82_FR_21669 82 FR 21581 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Exchange's Fees at Rule 7047

82 FR 21581 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Exchange's Fees at Rule 7047

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 88 (May 9, 2017)

Page Range21581-21584
FR Document2017-09312

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 88 (Tuesday, May 9, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 9, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21581-21584]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09312]


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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-80585; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2017-041]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To 
Amend the Exchange's Fees at Rule 7047

May 3, 2017.
    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 April 20, 2017, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (``Nasdaq'' or 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in 
Items I, II, and III 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend the Exchange's fees at Rule 7047 to 
clarify the application of Nasdaq fees to Derived Data in light of 
changing industry practices. Specifically, the proposed changes will: 
(i) Limit application of the Derived Data Distributor Fee for Nasdaq 
Basic in Rule 7047(c)(2) only to those Distributors that both create 
and distribute Derived Data; (ii) clarify that the Nasdaq Basic per 
Subscriber user fees in Rules 7047(b)(1) and (b)(2), and the 
distributor fee in Rule 7047(c)(1), cover both Nasdaq data feeds and 
Derived Data therefrom; and (iii) clarify that the enterprise licenses 
for Professional and Non-Professional Subscribers in Rules 7047(b)(4) 
and (b)(5) cover the distribution of Derived Data from Nasdaq Basic. 
The proposal is described in further detail below.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
Web site at http://nasdaq.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 the proposed rule change is to clarify the 
application of Nasdaq fees to Derived Data in light of changing 
industry practices. Specifically, the proposed changes will: (i) Limit 
application of the Derived Data Distributor Fee for Nasdaq Basic in 
Rule 7047(c)(2) only to those Distributors that both create and 
distribute Derived Data; (ii) clarify that the Nasdaq Basic per 
Subscriber user fees in Rules 7047(b)(1) and (b)(2), and the 
distributor fee in Rule 7047(c)(1), cover both Nasdaq data feeds and 
Derived Data therefrom; and (iii) clarify that the enterprise licenses 
for Professional and Non-Professional Subscribers in Rules 7047(b)(4) 
and (b)(5) cover the distribution of Derived Data from Nasdaq Basic.
Nasdaq Basic
    Nasdaq Basic provides best bid and offer information from the 
Nasdaq Market Center, as well as last sale transaction reports from 
both the Nasdaq Market Center and the FINRA/Nasdaq Trade Reporting 
Facility (``TRF''). This is a subset of the ``core'' quotation and last 
sale data provided by securities information processors under the CQ/CT 
Plan and the UTP Plan. The three components of Nasdaq Basic, which may 
be purchased individually or in combination, are: (i) Nasdaq Basic for 
Nasdaq, which contains the best bid and offer on the Nasdaq Market 
Center and last sale transaction reports for Nasdaq and the FINRA/
Nasdaq TRF for Nasdaq-listed stocks; (ii) Nasdaq Basic for NYSE, which 
covers NYSE-listed stocks, and (iii) Nasdaq Basic for NYSE MKT, which 
provides data on stocks listed on NYSE MKT and other listing venues 
whose quotes and trade reports are disseminated on Tape B.
Derived Data Distributor Fee
    A Distributor \3\ of Derived Data \4\ from Nasdaq Basic may pay a 
$1,500 per month fee to disseminate such data to an unlimited number of 
Non-Professional Subscribers \5\ under Rule 7047(c)(2). If a 
Distributor elects not to pay the Derived Data Distributor Fee, the 
Distributor must pay the per Subscriber charges for Non-Professionals 
set forth in Rule 7047(b)(2). In either case, Distributors of Derived 
Data must also pay the

[[Page 21582]]

