81_FR_86991 81 FR 86760 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change Relating To Listing and Trading of Shares of the Virtus Enhanced U.S. Equity ETF Under Commentary .01 to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3)

81 FR 86760 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change Relating To Listing and Trading of Shares of the Virtus Enhanced U.S. Equity ETF Under Commentary .01 to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3)

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 231 (December 1, 2016)

Page Range86760-86762
FR Document2016-28830

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 231 (Thursday, December 1, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 231 (Thursday, December 1, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86760-86762]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28830]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-79402; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2016-131]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Approving a 
Proposed Rule Change Relating To Listing and Trading of Shares of the 
Virtus Enhanced U.S. Equity ETF Under Commentary .01 to NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3)

November 25, 2016.

I. Introduction

    On October 3, 2016, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``Exchange'') 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 list and trade 
shares (``Shares'') of the Virtus Enhanced U.S. Equity ETF (``Fund''), 
a series of Virtus ETF Trust II (``Trust''), under Commentary .01 to 
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3) (``Investment Company Units''). The 
proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register 
on October 20, 2016.\3\ The Commission received no comments on the 
proposed rule change. This order approves 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. 79101 (October 14, 
2016), 81 FR 72630 (``Notice'').
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II. Exchange's Description of the Proposal \4\
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    \4\ The Commission notes that additional information regarding 
the Fund, the Trust, and the Shares, including investment 
strategies, risks, creation and redemption procedures, fees, 
portfolio holdings disclosure policies, calculation of net asset 
value (``NAV''), distributions, and taxes, among other things, can 
be found in the Notice, and the Registration Statement, as 
applicable. See Notice, supra note 3, and Registration Statement, 
infra note 6.
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    The Exchange proposes to list and trade Shares of the Fund under 
Commentary .01 to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3), which governs the 
listing and trading of Investment Company Units on the Exchange. The 
Exchange represents that it has submitted the proposed rule change 
because the underlying index of the Fund does not meet all of the 
generic listing requirements of Commentary .01(a)(A) to NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3), applicable to the listing of Investment 
Company Units based upon an index of ``US Component Stocks.'' 
Specifically, as discussed in the Notice,\5\ options on the S&P 500 
index may be Index components. Consequently, the Index is not composed 
entirely of US Component Stocks, and therefore the Shares do not 
satisfy the requirements for generic listing under Commentary .01(a)(A) 
to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3).
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    \5\ See Notice, supra note 3, 81 FR at 72631.
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    The Fund will be an index-based exchange traded fund (``ETF''). The 
Shares will be offered by the Trust, which is registered with the 
Commission as an investment company and has filed a registration 
statement on Form N-1A (the ``Registration Statement'') with the 
Commission on behalf of the Fund.\6\
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    \6\ The Exchange represents that, on September 1, 2016, the 
Trust filed a Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the 
Securities and Exchange Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act 
of 1940 (``1940 Act'') (File Nos. 333-206600 and 811-23078). 
According to the Exchange, the Trust has obtained certain exemptive 
relief from the Commission under the 1940 Act. See Investment 
Company Act Release No. 30825 (December 11, 2013) (File No. 812-
14212).
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    The investment adviser to the Fund will be Virtus ETF Advisers LLC 
(``Adviser''). ETF Distributors LLC will serve as the distributor 
(``Distributor'') of Fund shares on an agency basis. The Bank of New 
York Mellon (``Administrator'') will be the administrator, custodian 
and transfer agent for the Fund.

A. The Fund's Principal Investments

    According to the Exchange, the Fund's investment objective is to 
seek investment results that, before fees and expenses, closely 
correspond to the price and yield performance of the Rampart Enhanced 
U.S. Equity Index (``Index'').\7\ Under normal market conditions,\8\ 
the Fund will invest not less than 80% of its total assets in component 
securities of the Index. Additionally, under normal market conditions, 
the Fund will invest not less than 80% of its total assets in U.S. 
exchange-traded common stocks. The Fund will also seek to generate 
additional income by writing SPX call options and will seek additional 
capital appreciation by purchasing SPX call options.
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    \7\ According to the Exchange, the Index was developed by 
Rampart Investment Management Company, LLC (``Index Provider''), and 
is calculated and maintained by NYSE Global Index Group (``Index 
Calculation Agent''). The Index Provider is affiliated with the 
Adviser and the Distributor. The Index Calculation Agent is not 
affiliated with the Adviser, Distributor, Administrator, or the 
Trust.
    \8\ The term ``normal market conditions'' is defined in NYSE 
Arca Equities Rule 8.600(c)(5). On a temporary basis, including for 
defensive purposes, during the initial invest-up period and during 
periods of high cash inflows or outflows, the Fund may depart from 
its principal investment strategies; for example, it may hold a 
higher than normal proportion of its assets in cash. During such 
periods, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment 
objectives. The Fund may adopt a defensive strategy when the Adviser 
believes securities in which the Fund normally invests have elevated 
risks due to political or economic factors and in other 
extraordinary circumstances.
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B. The Fund's Non-Principal Investments

