82_FR_38905 82 FR 38749 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Exchange's Transaction Fees

82 FR 38749 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Exchange's Transaction Fees

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 156 (August 15, 2017)

Page Range38749-38752
FR Document2017-17169

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 156 (Tuesday, August 15, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 15, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38749-38752]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17169]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-81361; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2017-080]


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

August 9, 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 August 1, 2017, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (``Nasdaq'' or 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, 
and III, below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The

[[Page 38750]]

Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the 
proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend the Exchange's transaction fees at 
Chapter XV, Section 2 entitled ``NASDAQ Options Market--Fees and 
Rebates,'' which governs pricing for Nasdaq Participants using the 
NASDAQ Options Market (``NOM''), Nasdaq's facility for executing and 
routing standardized equity and index options.
    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 the 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes two NOM pricing amendments at Chapter XV, 
Section 2(1), as described below in greater detail.
Customer and Professional Rebate to Add Liquidity
    The Exchange proposes to amend an existing method for earning a 
rebate for adding liquidity for both Customers \3\ and Professionals 
\4\ in Penny Pilot \5\ and Non-Penny Pilot Options. For Customers and 
Professionals transacting in Penny Pilot Options, the Exchange 
currently pays a volume-based tiered Rebate to Add Liquidity, as set 
forth in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) of NOM Rules. That rebate consists of 
8 tiers, ranging from $0.20 per contract to $0.48 per contract, with 
the volume requirements increasing with each tier. Thus, a NOM 
Participant would qualify for a rebate of $0.20 per contract in Tier 1 
for Customers and Professionals if it added Customer, Professional, 
Firm,\6\ Non-NOM Market Maker \7\ and/or Broker-Dealer \8\ liquidity in 
Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-Penny Pilot Options of up to 0.10% of 
total industry customer equity and ETF option average daily volume 
(``ADV'') contracts per day in a month. In comparison, a Participant 
would qualify for a rebate of $0.48 in Tier 8 for Customers and 
Professionals if it added Customer, Professional, Firm, Non-NOM Market 
Maker and/or Broker-Dealer liquidity in Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-
Penny Pilot Options above 0.75% or more of total industry customer 
equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a month, or if the 
Participant adds: (1) Customer and/or Professional liquidity in Penny 
Pilot Options and/or Non-Penny Pilot Options of 0.20% or more of total 
industry customer equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a 
month, and (2) has added liquidity in all securities through one or 
more of its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs that represent 1.00% or more of 
Consolidated Volume in a month or qualifies for MARS.\9\
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    \3\ The term ``Customer'' or (``C'') applies to any transaction 
that is identified by a Participant for clearing in the Customer 
range at The Options Clearing Corporation (``OCC'') which is not for 
the account of broker or dealer or for the account of a 
``Professional'' (as that term is defined in Chapter I, Section 
1(a)(48)).
    \4\ The term ``Professional'' or (``P'') means any person or 
entity that (i) is not a broker or dealer in securities, and (ii) 
places more than 390 orders in listed options per day on average 
during a calendar month for its own beneficial account(s) pursuant 
to Chapter I, Section 1(a)(48). All Professional orders shall be 
appropriately marked by Participants.
    \5\ The Penny Pilot was established in March 2008. See 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57579 (March 28, 2008), 73 FR 
18587 (April 4, 2008) (SR-NASDAQ-2008-026) (notice of filing and 
immediate effectiveness establishing Penny Pilot). Since that date, 
the Penny Pilot has been expanded and is currently extended through 
December 31, 2016 or the date of permanent approval, if earlier. See 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78037 (June 10, 2016), 81 FR 
39299 (June 16, 2016) (SR-NASDAQ-2016-052).
    \6\ The term ``Firm'' or (``F'') applies to any transaction that 
is identified by a Participant for clearing in the Firm range at 
OCC.
    \7\ The term ``Non-NOM Market Maker'' or (``O'') is a registered 
market maker on another options exchange that is not a NOM Market 
Maker. A Non-NOM Market Maker must append the proper Non-NOM Market 
Maker designation to orders routed to NOM.
    \8\ The term ``Broker-Dealer'' or (``B'') applies to any 
transaction which is not subject to any of the other transaction 
fees applicable within a particular category.
    \9\ MARS refers to the Market Access and Routing Subsidy, which 
is set forth in Chapter XV, Section 6. The MARS payment currently 
comprises of four volume-based tiers, and is paid to NOM 
Participants that route eligible contracts to NOM through a 
participating NOM Participant's routing system. The MARS payment is 
paid on all executed eligible contracts that add liquidity. See NOM 
Rules at Chapter XV, Section 6.
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    Currently, Customers and Professionals transacting in Non-Penny 
Pilot Options on NOM receive a $0.80 per contract Rebate to Add 
Liquidity, as set forth in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) of NOM Rules. In 
addition, footnote ``1'' in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) provides that a 
Participant that qualifies for a Customer or Professional Penny Pilot 
Options Rebate to Add Liquidity in Tiers 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 in a month 
will receive an additional $0.10 per contract Non-Penny Pilot Options 
Rebate to Add Liquidity for each transaction which adds liquidity in 
Non-Penny Options in that month. A Participant that qualifies for 
Customer or Professional Penny Pilot Options Rebate to Add Liquidity in 
Tiers 7 or 8 in a month will receive an additional $0.20 per contract 
Non-Penny Pilot Options Rebate to Add Liquidity for each transaction 
which adds liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Options in that month.
    In addition, note ``e'' in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) provides that a 
Participant may receive a $0.53 per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in 
Penny Pilot Options as Customer or Professional, and a $1.00 per 
contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Options as a 
Customer or Profession, if that NOM Participant transacts on the NASDAQ 
Stock Market through one or more of its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs in 
the same month, and such transactions in all securities on the NASDAQ 
Stock Market that month through all of its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs 
represent 3.00% or more of Consolidated Volume.\10\ Participants that 
qualify for this rebate would not be eligible for any other rebates in 
Tiers 1 through 8 or other rebate incentives on NOM for Customer and 
Professional order flow in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) of NOM Rules.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ Consolidated Volume would be determined as set forth in 
Nasdaq Rule 7018(a).
    \11\ In calculating total volume, the Exchange would add the NOM 
Participant's total volume transacted on the NASDAQ Stock Market in 
a given month across its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs, and will divide 
this number by the total industry Consolidated Volume.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Lastly, note ``f'' in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) provides that a 
Participant may receive a $0.55 per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in 
Penny Pilot Options as Customer or Professional, and a $1.05 per 
contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in

