81_FR_86260 81 FR 86031 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Allocation of Directed Complex Orders

81 FR 86031 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Allocation of Directed Complex Orders

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 229 (November 29, 2016)

Page Range86031-86033
FR Document2016-28632

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 229 (Tuesday, November 29, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86031-86033]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28632]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-79373; File No. SR-Phlx-2016-116]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the 
Allocation of Directed Complex Orders

November 22, 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 November 16, 2016, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (``Phlx'' or ``Exchange'') filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the 
proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items 
have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this 
notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested 
persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend the allocation of Directed Orders as 
it relates to Complex Orders.\3\
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    \3\ A Complex Order is any order involving the simultaneous 
purchase and/or sale of two or more different options series in the 
same underlying security, priced at a net debit or credit based on 
the relative prices of the individual components, for the same 
account, for the purpose of executing a particular investment 
strategy. Furthermore, a Complex Order can also be a stock-option 
order, which is an order to buy or sell a stated number of units of 
an underlying stock or ETF coupled with the purchase or sale of 
options contract(s). See Exchange Rule 1098.
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    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
Web site at http://nasdaqphlx.cchwallstreet.com/, at the principal 
office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The purpose of this rule change is to amend the allocation of 
Directed Orders at Rule 1014(g)(viii) to except Directed Complex Orders 
from receiving a participation guarantee. A Directed Order is any order 
(other than a stop or stop-limit order as defined in Rule 1066) to buy 
or sell which has been directed to a particular specialist, RSQT, or 
SQT by an Order Flow Provider (``OFP'').\4\
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    \4\ Phlx Rule 1080(1)(i)(A).
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    In May 2005 the Exchange adopted rules for Phlx XL that permit 
Exchange specialists, Streaming Quote Traders (``SQTs''),\5\ and Remote 
Streaming Quote Traders (``RSQTs'') \6\ to receive Directed Orders, and 
to provide a participation guarantee to specialists, SQTs and RSQTs 
that receive Directed Orders.\7\ Pursuant to Phlx Rule 1080(l)(ii) a 
Directed Order will be automatically executed and allocated to those 
quotations and orders at the National Best Bid or Offer (``NBBO'') when 
the Exchange's disseminated price is at the NBBO at the time of receipt 
of the Directed Orders and the member or member organization is quoting 
at the Exchange's disseminated price.
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    \5\ An SQT is an Registered Options Trader (``ROT'') who has 
received permission from the Exchange to generate and submit option 
quotations electronically in options to which such SQT is assigned. 
An SQT may only submit such quotations while such SQT is physically 
present on the floor of the Exchange. An SQT may only trade in a 
market making capacity in classes of options in which the SQT is 
assigned. See Phlx Rule 1014(b)(ii)(A). A ROT is defined in Exchange 
Rule 1014(b) as a regular member of the Exchange located on the 
trading floor who has received permission from the Exchange to trade 
in options for his own account. A ROT includes SQTs and RSQTs as 
well as on and off-floor ROTS.
    \6\ An RSQT is an ROT that is a member affiliated with a Remote 
Streaming Quote Trader Organization with no physical trading floor 
presence who has received permission from the Exchange to generate 
and submit option quotations electronically in options to which such 
RSQT has been assigned. A qualified RSQT may function as a Remote 
Specialist upon Exchange approval. See Phlx Rule 1014(b)(ii)(B).
    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51759 (May 27, 
2005), 70 FR 32860 (June 6, 2005). See also Phlx Rule 1014(g)(viii) 
(setting forth the automatic trade allocation algorithm for Directed 
Orders).
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    At this time, the Exchange is excepting Directed Complex Orders 
from a Directed Orders allocation because the Exchange's system cannot 
prevent a participation allocation for Directed Complex Orders when the 
Exchange's disseminated best bid or offer is not at the NBBO when the 
Directed Complex Order is received. The Exchange may offer a 
participation allocation for Directed Complex Orders at a later date by 
filing a proposed rule change with the Commission, after it has a 
limitation in place to systematically enforce Rule 1080(l)(ii) with 
respect to Directed Complex Orders. With this proposal, Complex Orders 
may continue to be marked as Directed Orders, but these orders will not 
receive a participation allocation pursuant to Exchange Rule 
1014(g)(viii). Instead, these Complex Orders will be allocated pursuant 
to Exchange Rule 1014(g)(vii).
    Today, as noted above, a Directed Order is defined in 1080(1)(i)(A) 
as any order (other than a stop or stop-limit order as defined in Rule 
1066) to buy or sell which has been directed to a particular 
specialist, RSQT, or SQT by an OFP. Pursuant to Exchange Rule 1080(l), 
OFPs must transmit Directed Orders to a particular specialist, SQT, or 
RSQT electronically. If the Exchange's disseminated best bid or offer 
is at the NBBO when the Directed Order is received, the Directed Order 
is automatically executed on Phlx XL and allocated to the orders and 
quotes represented in the Exchange's quotation. A Directed Specialist, 
SQT, or RSQT will receive a participation allocation pursuant to 
Exchange Rule 1014(g)(viii) if the Directed Specialist, SQT, or RSQT 
was quoting at the NBBO at the time that the Directed Order was 
received.\8\ Otherwise, the automatic execution will be allocated to 
those quotations and orders at the NBBO pursuant to

