81_FR_84855 81 FR 84629 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change To Adopt a New Exception in Exchange Rule 1000(f) for Sub-MPV Split-Price Orders

81 FR 84629 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change To Adopt a New Exception in Exchange Rule 1000(f) for Sub-MPV Split-Price Orders

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 226 (November 23, 2016)

Page Range84629-84631
FR Document2016-28189

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 226 (Wednesday, November 23, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 226 (Wednesday, November 23, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84629-84631]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28189]


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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-79345; File No. SR-Phlx-2016-82]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Order Instituting 
Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed 
Rule Change To Adopt a New Exception in Exchange Rule 1000(f) for Sub-
MPV Split-Price Orders

November 17, 2016.

I. Introduction

    On August 3, 2016, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (``Exchange'' or ``Phlx'') filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission''), pursuant 
to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') 
\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule change to provide an 
additional exception to the mandatory use of the Exchange's Floor 
Broker Management System (``FBMS'') pursuant to Rule 1000(f)(iii) to 
permit Floor Brokers to execute certain sub-minimum price increment 
(``sub-MPV'') split-price orders in the trading crowd. The proposed 
rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on August 
22, 2016.\3\ On October 3, 2016, the Commission extended the time 
period within which to approve the proposed rule change, disapprove the 
proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to determine whether to 
approve or disapprove the proposed rule change to November 20, 2016.\4\ 
The Commission received no comments on the proposal. This order 
institutes proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act \5\ to 
determine whether to disapprove the proposed rule change.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78593 (August 16, 
2016), 81 FR 56724 (``Notice'').
    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79023 (October 3, 
2016), 81 FR 69877 (October 7, 2016).
    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
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II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change

    Currently, Phlx Rule 1000(f) requires that all Exchange options 
transactions be executed in one of the following three ways: ``(i) 
[a]utomatically by the Exchange Trading System pursuant to Rule 1080 
and other applicable options rules; (ii) by and among members in the 
Exchange's options trading crowd none of whom is a Floor Broker; or 
(iii) through the Options [FBMS] for trades involving at least one 
Floor Broker.'' \6\ Although a Floor Broker may represent orders in the 
trading crowd, a Floor Broker is not permitted to execute an order in 
the trading crowd unless one of three exceptions applies.\7\ The 
exceptions to the mandatory use of FBMS \8\ are set forth in Phlx Rule 
1000(f)(iii). These exceptions allow a Floor Broker to execute a 
transaction in the trading crowd (rather than through FBMS) if: (i) 
there is a problem with Exchange's systems; (ii) the Floor Broker is 
executing the trade pursuant to Phlx Rule 1059 (``Accommodation 
Transactions'') or Phlx Rule 1079 (``Flex Index, Equity and Currency 
Options''); or (iii) the transaction involves a multi-leg order with 
more than 15 legs.\9\
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    \6\ See Phlx Rule 1000(f).
    \7\ See Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii).
    \8\ The original FBMS (``FBMS 1'') began operating in 2005. The 
Exchange retired FBMS 1 on March 31, 2016 after operating it 
concurrently with the Exchange's enhanced FBMS (``FBMS 2''), which 
was made available on March 7, 2014. As of March 31, 2016, FBMS 2 is 
available to all Floor Brokers in all options and is the only FBMS 
currently in use. The Exchange represents that it has contracted 
with a third-party to build an alternative system (``FBMS 3'') to 
replace FBMS 2, and anticipates that FBMS 3 will be ready by 
November 30, 2016. See Notice, supra note 3, at 56725.
    \9\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726; see also Phlx Rule 
1000(f)(iii)(A)-(C). According to the Exchange, each time a Floor 
Broker uses one the current exceptions to Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii), 
the Floor Broker is required by Phlx Rule 1063(e)(ii), to record the 
information required by Phlx Rule 1063(e)(i) on paper trade tickets. 
The Exchange further represents that a Floor Broker may only 
represent an order for execution that has been time stamped with the 
time of entry on the trading floor. In addition, according to the 
Exchange, once an execution occurs, the trade ticket must be stamped 
with the time of execution of such order. See Notice, supra note 3, 
at 56726.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Phlx Rule 1014(g)(i)(B) provides a priority rule regarding open 
outcry split price transactions in equity options and options overlying 
ETFs to permit a member who is responding to an order for at least 100 
contracts who buys (sells) at least 50 contracts at a particular price 
to have priority over all other orders in purchasing (selling) up to an 
equivalent number of contracts of the same order at the next lower 
(higher) price without being required to yield to existing customer 
interest in the limit order book.\10\ Absent Phlx Rule 1014(g)(i)(B), 
such orders would be required to yield priority. The Exchange states 
that ``the purpose behind the split-price priority exception was `to 
bring about the execution of large orders, which by virtue of their 
size and the need to execute them at multiple prices may be difficult 
to execute

