81_FR_60239 81 FR 60070 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 19.6, Series of Options Contracts Open for Trading, To Allow Wednesday Expirations for SPY Options

81 FR 60070 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 19.6, Series of Options Contracts Open for Trading, To Allow Wednesday Expirations for SPY Options

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 169 (August 31, 2016)

Page Range60070-60072
FR Document2016-20963

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 169 (Wednesday, August 31, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 169 (Wednesday, August 31, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60070-60072]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20963]


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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-78696; File No. SR-BatsEDGX-2016-50]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice 
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend 
Rule 19.6, Series of Options Contracts Open for Trading, To Allow 
Wednesday Expirations for SPY Options

August 26, 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 August 25, 2016, Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``EDGX'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and 
II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange 
has designated this proposal as a ``non-controversial'' proposed rule 
change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder,\4\ which renders it effective upon filing with the 
Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit 
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange filed a proposal to amend Rule 19.6, entitled ``Series 
of Options Contracts Open for Trading,'' related to the Short Term 
Option Series (``STOS'') Program to allow Wednesday expirations for SPY 
options. The Exchange also proposes to make corresponding changes to 
Rule 16.1, entitled ``Definitions.''
    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's 
Web site at www.batstrading.com, at the principal office of the 
Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to harmonize the 
Exchange's rules with the rules governing Short Term Options Series 
programs of other options exchanges. Specifically, the Exchange 
proposes to amend Rule 19.6, entitled ``Series of Options Contracts 
Open for Trading,'' related to the STOS Program to allow Wednesday 
expirations for SPY options. The Exchange also proposes to make certain 
corresponding changes to 16.1, entitled ``Definitions.'' The proposed 
rule change is based on the recent approval of a filing submitted by 
the BOX Options Exchange LLC (``BOX'').\5\
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    \5\ See Securities and Exchange Act Release No. 78668 (August 
24, 2016) (SR-BOX-2016-28).
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    Currently, under the STOS Program, the Exchange may open for 
trading on any Thursday or Friday that is a business day series of 
options on that class that expire on each of the next five Fridays, 
provided that such Friday is not a Friday in which monthly options 
series or Quarterly Options Series expire (``Short Term Option 
Series''). The Exchange is now proposing to amend its rule to permit 
the listing of options expiring on Wednesdays. Specifically, the 
Exchange is proposing that it may open for trading on any Tuesday or 
Wednesday that is a business day, series of options on the SPDR S&P 500 
ETF Trust (``SPY'') to expire on any Wednesday of the month that is a 
business day and is not a Wednesday in which Quarterly Options Series 
expire (``Wednesday SPY Expirations'').\6\ The proposed Wednesday SPY 
Expiration series will be similar to the current Short Term Option 
Series, with certain exceptions, as explained in greater detail below. 
The Exchange notes that having Wednesday expirations is not a novel 
proposal. Specifically, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Incorporated (``CBOE'') recently received approval to list Wednesday 
expirations for broad-based indexes.\7\
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    \6\ See proposed paragraph (g) of Interpretation and Policy .05 
to Rule 19.6.
    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76909 (January 14, 
2016), 81 FR 3512 (January 21, 2016) (SR-CBOE-2015-106).
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    In regards to Wednesday SPY Expirations, the Exchange is proposing 
to remove the current restriction preventing it from listing Short Term 
Option Series that expire in the same week in which monthly option 
series in the same class expire. Specifically, the Exchange will be 
allowed to list Wednesday SPY Expirations in the same week in which 
monthly option series in SPY expire. The current restriction to 
prohibit the expiration of monthly and Short Term Option Series from 
expiring on the same trading day is reasonable to avoid investor 
confusion. This confusion will not apply with Wednesday SPY Expirations 
and standard monthly options because they will not expire on the same 
trading day, as standard monthly options do not expire on Wednesdays. 
Additionally, it would lead to investor confusion if Wednesday SPY 
Expirations were not listed for one week every month because there was 
a monthly SPY expiration on the Friday of that week.
    Under the proposed Wednesday SPY Expirations, the Exchange may list 
up to five consecutive Wednesday SPY Expirations at one time. The 
Exchange may have no more than a total of five Wednesday SPY 
Expirations listed. This is the same listing procedure as Short Term 
Option Series that expire on Fridays. The Exchange is also proposing to 
clarify that the five series limit in the current Short Term Option 
Series Program Rule will not include any Wednesday SPY Expirations.\8\ 
This means, under the proposal, the Exchange would be allowed to list 
five Short Term Option Series expirations for SPY expiring on Friday 
under the current rule and five Wednesday SPY Expirations. The interval 
between strike prices for the proposed Wednesday SPY Expirations will 
be the same as those for the current Short Term Option Series.