[[Page 86032]]

Exchange Rule 1014(g)(vii).\9\ Directed Orders can be sent not only on 
behalf of public customers but also on behalf of broker dealers. 
Directed Orders are limited to orders sent on an agency basis by an OFP 
and not on behalf of the sender's proprietary account. To qualify as a 
Directed Order, an order must be delivered to the Exchange 
electronically. Today, both simple and Complex Orders may be submitted 
to the Exchange as Directed Orders and receive an allocation.\10\
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    \8\ See Exchange Rule 1080(l)(ii).
    \9\ See Exchange Rule 1080(l)(iii).
    \10\ Today, Directed Complex Orders are eligible to receive a 
Directed Order allocation only if it is legging into the simple 
order book (i.e. the individual components of the Complex Order are 
trading against simple orders or quotes). Complex Orders which are 
stock-option orders are not eligible to leg into the simple order 
book and therefore not eligible to receive a Directed Order 
allocation. See Phlx Rule 1098(c)(i).
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    The Exchange's proposal would result in Directed Complex Orders not 
receiving a participation guarantee as a Directed Order pursuant to 
Exchange Rule 1014(g)(viii). Directed Simple Orders would continue to 
receive a participation guarantee pursuant to Rule 1014(g)(viii).
    The Exchange believes that Directed Orders reward specialists, 
SQTs, and RSQTs for actively engaging in marketing activities and 
establishing relationships with Order Flow Providers (``OFPs'') that 
generate Directed Orders sent to the Exchange by such OFPs. The 
Exchange believes that continuing to provide a participation guarantee 
for simple orders which are directed, will continue to result in 
additional order flow to the Exchange, thus adding depth and liquidity 
to the Exchange's markets, and enabling the Exchange to continue to 
compete effectively with other options exchanges for order flow. The 
Exchange also believes that no longer providing a participation 
guarantee when a Directed Complex Order executes will not adversely 
impact the market or the opportunity for such orders to execute. 
Directed Complex Orders will continue to be provided the same access to 
liquidity on the Exchange as today. The Exchange intends to discontinue 
the participation allocation prior to December 1, 2016.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\11\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act,\12\ 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, by continuing to reward specialists, SQTs, and RSQTs 
transacting simple options on Phlx XL with a participation guarantee in 
trades involving Directed Orders to encourage the capture of order flow 
on the Exchange. With this proposal, the Exchange would not permit a 
participation guarantee for Directed Complex Orders which are submitted 
to the Exchange, nonetheless the Exchange believes continuing to 
provide a participation guarantee for simple orders to be directed will 
continue to result in additional order flow to the Exchange, thus 
adding depth and liquidity to the Exchange's markets, and enabling the 
Exchange to continue to compete effectively with other options 
exchanges for order flow. Today, the system cannot prevent a 
participation allocation for Directed Complex Orders when the 
Exchange's disseminated best bid or offer is not at the NBBO when the 
Directed Order is received. The Exchange believes that it is consistent 
with the Act to not offer the participation allocation for the Directed 
Complex Orders without a system limitation in place that would prevent 
a Directed Specialist, SQT or RSQT from receiving a Directed Complex 
Order allocation pursuant to Exchange Rule 1014(g)(viii) unless the 
Directed Specialist, SQT or RSQT is quoting at the NBBO at the time the 
Directed Complex Order is received as required by Exchange Rule 
1080(l)(ii). The Exchange intended the Directed Order allocation to 
reward members and member organizations that are quoting at the NBBO 
when a Directed Order is received. The Exchange believes that such a 
system limitation would need to be in place to ensure that the 
Exchange's Rules related to Directed Complex Order operate as intended. 
Since the Exchange does not have the system limitation in place today, 
it would not function as intended.
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    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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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. With this proposal, the 
Exchange would not provide a participation guarantee for Directed 
Complex Orders which are submitted to the Exchange. All Phlx members 
and member organizations would continue to receive a participation 
guarantee for simple orders directed to the Exchange but not receive a 
participation guarantee for Complex Orders that are directed.

