer (``NBBO''), regardless of size or 
time, but allow any user to manually override NOM as a default 
destination on an order-by-order basis (``System Eligibility''). Any 
NOM Participant would be permitted to avail itself of this 
arrangement, provided that its order routing functionality meets the 
requirements described herein and satisfies NOM that it appears to 
be robust and reliable. Eligible Contracts do not include Mini 
Option orders. A NOM Participant is not be entitled to receive any 
other revenue for the use of its System specifically with respect to 
orders routed to NOM.
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    In note ``d'' of Chapter XV, Section 2(1), the Exchange also offers 
NOM Participants that qualify for MARS Payment Tiers 1, 2 or 3 an 
additional $0.03 per contract Penny Pilot Options Customer and/or 
Professional Rebate to Add Liquidity for each transaction which adds 
liquidity in Penny Pilot Options in that month, in addition to 
qualifying Penny Pilot Options Customer and/or Professional Rebate to 
Add Liquidity Tiers 1 through 8. NOM Participants that qualify for a 
note ``c'' incentive receive the greater of the note ``c'' or note 
``d'' incentive.\18\
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    \18\ See note 14 above.
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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 volume to 
qualify for higher MARS rebates. With this proposal the Exchange is 
offering Affiliated [sic] OFPs the ability to obtain higher MARS 
rebates by aggregating volume with an Affiliated [sic] MM with whom 
they are qualified as an Affiliated Entity and also be able to 
aggregate volume for purposes of qualifying for the Chapter XV, Section 
2(1) note ``d'' rebate.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal to amend its Pricing 
Schedule is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,\19\ in general, 
and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) and (b)(5) of the 
Act,\20\ 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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    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \20\ 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.'' \21\
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    \21\ 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 
\22\ (``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.\23\ 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.'' \24\
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    \22\ NetCoalition v. SEC, 615 F.3d 525 (D.C. Cir. 2010).
    \23\ See id. at 534-535.
    \24\ 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

[[Page 49291]]

the execution of order flow from broker dealers' . . . .'' \25\ 
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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    \25\ 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 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 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 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 rebates\\\ and qualifying Appointed MMs for 
lower fees in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) and the note ``c'' incentive 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 
NOM 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 NOM, 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 NOM. In turn, 
market participants would benefit from the increased liquidity with 
which to interact, potentially tighter spreads on orders. Overall, 
incentivizing market participants with increased opportunities to earn 
higher or lower fees may increase the quality of the liquidity 
available on NOM.
    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 rebates and qualifying Appointed MMs for 
lower fees in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) and the note ``c'' incentive is 
equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because all NOM 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.\26\ Also, each NOM 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 NOM 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, NOM 
Market Makers are valuable market participants that provide liquidity 
in the marketplace and incur costs that other market participants do 
not incur. NOM Market Makers are subject to burdensome quoting 
obligations \27\ to the market that do not apply to other market 
participants. Incentivizing these market participants to execute volume 
on NOM may result in tighter spreads.
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    \26\ 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 terminate the 
agreement at any time.
    \27\ Pursuant to NOM 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 NOM Market Maker must constitute a course of 
dealings reasonably calculated to contribute to the maintenance of a 
fair and orderly market, and Market Makers should not make bids or 
offers or enter into transactions that are inconsistent with such 
course of dealings. Further, all Market Makers are designated as 
specialists on NOM 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.\28\ 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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    \28\ See NOM Rules at Chapter XV for Common Ownership.
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Chapter XV, Section 2(6)--MARS Pricing
    The Exchange's proposal to permit NOM Participants that provide 
certain order routing functionalities to other NOM Participants and/or 
use such functionalities themselves, and meet certain System 
Eligibility, to aggregate volume as an Affiliated Entity for purposes 
of receiving MARS Payments including the note ``d'' incentive is 
reasonable because NOM Participants will be incentivized to send more 
order flow to NOM. MARS Payments are made on Firm, Non-NOM Market 
Maker, Broker-Dealer and JBO equity option orders that add liquidity 
and are electronically delivered and executed. All Participants may 
benefit from the increased order flow because they may interact with 
this liquidity. Permitting NOM Participants to affiliate for purposes 
of qualifying Appointed OFPs for higher MARS rebates may also encourage 
Affiliated Entities to incentivize each other to attract and seek to 
execute more volume on NOM. The Affiliated Entity relationship would 
permit the Appointed OFP to benefit from orders executed on NOM in 
terms of qualifying for higher MARS rebates. In turn, market 
participants would benefit from the increased liquidity with