[[Page 60071]]

Specifically, the Wednesday SPY Expirations will have $0.50 strike 
intervals.
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    \8\ See proposed changes to Interpretation and Policy .05 to 
Rule 19.6.
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    Currently, for each Short Term Option Expiration Date,\9\ the 
Exchange is limited to opening thirty (30) series for each expiration 
date for the specific class. The thirty (30) series restriction does 
not include series that are open by other securities exchanges under 
their respective short term option rules; the Exchange may list these 
additional series that are listed by other exchanges.\10\ The thirty 
(30) series restriction shall apply to Wednesday SPY Expiration series 
as well. In addition, the Exchange will be able to list series that are 
listed by other exchanges, assuming they file similar rules with the 
Commission to list SPY options expiring on Wednesdays. As is the case 
with current Short Term Option Series, the Wednesday SPY Expiration 
series will be P.M.-settled. The Exchange does not believe that any 
market disruptions will be encountered with the introduction of P.M.-
settled Wednesday SPY Expirations. The Exchange currently trades P.M.-
settled Short Term Option Series that expire almost every Friday, which 
provide market participants a tool to hedge special events and to 
reduce the premium cost of buying protection. The Exchange seeks to 
introduce Wednesday SPY Expirations to, among other things, expand 
hedging tools available to market participants and to continue the 
reduction of the premium cost of buying protection. The Exchange 
believes that Wednesday expirations, similar to Friday expirations, 
would allow market participants to purchase an option based on their 
timing as needed and allow them to tailor their investment and hedging 
needs more effectively.
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    \9\ The Exchange may open for trading on any Thursday or Friday 
that is a business day series of options on that class that expire 
on each of the next five Fridays that are business days and are not 
Fridays in which monthly options series or Quarterly Options Series 
expire (``Short Term Option Expiration Dates''). See Interpretation 
and Policy .05 to Rule 19.6.
    \10\ See current paragraph (a) of Interpretation and Policy .05 
to Rule 19.6.
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    The Exchange is also proposing to amend the definition of Short 
Term Option Series contained in Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(57) to make clear 
that STOS includes Wednesday expirations and to conform to BOX Rule 
100(a)(64). Specifically, the Exchange is amending the definition to 
expand Short Term Option Series to those listed on any Tuesday or 
Wednesday and that expire on the Wednesday of the next business week. 
If a Tuesday or Wednesday is not a business day, the series may be 
opened (or shall expire) on the first business day immediately prior to 
that Tuesday or Wednesday.
    The Exchange believes that the introduction of Wednesday SPY 
Expirations will provide investors with a flexible and valuable tool to 
manage risk exposure, minimize capital outlays, and be more responsive 
to the timing of events affecting the industry. The proposed rule 
change is a competitive proposal designed to enable the Exchange to 
compete equally and fairly with other options exchanges in satisfying 
high market demand for weekly options and continuing strong customer 
demand to use STOS to execute hedging and trading strategies.
2. Statutory Basis
    The rule changes proposed herein are consistent with the 
requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder that 
are applicable to a national securities exchange, and, in particular, 
with the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\11\ Specifically, the 
proposed change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\12\ 
because it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of 
trade, to remove impediments to, and perfect the mechanism of, a free 
and open market and, in general, to protect investors and the public 
interest. Additionally, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) \13\ requirement that the 
rules of an exchange not be designed to permit unfair discrimination 
between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \13\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In particular, the Exchange believes the Short Term Option Series 
Program has been successful to date and that Wednesday SPY Expirations 
simply expand the ability of investors to hedge risk against market 
movements stemming from economic releases or market events that occur 
throughout the month in the same way that the Short Term Option Series 
Program has expanded the landscape of hedging. Similarly, the Exchange 
believes Wednesday SPY Expirations should create greater trading and 
hedging opportunities and flexibility, and provide customers with the 
ability to more closely tailor their investment objectives. The 
Exchange believes that allowing Wednesday SPY Expirations and monthly 
SPY expirations in the same week will benefit investors and minimize 
investor confusion by providing Wednesday SPY Expirations in a 
continuous and uniform manner. Finally, the Exchange represents that it 
has an adequate surveillance program in place to detect manipulative 
trading in Wednesday SPY Expirations in the same way it monitors 
trading in the current Short Term Option Series. The Exchange also 
represents that it has the necessary systems capacity to support the 
new options series.