[[Page 38751]]

Non-Penny Pilot Options as Customer or Professional, if that NOM 
Participant (a) adds Customer, Professional, Firm, Non-NOM Market Maker 
and/or Broker-Dealer liquidity in Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-Penny 
Pilot Options above 1.45% of total industry customer equity and ETF 
option ADV contracts per day in a month (``NOM Volume Threshold''), (b) 
executes greater than 0.04% of Consolidated Volume (``CV'') via Market-
on-Close/Limit-on-Close (``MOC/LOC'') \12\ volume within the NASDAQ 
Stock Market Closing Cross within a month, and (c) adds greater than 
1.5 million shares per day of non-displayed volume within the NASDAQ 
Stock Market within a month. Participants that qualify for this rebate 
would not be eligible for any other rebates in Tiers 1 through 8 or 
other rebate incentives on NOM for Customer and Professional order flow 
in Chapter XV, Section 2(1).
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    \12\ MOC/LOC, as set forth in NASDAQ Rule 4754, represents the 
volume in the NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Cross that allows market 
participants to contribute order flow that will result in executions 
at the official closing price for the day in the NASDAQ listed 
security. A ``MOC Order'' is an order type entered without a price 
that may be executed only during the NASDAQ Closing Cross, which 
refers to the equity closing cross. A ``LOC Order'' is an order type 
entered with a price that may be executed only in the NASDAQ Closing 
Cross.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange now proposes to amend the current qualifications for 
earning the Rebate to Add Liquidity in note ``f'' by lowering the NOM 
Volume Threshold. Specifically, the Exchange is proposing to continue 
to pay a $0.55 per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in Penny Pilot 
Options as Customer or Professional, and a $1.05 per contract Rebate to 
Add Liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Options as Customer or Professional, 
if that NOM Participant (a) adds Customer, Professional, Firm, Non-NOM 
Market Maker and/or Broker-Dealer liquidity in Penny Pilot Options and/
or Non-Penny Pilot Options above 1.20% of total industry customer 
equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a month, (b) executes 
greater than 0.04% of CV via MOC/LOC volume within the NASDAQ Stock 
Market Closing Cross within a month, and (c) adds greater than 1.5 
million shares per day of non-displayed volume within the NASDAQ Stock 
Market within a month.\13\
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    \13\ Participants that meet the new qualifications for the note 
``f'' incentive would continue to be ineligible for any other 
rebates in Tiers 1 through 8 or other rebate incentives on NOM for 
Customer and Professional order flow in Chapter XV, Section 2(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange's proposal to lower the NOM Volume Threshold from 
above 1.45% of total industry customer equity and ETF option ADV 
contracts per day in a month to above 1.20% should provide Participants 
the ability to qualify for this incentive by executing less contracts 
which represent industry volume in a given month. The Exchange believes 
that this amendment should incentivize Participants to transact more 
volume to qualify for the rebate in footnote ``f'' since one of the 
qualifiers requires a lower percentage of total industry customer 
equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a month as compared to 
the current percentage.
NOM Market Maker Non-Penny Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity
    The Exchange proposes to offer Participants that send NOM Market 
Maker \14\ order flow an opportunity to lower their Fee for Adding 
Liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Options, as set forth in Chapter XV, 
Section 2(1). In particular, the Exchange proposes to offer 
Participants the opportunity to reduce the NOM Market Maker Non-Penny 
Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity from $0.35 to $0.00 per 
contract, provided the Participant adds NOM Market Maker liquidity in 
Non-Penny Pilot Options of 7,500 or more ADV contracts per day in a 
month.
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    \14\ The term ``NOM Market Maker'' or (``M'') is a Participant 
that has registered as a Market Maker on NOM pursuant to Chapter 
VII, Section 2, and must also remain in good standing pursuant to 
Chapter VII, Section 4. In order to receive NOM Market Maker pricing 
in all securities, the Participant must be registered as a NOM 
Market Maker in at least one security.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\15\ in general, and furthers the objectives of 
Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,\16\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Customer and Professional Rebate to Add Liquidity
    The Exchange's proposal to lower the NOM Volume Threshold is 
reasonable because the rebates in footnote ``f'' should continue to 
attract Customer and Professional order flow to NOM. The additional 
Customer and Professional order flow to NOM benefits other market 
participants by providing additional liquidity with which to interact. 
Customer liquidity offers unique benefits to the market by providing 
more trading opportunities, which attracts market makers. An increase 
in the activity of market makers in turn facilitates tighter spreads, 
which may cause an additional corresponding increase in order flow from 
other market participants. Furthermore, the Exchange believes that 
encouraging Participants to add Professional liquidity creates 
competition among options exchanges because the amended note ``f'' 
rebates may cause market participants to select NOM as a venue to send 
Professional order flow. Amending the existing NOM Volume Threshold 
affords more Participants the ability to qualify for the note ``f'' 
rebates because it requires less volume as a result of the proposed 
lower percentage of industry volume. With this proposal, Participants 
that consistently send order flow to the Exchange may continue to 
qualify for the rebates in note ``f'' and other Participants may send 
additional order flow to qualify for the note ``f'' rebates with the 
lower requirement.
    The Exchange's proposal to lower the NOM Volume Threshold is 
equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because all Participants are 
eligible to earn rebates. These rebates would be paid uniformly to all 
qualifying Participants.
NOM Market Maker Non-Penny Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity
    The proposed change to offer Participants that send NOM Market 
Maker order flow the opportunity to reduce the NOM Market Maker Non-
Penny Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity from $0.35 to $0.00 per 
contract, provided the Participant adds NOM Market Maker liquidity in 
Non-Penny Pilot Options of 7,500 or more ADV contracts per day in a 
month is reasonable because the Exchange seeks to encourage 
Participants to add NOM Market Maker liquidity in Non-Penny Options to 
obtain the discount. The Exchange believes that its proposal will 
incentivize Participants to select NOM as a venue and in turn benefit 
other market participants with the opportunity to interact with such 
liquidity.
    Furthermore, the Exchange believes that its proposal to reduce the 
NOM Market Maker fee as described above is equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory because NOM Market Makers, unlike other market 
participants, add value through continuous quoting \17\ and the