B. 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 proposed rule change does not (i) significantly affect 
the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any 
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 
days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the 
Commission may designate, the proposed rule change has become effective 
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \13\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
thereunder.\14\
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    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \14\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). As required under Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written 
notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a 
brief description and the text of the proposed rule change, at least 
five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule 
change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
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    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. 
However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \15\ permits the Commission to designate 
a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked the 
Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay to allow the proposal to 
become operative prior to December 1, 2016.\16\ As discussed above, 
Phlx Rule 1080(l)(ii) allows a Directed Specialist, SQT, or RSQT to 
receive a participation allocation pursuant to Phlx Rule 1014(g)(viii) 
if the Directed Specialist, SQT, or RSQT was quoting at the NBBO at the 
time the Directed Order was received. The Exchange notes that it 
intended the Directed Order allocation to reward members and member 
organizations that are quoting at the NBBO when a Directed Order is 
received. The Exchange states that, at this time, the Exchange is not 
able to systematically enforce the requirement in Phlx Rule 1080(l)(ii) 
that a Directed Specialist, SQT, or RSQT be quoting a the NBBO at the 
time a Directed Complex Order is received to receive a Directed Complex 
Order allocation pursuant to Rule 1014(g)(viii). The

[[Page 86033]]

Exchange believes that it is necessary to have the ability to 
systematically enforce the requirements of Phlx Rule 1080(l)(ii) with 
respect to Directed Complex Orders to assure that the Exchange's 
Directed Complex Order rules operate as intended. Accordingly, the 
Exchange requests a waiver of the 30-day operative delay to allow the 
Exchange to discontinue the participation allocation for Directed 
Complex Orders prior to December 1, 2016.\17\ The Commission believes 
that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest because the proposed 
rule change will allow the Exchange to discontinue the participation 
allocation for Directed Complex Orders until the Exchange is able to 
systematically enforce the requirements of Phlx Rule 1080(l)(ii) with 
respect to Directed Complex Orders.\18\ Accordingly, the Commission 
designates the proposed rule change to be operative upon filing.\19\
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    \15\ 17 CFR 19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \16\ The Exchange will provide prior notice of the change in the 
form of an Options Trader Alert.
    \17\ As noted above, the Exchange may seek to offer a 
participation allocation for Directed Complex Orders after the 
Exchange has the ability to systematically enforce the requirements 
of Phlx Rule 1080(l)(ii) with respect to Directed Complex Orders.
    \18\ The Commission also notes that the Exchange stated that if 
it intends to offer a participation allocation for Directed Complex 
Orders in the future it will file a proposed rule change with the 
Commission.
    \19\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has also considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
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    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission 
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to 
determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.

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-Phlx-2016-116 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-2016-116. 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-Phlx-2016-116 and should be 
submitted on or before December 20, 2016.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\20\
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    \20\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-28632 Filed 11-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 229 / Tuesday, November 29, 2016 / Notices                                                    86031

                                                    22, 2016; Filing Authority: 39 U.S.C.                       The text of the proposed rule change               Directed Orders, and to provide a
                                                    3642 and 39 CFR 3020.30 et seq.; Public                  is available on the Exchange’s Web site               participation guarantee to specialists,
                                                    Representative: Max E. Schnidman;                        at http://nasdaqphlx.cchwallstreet                    SQTs and RSQTs that receive Directed
                                                    Comments Due: December 2, 2016.                          .com/, at the principal office of the                 Orders.7 Pursuant to Phlx Rule
                                                      5. Docket No(s).: MC2017–25 and                        Exchange, and at the Commission’s                     1080(l)(ii) a Directed Order will be
                                                    CP2017–45; Filing Title: Request of the                  Public Reference Room.                                automatically executed and allocated to
                                                    United States Postal Service to Add                      II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                    those quotations and orders at the
                                                    Priority Mail & First-Class Package                      Statement of the Purpose of, and                      National Best Bid or Offer (‘‘NBBO’’)
                                                    Service Contract 37 to Competitive                       Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                when the Exchange’s disseminated price
                                                    Product List and Notice of Filing (Under                 Change                                                is at the NBBO at the time of receipt of
                                                    Seal) of Unredacted Governors’                                                                                 the Directed Orders and the member or
                                                    Decision, Contract, and Supporting                          In its filing with the Commission, the             member organization is quoting at the
                                                    Data; Filing Acceptance Date: November                   Exchange included statements                          Exchange’s disseminated price.
                                                    22, 2016; Filing Authority: 39 U.S.C.                    concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                                                                             the proposed rule change and discussed                   At this time, the Exchange is
                                                    3642 and 39 CFR 3020.30 et seq.; Public                                                                        excepting Directed Complex Orders
                                                    Representative: Max E. Schnidman;                        any comments it received on the
                                                                                                             proposed rule change. The text of these               from a Directed Orders allocation
                                                    Comments Due: December 2, 2016.
                                                                                                             statements may be examined at the                     because the Exchange’s system cannot
                                                      This notice will be published in the
                                                                                                             places specified in Item IV below. The                prevent a participation allocation for
                                                    Federal Register.
                                                                                                             Exchange has prepared summaries, set                  Directed Complex Orders when the
                                                    Stacy L. Ruble,                                          forth in sections A, B, and C below, of               Exchange’s disseminated best bid or
                                                    Secretary.                                               the most significant aspects of such                  offer is not at the NBBO when the
                                                    [FR Doc. 2016–28662 Filed 11–28–16; 8:45 am]             statements.                                           Directed Complex Order is received.
                                                    BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P
                                                                                                                                                                   The Exchange may offer a participation
                                                                                                             A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     allocation for Directed Complex Orders
                                                                                                             Statement of the Purpose of, and                      at a later date by filing a proposed rule
                                                                                                             Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                change with the Commission, after it
                                                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                  Change                                                has a limitation in place to
                                                    COMMISSION
                                                                                                             1. Purpose                                            systematically enforce Rule 1080(l)(ii)
                                                    [Release No. 34–79373; File No. SR-Phlx-                    The purpose of this rule change is to              with respect to Directed Complex
                                                    2016–116]                                                amend the allocation of Directed Orders               Orders. With this proposal, Complex
                                                                                                             at Rule 1014(g)(viii) to except Directed              Orders may continue to be marked as
                                                    Self-Regulatory Organizations;                                                                                 Directed Orders, but these orders will
                                                                                                             Complex Orders from receiving a
                                                    NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing                                                                              not receive a participation allocation
                                                                                                             participation guarantee. A Directed
                                                    and Immediate Effectiveness of a                                                                               pursuant to Exchange Rule 1014(g)(viii).
                                                                                                             Order is any order (other than a stop or
                                                    Proposed Rule Change To Amend the                                                                              Instead, these Complex Orders will be