    While the Fund, under normal market conditions will invest at least 
80% of its net assets in the securities and financial instruments 
described above, the Fund may invest its remaining assets in the 
securities and financial instruments described below.
    The Fund may invest in short-term, high quality securities issued 
or guaranteed by the U.S. government (in addition to U.S. Treasury 
securities) and non-U.S. governments, and each of their agencies and 
instrumentalities; debt securities issued by U.S. government sponsored 
enterprises; repurchase

[[Page 86761]]

agreements backed by U.S. government and non-U.S. government 
securities; money market mutual funds; and deposit and other 
obligations of U.S. and non-U.S. banks and financial institutions 
(``Money Market Instruments'').
    The Fund may invest in ETFs.\9\
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    \9\ The Fund will not invest in leveraged ETFs, (e.g., 2X or 3X) 
or inverse or inverse leveraged ETFs (e.g., -1X or -2X).
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    The Fund may invest in U.S. exchange-traded equity index futures 
contracts.
    The Fund may invest in U.S. exchange-traded index options (other 
than SPX) and U.S. exchange-traded options on ETFs.
    The Fund may invest in U.S. exchange-traded options on futures 
contacts and U.S. exchange-traded options on stocks.

C. Investment Restrictions

    The Exchange represents that the Fund will not invest in any non-
U.S. equity securities. The Fund's investments will be consistent with 
the Fund's investment objective and will not be used to enhance 
leverage.
    The Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment 
company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as 
amended.\10\
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    \10\ 26 U.S.C. 851.
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III. Discussion and Commission's Findings

    After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the requirements of Section 6 of the Act \11\ 
and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national 
securities exchange.\12\ In particular, the Commission finds that the 
proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\13\ which 
requires, among other things, that the Exchange's rules be designed to 
prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just 
and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and 
coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, 
processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions 
in securities, 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.
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    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
    \12\ In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission has 
considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, 
and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    \13\ 17 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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    The Commission also finds that the proposal to list and trade the 
Shares on the Exchange is consistent with Section 11A(a)(1)(C)(iii) of 
the Act,\14\ which sets forth Congress' finding that it is in the 
public interest and appropriate for the protection of investors and the 
maintenance of fair and orderly markets to assure the availability to 
brokers, dealers, and investors of information with respect to 
quotations for, and transactions in, securities. Quotation and last-
sale information for the Shares will be available via the Consolidated 
Tape Association (``CTA''). The current value of the Index will be 
widely disseminated by one or more major market data vendors as 
required by NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3), Commentary .02(b)(iii). 
In addition, during the Core Trading Session (9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
Eastern Time), an IIV for the Shares will be disseminated by one or 
more major market data vendors and updated at least every 15 
seconds.\15\ Information regarding market price and trading volume of 
the Shares will be continually available on a real-time basis 
throughout the day on brokers' computer screens and other electronic 
devices. The Web site for the Fund will include the prospectus for the 
Fund and additional data relating to the net asset value (``NAV'') and 
other applicable quantitative information. Information regarding each 
portfolio holding will be disclosed by the Trust on each business day 
before commencement of trading in Shares in the Core Trading Session on 
the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78k-1(a)(1)(C)(iii).
    \15\ The Exchange states that it understands that several major 
market data vendors display and/or make widely available IIV's taken 
from the CTA or other data feeds. See Notice, supra note 3, 81 FR at 
72634, n.20.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes that the proposal to list and trade the 
Shares is reasonably designed to promote fair disclosure of information 
that may be necessary to price the Shares appropriately and to prevent 
trading when a reasonable degree of transparency cannot be assured. The 
Exchange may consider all relevant factors in exercising its discretion 
to halt or suspend trading in the Shares of a Fund. Shares of the Fund 
will be halted if the ``circuit breaker'' parameters in NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 7.12 are reached. Trading may be halted because of market 
conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make 
trading in the Shares inadvisable. These may include: (1) The extent to 
which trading is not occurring in the securities and/or the financial 
instruments of the Fund; or (2) whether other unusual conditions or 
circumstances detrimental to the maintenance of a fair and orderly 
market are present.
    If the IIV, Index value or the value of the Index components is not 
being disseminated as required, the Exchange may halt trading during 
the day in which the disruption occurs; if the interruption persists 
past the day in which it occurred, the Exchange will halt trading no 
later than the beginning of the trading day following the 
interruption.\16\ The Exchange will obtain a representation from the 
Fund that the NAV for the Fund will be calculated daily and will be 
made available to all market participants at the same time.\17\ Under 
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.34(a)(5), if the Exchange becomes aware that 
the NAV for the Fund is not being disseminated to all market 
participants at the same time, it will halt trading in the Shares until 
such time as the NAV is available to all market participants.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ See id. at 72634.
    \17\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In support of this proposal, the Exchange has made the following 
representations:
    (1) The Shares will conform to the initial and continued listing 
criteria under NYSE Arca Equities Rules 5.2(j)(3) and 5.5(g)(2), except 
that the Index will not meet the requirements of NYSE Arca Equities 
Rule 5.2(j)(3), Commentary .01(a)(A)(1-5) in that the Index will 
include options.
    (2) The Exchange represents that trading in the Shares will be 
subject to the existing Exchange trading surveillances procedures, as 
well as cross-market surveillances administered by the Financial 
Industry Regulatory Authority (``FINRA'') on behalf of the 
Exchange.\18\ The Exchange represents that these procedures are 
adequate to properly monitor Exchange trading of the Shares in all 
trading sessions and to deter and detect violations of Exchange rules 
and federal securities laws applicable to trading on the Exchange.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ FINRA conducts cross-market surveillances on behalf of the 
Exchange pursuant to a regulatory services agreement. The Exchange 
is responsible for FINRA's performance under this regulatory 
services agreement.
    \19\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) The Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange will 
communicate as needed regarding trading in the Shares, ETFs, options, 
and futures with markets and other entities that are members of the 
Intermarket Surveillance Group (``ISG''), and the Exchange or FINRA, on 
behalf of the Exchange may obtain trading information regarding trading 
in the Shares, ETFs, options, and futures from those markets and other 
entities that are members of ISG or with which