[[Page 38752]]

commitment of capital. In addition, encouraging NOM Market Makers to 
add greater liquidity benefits all Participants in the quality of order 
interaction. The Exchange believes it is equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory to offer only NOM Market Makers the opportunity to earn 
the discounted fee described above because of the obligations borne by 
these market participants, as noted herein.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ Pursuant to Chapter VII (Market Participants), Section 5 
(Obligations of Market Makers), in registering as a market maker, an 
Options Participant commits himself to various obligations. 
Transactions of a Market Maker in its market making capacity must 
constitute a course of dealings reasonably calculated to contribute 
to the maintenance of a fair and orderly market, and Market Makers 
should not make bids or offers or enter into transactions that are 
inconsistent with such course of dealings. Further, all Market 
Makers are designated as specialists on NOM for all purposes under 
the Act or rules thereunder. See Chapter VII, Section 5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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. The Exchange believes that the proposed pricing changes are 
competitive and does not impose a burden on inter-market competition. 
If the changes proposed herein are unattractive to market participants, 
it is likely that the Exchange will lose market share as a result. 
Accordingly, the Exchange does not believe that the proposed changes 
will impair the ability of members or competing order execution venues 
to maintain their competitive standing in the financial markets.
    As it relates to the proposed fee change to lower the NOM Volume 
Threshold, the Exchange does not believe that its proposal imposes an 
undue burden on intra-market competition because all Participants are 
eligible to earn rebates and these rebates would be uniformly paid to 
all qualifying Participants. The Exchange also does not believe that 
its proposal to offer Participants an opportunity to reduce the NOM 
Market Maker Non-Penny Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity from 
$0.35 to $0.00 if they meet the volume-based standard described above 
imposes an undue burden on intra-market competition because NOM Market 
Makers, unlike other market participants, add value through continuous 
quoting \18\ and the commitment of capital.
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    \18\ See note 17 above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ 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-2017-080 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-2017-080. 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-2017-080, and should 
be submitted on or before September 5, 2017.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\20\
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    \20\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-17169 Filed 8-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 156 / Tuesday, August 15, 2017 / Notices                                                 38749