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. To the contrary, with respect 
to intermarket competition, the Exchange believes the proposal is pro-
competitive and will allow the Exchange to compete more effectively 
with BOX, which has already adopted changes to its STOS programs that 
are substantially identical to the changes proposed by this filing.\14\ 
In addition to BOX, the Exchange expects that other options exchanges 
will file similar proposals to adopt the changes in order to provide 
Wednesday SPY Expirations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ See supra note 5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange does not believe the proposal will impose any burden 
on intramarket competition, as all market participants will be treated 
in the same manner as existing Short Term Option Series. The Exchange 
believes that the proposal will result in additional investment options 
and opportunities to achieve the investment objectives of market 
participants seeking efficient trading and hedging vehicles, to the 
benefit of investors, market participants, and the marketplace in 
general.

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

    The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, 
comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received 
any written comments from members or other interested parties.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) 
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, the proposed rule 
change has become

[[Page 60072]]

effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \15\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\16\
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    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \16\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission 
written notice of its intention to file the proposed rule change at 
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed 
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. 
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does 
not become operative for 30 days from the date of filing. However, Rule 
19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \17\ permits the Commission to designate a shorter 
time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and 
the public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 
30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative 
immediately upon filing. The Commission notes that it recently approved 
BOX's substantially similar proposal to list and trade Wednesday SPY 
Expirations.\18\ The Exchange has stated that waiver of the operative 
delay will allow the Exchange to list and trade Wednesday SPY 
Expirations as soon as possible, and therefore, promote competition 
among the option exchanges. For these reasons, the Commission believes 
that the proposed rule change presents no novel issues and that waiver 
of the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest, and will allow the Exchange to 
remain competitive with other exchanges. Therefore, the Commission 
hereby waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the proposal 
effective upon filing.\19\ At any time within 60 days of the filing of 
the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily 
suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such 
action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the 
protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of 
the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall 
institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be 
approved or disapproved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \18\ See supra note 5.
    \19\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has also considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-BatsEDGX-2016-50 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-BatsEDGX-2016-50. 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-BatsEDGX-2016-50 and should 
be submitted on or before September 21, 2016.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\20\
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    \20\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-20963 Filed 8-30-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                  60070                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 169 / Wednesday, August 31, 2016 / Notices