[[Page 84630]]

without a limited exception to the priority rules.' '' \11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726 (citing Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 51820 (June 10, 2005), 70 FR 35759 (June 
21, 2005) (SR-Phlx-2005-28)) (approving pilot). See also Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 55993 (June 29, 2007), 72 FR 37301 (July 9, 
2007) (SR-Phlx-2007-44) (permanent approval).
    \11\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the Exchange, split-price orders are currently 
processed using either FBMS 2 or paper tickets, depending on whether 
the split-price order can be evenly split using simple calculations or 
whether the transaction involves non-even integers and sub-MPV price 
points, thus requiring a more complicated computation to determine the 
number of contracts to trade at two different price points.\12\ The 
Exchange represents that FBMS 2 does not have the capability to 
calculate specific volumes at different prices for transactions 
resulting from split-price orders.\13\ To compensate for this system 
limitation, the Exchange is proposing to amend Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii) 
to add a new exception from the mandatory use of FBMS that would 
expressly authorize Floor Brokers to execute certain split-price orders 
in the trading crowd. Accordingly, the Exchange is proposing in Phlx 
Rule 1000(f)(iii)(D) to allow the following split-price orders to be 
executed in the trading crowd: (1) simple orders not expressed in the 
applicable sub-MPV and that cannot be evenly split into two whole 
numbers to create a price at the midpoint of the MPV; and (2) complex 
and multi-leg orders with at least one option leg with an odd-numbered 
volume that must trade at a sub-MPV price or one leg that qualifies 
under (1) above.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726. Today, when the 
computation is more complicated, surveillance staff allows a Floor 
Broker to execute split-price orders involving non-even integers and 
sub-MPV price points in open outcry using paper tickets pursuant to 
Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(A). See id.
    \13\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726.
    \14\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56724.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also proposes that, in addition to split-price orders 
executed pursuant to proposed Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(D), Phlx 
surveillance staff would approve all executions submitted under Phlx 
Rule 1000(f)(iii) to validate that such executions abide by applicable 
priority and trade-through rules.\15\ The Exchange also proposes to 
round prices if necessary to execute the trade at the MPV, but only to 
the benefit of a customer order, or, where multiple customer orders are 
involved, for the customer order that is earliest in time.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ See proposed Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii).
    \16\ See proposed Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii); see also Notice, supra 
note 3, at 56727.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove SR-Phlx-
2016-82 and Grounds for Disapproval Under Consideration

    The Commission is instituting proceedings pursuant to Section 
19(b)(2)(B) of the Act,\17\ to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be disapproved. Institution of such proceedings is 
appropriate at this time in view of the legal and policy issues raised 
by the proposed rule change. Institution of proceedings does not 
indicate that the Commission has reached any conclusions with respect 
to any of the issues involved. Rather, as described in greater detail 
below, the Commission seeks and encourages interested persons to 
comment on the proposed rule change to inform the Commission's analysis 
of whether to approve or disapprove the proposed rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act,\18\ the Commission is 
providing notice of the grounds for disapproval under consideration. 
The Commission is instituting proceeding to allow for additional 
analysis of, and input from commenters with respect to, the consistency 
of the proposed rule change with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\19\ which 
requires that the rules of a national securities exchange be designed, 
among other things, to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and 
practices, 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; and not be designed to permit unfair discrimination 
between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers,\20\ and with the Order 
Protection and Locked/Crossed Market Plan.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ Id. Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act also provides that 
proceedings to determine whether to disapprove a proposed rule 
change must be concluded within 180 days of the date of publication 
of the notice of the filing of the proposed rule change. The time 
for conclusion of the proceedings may be extended for up to 60 days 
if the Commission finds good cause for such extension and publishes 
its reasons for so finding. See id.
    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \21\ The Options Order Protection and Locked/Crossed Markets 
Plan is available at http://www.optionsclearing.com/components/docs/clearing/services/options_order_protection_plan.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, under the Commission's rules of procedure, a self-
regulatory organization that proposes to amend its rules bears the 
burden of demonstrating that its proposal is consistent with the 
Act.\22\ In this regard:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ Rule 700(b)(3), 17 CFR 201.700(b)(3).