                                                  acquire such ownership or exercise such                 be submitted by any of the following                  comment.226 Rather, the Exchange
                                                  voting rights; (2) the CHX Holdings                     methods:                                              modified its proposed rule change to
                                                  board must resolve to expressly permit                                                                        address certain concerns raised by
                                                                                                          Electronic Comments
                                                  such ownership or exercise of voting                                                                          commenters. The Commission believes
                                                  rights; 221 and (3) such resolution must                  • Use the Commission’s Internet                     that an additional notice and comment
                                                  be filed with and approved by the                       comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                     period for Amendment No. 1 before
                                                  Commission under Section 19(b) of the                   rules/sro.shtml); or                                  approval of the proposed rule change
                                                  Exchange Act.222 The proposed NA                          • Send an email to rule-comments@                   would not be in furtherance of the
                                                  Casin Holdings Certificate contains                     sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–               public interest or the protection of
                                                  substantially identical provisions.223                  CHX–2016–20 on the subject line.                      investors. Accordingly, the Commission
                                                  The Commission believes that these                      Paper Comments                                        finds good cause, pursuant to Section
                                                  provisions are reasonably designed to                                                                         19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act,227 to
                                                                                                             • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                  assist the Exchange in fulfilling its self-                                                                   approve the proposed rule change, as
                                                                                                          to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                                  regulatory obligations, and in                                                                                modified by Amendment No. 1, on an
                                                                                                          Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                  administering and complying with the                    Washington, DC 20549–1090.                            accelerated basis.
                                                  requirements of the Exchange Act, by
                                                                                                          All submissions should refer to File                  VI. Conclusion
                                                  ensuring that the Commission will
                                                  review and approve, if appropriate, any                 Number SR–CHX–2016–20. This file                        For the foregoing reasons, the
                                                                                                          number should be included on the                      Commission finds that the proposed
                                                  future change in ownership or voting
                                                                                                          subject line if email is used. To help the            rule change, as modified by Amendment
                                                  power that gives rise to its concerns
                                                                                                          Commission process and review your                    No. 1, is consistent with the Exchange
                                                  about a stockholder exercising undue
                                                                                                          comments more efficiently, please use                 Act and the rules and regulations
                                                  control over the operation of the
                                                                                                          only one method. The Commission will                  thereunder applicable to a national
                                                  Exchange.224 Similarly, the Commission
                                                                                                          post all comments on the Commission’s                 securities exchange.
                                                  believes that this protection against
                                                                                                          Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                  It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
                                                  such future changes in ownership or
                                                                                                          rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                       Section 19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act 228
                                                  voting concentration without careful
                                                                                                          submission, all subsequent                            that the proposed rule change (SR–
                                                  Commission review and approval is                       amendments, all written statements
                                                  reasonably designed to promote just and                                                                       CHX–2016–20), as modified by
                                                                                                          with respect to the proposed rule                     Amendment No. 1, be, and hereby is,
                                                  equitable principles of trade and to                    change that are filed with the
                                                  protect investors and the public interest                                                                     approved on an accelerated basis.
                                                                                                          Commission, and all written
                                                  under the standards set forth in Section                communications relating to the                          For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                  6(b)(5) of the Exchange Act. The                                                                              Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                                                                          proposed rule change between the                      authority.229
                                                  Commission also notes that these                        Commission and any person, other than
                                                  requirements for acquiring ownership or                                                                       Brent J. Fields,
                                                                                                          those that may be withheld from the
                                                  exercising voting rights in excess of the               public in accordance with the                         Secretary.
                                                  ownership and voting limitations are                    provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                   [FR Doc. 2017–17179 Filed 8–14–17; 8:45 am]
                                                  consistent with other such provisions                   available for Web site viewing and                    BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                  previously approved by the                              printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                  Commission.225                                          Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                                                                          Washington, DC 20549, on official                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                  IV. Solicitation of Comments on
                                                                                                          business days between the hours of                    COMMISSION
                                                  Amendment No. 1
                                                                                                          10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of this               [Release No. 34–81361; File No. SR–
                                                    Interested persons are invited to                     filing will also be available for                     NASDAQ–2017–080]
                                                  submit written data, views, and                         inspection and copying at the principal
                                                  arguments concerning the foregoing,                     office of the Exchange. All comments                  Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
                                                  including whether Amendment No. 1 to                    received will be posted without change;               NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of
                                                  the proposed rule change is consistent                  the Commission does not edit personal                 Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
                                                  with the Exchange Act. Comments may                     identifying information from                          Proposed Rule Change To Amend the
                                                                                                          submissions. You should submit only                   Exchange’s Transaction Fees
                                                     221 The CHX Holdings Bylaws require that the
                                                                                                          information that you wish to make                     August 9, 2017.
                                                  board must make a determination that: (1) Such
                                                  acquisition of ownership or exercise of voting rights
                                                                                                          available publicly. All submissions                      Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                  will not impair any of CHX Holdings’ or the             should refer to File Number SR–CHX–                   Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                  Exchange’s ability to discharge its responsibilities    2016–20 and should be submitted on or                 (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                  under the Exchange Act and the rules and                before September 5, 2017.
                                                  regulations thereunder and is otherwise in the best                                                           notice is hereby given that on August 1,
                                                  interests of CHX Holdings and its stockholders; (2)     V. Accelerated Approval of Proposed                   2017, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
                                                  such acquisition of ownership or exercise of voting     Rule Change, as Modified by                           (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the
                                                  rights will not impair the Commission’s ability to
                                                  enforce the Exchange Act; and (3) neither such          Amendment No. 1                                       Securities and Exchange Commission
                                                  Person nor any of its Related Persons is subject to        The Commission finds good cause to                 (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
                                                  any statutory disqualification as defined in Section
                                                                                                          approve the proposed rule change, as                  change as described in Items I, II, and
                                                  3(a)(39) of the Exchange Act. See CHX Holdings                                                                III, below, which Items have been
                                                                                                          modified by Amendment No. 1, prior to
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  Certificate Article FOURTH, Sections (b)(iii) and
                                                  (c)(i)(B).                                              the 30th day after the date of                        prepared by the Exchange. The
                                                     222 See CHX Holdings Certificate Article
                                                                                                          publication of notice of Amendment No.                  226 See
                                                  FOURTH, Sections (b)(ii)–(iii) and (c)(ii)(A)–(B).                                                                      supra note 10.
                                                     223 See NA Casin Holdings Certificate Article IX,
                                                                                                          1 in the Federal Register. As noted                     227 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
                                                  Sections (6)–(7), and (9).
                                                                                                          above, Amendment No. 1 does not                         228 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

                                                     224 See supra Section III.A.                         change the structure or purpose of the                  229 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).

                                                     225 See, e.g., NSX Approval Order, supra note        proposed rule change as it was                          1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

                                                  153, 80 FR at 9288–89.                                  previously published for notice and                     2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.




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                                                  38750                         Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 156 / Tuesday, August 15, 2017 / Notices