Distributor fee set forth in Rule 7047(c)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ A ``Distributor'' is ``any entity that receives NASDAQ Basic 
data directly from NASDAQ or indirectly through another entity and 
then distributes it to one or more Subscribers.'' Nasdaq Rule 
7047(d)(1).
    \4\ ``Derived Data'' is ``pricing data or other information that 
is created in whole or in part from NASDAQ information; it cannot be 
reverse engineered to recreate NASDAQ information, or be used to 
create other data that is recognizable as a reasonable substitute 
for NASDAQ information.'' Nasdaq Rule 7047(d)(5).
    \5\ A ``Non-Professional Subscriber'' is a natural person who is 
not (i) registered or qualified in any capacity with the Commission, 
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, any state securities 
agency, any securities exchange or association, or (ii) any 
commodities or futures contract market or association; engaged as an 
``investment adviser'' as that term is defined in Section 201(11) of 
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (whether or not registered or 
qualified under that Act); or (iii) employed by a bank or other 
organization exempt from registration under federal or state 
securities laws to perform functions that would require registration 
or qualification if such functions were performed for an 
organization not so exempt. Nasdaq Rule 7047(d)(3)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange has recently become aware that certain Distributors 
create Derived Data (``Primary Distributors''), and send it to other 
Distributors, which transmit the Derived Data in the same form that it 
was received to Subscribers (``Secondary Distributors''). The Exchange, 
in its initial filing for the Derived Data Distributor Fee in 2011, 
stated that the fee applied only to firms that ``derive data from 
Nasdaq Basic'' \6\--i.e., the Primary Distributors. The text of Rule 
7047(c)(2), however, does not distinguish between Primary and Secondary 
Distributors. Rule 7047(c)(2) states that ``[a] Distributor may pay 
$1,500 per month to distribute Derived Data from Nasdaq Basic,'' 
implying that all Distributors--both Primary and Secondary--may pay 
that fee. Further clarification appeared to be unnecessary at the time 
because the Exchange was not aware of the existence of Secondary 
Distributors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64994 (July 29, 
2011), 76 FR 47621 (August 5, 2011) (SR-NASDAQ-2011-091).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In light of changing industry practice, the Exchange proposes to 
clarify the Rule to state that only Distributors that ``create and 
distribute Derived Data from Nasdaq Basic'' pay the fee, thereby 
excluding Secondary Distributors from application of Rule 7047(c)(2). 
This is a codification of Nasdaq's intent as set forth in the initial 
filing and Nasdaq's interpretation of Rule 7047(c)(2) based on that 
rule and related filings, and will not change customer fees.
User Fees for Nasdaq Basic
    Professional Subscribers \7\ to Nasdaq Basic pay per Subscriber 
monthly charges of $13.00 for Nasdaq Basic for Nasdaq, $6.50 for Nasdaq 
Basic for NYSE, and $6.50 for Nasdaq Basic for NYSE MKT under Rule 
7047(b)(1). Non-Professional Subscribers pay at the reduced monthly 
rates of $0.50, $0.25, and $0.25, respectively, under Rule 7047(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ A ``Professional Subscriber'' is any Subscriber other than a 
Non-Professional Subscriber. Nasdaq Rule 7047(d)(3)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    When the Derived Data Distributor Fee, currently set forth in Rule 
7047(c)(2) was introduced in 2011, the Exchange explained in the 
accompanying filing that the fee ``would be in lieu of non-professional 
subscriber fees,'' \8\ indicating that the monthly per Subscriber fees 
set forth in Rule 7047(b)(2) applied to Derived Data. There was no 
explicit reference to Derived Data in Rule 7047(b)(2) because the 
Exchange was not aware of instances in which Derived Data was 
distributed without a Nasdaq Basic data feed, rendering such a 
reference unnecessary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64994 (July 29, 
2011), 76 FR 47621 (August 5, 2011) (SR-NASDAQ-2011-091).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange has recently become aware, however, that certain 
Subscribers purchase Derived Data without a Nasdaq Basic data feed. The 
Exchange proposes to clarify Rule 7047(b)(2), and the parallel rule for 
Professional Subscribers at Rule 7047(b)(1), to state that the per 
Subscriber monthly charges allow the transmission of both Nasdaq Basic 
feeds and/or any Derived Data therefrom.
    Similarly, the distributor fee for Nasdaq Basic in Rule 7047(c)(1) 
did not separately reference Derived Data because such data was not 
distributed without a Nasdaq Basic data feed. Because industry practice 
has changed, the Exchange proposes to clarify that the distributor fee 
in Rule 7047(c)(1) covers Derived Data, as well as the Nasdaq Basic 
data feed.
    These proposed changes will not change prices, but rather are a 
codification of the Exchange's original intent and its interpretation 
of these Rules based on the text of the Rules and their related 
filings, in light of changes in industry practice.
Nasdaq Basic Enterprise Licenses
    Broker-dealers may purchase two enterprise licenses for Nasdaq 
Basic in lieu of per Subscriber user fees: (i) An enterprise license 
for Professional and Non-Professional Subscribers with whom the broker-
dealer has a brokerage relationship under Rule 7047(b)(5); or (ii) an 
enterprise license for internal Professional Subscribers under Rule 
7047(b)(4). The enterprise license for Subscribers in a brokerage 
relationship was introduced in 2011,\9\ but the rule did not specify 
whether that license would cover the distribution of Derived Data. The 
enterprise license for internal Professional Subscribers, introduced in 
2014,\10\ did not explicitly reference Derived Data either.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65526 (October 11, 
2011), 76 FR 64137 (October 17, 2011) (SR-NASDAQ-2011-130).
    \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71507 (February 7, 
2014), 79 FR 8763 (February 13, 2014) (SR-NASDAQ-2014-011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The enterprise license for internal Professional Subscribers was 
introduced as an alternative to the Nasdaq Basic user fees set forth in 
Rule 7047(b)(1), and the enterprise license for Subscribers with whom 
the broker-dealer has a brokerage relationship was designed as an 
alternative to the user fees set forth in Rule 7047(b)(1) and (b)(2). 
For the reasons set forth above, the fees set forth at Rules 7047(b)(1) 
and (b)(2) were intended to cover the distribution of Derived Data. 
Because these enterprise licenses were introduced as alternatives to 
Rules 7047(b)(1) and (b)(2), these licenses were intended to cover 
Derived Data as well. In light of a change in industry practice in 
which Derived Data is sometimes distributed without a proprietary data 
feed, the Exchange proposes to codify the original intent of the 
Exchange, and its interpretation of the Rules and related filings, and 
explicitly state that the enterprise licenses at Rules 7047(b)(4) and 
(b)(5) cover the distribution of Derived Data from Nasdaq Basic.
    In summary, the proposed changes clarify how Nasdaq Basic fees set 
forth in Rule 7047 apply to Derived Data. The first change clarifies 
that the Derived Data Distributor Fee does not apply to Secondary 
Distributors, i.e., entities that distribute, but do not create, 
Derived Data. The second change clarifies that the per Subscriber user 
fees set forth in Rule 7047(b)(1) and (b)(2), and the distributor fee 
in Rule 7047(c)(1) also allow the distribution of Derived Data. The 
third change clarifies that the enterprise licenses under Rules 
7047(b)(4) and (b)(5) cover the distribution of Derived Data. None of 
these proposed changes raise the cost of Nasdaq Basic or any other 
Nasdaq product, but rather codify the original intent and ongoing 
interpretation of Rule 7047.
    The fees for all Nasdaq Basic products--including Derived Data from 
Nasdaq Basic--are entirely optional, in that they apply only to 
Distributors or Subscribers that opt to purchase Nasdaq Basic or 
Derived Data therefrom. The proposed changes do not impact the cost of 
any Nasdaq product, including Nasdaq Basic and any Derived Data from 
Nasdaq Basic.
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 
Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,\12\ in particular, in that it 
provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and 
other charges among members and issuers and other persons using any 
facility, and is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between 
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission and the courts have repeatedly expressed their 
preference for competition over regulatory

[[Page 21583]]