[[Page 49292]]

which to interact, potentially tighter spreads on orders.
    The Exchange's proposal to permit NOM Participants that provide 
certain order routing functionalities to other NOM Participants and/or 
use such functionalities themselves, and meet certain System 
Eligibility, to aggregate volume as an Affiliated Entity for purposes 
of receiving MARS Payments including the note ``d'' incentive is 
equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because all NOM Participants, 
other than those that meet the definition of Common Ownership, may 
qualify as an Affiliated Entity as either an Appointed MM or an 
Appointed OFP. Also, all NOM Participants may qualify for a MARS 
Payment provided they meet applicable System Eligibility requirements. 
NOM Participants 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 NOM to receive a corresponding benefit in terms of a 
rebate. The Exchange will apply all qualifications in a uniform manner 
to all market participants that elect to become counterparties of an 
Affiliated Entity.

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 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.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ 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.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange's proposal to amend Chapter XV 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 Entities to 
aggregate volume for purposes of qualifying for Chapter XV, Section 
2(1) higher rebates and lower fees and the note ``c'' incentive imposes 
an undue burden on intra-market competition because all NOM 
Participants, other than those under Common Ownership, may qualify as 
an Affiliated Entity as either an Appointed MM or an Appointed OFP. 
Also, each NOM 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 NOM volume on NOM 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, NOM Market Makers are valuable market participants that 
provide liquidity in the marketplace and incur costs that other market 
participants do not incur. NOM Market Makers are subject to burdensome 
quoting obligations \30\ to the market that do not apply to other 
market participants. Incentivizing these market participants to execute 
Customer and Professional volume on NOM 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 
NOM.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ See note 27 above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.
Chapter XV, Section 2(6) -MARS Pricing
    In terms of intra-market competition, the Exchange does not believe 
that its proposal to permit Affiliated Entities to aggregate volume for 
purposes of qualifying for Chapter XV, Section 2(6) MARS rebates and 
the note ``d'' incentive imposes an undue burden on intra-market 
competition because all NOM Participants, other than those under Common 
Ownership, may qualify as an Affiliated Entity as either an

[[Page 49293]]

Appointed MM or an Appointed OFP. Also, all NOM Participants may 
qualify for a MARS Payment provided they meet applicable System 
Eligibility requirements. NOM Participants 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 NOM to receive a corresponding 
benefit in terms of a rebate. The Exchange will apply all 
qualifications in a uniform manner to all market participants that 
elect to become counterparties of an Affiliated Entity.

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.\31\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-NASDAQ-2016-090 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-NASDAQ-2016-090. 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-NASDAQ-2016-090 and should 
be submitted on or before August 17, 2016.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-17666 Filed 7-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
49288 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 144 / Wednesday, July 27, 2016 / Notices