                                                  V. Conclusion                                           Exchange also proposes to make                        business day and is not a Wednesday in
                                                    Accordingly, for the reasons                          corresponding changes to Rule 16.1,                   which Quarterly Options Series expire
                                                  discussed above, the Commission finds                   entitled ‘‘Definitions.’’                             (‘‘Wednesday SPY Expirations’’).6 The
                                                                                                             The text of the proposed rule change               proposed Wednesday SPY Expiration
                                                  that the proposed rule change is
                                                                                                          is available at the Exchange’s Web site               series will be similar to the current
                                                  consistent with the Act and the rules
                                                                                                          at www.batstrading.com, at the                        Short Term Option Series, with certain
                                                  and regulations thereunder applicable to
                                                                                                          principal office of the Exchange, and at              exceptions, as explained in greater
                                                  such organization.
                                                                                                          the Commission’s Public Reference                     detail below. The Exchange notes that
                                                    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
                                                                                                          Room.                                                 having Wednesday expirations is not a
                                                  Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,332 that the
                                                                                                          II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                    novel proposal. Specifically, the
                                                  proposed rule change (SR–FINRA–
                                                                                                          Statement of the Purpose of, and                      Chicago Board Options Exchange,
                                                  2015–056) be, and hereby is, approved.
                                                                                                          Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                Incorporated (‘‘CBOE’’) recently
                                                    By the Commission.                                                                                          received approval to list Wednesday
                                                                                                          Change
                                                  Brent J. Fields,                                                                                              expirations for broad-based indexes.7
                                                  Secretary.                                                 In its filing with the Commission, the                In regards to Wednesday SPY
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–20888 Filed 8–30–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                          Exchange included statements                          Expirations, the Exchange is proposing
                                                                                                          concerning the purpose of and basis for               to remove the current restriction
                                                  BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                          the proposed rule change and discussed                preventing it from listing Short Term
                                                                                                          any comments it received on the                       Option Series that expire in the same
                                                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                 proposed rule change. The text of these               week in which monthly option series in
                                                  COMMISSION                                              statements may be examined at the                     the same class expire. Specifically, the
                                                                                                          places specified in Item IV below. The                Exchange will be allowed to list
                                                  [Release No. 34–78696; File No. SR–                     Exchange has prepared summaries, set                  Wednesday SPY Expirations in the same
                                                  BatsEDGX–2016–50]                                       forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of               week in which monthly option series in
                                                                                                          the most significant parts of such                    SPY expire. The current restriction to
                                                  Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats
                                                                                                          statements.                                           prohibit the expiration of monthly and
                                                  EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing
                                                  and Immediate Effectiveness of                          A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     Short Term Option Series from expiring
                                                  Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule                      Statement of the Purpose of, and                      on the same trading day is reasonable to
                                                  19.6, Series of Options Contracts Open                  Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                avoid investor confusion. This
                                                  for Trading, To Allow Wednesday                         Change                                                confusion will not apply with
                                                  Expirations for SPY Options                                                                                   Wednesday SPY Expirations and
                                                                                                          1. Purpose                                            standard monthly options because they
                                                  August 26, 2016.                                           The purpose of the proposed rule                   will not expire on the same trading day,
                                                     Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                  change is to harmonize the Exchange’s                 as standard monthly options do not
                                                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934                         rules with the rules governing Short                  expire on Wednesdays. Additionally, it
                                                  (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                 Term Options Series programs of other                 would lead to investor confusion if
                                                  notice is hereby given that, on August                  options exchanges. Specifically, the                  Wednesday SPY Expirations were not
                                                  25, 2016, Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the                 Exchange proposes to amend Rule 19.6,                 listed for one week every month because
                                                  ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘EDGX’’) filed with the                entitled ‘‘Series of Options Contracts                there was a monthly SPY expiration on
                                                  Securities and Exchange Commission                      Open for Trading,’’ related to the STOS               the Friday of that week.
                                                  (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                      Program to allow Wednesday                               Under the proposed Wednesday SPY
                                                  change as described in Items I and II                   expirations for SPY options. The                      Expirations, the Exchange may list up to
                                                  below, which Items have been prepared                   Exchange also proposes to make certain                five consecutive Wednesday SPY
                                                  by the Exchange. The Exchange has                       corresponding changes to 16.1, entitled               Expirations at one time. The Exchange
                                                  designated this proposal as a ‘‘non-                    ‘‘Definitions.’’ The proposed rule                    may have no more than a total of five
                                                  controversial’’ proposed rule change                    change is based on the recent approval                Wednesday SPY Expirations listed. This
                                                  pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the                  of a filing submitted by the BOX                      is the same listing procedure as Short
                                                  Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder,4                 Options Exchange LLC (‘‘BOX’’).5                      Term Option Series that expire on
                                                  which renders it effective upon filing                     Currently, under the STOS Program,                 Fridays. The Exchange is also proposing
                                                  with the Commission. The Commission                     the Exchange may open for trading on                  to clarify that the five series limit in the
                                                  is publishing this notice to solicit                    any Thursday or Friday that is a                      current Short Term Option Series
                                                  comments on the proposed rule change                    business day series of options on that                Program Rule will not include any
                                                  from interested persons.                                class that expire on each of the next five            Wednesday SPY Expirations.8 This
                                                                                                          Fridays, provided that such Friday is                 means, under the proposal, the
                                                  I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       not a Friday in which monthly options                 Exchange would be allowed to list five
                                                  Statement of the Terms of Substance of                  series or Quarterly Options Series expire             Short Term Option Series expirations
                                                  the Proposed Rule Change                                (‘‘Short Term Option Series’’). The                   for SPY expiring on Friday under the
                                                     The Exchange filed a proposal to                     Exchange is now proposing to amend its                current rule and five Wednesday SPY
                                                  amend Rule 19.6, entitled ‘‘Series of                   rule to permit the listing of options                 Expirations. The interval between strike
                                                  Options Contracts Open for Trading,’’                   expiring on Wednesdays. Specifically,                 prices for the proposed Wednesday SPY
                                                  related to the Short Term Option Series                 the Exchange is proposing that it may                 Expirations will be the same as those for
                                                                                                                                                                the current Short Term Option Series.
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  (‘‘STOS’’) Program to allow Wednesday                   open for trading on any Tuesday or
                                                  expirations for SPY options. The                        Wednesday that is a business day, series
                                                                                                                                                                   6 See proposed paragraph (g) of Interpretation and
                                                                                                          of options on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF
                                                                                                                                                                Policy .05 to Rule 19.6.
                                                    332 15U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).                               Trust (‘‘SPY’’) to expire on any                         7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76909
                                                    1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                Wednesday of the month that is a                      (January 14, 2016), 81 FR 3512 (January 21, 2016)
                                                    2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                                                                                                                                (SR–CBOE–2015–106).
                                                    3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).                               5 See Securities and Exchange Act Release No.          8 See proposed changes to Interpretation and
                                                    4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                             78668 (August 24, 2016) (SR–BOX–2016–28).             Policy .05 to Rule 19.6.