the description of the proposed rule change, its purpose and 
operation, its effect, and a legal analysis of its consistency with 
the applicable requirements must all be sufficiently detailed and 
specific to support an affirmative Commission finding. Any failure 
of the self-regulatory organization to provide the information 
elicited by Form 19b-4 may result in the Commission not having a 
sufficient basis to make an affirmative finding that a proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Exchange Act and the rules and 
regulations thereunder that are applicable to the self-regulation 
organization.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ Id.

IV. Procedure: Request for Written Comments

    The Commission requests that interested persons provide written 
submissions of their views, data, and arguments with respect to the 
issues identified above, as well as any other concerns they may have 
with respect to the proposed rule change. In particular, the Commission 
invites written views of interested persons concerning whether the 
proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) or any other 
provision of the Act, or the rules and regulations thereunder. Although 
there do not appear to be any issues relevant to approval or 
disapproval which would be facilitated by an oral presentation of 
views, data, and arguments, the Commission will consider, pursuant to 
Rule 19b-4, any request for an opportunity to make an oral 
presentation.\24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, as amended by the Securities 
Act Amendments of 1975, Public Law 94-29 (June 4, 1975), grants the 
Commission flexibility to determine what type of proceeding--either 
oral or notice and opportunity for written comments--is appropriate 
for consideration of a particular proposal by a self-regulatory 
organization. See Securities Act Amendments of 1975, Senate Comm. on 
Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs, S. Rep. No. 75, 94th Cong., 1st 
Sess. 30 (1975).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments regarding whether the proposal should be approved or 
disapproved by December 14, 2016. Any person who wishes to file a 
rebuttal to any other person's submission must file that rebuttal by 
December 28, 2016. The Commission asks that commenters address the 
sufficiency and merit of the Exchange's statements in support of the 
proposed rule change, in addition to any other comments they may wish 
to submit about the proposed rule change. The Commission notes that 
Phlx states that ``rounding of prices is used only where necessary to 
execute a trade at the MPV, and only to the benefit of a customer 
order. . . .'' \25\ The Commission seeks commenters' views on the 
Exchange's statements, which are set forth in the Notice,\26\ regarding 
how

[[Page 84631]]

the Exchange would round prices for split-price orders, particularly 
when no customer orders are involved, in addition to any other comments 
they may wish to submit about the proposed rule change. The Commission 
seeks comment on whether this aspect of the proposal is consistent with 
Section 6(b)(5), which requires, among other things, that a proposed 
rule change not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between 
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.\27\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56724.
    \26\ See Notice, supra note 3.
    \27\ 15 U.S.C.78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission is concerned that the Exchange has not made clear 
what the time of execution would be for split-price orders executed 
manually by Floor Brokers pursuant to the exception proposed in Phlx 
Rule 1000(f)(iii)(D) or how Floor Brokers would use paper tickets to 
execute split-price orders under the proposed exception. The Commission 
seeks commenters' views on the sufficiency of the Exchange's statements 
regarding the execution of a split-price order by a Floor Broker 
pursuant to the proposed exception under Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(D). In 
addition, the Commission seeks comment on whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Options Order Protection and Locked/
Crossed Market Plan.
    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-Phlx-2016-82 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-Phlx-2016-82. The 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 such 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 publicly available. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2016-82 and should be 
submitted on or before December 14, 2016. Rebuttal comments should be 
submitted by December 28, 2016.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(57).
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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-28189 Filed 11-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 226 / Wednesday, November 23, 2016 / Notices                                                     84629