[[Page 86762]]

the Exchange has in place a comprehensive surveillance sharing 
agreement.\20\ The Exchange is able to access from FINRA, as needed, 
trade information for certain fixed income securities held by the Fund 
reported to FINRA's Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ For a list of the current members of ISG, see 
www.isgportal.org.
    \21\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) For initial and continued listing of the Shares, the Trust is 
required to comply with Rule 10A-3 under the Act.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ See 17 CFR 240.10A-3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (5) Prior to the commencement of trading of Shares in the Fund, the 
Exchange will inform its ETP Holders in an Information Bulletin 
(``Bulletin'') of the special characteristics and risks associated with 
trading the Shares. Specifically, the Bulletin will discuss the 
following: (a) The procedures for purchases and redemptions of Shares 
in Creation Unit aggregations (and that Shares are not individually 
redeemable); (b) NYSE Arca Equities Rule 9.2(a), which imposes a duty 
of due diligence on its ETP Holders to learn the essential facts 
relating to every customer prior to trading the Shares; (c) the risks 
involved in trading the Shares during the Opening and Late Trading 
Sessions when an updated IIV or Index value will not be calculated or 
publicly disseminated; (d) how information regarding the IIV and Index 
value will be disseminated; (e) the requirement that ETP Holders 
deliver a prospectus to investors purchasing newly issued Shares prior 
to or concurrently with the confirmation of a transaction; and (f) 
trading information.
    (6) A minimum of 100,000 Shares will be outstanding at the 
commencement of trading on the Exchange.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ See Notice, supra note 3, 81 FR at 76234.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (7) The Exchange represents that all statements and representations 
made in this filing regarding (a) the description of the portfolio, (b) 
limitations on portfolio holdings or reference assets, or (c) the 
applicability of Exchange rules and surveillance procedures shall 
constitute continued listing requirements for listing the Shares on the 
Exchange.\24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ See id. at 72635.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (8) The issuer has represented to the Exchange that it will advise 
the Exchange of any failure by the Fund to comply with the continued 
listing requirements, and, pursuant to its obligations under Section 
19(g)(1) of the Act, the Exchange will surveil for compliance with the 
continued listing requirements. If the Fund is not in compliance with 
the applicable listing requirements, the Exchange will commence 
delisting procedures under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.5(m).\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This approval order is based on all of the Exchange's 
representations, including those set forth above and in the Notice.
    For the foregoing reasons, the Commission finds that the proposed 
rule change, is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \26\ and the 
rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities 
exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Conclusion

    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\27\ that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSEArca-2016-131), be, and 
it hereby is, approved.
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    \27\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
    \28\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\28\
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-28830 Filed 11-30-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                  86760                          Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 231 / Thursday, December 1, 2016 / Notices