                                                  Commission is publishing this notice to                 and Professionals 4 in Penny Pilot 5 and                 Consolidated Volume in a month or
                                                  solicit comments on the proposed rule                   Non-Penny Pilot Options. For                             qualifies for MARS.9
                                                  change from interested persons.                         Customers and Professionals transacting                     Currently, Customers and
                                                                                                          in Penny Pilot Options, the Exchange                     Professionals transacting in Non-Penny
                                                  I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       currently pays a volume-based tiered                     Pilot Options on NOM receive a $0.80
                                                  Statement of the Terms of Substance of                  Rebate to Add Liquidity, as set forth in                 per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity, as
                                                  the Proposed Rule Change                                Chapter XV, Section 2(1) of NOM Rules.                   set forth in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) of
                                                                                                          That rebate consists of 8 tiers, ranging                 NOM Rules. In addition, footnote ‘‘1’’ in
                                                     The Exchange proposes to amend the                                                                            Chapter XV, Section 2(1) provides that
                                                  Exchange’s transaction fees at Chapter                  from $0.20 per contract to $0.48 per
                                                                                                          contract, with the volume requirements                   a Participant that qualifies for a
                                                  XV, Section 2 entitled ‘‘NASDAQ                                                                                  Customer or Professional Penny Pilot
                                                  Options Market—Fees and Rebates,’’                      increasing with each tier. Thus, a NOM
                                                                                                          Participant would qualify for a rebate of                Options Rebate to Add Liquidity in
                                                  which governs pricing for Nasdaq                                                                                 Tiers 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 in a month will
                                                  Participants using the NASDAQ Options                   $0.20 per contract in Tier 1 for
                                                                                                                                                                   receive an additional $0.10 per contract
                                                  Market (‘‘NOM’’), Nasdaq’s facility for                 Customers and Professionals if it added
                                                                                                                                                                   Non-Penny Pilot Options Rebate to Add
                                                                                                          Customer, Professional, Firm,6 Non-
                                                  executing and routing standardized                                                                               Liquidity for each transaction which
                                                                                                          NOM Market Maker 7 and/or Broker-
                                                  equity and index options.                                                                                        adds liquidity in Non-Penny Options in
                                                                                                          Dealer 8 liquidity in Penny Pilot Options                that month. A Participant that qualifies
                                                     The text of the proposed rule change                 and/or Non-Penny Pilot Options of up
                                                  is available on the Exchange’s Web site                                                                          for Customer or Professional Penny Pilot
                                                                                                          to 0.10% of total industry customer                      Options Rebate to Add Liquidity in
                                                  at http://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at                  equity and ETF option average daily                      Tiers 7 or 8 in a month will receive an
                                                  the principal office of the Exchange, and               volume (‘‘ADV’’) contracts per day in a                  additional $0.20 per contract Non-
                                                  at the Commission’s Public Reference                    month. In comparison, a Participant                      Penny Pilot Options Rebate to Add
                                                  Room.                                                   would qualify for a rebate of $0.48 in                   Liquidity for each transaction which
                                                  II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                      Tier 8 for Customers and Professionals                   adds liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot
                                                  Statement of the Purpose of, and                        if it added Customer, Professional, Firm,                Options in that month.
                                                                                                          Non-NOM Market Maker and/or Broker-                         In addition, note ‘‘e’’ in Chapter XV,
                                                  Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                          Dealer liquidity in Penny Pilot Options                  Section 2(1) provides that a Participant
                                                  Change
                                                                                                          and/or Non-Penny Pilot Options above                     may receive a $0.53 per contract Rebate
                                                    In its filing with the Commission, the                0.75% or more of total industry                          to Add Liquidity in Penny Pilot Options
                                                  Exchange included statements                            customer equity and ETF option ADV                       as Customer or Professional, and a $1.00
                                                  concerning the purpose of and basis for                 contracts per day in a month, or if the                  per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in
                                                  the proposed rule change and discussed                  Participant adds: (1) Customer and/or                    Non-Penny Pilot Options as a Customer
                                                  any comments it received on the                         Professional liquidity in Penny Pilot                    or Profession, if that NOM Participant
                                                  proposed rule change. The text of these                 Options and/or Non-Penny Pilot                           transacts on the NASDAQ Stock Market
                                                                                                          Options of 0.20% or more of total                        through one or more of its Nasdaq
                                                  statements may be examined at the
                                                                                                          industry customer equity and ETF                         Market Center MPIDs in the same
                                                  places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                                                                          option ADV contracts per day in a                        month, and such transactions in all
                                                  Exchange has prepared summaries, set                                                                             securities on the NASDAQ Stock Market
                                                  forth in sections A, B, and C below, of                 month, and (2) has added liquidity in all
                                                                                                          securities through one or more of its                    that month through all of its Nasdaq
                                                  the most significant aspects of such                                                                             Market Center MPIDs represent 3.00%
                                                                                                          Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs that
                                                  statements.                                                                                                      or more of Consolidated Volume.10
                                                                                                          represent 1.00% or more of
                                                  A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                                                                                Participants that qualify for this rebate
                                                  Statement of the Purpose of, and the                       4 The term ‘‘Professional’’ or (‘‘P’’) means any      would not be eligible for any other
                                                  Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  person or entity that (i) is not a broker or dealer in   rebates in Tiers 1 through 8 or other
                                                                                                          securities, and (ii) places more than 390 orders in      rebate incentives on NOM for Customer
                                                  Change                                                  listed options per day on average during a calendar      and Professional order flow in Chapter
                                                                                                          month for its own beneficial account(s) pursuant to
                                                  1. Purpose                                              Chapter I, Section 1(a)(48). All Professional orders
                                                                                                                                                                   XV, Section 2(1) of NOM Rules.11
                                                                                                          shall be appropriately marked by Participants.              Lastly, note ‘‘f’’ in Chapter XV,
                                                    The Exchange proposes two NOM                            5 The Penny Pilot was established in March 2008.      Section 2(1) provides that a Participant
                                                  pricing amendments at Chapter XV,                       See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57579            may receive a $0.55 per contract Rebate
                                                  Section 2(1), as described below in                     (March 28, 2008), 73 FR 18587 (April 4, 2008) (SR–       to Add Liquidity in Penny Pilot Options
                                                                                                          NASDAQ–2008–026) (notice of filing and
                                                  greater detail.                                         immediate effectiveness establishing Penny Pilot).
                                                                                                                                                                   as Customer or Professional, and a $1.05
                                                                                                          Since that date, the Penny Pilot has been expanded       per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in
                                                  Customer and Professional Rebate to                     and is currently extended through December 31,
                                                  Add Liquidity                                           2016 or the date of permanent approval, if earlier.         9 MARS refers to the Market Access and Routing
                                                                                                          See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78037            Subsidy, which is set forth in Chapter XV, Section
                                                    The Exchange proposes to amend an                     (June 10, 2016), 81 FR 39299 (June 16, 2016) (SR–        6. The MARS payment currently comprises of four
                                                  existing method for earning a rebate for                NASDAQ–2016–052).                                        volume-based tiers, and is paid to NOM
                                                                                                             6 The term ‘‘Firm’’ or (‘‘F’’) applies to any         Participants that route eligible contracts to NOM
                                                  adding liquidity for both Customers 3
                                                                                                          transaction that is identified by a Participant for      through a participating NOM Participant’s routing
                                                                                                          clearing in the Firm range at OCC.                       system. The MARS payment is paid on all executed
                                                                                                             7 The term ‘‘Non-NOM Market Maker’’ or (‘‘O’’) is     eligible contracts that add liquidity. See NOM Rules
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                                                                                                          a registered market maker on another options             at Chapter XV, Section 6.
                                                     3 The term ‘‘Customer’’ or (‘‘C’’) applies to any
                                                                                                          exchange that is not a NOM Market Maker. A Non-             10 Consolidated Volume would be determined as

                                                                                                          NOM Market Maker must append the proper Non-             set forth in Nasdaq Rule 7018(a).
                                                  transaction that is identified by a Participant for     NOM Market Maker designation to orders routed to            11 In calculating total volume, the Exchange
                                                  clearing in the Customer range at The Options           NOM.                                                     would add the NOM Participant’s total volume
                                                  Clearing Corporation (‘‘OCC’’) which is not for the        8 The term ‘‘Broker-Dealer’’ or (‘‘B’’) applies to    transacted on the NASDAQ Stock Market in a given
                                                  account of broker or dealer or for the account of a     any transaction which is not subject to any of the       month across its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs, and
                                                  ‘‘Professional’’ (as that term is defined in Chapter    other transaction fees applicable within a particular    will divide this number by the total industry
                                                  I, Section 1(a)(48)).                                   category.                                                Consolidated Volume.



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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 156 / Tuesday, August 15, 2017 / Notices                                                      38751

                                                  Non-Penny Pilot Options as Customer or                    in a month to above 1.20% should                        providing more trading opportunities,
                                                  Professional, if that NOM Participant (a)                 provide Participants the ability to                     which attracts market makers. An
                                                  adds Customer, Professional, Firm, Non-                   qualify for this incentive by executing                 increase in the activity of market makers
                                                  NOM Market Maker and/or Broker-                           less contracts which represent industry                 in turn facilitates tighter spreads, which
                                                  Dealer liquidity in Penny Pilot Options                   volume in a given month. The Exchange                   may cause an additional corresponding
                                                  and/or Non-Penny Pilot Options above                      believes that this amendment should                     increase in order flow from other market
                                                  1.45% of total industry customer equity                   incentivize Participants to transact more               participants. Furthermore, the Exchange
                                                  and ETF option ADV contracts per day                      volume to qualify for the rebate in                     believes that encouraging Participants to
                                                  in a month (‘‘NOM Volume                                  footnote ‘‘f’’ since one of the qualifiers              add Professional liquidity creates
                                                  Threshold’’), (b) executes greater than                   requires a lower percentage of total                    competition among options exchanges
                                                  0.04% of Consolidated Volume (‘‘CV’’)                     industry customer equity and ETF                        because the amended note ‘‘f’’ rebates
                                                  via Market-on-Close/Limit-on-Close                        option ADV contracts per day in a                       may cause market participants to select
                                                  (‘‘MOC/LOC’’) 12 volume within the                        month as compared to the current                        NOM as a venue to send Professional
                                                  NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Cross                         percentage.                                             order flow. Amending the existing NOM
                                                  within a month, and (c) adds greater                                                                              Volume Threshold affords more
                                                                                                            NOM Market Maker Non-Penny Pilot
                                                  than 1.5 million shares per day of non-                                                                           Participants the ability to qualify for the
                                                                                                            Options Fee for Adding Liquidity
                                                  displayed volume within the NASDAQ                                                                                note ‘‘f’’ rebates because it requires less
                                                  Stock Market within a month.                                The Exchange proposes to offer                        volume as a result of the proposed lower
                                                  Participants that qualify for this rebate                 Participants that send NOM Market                       percentage of industry volume. With
                                                  would not be eligible for any other                       Maker 14 order flow an opportunity to                   this proposal, Participants that
                                                  rebates in Tiers 1 through 8 or other                     lower their Fee for Adding Liquidity in                 consistently send order flow to the
                                                  rebate incentives on NOM for Customer                     Non-Penny Pilot Options, as set forth in                Exchange may continue to qualify for
                                                  and Professional order flow in Chapter                    Chapter XV, Section 2(1). In particular,                the rebates in note ‘‘f’’ and other
                                                  XV, Section 2(1).                                         the Exchange proposes to offer                          Participants may send additional order
                                                     The Exchange now proposes to amend                     Participants the opportunity to reduce                  flow to qualify for the note ‘‘f’’ rebates
                                                  the current qualifications for earning the                the NOM Market Maker Non-Penny                          with the lower requirement.
                                                  Rebate to Add Liquidity in note ‘‘f’’ by                  Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity                     The Exchange’s proposal to lower the
                                                  lowering the NOM Volume Threshold.                        from $0.35 to $0.00 per contract,                       NOM Volume Threshold is equitable
                                                  Specifically, the Exchange is proposing                   provided the Participant adds NOM                       and not unfairly discriminatory because
                                                  to continue to pay a $0.55 per contract                   Market Maker liquidity in Non-Penny                     all Participants are eligible to earn
                                                  Rebate to Add Liquidity in Penny Pilot                    Pilot Options of 7,500 or more ADV                      rebates. These rebates would be paid
                                                  Options as Customer or Professional,                      contracts per day in a month.                           uniformly to all qualifying Participants.
                                                  and a $1.05 per contract Rebate to Add                    2. Statutory Basis                                      NOM Market Maker Non-Penny Pilot
                                                  Liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Options as