                                                  DATES: The public meeting will be held                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               orders in the trading crowd, a Floor
                                                  on Wednesday, December 7, 2016.                         COMMISSION                                            Broker is not permitted to execute an
                                                  Written statements should be received                                                                         order in the trading crowd unless one of
                                                                                                          [Release No. 34–79345; File No. SR–Phlx–
                                                  on or before Monday, December 5, 2016.                  2016–82]                                              three exceptions applies.7 The
                                                                                                                                                                exceptions to the mandatory use of
                                                  ADDRESSES: Written statements may be
                                                                                                          Self-Regulatory Organizations;                        FBMS 8 are set forth in Phlx Rule
                                                  submitted by any of the following
                                                                                                          NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Order Instituting                    1000(f)(iii). These exceptions allow a
                                                  methods:
                                                                                                          Proceedings To Determine Whether To                   Floor Broker to execute a transaction in
                                                  Electronic Statements                                   Approve or Disapprove a Proposed                      the trading crowd (rather than through
                                                                                                          Rule Change To Adopt a New                            FBMS) if: (i) there is a problem with
                                                    • Use the Commission’s Internet                       Exception in Exchange Rule 1000(f) for                Exchange’s systems; (ii) the Floor Broker
                                                  submission form (http://www.sec.gov/                    Sub-MPV Split-Price Orders                            is executing the trade pursuant to Phlx
                                                  info/smallbus/acsec.shtml); or                                                                                Rule 1059 (‘‘Accommodation
                                                                                                          November 17, 2016.
                                                    • Send an email message to rule-                                                                            Transactions’’) or Phlx Rule 1079 (‘‘Flex
                                                  comments@sec.gov. Please include File                   I. Introduction                                       Index, Equity and Currency Options’’);
                                                  Number 265–27 on the subject line; or                      On August 3, 2016, NASDAQ PHLX                     or (iii) the transaction involves a multi-
                                                                                                          LLC (‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘Phlx’’) filed with             leg order with more than 15 legs.9
                                                  Paper Statements
                                                                                                          the Securities and Exchange                              Phlx Rule 1014(g)(i)(B) provides a
                                                    • Send paper statements to Brent J.                   Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant                 priority rule regarding open outcry split
                                                  Fields, Federal Advisory Committee                      to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities                 price transactions in equity options and
                                                  Management Officer, Securities and                      Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule             options overlying ETFs to permit a
                                                  Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                  19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule                    member who is responding to an order
                                                  Washington, DC 20549–1090.                              change to provide an additional                       for at least 100 contracts who buys
                                                                                                          exception to the mandatory use of the                 (sells) at least 50 contracts at a
                                                  All submissions should refer to File No.                Exchange’s Floor Broker Management                    particular price to have priority over all
                                                  265–27. This file number should be                      System (‘‘FBMS’’) pursuant to Rule                    other orders in purchasing (selling) up
                                                  included on the subject line if email is                1000(f)(iii) to permit Floor Brokers to               to an equivalent number of contracts of
                                                  used. To help us process and review                     execute certain sub-minimum price                     the same order at the next lower (higher)
                                                  your statement more efficiently, please                 increment (‘‘sub-MPV’’) split-price                   price without being required to yield to
                                                  use only one method. The Commission                     orders in the trading crowd. The                      existing customer interest in the limit
                                                  will post all statements on the Advisory                proposed rule change was published for                order book.10 Absent Phlx Rule
                                                  Committee’s Web site at http://                         comment in the Federal Register on                    1014(g)(i)(B), such orders would be
                                                  www.sec.gov./info/smallbus/                             August 22, 2016.3 On October 3, 2016,                 required to yield priority. The Exchange
                                                  acsec.shtml.                                            the Commission extended the time                      states that ‘‘the purpose behind the
                                                     Statements also will be available for                period within which to approve the                    split-price priority exception was ‘to
                                                  Web site viewing and printing in the                    proposed rule change, disapprove the                  bring about the execution of large
                                                  Commission’s Public Reference Room,                     proposed rule change, or institute                    orders, which by virtue of their size and
                                                  100 F Street NE., Washington, DC                        proceedings to determine whether to                   the need to execute them at multiple
                                                  20549, on official business days                        approve or disapprove the proposed                    prices may be difficult to execute
                                                                                                          rule change to November 20, 2016.4 The
                                                  between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and
                                                                                                          Commission received no comments on                      7 See  Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii).
                                                  3:00 p.m. All statements received will
                                                                                                          the proposal. This order institutes                     8 The  original FBMS (‘‘FBMS 1’’) began operating
                                                  be posted without change; we do not                                                                           in 2005. The Exchange retired FBMS 1 on March
                                                                                                          proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) of
                                                  edit personal identifying information                                                                         31, 2016 after operating it concurrently with the
                                                                                                          the Act 5 to determine whether to
                                                  from submissions. You should submit                                                                           Exchange’s enhanced FBMS (‘‘FBMS 2’’), which
                                                                                                          disapprove the proposed rule change.                  was made available on March 7, 2014. As of March
                                                  only information that you wish to make
                                                                                                                                                                31, 2016, FBMS 2 is available to all Floor Brokers
                                                  available publicly.                                     II. Description of the Proposed Rule                  in all options and is the only FBMS currently in
                                                                                                          Change                                                use. The Exchange represents that it has contracted
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:     Julie                                                                    with a third-party to build an alternative system
                                                  Z. Davis, Senior Special Counsel, at                       Currently, Phlx Rule 1000(f) requires              (‘‘FBMS 3’’) to replace FBMS 2, and anticipates that
                                                  (202) 551–3460, Office of Small                         that all Exchange options transactions                FBMS 3 will be ready by November 30, 2016. See
                                                  Business Policy, Division of Corporation                be executed in one of the following                   Notice, supra note 3, at 56725.
                                                  Finance, Securities and Exchange                        three ways: ‘‘(i) [a]utomatically by the                 9 See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726; see also Phlx