B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Commission, 100 F Street NE., notice is hereby given that on July 11,
Statement on Burden on Competition Washington, DC 20549–1090. 2016, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
The Exchange does not believe that All submissions should refer to File (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the
these proposed rule changes would Number SR–NYSEArca–2016–103. This Securities and Exchange Commission
impose any burden on competition not file number should be included on the (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed
necessary or appropriate in furtherance subject line if email is used. To help the rule change as described in Items I, II,
of the purposes of the Act. The Commission process and review your and III, below, which Items have been
proposed changes are not designed to comments more efficiently, please use prepared by the Exchange. The
address any competitive issue but rather only one method. The Commission will Commission is publishing this notice to
to harmonize Exchange time-filing post all comments on the Commission’s solicit comments on the proposed rule
requirements to a standard prevalent Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/ change from interested persons.
among other exchanges and FINRA, rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
thereby reducing any potential submission, all subsequent Statement of the Terms of Substance of
confusion and making the Exchange’s amendments, all written statements the Proposed Rule Change
rules easier to understand and navigate. with respect to the proposed rule
change that are filed with the The Exchange proposes to amend the
The Exchange believes that the NASDAQ Options Market LLC’s
proposed rule changes would serve to Commission, and all written
communications relating to the (‘‘NOM’’) pricing at Chapter XV to
promote regulatory clarity and permit certain affiliated market
consistency, thereby reducing burdens proposed rule change between the
Commission and any person, other than participants to aggregate eligible volume
on the marketplace and facilitating for pricing in Chapter XV, Sections 2(1)
investor protection. those that may be withheld from the
public in accordance with the and 2(6), for which a volume threshold
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be or volume percentage is required to
Statement on Comments on the available for Web site viewing and obtain the pricing.
Proposed Rule Change Received From printing in the Commission’s Public The text of the proposed rule change
Members, Participants, or Others Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., is available on the Exchange’s Web site
Washington, DC 20549 on official at http://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at
No written comments were solicited the principal office of the Exchange, and
or received with respect to the proposed business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the at the Commission’s Public Reference
rule change. Room.
filing also will be available for
III. Date of Effectiveness of the inspection and copying at the principal II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for office of the Exchange. All comments Statement of the Purpose of, and
Commission Action received will be posted without change; Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Within 45 days of the date of the Commission does not edit personal Change
publication of this notice in the Federal identifying information from
In its filing with the Commission, the
Register or within such longer period submissions. You should submit only
Exchange included statements
up to 90 days (i) as the Commission may information that you wish to make
concerning the purpose of and basis for
designate if it finds such longer period available publicly. All submissions
the proposed rule change and discussed
to be appropriate and publishes its should refer to File Number SR–
any comments it received on the
reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which NYSEArca–2016–103 and should be
proposed rule change. The text of these
the self-regulatory organization submitted on or before August 17, 2016.
statements may be examined at the
consents, the Commission will: For the Commission, by the Division of places specified in Item IV below. The
(A) By order approve or disapprove Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated Exchange has prepared summaries, set
the proposed rule change, or authority.9 forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
(B) institute proceedings to determine Robert W. Errett, the most significant aspects of such
whether the proposed rule change Deputy Secretary. statements.
should be disapproved. [FR Doc. 2016–17667 Filed 7–26–16; 8:45 am]
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
IV. Solicitation of Comments BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Interested persons are invited to Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
submit written data, views, and SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE Change
arguments concerning the foregoing, COMMISSION 1. Purpose
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. [Release No. 34–78380; File No. SR– The purpose of the proposed rule
Comments may be submitted by any of NASDAQ–2016–090] change is to permit certain affiliated
the following methods: market participants to aggregate volume
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The in Chapter XV, Sections 2(1) and 2(6),
Electronic Comments NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of for which a volume threshold or volume
• Use the Commission’s Internet Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of percentage is required to qualify for
Proposed Rule Change Related to various pricing incentives. The
comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
Affiliated Entities Exchange’s proposal is intended to
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rule-comments@
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

July 21, 2016. incentivize Participants to submit for
sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the execution a greater amount of order flow
NYSEArca–2016–103 on the subject Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on NOM to obtain more advantageous
line. (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 pricing.
Paper Comments 9 17
Affiliated Entity
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
• Send paper comments in triplicate 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). The Exchange proposes to add three
to Secretary, Securities and Exchange 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. definitions to Chapter XV of NOM