                                                    Section 19(b)(2) of the Act 4 provides                    thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to                      The investment adviser to the Fund
                                                  that, within 45 days of the publication                     list and trade shares (‘‘Shares’’) of the                will be Virtus ETF Advisers LLC
                                                  of notice of the filing of a proposed rule                  Virtus Enhanced U.S. Equity ETF                          (‘‘Adviser’’). ETF Distributors LLC will
                                                  change, or within such longer period up                     (‘‘Fund’’), a series of Virtus ETF Trust II              serve as the distributor (‘‘Distributor’’)
                                                  to 90 days as the Commission may                            (‘‘Trust’’), under Commentary .01 to                     of Fund shares on an agency basis. The
                                                  designate if it finds such longer period                    NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3)                        Bank of New York Mellon
                                                  to be appropriate and publishes its                         (‘‘Investment Company Units’’). The                      (‘‘Administrator’’) will be the
                                                  reasons for so finding or as to which the                   proposed rule change was published for                   administrator, custodian and transfer
                                                  self-regulatory organization consents,                      comment in the Federal Register on                       agent for the Fund.
                                                  the Commission shall either approve the                     October 20, 2016.3 The Commission                        A. The Fund’s Principal Investments
                                                  proposed rule change, disapprove the                        received no comments on the proposed
                                                  proposed rule change, or institute                          rule change. This order approves the                        According to the Exchange, the
                                                  proceedings to determine whether the                        proposed rule change.                                    Fund’s investment objective is to seek
                                                  proposed rule change should be                                                                                       investment results that, before fees and
                                                                                                              II. Exchange’s Description of the                        expenses, closely correspond to the
                                                  disapproved. The 45th day after
                                                                                                              Proposal 4                                               price and yield performance of the
                                                  publication of the notice for this
                                                  proposed rule change is December 1,                            The Exchange proposes to list and                     Rampart Enhanced U.S. Equity Index
                                                  2016. The Commission is extending this                      trade Shares of the Fund under                           (‘‘Index’’).7 Under normal market
                                                  45-day time period.                                         Commentary .01 to NYSE Arca Equities                     conditions,8 the Fund will invest not
                                                    The Commission finds that it is                           Rule 5.2(j)(3), which governs the listing                less than 80% of its total assets in
                                                  appropriate to designate a longer period                    and trading of Investment Company                        component securities of the Index.
                                                  within which to take action on the                          Units on the Exchange. The Exchange                      Additionally, under normal market
                                                  proposed rule change so that it has                         represents that it has submitted the                     conditions, the Fund will invest not less
                                                  sufficient time to consider the proposed                    proposed rule change because the                         than 80% of its total assets in U.S.
                                                  rule change. Accordingly, the                               underlying index of the Fund does not                    exchange-traded common stocks. The
                                                  Commission, pursuant to Section                             meet all of the generic listing                          Fund will also seek to generate
                                                  19(b)(2) of the Act,5 designates January                    requirements of Commentary .01(a)(A)                     additional income by writing SPX call
                                                  15, 2017, as the date by which the                          to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3),                    options and will seek additional capital
                                                  Commission shall either approve or                          applicable to the listing of Investment                  appreciation by purchasing SPX call
                                                  disapprove or institute proceedings to                                                                               options.
                                                                                                              Company Units based upon an index of
                                                  determine whether to disapprove the                         ‘‘US Component Stocks.’’ Specifically,                   B. The Fund’s Non-Principal
                                                  proposed rule change (File Number SR–                       as discussed in the Notice,5 options on                  Investments
                                                  NASDAQ–2016–135).                                           the S&P 500 index may be Index                             While the Fund, under normal market
                                                    For the Commission, by the Division of                    components. Consequently, the Index is                   conditions will invest at least 80% of its
                                                  Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated                  not composed entirely of US                              net assets in the securities and financial
                                                  authority.6                                                 Component Stocks, and therefore the                      instruments described above, the Fund
                                                  Brent J. Fields,                                            Shares do not satisfy the requirements                   may invest its remaining assets in the
                                                  Secretary.                                                  for generic listing under Commentary                     securities and financial instruments
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–28826 Filed 11–30–16; 8:45 am]                .01(a)(A) to NYSE Arca Equities Rule                     described below.
                                                  BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                      5.2(j)(3).                                                 The Fund may invest in short-term,
                                                                                                                 The Fund will be an index-based                       high quality securities issued or
