81_FR_75681 81 FR 75471 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Add Commentary .14 to Rule 4770 (Compliance With Regulation NMS Plan To Implement a Tick Size Pilot)

81 FR 75471 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Add Commentary .14 to Rule 4770 (Compliance With Regulation NMS Plan To Implement a Tick Size Pilot)

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 210 (October 31, 2016)

Page Range75471-75473
FR Document2016-26138

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 210 (Monday, October 31, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 210 (Monday, October 31, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75471-75473]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26138]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-79155; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2016-143]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To 
Add Commentary .14 to Rule 4770 (Compliance With Regulation NMS Plan To 
Implement a Tick Size Pilot)

October 25, 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 October 17, 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 and II, 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.\3\
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ The text of the proposed rule change is set forth below. 
Proposed new language is in italics; deleted text is in brackets.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to add Commentary .14 to Rule 4770 
(Compliance with Regulation NMS Plan to Implement a Tick Size Pilot) to 
provide the SEC with notice of its efforts to re-program its systems to 
eliminate a re-pricing functionality for certain orders in Test Group 
Three securities in connection with the Regulation NMS Plan to 
Implement a Tick Size Pilot Program (``Plan'' or ``Pilot'').\4\ Nasdaq 
also proposes to re-number current Commentary .12 relating to the Block 
Size exception to Commentary .13 as a technical correction.
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    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 74892 (May 6, 2015), 
80 FR 27513 (May 13, 2015) (``Approval Order'').

* * * * *

The NASDAQ Stock Market Rules

* * * * *

4770. Compliance With Regulation NMS Plan To Implement a Tick Size 
Pilot

    (a) through (d) No Change.
    Commentary: .01-.12 No change.
    .1[2]3 For purposes of qualifying for the Block Size exception 
under paragraph (c)(3)(D)(iii) of this Rule, the Order must have a 
size of 5,000 shares or more and the resulting execution upon entry 
must have a size of 5,000 shares or more in aggregate.
    .14 Until October 31, 2016, the treatment of Price to Comply 
Orders, Price to Display Orders, Non-Displayed Orders, and Post-Only 
Orders that are entered through the OUCH or FLITE protocols in Test 
Group Three securities shall be as follows:
    Following entry, and if market conditions allow, a Price to 
Comply Order in a Test Group Three Pilot Security will be adjusted 
repeatedly in accordance with changes to the NBBO until such time as 
the Price to Comply Order is able to be ranked and displayed at its 
original entered limit price.
    Following entry, and if market conditions allow, a Price to 
Display Order in a Test Group Three Pilot Security will be adjusted 
repeatedly in accordance with changes to the NBBO until such time as 
the Price to Display Order is able to be ranked and displayed at its 
original entered limit price.
    Following entry, and if market conditions allow, a Non-Displayed 
Order in a Test Group Three Pilot Security will be adjusted 
repeatedly in accordance with changes to the NBBO up (down) to the 
Order's limit price.
    Following entry, and if market conditions allow, the Post-Only 
Order in a Test Group Three Pilot Security will be adjusted 
repeatedly in accordance with changes to the NBBO or the best price 
on the Nasdaq Book, as applicable until such time as the Post-Only 
Order is able to be ranked and displayed at its original entered 
limit price.
* * * * *