intervention in determining prices, products, and services in the 
securities markets. In Regulation NMS, while adopting a series of steps 
to improve the current market model, the Commission highlighted the 
importance of market forces in determining prices and SRO revenues and, 
also, recognized that current regulation of the market system ``has 
been remarkably successful in promoting market competition in its 
broader forms that are most important to investors and listed 
companies.'' \13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 
2005), 70 FR 37496, 37499 (June 29, 2005).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Likewise, in NetCoalition v. Securities and Exchange Commission 
\14\ (``NetCoalition'') the D.C. Circuit upheld the Commission's use of 
a market-based approach in evaluating the fairness of market data fees 
against a challenge claiming that Congress mandated a cost-based 
approach.\15\ As the court emphasized, the Commission ``intended in 
Regulation NMS that `market forces, rather than regulatory 
requirements' play a role in determining the market data . . . to be 
made available to investors and at what cost.'' \16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ NetCoalition v. SEC, 615 F.3d 525 (D.C. Cir. 2010).
    \15\ See NetCoalition, at 534-535.
    \16\ Id. at 537.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, ``[n]o one disputes that competition for order flow is 
`fierce.' . . . As the SEC explained, `[i]n the U.S. national market 
system, buyers and sellers of securities, and the broker-dealers that 
act as their order-routing agents, have a wide range of choices of 
where to route orders for execution'; [and] `no exchange can afford to 
take its market share percentages for granted' because `no exchange 
possesses a monopoly, regulatory or otherwise, in the execution of 
order flow from broker dealers' . . . .'' \17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ Id. at 539 (quoting Securities Exchange Act Release No. 
59039 (December 2, 2008), 73 FR 74770, 74782-83 (December 9, 2008) 
(SR-NYSEArca-2006-21)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that the current proposals--(i) to limit 
application of the Derived Data Distributor Fee, (ii) clarify the 
application of Nasdaq Basic per Subscriber user fees and a distributor 
fee to Derived Data, and (iii) establish that Derived Data is included 
in the Professional and Non-Professional enterprise licenses--are fair 
and equitable in accordance with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act, and not 
unreasonably discriminatory in accordance with Section 6(b)(5) of the 
Act. The proposed changes do not change any fee, but rather codify and 
clarify Nasdaq's interpretation of its rules. Moreover, fees for Nasdaq 
Basic and its associated Derived Data, like all market data fees, are 
constrained by the Exchange's need to compete for order flow, and are 
subject to competition from other exchanges and among broker-dealers 
for customers. If Nasdaq is incorrect in its assessment, there is no 
barrier to block a competitor from entering the market with 
substantially similar products.
    The Exchange believes that the proposed changes are an equitable 
allocation and not unfairly discriminatory because the Exchange will 
apply the same fees to all similarly-situated Distributors.

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. In terms of inter-market 
competition, the Exchange notes that it operates in a highly 
competitive market in which market participants can readily favor 
competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be 
excessive, or rebate opportunities available at other venues to be more 
favorable. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually adjust 
its fees to remain competitive with other exchanges and with 
alternative trading systems that have been exempted from compliance 
with the statutory standards applicable to exchanges. Because 
competitors are free to modify their own fees in response, and because 
market participants may readily adjust their order routing practices, 
the Exchange believes that the degree to which fee changes in this 
market may impose any burden on competition is extremely limited.
    Nasdaq Basic--and all data derived from Nasdaq Basic--is subject to 
competition from the NYSE, BATS, and other exchanges that offer similar 
products. If Nasdaq Basic were to prove unattractive to market 
participants, it is likely that the Exchange would lose market share as 
a result.
    As noted above, the proposed changes do not affect any existing 
fees, which are, in any event, constrained by market forces in three 
distinct respects. First, all fees related to Nasdaq Basic are 
constrained by the competition among exchanges and other entities in 
attracting order flow. Firms make decisions regarding this and other 
proprietary data products based on the total cost of interacting with 
the Exchange, and, because the supracompetitive pricing of any 
proprietary data product increases the total cost of interacting with 
the Exchange, such pricing would harm order flow. Second, the price of 
Nasdaq Basic is constrained by the existence of multiple substitutes 
that are offered, or may be offered, by entities that offer proprietary 
or non-proprietary data. Third, the proposed fee will be constrained by 
competition among Distributors for Subscribers.
Competition for Order Flow
    All fees related to Nasdaq Basic are constrained by competition 
among exchanges and other entities seeking to attract order flow. Order 
flow is the ``life blood'' of the exchanges. Broker-dealers currently 
have numerous alternative venues for their order flow, including 
thirteen self-regulatory organization (``SRO'') markets, as well as 
internalizing broker-dealers (``BDs'') and various forms of alternative 
trading systems (``ATSs''), including dark pools and electronic 
communication networks (``ECNs''). Each SRO market competes to produce 
transaction reports via trade executions, and two FINRA-regulated TRFs 
compete to attract internalized transaction reports. The existence of 
fierce competition for order flow implies a high degree of price 
sensitivity on the part of BDs, which may readily reduce costs by 
directing orders toward the lowest-cost trading venues.
    The level of competition and contestability in the market for order 
flow is demonstrated by the numerous examples of entrants that swiftly 
grew into some of the largest electronic trading platforms and 
proprietary data producers: Archipelago, Bloomberg Tradebook, Island, 
RediBook, Attain, and TracECN. A proliferation of dark pools and other 
ATSs operate profitably with fragmentary shares of consolidated market 
volume. For a variety of reasons, competition from new entrants, 
especially for order execution, has increased dramatically over the 
last decade.
    Each SRO, TRF, ATS, and BD that competes for order flow is 
permitted to produce proprietary data products. Many currently do or 
have announced plans to do so, including NYSE, NYSE Amex, NYSE Arca, 
and the BATS exchanges. This is because Regulation NMS deregulated the 
market for proprietary data. While BDs had previously published their 
proprietary data individually, Regulation NMS encourages market data 
vendors and BDs to produce proprietary products cooperatively in a 
manner never before possible. Order routers and market data vendors can 
facilitate production of proprietary data products for single or 
multiple BDs. The potential sources of

[[Page 21584]]

proprietary products are virtually limitless.
    The markets for order flow and proprietary data are inextricably 
linked: A trading platform cannot generate market information unless it 
receives trade orders. Firms make decisions on how much and what types 
of data to consume based on the total cost of interacting with an 
exchange, and data fees are a factor in the total platform analysis. A 
supracompetitive increase in the fees charged for proprietary data has 
the potential to impair revenue for the exchange as a result. The 
competition for order flow will therefore constrain prices for 
proprietary data products, including charges relating to Nasdaq Basic.
Substitute Products
    The price of data derived from Nasdaq Basic is also constrained by 
the existence of multiple substitutes offered by numerous entities, 
including both proprietary data offered by other SROs or other 
entities, and non-proprietary data disseminated by Nasdaq in its 
capacity as a Securities Information Processor (``SIP'') for the 
national market system plan governing securities listed on Nasdaq as a 
national securities exchange (``Nasdaq UTP Plan'').
    The information provided through Nasdaq Basic is a subset of the 
best bid and offer and last sale data provided by the SIP. The ``core'' 
data disseminated by the SIP consists of best-price quotations and last 
sale information from all markets in U.S.-listed equities; Nasdaq Basic 
provides best bid and offer and last sale information for all U.S. 
exchange-listed stocks based on trade reports from the Nasdaq Market 
Center and the FINRA/Nasdaq Trade Reporting Facility. Many customers 
that purchase SIP data do not also purchase Nasdaq Basic. Where 
customers buy both products, they may shift the extent to which they 
purchase one or the other based on relative price changes. The SIP 
constrains the price of Nasdaq Basic because no purchaser would pay an 
excessive price for Nasdaq Basic when similar data is available from 
the SIP.
    Proprietary data sold by other exchanges also constrain the price 
of Nasdaq Basic because other exchanges, such as NYSE and BATS, also 
sell proprietary non-core data that include best bid and offer and last 
sale data. Customers would not pay an excessive price for Nasdaq Basic 
when substitute data is available from other proprietary sources, and 
customers would not typically purchase proprietary best bid and offer 
and last sale data from multiple exchanges.
Competition for Subscribers
    Distributors that disseminate data derived from Nasdaq Basic are in 
competition for Subscribers. If the price of such data were set above 
competitive levels, Distributors would be at a competitive disadvantage 
relative to their competitors, and may lower their costs by 
substituting Nasdaq data with other products, in whole or in part. 
Competition for Subscribers therefore provides another constraint on 
the cost of Derived Data.
    In summary, market forces constrain the price of Nasdaq Basic 
through competition for order flow, competition from substitute data 
products, and in the competition among Distributors for Subscribers. 
For these reasons, the Exchange has provided a substantial basis 
demonstrating that the fee is equitable, fair, reasonable, and not 
unreasonably discriminatory, and therefore consistent with and in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Exchange Act.