                                                                                                              exchange traded fund (‘‘ETF’’). The                      guaranteed by the U.S. government (in
                                                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                     Shares will be offered by the Trust,                     addition to U.S. Treasury securities) and
                                                  COMMISSION                                                  which is registered with the                             non-U.S. governments, and each of their
                                                  [Release No. 34–79402; File No. SR–
                                                                                                              Commission as an investment company                      agencies and instrumentalities; debt
                                                  NYSEArca–2016–131]                                          and has filed a registration statement on                securities issued by U.S. government
                                                                                                              Form N–1A (the ‘‘Registration                            sponsored enterprises; repurchase
                                                  Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE                         Statement’’) with the Commission on
                                                  Arca, Inc.; Order Approving a                               behalf of the Fund.6                                     Company Act Release No. 30825 (December 11,
                                                  Proposed Rule Change Relating To                                                                                     2013) (File No. 812–14212).
                                                                                                                                                                          7 According to the Exchange, the Index was
                                                                                                                2 17  CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                  Listing and Trading of Shares of the                                                                                 developed by Rampart Investment Management
                                                                                                                3 See  Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79101
                                                  Virtus Enhanced U.S. Equity ETF                                                                                      Company, LLC (‘‘Index Provider’’), and is
                                                                                                              (October 14, 2016), 81 FR 72630 (‘‘Notice’’).
                                                  Under Commentary .01 to NYSE Arca                              4 The Commission notes that additional
                                                                                                                                                                       calculated and maintained by NYSE Global Index
                                                  Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3)                                                                                              Group (‘‘Index Calculation Agent’’). The Index
                                                                                                              information regarding the Fund, the Trust, and the       Provider is affiliated with the Adviser and the
                                                                                                              Shares, including investment strategies, risks,          Distributor. The Index Calculation Agent is not
                                                  November 25, 2016.                                          creation and redemption procedures, fees, portfolio      affiliated with the Adviser, Distributor,
                                                                                                              holdings disclosure policies, calculation of net asset   Administrator, or the Trust.
                                                  I. Introduction                                             value (‘‘NAV’’), distributions, and taxes, among            8 The term ‘‘normal market conditions’’ is defined
                                                     On October 3, 2016, NYSE Arca, Inc.                      other things, can be found in the Notice, and the        in NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.600(c)(5). On a
                                                                                                              Registration Statement, as applicable. See Notice,
                                                  (‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities                    supra note 3, and Registration Statement, infra
                                                                                                                                                                       temporary basis, including for defensive purposes,
                                                  and Exchange Commission                                                                                              during the initial invest-up period and during
                                                                                                              note 6.                                                  periods of high cash inflows or outflows, the Fund
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section                          5 See Notice, supra note 3, 81 FR at 72631.
                                                                                                                                                                       may depart from its principal investment strategies;
                                                  19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act                        6 The Exchange represents that, on September 1,
                                                                                                                                                                       for example, it may hold a higher than normal
                                                  of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4                          2016, the Trust filed a Registration Statement on        proportion of its assets in cash. During such
                                                                                                              Form N–1A under the Securities and Exchange Act          periods, the Fund may not be able to achieve its
                                                    4 15
                                                                                                              of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940           investment objectives. The Fund may adopt a
                                                            U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).                                 (‘‘1940 Act’’) (File Nos. 333–206600 and 811–            defensive strategy when the Adviser believes
                                                    5 Id.
                                                                                                              23078). According to the Exchange, the Trust has         securities in which the Fund normally invests have
                                                    6 17    CFR 200.30–3(a)(31).                              obtained certain exemptive relief from the               elevated risks due to political or economic factors
                                                    1 15    U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                 Commission under the 1940 Act. See Investment            and in other extraordinary circumstances.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014       15:02 Nov 30, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00072   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\01DEN1.SGM     01DEN1


                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 231 / Thursday, December 1, 2016 / Notices                                                  86761

                                                  agreements backed by U.S. government                    the Exchange is consistent with Section               maintenance of a fair and orderly
                                                  and non-U.S. government securities;                     11A(a)(1)(C)(iii) of the Act,14 which sets            market are present.
                                                  money market mutual funds; and                          forth Congress’ finding that it is in the                If the IIV, Index value or the value of
                                                  deposit and other obligations of U.S.                   public interest and appropriate for the               the Index components is not being
                                                  and non-U.S. banks and financial                        protection of investors and the                       disseminated as required, the Exchange
                                                  institutions (‘‘Money Market                            maintenance of fair and orderly markets               may halt trading during the day in
                                                  Instruments’’).                                         to assure the availability to brokers,                which the disruption occurs; if the
                                                    The Fund may invest in ETFs.9                         dealers, and investors of information                 interruption persists past the day in
                                                    The Fund may invest in U.S.                           with respect to quotations for, and                   which it occurred, the Exchange will
                                                  exchange-traded equity index futures                    transactions in, securities. Quotation                halt trading no later than the beginning
                                                  contracts.                                              and last-sale information for the Shares              of the trading day following the
                                                    The Fund may invest in U.S.                           will be available via the Consolidated                interruption.16 The Exchange will
                                                  exchange-traded index options (other                    Tape Association (‘‘CTA’’). The current               obtain a representation from the Fund
                                                  than SPX) and U.S. exchange-traded                      value of the Index will be widely                     that the NAV for the Fund will be
                                                  options on ETFs.                                        disseminated by one or more major                     calculated daily and will be made
                                                    The Fund may invest in U.S.                           market data vendors as required by                    available to all market participants at
                                                  exchange-traded options on futures                      NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3),                    the same time.17 Under NYSE Arca
                                                  contacts and U.S. exchange-traded                       Commentary .02(b)(iii). In addition,                  Equities Rule 7.34(a)(5), if the Exchange
                                                  options on stocks.                                      during the Core Trading Session (9:30                 becomes aware that the NAV for the
                                                                                                          a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), an IIV               Fund is not being disseminated to all
                                                  C. Investment Restrictions                                                                                    market participants at the same time, it
                                                                                                          for the Shares will be disseminated by
                                                    The Exchange represents that the                      one or more major market data vendors                 will halt trading in the Shares until such
                                                  Fund will not invest in any non-U.S.                    and updated at least every 15 seconds.15              time as the NAV is available to all
                                                  equity securities. The Fund’s                           Information regarding market price and                market participants.
                                                  investments will be consistent with the                 trading volume of the Shares will be                     In support of this proposal, the
                                                  Fund’s investment objective and will                    continually available on a real-time                  Exchange has made the following
                                                  not be used to enhance leverage.                        basis throughout the day on brokers’                  representations:
                                                    The Fund intends to qualify each year                                                                          (1) The Shares will conform to the
                                                                                                          computer screens and other electronic
                                                  as a regulated investment company                                                                             initial and continued listing criteria
                                                                                                          devices. The Web site for the Fund will
                                                  under Subchapter M of the Internal                                                                            under NYSE Arca Equities Rules
                                                                                                          include the prospectus for the Fund and
                                                  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.10                                                                           5.2(j)(3) and 5.5(g)(2), except that the
                                                                                                          additional data relating to the net asset
                                                                                                                                                                Index will not meet the requirements of
                                                  III. Discussion and Commission’s                        value (‘‘NAV’’) and other applicable
                                                                                                                                                                NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3),
                                                  Findings                                                quantitative information. Information
                                                                                                                                                                Commentary .01(a)(A)(1–5) in that the
                                                                                                          regarding each portfolio holding will be
                                                     After careful review, the Commission                                                                       Index will include options.
                                                                                                          disclosed by the Trust on each business                  (2) The Exchange represents that
                                                  finds that the proposed rule change is                  day before commencement of trading in
                                                  consistent with the requirements of                                                                           trading in the Shares will be subject to
                                                                                                          Shares in the Core Trading Session on                 the existing Exchange trading
                                                  Section 6 of the Act 11 and the rules and               the Exchange.
                                                  regulations thereunder applicable to a                                                                        surveillances procedures, as well as
                                                                                                             The Commission believes that the                   cross-market surveillances administered
                                                  national securities exchange.12 In                      proposal to list and trade the Shares is
                                                  particular, the Commission finds that                                                                         by the Financial Industry Regulatory
                                                                                                          reasonably designed to promote fair                   Authority (‘‘FINRA’’) on behalf of the
                                                  the proposal is consistent with Section                 disclosure of information that may be
                                                  6(b)(5) of the Act,13 which requires,                                                                         Exchange.18 The Exchange represents
                                                                                                          necessary to price the Shares                         that these procedures are adequate to
                                                  among other things, that the Exchange’s                 appropriately and to prevent trading
                                                  rules be designed to prevent fraudulent                                                                       properly monitor Exchange trading of
                                                                                                          when a reasonable degree of                           the Shares in all trading sessions and to
                                                  and manipulative acts and practices, to                 transparency cannot be assured. The
                                                  promote just and equitable principles of                                                                      deter and detect violations of Exchange
                                                                                                          Exchange may consider all relevant                    rules and federal securities laws
                                                  trade, to foster cooperation and                        factors in exercising its discretion to
                                                  coordination with persons engaged in                                                                          applicable to trading on the Exchange.19
                                                                                                          halt or suspend trading in the Shares of                 (3) The Exchange or FINRA, on behalf
                                                  regulating, clearing, settling, processing              a Fund. Shares of the Fund will be
                                                  information with respect to, and                                                                              of the Exchange will communicate as
                                                                                                          halted if the ‘‘circuit breaker’’                     needed regarding trading in the Shares,
                                                  facilitating transactions in securities, to             parameters in NYSE Arca Equities Rule
                                                  remove impediments to and perfect the                                                                         ETFs, options, and futures with markets
                                                                                                          7.12 are reached. Trading may be halted               and other entities that are members of
                                                  mechanism of a free and open market                     because of market conditions or for
                                                  and a national market system, and, in                                                                         the Intermarket Surveillance Group
                                                                                                          reasons that, in the view of the                      (‘‘ISG’’), and the Exchange or FINRA, on
                                                  general, to protect investors and the                   Exchange, make trading in the Shares
                                                  public interest.                                                                                              behalf of the Exchange may obtain
                                                                                                          inadvisable. These may include: (1) The               trading information regarding trading in
                                                     The Commission also finds that the                   extent to which trading is not occurring
                                                  proposal to list and trade the Shares on                                                                      the Shares, ETFs, options, and futures
                                                                                                          in the securities and/or the financial                from those markets and other entities
                                                     9 The Fund will not invest in leveraged ETFs,
                                                                                                          instruments of the Fund; or (2) whether               that are members of ISG or with which
                                                                                                          other unusual conditions or
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                                                  (e.g., 2X or 3X) or inverse or inverse leveraged ETFs
                                                  (e.g., ¥1X or ¥2X).                                     circumstances detrimental to the                        16 See id. at 72634.
                                                     10 26 U.S.C. 851.                                                                                            17 See id.
                                                     11 15 U.S.C. 78f.                                      14 15 U.S.C. 78k–1(a)(1)(C)(iii).                     18 FINRA conducts cross-market surveillances on
                                                     12 In approving this proposed rule change, the         15 The                                              behalf of the Exchange pursuant to a regulatory
                                                                                                                   Exchange states that it understands that
                                                  Commission has considered the proposed rule’s           several major market data vendors display and/or      services agreement. The Exchange is responsible for
                                                  impact on efficiency, competition, and capital          make widely available IIV’s taken from the CTA or     FINRA’s performance under this regulatory services
                                                  formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).                        other data feeds. See Notice, supra note 3, 81 FR     agreement.
                                                     13 17 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                              at 72634, n.20.                                         19 See id.




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                                                  86762                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 231 / Thursday, December 1, 2016 / Notices

                                                  the Exchange has in place a                              compliance with the applicable listing                this filing by the Commission. The
                                                  comprehensive surveillance sharing                       requirements, the Exchange will                       Commission is publishing this notice to
                                                  agreement.20 The Exchange is able to                     commence delisting procedures under                   solicit comments on the proposed rule
                                                  access from FINRA, as needed, trade                      NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.5(m).25                     change from interested persons.
                                                  information for certain fixed income                       This approval order is based on all of
                                                                                                                                                                 I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  securities held by the Fund reported to                  the Exchange’s representations,
                                                                                                                                                                 Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                  FINRA’s Trade Reporting and                              including those set forth above and in
                                                                                                                                                                 the Proposed Rule Change
                                                  Compliance Engine.21                                     the Notice.
                                                     (4) For initial and continued listing of                For the foregoing reasons, the                         FINRA is proposing to amend FINRA
                                                  the Shares, the Trust is required to                     Commission finds that the proposed                    Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size
                                                  comply with Rule 10A–3 under the                         rule change, is consistent with Section               Requirements for OTC Equity
                                                  Act.22                                                   6(b)(5) of the Act 26 and the rules and               Securities) to extend the Tier Size Pilot,
                                                     (5) Prior to the commencement of                      regulations thereunder applicable to a                which currently is scheduled to expire
                                                  trading of Shares in the Fund, the                       national securities exchange.                         on December 9, 2016, until June 9, 2017.
                                                  Exchange will inform its ETP Holders in                                                                           The text of the proposed rule change
                                                                                                           IV. Conclusion                                        is available on FINRA’s Web site at
                                                  an Information Bulletin (‘‘Bulletin’’) of
                                                  the special characteristics and risks                      It is therefore ordered, pursuant to                http://www.finra.org, at the principal
                                                  associated with trading the Shares.                      Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,27 that the               office of FINRA and at the
                                                  Specifically, the Bulletin will discuss                  proposed rule change (SR–NYSEArca–                    Commission’s Public Reference Room.
                                                  the following: (a) The procedures for                    2016–131), be, and it hereby is,                      II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  purchases and redemptions of Shares in                   approved.                                             Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  Creation Unit aggregations (and that                       For the Commission, by the Division of              Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  Shares are not individually redeemable);                 Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated            Change
                                                  (b) NYSE Arca Equities Rule 9.2(a),                      authority.28
                                                                                                                                                                    In its filing with the Commission,
                                                  which imposes a duty of due diligence                    Brent J. Fields,
                                                                                                                                                                 FINRA included statements concerning
                                                  on its ETP Holders to learn the essential                Secretary.                                            the purpose of and basis for the
                                                  facts relating to every customer prior to                [FR Doc. 2016–28830 Filed 11–30–16; 8:45 am]          proposed rule change and discussed any
                                                  trading the Shares; (c) the risks involved               BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                comments it received on the proposed
                                                  in trading the Shares during the                                                                               rule change. The text of these statements
                                                  Opening and Late Trading Sessions                                                                              may be examined at the places specified
                                                  when an updated IIV or Index value will                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               in Item IV below. FINRA has prepared
                                                  not be calculated or publicly                            COMMISSION                                            summaries, set forth in sections A, B,
                                                  disseminated; (d) how information                                                                              and C below, of the most significant
                                                                                                           [Release No. 34–79401; File No. SR–FINRA–
                                                  regarding the IIV and Index value will                                                                         aspects of such statements.
                                                                                                           2016–044]
                                                  be disseminated; (e) the requirement
                                                  that ETP Holders deliver a prospectus to                                                                       A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                           Self-Regulatory Organizations;
                                                  investors purchasing newly issued                                                                              Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                           Financial Industry Regulatory
                                                  Shares prior to or concurrently with the                                                                       Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                           Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
                                                  confirmation of a transaction; and (f)                                                                         Change
                                                                                                           Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed
                                                  trading information.                                     Rule Change To Extend the Tier Size                   1. Purpose
                                                     (6) A minimum of 100,000 Shares will                  Pilot of FINRA Rule 6433 (Minimum
                                                  be outstanding at the commencement of                                                                             FINRA proposes to amend FINRA
                                                                                                           Quotation Size Requirements for OTC                   Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size
                                                  trading on the Exchange.23                               Equity Securities)
                                                     (7) The Exchange represents that all                                                                        Requirements for OTC Equity
                                                  statements and representations made in                   November 25, 2016.                                    Securities) (the ‘‘Rule’’) to extend, until
                                                  this filing regarding (a) the description                   Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                June 9, 2017, the amendments set forth
                                                  of the portfolio, (b) limitations on                     Securities Exchange Act of 1934                       in File No. SR–FINRA–2011–058 (‘‘Tier
                                                  portfolio holdings or reference assets, or               (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2               Size Pilot’’ or ‘‘Pilot’’), which currently
                                                  (c) the applicability of Exchange rules                  notice is hereby given that on November               are scheduled to expire on December 9,
                                                  and surveillance procedures shall                        23, 2016, Financial Industry Regulatory               2016.4
                                                  constitute continued listing                             Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’) filed with the               The Tier Size Pilot was filed with the
                                                  requirements for listing the Shares on                   Securities and Exchange Commission                    SEC on October 6, 2011,5 to amend the
                                                  the Exchange.24                                          (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed              minimum quotation sizes (or ‘‘tier
                                                     (8) The issuer has represented to the                 rule change as described in Items I and               sizes’’) for OTC Equity Securities.6 The
                                                  Exchange that it will advise the                         II below, which Items have been                       goals of the Pilot were to simplify the
                                                  Exchange of any failure by the Fund to                   prepared by FINRA. FINRA has                          tier structure, facilitate the display of
                                                  comply with the continued listing                        designated the proposed rule change as                customer limit orders, and expand the
                                                  requirements, and, pursuant to its                       constituting a ‘‘non-controversial’’ rule               4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77923
                                                  obligations under Section 19(g)(1) of the                change under paragraph (f)(6) of Rule                 (May 26, 2016), 81 FR 35432 (June 2, 2016) (Notice
                                                  Act, the Exchange will surveil for                       19b–4 under the Act,3 which renders                   of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of File No.
                                                  compliance with the continued listing                    the proposal effective upon receipt of                SR–FINRA–2016–016) (‘‘June 2016 Extension’’).
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                                                                                                                                                                   5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65568
                                                  requirements. If the Fund is not in
                                                                                                             25 See id.                                          (October 14, 2011), 76 FR 65307 (October 20, 2011)
                                                                                                             26 15                                               (Notice of Filing of File No. SR–FINRA–2011–058).
                                                    20 Fora list of the current members of ISG, see                U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                               6 ‘‘OTC Equity Security’’ means any equity
                                                  www.isgportal.org.                                         27 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
                                                   21 See id.                                                28 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                                                                                                                                 security that is not an ‘‘NMS stock’’ as that term is
                                                                                                                                                                 defined in Rule 600(b)(47) of SEC Regulation NMS;
                                                   22 See 17 CFR 240.10A–3.                                  1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                                                                                                                                 provided, however, that the term OTC Equity
                                                   23 See Notice, supra note 3, 81 FR at 76234.              2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                                                                                                                                 Security shall not include any Restricted Equity
                                                   24 See id. at 72635.                                      3 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                           Security. See FINRA Rule 6420.



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Document Created: 2018-02-14 09:00:51
Document Modified: 2018-02-14 09:00:51
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 86760 

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