                                                                                                               The Exchange believes that its                       Options Fee for Adding Liquidity
                                                  Customer or Professional, if that NOM
                                                  Participant (a) adds Customer,                            proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)                   The proposed change to offer
                                                  Professional, Firm, Non-NOM Market                        of the Act,15 in general, and furthers the              Participants that send NOM Market
                                                  Maker and/or Broker-Dealer liquidity in                   objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5)              Maker order flow the opportunity to
                                                  Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-Penny                      of the Act,16 in particular, in that it                 reduce the NOM Market Maker Non-
                                                  Pilot Options above 1.20% of total                        provides for the equitable allocation of                Penny Pilot Options Fee for Adding
                                                  industry customer equity and ETF                          reasonable dues, fees and other charges                 Liquidity from $0.35 to $0.00 per
                                                  option ADV contracts per day in a                         among members and issuers and other                     contract, provided the Participant adds
                                                  month, (b) executes greater than 0.04%                    persons using any facility, and is not                  NOM Market Maker liquidity in Non-
                                                  of CV via MOC/LOC volume within the                       designed to permit unfair                               Penny Pilot Options of 7,500 or more
                                                  NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Cross                         discrimination between customers,                       ADV contracts per day in a month is
                                                  within a month, and (c) adds greater                      issuers, brokers, or dealers.                           reasonable because the Exchange seeks
                                                  than 1.5 million shares per day of non-                   Customer and Professional Rebate to                     to encourage Participants to add NOM
                                                  displayed volume within the NASDAQ                        Add Liquidity                                           Market Maker liquidity in Non-Penny
                                                  Stock Market within a month.13                                                                                    Options to obtain the discount. The
                                                                                                              The Exchange’s proposal to lower the                  Exchange believes that its proposal will
                                                     The Exchange’s proposal to lower the                   NOM Volume Threshold is reasonable
                                                  NOM Volume Threshold from above                                                                                   incentivize Participants to select NOM
                                                                                                            because the rebates in footnote ‘‘f’’                   as a venue and in turn benefit other
                                                  1.45% of total industry customer equity                   should continue to attract Customer and
                                                  and ETF option ADV contracts per day                                                                              market participants with the
                                                                                                            Professional order flow to NOM. The                     opportunity to interact with such
                                                    12 MOC/LOC, as set forth in NASDAQ Rule 4754,
                                                                                                            additional Customer and Professional                    liquidity.
                                                  represents the volume in the NASDAQ Stock                 order flow to NOM benefits other                           Furthermore, the Exchange believes
                                                  Market Closing Cross that allows market                   market participants by providing                        that its proposal to reduce the NOM
                                                  participants to contribute order flow that will result    additional liquidity with which to                      Market Maker fee as described above is
                                                  in executions at the official closing price for the day   interact. Customer liquidity offers
                                                  in the NASDAQ listed security. A ‘‘MOC Order’’ is                                                                 equitable and not unfairly
                                                  an order type entered without a price that may be
                                                                                                            unique benefits to the market by                        discriminatory because NOM Market
                                                  executed only during the NASDAQ Closing Cross,                                                                    Makers, unlike other market
                                                                                                              14 The term ‘‘NOM Market Maker’’ or (‘‘M’’) is a
                                                  which refers to the equity closing cross. A ‘‘LOC
                                                                                                                                                                    participants, add value through
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                                                  Order’’ is an order type entered with a price that        Participant that has registered as a Market Maker on
                                                  may be executed only in the NASDAQ Closing                NOM pursuant to Chapter VII, Section 2, and must        continuous quoting 17 and the
                                                  Cross.                                                    also remain in good standing pursuant to Chapter
                                                    13 Participants that meet the new qualifications        VII, Section 4. In order to receive NOM Market            17 Pursuant to Chapter VII (Market Participants),

                                                  for the note ‘‘f’’ incentive would continue to be         Maker pricing in all securities, the Participant must   Section 5 (Obligations of Market Makers), in
                                                  ineligible for any other rebates in Tiers 1 through       be registered as a NOM Market Maker in at least one     registering as a market maker, an Options
                                                  8 or other rebate incentives on NOM for Customer          security.                                               Participant commits himself to various obligations.
                                                                                                              15 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                                  and Professional order flow in Chapter XV, Section                                                                Transactions of a Market Maker in its market
                                                  2(1).                                                       16 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).                                                                  Continued




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                                                  38752                        Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 156 / Tuesday, August 15, 2017 / Notices