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

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is: (i) 
Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the 
protection of investors; or (iii) otherwise in furtherance of the 
purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the 
Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the 
proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-NASDAQ-2017-041 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASDAQ-2017-041. This 
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To 
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASDAQ-2017-041 and should 
be submitted on or before May 30, 2017.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-09312 Filed 5-8-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P



                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 9, 2017 / Notices                                                      21581

                                                  Commission, and all written                             I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     for Professional and Non-Professional
                                                  communications relating to the                          Statement of the Terms of Substance of                Subscribers in Rules 7047(b)(4) and
                                                  proposed rule change between the                        the Proposed Rule Change                              (b)(5) cover the distribution of Derived
                                                  Commission and any person, other than                      The Exchange proposes to amend the                 Data from Nasdaq Basic.
                                                  those that may be withheld from the                     Exchange’s fees at Rule 7047 to clarify               Nasdaq Basic
                                                  public in accordance with the                           the application of Nasdaq fees to
                                                  provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                     Derived Data in light of changing                        Nasdaq Basic provides best bid and
                                                  available for Web site viewing and                      industry practices. Specifically, the                 offer information from the Nasdaq
                                                  printing in the Commission’s Public                     proposed changes will: (i) Limit                      Market Center, as well as last sale
                                                  Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                       application of the Derived Data                       transaction reports from both the
                                                  Washington, DC 20549 on official                        Distributor Fee for Nasdaq Basic in Rule              Nasdaq Market Center and the FINRA/
                                                  business days between the hours of                      7047(c)(2) only to those Distributors that            Nasdaq Trade Reporting Facility
                                                  10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                  both create and distribute Derived Data;              (‘‘TRF’’). This is a subset of the ‘‘core’’
                                                  filing also will be available for                       (ii) clarify that the Nasdaq Basic per                quotation and last sale data provided by
                                                  inspection and copying at the principal                 Subscriber user fees in Rules 7047(b)(1)              securities information processors under
                                                                                                          and (b)(2), and the distributor fee in                the CQ/CT Plan and the UTP Plan. The
                                                  office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                                                                          Rule 7047(c)(1), cover both Nasdaq data               three components of Nasdaq Basic,
                                                  received will be posted without change;
                                                                                                          feeds and Derived Data therefrom; and                 which may be purchased individually
                                                  the Commission does not edit personal
                                                                                                          (iii) clarify that the enterprise licenses            or in combination, are: (i) Nasdaq Basic
                                                  identifying information from                                                                                  for Nasdaq, which contains the best bid
                                                                                                          for Professional and Non-Professional
                                                  submissions. You should submit only                     Subscribers in Rules 7047(b)(4) and                   and offer on the Nasdaq Market Center
                                                  information that you wish to make                       (b)(5) cover the distribution of Derived              and last sale transaction reports for
                                                  available publicly. All submissions                     Data from Nasdaq Basic. The proposal is               Nasdaq and the FINRA/Nasdaq TRF for
                                                  should refer to File Number SR–                         described in further detail below.                    Nasdaq-listed stocks; (ii) Nasdaq Basic
                                                  NYSEArca–2017–44 and should be                             The text of the proposed rule change               for NYSE, which covers NYSE-listed
                                                  submitted on or before May 30, 2017.                    is available on the Exchange’s Web site               stocks, and (iii) Nasdaq Basic for NYSE
                                                    For the Commission, by the Division of                at http://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at                MKT, which provides data on stocks
                                                  Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated              the principal office of the Exchange, and             listed on NYSE MKT and other listing
                                                  authority.20                                            at the Commission’s Public Reference                  venues whose quotes and trade reports
                                                  Eduardo A. Aleman,                                      Room.                                                 are disseminated on Tape B.
                                                  Assistant Secretary.                                    II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                    Derived Data Distributor Fee
                                                  [FR Doc. 2017–09311 Filed 5–8–17; 8:45 am]              Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                          Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  A Distributor 3 of Derived Data 4 from
                                                  BILLING CODE P
                                                                                                          Change                                                Nasdaq Basic may pay a $1,500 per
                                                                                                                                                                month fee to disseminate such data to
                                                                                                             In its filing with the Commission, the             an unlimited number of Non-
                                                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                 Exchange included statements                          Professional Subscribers 5 under Rule
                                                  COMMISSION                                              concerning the purpose of and basis for               7047(c)(2). If a Distributor elects not to
                                                                                                          the proposed rule change and discussed                pay the Derived Data Distributor Fee,
                                                  [Release No. 34–80585; File No. SR–                     any comments it received on the                       the Distributor must pay the per
                                                  NASDAQ–2017–041]                                        proposed rule change. The text of these               Subscriber charges for Non-
                                                                                                          statements may be examined at the                     Professionals set forth in Rule
                                                  Self-Regulatory Organizations; The                      places specified in Item IV below. The                7047(b)(2). In either case, Distributors of
                                                  NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of                      Exchange has prepared summaries, set                  Derived Data must also pay the
                                                  Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of                   forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                  Proposed Rule Change To Amend the                       the most significant aspects of such                     3 A ‘‘Distributor’’ is ‘‘any entity that receives

                                                  Exchange’s Fees at Rule 7047                            statements.                                           NASDAQ Basic data directly from NASDAQ or
                                                                                                                                                                indirectly through another entity and then
                                                  May 3, 2017.
                                                                                                          A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     distributes it to one or more Subscribers.’’ Nasdaq
                                                                                                          Statement of the Purpose of, and                      Rule 7047(d)(1).
                                                     Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                  Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                   4 ‘‘Derived Data’’ is ‘‘pricing data or other