                                                                                                             stop-limit order as defined in Rule 1066)
                                                    Allocation of Directed Complex Orders                                                                          allocated pursuant to Exchange Rule
                                                                                                             to buy or sell which has been directed
                                                    November 22, 2016.                                       to a particular specialist, RSQT, or SQT              1014(g)(vii).
                                                       Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                   by an Order Flow Provider (‘‘OFP’’).4                    Today, as noted above, a Directed
                                                    Securities Exchange Act of 1934                             In May 2005 the Exchange adopted                   Order is defined in 1080(1)(i)(A) as any
                                                    (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                  rules for Phlx XL that permit Exchange                order (other than a stop or stop-limit
                                                    notice is hereby given that on November                  specialists, Streaming Quote Traders                  order as defined in Rule 1066) to buy or
                                                    16, 2016, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’                      (‘‘SQTs’’),5 and Remote Streaming                     sell which has been directed to a
                                                    or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities               Quote Traders (‘‘RSQTs’’) 6 to receive                particular specialist, RSQT, or SQT by
                                                    and Exchange Commission                                                                                        an OFP. Pursuant to Exchange Rule
                                                                                                             which is an order to buy or sell a stated number      1080(l), OFPs must transmit Directed
                                                    (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                       of units of an underlying stock or ETF coupled with
                                                    change as described in Items I and II                    the purchase or sale of options contract(s). See
                                                                                                                                                                   Orders to a particular specialist, SQT, or
                                                    below, which Items have been prepared                    Exchange Rule 1098.                                   RSQT electronically. If the Exchange’s
                                                    by the Exchange. The Commission is                          4 Phlx Rule 1080(1)(i)(A).                         disseminated best bid or offer is at the
                                                    publishing this notice to solicit                           5 An SQT is an Registered Options Trader
                                                                                                                                                                   NBBO when the Directed Order is
                                                                                                             (‘‘ROT’’) who has received permission from the        received, the Directed Order is
                                                    comments on the proposed rule change                     Exchange to generate and submit option quotations
                                                    from interested persons.                                 electronically in options to which such SQT is        automatically executed on Phlx XL and
                                                                                                             assigned. An SQT may only submit such quotations      allocated to the orders and quotes
                                                    I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        while such SQT is physically present on the floor     represented in the Exchange’s quotation.
                                                    Statement of the Terms of Substance of                   of the Exchange. An SQT may only trade in a           A Directed Specialist, SQT, or RSQT
                                                    the Proposed Rule Change                                 market making capacity in classes of options in
                                                                                                             which the SQT is assigned. See Phlx Rule              will receive a participation allocation
                                                       The Exchange proposes to amend the                    1014(b)(ii)(A). A ROT is defined in Exchange Rule     pursuant to Exchange Rule 1014(g)(viii)
                                                    allocation of Directed Orders as it                      1014(b) as a regular member of the Exchange           if the Directed Specialist, SQT, or RSQT
                                                                                                             located on the trading floor who has received         was quoting at the NBBO at the time
                                                    relates to Complex Orders.3                              permission from the Exchange to trade in options
                                                                                                             for his own account. A ROT includes SQTs and          that the Directed Order was received.8
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                      1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                 RSQTs as well as on and off-floor ROTS.               Otherwise, the automatic execution will
                                                      2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                       6 An RSQT is an ROT that is a member affiliated    be allocated to those quotations and
                                                      3 A Complex Order is any order involving the           with a Remote Streaming Quote Trader                  orders at the NBBO pursuant to
                                                    simultaneous purchase and/or sale of two or more         Organization with no physical trading floor
                                                    different options series in the same underlying          presence who has received permission from the
                                                                                                                                                                      7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51759
                                                    security, priced at a net debit or credit based on the   Exchange to generate and submit option quotations
                                                    relative prices of the individual components, for the    electronically in options to which such RSQT has      (May 27, 2005), 70 FR 32860 (June 6, 2005). See also
                                                    same account, for the purpose of executing a             been assigned. A qualified RSQT may function as       Phlx Rule 1014(g)(viii) (setting forth the automatic
                                                    particular investment strategy. Furthermore, a           a Remote Specialist upon Exchange approval. See       trade allocation algorithm for Directed Orders).
                                                    Complex Order can also be a stock-option order,          Phlx Rule 1014(b)(ii)(B).                                8 See Exchange Rule 1080(l)(ii).




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                                                    86032                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 229 / Tuesday, November 29, 2016 / Notices

                                                    Exchange Rule 1014(g)(vii).9 Directed                   open market and a national market                     receive a participation guarantee for
                                                    Orders can be sent not only on behalf                   system, and, in general to protect                    Complex Orders that are directed.
                                                    of public customers but also on behalf                  investors and the public interest, by
                                                                                                                                                                  B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    of broker dealers. Directed Orders are                  continuing to reward specialists, SQTs,
                                                                                                                                                                  Statement on Comments on the
                                                    limited to orders sent on an agency basis               and RSQTs transacting simple options                  Proposed Rule Change Received From
                                                    by an OFP and not on behalf of the                      on Phlx XL with a participation                       Members, Participants, or Others
                                                    sender’s proprietary account. To qualify                guarantee in trades involving Directed
                                                    as a Directed Order, an order must be                   Orders to encourage the capture of order                No written comments were either
                                                    delivered to the Exchange                               flow on the Exchange. With this                       solicited or received.
                                                    electronically. Today, both simple and                  proposal, the Exchange would not                      III. Date of Effectiveness of the
                                                    Complex Orders may be submitted to                      permit a participation guarantee for                  Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
                                                    the Exchange as Directed Orders and                     Directed Complex Orders which are                     Commission Action
                                                    receive an allocation.10                                submitted to the Exchange, nonetheless
                                                       The Exchange’s proposal would result                                                                          Because the proposed rule change
                                                                                                            the Exchange believes continuing to
                                                    in Directed Complex Orders not                                                                                does not (i) significantly affect the
                                                                                                            provide a participation guarantee for
                                                    receiving a participation guarantee as a                                                                      protection of investors or the public
                                                                                                            simple orders to be directed will
                                                    Directed Order pursuant to Exchange                                                                           interest; (ii) impose any significant
                                                                                                            continue to result in additional order
                                                    Rule 1014(g)(viii). Directed Simple                                                                           burden on competition; and (iii) become
                                                                                                            flow to the Exchange, thus adding depth
                                                    Orders would continue to receive a                                                                            operative for 30 days from the date on
                                                                                                            and liquidity to the Exchange’s markets,
                                                    participation guarantee pursuant to Rule                                                                      which it was filed, or such shorter time
                                                                                                            and enabling the Exchange to continue
                                                    1014(g)(viii).                                                                                                as the Commission may designate, the
                                                                                                            to compete effectively with other                     proposed rule change has become
                                                       The Exchange believes that Directed                  options exchanges for order flow.
                                                    Orders reward specialists, SQTs, and                                                                          effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)
                                                                                                            Today, the system cannot prevent a                    of the Act 13 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)
                                                    RSQTs for actively engaging in                          participation allocation for Directed
                                                    marketing activities and establishing                                                                         thereunder.14
                                                                                                            Complex Orders when the Exchange’s                       A proposed rule change filed under
                                                    relationships with Order Flow Providers                 disseminated best bid or offer is not at
                                                    (‘‘OFPs’’) that generate Directed Orders                                                                      Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally does not
                                                                                                            the NBBO when the Directed Order is                   become operative prior to 30 days after
                                                    sent to the Exchange by such OFPs. The                  received. The Exchange believes that it
                                                    Exchange believes that continuing to                                                                          the date of filing. However, Rule 19b–
                                                                                                            is consistent with the Act to not offer               4(f)(6)(iii) 15 permits the Commission to
                                                    provide a participation guarantee for                   the participation allocation for the
                                                    simple orders which are directed, will                                                                        designate a shorter time if such action
                                                                                                            Directed Complex Orders without a                     is consistent with the protection of
                                                    continue to result in additional order                  system limitation in place that would
                                                    flow to the Exchange, thus adding depth                                                                       investors and the public interest. The
                                                                                                            prevent a Directed Specialist, SQT or                 Exchange has asked the Commission to
                                                    and liquidity to the Exchange’s markets,
                                                                                                            RSQT from receiving a Directed                        waive the 30-day operative delay to
                                                    and enabling the Exchange to continue
                                                                                                            Complex Order allocation pursuant to                  allow the proposal to become operative
                                                    to compete effectively with other
                                                                                                            Exchange Rule 1014(g)(viii) unless the                prior to December 1, 2016.16 As
                                                    options exchanges for order flow. The
                                                                                                            Directed Specialist, SQT or RSQT is                   discussed above, Phlx Rule 1080(l)(ii)
                                                    Exchange also believes that no longer
                                                                                                            quoting at the NBBO at the time the                   allows a Directed Specialist, SQT, or
                                                    providing a participation guarantee
                                                                                                            Directed Complex Order is received as                 RSQT to receive a participation
                                                    when a Directed Complex Order
                                                                                                            required by Exchange Rule 1080(l)(ii).                allocation pursuant to Phlx Rule
                                                    executes will not adversely impact the
                                                                                                            The Exchange intended the Directed                    1014(g)(viii) if the Directed Specialist,
                                                    market or the opportunity for such
                                                    orders to execute. Directed Complex                     Order allocation to reward members and                SQT, or RSQT was quoting at the NBBO
                                                    Orders will continue to be provided the                 member organizations that are quoting                 at the time the Directed Order was
                                                    same access to liquidity on the                         at the NBBO when a Directed Order is                  received. The Exchange notes that it
                                                    Exchange as today. The Exchange                         received. The Exchange believes that                  intended the Directed Order allocation
                                                    intends to discontinue the participation                such a system limitation would need to                to reward members and member
                                                    allocation prior to December 1, 2016.                   be in place to ensure that the Exchange’s             organizations that are quoting at the
                                                                                                            Rules related to Directed Complex Order               NBBO when a Directed Order is
                                                    2. Statutory Basis                                      operate as intended. Since the Exchange               received. The Exchange states that, at
                                                       The Exchange believes that its                       does not have the system limitation in                this time, the Exchange is not able to
                                                    proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)                place today, it would not function as                 systematically enforce the requirement
                                                    of the Act,11 in general, and furthers the              intended.                                             in Phlx Rule 1080(l)(ii) that a Directed
                                                    objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,12             B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     Specialist, SQT, or RSQT be quoting a
                                                    in particular, in that it is designed to                Statement on Burden on Competition                    the NBBO at the time a Directed
                                                    promote just and equitable principles of                                                                      Complex Order is received to receive a
                                                    trade, to remove impediments to and                       The Exchange does not believe that                  Directed Complex Order allocation
                                                    perfect the mechanism of a free and                     the proposed rule change will impose                  pursuant to Rule 1014(g)(viii). The
                                                                                                            any burden on competition not
                                                      9 See  Exchange Rule 1080(l)(iii).                    necessary or appropriate in furtherance                 13 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                                      10 Today,   Directed Complex Orders are eligible to                                                           14 17  CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). As required under Rule
                                                                                                            of the purposes of the Act. With this
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    receive a Directed Order allocation only if it is                                                             19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the
                                                    legging into the simple order book (i.e. the
                                                                                                            proposal, the Exchange would not                      Commission with written notice of its intent to file
                                                    individual components of the Complex Order are          provide a participation guarantee for                 the proposed rule change, along with a brief
                                                    trading against simple orders or quotes). Complex       Directed Complex Orders which are                     description and the text of the proposed rule
                                                    Orders which are stock-option orders are not            submitted to the Exchange. All Phlx                   change, at least five business days prior to the date
                                                    eligible to leg into the simple order book and                                                                of filing of the proposed rule change, or such
                                                    therefore not eligible to receive a Directed Order
                                                                                                            members and member organizations                      shorter time as designated by the Commission.
                                                    allocation. See Phlx Rule 1098(c)(i).                   would continue to receive a                             15 17 CFR 19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
                                                       11 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).                                 participation guarantee for simple                      16 The Exchange will provide prior notice of the
                                                       12 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                              orders directed to the Exchange but not               change in the form of an Options Trader Alert.



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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 229 / Tuesday, November 29, 2016 / Notices                                                86033

                                                    Exchange believes that it is necessary to                 • Send an email to rule-comments@                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                    have the ability to systematically                      sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                COMMISSION
                                                    enforce the requirements of Phlx Rule                   Phlx–2016–116 on the subject line.
                                                    1080(l)(ii) with respect to Directed                                                                           [Release No. 34–79376; File No. SR–
                                                    Complex Orders to assure that the                       Paper Comments
                                                                                                                                                                   NYSEARCA–2016–147]
                                                    Exchange’s Directed Complex Order                         • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                    rules operate as intended. Accordingly,                 to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                  Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
                                                    the Exchange requests a waiver of the                                                                          Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
                                                                                                            Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                    30-day operative delay to allow the                                                                            Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
                                                                                                            Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                    Exchange to discontinue the                                                                                    Rule Change Amending NYSE Arca
                                                    participation allocation for Directed                   All submissions should refer to File                   Equities Rule 5.1(c) Regarding the
                                                    Complex Orders prior to December 1,                     Number SR–Phlx–2016–116. This file                     Requirements for the Listing of
                                                    2016.17 The Commission believes that                    number should be included on the                       Securities That Are Issued by the
                                                    waiving the 30-day operative delay is                   subject line if email is used. To help the             Exchange or Any of Its Affiliates
                                                    consistent with the protection of                       Commission process and review your
                                                    investors and the public interest                       comments more efficiently, please use                  November 22, 2016.
                                                    because the proposed rule change will                   only one method. The Commission will                      Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the
                                                    allow the Exchange to discontinue the                   post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                    participation allocation for Directed                                                                          Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
                                                                                                            Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                 ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3
                                                    Complex Orders until the Exchange is                    rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                    able to systematically enforce the                                                                             notice is hereby given that, on
                                                                                                            submission, all subsequent                             November 10, 2016, NYSE Arca, Inc.
                                                    requirements of Phlx Rule 1080(l)(ii)
                                                                                                            amendments, all written statements                     (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE Arca’’) filed
                                                    with respect to Directed Complex
                                                                                                            with respect to the proposed rule                      with the Securities and Exchange
                                                    Orders.18 Accordingly, the Commission
                                                                                                            change that are filed with the                         Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the
                                                    designates the proposed rule change to
                                                    be operative upon filing.19                             Commission, and all written                            proposed rule change as described in
                                                                                                            communications relating to the                         Items I and II below, which Items have
                                                       At any time within 60 days of the                    proposed rule change between the                       been prepared by the self-regulatory
                                                    filing of the proposed rule change, the                 Commission and any person, other than                  organization. The Commission is
                                                    Commission summarily may                                those that may be withheld from the
                                                    temporarily suspend such rule change if                                                                        publishing this notice to solicit
                                                                                                            public in accordance with the                          comments on the proposed rule change
                                                    it appears to the Commission that such
                                                                                                            provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                    from interested persons.
                                                    action is necessary or appropriate in the
                                                                                                            available for Web site viewing and
                                                    public interest, for the protection of                                                                         I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    investors, or otherwise in furtherance of               printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                                                                            Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                      Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                    the purposes of the Act. If the                                                                                the Proposed Rule Change
                                                    Commission takes such action, the                       Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                                    Commission shall institute proceedings                  business days between the hours of                        The Exchange proposes to amend
                                                    to determine whether the proposed rule                  10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                 NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.1(c)
                                                    should be approved or disapproved.                      filing also will be available for                      regarding the requirements for the
                                                                                                            inspection and copying at the principal                listing of securities that are issued by
                                                    IV. Solicitation of Comments                            office of the Exchange. All comments                   the Exchange or any of its affiliates. The
                                                      Interested persons are invited to                     received will be posted without change;                proposed rule change is available on the
                                                    submit written data, views and                          the Commission does not edit personal                  Exchange’s Web site at www.nyse.com,
                                                    arguments concerning the foregoing,                     identifying information from                           at the principal office of the Exchange,
                                                    including whether the proposed rule                     submissions. You should submit only                    and at the Commission’s Public
                                                    change is consistent with the Act.                      information that you wish to make                      Reference Room.
                                                    Comments may be submitted by any of                     available publicly. All submissions
                                                    the following methods:                                  should refer to File Number SR–Phlx–                   II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                            2016–116 and should be submitted on                    Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                    Electronic Comments                                     or before December 20, 2016.                           Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                                                                                   Change
                                                      • Use the Commission’s Internet                         For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                    comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                       Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated               In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                    rules/sro.shtml); or                                    authority.20                                           self-regulatory organization included
                                                                                                            Robert W. Errett,                                      statements concerning the purpose of,
                                                       17 As noted above, the Exchange may seek to offer
                                                                                                            Deputy Secretary.                                      and basis for, the proposed rule change
                                                    a participation allocation for Directed Complex                                                                and discussed any comments it received
                                                    Orders after the Exchange has the ability to            [FR Doc. 2016–28632 Filed 11–28–16; 8:45 am]
                                                    systematically enforce the requirements of Phlx         BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                                                                                   on the proposed rule change. The text
                                                    Rule 1080(l)(ii) with respect to Directed Complex                                                              of those statements may be examined at
                                                    Orders.                                                                                                        the places specified in Item IV below.
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                                                       18 The Commission also notes that the Exchange
                                                                                                                                                                   The Exchange has prepared summaries,
                                                    stated that if it intends to offer a participation
                                                    allocation for Directed Complex Orders in the                                                                  set forth in sections A, B, and C below,
                                                    future it will file a proposed rule change with the                                                            of the most significant parts of such
                                                    Commission.                                                                                                    statements.
                                                       19 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day

                                                    operative delay, the Commission has also
                                                                                                                                                                     1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                    considered the proposed rule’s impact on
                                                                                                                                                                     2 15 U.S.C. 78a.
                                                    efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
                                                    15 U.S.C. 78c(f).                                         20 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                           3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.




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Document Created: 2016-11-29 00:33:27
Document Modified: 2016-11-29 00:33:27
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 86031 

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