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 144 / Wednesday, July 27, 2016 / Notices 49291

the execution of order flow from broker the Exchange is incentivizing apply to other market participants.
dealers’ . . . .’’ 25 Although the court Participants to send non-Customer order Incentivizing these market participants
and the SEC were discussing the cash flow to NOM, which order flow will to execute volume on NOM may result
equities markets, the Exchange believes benefit all Participants because they in tighter spreads.
that these views apply with equal force may interact with the liquidity. Market The Exchange’s proposal to exclude
to the options markets. participants directing order flow as Participants that are under Common
The Exchange’s proposal to amend OFPs may be eligible to qualify for Ownership from qualifying as an
Chapter XV to add the definitions of higher rebates with this proposal as a Affiliated Entity is reasonable because
‘‘Appointed MM,’’ ‘‘Appointed OFP’’ result of aggregating volume with an Participants under Common Ownership
and ‘‘Affiliated Entity’’ is reasonable Appointed MM and thereby qualifying may aggregate volume today for
because the Exchange is proposing to for higher rebates. Permitting purposes of Chapter XV, Section 2(1)
identify the applicable market Participants to affiliate for purposes of pricing.28 The Exchange’s proposal to
participants that may qualify to qualifying Appointed OFPs for higher exclude Participants that by definition
aggregate volume as an Affiliated Entity. rebates and qualifying Appointed MMs are under Common Ownership from
Further the Exchange seeks to make for lower fees may also encourage qualifying as an Affiliated Entity is
clear the manner in which Participants Affiliated Entities to incentivize each equitable and not unfairly
may participate on the Exchange as other to attract and seek to execute more discriminatory because the Exchange
Affiliated Entities by setting timeframes volume on NOM. In turn, market will apply all qualifications in a
for communicating agreements among participants would benefit from the uniform manner when approving
market participants and terms of early increased liquidity with which to Affiliated Entities. Excluding
termination. The Exchange also clearly interact, potentially tighter spreads on Participants under Common Ownership
states that no Participant under orders. Overall, incentivizing market from also qualifying as an Affiliated
Common Ownership may become a participants with increased Entity is equitable and not unfairly
counterparty to an Affiliated Entity. Any opportunities to earn higher or lower discriminatory because they are able to
Participant who meets the definition of fees may increase the quality of the aggregate volume today and qualify for
Common Ownership shall not be liquidity available on NOM. higher rebates or lower fees.
eligible to become an Affiliated Entity. The Exchange’s proposal to permit Chapter XV, Section 2(6)—MARS
The Exchange believes that these terms Affiliated Entities to aggregate volume Pricing
are reasonable because they would for purposes of qualifying Appointed
The Exchange’s proposal to permit
allow Participants to elect to become a OFPs for higher Penny Pilot and Non-
NOM Participants that provide certain
counterparty to an Affiliated Entity, Penny Pilot Options rebates and
order routing functionalities to other
provided they are not under Common qualifying Appointed MMs for lower NOM Participants and/or use such
Ownership. fees in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) and the functionalities themselves, and meet
The Exchange’s proposal to amend note ‘‘c’’ incentive is equitable and not certain System Eligibility, to aggregate
Chapter XV to add the definitions of unfairly discriminatory because all volume as an Affiliated Entity for
‘‘Appointed MM,’’ ‘‘Appointed OFP’’ NOM Participants, other than those that purposes of receiving MARS Payments
and ‘‘Affiliated Entity’’ is equitable and meet the definition of Common including the note ‘‘d’’ incentive is
not unreasonably discriminatory Ownership, may elect to become an reasonable because NOM Participants
because all Participants that are not Affiliated Entity as either an Appointed will be incentivized to send more order
under Common Ownership by MM or an Appointed OFP.26 Also, each flow to NOM. MARS Payments are
definition may choose to enter into an NOM Participant may participate in made on Firm, Non-NOM Market
Affiliated Entity relationship. only one Affiliated Entity relationship at Maker, Broker-Dealer and JBO equity
a given time, which imposes a measure option orders that add liquidity and are
Chapter XV, Section 2(1)—Penny Pilot
of exclusivity among market electronically delivered and executed.
and Non-Penny Pilot Options Pricing
participants, allowing each party to rely All Participants may benefit from the
The Exchange’s proposal to permit on the other’s executed volume on NOM increased order flow because they may
Affiliated Entities to aggregate volume to receive a corresponding benefit in interact with this liquidity. Permitting
for purposes of qualifying Appointed terms of a higher rebate or lower fee. NOM Participants to affiliate for
OFPs for higher Penny Pilot and Non- Any market participant that by purposes of qualifying Appointed OFPs
Penny Pilot Options rebates and definition is not under Common for higher MARS rebates may also
qualifying Appointed MMs for lower Ownership may elect to become a encourage Affiliated Entities to
fees in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) and the counterparty of an Affiliated Entity. incentivize each other to attract and
note ‘‘c’’ incentive is reasonable because Also, NOM Market Makers are valuable seek to execute more volume on NOM.
it will attract additional Customer and market participants that provide The Affiliated Entity relationship would
non-Customer order flow to the liquidity in the marketplace and incur permit the Appointed OFP to benefit
Exchange. Customer liquidity benefits costs that other market participants do from orders executed on NOM in terms
all market participants by providing not incur. NOM Market Makers are of qualifying for higher MARS rebates.
more trading opportunities, which subject to burdensome quoting In turn, market participants would
attracts NOM Market Makers. An obligations 27 to the market that do not benefit from the increased liquidity with
increase in the activity of these market
participants in turn facilitates tighter 26 Both Participants must elect each other to
constitute a course of dealings reasonably
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