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
    On September 7, 2016, The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (``Nasdaq'' or 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``SEC'' or ``Commission'') a proposed rule change (``Proposal'') to 
adopt paragraph (d) and Commentary .12 to Exchange Rule 4770 to 
describe changes to system functionality necessary to implement the 
Plan. The Exchange also proposed amendments to Rule 4770(a) and (c) to 
clarify how the Trade-at exception may be satisfied. The SEC published 
the Proposal in the Federal Register for notice and comment on 
September 20, 2016.\5\ Nasdaq subsequently filed three Partial 
Amendments to clarify aspects of the Proposal. The Commission approved 
the Proposal, as amended, on October 7, 2016.\6\
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    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78837 (September 14, 
2016), 81 FR 64544 (September 20, 2016) (SR-NASDAQ-2016-126).
    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79075 (October 7, 
2016) (SR-NASDAQ-2016-126).
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    In SR-NASDAQ-2016-126, Nasdaq had initially proposed a re-pricing 
functionality for Price to Comply Orders, Non-Displayed Orders, and 
Post-Only Orders entered through the OUCH and FLITE protocols in Group 
Three securities.\7\ Nasdaq subsequently determined that it would not 
offer this re-pricing functionality for Price to Comply Orders, Non-
Displayed Orders, and Post-Only Orders entered through the OUCH and 
FLITE protocols in Group Three securities. As part of Partial Amendment 
No. 2 to SR-NASDAQ-2016-126, Nasdaq proposed to delete the relevant 
language from Rule 4770 related to this re-pricing functionality.
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    \7\ As originally proposed, Rule 4770(d)(2) stated that Price to 
Comply Orders in a Test Group Three Pilot Security will be adjusted 
repeatedly in accordance with changes to the NBBO until such time as 
the Price to Comply Order is able to be ranked and displayed at its 
original entered limit price. Rule 4770(d)(3) stated that, if market 
conditions allow, a Non-Displayed Order in a Test Group Three Pilot 
Security will be adjusted repeatedly in accordance with changes to 
the NBBO up (down) to the Order's limit price. Rule 4770(d)(4) 
stated that, if market conditions allow, the Post-Only Order in a 
Test Group Three Pilot Security will be adjusted repeatedly in 
accordance with changes to the NBBO or the best price on the Nasdaq 
Book, as applicable until such time as the Post-Only Order is able 
to be ranked and displayed at its original entered limit price.
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    In that amendment, Nasdaq noted that this change would only impact 
the treatment of Price to Comply Orders, Non-Displayed Orders, and 
Post-Only orders that are submitted through the

[[Page 75472]]