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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 169 / Wednesday, August 31, 2016 / Notices                                              60071

                                                  Specifically, the Wednesday SPY                         opened (or shall expire) on the first                    Finally, the Exchange represents that it
                                                  Expirations will have $0.50 strike                      business day immediately prior to that                   has an adequate surveillance program in
                                                  intervals.                                              Tuesday or Wednesday.                                    place to detect manipulative trading in
                                                     Currently, for each Short Term Option                   The Exchange believes that the                        Wednesday SPY Expirations in the same
                                                  Expiration Date,9 the Exchange is                       introduction of Wednesday SPY                            way it monitors trading in the current
                                                  limited to opening thirty (30) series for               Expirations will provide investors with                  Short Term Option Series. The
                                                  each expiration date for the specific                   a flexible and valuable tool to manage                   Exchange also represents that it has the
                                                  class. The thirty (30) series restriction               risk exposure, minimize capital outlays,                 necessary systems capacity to support
                                                  does not include series that are open by                and be more responsive to the timing of                  the new options series.
                                                  other securities exchanges under their                  events affecting the industry. The
                                                                                                          proposed rule change is a competitive                    B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  respective short term option rules; the                                                                          Statement on Burden on Competition
                                                  Exchange may list these additional                      proposal designed to enable the
                                                  series that are listed by other                         Exchange to compete equally and fairly                      The Exchange does not believe that
                                                  exchanges.10 The thirty (30) series                     with other options exchanges in                          the proposed rule change will impose
                                                  restriction shall apply to Wednesday                    satisfying high market demand for                        any burden on competition not
                                                  SPY Expiration series as well. In                       weekly options and continuing strong                     necessary or appropriate in furtherance
                                                  addition, the Exchange will be able to                  customer demand to use STOS to                           of the purposes of the Act. To the
                                                  list series that are listed by other                    execute hedging and trading strategies.                  contrary, with respect to intermarket
                                                  exchanges, assuming they file similar                                                                            competition, the Exchange believes the
                                                                                                          2. Statutory Basis
                                                  rules with the Commission to list SPY                                                                            proposal is pro-competitive and will
                                                  options expiring on Wednesdays. As is                      The rule changes proposed herein are                  allow the Exchange to compete more
                                                                                                          consistent with the requirements of the                  effectively with BOX, which has already
                                                  the case with current Short Term Option
                                                                                                          Act and the rules and regulations                        adopted changes to its STOS programs
                                                  Series, the Wednesday SPY Expiration
                                                                                                          thereunder that are applicable to a                      that are substantially identical to the
                                                  series will be P.M.-settled. The
                                                                                                          national securities exchange, and, in                    changes proposed by this filing.14 In
                                                  Exchange does not believe that any
                                                                                                          particular, with the requirements of                     addition to BOX, the Exchange expects
                                                  market disruptions will be encountered
                                                                                                          Section 6(b) of the Act.11 Specifically,                 that other options exchanges will file
                                                  with the introduction of P.M.-settled
                                                                                                          the proposed change is consistent with                   similar proposals to adopt the changes
                                                  Wednesday SPY Expirations. The
                                                                                                          Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,12 because it                 in order to provide Wednesday SPY
                                                  Exchange currently trades P.M.-settled
                                                                                                          is designed to promote just and                          Expirations.
                                                  Short Term Option Series that expire
                                                                                                          equitable principles of trade, to remove                    The Exchange does not believe the
                                                  almost every Friday, which provide
                                                                                                          impediments to, and perfect the                          proposal will impose any burden on
                                                  market participants a tool to hedge
                                                                                                          mechanism of, a free and open market                     intramarket competition, as all market
                                                  special events and to reduce the
                                                                                                          and, in general, to protect investors and                participants will be treated in the same
                                                  premium cost of buying protection. The
                                                                                                          the public interest. Additionally, the                   manner as existing Short Term Option
                                                  Exchange seeks to introduce Wednesday
                                                                                                          Exchange believes that the proposed                      Series. The Exchange believes that the
                                                  SPY Expirations to, among other things,
                                                                                                          rule change is consistent with the                       proposal will result in additional
                                                  expand hedging tools available to
                                                                                                          Section 6(b)(5) 13 requirement that the                  investment options and opportunities to
                                                  market participants and to continue the
                                                                                                          rules of an exchange not be designed to                  achieve the investment objectives of
                                                  reduction of the premium cost of buying
                                                                                                          permit unfair discrimination between                     market participants seeking efficient
                                                  protection. The Exchange believes that
                                                                                                          customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.                 trading and hedging vehicles, to the
                                                  Wednesday expirations, similar to
                                                                                                             In particular, the Exchange believes                  benefit of investors, market participants,
                                                  Friday expirations, would allow market
                                                                                                          the Short Term Option Series Program                     and the marketplace in general.
                                                  participants to purchase an option based
                                                                                                          has been successful to date and that
                                                  on their timing as needed and allow                                                                              C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                          Wednesday SPY Expirations simply
                                                  them to tailor their investment and                                                                              Statement on Comments on the
                                                                                                          expand the ability of investors to hedge
                                                  hedging needs more effectively.                                                                                  Proposed Rule Change Received From
                                                                                                          risk against market movements
                                                     The Exchange is also proposing to                                                                             Members, Participants, or Others
                                                                                                          stemming from economic releases or
                                                  amend the definition of Short Term
                                                                                                          market events that occur throughout the                    The Exchange has not solicited, and
                                                  Option Series contained in Exchange
                                                                                                          month in the same way that the Short                     does not intend to solicit, comments on
                                                  Rule 16.1(a)(57) to make clear that STOS
                                                                                                          Term Option Series Program has                           this proposed rule change. The
                                                  includes Wednesday expirations and to
                                                                                                          expanded the landscape of hedging.                       Exchange has not received any written
                                                  conform to BOX Rule 100(a)(64).
                                                                                                          Similarly, the Exchange believes                         comments from members or other
                                                  Specifically, the Exchange is amending
                                                                                                          Wednesday SPY Expirations should                         interested parties.
                                                  the definition to expand Short Term
                                                                                                          create greater trading and hedging
                                                  Option Series to those listed on any                                                                             III. Date of Effectiveness of the
                                                                                                          opportunities and flexibility, and
                                                  Tuesday or Wednesday and that expire                                                                             Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
                                                                                                          provide customers with the ability to
                                                  on the Wednesday of the next business                                                                            Commission Action
                                                                                                          more closely tailor their investment
                                                  week. If a Tuesday or Wednesday is not                                                                              Because the foregoing proposed rule
                                                                                                          objectives. The Exchange believes that
                                                  a business day, the series may be                                                                                change does not: (i) Significantly affect
                                                                                                          allowing Wednesday SPY Expirations
                                                                                                          and monthly SPY expirations in the                       the protection of investors or the public
                                                     9 The Exchange may open for trading on any
                                                                                                                                                                   interest; (ii) impose any significant
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                                                  Thursday or Friday that is a business day series of     same week will benefit investors and
                                                  options on that class that expire on each of the next   minimize investor confusion by                           burden on competition; and (iii) become
                                                  five Fridays that are business days and are not         providing Wednesday SPY Expirations                      operative for 30 days from the date on
                                                  Fridays in which monthly options series or                                                                       which it was filed, or such shorter time
                                                  Quarterly Options Series expire (‘‘Short Term
                                                                                                          in a continuous and uniform manner.
                                                  Option Expiration Dates’’). See Interpretation and
                                                                                                                                                                   as the Commission may designate, the
                                                  Policy .05 to Rule 19.6.                                  11 15    U.S.C. 78f(b).                                proposed rule change has become
                                                     10 See current paragraph (a) of Interpretation and     12 15    U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
                                                  Policy .05 to Rule 19.6.                                  13 Id.                                                   14 See   supra note 5.