spreads, which may cause an additional qualify as an Affiliated Entity for one year. calculated to contribute to the maintenance of a fair
Participation is effected by an agreement of both and orderly market, and Market Makers should not
corresponding increase in order flow parties. One party may elect terminate the make bids or offers or enter into transactions that
from other market participants. Also, agreement at any time. are inconsistent with such course of dealings.
27 Pursuant to NOM Rules at Chapter VII, Section Further, all Market Makers are designated as
25 See id. at 539 (quoting Securities Exchange Act 5, entitled ‘‘Obligations of Market Makers’’, in specialists on NOM for all purposes under the Act
Commission at Release No. 59039 (December 2, registering as a market maker, an Options or rules thereunder. See Chapter VII, Section 2.
2008), 73 FR 74770 at 74782–74783 (December 9, Participant commits himself to various obligations. 28 See NOM Rules at Chapter XV for Common

2008) (SR–NYSEArca–2006–21)). Transactions of a NOM Market Maker must Ownership.

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 144 / Wednesday, July 27, 2016 / Notices 49293

Appointed MM or an Appointed OFP. All submissions should refer to File ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
Also, all NOM Participants may qualify Number SR–NASDAQ–2016–090. This and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or
for a MARS Payment provided they file number should be included on the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
meet applicable System Eligibility subject line if email is used. To help the change as described in Items I, II, and
requirements. NOM Participants may Commission process and review your III, below, which Items have been
participate in only one Affiliated Entity comments more efficiently, please use prepared by the Exchange. The
relationship at a given time, which only one method. The Commission will Commission is publishing this notice to
imposes a measure of exclusivity among post all comments on the Commission’s solicit comments on the proposed rule
market participants, allowing each party Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/ change from interested persons.
to rely on the other’s executed volume rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
submission, all subsequent I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
on NOM to receive a corresponding
amendments, all written statements Statement of the Terms of Substance of
benefit in terms of a rebate. The
with respect to the proposed rule the Proposed Rule Change
Exchange will apply all qualifications in
a uniform manner to all market change that are filed with the The Exchange proposes to amend the
participants that elect to become Commission, and all written Preface, Section B and Section II of the
counterparties of an Affiliated Entity. communications relating to the Exchange’s Pricing Schedule to permit
proposed rule change between the certain affiliated market participants to
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Commission and any person, other than
Statement on Comments on the aggregate volume and qualify for various
those that may be withheld from the pricing incentives in the Pricing
Proposed Rule Change Received From public in accordance with the
Members, Participants, or Others Schedule.
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
No written comments were either available for Web site viewing and The text of the proposed rule change
solicited or received. printing in the Commission’s Public is available on the Exchange’s Web site
Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., at http://nasdaqphlx.cchwallstreet.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Washington, DC 20549, on official com/, at the principal office of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for business days between the hours of Exchange, and at the Commission’s
Commission Action 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the Public Reference Room.
The foregoing rule change has become filing also will be available for II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
effective pursuant to Section inspection and copying at the principal Statement of the Purpose of, and