                                                                                                          Exchange Trading System pursuant to                   Rule 1000(f)(iii)(A)–(C). According to the Exchange,
                                                  Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                                                                                 each time a Floor Broker uses one the current
                                                  Washington, DC 20549–3628.                              Rule 1080 and other applicable options                exceptions to Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii), the Floor
                                                                                                          rules; (ii) by and among members in the               Broker is required by Phlx Rule 1063(e)(ii), to
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:    In                        Exchange’s options trading crowd none                 record the information required by Phlx Rule
                                                  accordance with Section 10(a) of the                    of whom is a Floor Broker; or (iii)                   1063(e)(i) on paper trade tickets. The Exchange
                                                                                                                                                                further represents that a Floor Broker may only
                                                  Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5                       through the Options [FBMS] for trades                 represent an order for execution that has been time
                                                  U.S.C.—App. 1, and the regulations                      involving at least one Floor Broker.’’ 6              stamped with the time of entry on the trading floor.
                                                  thereunder, Keith F. Higgins, Designated                Although a Floor Broker may represent                 In addition, according to the Exchange, once an
                                                  Federal Officer of the Committee, has                                                                         execution occurs, the trade ticket must be stamped
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                                with the time of execution of such order. See
                                                  ordered publication of this notice.                       1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                                                                                                                                Notice, supra note 3, at 56726.
                                                                                                            2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                    10 See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726 (citing
                                                    Dated: November 18, 2016.                               3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78593
                                                                                                                                                                Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51820 (June
                                                  Brent J. Fields,                                        (August 16, 2016), 81 FR 56724 (‘‘Notice’’).          10, 2005), 70 FR 35759 (June 21, 2005) (SR–Phlx–
                                                                                                            4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79023
                                                  Committee Management Officer.                                                                                 2005–28)) (approving pilot). See also Securities
                                                                                                          (October 3, 2016), 81 FR 69877 (October 7, 2016).     Exchange Act Release No. 55993 (June 29, 2007), 72
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–28257 Filed 11–22–16; 8:45 am]              5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
                                                                                                                                                                FR 37301 (July 9, 2007) (SR–Phlx–2007–44)
                                                  BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                    6 See Phlx Rule 1000(f).                            (permanent approval).



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:04 Nov 22, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00083   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM    23NON1


                                                  84630                     Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 226 / Wednesday, November 23, 2016 / Notices