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                                                  60072                       Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 169 / Wednesday, August 31, 2016 / Notices

                                                  effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)                 change is consistent with the Act.                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                  of the Act 15 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)                        Comments may be submitted by any of                    COMMISSION
                                                  thereunder.16                                             the following methods:
                                                     A proposed rule change filed under                                                                            [Release No. 34–78695; File No. SR–
                                                                                                            Electronic Comments
                                                  Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally does not                                                                               NASDAQ–2016–122]
                                                  become operative for 30 days from the                       • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                  date of filing. However, Rule 19b–                        comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                      Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
                                                  4(f)(6)(iii) 17 permits the Commission to                 rules/sro.shtml); or                                   NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of
                                                  designate a shorter time if such action
                                                  is consistent with the protection of                        • Send an email to rule-comments@                    Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
                                                                                                            sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                Proposed Rule Change To Expand the
                                                  investors and the public interest. The                                                                           Short Term Option Series Program
                                                  Exchange has asked the Commission to                      BatsEDGX–2016–50 on the subject line.
                                                  waive the 30-day operative delay so that                  Paper Comments                                         August 26, 2016.
                                                  the proposal may become operative
                                                                                                              • Send paper comments in triplicate                     Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                  immediately upon filing. The
                                                                                                            to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                  Commission notes that it recently
                                                  approved BOX’s substantially similar                      Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                          (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                  proposal to list and trade Wednesday                      Washington, DC 20549–1090.                             notice is hereby given that on August
                                                  SPY Expirations.18 The Exchange has                                                                              25, 2016, The NASDAQ Stock Market
                                                                                                            All submissions should refer to File                   LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed
                                                  stated that waiver of the operative delay                 Number SR–BatsEDGX–2016–50. This
                                                  will allow the Exchange to list and trade                                                                        with the Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                            file number should be included on the                  Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’)
                                                  Wednesday SPY Expirations as soon as                      subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                  possible, and therefore, promote                                                                                 the proposed rule change as described
                                                                                                            Commission process and review your
                                                  competition among the option                                                                                     in Items I and II, below, which Items
                                                                                                            comments more efficiently, please use
                                                  exchanges. For these reasons, the                                                                                have been prepared by the Exchange.
                                                                                                            only one method. The Commission will
                                                  Commission believes that the proposed                     post all comments on the Commission’s                  The Commission is publishing this
                                                  rule change presents no novel issues                      Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                 notice to solicit comments on the
                                                  and that waiver of the 30-day operative                   rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                        proposed rule change from interested
                                                  delay is consistent with the protection                   submission, all subsequent                             persons.
                                                  of investors and the public interest, and                 amendments, all written statements
                                                  will allow the Exchange to remain                                                                                I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                            with respect to the proposed rule                      Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                  competitive with other exchanges.                         change that are filed with the
                                                  Therefore, the Commission hereby                                                                                 the Proposed Rule Change
                                                                                                            Commission, and all written
                                                  waives the 30-day operative delay and                     communications relating to the                            The Exchange proposes to amend the
                                                  designates the proposal effective upon                    proposed rule change between the                       rules of the NASDAQ Options Market
                                                  filing.19 At any time within 60 days of                   Commission and any person, other than                  LLC (‘‘NOM’’) to expand the Short Term
                                                  the filing of the proposed rule change,                   those that may be withheld from the
                                                  the Commission summarily may                                                                                     Option Series Program to allow
                                                                                                            public in accordance with the                          Wednesday expirations for SPY options.
                                                  temporarily suspend such rule change if                   provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                  it appears to the Commission that such                    available for Web site viewing and                        The text of the proposed rule change
                                                  action is necessary or appropriate in the                 printing in the Commission’s Public                    is available on the Exchange’s Web site
                                                  public interest, for the protection of                    Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                      at http://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at
                                                  investors, or otherwise in furtherance of                 Washington, DC 20549, on official                      the principal office of the Exchange, and
                                                  the purposes of the Act. If the                           business days between the hours of                     at the Commission’s Public Reference
                                                  Commission takes such action, the                         10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                 Room.
                                                  Commission shall institute proceedings                    filing also will be available for
                                                  to determine whether the proposed rule                                                                           II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                            inspection and copying at the principal                Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  should be approved or disapproved.                        office of the Exchange. All comments                   Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  IV. Solicitation of Comments                              received will be posted without change;
                                                                                                                                                                   Change
                                                                                                            the Commission does not edit personal
                                                    Interested persons are invited to
                                                                                                            identifying information from                             In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                  submit written data, views and
                                                                                                            submissions. You should submit only                    Exchange included statements
                                                  arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                                                                            information that you wish to make                      concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                  including whether the proposed rule
                                                                                                            available publicly. All submissions                    the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                    15 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                                                                                            should refer to File Number SR–                        any comments it received on the
                                                    16 17  CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–      BatsEDGX–2016–50 and should be                         proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                  4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give   submitted on or before September 21,                   statements may be examined at the
                                                  the Commission written notice of its intention to         2016.
                                                  file the proposed rule change at least five business                                                             places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                  days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule       For the Commission, by the Division of               Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                  change, or such shorter time as designated by the         Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated             forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
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                                                  Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this               authority.20
                                                  requirement.                                                                                                     the most significant aspects of such
                                                     17 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
                                                                                                            Brent J. Fields,                                       statements.
                                                     18 See supra note 5.                                   Secretary.
                                                     19 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day             [FR Doc. 2016–20963 Filed 8–30–16; 8:45 am]
                                                  operative delay, the Commission has also                  BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                  considered the proposed rule’s impact on
                                                                                                                                                                     1 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                  efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
                                                  15 U.S.C. 78c(f).                                           20 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                           2 17   CFR 240.19b–4.



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Document Created: 2018-02-02 12:14:56
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 12:14:56
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 60070 

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