                                                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934                         Change                                                information that is created in whole or in part from
                                                  (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                                                                       NASDAQ information; it cannot be reverse
                                                                                                          1. Purpose                                            engineered to recreate NASDAQ information, or be
                                                  notice is hereby given that on April 20,                                                                      used to create other data that is recognizable as a
                                                  2017, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC                          The purpose of the proposed rule                   reasonable substitute for NASDAQ information.’’
                                                  (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the             change is to clarify the application of               Nasdaq Rule 7047(d)(5).
                                                  Securities and Exchange Commission                      Nasdaq fees to Derived Data in light of                  5 A ‘‘Non-Professional Subscriber’’ is a natural

                                                                                                          changing industry practices.                          person who is not (i) registered or qualified in any
                                                  (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed                                                                      capacity with the Commission, the Commodity
                                                  rule change as described in Items I, II,                Specifically, the proposed changes will:              Futures Trading Commission, any state securities
                                                  and III below, which Items have been                    (i) Limit application of the Derived Data             agency, any securities exchange or association, or
                                                                                                          Distributor Fee for Nasdaq Basic in Rule              (ii) any commodities or futures contract market or
                                                  prepared by the Exchange. The                                                                                 association; engaged as an ‘‘investment adviser’’ as
                                                                                                          7047(c)(2) only to those Distributors that
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  Commission is publishing this notice to                                                                       that term is defined in Section 201(11) of the
                                                                                                          both create and distribute Derived Data;
                                                  solicit comments on the proposed rule                                                                         Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (whether or not
                                                                                                          (ii) clarify that the Nasdaq Basic per                registered or qualified under that Act); or (iii)
                                                  change from interested persons.                         Subscriber user fees in Rules 7047(b)(1)              employed by a bank or other organization exempt
                                                                                                          and (b)(2), and the distributor fee in                from registration under federal or state securities
                                                                                                                                                                laws to perform functions that would require
                                                    20 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                            Rule 7047(c)(1), cover both Nasdaq data               registration or qualification if such functions were
                                                    1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                feeds and Derived Data therefrom; and                 performed for an organization not so exempt.
                                                    2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                   (iii) clarify that the enterprise licenses            Nasdaq Rule 7047(d)(3)(A).



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:19 May 08, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00080   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\09MYN1.SGM   09MYN1


                                                  21582                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 9, 2017 / Notices

                                                  Distributor fee set forth in Rule                       Derived Data in Rule 7047(b)(2) because               the fees set forth at Rules 7047(b)(1) and
                                                  7047(c)(1).                                             the Exchange was not aware of instances               (b)(2) were intended to cover the
                                                     The Exchange has recently become                     in which Derived Data was distributed                 distribution of Derived Data. Because
                                                  aware that certain Distributors create                  without a Nasdaq Basic data feed,                     these enterprise licenses were
                                                  Derived Data (‘‘Primary Distributors’’),                rendering such a reference unnecessary.               introduced as alternatives to Rules
                                                  and send it to other Distributors, which                   The Exchange has recently become                   7047(b)(1) and (b)(2), these licenses
                                                  transmit the Derived Data in the same                   aware, however, that certain Subscribers              were intended to cover Derived Data as
                                                  form that it was received to Subscribers                purchase Derived Data without a                       well. In light of a change in industry
                                                  (‘‘Secondary Distributors’’). The                       Nasdaq Basic data feed. The Exchange                  practice in which Derived Data is
                                                  Exchange, in its initial filing for the                 proposes to clarify Rule 7047(b)(2), and              sometimes distributed without a
                                                  Derived Data Distributor Fee in 2011,                   the parallel rule for Professional                    proprietary data feed, the Exchange
                                                  stated that the fee applied only to firms               Subscribers at Rule 7047(b)(1), to state              proposes to codify the original intent of
                                                  that ‘‘derive data from Nasdaq                          that the per Subscriber monthly charges               the Exchange, and its interpretation of
                                                  Basic’’ 6—i.e., the Primary Distributors.               allow the transmission of both Nasdaq                 the Rules and related filings, and
                                                  The text of Rule 7047(c)(2), however,                   Basic feeds and/or any Derived Data                   explicitly state that the enterprise
                                                  does not distinguish between Primary                    therefrom.                                            licenses at Rules 7047(b)(4) and (b)(5)
                                                  and Secondary Distributors. Rule                           Similarly, the distributor fee for                 cover the distribution of Derived Data
                                                  7047(c)(2) states that ‘‘[a] Distributor                Nasdaq Basic in Rule 7047(c)(1) did not               from Nasdaq Basic.
                                                  may pay $1,500 per month to distribute                  separately reference Derived Data                        In summary, the proposed changes
                                                  Derived Data from Nasdaq Basic,’’                       because such data was not distributed                 clarify how Nasdaq Basic fees set forth
                                                  implying that all Distributors—both                     without a Nasdaq Basic data feed.                     in Rule 7047 apply to Derived Data. The
                                                  Primary and Secondary—may pay that                      Because industry practice has changed,                first change clarifies that the Derived