                                                  commitment of capital. In addition,                     through continuous quoting 18 and the                  Commission, and all written
                                                  encouraging NOM Market Makers to add                    commitment of capital.                                 communications relating to the
                                                  greater liquidity benefits all Participants                                                                    proposed rule change between the
                                                                                                          C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  in the quality of order interaction. The                                                                       Commission and any person, other than
                                                                                                          Statement on Comments on the
                                                  Exchange believes it is equitable and not                                                                      those that may be withheld from the
                                                                                                          Proposed Rule Change Received From
                                                  unfairly discriminatory to offer only                                                                          public in accordance with the
                                                                                                          Members, Participants, or Others
                                                  NOM Market Makers the opportunity to                                                                           provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                  earn the discounted fee described above                   No written comments were either                      available for Web site viewing and
                                                  because of the obligations borne by                     solicited or received.                                 printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                  these market participants, as noted                     III. Date of Effectiveness of the                      Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                  herein.                                                 Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                    Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                                                                                          Commission Action                                      business days between the hours of
                                                  B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                                                                                 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                  Statement on Burden on Competition                         The foregoing rule change has become                filing also will be available for
                                                                                                          effective pursuant to Section                          inspection and copying at the principal
                                                     The Exchange does not believe that                   19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.19
                                                  the proposed rule change will impose                                                                           office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                                                                             At any time within 60 days of the
                                                  any burden on competition not                                                                                  received will be posted without change;
                                                                                                          filing of the proposed rule change, the
                                                  necessary or appropriate in furtherance                                                                        the Commission does not edit personal
                                                                                                          Commission summarily may
                                                  of the purposes of the Act. In terms of                                                                        identifying information from
                                                                                                          temporarily suspend such rule change if
                                                  inter-market competition, the Exchange                                                                         submissions. You should submit only
                                                                                                          it appears to the Commission that such
                                                  notes that it operates in a highly                                                                             information that you wish to make
                                                                                                          action is: (i) Necessary or appropriate in
                                                  competitive market in which market                      the public interest; (ii) for the protection           available publicly. All submissions
                                                  participants can readily favor competing                of investors; or (iii) otherwise in                    should refer to File Number SR–
                                                  venues if they deem fee levels at a                     furtherance of the purposes of the Act.                NASDAQ–2017–080, and should be
                                                  particular venue to be excessive, or                    If the Commission takes such action, the               submitted on or before September 5,
                                                  rebate opportunities available at other                 Commission shall institute proceedings                 2017.
                                                  venues to be more favorable. The                        to determine whether the proposed rule                   For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                  Exchange believes that the proposed                     should be approved or disapproved.                     Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                  pricing changes are competitive and                                                                            authority.20
                                                  does not impose a burden on inter-                      IV. Solicitation of Comments
                                                                                                                                                                 Eduardo A. Aleman,
                                                  market competition. If the changes                        Interested persons are invited to                    Assistant Secretary.
                                                  proposed herein are unattractive to                     submit written data, views, and
                                                                                                                                                                 [FR Doc. 2017–17169 Filed 8–14–17; 8:45 am]
                                                  market participants, it is likely that the              arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                  Exchange will lose market share as a                    including whether the proposed rule                    BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                  result. Accordingly, the Exchange does                  change is consistent with the Act.
                                                  not believe that the proposed changes                   Comments may be submitted by any of
                                                  will impair the ability of members or                   the following methods:                                 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                  competing order execution venues to                                                                            COMMISSION
                                                  maintain their competitive standing in                  Electronic Comments
                                                  the financial markets.                                    • Use the Commission’s Internet                      [Release No. 34–81360; File No. SR–
                                                     As it relates to the proposed fee                    comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                      NASDAQ–2017–079]
                                                  change to lower the NOM Volume                          rules/sro.shtml); or
                                                  Threshold, the Exchange does not                          • Send an email to rule-comments@                    Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
                                                                                                          sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of
                                                  believe that its proposal imposes an
                                                                                                          NASDAQ–2017–080 on the subject line.                   Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
                                                  undue burden on intra-market
                                                                                                                                                                 Proposed Rule Change To Amend the
                                                  competition because all Participants are                Paper Comments                                         Market Access and Routing Subsidy
                                                  eligible to earn rebates and these rebates
                                                                                                             • Send paper comments in triplicate                 Program
                                                  would be uniformly paid to all
                                                                                                          to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                                  qualifying Participants. The Exchange                                                                          August 9, 2017.
                                                                                                          Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                  also does not believe that its proposal to
                                                                                                          Washington, DC 20549–1090.                                Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                  offer Participants an opportunity to
                                                  reduce the NOM Market Maker Non-                        All submissions should refer to File                   Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                  Penny Pilot Options Fee for Adding                      Number SR–NASDAQ–2017–080. This                        (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                  Liquidity from $0.35 to $0.00 if they                   file number should be included on the                  notice is hereby given that on August 1,
                                                  meet the volume-based standard                          subject line if email is used. To help the             2017, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
                                                  described above imposes an undue                        Commission process and review your                     (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the
                                                  burden on intra-market competition                      comments more efficiently, please use                  Securities and Exchange Commission
                                                  because NOM Market Makers, unlike                       only one method. The Commission will                   (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
                                                  other market participants, add value                    post all comments on the Commission’s                  change as described in Items I, II, and
                                                                                                          Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                 III, below, which Items have been
                                                                                                          rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                        prepared by the Exchange. The
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                                                  making capacity must constitute a course of
                                                  dealings reasonably calculated to contribute to the     submission, all subsequent                             Commission is publishing this notice to
                                                  maintenance of a fair and orderly market, and           amendments, all written statements                     solicit comments on the proposed rule
                                                  Market Makers should not make bids or offers or         with respect to the proposed rule                      change from interested persons.
                                                  enter into transactions that are inconsistent with
                                                  such course of dealings. Further, all Market Makers
                                                                                                          change that are filed with the
                                                                                                                                                                   20 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                  are designated as specialists on NOM for all
                                                                                                            18 See note 17 above.                                  1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                  purposes under the Act or rules thereunder. See
                                                  Chapter VII, Section 5.                                   19 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).                         2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.




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Document Created: 2017-08-15 01:12:51
Document Modified: 2017-08-15 01:12:51
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
FR Citation82 FR 38749 

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