OUCH and FLITE protocols in Test Group Three Pilot Securities, as these 
types of Orders that are currently submitted to Nasdaq through the 
RASH, QIX or FIX protocols are already subject to this re-pricing 
functionality and will remain subject to this functionality under the 
Pilot.
    In the Amendment, Nasdaq further noted that its systems are 
currently programmed so that Price to Comply Orders, Non-Displayed 
Orders and Post-Only Orders entered through the OUCH and FLITE 
protocols in Test Group Three Securities may be adjusted repeatedly to 
reflect changes to the NBBO and/or the best price on the Nasdaq book. 
Nasdaq stated that it is re-programming its systems to remove this 
functionality for Price to Comply Orders, Non-Displayed Orders and 
Post-Only Orders entered through the OUCH and FLITE protocols in Test 
Group Three Securities.\8\ In the Amendment, Nasdaq stated that it 
anticipated that this re-programming shall be completed no later than 
November 30, 2016. If it appears that this functionality will remain 
operational by October 17, 2016, Nasdaq indicated that it would file a 
proposed rule change with the SEC and will provide notice to market 
participants sufficiently in advance of that date to provide effective 
notice. The rule change and the notice to market participants will 
describe the current operation of the Nasdaq systems in this regard, 
and the timing related to the re-programming.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ Nasdaq has become aware that this re-pricing functionality 
also applies to Price to Display Orders that are entered through the 
OUCH and FLITE protocols in Test Group Three Securities, and is 
including those Orders as part of this proposal accordingly. Price 
to Display Orders will be treated in the same manner as Price to 
Comply Orders under the re-pricing functionality.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At this time, Nasdaq is still in the process of re-programming its 
systems to eliminate the re-pricing functionality in Test Group Three 
securities for Price to Comply Orders, Price to Display Orders, Non-
Displayed Orders, and Post-Only Orders that are entered through the 
OUCH or FLITE protocols. Nasdaq anticipates that this re-programming 
shall be complete on or before October 31, 2016.
    Therefore, the current treatment of Price to Comply Orders, Price 
to Display Orders, Non-Displayed Orders, and Post-Only Orders that are 
entered through the OUCH or FLITE protocols in Test Group Three 
securities shall be as follows:
    Following entry, and if market conditions allow, a Price to Comply 
Order in a Test Group Three Pilot Security will be adjusted repeatedly 
in accordance with changes to the NBBO until such time as the Price to 
Comply Order is able to be ranked and displayed at its original entered 
limit price.
    Following entry, and if market conditions allow, a Price to Display 
Order in a Test Group Three Pilot Security will be adjusted repeatedly 
in accordance with changes to the NBBO until such time as the Price to 
Display Order is able to be ranked and displayed at its original 
entered limit price.
    Following entry, and if market conditions allow, a Non-Displayed 
Order in a Test Group Three Pilot Security will be adjusted repeatedly 
in accordance with changes to the NBBO up (down) to the Order's limit 
price.
    Following entry, and if market conditions allow, a Post-Only Order 
in a Test Group Three Pilot Security will be adjusted repeatedly in 
accordance with changes to the NBBO or the best price on the Nasdaq 
Book, as applicable until such time as the Post-Only Order is able to 
be ranked and displayed at its original entered limit price.
    In addition to this proposal, Nasdaq will also issue an Equity 
Trader Alert that describes the current operation of the Nasdaq systems 
in this regard, and the timing related to the removal of this re-
pricing functionality.\9\
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    \9\ Nasdaq anticipates providing additional specificity to 
market participants as to the timing of the new functionality at a 
later date.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Nasdaq also proposes to re-number Commentary .12, which relates to 
the Block Size exception, to Commentary .13. A previous filing (SR-
NASDAQ-2016-123) added Commentary to Rule 4770 that resulted in 
Commentary .11, which addresses the effective date of the Rule, being 
re-numbered as Commentary .12. Nasdaq therefore proposes to re-number 
the Commentary .12 that addresses the Block Size exception as 
Commentary .13.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\10\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act,\11\ in particular, in that 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 a national 
market system, and, in general to protect investors and the public 
interest. The purpose of this filing is to inform the SEC and market 
participants of the status of Nasdaq's attempts to re-program its 
systems to remove the re-pricing functionality in Test Group Three 
securities for Price to Comply Orders, Price to Display Orders, Non-
Displayed Orders, and Post-Only Orders that are entered through the 
OUCH or FLITE protocols, and the current treatment of such orders 
pending the removal of this functionality. This proposal is consistent 
with the Act because it provides the SEC and market participants with 
notice of Nasdaq's efforts in this regard, and is being submitted in 
connection with the statements made by Nasdaq in SR-NASDAQ-2016-126 in 
proposing the removal of this functionality.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Nasdaq also believes that the proposal is consistent with the Act 
because the re-pricing functionality will not significantly impact the 
data gathered pursuant to the Pilot. Nasdaq notes that this re-pricing 
functionality only affects Price to Comply Orders, Price to Display 
Orders, Non-Displayed Orders, and Post-Only Orders that are entered 
through the OUCH or FLITE protocols for Test Group Three securities 
until the re-pricing functionality is eliminated, and only becomes 
relevant when an Order in a Test Group Three security would cross a 
Protected Quotation of another market center. Nasdaq has analyzed data 
relating to the frequency with which Orders in Test Group Three 
securities are entered with a limit price that would cross a Protected 
Quotation of another market center, and believes that the re-pricing 
functionality will be triggered infrequently once Test Group Three 
becomes operational.\12\ The Exchange also notes that it is diligently 
working to re-program its systems to remove this re-pricing 
functionality, and that it anticipates this re-programming to be 
complete on or before October 31, 2016.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ For example, on September 23, 2016, 0.3% of orders in Test 
Group Three securities were entered on Nasdaq at a price that 
crossed the NBBO. Nasdaq believes that this number will be even 
lower starting October 17, 2016, when the $0.05 tick increment for 
Test Group Three securities is in place.
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The purpose of this proposal is 
to provide the SEC and market participants with notice of Nasdaq's 
efforts to remove its re-pricing functionality in Test Group Three 
securities for Price to Comply Orders, Price to Display Orders, Non-
Displayed Orders, and Post-Only Orders that are entered through the 
OUCH or FLITE

[[Page 75473]]

protocols, consistent with its statements in SR-NASDAQ-2016-126.

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

    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, it has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act\13\ and 
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \14\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does 
not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing. Rule 
19b-4(f)(6)(iii), however, permits the Commission to designate a 
shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest. The Exchange requests that the 
Commission waive the 30-day operative delay contained in Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) so that this proposed change will be in operative as of 
October 17, 2016, the date that Test Group Three securities begin to be 
subject to the quoting and trading restrictions of the Plan and, 
therefore, the relevant language in Rule 4770.
    The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is 
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest 
because it will allow the Exchange to implement the proposed rules 
immediately thereby preventing delays in the implementation of the 
Plan. The Commission notes that the Pilot started implementation on 
October 3, 2016, Test Group Three securities were phased into the Pilot 
starting on October 17, 2016, and waiving the 30-day operative delay 
would ensure that the rules of the Exchange would be in place during 
implementation. Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the 30-day 
operative delay and designates the proposed rule change to be operative 
upon filing with the Commission.\15\
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    \15\ For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this 
proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact 
on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is: (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-2016-143 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-2016-143. 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-2016-143, and should 
be submitted on or before November 21, 2016.
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    \16\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\16\
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-26138 Filed 10-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 210 / Monday, October 31, 2016 / Notices                                                  75471

                                                available publicly. All submissions                      Size exception to Commentary .13 as a                 A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                should refer to File Number SR–BX–                       technical correction.                                 Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                2016–054, and should be submitted on                                                                           Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                or before November 21, 2016.                             *       *     *       *      *                        Change
                                                  For the Commission, by the Division of                 The NASDAQ Stock Market Rules                         1. Purpose
                                                Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated               *       *     *       *      *
                                                authority.15                                                                                                      On September 7, 2016, The Nasdaq
                                                Brent J. Fields,                                         4770. Compliance With Regulation NMS                  Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or
                                                                                                         Plan To Implement a Tick Size Pilot                   ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
                                                Secretary.
                                                                                                            (a) through (d) No Change.
                                                                                                                                                               and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or
                                                [FR Doc. 2016–26137 Filed 10–28–16; 8:45 am]                                                                   ‘‘Commission’’) a proposed rule change
                                                                                                            Commentary: .01–.12 No change.
                                                BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                            .1[2]3 For purposes of qualifying for the          (‘‘Proposal’’) to adopt paragraph (d) and
                                                                                                         Block Size exception under paragraph                  Commentary .12 to Exchange Rule 4770
                                                                                                         (c)(3)(D)(iii) of this Rule, the Order must have      to describe changes to system
                                                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                                                                        functionality necessary to implement
                                                COMMISSION                                               a size of 5,000 shares or more and the
                                                                                                         resulting execution upon entry must have a            the Plan. The Exchange also proposed
                                                [Release No. 34–79155; File No. SR–                      size of 5,000 shares or more in aggregate.            amendments to Rule 4770(a) and (c) to
                                                NASDAQ–2016–143]                                            .14 Until October 31, 2016, the treatment          clarify how the Trade-at exception may
                                                                                                         of Price to Comply Orders, Price to Display           be satisfied. The SEC published the
                                                Self-Regulatory Organizations; The                       Orders, Non-Displayed Orders, and Post-               Proposal in the Federal Register for
                                                NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of                       Only Orders that are entered through the              notice and comment on September 20,
                                                Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of                    OUCH or FLITE protocols in Test Group                 2016.5 Nasdaq subsequently filed three
                                                Proposed Rule Change To Add                              Three securities shall be as follows:                 Partial Amendments to clarify aspects of
                                                Commentary .14 to Rule 4770                                 Following entry, and if market conditions          the Proposal. The Commission approved
                                                (Compliance With Regulation NMS                          allow, a Price to Comply Order in a Test              the Proposal, as amended, on October 7,
                                                Plan To Implement a Tick Size Pilot)                     Group Three Pilot Security will be adjusted           2016.6
                                                                                                         repeatedly in accordance with changes to the             In SR–NASDAQ–2016–126, Nasdaq
                                                October 25, 2016.                                                                                              had initially proposed a re-pricing
                                                                                                         NBBO until such time as the Price to Comply
                                                   Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                   Order is able to be ranked and displayed at           functionality for Price to Comply
                                                Securities Exchange Act of 1934                          its original entered limit price.                     Orders, Non-Displayed Orders, and
                                                (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                     Following entry, and if market conditions          Post-Only Orders entered through the
                                                notice is hereby given that on October                   allow, a Price to Display Order in a Test             OUCH and FLITE protocols in Group
                                                17, 2016, The NASDAQ Stock Market                        Group Three Pilot Security will be adjusted           Three securities.7 Nasdaq subsequently
                                                LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed                   repeatedly in accordance with changes to the          determined that it would not offer this
                                                with the Securities and Exchange                         NBBO until such time as the Price to Display          re-pricing functionality for Price to
                                                Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’)                   Order is able to be ranked and displayed at           Comply Orders, Non-Displayed Orders,
                                                the proposed rule change as described                    its original entered limit price.                     and Post-Only Orders entered through
                                                in Items I and II, below, which Items                       Following entry, and if market conditions          the OUCH and FLITE protocols in
                                                have been prepared by the Exchange.                      allow, a Non-Displayed Order in a Test                Group Three securities. As part of
                                                The Commission is publishing this                        Group Three Pilot Security will be adjusted           Partial Amendment No. 2 to SR–
                                                notice to solicit comments on the                        repeatedly in accordance with changes to the          NASDAQ–2016–126, Nasdaq proposed
                                                proposed rule change from interested                     NBBO up (down) to the Order’s limit price.            to delete the relevant language from
                                                persons.3                                                   Following entry, and if market conditions          Rule 4770 related to this re-pricing
                                                I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        allow, the Post-Only Order in a Test Group            functionality.
                                                                                                         Three Pilot Security will be adjusted                    In that amendment, Nasdaq noted that
                                                Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                                                                         repeatedly in accordance with changes to the          this change would only impact the
                                                the Proposed Rule Change
                                                                                                         NBBO or the best price on the Nasdaq Book,            treatment of Price to Comply Orders,
                                                  The Exchange proposes to add                           as applicable until such time as the Post-            Non-Displayed Orders, and Post-Only
                                                Commentary .14 to Rule 4770                              Only Order is able to be ranked and                   orders that are submitted through the
                                                (Compliance with Regulation NMS Plan                     displayed at its original entered limit price.
                                                to Implement a Tick Size Pilot) to                       *       *     *       *      *                           5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78837

                                                provide the SEC with notice of its efforts                                                                     (September 14, 2016), 81 FR 64544 (September 20,
                                                to re-program its systems to eliminate a                 II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                    2016) (SR–NASDAQ–2016–126).
                                                                                                                                                                  6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79075
                                                re-pricing functionality for certain                     Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                                                                               (October 7, 2016) (SR–NASDAQ–2016–126).
                                                orders in Test Group Three securities in                 Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                   7 As originally proposed, Rule 4770(d)(2) stated
                                                connection with the Regulation NMS                       Change                                                that Price to Comply Orders in a Test Group Three
                                                Plan to Implement a Tick Size Pilot                                                                            Pilot Security will be adjusted repeatedly in
                                                Program (‘‘Plan’’ or ‘‘Pilot’’).4 Nasdaq                   In its filing with the Commission, the              accordance with changes to the NBBO until such
                                                                                                         Exchange included statements                          time as the Price to Comply Order is able to be
                                                also proposes to re-number current                                                                             ranked and displayed at its original entered limit
                                                Commentary .12 relating to the Block                     concerning the purpose of and basis for               price. Rule 4770(d)(3) stated that, if market
                                                                                                         the proposed rule change and discussed                conditions allow, a Non-Displayed Order in a Test
                                                                                                         any comments it received on the                       Group Three Pilot Security will be adjusted
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  15 17  CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                  1 15                                                   proposed rule change. The text of these               repeatedly in accordance with changes to the NBBO
                                                        U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                                                                      up (down) to the Order’s limit price. Rule
                                                   2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                   statements may be examined at the                     4770(d)(4) stated that, if market conditions allow,
                                                   3 The text of the proposed rule change is set forth   places specified in Item IV below. The                the Post-Only Order in a Test Group Three Pilot
                                                below. Proposed new language is in italics; deleted      Exchange has prepared summaries, set                  Security will be adjusted repeatedly in accordance
                                                text is in brackets.                                                                                           with changes to the NBBO or the best price on the
                                                   4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 74892
                                                                                                         forth in sections A, B, and C below, of               Nasdaq Book, as applicable until such time as the
                                                (May 6, 2015), 80 FR 27513 (May 13, 2015)                the most significant aspects of such                  Post-Only Order is able to be ranked and displayed
                                                (‘‘Approval Order’’).                                    statements.                                           at its original entered limit price.



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                                                75472                        Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 210 / Monday, October 31, 2016 / Notices

                                                OUCH and FLITE protocols in Test                        accordance with changes to the NBBO                   Three securities for Price to Comply
                                                Group Three Pilot Securities, as these                  until such time as the Price to Comply                Orders, Price to Display Orders, Non-
                                                types of Orders that are currently                      Order is able to be ranked and displayed              Displayed Orders, and Post-Only Orders
                                                submitted to Nasdaq through the RASH,                   at its original entered limit price.                  that are entered through the OUCH or
                                                QIX or FIX protocols are already subject                   Following entry, and if market                     FLITE protocols, and the current
                                                to this re-pricing functionality and will               conditions allow, a Price to Display                  treatment of such orders pending the
                                                remain subject to this functionality                    Order in a Test Group Three Pilot                     removal of this functionality. This
                                                under the Pilot.                                        Security will be adjusted repeatedly in               proposal is consistent with the Act
                                                  In the Amendment, Nasdaq further                      accordance with changes to the NBBO                   because it provides the SEC and market
                                                noted that its systems are currently                    until such time as the Price to Display               participants with notice of Nasdaq’s
                                                programmed so that Price to Comply                      Order is able to be ranked and displayed              efforts in this regard, and is being
                                                Orders, Non-Displayed Orders and Post-                  at its original entered limit price.                  submitted in connection with the
                                                Only Orders entered through the OUCH                       Following entry, and if market                     statements made by Nasdaq in SR–
                                                and FLITE protocols in Test Group                       conditions allow, a Non-Displayed                     NASDAQ–2016–126 in proposing the
                                                Three Securities may be adjusted                        Order in a Test Group Three Pilot                     removal of this functionality.
                                                repeatedly to reflect changes to the                    Security will be adjusted repeatedly in                  Nasdaq also believes that the proposal
                                                NBBO and/or the best price on the                       accordance with changes to the NBBO                   is consistent with the Act because the
                                                Nasdaq book. Nasdaq stated that it is re-               up (down) to the Order’s limit price.                 re-pricing functionality will not
                                                programming its systems to remove this                     Following entry, and if market                     significantly impact the data gathered
                                                functionality for Price to Comply                       conditions allow, a Post-Only Order in                pursuant to the Pilot. Nasdaq notes that
                                                Orders, Non-Displayed Orders and Post-                  a Test Group Three Pilot Security will                this re-pricing functionality only affects
                                                Only Orders entered through the OUCH                    be adjusted repeatedly in accordance                  Price to Comply Orders, Price to Display
                                                and FLITE protocols in Test Group                       with changes to the NBBO or the best                  Orders, Non-Displayed Orders, and
                                                Three Securities.8 In the Amendment,                    price on the Nasdaq Book, as applicable               Post-Only Orders that are entered
                                                Nasdaq stated that it anticipated that                  until such time as the Post-Only Order                through the OUCH or FLITE protocols
                                                this re-programming shall be completed                  is able to be ranked and displayed at its             for Test Group Three securities until the
                                                no later than November 30, 2016. If it                  original entered limit price.                         re-pricing functionality is eliminated,
                                                appears that this functionality will                       In addition to this proposal, Nasdaq               and only becomes relevant when an
                                                remain operational by October 17, 2016,                 will also issue an Equity Trader Alert                Order in a Test Group Three security
                                                Nasdaq indicated that it would file a                   that describes the current operation of               would cross a Protected Quotation of
                                                proposed rule change with the SEC and                   the Nasdaq systems in this regard, and                another market center. Nasdaq has
                                                will provide notice to market                           the timing related to the removal of this             analyzed data relating to the frequency
                                                participants sufficiently in advance of                 re-pricing functionality.9                            with which Orders in Test Group Three
                                                that date to provide effective notice. The                 Nasdaq also proposes to re-number                  securities are entered with a limit price
                                                rule change and the notice to market                    Commentary .12, which relates to the                  that would cross a Protected Quotation
                                                participants will describe the current                  Block Size exception, to Commentary                   of another market center, and believes
                                                operation of the Nasdaq systems in this                 .13. A previous filing (SR–NASDAQ–                    that the re-pricing functionality will be
                                                regard, and the timing related to the re-               2016–123) added Commentary to Rule                    triggered infrequently once Test Group
                                                programming.                                            4770 that resulted in Commentary .11,                 Three becomes operational.12 The
                                                  At this time, Nasdaq is still in the                  which addresses the effective date of the             Exchange also notes that it is diligently
                                                process of re-programming its systems                   Rule, being re-numbered as                            working to re-program its systems to
                                                to eliminate the re-pricing functionality               Commentary .12. Nasdaq therefore                      remove this re-pricing functionality, and
                                                in Test Group Three securities for Price                proposes to re-number the Commentary                  that it anticipates this re-programming
                                                to Comply Orders, Price to Display                      .12 that addresses the Block Size                     to be complete on or before October 31,
                                                Orders, Non-Displayed Orders, and                       exception as Commentary .13.                          2016.
                                                Post-Only Orders that are entered
                                                through the OUCH or FLITE protocols.                    2. Statutory Basis                                    B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                Nasdaq anticipates that this re-                           The Exchange believes that its                     Statement on Burden on Competition
                                                programming shall be complete on or                     proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)                The Exchange does not believe that
                                                before October 31, 2016.                                of the Act,10 in general, and furthers the
                                                  Therefore, the current treatment of                                                                         the proposed rule change will impose
                                                                                                        objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,11           any burden on competition not
                                                Price to Comply Orders, Price to Display                in particular, in that it is designed to
                                                Orders, Non-Displayed Orders, and                                                                             necessary or appropriate in furtherance
                                                                                                        promote just and equitable principles of              of the purposes of the Act. The purpose
                                                Post-Only Orders that are entered                       trade, to remove impediments to and
                                                through the OUCH or FLITE protocols                                                                           of this proposal is to provide the SEC
                                                                                                        perfect the mechanism of a free and                   and market participants with notice of
                                                in Test Group Three securities shall be                 open market and a national market
                                                as follows:                                                                                                   Nasdaq’s efforts to remove its re-pricing
                                                                                                        system, and, in general to protect                    functionality in Test Group Three
                                                  Following entry, and if market                        investors and the public interest. The
                                                conditions allow, a Price to Comply                                                                           securities for Price to Comply Orders,
                                                                                                        purpose of this filing is to inform the               Price to Display Orders, Non-Displayed
                                                Order in a Test Group Three Pilot                       SEC and market participants of the
                                                Security will be adjusted repeatedly in                                                                       Orders, and Post-Only Orders that are
                                                                                                        status of Nasdaq’s attempts to re-
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                              entered through the OUCH or FLITE
                                                                                                        program its systems to remove the re-
                                                  8 Nasdaq has become aware that this re-pricing
                                                                                                        pricing functionality in Test Group
                                                functionality also applies to Price to Display Orders                                                           12 For example, on September 23, 2016, 0.3% of

                                                that are entered through the OUCH and FLITE                                                                   orders in Test Group Three securities were entered
                                                                                                          9 Nasdaq   anticipates providing additional
                                                protocols in Test Group Three Securities, and is                                                              on Nasdaq at a price that crossed the NBBO. Nasdaq
                                                including those Orders as part of this proposal         specificity to market participants as to the timing   believes that this number will be even lower
                                                accordingly. Price to Display Orders will be treated    of the new functionality at a later date.             starting October 17, 2016, when the $0.05 tick
                                                                                                          10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                                in the same manner as Price to Comply Orders                                                                  increment for Test Group Three securities is in
                                                under the re-pricing functionality.                       11 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                             place.



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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 210 / Monday, October 31, 2016 / Notices                                                   75473

                                                protocols, consistent with its statements                  At any time within 60 days of the                  received will be posted without change;
                                                in SR–NASDAQ–2016–126.                                  filing of the proposed rule change, the               the Commission does not edit personal
                                                                                                        Commission summarily may                              identifying information from
                                                C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                        temporarily suspend such rule change if               submissions. You should submit only
                                                Statement on Comments on the
                                                                                                        it appears to the Commission that such                information that you wish to make
                                                Proposed Rule Change Received From
                                                                                                        action is: (i) Necessary or appropriate in            available publicly. All submissions
                                                Members, Participants, or Others
                                                                                                        the public interest; (ii) for the protection          should refer to File Number SR–
                                                  No written comments were either                       of investors; or (iii) otherwise in                   NASDAQ–2016–143, and should be
                                                solicited or received.                                  furtherance of the purposes of the Act.               submitted on or before November 21,
                                                III. Date of Effectiveness of the                       If the Commission takes such action, the              2016.
                                                Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                     Commission shall institute proceedings                  For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                Commission Action                                       to determine whether the proposed rule                Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                                                                        should be approved or disapproved.                    authority.16
                                                   Because the foregoing proposed rule                                                                        Brent J. Fields,
                                                change does not: (i) Significantly affect               IV. Solicitation of Comments
                                                                                                                                                              Secretary.
                                                the protection of investors or the public                 Interested persons are invited to
                                                                                                                                                              [FR Doc. 2016–26138 Filed 10–28–16; 8:45 am]
                                                interest; (ii) impose any significant                   submit written data, views, and
                                                                                                        arguments concerning the foregoing,                   BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                burden on competition; and (iii) become
                                                operative for 30 days from the date on                  including whether the proposed rule
                                                which it was filed, or such shorter time                change is consistent with the Act.
                                                                                                                                                              SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                as the Commission may designate, it has                 Comments may be submitted by any of
                                                                                                                                                              COMMISSION
                                                become effective pursuant to Section                    the following methods:
                                                19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act13 and                       Electronic Comments
                                                                                                                                                              [Release No. 34–79156; File No. SR–Phlx–
                                                subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4                                                                             2016–106]
                                                thereunder.14                                             • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                   A proposed rule change filed under                   comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                     Self-Regulatory Organizations;
                                                Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally does not                      rules/sro.shtml); or                                  NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing
                                                become operative prior to 30 days after                   • Send an email to rule-comments@                   and Immediate Effectiveness of
                                                the date of filing. Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),              sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–               Proposed Rule Change to Add
                                                however, permits the Commission to                      NASDAQ–2016–143 on the subject line.                  Commentary .14 to Rule 3317
                                                designate a shorter time if such action                                                                       (Compliance With Regulation NMS
                                                                                                        Paper Comments
                                                is consistent with the protection of                                                                          Plan To Implement a Tick Size Pilot)
                                                                                                           • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                investors and the public interest. The                  to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                 October 25, 2016.
                                                Exchange requests that the Commission                   Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                            Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                waive the 30-day operative delay                        Washington, DC 20549–1090.                            Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                contained in Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) so that                                                                    (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                this proposed change will be in                         All submissions should refer to File
                                                                                                        Number SR–NASDAQ–2016–143. This                       notice is hereby given that on October
                                                operative as of October 17, 2016, the                                                                         17, 2016, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’
                                                date that Test Group Three securities                   file number should be included on the
                                                                                                        subject line if email is used. To help the            or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
                                                begin to be subject to the quoting and                                                                        and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or
                                                trading restrictions of the Plan and,                   Commission process and review your
                                                                                                        comments more efficiently, please use                 ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
                                                therefore, the relevant language in Rule                                                                      change as described in Items I and II,
                                                4770.                                                   only one method. The Commission will
                                                                                                        post all comments on the Commission’s                 below, which Items have been prepared
                                                   The Commission believes that                                                                               by the Exchange. The Commission is
                                                                                                        Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                waiving the 30-day operative delay is                                                                         publishing this notice to solicit
                                                                                                        rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                consistent with the protection of                                                                             comments on the proposed rule change
                                                                                                        submission, all subsequent
                                                investors and the public interest                                                                             from interested persons.
                                                                                                        amendments, all written statements
                                                because it will allow the Exchange to
                                                                                                        with respect to the proposed rule                     I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                implement the proposed rules
                                                                                                        change that are filed with the                        Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                immediately thereby preventing delays
                                                                                                        Commission, and all written                           the Proposed Rule Change
                                                in the implementation of the Plan. The
                                                                                                        communications relating to the
                                                Commission notes that the Pilot started                                                                          The Exchange proposes to add
                                                                                                        proposed rule change between the
                                                implementation on October 3, 2016,                                                                            Commentary .14 to Rule 3317
                                                                                                        Commission and any person, other than
                                                Test Group Three securities were                                                                              (Compliance with Regulation NMS Plan
                                                                                                        those that may be withheld from the
                                                phased into the Pilot starting on October                                                                     to Implement a Tick Size Pilot) to
                                                                                                        public in accordance with the
                                                17, 2016, and waiving the 30-day                                                                              provide the SEC with notice of its efforts
                                                                                                        provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                operative delay would ensure that the                                                                         to re-program its systems to eliminate a
                                                                                                        available for Web site viewing and
                                                rules of the Exchange would be in place                                                                       re-pricing functionality for certain
                                                                                                        printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                during implementation. Therefore, the                                                                         orders in Test Group Three securities in
                                                                                                        Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                Commission hereby waives the 30-day                                                                           connection with the Regulation NMS
                                                                                                        Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                                operative delay and designates the                                                                            Plan to Implement a Tick Size Pilot
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                        business days between the hours of
                                                proposed rule change to be operative                                                                          Program (‘‘Plan’’ or ‘‘Pilot’’).3 Phlx also
                                                                                                        10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                upon filing with the Commission.15
                                                                                                        filing also will be available for                       16 17  CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                  13 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).                       inspection and copying at the principal                 1 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                  14 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                            office of the Exchange. All comments                     2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                  15 For purposes only of waiving the operative                                                                  3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 74892

                                                delay for this proposal, the Commission has             efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See   (May 6, 2015), 80 FR 27513 (May 13, 2015)
                                                considered the proposed rule’s impact on                15 U.S.C. 78c(f).                                     (‘‘Approval Order’’).



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Document Created: 2018-02-02 12:13:44
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 12:13:44
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 75471 

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