                                                  fee. Further clarification appeared to be               the Exchange proposes to clarify that the             Data Distributor Fee does not apply to
                                                  unnecessary at the time because the                     distributor fee in Rule 7047(c)(1) covers             Secondary Distributors, i.e., entities that
                                                  Exchange was not aware of the existence                 Derived Data, as well as the Nasdaq                   distribute, but do not create, Derived
                                                  of Secondary Distributors.                              Basic data feed.                                      Data. The second change clarifies that
                                                     In light of changing industry practice,                 These proposed changes will not                    the per Subscriber user fees set forth in
                                                  the Exchange proposes to clarify the                    change prices, but rather are a                       Rule 7047(b)(1) and (b)(2), and the
                                                  Rule to state that only Distributors that               codification of the Exchange’s original               distributor fee in Rule 7047(c)(1) also
                                                  ‘‘create and distribute Derived Data from               intent and its interpretation of these                allow the distribution of Derived Data.
                                                  Nasdaq Basic’’ pay the fee, thereby                     Rules based on the text of the Rules and              The third change clarifies that the
                                                  excluding Secondary Distributors from                   their related filings, in light of changes            enterprise licenses under Rules
                                                  application of Rule 7047(c)(2). This is a               in industry practice.                                 7047(b)(4) and (b)(5) cover the
                                                  codification of Nasdaq’s intent as set                  Nasdaq Basic Enterprise Licenses                      distribution of Derived Data. None of
                                                  forth in the initial filing and Nasdaq’s                                                                      these proposed changes raise the cost of
                                                                                                             Broker-dealers may purchase two                    Nasdaq Basic or any other Nasdaq
                                                  interpretation of Rule 7047(c)(2) based                 enterprise licenses for Nasdaq Basic in
                                                  on that rule and related filings, and will                                                                    product, but rather codify the original
                                                                                                          lieu of per Subscriber user fees: (i) An
                                                  not change customer fees.                                                                                     intent and ongoing interpretation of
                                                                                                          enterprise license for Professional and
                                                                                                                                                                Rule 7047.
                                                  User Fees for Nasdaq Basic                              Non-Professional Subscribers with                        The fees for all Nasdaq Basic
                                                                                                          whom the broker-dealer has a brokerage                products—including Derived Data from
                                                    Professional Subscribers 7 to Nasdaq
                                                                                                          relationship under Rule 7047(b)(5); or                Nasdaq Basic—are entirely optional, in
                                                  Basic pay per Subscriber monthly
                                                                                                          (ii) an enterprise license for internal               that they apply only to Distributors or
                                                  charges of $13.00 for Nasdaq Basic for
                                                                                                          Professional Subscribers under Rule                   Subscribers that opt to purchase Nasdaq
                                                  Nasdaq, $6.50 for Nasdaq Basic for
                                                                                                          7047(b)(4). The enterprise license for                Basic or Derived Data therefrom. The
                                                  NYSE, and $6.50 for Nasdaq Basic for
                                                                                                          Subscribers in a brokerage relationship               proposed changes do not impact the
                                                  NYSE MKT under Rule 7047(b)(1). Non-
                                                                                                          was introduced in 2011,9 but the rule                 cost of any Nasdaq product, including
                                                  Professional Subscribers pay at the
                                                                                                          did not specify whether that license                  Nasdaq Basic and any Derived Data
                                                  reduced monthly rates of $0.50, $0.25,
                                                                                                          would cover the distribution of Derived               from Nasdaq Basic.
                                                  and $0.25, respectively, under Rule
                                                                                                          Data. The enterprise license for internal
                                                  7047(b)(2).                                                                                                   2. Statutory Basis
                                                    When the Derived Data Distributor                     Professional Subscribers, introduced in
                                                  Fee, currently set forth in Rule                        2014,10 did not explicitly reference                     The Exchange believes that its
                                                  7047(c)(2) was introduced in 2011, the                  Derived Data either.                                  proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)
                                                                                                             The enterprise license for internal                of the Act,11 in general, and furthers the
                                                  Exchange explained in the
                                                                                                          Professional Subscribers was introduced               objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5)
                                                  accompanying filing that the fee ‘‘would
                                                                                                          as an alternative to the Nasdaq Basic                 of the Act,12 in particular, in that it
                                                  be in lieu of non-professional subscriber
                                                                                                          user fees set forth in Rule 7047(b)(1),               provides for the equitable allocation of
                                                  fees,’’ 8 indicating that the monthly per
                                                                                                          and the enterprise license for                        reasonable dues, fees and other charges
                                                  Subscriber fees set forth in Rule
                                                                                                          Subscribers with whom the broker-                     among members and issuers and other
                                                  7047(b)(2) applied to Derived Data.
                                                                                                          dealer has a brokerage relationship was               persons using any facility, and is not
                                                  There was no explicit reference to
                                                                                                          designed as an alternative to the user                designed to permit unfair
                                                                                                          fees set forth in Rule 7047(b)(1) and
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES




                                                     6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64994                                                            discrimination between customers,
                                                  (July 29, 2011), 76 FR 47621 (August 5, 2011) (SR–      (b)(2). For the reasons set forth above,              issuers, brokers, or dealers.
                                                  NASDAQ–2011–091).                                                                                                The Commission and the courts have
                                                     7 A ‘‘Professional Subscriber’’ is any Subscriber      9 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65526
                                                                                                                                                                repeatedly expressed their preference
                                                  other than a Non-Professional Subscriber. Nasdaq        (October 11, 2011), 76 FR 64137 (October 17, 2011)
                                                  Rule 7047(d)(3)(B).                                     (SR–NASDAQ–2011–130).                                 for competition over regulatory
                                                     8 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64994        10 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71507
                                                                                                                                                                  11 15   U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                                  (July 29, 2011), 76 FR 47621 (August 5, 2011) (SR–      (February 7, 2014), 79 FR 8763 (February 13, 2014)
                                                  NASDAQ–2011–091).                                       (SR–NASDAQ–2014–011).                                   12 15   U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:19 May 08, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00081   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\09MYN1.SGM     09MYN1


                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 9, 2017 / Notices                                               21583

                                                  intervention in determining prices,                     Derived Data, like all market data fees,              Exchange, such pricing would harm
                                                  products, and services in the securities                are constrained by the Exchange’s need                order flow. Second, the price of Nasdaq
                                                  markets. In Regulation NMS, while                       to compete for order flow, and are                    Basic is constrained by the existence of
                                                  adopting a series of steps to improve the               subject to competition from other                     multiple substitutes that are offered, or
                                                  current market model, the Commission                    exchanges and among broker-dealers for                may be offered, by entities that offer
                                                  highlighted the importance of market                    customers. If Nasdaq is incorrect in its              proprietary or non-proprietary data.
                                                  forces in determining prices and SRO                    assessment, there is no barrier to block              Third, the proposed fee will be
                                                  revenues and, also, recognized that                     a competitor from entering the market                 constrained by competition among
                                                  current regulation of the market system                 with substantially similar products.                  Distributors for Subscribers.
                                                  ‘‘has been remarkably successful in                        The Exchange believes that the
                                                  promoting market competition in its                     proposed changes are an equitable                     Competition for Order Flow
                                                  broader forms that are most important to                allocation and not unfairly                              All fees related to Nasdaq Basic are
                                                  investors and listed companies.’’ 13                    discriminatory because the Exchange                   constrained by competition among
                                                     Likewise, in NetCoalition v. Securities              will apply the same fees to all similarly-            exchanges and other entities seeking to
                                                  and Exchange Commission 14                              situated Distributors.                                attract order flow. Order flow is the ‘‘life
                                                  (‘‘NetCoalition’’) the D.C. Circuit upheld                                                                    blood’’ of the exchanges. Broker-dealers
                                                                                                          B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  the Commission’s use of a market-based                  Statement on Burden on Competition                    currently have numerous alternative
                                                  approach in evaluating the fairness of                                                                        venues for their order flow, including
                                                  market data fees against a challenge                       The Exchange does not believe that                 thirteen self-regulatory organization
                                                  claiming that Congress mandated a cost-                 the proposed rule change will impose                  (‘‘SRO’’) markets, as well as
                                                  based approach.15 As the court                          any burden on competition not                         internalizing broker-dealers (‘‘BDs’’) and
                                                  emphasized, the Commission ‘‘intended                   necessary or appropriate in furtherance               various forms of alternative trading
                                                  in Regulation NMS that ‘market forces,                  of the purposes of the Act. In terms of
                                                                                                                                                                systems (‘‘ATSs’’), including dark pools
                                                  rather than regulatory requirements’                    inter-market competition, the Exchange
                                                                                                                                                                and electronic communication networks
                                                  play a role in determining the market                   notes that it operates in a highly
                                                                                                                                                                (‘‘ECNs’’). Each SRO market competes to
                                                  data . . . to be made available to                      competitive market in which market
                                                                                                                                                                produce transaction reports via trade
                                                  investors and at what cost.’’ 16                        participants can readily favor competing
                                                                                                                                                                executions, and two FINRA-regulated
                                                     Further, ‘‘[n]o one disputes that                    venues if they deem fee levels at a
                                                                                                                                                                TRFs compete to attract internalized
                                                  competition for order flow is ‘fierce.’                 particular venue to be excessive, or
                                                                                                                                                                transaction reports. The existence of
                                                  . . . As the SEC explained, ‘[i]n the U.S.              rebate opportunities available at other
                                                                                                                                                                fierce competition for order flow
                                                  national market system, buyers and                      venues to be more favorable. In such an
                                                                                                                                                                implies a high degree of price sensitivity
                                                  sellers of securities, and the broker-                  environment, the Exchange must
                                                                                                          continually adjust its fees to remain                 on the part of BDs, which may readily
                                                  dealers that act as their order-routing                                                                       reduce costs by directing orders toward
                                                  agents, have a wide range of choices of                 competitive with other exchanges and
                                                                                                          with alternative trading systems that                 the lowest-cost trading venues.
                                                  where to route orders for execution’;                                                                            The level of competition and
                                                  [and] ‘no exchange can afford to take its               have been exempted from compliance
                                                                                                          with the statutory standards applicable               contestability in the market for order
                                                  market share percentages for granted’                                                                         flow is demonstrated by the numerous
                                                  because ‘no exchange possesses a                        to exchanges. Because competitors are
                                                                                                          free to modify their own fees in                      examples of entrants that swiftly grew
                                                  monopoly, regulatory or otherwise, in                                                                         into some of the largest electronic
                                                  the execution of order flow from broker                 response, and because market
                                                                                                          participants may readily adjust their                 trading platforms and proprietary data
                                                  dealers’ . . . .’’ 17                                                                                         producers: Archipelago, Bloomberg
                                                     The Exchange believes that the                       order routing practices, the Exchange
                                                                                                          believes that the degree to which fee                 Tradebook, Island, RediBook, Attain,
                                                  current proposals—(i) to limit                                                                                and TracECN. A proliferation of dark
                                                  application of the Derived Data                         changes in this market may impose any
                                                                                                          burden on competition is extremely                    pools and other ATSs operate profitably
                                                  Distributor Fee, (ii) clarify the                                                                             with fragmentary shares of consolidated
                                                  application of Nasdaq Basic per                         limited.
                                                                                                             Nasdaq Basic—and all data derived                  market volume. For a variety of reasons,
                                                  Subscriber user fees and a distributor                                                                        competition from new entrants,
                                                  fee to Derived Data, and (iii) establish                from Nasdaq Basic—is subject to
                                                                                                          competition from the NYSE, BATS, and                  especially for order execution, has
                                                  that Derived Data is included in the                                                                          increased dramatically over the last
                                                  Professional and Non-Professional                       other exchanges that offer similar
                                                                                                          products. If Nasdaq Basic were to prove               decade.
                                                  enterprise licenses—are fair and
                                                                                                          unattractive to market participants, it is               Each SRO, TRF, ATS, and BD that
                                                  equitable in accordance with Section
                                                                                                          likely that the Exchange would lose                   competes for order flow is permitted to
                                                  6(b)(4) of the Act, and not unreasonably
                                                                                                          market share as a result.                             produce proprietary data products.
                                                  discriminatory in accordance with
                                                                                                             As noted above, the proposed changes               Many currently do or have announced
                                                  Section 6(b)(5) of the Act. The proposed
                                                                                                          do not affect any existing fees, which                plans to do so, including NYSE, NYSE
                                                  changes do not change any fee, but
                                                                                                          are, in any event, constrained by market              Amex, NYSE Arca, and the BATS
                                                  rather codify and clarify Nasdaq’s
                                                                                                          forces in three distinct respects. First,             exchanges. This is because Regulation
                                                  interpretation of its rules. Moreover,
                                                                                                          all fees related to Nasdaq Basic are                  NMS deregulated the market for
                                                  fees for Nasdaq Basic and its associated
                                                                                                          constrained by the competition among                  proprietary data. While BDs had
                                                     13 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808     exchanges and other entities in                       previously published their proprietary
                                                                                                          attracting order flow. Firms make                     data individually, Regulation NMS
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  (June 9, 2005), 70 FR 37496, 37499 (June 29, 2005).
                                                     14 NetCoalition v. SEC, 615 F.3d 525 (D.C. Cir.      decisions regarding this and other                    encourages market data vendors and
                                                  2010).                                                  proprietary data products based on the                BDs to produce proprietary products
                                                     15 See NetCoalition, at 534–535.
                                                                                                          total cost of interacting with the                    cooperatively in a manner never before
                                                     16 Id. at 537.
                                                     17 Id. at 539 (quoting Securities Exchange Act
                                                                                                          Exchange, and, because the                            possible. Order routers and market data
                                                  Release No. 59039 (December 2, 2008), 73 FR
                                                                                                          supracompetitive pricing of any                       vendors can facilitate production of
                                                  74770, 74782–83 (December 9, 2008) (SR–                 proprietary data product increases the                proprietary data products for single or
                                                  NYSEArca–2006–21)).                                     total cost of interacting with the                    multiple BDs. The potential sources of


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:19 May 08, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00082   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\09MYN1.SGM   09MYN1