                                                  without a limited exception to the                       19(b)(2)(B) of the Act,17 to determine                  an affirmative Commission finding. Any
                                                  priority rules.’ ’’ 11                                   whether the proposed rule change                        failure of the self-regulatory organization to
                                                     According to the Exchange, split-price                should be disapproved. Institution of                   provide the information elicited by Form
                                                  orders are currently processed using                     such proceedings is appropriate at this                 19b-4 may result in the Commission not
                                                  either FBMS 2 or paper tickets,                                                                                  having a sufficient basis to make an
                                                                                                           time in view of the legal and policy                    affirmative finding that a proposed rule
                                                  depending on whether the split-price                     issues raised by the proposed rule                      change is consistent with the Exchange Act
                                                  order can be evenly split using simple                   change. Institution of proceedings does                 and the rules and regulations thereunder that
                                                  calculations or whether the transaction                  not indicate that the Commission has                    are applicable to the self-regulation
                                                  involves non-even integers and sub-                      reached any conclusions with respect to                 organization.23
                                                  MPV price points, thus requiring a more                  any of the issues involved. Rather, as
                                                  complicated computation to determine                     described in greater detail below, the                  IV. Procedure: Request for Written
                                                  the number of contracts to trade at two                  Commission seeks and encourages                         Comments
                                                  different price points.12 The Exchange                   interested persons to comment on the
                                                                                                                                                                     The Commission requests that
                                                  represents that FBMS 2 does not have                     proposed rule change to inform the
                                                  the capability to calculate specific                                                                             interested persons provide written
                                                                                                           Commission’s analysis of whether to
                                                  volumes at different prices for                                                                                  submissions of their views, data, and
                                                                                                           approve or disapprove the proposed
                                                  transactions resulting from split-price                                                                          arguments with respect to the issues
                                                                                                           rule change.
                                                  orders.13 To compensate for this system                     Pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the               identified above, as well as any other
                                                  limitation, the Exchange is proposing to                 Act,18 the Commission is providing                      concerns they may have with respect to
                                                  amend Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii) to add a                    notice of the grounds for disapproval                   the proposed rule change. In particular,
                                                  new exception from the mandatory use                     under consideration. The Commission is                  the Commission invites written views of
                                                  of FBMS that would expressly authorize                   instituting proceeding to allow for                     interested persons concerning whether
                                                  Floor Brokers to execute certain split-                  additional analysis of, and input from                  the proposed rule change is consistent
                                                  price orders in the trading crowd.                       commenters with respect to, the                         with Section 6(b)(5) or any other
                                                  Accordingly, the Exchange is proposing                   consistency of the proposed rule change                 provision of the Act, or the rules and
                                                  in Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(D) to allow the                with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,19 which                regulations thereunder. Although there
                                                  following split-price orders to be                       requires that the rules of a national                   do not appear to be any issues relevant
                                                  executed in the trading crowd: (1)                       securities exchange be designed, among                  to approval or disapproval which would
                                                  simple orders not expressed in the                       other things, to prevent fraudulent and                 be facilitated by an oral presentation of
                                                  applicable sub-MPV and that cannot be                    manipulative acts and practices, to                     views, data, and arguments, the
                                                  evenly split into two whole numbers to                   promote just and equitable principles of                Commission will consider, pursuant to
                                                  create a price at the midpoint of the                    trade, to remove impediments to and                     Rule 19b-4, any request for an
                                                  MPV; and (2) complex and multi-leg                       perfect the mechanism of a free and                     opportunity to make an oral
                                                  orders with at least one option leg with                 open market and a national market                       presentation.24
                                                  an odd-numbered volume that must                         system, and, in general, to protect                       Interested persons are invited to
                                                  trade at a sub-MPV price or one leg that                 investors and the public interest; and                  submit written data, views, and
                                                  qualifies under (1) above.14                             not be designed to permit unfair                        arguments regarding whether the
                                                     The Exchange also proposes that, in                   discrimination between customers,                       proposal should be approved or
                                                  addition to split-price orders executed                  issuers, brokers, or dealers,20 and with                disapproved by December 14, 2016. Any
                                                  pursuant to proposed Phlx Rule                           the Order Protection and Locked/                        person who wishes to file a rebuttal to
                                                  1000(f)(iii)(D), Phlx surveillance staff                 Crossed Market Plan.21                                  any other person’s submission must file
                                                  would approve all executions submitted                      Finally, under the Commission’s rules                that rebuttal by December 28, 2016. The
                                                  under Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii) to validate                 of procedure, a self-regulatory                         Commission asks that commenters
                                                  that such executions abide by applicable                 organization that proposes to amend its                 address the sufficiency and merit of the
                                                  priority and trade-through rules.15 The                  rules bears the burden of demonstrating                 Exchange’s statements in support of the
                                                  Exchange also proposes to round prices                   that its proposal is consistent with the                proposed rule change, in addition to any
                                                  if necessary to execute the trade at the                 Act.22 In this regard:                                  other comments they may wish to
                                                  MPV, but only to the benefit of a                        the description of the proposed rule change,
                                                                                                                                                                   submit about the proposed rule change.
                                                  customer order, or, where multiple                       its purpose and operation, its effect, and a            The Commission notes that Phlx states
                                                  customer orders are involved, for the                    legal analysis of its consistency with the              that ‘‘rounding of prices is used only
                                                  customer order that is earliest in time.16               applicable requirements must all be                     where necessary to execute a trade at
                                                  III. Proceedings To Determine Whether
                                                                                                           sufficiently detailed and specific to support           the MPV, and only to the benefit of a
                                                  To Approve or Disapprove SR–Phlx–                                                                                customer order. . . .’’ 25 The
                                                  2016–82 and Grounds for Disapproval
                                                                                                             17 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).                           Commission seeks commenters’ views
                                                                                                             18 Id. Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act also provides
                                                  Under Consideration                                                                                              on the Exchange’s statements, which are
                                                                                                           that proceedings to determine whether to
                                                                                                           disapprove a proposed rule change must be
                                                                                                                                                                   set forth in the Notice,26 regarding how
                                                     The Commission is instituting
                                                                                                           concluded within 180 days of the date of
                                                  proceedings pursuant to Section                          publication of the notice of the filing of the            23 Id.
                                                                                                           proposed rule change. The time for conclusion of           24 Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, as amended by the
                                                    11 See  Notice, supra note 3, at 56726.                the proceedings may be extended for up to 60 days       Securities Act Amendments of 1975, Public Law
                                                     12 See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726. Today,         if the Commission finds good cause for such             94–29 (June 4, 1975), grants the Commission
                                                  when the computation is more complicated,                extension and publishes its reasons for so finding.     flexibility to determine what type of proceeding—
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                                                  surveillance staff allows a Floor Broker to execute      See id.                                                 either oral or notice and opportunity for written
                                                  split-price orders involving non-even integers and          19 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
                                                                                                                                                                   comments—is appropriate for consideration of a
                                                  sub-MPV price points in open outcry using paper             20 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                              particular proposal by a self-regulatory
                                                  tickets pursuant to Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(A). See id.      21 The Options Order Protection and Locked/          organization. See Securities Act Amendments of
                                                     13 See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726.
                                                                                                           Crossed Markets Plan is available at http://            1975, Senate Comm. on Banking, Housing & Urban
                                                     14 See Notice, supra note 3, at 56724.
                                                                                                           www.optionsclearing.com/components/docs/                Affairs, S. Rep. No. 75, 94th Cong., 1st Sess. 30
                                                     15 See proposed Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii).               clearing/services/                                      (1975).
                                                     16 See proposed Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii); see also      options_order_protection_plan.pdf.                         25 See Notice, supra note 3, at 56724.

                                                  Notice, supra note 3, at 56727.                             22 Rule 700(b)(3), 17 CFR 201.700(b)(3).                26 See Notice, supra note 3.




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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 226 / Wednesday, November 23, 2016 / Notices                                             84631

                                                  the Exchange would round prices for                        Commission and any person, other than                 thereunder,4 which renders it effective
                                                  split-price orders, particularly when no                   those that may be withheld from the                   upon filing with the Commission. The
                                                  customer orders are involved, in                           public in accordance with the                         Commission is publishing this notice to
                                                  addition to any other comments they                        provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                   solicit comments on the proposed rule
                                                  may wish to submit about the proposed                      available for Web site viewing and                    change from interested persons.
                                                  rule change. The Commission seeks                          printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                                                                                                                                   I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  comment on whether this aspect of the                      Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                  proposal is consistent with Section                                                                              Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                                                                             Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                                  6(b)(5), which requires, among other                                                                             the Proposed Rule Change
                                                                                                             business days between the hours of
                                                  things, that a proposed rule change not                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such                  The Exchange filed a proposal to add
                                                  be designed to permit unfair                               filing also will be available for                     proposed Rule 8.18 to require the
                                                  discrimination between customers,                          inspection and copying at the principal               publication of the Exchange’s
                                                  issuers, brokers, or dealers.27                            office of the Exchange. All comments                  disciplinary complaints and
                                                     The Commission is concerned that the                    received will be posted without change;               disciplinary decisions issued and to
                                                  Exchange has not made clear what the                       the Commission does not edit personal                 remove the part of Interpretation and
                                                  time of execution would be for split-                      identifying information from                          Policy .01 to Rule 8.11 that currently
                                                  price orders executed manually by Floor                    submissions. You should submit only                   governs the publication of disciplinary
                                                  Brokers pursuant to the exception                          information that you wish to make                     complaints and information related to
                                                  proposed in Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(D) or                   publicly available. All submissions                   disciplinary complaints.
                                                  how Floor Brokers would use paper                          should refer to File Number SR–Phlx–                     The text of the proposed rule change
                                                  tickets to execute split-price orders                      2016–82 and should be submitted on or                 is available at the Exchange’s Web site
                                                  under the proposed exception. The                          before December 14, 2016. Rebuttal                    at www.batstrading.com, at the
                                                  Commission seeks commenters’ views                         comments should be submitted by                       principal office of the Exchange, and at
                                                  on the sufficiency of the Exchange’s                       December 28, 2016.                                    the Commission’s Public Reference
                                                  statements regarding the execution of a                                                                          Room.
                                                  split-price order by a Floor Broker                          For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                                                                             Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated            II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  pursuant to the proposed exception                         authority.28                                          Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  under Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(D). In
                                                                                                             Brent J. Fields,                                      Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  addition, the Commission seeks
                                                                                                             Secretary.                                            Change
                                                  comment on whether the proposed rule
                                                  change is consistent with the Options                      [FR Doc. 2016–28189 Filed 11–22–16; 8:45 am]             In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                  Order Protection and Locked/Crossed                        BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                Exchange included statements
                                                  Market Plan.                                                                                                     concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                     Comments may be submitted by any                                                                              the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                  of the following methods:                                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               any comments it received on the
                                                                                                             COMMISSION                                            proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                  Electronic Comments                                                                                              statements may be examined at the
                                                                                                             [Release No. 34–79343; File No. SR-
                                                    • Use the Commission’s Internet                                                                                places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                                                                             BatsEDGA–2016–27]
                                                  comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                                                                                Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                  rules/sro.shtml); or                                       Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats                   forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                    • Send an email to rule-                                 EDGA Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing                 the most significant parts of such
                                                  comments@sec.gov. Please include File                      and Immediate Effectiveness of an                     statements.
                                                  Number SR–Phlx–2016–82 on the                              Amendment to Rule 8.11, Effective
                                                  subject line.                                                                                                    A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                             Date of Judgment and the Adoption of                  Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  Paper Comments                                             Rule 8.18, Release of Disciplinary                    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                    • Send paper comments in triplicate                      Complaints, Decisions and Other                       Change
                                                  to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                      Information
                                                                                                                                                                   1. Purpose
                                                  Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                              November 17, 2016.
                                                  Washington, DC 20549–1090.                                                                                       Reorganization of Exchange Rules
                                                                                                                Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                  All submissions should refer to File                                                                             Governing Release of Disciplinary
                                                                                                             Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
                                                  Number SR–Phlx–2016–82. The file                                                                                 Complaints, Decisions and Other
                                                                                                             ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                  number should be included on the                                                                                 Information Based on FINRA Rule 8313
                                                                                                             notice is hereby given that on November
                                                  subject line if email is used. To help the                 3, 2016, Bats EDGA Exchange, Inc. (the                   Interpretation and Policy .01 to Rule
                                                  Commission process and review your                         ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘EDGA’’) filed with the              8.11 currently provides, in part, that the
                                                  comments more efficiently, please use                      Securities and Exchange Commission                    Exchange shall cause details regarding
                                                  only one method. The Commission will                       (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                    all formal disciplinary actions where a
                                                  post all comments on the Commission’s                      change as described in Items I and II                 final decision has been issued, except as
                                                  Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                     below, which Items have been prepared                 provided in Rule 8.15(a), to be
                                                  rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                            by the Exchange. The Exchange has                     published on its Web site. Interpretation
                                                  submission, all subsequent                                 designated this proposal as a ‘‘non-                  and Policy .01 also provides that the
                                                  amendments, all written statements                                                                               Exchange shall not issue any press
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                                                                                                             controversial’’ proposed rule change
                                                  with respect to the proposed rule                          pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the                release or other statement to the press
                                                  change that are filed with the                             Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii)                       concerning any formal or informal
                                                  Commission, and all written                                                                                      disciplinary matter unless the Chief
                                                  communications relating to the                               28 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(57).                          Regulatory Officer recommends a press
                                                  proposed rule change between the                             1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                              release to the Executive Committee or
                                                                                                               2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                    27 15   U.S.C.78f(b)(5).                                   3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).                             4 17   CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).



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Document Created: 2016-11-23 05:29:45
Document Modified: 2016-11-23 05:29:45
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 84629 

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