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.31 office of the Exchange. All comments Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
At any time within 60 days of the received will be posted without change; Change
filing of the proposed rule change, the the Commission does not edit personal
Commission summarily may identifying information from In its filing with the Commission, the
temporarily suspend such rule change if submissions. You should submit only Exchange included statements
it appears to the Commission that such information that you wish to make concerning the purpose of and basis for
action is: (i) Necessary or appropriate in available publicly. All submissions the proposed rule change and discussed
the public interest; (ii) for the protection should refer to File Number SR– any comments it received on the
of investors; or (iii) otherwise in NASDAQ–2016–090 and should be proposed rule change. The text of these
submitted on or before August 17, 2016. statements may be examined at the
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
If the Commission takes such action, the For the Commission, by the Division of places specified in Item IV below. The
Commission shall institute proceedings Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated Exchange has prepared summaries, set
authority.32 forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
to determine whether the proposed rule
should be approved or disapproved. Robert W. Errett, the most significant aspects of such
Deputy Secretary. statements.
IV. Solicitation of Comments [FR Doc. 2016–17666 Filed 7–26–16; 8:45 am]
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Interested persons are invited to BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
Statement of the Purpose of, and
submit written data, views, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
arguments concerning the foregoing, Change
including whether the proposed rule SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
change is consistent with the Act. COMMISSION 1. Purpose
Comments may be submitted by any of [Release No. 34–78382; File No. SR–Phlx– The purpose of the proposed rule
the following methods: 2016–62]
change is to permit certain affiliated
Electronic Comments Self-Regulatory Organizations; market participants to aggregate volume
• Use the Commission’s Internet NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and qualify for various pricing
comment form (http://www.sec.gov/ and Immediate Effectiveness of incentives in the Pricing Schedule.
rules/sro.shtml); or Proposed Rule Change Related to Specifically, the Exchange proposes to
amend the Pricing Schedule at Section
• Send an email to rule-comments@ Affiliated Entities
B, Customer 3 Rebates and at Section II,
sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– July 21, 2016. Multiply-Listed Options Fees,4 to offer
NASDAQ–2016–090 on the subject line. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

Paper Comments Securities Exchange Act of 1934 3 The term ‘‘Customer’’ applies to any transaction

(‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 that is identified by a member or member
• Send paper comments in triplicate notice is hereby given that on July 15, organization for clearing in the Customer range at
to Secretary, Securities and Exchange 2016, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’ or The Options Clearing Corporation which is not for
Commission, 100 F Street NE., the account of a broker or dealer or for the account
of a ‘‘Professional’’ (as that term is defined in Rule
Washington, DC 20549–1090. 32 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 1000(b)(14)).
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 4 These fees include options overlying equities,
31 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. ETFs, ETNs and indexes which are Multiply Listed.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:01 Jul 26, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1
Document Created: 2018-02-08 08:02:36
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 08:02:36
Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
FR Citation		81 FR 49288