                                                  21584                           Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 9, 2017 / Notices

                                                  proprietary products are virtually                      Competition for Subscribers                               • Send an email to rule-comments@
                                                  limitless.                                                Distributors that disseminate data                    sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                     The markets for order flow and                       derived from Nasdaq Basic are in                        NASDAQ–2017–041 on the subject line.
                                                  proprietary data are inextricably linked:               competition for Subscribers. If the price
                                                  A trading platform cannot generate                                                                              Paper Comments
                                                                                                          of such data were set above competitive
                                                  market information unless it receives                   levels, Distributors would be at a                        • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                  trade orders. Firms make decisions on                   competitive disadvantage relative to                    to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                                  how much and what types of data to                      their competitors, and may lower their                  Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                  consume based on the total cost of                      costs by substituting Nasdaq data with                  Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                  interacting with an exchange, and data                  other products, in whole or in part.
                                                  fees are a factor in the total platform                 Competition for Subscribers therefore                   All submissions should refer to File
                                                  analysis. A supracompetitive increase in                provides another constraint on the cost                 Number SR–NASDAQ–2017–041. This
                                                  the fees charged for proprietary data has               of Derived Data.                                        file number should be included on the
                                                  the potential to impair revenue for the                   In summary, market forces constrain                   subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                  exchange as a result. The competition                   the price of Nasdaq Basic through                       Commission process and review your
                                                  for order flow will therefore constrain                 competition for order flow, competition                 comments more efficiently, please use
                                                  prices for proprietary data products,                   from substitute data products, and in                   only one method. The Commission will
                                                  including charges relating to Nasdaq                    the competition among Distributors for                  post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                  Basic.                                                  Subscribers. For these reasons, the                     Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                                                                          Exchange has provided a substantial                     rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                  Substitute Products
                                                                                                          basis demonstrating that the fee is                     submission, all subsequent
                                                     The price of data derived from Nasdaq                equitable, fair, reasonable, and not                    amendments, all written statements
                                                  Basic is also constrained by the                        unreasonably discriminatory, and                        with respect to the proposed rule
                                                  existence of multiple substitutes offered               therefore consistent with and in                        change that are filed with the
                                                  by numerous entities, including both                    furtherance of the purposes of the
                                                                                                                                                                  Commission, and all written
                                                  proprietary data offered by other SROs                  Exchange Act.
                                                  or other entities, and non-proprietary                                                                          communications relating to the
                                                                                                          C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       proposed rule change between the
                                                  data disseminated by Nasdaq in its
                                                                                                          Statement on Comments on the                            Commission and any person, other than
                                                  capacity as a Securities Information
                                                                                                          Proposed Rule Change Received From                      those that may be withheld from the
                                                  Processor (‘‘SIP’’) for the national
                                                                                                          Members, Participants, or Others                        public in accordance with the
                                                  market system plan governing securities
                                                  listed on Nasdaq as a national securities                 No written comments were either                       provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                  exchange (‘‘Nasdaq UTP Plan’’).                         solicited or received.                                  available for Web site viewing and
                                                     The information provided through                                                                             printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                                                                          III. Date of Effectiveness of the
                                                  Nasdaq Basic is a subset of the best bid                                                                        Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                                                                          Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
                                                  and offer and last sale data provided by                Commission Action                                       Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                                  the SIP. The ‘‘core’’ data disseminated                                                                         business days between the hours of
                                                  by the SIP consists of best-price                          The foregoing rule change has become                 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                  quotations and last sale information                    effective pursuant to Section                           filing also will be available for
                                                  from all markets in U.S.-listed equities;               19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.18                           inspection and copying at the principal
                                                                                                             At any time within 60 days of the
                                                  Nasdaq Basic provides best bid and offer                                                                        office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                                                                          filing of the proposed rule change, the
                                                  and last sale information for all U.S.                                                                          received will be posted without change;
                                                                                                          Commission summarily may
                                                  exchange-listed stocks based on trade                                                                           the Commission does not edit personal
                                                                                                          temporarily suspend such rule change if
                                                  reports from the Nasdaq Market Center                                                                           identifying information from
                                                                                                          it appears to the Commission that such
                                                  and the FINRA/Nasdaq Trade Reporting                                                                            submissions. You should submit only
                                                                                                          action is: (i) Necessary or appropriate in
                                                  Facility. Many customers that purchase                                                                          information that you wish to make
                                                                                                          the public interest; (ii) for the protection
                                                  SIP data do not also purchase Nasdaq                                                                            available publicly. All submissions
                                                                                                          of investors; or (iii) otherwise in
                                                  Basic. Where customers buy both                                                                                 should refer to File Number SR–
                                                                                                          furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
                                                  products, they may shift the extent to                                                                          NASDAQ–2017–041 and should be
                                                                                                          If the Commission takes such action, the
                                                  which they purchase one or the other                                                                            submitted on or before May 30, 2017.
                                                                                                          Commission shall institute proceedings
                                                  based on relative price changes. The SIP
                                                                                                          to determine whether the proposed rule                    For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                  constrains the price of Nasdaq Basic
                                                                                                          should be approved or disapproved.                      Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                  because no purchaser would pay an
                                                  excessive price for Nasdaq Basic when                   IV. Solicitation of Comments                            authority.19
                                                  similar data is available from the SIP.                   Interested persons are invited to                     Eduardo A. Aleman,
                                                     Proprietary data sold by other                       submit written data, views, and                         Assistant Secretary.
                                                  exchanges also constrain the price of                   arguments concerning the foregoing,                     [FR Doc. 2017–09312 Filed 5–8–17; 8:45 am]
                                                  Nasdaq Basic because other exchanges,                   including whether the proposed rule                     BILLING CODE P
                                                  such as NYSE and BATS, also sell                        change is consistent with the Act.
                                                  proprietary non-core data that include                  Comments may be submitted by any of
                                                  best bid and offer and last sale data.
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                          the following methods:
                                                  Customers would not pay an excessive
                                                  price for Nasdaq Basic when substitute                  Electronic Comments
                                                  data is available from other proprietary                  • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                  sources, and customers would not                        comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                  typically purchase proprietary best bid                 rules/sro.shtml); or
                                                  and offer and last sale data from
                                                  multiple exchanges.                                      18 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).                         19 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:19 May 08, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00083    Fmt 4703    Sfmt 9990   E:\FR\FM\09MYN1.SGM     09MYN1



Document Created: 2018-11-08 08:41:12
Document Modified: 2018-11-08 08:41:12
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 Citation82 FR 21581 

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR