82_FR_42540 82 FR 42368 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 6.15, Nullification and Adjustment of Options Transactions Including Obvious Errors

82 FR 42368 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 6.15, Nullification and Adjustment of Options Transactions Including Obvious Errors

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 172 (September 7, 2017)

Page Range42368-42374
FR Document2017-19003

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 172 (Thursday, September 7, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 172 (Thursday, September 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42368-42374]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19003]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-81520; File No. SR-C2-2017-024]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change 
To Amend Rule 6.15, Nullification and Adjustment of Options 
Transactions Including Obvious Errors

September 1, 2017.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on August 31, 2017, C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated (the 
``Exchange'' or ``C2'') filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described 
in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the 
Exchange. The Exchange filed the proposal as a ``non-controversial'' 
proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 
\3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\4\ The Commission is publishing 
this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from 
interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The purpose of this filing is to amend Rule 6.15, Nullification and 
Adjustment of Options Transactions including Obvious Errors. The text 
of the proposed rule change is attached as Exhibit 5 [sic].
    The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the 
Exchange's Web site (http://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at the Exchange's Office of the 
Secretary,

[[Page 42369]]

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
Background
    The Exchange and other options exchanges recently adopted a new, 
harmonized rule related to the adjustment and nullification of 
erroneous options transactions, including a specific provision related 
to coordination in connection with large-scale events involving 
erroneous options transactions.\5\ The Exchange believes that the 
changes the options exchanges implemented with the new, harmonized rule 
have led to increased transparency and finality with respect to the 
adjustment and nullification of erroneous options transactions. 
However, as part of the initial initiative, the Exchange and other 
options exchanges deferred a few specific matters for further 
discussion. Specifically, as described in the Initial Filing, the 
Exchange and all other options exchanges have been working to further 
improve the review of potentially erroneous transactions as well as 
their subsequent adjustment by creating an objective and universal way 
to determine Theoretical Price in the event a reliable NBBO is not 
available. Because this initiative required additional exchange and 
industry discussion as well as additional time for development and 
implementation, the Exchange and the other options exchanges determined 
to proceed with the Initial Filing and to undergo a secondary 
initiative to complete any additional improvements to the applicable 
rule. In this filing, the Exchange proposes to adopt procedures that 
will lead to a more objective and uniform way to determine Theoretical 
Price in the event a reliable NBBO is not available. In addition, the 
Exchange proposes to amend the no valid quotes provision.
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    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 74556 (March 20, 
2015), 80 FR 16031 (March 26, 2015) (SR-BATS-2014-067); 81084 (July 
6, 2017), 82 FR 32216 (July 12, 2017) (SR-BatsBZX-2017-35); see also 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73884 (December 18, 2014), 79 FR 
77557 (December 24, 2014) (the ``Initial Filing'').
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Calculation of Theoretical Price Using a Third Party Provider
    Under the harmonized rule, when reviewing a transaction as 
potentially erroneous, the Exchange needs to first determine the 
``Theoretical Price'' of the option, i.e., the Exchange's estimate of 
the correct market price for the option. Pursuant to Rule 6.15, if the 
applicable option series is traded on at least one other options 
exchange, then the Theoretical Price of an option series is the last 
national best bid (``NBB'') just prior to the trade in question with 
respect to an erroneous sell transaction or the last national best 
offer (``NBO'') just prior to the trade in question with respect to an 
erroneous buy transaction unless one of the exceptions described below 
exists. Thus, whenever the Exchange has a reliable NBB or NBO, as 
applicable, just prior to the transaction, then the Exchange uses this 
NBB or NBO as the Theoretical Price.
    The Rule also contains various provisions governing specific 
situations where the NBB or NBO is not available or may not be 
reliable. Specifically, the Rule specifies situations in which there 
are no quotes or no valid quotes for comparison purposes, when the 
national best bid or offer (``NBBO'') is determined to be too wide to 
be reliable, and at the open of trading on each trading day. In each of 
these circumstances, in turn, because the NBB or NBO is not available 
or is deemed to be unreliable, the Exchange determines Theoretical 
Price. Under the current Rule, when determining Theoretical Price, 
Exchange personnel generally consult and refer to data such as the 
prices of related series, especially the closest strikes in the option 
in question. Exchange personnel may also take into account the price of 
the underlying security and the volatility characteristics of the 
option as well as historical pricing of the option and/or similar 
options. Although the Rule is administered by experienced personnel and 
the Exchange believes the process is currently appropriate, the 
Exchange recognizes that it is also subjective and could lead to 
disparate results for a transaction that spans multiple options 
exchanges.
    The Exchange proposes to adopt Interpretation and Policy .08 to 
specify how the Exchange will determine Theoretical Price when required 
by sub-paragraphs (b)(1)-(3) of the Rule (i.e., at the open, when there 
are no valid quotes or when there is a wide quote). In particular, the 
Exchange has been working with other options exchanges to identify and 
select a reliable third party vendor (``TP Provider'') that would 
provide Theoretical Price to the Exchange whenever one or more 
transactions is under review pursuant to Rule 6.15 and the NBBO is 
unavailable or deemed unreliable pursuant to Rule 6.15(b). The Exchange 
and other options exchanges have selected CBOE Livevol, LLC 
(``Livevol'') as the TP Provider, as described below. As further 
described below, proposed Interpretation and Policy .08 would codify 
the use of the TP Provider as well as limited exceptions where the 
Exchange would be able to deviate from the Theoretical Price given by 
the TP Provider. Pursuant to proposed Interpretation and Policy .08, 
when the Exchange must determine Theoretical Price pursuant to the sub-
paragraphs (b)(1)-(3) of the Rule, the Exchange will request 
Theoretical Price from the third party vendor to which the Exchange and 
all other options exchanges have subscribed. Thus, as set forth in this 
proposed language, Theoretical Price would be provided to the Exchange 
by the TP Provider on request and not through a streaming data feed.\6\ 
This language also makes clear that the Exchange and all other options 
exchanges will use the same TP Provider. As noted above, the proposed 
TP Provider selected by the Exchange and other options exchanges is 
Livevol. The Exchange proposes to codify this selection in proposed 
paragraph (d) to Interpretation and Policy .08. As such, the Exchange 
would file a rule proposal and would provide notice to the options 
industry of any proposed change to the TP Provider.
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    \6\ Though the Exchange and other options exchanges considered a 
streaming feed, it was determined that it would be more feasible to 
develop and implement an on demand service and that such a service 
would satisfy the goals of the initiative.
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    The Exchange and other options exchanges have selected Livevol as 
the proposed TP Provider after diligence into various alternatives. 
Livevol has, since 2009, been the options industry leader in providing 
equity and index options market data and analytics services.\7\ The 
Exchange believes that

[[Page 42370]]

Livevol has established itself within the options industry as a trusted 
provider of such services and notes that it and all other options 
exchanges already subscribe to various Livevol services. In connection 
with this proposal, Livevol will develop a new tool based on its 
existing technology and services that will supply Theoretical Price to 
the Exchange and other options exchanges upon request. The Theoretical 
Price tool will leverage current market data and surrounding strikes to 
assist in a relative value pricing approach to generating a Theoretical 
Price. When relative value methods are incapable of generating a valid 
Theoretical Price, the Theoretical Price tool will utilize historical 
trade and quote data to calculate Theoretical Price.
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    \7\ The Exchange notes that in 2015, Livevol was acquired by 
CBOE Holdings, Inc., the ultimate parent company of the Exchnage 
[sic], Chicago Board Options Exchange (``CBOE''), and C2 Options 
Exchange (``C2'').
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    Because the purpose of the proposal is to move away from a 
subjective determination by Exchange personnel when the NBBO is 
unavailable or unreliable, the Exchange intends to use the Theoretical 
Price provided by the TP Provider in all such circumstances. However, 
the Exchange believes it is necessary to retain the ability to contact 
the TP Provider if it believes that the Theoretical Price provided is 
fundamentally incorrect and to determine the Theoretical Price in the 
limited circumstance of a systems issue experienced by the TP Provider, 
as described below.
    As proposed, to the extent an Official \8\ of the Exchange believes 
that the Theoretical Price provided by the TP Provider is fundamentally 
incorrect and cannot be used consistent with the maintenance of a fair 
and orderly market, the Official shall contact the TP Provider to 
notify the TP Provider of the reason the Official believes such 
Theoretical Price is inaccurate and to request a review and correction 
of the calculated Theoretical Price. For example, if an Official 
received from the TP Provider a Theoretical Price of $80 in a series 
that the Official might expect to be instead in the range of $8 to $10 
because of a recent corporate action in the underlying, the Official 
would request that the TP Provider review and confirm its calculation 
and determine whether it had appropriately accounted for the corporate 
action. In order to ensure that other options exchanges that may 
potentially be relying on the same Theoretical Price that, in turn, the 
Official believes to be fundamentally incorrect, the Exchange also 
proposes to promptly provide notice to other options exchanges that the 
TP Provider has been contacted to review and correct the calculated 
Theoretical Price at issue and to include a brief explanation of the 
reason for the request.\9\ Although not directly addressed by the 
proposed Rule, the Exchange expects that all other options exchanges 
once in receipt of this notification would await the determination of 
the TP Provider and would use the corrected price as soon as it is 
available. The Exchange further notes that it expects the TP Provider 
to cooperate with, but to be independent of, the Exchange and other 
options exchanges.\10\
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    \8\ For purposes of the Rule, an Official is an Officer of the 
Exchange or such other employee designee of the Exchange that is 
trained in the application of Rule 6.15.
    \9\ See proposed paragraph (b) to Interpretation and Policy .08.
    \10\ The Exchange expects any TP Provider selected by the 
Exchange and other options exchanges to act independently in its 
determination and calculation of Theoretical Price. With respect to 
Livevol specifically, the Exchange again notes that Livevol is a 
subsidiary of CBOE Holdings, Inc., which is also the ultimate parent 
company of multiple options exchanges. The Exchange expects Livevol 
to calculate Theoretical Price independent of its affiliated 
exchanges in the same way it will calculate Theoretical Price 
independent of non-affiliated exchanges.
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    The Exchange believes that the proposed provision to allow an 
Official to contact the TP Provider if he or she believes the provided 
Theoretical Price is fundamentally incorrect is necessary, particularly 
because the Exchange and other options exchanges will be using the new 
process for the first time. Although the exchanges have conducted 
thorough diligence with respect to Livevol as the selected TP Provider 
and would do so with any potential replacement TP Provider, the 
Exchange is concerned that certain scenarios could arise where the 
Theoretical Price generated by the TP Provider does not take into 
account relevant factors and would result in an unfair result for 
market participants involved in a transaction. The Exchange notes that 
if such situations do indeed arise, to the extent practicable the 
Exchange will also work with the TP Provider and other options 
exchanges to improve the TP Provider's calculation of Theoretical Price 
in future situations. For instance, if the Exchange determines that a 
particular type of corporate action is not being appropriately captured 
by the TP Provider when such provider is generating Theoretical Price, 
while the Exchange believes that it needs the ability to request a 
review and correction of the Theoretical Price in connection with a 
specific review in order to provide a timely decision to market 
participants, the Exchange would share information regarding the 
specific situation with the TP Provider and other options exchanges in 
an effort to improve the Theoretical Price service for future use. The 
Exchange notes that it does not anticipate needing to rely on this 
provision frequently, if at all, but believes the provision is 
necessary nonetheless to best prepare for all potential circumstances. 
Further, the Theoretical Price used by the Exchange in connection with 
its rulings will always be that received from the TP Provider and the 
Exchange has not proposed the ability to deviate from such price.\11\
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    \11\ To the extent the TP Provider has been contacted by an 
Official of the Exchange, reviews the Theoretical Price provided but 
disagrees that there has been any error, then the Exchange would be 
bound to use the Theoretical Price provided by the TP Provider.
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    Pursuant to proposed paragraph (c) to Interpretation and Policy 
.08, an Official of the Exchange may determine the Theoretical Price if 
the TP Provider has experienced a systems issue that has rendered its 
services unavailable to accurately calculate Theoretical Price and such 
issue cannot be corrected in a timely manner. The Exchange notes that 
it does not anticipate needing to rely on this provision frequently, if 
at all, but believes the provision is necessary nonetheless to best 
prepare for all potential circumstances. Further, consistent with 
existing text in Rule 6.15(e)(4), the Exchange has not proposed a 
specific time by which the service must be available in order to be 
considered timely.\12\ The Exchange expects that it would await the TP 
Provider's services becoming available again so long as the Exchange 
was able to obtain information regarding the issue and the TP Provider 
had a reasonable expectation of being able to resume normal operations 
within the next several hours based on communications with the TP 
Provider. More specifically with respect to Livevol, Livevol has 
business continuity and disaster recovery procedures that will help to 
ensure that the Theoretical Price tool remains available or, in the 
event of an outage, that service is restored in a timely manner.
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    \12\ In the context of a Significant Market Event, the Exchange 
may determine, ``in consultation with other options exchanges . . . 
that timely adjustment is not feasible due to the extraordinary 
nature of the situation.'' See Rule 6.15(e)(4).
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    The Exchange also notes that if a wide-scale event occurred, even 
if such event did not qualify as a ``Significant Market Event'' 
pursuant to Rule 6.15(e), and the TP Provider was unavailable or 
otherwise experiencing difficulty, the Exchange believes that it and 
other options exchanges would seek to coordinate to the extent 
possible. In

[[Page 42371]]

particular, the Exchange and other options exchanges now have a 
process, administered by the Options Clearing Corporation, to invoke a 
discussion amongst all options exchanges in the event of any widespread 
or significant market events. The Exchange believes that this process 
could be used in the event necessary if there were an issue with the TP 
Provider.
    The Exchange also proposes to adopt language in paragraph (d) of 
Interpretation and Policy .08 to Rule 6.15 to disclaim the liability of 
the Exchange and the TP Provider in connection with the proposed Rule, 
the TP Provider's calculation of Theoretical Price, and the Exchange's 
use of such Theoretical Price. Specifically, the proposed rule would 
state that neither the Exchange, the TP Provider, nor any affiliate of 
the TP Provider (the TP Provider and its affiliates are referred to 
collectively as the ``TP Provider''), makes any warranty, express or 
implied, as to the results to be obtained by any person or entity from 
the use of the TP Provider pursuant to Interpretation and Policy .08. 
The proposed rule would further state that the TP Provider does not 
guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the calculated Theoretical 
Price and that the TP Provider disclaims all warranties of 
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect 
to such Theoretical Price. Finally, the proposed Rule would state that 
neither the Exchange nor the TP Provider shall have any liability for 
any damages, claims, losses (including any indirect or consequential 
losses), expenses, or delays, whether direct or indirect, foreseen or 
unforeseen, suffered by any person arising out of any circumstance or 
occurrence relating to the use of such Theoretical Price or arising out 
of any errors or delays in calculating such Theoretical Price. This 
proposed language is modeled after existing language in Exchange Rules 
regarding ``reporting authorities'' that calculate indices.\13\
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    \13\ See, e.g., Rule 6.42, which relates to index options 
potentially listed and traded on the Exchange and disclaims 
liability for a reporting authority and their affiliates.
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    In connection with the proposed change described above, the 
Exchange proposes to modify Rule 6.15 to state that the Exchange will 
rely on paragraph (b), and Interpretation and Policy .08 when 
determining Theoretical Price.
No Valid Quotes--Market Participant Quoting on Multiple Exchanges
    As described above, one of the times where the NBB or NBO is deemed 
to be unreliable for purposes of Theoretical Price is when there are no 
quotes or no valid quotes for the affected series. In addition to when 
there are no quotes, the Exchange does not consider the following to be 
valid quotes: (i) All quotes in the applicable option series published 
at a time where the last NBB is higher than the last NBO in such series 
(a ``crossed market''); (ii) quotes published by the Exchange that were 
submitted by either party to the transaction in question; and (iii) 
quotes published by another options exchange against which the Exchange 
has declared self-help. In recognition of today's market structure 
where certain participants actively provide liquidity on multiple 
exchanges simultaneously, the Exchange proposes to add an additional 
category of invalid quotes. Specifically, in order to avoid a situation 
where a market participant has established the market at an erroneous 
price on multiple exchanges, the Exchange proposes to consider as 
invalid the quotes in a series published by another options exchange if 
either party to the transaction in question submitted the quotes in the 
series representing such options exchange's best bid or offer. Thus, 
similar to being able to ignore for purposes of the Rule the quotes 
published by the Exchange if submitted by either party to the 
transaction in question, the Exchange would be able to ignore for 
purposes of the rule quotations on other options exchanges by that same 
market participant.
    In order to continue to apply the Rule in a timely and organized 
fashion, however, the Exchange proposes to initially limit the scope of 
this proposed provision in two ways. First, because the process will 
take considerable coordination with other options exchanges to confirm 
that the quotations in question on an away options exchange were indeed 
submitted by a party to a transaction on the Exchange, the Exchange 
proposes to limit this provision to apply to up to twenty-five (25) 
total options series (i.e., whether such series all relate to the same 
underlying security or multiple underlying securities). Second, the 
Exchange proposes to require the party that believes it established the 
best bid or offer on one or more other options exchanges to identify to 
the Exchange the quotes which were submitted by such party and 
published by other options exchanges. In other words, as proposed, the 
burden will be on the party seeking that the Exchange disregard their 
quotations on other options exchanges to identify such quotations. In 
turn, the Exchange will verify with such other options exchanges that 
such quotations were indeed submitted by such party.
    Below are examples of both the current rule and the rule as 
proposed to be amended.
Example 1--Current Rule, Trading Permit Holder (``TPH'') Erroneously 
Quotes on One Exchange
Assumptions
    For purposes of this example, assume the following:
     A TPH acting as a Market Maker on the Exchange (``Market 
Maker A'') is quoting in twenty series of options underlying security 
ABCD on the Exchange (and only the Exchange).
     Market Maker A makes an error in calculating the market 
for options on ABCD, and publishes quotes in all twenty series to buy 
options at $1.00 and to sell options at $1.05.
     In fact, options on ABCD in these series are nearly 
worthless and no other market participant is quoting in such series.
     Therefore, the NBBO in the twenty series at issue is $1.00 
x $1.05 (with the Exchange representing the NBBO based on Market Maker 
A's quotes).
     Assume TPH A immediately enters sell orders and executes 
against Market Maker A's quotes at $1.00.
     Assume Market Maker A submits to the Exchange a timely 
request for review of the trades with TPH A as potentially erroneous 
transactions to buy.
Result
     Based on the Exchange's current rules, the Exchange would 
identify Market Maker A as a participant to the trades at issue and 
would consider Market Maker A's quotations invalid pursuant to Rule 
6.15(b)(2).
     As there were no other valid quotes to use as a reference 
price, the Exchange would then determine Theoretical Price.
     Assume the Exchange determines a Theoretical Price of 
$0.05.
    [cir] The execution price of $1.00 exceeds the $0.25 minimum amount 
set forth in the Exchange's table to determine whether an obvious error 
has occurred (i.e., $0.05 + $0.25 = $0.30) so any execution at or above 
this price is an obvious error.
    [cir] Accordingly, the executions in all series would be adjusted 
by the Exchange to executions at $0.20 per contract (Theoretical Price 
of $0.05 plus $0.15) to the extent the incoming orders submitted by TPH 
A were non-Customer orders.
    [cir] The executions in all series would be nullified to the extent 
the incoming

[[Page 42372]]

orders submitted by TPH A were Customer orders.
Example 2--Current Rule, TPH Erroneously Quotes on Multiple Exchanges
Assumptions
    For purposes of this example, assume the following:
     A TPH acting as a Market Maker on the Exchange (``Market 
Maker A'') is quoting in twenty series of options underlying security 
ABCD on the Exchange and on a second exchange (``Away Exchange'').
     Market Maker A makes an error in calculating the market 
for options on ABCD, and publishes quotes on both the Exchange and the 
Away Exchange in all twenty series to buy options at $1.00 and to sell 
options at $1.05.
     In fact, options on ABCD in these series are nearly 
worthless and no other market participant is quoting in such series.
     Therefore, the NBBO in the twenty series at issue is $1.00 
x $1.05 (with the Exchange and the Away Exchange representing the NBBO 
based on Market Maker A's quotes).
     Assume TPH A immediately enters sell orders and executes 
against Market Maker A's quotes at $1.00.
     Assume Market Maker A submits to the Exchange and to the 
Away Exchange timely requests for review of the trades with TPH A as 
potentially erroneous transactions to buy.
Result
     Based on the Exchange's current rules, the Exchange would 
identify Market Maker A as a participant to the trades at issue and 
would consider Market Maker A's quotations on the Exchange invalid 
pursuant to Rule 6.15(b)(2). The Exchange, however, would view the Away 
Exchange's quotations as valid, and would thus determine Theoretical 
Price to be $1.05 (i.e., the NBO in the case of a potentially erroneous 
buy transaction).
     The execution price of $1.00 does not exceed the $0.25 
minimum amount set forth in the Exchange's table to determine whether 
an obvious error has occurred (i.e., $1.05 + $0.25 = $1.30) so any 
execution at or above this price is an obvious error.
     The transactions on the Exchange would not be nullified or 
adjusted.
     As the Exchange and all other options exchanges have 
identical rules with respect to the process described above, the 
transactions on the Away Exchange would not be nullified or adjusted.
Example 3--Proposed Rule, TPH Erroneously Quotes on Multiple Exchanges 
\14\
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    \14\ The Exchange notes that its proposed rule will not impact 
the proposed handling of a request for review where a market 
participant is quoting only on the Exchange, thus, the Exchange has 
not included a separate example for such a fact-pattern.
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Assumptions
    For purposes of this example, assume the following:
     A TPH acting as a Market Maker on the Exchange (``Market 
Maker A'') is quoting in twenty series of options underlying security 
ABCD on the Exchange and on a second exchange (``Away Exchange'').\15\
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    \15\ The Exchange notes that the proposed rule would operate the 
same if Market Maker A was quoting on more than two exchanges. The 
Exchange has limited the example to two exchanges for simplicity.
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     Market Maker A makes an error in calculating the market 
for options on ABCD, and publishes quotes on both the Exchange and the 
Away Exchange in all twenty series to buy options at $1.00 and to sell 
options at $1.05.
     In fact, options on ABCD in these series are nearly 
worthless and no other market participant is quoting in such series.
     Therefore, the NBBO in the twenty series at issue is $1.00 
x $1.05 (with the Exchange and the Away Exchange representing the NBBO 
based on Market Maker A's quotes).
     Assume TPH A immediately enters sell orders and executes 
against Market Maker A's quotes at $1.00.
     Assume Market Maker A submits to the Exchange and to the 
Away Exchange timely requests for review of the trades with TPH A as 
potentially erroneous transactions to buy. At the time of submitting 
the requests for review to the Exchange and the Away Exchange, Market 
Maker A identifies to the Exchange the quotes on the Away Exchange as 
quotes also represented by Market Maker A (and to the Away Exchange, 
the quotes on the Exchange as quotes also represented by Market Maker 
A).
Result
     Based on the proposed rules, the Exchange would identify 
Market Maker A as a participant to the trades at issue and would 
consider Market Maker A's quotations on the Exchange invalid pursuant 
to Rule 6.15(b)(2).
     The Exchange and the Away Exchange would also coordinate 
to confirm that the quotations identified by Market Maker A on the 
other exchange were indeed Market Maker A's quotations. Once confirmed, 
each of the Exchange and the Away Exchange would also consider invalid 
the quotations published on the other exchange.
     As there were no other valid quotes to use as a reference 
price, the Exchange would then determine Theoretical Price.
     Assume the Exchange determines a Theoretical Price of 
$0.05.
    [cir] The execution price of $1.00 exceeds the $0.25 minimum amount 
set forth in the Exchange's table to determine whether an obvious error 
has occurred (i.e., $0.05 + $0.25 = $0.30) so any execution at or above 
this price is an obvious error.
    [cir] Accordingly, the executions in all series would be adjusted 
by the Exchange to executions at $0.20 per contract (Theoretical Price 
of $0.05 plus $0.15) to the extent the incoming orders submitted by TPH 
A were non-Customer orders.
    [cir] The executions in all series would be nullified to the extent 
the incoming orders submitted by TPH A were Customer orders.
     As the Exchange and all other options exchanges would have 
identical rules with respect to the process described above, as other 
options exchanges intend to adopt the same rule if the proposed rule is 
approved, the transactions on the Away Exchange would also be nullified 
or adjusted as set forth above.
     If this example was instead modified such that Market 
Maker A was quoting in 200 series rather than 20, the Exchange notes 
that Market Maker A could only request that the Exchange consider as 
invalid their quotations in 25 of those series on other exchanges. As 
noted above, the Exchange has proposed to limit the proposed rule to 25 
series in order to continue to process requests for review in a timely 
and organized fashion in order to provide certainty to market 
participants. This is due to the amount of coordination that will be 
necessary in such a scenario to confirm that the quotations in question 
on an away options exchange were indeed submitted by a party to a 
transaction on the Exchange.
Implementation Date
    The Exchange proposes to delay the operative date of this proposal 
to a date within ninety (90) days after the Commission approved the 
Bats BZX proposal on July 6, 2017. The Exchange will announce the 
operative date in a Regulatory Circular made available to its Members.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with the 
requirements of the Act and the rules

[[Page 42373]]

and regulations thereunder that are applicable to a national securities 
exchange, and, in particular, with the requirements of Section 6(b) of 
the Act. Specifically, the proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) 
of the Act because it would promote just and equitable principles of 
trade, remove impediments to, and perfect the mechanism of, a free and 
open market and a national market system, and, in general, protect 
investors and the public interest.
    As described above, the Exchange and other options exchanges are 
seeking to further modify their harmonized rules related to the 
adjustment and nullification of erroneous options transactions. The 
Exchange believes that the proposal to utilize a TP Provider in the 
event the NBBO is unavailable or unreliable will provide greater 
transparency and clarity with respect to the adjustment and 
nullification of erroneous options transactions. Particularly, the 
proposed changes seek to achieve consistent results for participants 
across U.S. options exchanges while maintaining a fair and orderly 
market, protecting investors and protecting the public interest. Thus, 
the Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act in that the proposed Rule will foster cooperation 
and coordination with persons engaged in regulating and facilitating 
transactions.
    The Exchange again reiterates that it has retained the standard of 
the current rule for most reviews of options transactions pursuant to 
Rule 6.15, which is to rely on the NBBO to determine Theoretical Price 
if such NBBO can reasonably be relied upon. The proposal to use a TP 
Provider when the NBBO is unavailable or unreliable is consistent with 
Section 6(b)(5) of the Act in that the proposed Rule will foster 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating and 
facilitating transactions by further reducing the possibility of 
disparate results between options exchanges and increasing the 
objectivity of the application of Rule 6.15. Further, the Exchange 
believes that the proposed Rule is transparent with respect to the 
limited circumstances under which the Exchange will request a review 
and correction of Theoretical Price from the TP Provider, and has 
sought to limit such circumstances as much as possible. The Exchange 
notes that under the current Rule, Exchange personnel are required to 
determine Theoretical Price in certain circumstances and yet rarely do 
so because such circumstances have already been significantly limited 
under the harmonized rule (for example, because the wide quote 
provision of the harmonized rule only applies if the quote was narrower 
and then gapped but does not apply if the quote had been persistently 
wide). Thus, the Exchange believes it will need to request Theoretical 
Price from the TP Provider only in very rare circumstances and in turn, 
the Exchange anticipates that the need to contact the TP Provider for 
additional review of the Theoretical Price provided by the TP Provider 
will be even rarer. Similarly, the Exchange believes it is unlikely 
that an Exchange Official will ever be required to determine 
Theoretical Price, as such circumstance would only be in the event of a 
systems issue that has rendered the TP Provider's services unavailable 
and such issue cannot be corrected in a timely manner.
    The Exchange also believes its proposal to adopt language in 
paragraph (d) of Interpretation and Policy .08 to Rule 6.15 to disclaim 
the liability of the Exchange and the TP Provider in connection with 
the proposed Rule, the TP Provider's calculation of Theoretical Price, 
and the Exchange's use of such Theoretical Price is consistent with the 
Act. As noted above, this proposed language is modeled after existing 
language in Exchange Rules regarding ``reporting authorities'' that 
calculate indices, and is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act in 
that the proposed Rule will foster cooperation and coordination with 
persons engaged in regulating and facilitating transactions.
    As described above, the Exchange proposes a modification to the 
valid quotes provision to also exclude quotes in a series published by 
another options exchange if either party to the transaction in question 
submitted the orders or quotes in the series representing such options 
exchange's best bid or offer. The Exchange believes this proposal is 
consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act because the application of 
the rule will foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged 
in regulating and facilitating transactions by allowing the Exchange to 
coordinate with other options exchanges to determine whether a market 
participant that is party to a potentially erroneous transaction on the 
Exchange established the market in an option on other options 
exchanges; to the extent this can be established, the Exchange believes 
such participant's quotes should be excluded in the same way such 
quotes are excluded on the Exchange. The Exchange also believes it is 
reasonable to limit the scope of this provision to twenty-five (25) 
series and to require the party that believes it established the best 
bid or offer on one or more other options exchanges to identify to the 
Exchange the quotes which were submitted by that party and published by 
other options exchanges. The Exchange believes these limitations are 
consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act because they will ensure 
that the Exchange is able to continue to apply the Rule in a timely and 
organized fashion, thus fostering cooperation and coordination with 
persons engaged in regulating and facilitating transactions and also 
removing impediments to and perfecting the mechanism of a free and open 
market and a national market system.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange believes the proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b)(8) of the Act \16\ in that it does not impose any burden on 
competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the 
purposes of the Act as explained below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Importantly, the Exchange does not believe that the proposal will 
impose a burden on intermarket competition but rather that it will 
alleviate any burden on competition because it is the result of a 
collaborative effort by all options exchanges to further harmonize and 
improve the process related to the adjustment and nullification of 
erroneous options transactions. The Exchange does not believe that the 
rules applicable to such process is an area where options exchanges 
should compete, but rather, that all options exchanges should have 
consistent rules to the extent possible. Particularly where a market 
participant trades on several different exchanges and an erroneous 
trade may occur on multiple markets nearly simultaneously, the Exchange 
believes that a participant should have a consistent experience with 
respect to the nullification or adjustment of transactions. To that 
end, the selection and implementation of a TP Provider utilized by all 
options exchanges will further reduce the possibility that participants 
with potentially erroneous transactions that span multiple options 
exchanges are handled differently on such exchanges. Similarly, the 
proposed ability to consider quotations invalid on another options 
exchange if ultimately originating from a party to a potentially 
erroneous transaction on the Exchange represents a proposal intended to 
further foster cooperation by the options exchanges with respect to 
market events. The Exchange understands that all other options 
exchanges intend to

[[Page 42374]]

file proposals that are substantially similar to this proposal.
    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change imposes 
a burden on intramarket competition because the proposed provisions 
apply to all market participants equally.

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

    The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the 
proposed rule change.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) 
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \17\ and 
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \18\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission 
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along 
with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at 
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed 
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. 
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-C2-2017-024 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-C2-2017-024. 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 such filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-C2-2017-024, and should be 
submitted on or before September 28, 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. 2017-19003 Filed 9-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                  42368                                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 172 / Thursday, September 7, 2017 / Notices

                                                  RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD                                                      Title and purpose of information                                      Available for work, and (b) willing to
                                                                                                                              collection: Availability for Work; OMB                                   work, the RRB utilizes Forms UI–38, UI
                                                  Proposed Collection; Comment                                                3220–0164. Under Section 1(k) of the                                     Claimant’s Report of Efforts to Find
                                                  Request                                                                     Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act,                                     Work, and UI–38s, School Attendance
                                                                                                                              unemployment benefits are not payable                                    and Availability Questionnaire, to
                                                    Summary: In accordance with the                                           for any day for which the claimant is                                    obtain information from the claimant
                                                  requirement of Section 3506 (c)(2)(A) of                                    not available for work.                                                  and Form ID–8k, Questionnaire—
                                                  the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995                                            Under Railroad Retirement Board                                       Reinstatement of Discharged or
                                                  which provides opportunity for public                                       (RRB) regulation 20 CFR 327.5,                                           Suspended Employee, from the union
                                                  comment on new or revised data                                              ‘‘available for work’’ is defined as being                               representative. One response is
                                                  collections, the Railroad Retirement                                        willing and ready for work. A claimant                                   completed by each respondent. The RRB
                                                  Board (RRB) will publish periodic                                           is ‘‘willing’’ to work if willing to accept                              proposes the following changes to the
                                                  summaries of proposed data collections.                                     and perform for hire such work as is                                     Forms UI–38 and UI–38s. The RRB
                                                    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether                                      reasonably appropriate to his or her                                     proposes no changes to Form ID–8k.
                                                  the proposed information collection is                                      employment circumstances. A claimant
                                                  necessary for the proper performance of                                                                                                              • Form UI–38
                                                                                                                              is ‘‘ready’’ for work if he or she (1) is
                                                  the functions of the agency, including                                      in a position to receive notice of work                                    Æ We propose adding that the
                                                  whether the information has practical                                       and is willing to accept and perform                                         claimant can now use online
                                                  utility; (b) the accuracy of the RRB’s                                      such work, and (2) is prepared to be                                         options when searching for a job.
                                                  estimate of the burden of the collection                                    present with the customary equipment                                       Æ We propose to change an item in
                                                  of the information; (c) ways to enhance                                     at the location of such work within the                                      the second paragraph informing the
                                                  the quality, utility, and clarity of the                                    time usually allotted.                                                       claimant to register with the State
                                                  information to be collected; and (d)                                           Under RRB regulation 20 CFR 327.15,                                       Employment Service and provide
                                                  ways to minimize the burden related to                                      a claimant may be requested at any time                                      proof of the registration to the RRB.
                                                  the collection of information on                                            to show, as evidence of willingness to                                   • Form UI–38s—We propose to add an
                                                  respondents, including the use of                                           work, that reasonable efforts are being                                    online school selection for students
                                                  automated collection techniques or                                          made to obtain work. In order to                                           who cannot provide their class hours
                                                  other forms of information technology.                                      determine whether a claimant is; (a)                                       because their courses are online.

                                                                                                                         ESTIMATE OF ANNUAL RESPONDENT BURDEN
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Annual                  Time                 Burden
                                                                                                                   Form No.                                                                            responses               (minutes)              (hours)

                                                  UI–38s (in person) * .....................................................................................................................                        59                         6                  6
                                                  UI–38s (by mail) * ........................................................................................................................                      119                       10                  20
                                                  UI–38 ...........................................................................................................................................              3,485                      11.5                668
                                                  ID–8k ............................................................................................................................................             6,461                         5                538

                                                        Total ......................................................................................................................................            10,124     ........................        1,232



                                                    Additional Information or Comments:                                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                                  been prepared by the Exchange. The
                                                  To request more information or to                                           COMMISSION                                                               Exchange filed the proposal as a ‘‘non-
                                                  obtain a copy of the information                                                                                                                     controversial’’ proposed rule change
                                                                                                                              [Release No. 34–81520; File No. SR–C2–
                                                  collection justification, forms, and/or                                     2017–024]                                                                pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of
                                                  supporting material, contact Dana                                                                                                                    the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)
                                                  Hickman at (312) 751–4981 or                                                Self-Regulatory Organizations; C2                                        thereunder.4 The Commission is
                                                  Dana.Hickman@RRB.GOV. Comments                                              Options Exchange, Incorporated;                                          publishing this notice to solicit
                                                  regarding the information collection                                        Notice of Filing and Immediate                                           comments on the proposed rule change
                                                  should be addressed to Brian Foster,                                        Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule                                         from interested persons.
                                                  Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North                                        Change To Amend Rule 6.15,                                               I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611–                                       Nullification and Adjustment of                                          Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                  1275 or emailed to Brian.Foster@rrb.gov.                                    Options Transactions Including                                           the Proposed Rule Change
                                                  Written comments should be received                                         Obvious Errors
                                                  within 60 days of this notice.                                                                                                                          The purpose of this filing is to amend
                                                                                                                              September 1, 2017.
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Rule 6.15, Nullification and Adjustment
                                                  Brian D. Foster,                                                               Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                                                                                                                                                                       of Options Transactions including
                                                                                                                              Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
                                                  Clearance Officer.                                                                                                                                   Obvious Errors. The text of the proposed
                                                                                                                              ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                  [FR Doc. 2017–18971 Filed 9–6–17; 8:45 am]                                                                                                           rule change is attached as Exhibit 5
                                                                                                                              notice is hereby given that on August
                                                                                                                                                                                                       [sic].
                                                  BILLING CODE 7905–01–P                                                      31, 2017, C2 Options Exchange,
                                                                                                                              Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘C2’’)                                   The text of the proposed rule change
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                              filed with the Securities and Exchange                                   is also available on the Exchange’s Web
                                                                                                                              Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the                                      site (http://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/
                                                                                                                              proposed rule change as described in                                     CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at
                                                                                                                              Items I and II below, which Items have                                   the Exchange’s Office of the Secretary,

                                                                                                                                  1 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                               3 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
                                                                                                                                  2 17   CFR 240.19b–4.                                                  4 17   CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014         17:42 Sep 06, 2017          Jkt 241001       PO 00000        Frm 00100        Fmt 4703       Sfmt 4703       E:\FR\FM\07SEN1.SGM         07SEN1


                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 172 / Thursday, September 7, 2017 / Notices                                                   42369

                                                  and at the Commission’s Public                          secondary initiative to complete any                     The Exchange proposes to adopt
                                                  Reference Room.                                         additional improvements to the                        Interpretation and Policy .08 to specify
                                                                                                          applicable rule. In this filing, the                  how the Exchange will determine
                                                  II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                          Exchange proposes to adopt procedures                 Theoretical Price when required by sub-
                                                  Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                          that will lead to a more objective and                paragraphs (b)(1)–(3) of the Rule (i.e., at
                                                  Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                          uniform way to determine Theoretical                  the open, when there are no valid
                                                  Change
                                                                                                          Price in the event a reliable NBBO is not             quotes or when there is a wide quote).
                                                     In its filing with the Commission, the               available. In addition, the Exchange                  In particular, the Exchange has been
                                                  Exchange included statements                            proposes to amend the no valid quotes                 working with other options exchanges
                                                  concerning the purpose of and basis for                 provision.                                            to identify and select a reliable third
                                                  the proposed rule change and discussed                                                                        party vendor (‘‘TP Provider’’) that
                                                  any comments it received on the                         Calculation of Theoretical Price Using a
                                                                                                                                                                would provide Theoretical Price to the
                                                  proposed rule change. The text of these                 Third Party Provider
                                                                                                                                                                Exchange whenever one or more
                                                  statements may be examined at the                          Under the harmonized rule, when                    transactions is under review pursuant to
                                                  places specified in Item IV below. The                  reviewing a transaction as potentially                Rule 6.15 and the NBBO is unavailable
                                                  Exchange has prepared summaries, set                    erroneous, the Exchange needs to first                or deemed unreliable pursuant to Rule
                                                  forth in sections A, B, and C below, of                 determine the ‘‘Theoretical Price’’ of the            6.15(b). The Exchange and other options
                                                  the most significant aspects of such                    option, i.e., the Exchange’s estimate of              exchanges have selected CBOE Livevol,
                                                  statements.                                             the correct market price for the option.              LLC (‘‘Livevol’’) as the TP Provider, as
                                                  A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       Pursuant to Rule 6.15, if the applicable              described below. As further described
                                                  Statement of the Purpose of, and                        option series is traded on at least one               below, proposed Interpretation and
                                                  Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  other options exchange, then the                      Policy .08 would codify the use of the
                                                  Change                                                  Theoretical Price of an option series is              TP Provider as well as limited
                                                                                                          the last national best bid (‘‘NBB’’) just             exceptions where the Exchange would
                                                  1. Purpose                                              prior to the trade in question with                   be able to deviate from the Theoretical
                                                  Background                                              respect to an erroneous sell transaction              Price given by the TP Provider. Pursuant
                                                                                                          or the last national best offer (‘‘NBO’’)             to proposed Interpretation and Policy
                                                     The Exchange and other options
                                                                                                          just prior to the trade in question with              .08, when the Exchange must determine
                                                  exchanges recently adopted a new,
                                                                                                          respect to an erroneous buy transaction               Theoretical Price pursuant to the sub-
                                                  harmonized rule related to the
                                                                                                          unless one of the exceptions described                paragraphs (b)(1)–(3) of the Rule, the
                                                  adjustment and nullification of
                                                                                                          below exists. Thus, whenever the                      Exchange will request Theoretical Price
                                                  erroneous options transactions,
                                                                                                          Exchange has a reliable NBB or NBO, as                from the third party vendor to which the
                                                  including a specific provision related to
                                                                                                          applicable, just prior to the transaction,            Exchange and all other options
                                                  coordination in connection with large-
                                                                                                          then the Exchange uses this NBB or                    exchanges have subscribed. Thus, as set
                                                  scale events involving erroneous
                                                                                                          NBO as the Theoretical Price.                         forth in this proposed language,
                                                  options transactions.5 The Exchange
                                                                                                             The Rule also contains various                     Theoretical Price would be provided to
                                                  believes that the changes the options
                                                                                                          provisions governing specific situations              the Exchange by the TP Provider on
                                                  exchanges implemented with the new,
                                                                                                          where the NBB or NBO is not available                 request and not through a streaming
                                                  harmonized rule have led to increased
                                                                                                          or may not be reliable. Specifically, the             data feed.6 This language also makes
                                                  transparency and finality with respect to
                                                  the adjustment and nullification of                     Rule specifies situations in which there              clear that the Exchange and all other
                                                  erroneous options transactions.                         are no quotes or no valid quotes for                  options exchanges will use the same TP
                                                  However, as part of the initial initiative,             comparison purposes, when the                         Provider. As noted above, the proposed
                                                  the Exchange and other options                          national best bid or offer (‘‘NBBO’’) is              TP Provider selected by the Exchange
                                                  exchanges deferred a few specific                       determined to be too wide to be reliable,             and other options exchanges is Livevol.
                                                  matters for further discussion.                         and at the open of trading on each                    The Exchange proposes to codify this
                                                  Specifically, as described in the Initial               trading day. In each of these                         selection in proposed paragraph (d) to
                                                  Filing, the Exchange and all other                      circumstances, in turn, because the NBB               Interpretation and Policy .08. As such,
                                                  options exchanges have been working to                  or NBO is not available or is deemed to               the Exchange would file a rule proposal
                                                  further improve the review of                           be unreliable, the Exchange determines                and would provide notice to the options
                                                  potentially erroneous transactions as                   Theoretical Price. Under the current                  industry of any proposed change to the
                                                  well as their subsequent adjustment by                  Rule, when determining Theoretical                    TP Provider.
                                                  creating an objective and universal way                 Price, Exchange personnel generally                      The Exchange and other options
                                                  to determine Theoretical Price in the                   consult and refer to data such as the                 exchanges have selected Livevol as the
                                                  event a reliable NBBO is not available.                 prices of related series, especially the              proposed TP Provider after diligence
                                                  Because this initiative required                        closest strikes in the option in question.            into various alternatives. Livevol has,
                                                  additional exchange and industry                        Exchange personnel may also take into                 since 2009, been the options industry
                                                  discussion as well as additional time for               account the price of the underlying                   leader in providing equity and index
                                                  development and implementation, the                     security and the volatility                           options market data and analytics
                                                  Exchange and the other options                          characteristics of the option as well as              services.7 The Exchange believes that
                                                  exchanges determined to proceed with                    historical pricing of the option and/or
                                                                                                                                                                  6 Though the Exchange and other options
                                                                                                          similar options. Although the Rule is
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  the Initial Filing and to undergo a                                                                           exchanges considered a streaming feed, it was
                                                                                                          administered by experienced personnel                 determined that it would be more feasible to
                                                    5 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 74556      and the Exchange believes the process is              develop and implement an on demand service and
                                                  (March 20, 2015), 80 FR 16031 (March 26, 2015)          currently appropriate, the Exchange                   that such a service would satisfy the goals of the
                                                  (SR–BATS–2014–067); 81084 (July 6, 2017), 82 FR         recognizes that it is also subjective and             initiative.
                                                  32216 (July 12, 2017) (SR–BatsBZX–2017–35); see                                                                 7 The Exchange notes that in 2015, Livevol was

                                                  also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73884
                                                                                                          could lead to disparate results for a                 acquired by CBOE Holdings, Inc., the ultimate
                                                  (December 18, 2014), 79 FR 77557 (December 24,          transaction that spans multiple options               parent company of the Exchnage [sic], Chicago
                                                  2014) (the ‘‘Initial Filing’’).                         exchanges.                                                                                      Continued




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                                                  42370                     Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 172 / Thursday, September 7, 2017 / Notices

                                                  Livevol has established itself within the               promptly provide notice to other                        specific situation with the TP Provider
                                                  options industry as a trusted provider of               options exchanges that the TP Provider                  and other options exchanges in an effort
                                                  such services and notes that it and all                 has been contacted to review and                        to improve the Theoretical Price service
                                                  other options exchanges already                         correct the calculated Theoretical Price                for future use. The Exchange notes that
                                                  subscribe to various Livevol services. In               at issue and to include a brief                         it does not anticipate needing to rely on
                                                  connection with this proposal, Livevol                  explanation of the reason for the                       this provision frequently, if at all, but
                                                  will develop a new tool based on its                    request.9 Although not directly                         believes the provision is necessary
                                                  existing technology and services that                   addressed by the proposed Rule, the                     nonetheless to best prepare for all
                                                  will supply Theoretical Price to the                    Exchange expects that all other options                 potential circumstances. Further, the
                                                  Exchange and other options exchanges                    exchanges once in receipt of this                       Theoretical Price used by the Exchange
                                                  upon request. The Theoretical Price tool                notification would await the                            in connection with its rulings will
                                                  will leverage current market data and                   determination of the TP Provider and                    always be that received from the TP
                                                  surrounding strikes to assist in a relative             would use the corrected price as soon as                Provider and the Exchange has not
                                                  value pricing approach to generating a                  it is available. The Exchange further                   proposed the ability to deviate from
                                                  Theoretical Price. When relative value                  notes that it expects the TP Provider to                such price.11
                                                  methods are incapable of generating a                   cooperate with, but to be independent                      Pursuant to proposed paragraph (c) to
                                                  valid Theoretical Price, the Theoretical                of, the Exchange and other options                      Interpretation and Policy .08, an Official
                                                  Price tool will utilize historical trade                exchanges.10                                            of the Exchange may determine the
                                                  and quote data to calculate Theoretical                    The Exchange believes that the                       Theoretical Price if the TP Provider has
                                                  Price.                                                  proposed provision to allow an Official                 experienced a systems issue that has
                                                     Because the purpose of the proposal                  to contact the TP Provider if he or she                 rendered its services unavailable to
                                                  is to move away from a subjective                       believes the provided Theoretical Price                 accurately calculate Theoretical Price
                                                  determination by Exchange personnel                     is fundamentally incorrect is necessary,                and such issue cannot be corrected in a
                                                  when the NBBO is unavailable or                         particularly because the Exchange and                   timely manner. The Exchange notes that
                                                  unreliable, the Exchange intends to use                 other options exchanges will be using                   it does not anticipate needing to rely on
                                                  the Theoretical Price provided by the TP                the new process for the first time.                     this provision frequently, if at all, but
                                                  Provider in all such circumstances.                     Although the exchanges have conducted                   believes the provision is necessary
                                                  However, the Exchange believes it is                    thorough diligence with respect to                      nonetheless to best prepare for all
                                                  necessary to retain the ability to contact              Livevol as the selected TP Provider and                 potential circumstances. Further,
                                                  the TP Provider if it believes that the                 would do so with any potential                          consistent with existing text in Rule
                                                  Theoretical Price provided is                           replacement TP Provider, the Exchange                   6.15(e)(4), the Exchange has not
                                                  fundamentally incorrect and to                          is concerned that certain scenarios                     proposed a specific time by which the
                                                  determine the Theoretical Price in the                  could arise where the Theoretical Price                 service must be available in order to be
                                                  limited circumstance of a systems issue                 generated by the TP Provider does not                   considered timely.12 The Exchange
                                                  experienced by the TP Provider, as                      take into account relevant factors and                  expects that it would await the TP
                                                  described below.                                        would result in an unfair result for                    Provider’s services becoming available
                                                     As proposed, to the extent an                        market participants involved in a                       again so long as the Exchange was able
                                                  Official 8 of the Exchange believes that                transaction. The Exchange notes that if                 to obtain information regarding the
                                                  the Theoretical Price provided by the TP                such situations do indeed arise, to the                 issue and the TP Provider had a
                                                  Provider is fundamentally incorrect and                 extent practicable the Exchange will                    reasonable expectation of being able to
                                                  cannot be used consistent with the                      also work with the TP Provider and                      resume normal operations within the
                                                  maintenance of a fair and orderly                       other options exchanges to improve the                  next several hours based on
                                                  market, the Official shall contact the TP               TP Provider’s calculation of Theoretical                communications with the TP Provider.
                                                  Provider to notify the TP Provider of the               Price in future situations. For instance,               More specifically with respect to
                                                  reason the Official believes such                       if the Exchange determines that a                       Livevol, Livevol has business continuity
                                                  Theoretical Price is inaccurate and to                  particular type of corporate action is not              and disaster recovery procedures that
                                                  request a review and correction of the                  being appropriately captured by the TP                  will help to ensure that the Theoretical
                                                  calculated Theoretical Price. For                       Provider when such provider is                          Price tool remains available or, in the
                                                  example, if an Official received from the               generating Theoretical Price, while the                 event of an outage, that service is
                                                  TP Provider a Theoretical Price of $80                  Exchange believes that it needs the                     restored in a timely manner.
                                                  in a series that the Official might expect              ability to request a review and                            The Exchange also notes that if a
                                                  to be instead in the range of $8 to $10                 correction of the Theoretical Price in                  wide-scale event occurred, even if such
                                                  because of a recent corporate action in                 connection with a specific review in                    event did not qualify as a ‘‘Significant
                                                  the underlying, the Official would                      order to provide a timely decision to                   Market Event’’ pursuant to Rule 6.15(e),
                                                  request that the TP Provider review and                 market participants, the Exchange                       and the TP Provider was unavailable or
                                                  confirm its calculation and determine                   would share information regarding the                   otherwise experiencing difficulty, the
                                                  whether it had appropriately accounted                                                                          Exchange believes that it and other
                                                  for the corporate action. In order to                      9 See proposed paragraph (b) to Interpretation and   options exchanges would seek to
                                                  ensure that other options exchanges that                Policy .08.                                             coordinate to the extent possible. In
                                                  may potentially be relying on the same                     10 The Exchange expects any TP Provider selected

                                                  Theoretical Price that, in turn, the                    by the Exchange and other options exchanges to act         11 To the extent the TP Provider has been

                                                  Official believes to be fundamentally                   independently in its determination and calculation      contacted by an Official of the Exchange, reviews
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                                                                                                          of Theoretical Price. With respect to Livevol           the Theoretical Price provided but disagrees that
                                                  incorrect, the Exchange also proposes to                specifically, the Exchange again notes that Livevol     there has been any error, then the Exchange would
                                                                                                          is a subsidiary of CBOE Holdings, Inc., which is        be bound to use the Theoretical Price provided by
                                                  Board Options Exchange (‘‘CBOE’’), and C2 Options       also the ultimate parent company of multiple            the TP Provider.
                                                  Exchange (‘‘C2’’).                                      options exchanges. The Exchange expects Livevol            12 In the context of a Significant Market Event, the
                                                    8 For purposes of the Rule, an Official is an         to calculate Theoretical Price independent of its       Exchange may determine, ‘‘in consultation with
                                                  Officer of the Exchange or such other employee          affiliated exchanges in the same way it will            other options exchanges . . . that timely adjustment
                                                  designee of the Exchange that is trained in the         calculate Theoretical Price independent of non-         is not feasible due to the extraordinary nature of the
                                                  application of Rule 6.15.                               affiliated exchanges.                                   situation.’’ See Rule 6.15(e)(4).



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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 172 / Thursday, September 7, 2017 / Notices                                           42371

                                                  particular, the Exchange and other                       unreliable for purposes of Theoretical                quotations. In turn, the Exchange will
                                                  options exchanges now have a process,                    Price is when there are no quotes or no               verify with such other options
                                                  administered by the Options Clearing                     valid quotes for the affected series. In              exchanges that such quotations were
                                                  Corporation, to invoke a discussion                      addition to when there are no quotes,                 indeed submitted by such party.
                                                  amongst all options exchanges in the                     the Exchange does not consider the                      Below are examples of both the
                                                  event of any widespread or significant                   following to be valid quotes: (i) All                 current rule and the rule as proposed to
                                                  market events. The Exchange believes                     quotes in the applicable option series                be amended.
                                                  that this process could be used in the                   published at a time where the last NBB
                                                                                                                                                                 Example 1—Current Rule, Trading
                                                  event necessary if there were an issue                   is higher than the last NBO in such
                                                                                                                                                                 Permit Holder (‘‘TPH’’) Erroneously
                                                  with the TP Provider.                                    series (a ‘‘crossed market’’); (ii) quotes
                                                                                                                                                                 Quotes on One Exchange
                                                     The Exchange also proposes to adopt                   published by the Exchange that were
                                                  language in paragraph (d) of                             submitted by either party to the                      Assumptions
                                                  Interpretation and Policy .08 to Rule                    transaction in question; and (iii) quotes               For purposes of this example, assume
                                                  6.15 to disclaim the liability of the                    published by another options exchange                 the following:
                                                  Exchange and the TP Provider in                          against which the Exchange has                          • A TPH acting as a Market Maker on
                                                  connection with the proposed Rule, the                   declared self-help. In recognition of                 the Exchange (‘‘Market Maker A’’) is
                                                  TP Provider’s calculation of Theoretical                 today’s market structure where certain                quoting in twenty series of options
                                                  Price, and the Exchange’s use of such                    participants actively provide liquidity               underlying security ABCD on the
                                                  Theoretical Price. Specifically, the                     on multiple exchanges simultaneously,                 Exchange (and only the Exchange).
                                                  proposed rule would state that neither                   the Exchange proposes to add an                         • Market Maker A makes an error in
                                                  the Exchange, the TP Provider, nor any                   additional category of invalid quotes.                calculating the market for options on
                                                  affiliate of the TP Provider (the TP                     Specifically, in order to avoid a                     ABCD, and publishes quotes in all
                                                  Provider and its affiliates are referred to              situation where a market participant has              twenty series to buy options at $1.00
                                                  collectively as the ‘‘TP Provider’’),                    established the market at an erroneous                and to sell options at $1.05.
                                                  makes any warranty, express or implied,                  price on multiple exchanges, the                        • In fact, options on ABCD in these
                                                  as to the results to be obtained by any                  Exchange proposes to consider as                      series are nearly worthless and no other
                                                  person or entity from the use of the TP                  invalid the quotes in a series published              market participant is quoting in such
                                                  Provider pursuant to Interpretation and                  by another options exchange if either                 series.
                                                  Policy .08. The proposed rule would                      party to the transaction in question                    • Therefore, the NBBO in the twenty
                                                  further state that the TP Provider does                  submitted the quotes in the series                    series at issue is $1.00 × $1.05 (with the
                                                  not guarantee the accuracy or                            representing such options exchange’s                  Exchange representing the NBBO based
                                                  completeness of the calculated                           best bid or offer. Thus, similar to being             on Market Maker A’s quotes).
                                                  Theoretical Price and that the TP                        able to ignore for purposes of the Rule                 • Assume TPH A immediately enters
                                                  Provider disclaims all warranties of                     the quotes published by the Exchange if               sell orders and executes against Market
                                                  merchantability or fitness for a                         submitted by either party to the                      Maker A’s quotes at $1.00.
                                                  particular purpose or use with respect to                transaction in question, the Exchange                   • Assume Market Maker A submits to
                                                  such Theoretical Price. Finally, the                     would be able to ignore for purposes of               the Exchange a timely request for review
                                                  proposed Rule would state that neither                   the rule quotations on other options                  of the trades with TPH A as potentially
                                                  the Exchange nor the TP Provider shall                   exchanges by that same market                         erroneous transactions to buy.
                                                  have any liability for any damages,                      participant.
                                                  claims, losses (including any indirect or                   In order to continue to apply the Rule             Result
                                                  consequential losses), expenses, or                      in a timely and organized fashion,                       • Based on the Exchange’s current
                                                  delays, whether direct or indirect,                      however, the Exchange proposes to                     rules, the Exchange would identify
                                                  foreseen or unforeseen, suffered by any                  initially limit the scope of this proposed            Market Maker A as a participant to the
                                                  person arising out of any circumstance                   provision in two ways. First, because                 trades at issue and would consider
                                                  or occurrence relating to the use of such                the process will take considerable                    Market Maker A’s quotations invalid
                                                  Theoretical Price or arising out of any                  coordination with other options                       pursuant to Rule 6.15(b)(2).
                                                  errors or delays in calculating such                     exchanges to confirm that the quotations                 • As there were no other valid quotes
                                                  Theoretical Price. This proposed                         in question on an away options                        to use as a reference price, the Exchange
                                                  language is modeled after existing                       exchange were indeed submitted by a                   would then determine Theoretical Price.
                                                  language in Exchange Rules regarding                     party to a transaction on the Exchange,                  • Assume the Exchange determines a
                                                  ‘‘reporting authorities’’ that calculate                 the Exchange proposes to limit this                   Theoretical Price of $0.05.
                                                  indices.13                                               provision to apply to up to twenty-five                  Æ The execution price of $1.00
                                                     In connection with the proposed                       (25) total options series (i.e., whether              exceeds the $0.25 minimum amount set
                                                  change described above, the Exchange                     such series all relate to the same                    forth in the Exchange’s table to
                                                  proposes to modify Rule 6.15 to state                    underlying security or multiple                       determine whether an obvious error has
                                                  that the Exchange will rely on paragraph                 underlying securities). Second, the                   occurred (i.e., $0.05 + $0.25 = $0.30) so
                                                  (b), and Interpretation and Policy .08                   Exchange proposes to require the party                any execution at or above this price is
                                                  when determining Theoretical Price.                      that believes it established the best bid             an obvious error.
                                                  No Valid Quotes—Market Participant                       or offer on one or more other options                    Æ Accordingly, the executions in all
                                                                                                           exchanges to identify to the Exchange                 series would be adjusted by the
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                                                  Quoting on Multiple Exchanges
                                                                                                           the quotes which were submitted by                    Exchange to executions at $0.20 per
                                                   As described above, one of the times                    such party and published by other                     contract (Theoretical Price of $0.05 plus
                                                  where the NBB or NBO is deemed to be                     options exchanges. In other words, as                 $0.15) to the extent the incoming orders
                                                    13 See, e.g., Rule 6.42, which relates to index
                                                                                                           proposed, the burden will be on the                   submitted by TPH A were non-Customer
                                                  options potentially listed and traded on the
                                                                                                           party seeking that the Exchange                       orders.
                                                  Exchange and disclaims liability for a reporting         disregard their quotations on other                      Æ The executions in all series would
                                                  authority and their affiliates.                          options exchanges to identify such                    be nullified to the extent the incoming


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                                                  42372                     Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 172 / Thursday, September 7, 2017 / Notices

                                                  orders submitted by TPH A were                          Example 3—Proposed Rule, TPH                           would also consider invalid the
                                                  Customer orders.                                        Erroneously Quotes on Multiple                         quotations published on the other
                                                                                                          Exchanges 14                                           exchange.
                                                  Example 2—Current Rule, TPH                                                                                       • As there were no other valid quotes
                                                  Erroneously Quotes on Multiple                          Assumptions
                                                                                                                                                                 to use as a reference price, the Exchange
                                                  Exchanges                                                  For purposes of this example, assume                would then determine Theoretical Price.
                                                  Assumptions                                             the following:                                            • Assume the Exchange determines a
                                                                                                             • A TPH acting as a Market Maker on                 Theoretical Price of $0.05.
                                                     For purposes of this example, assume                 the Exchange (‘‘Market Maker A’’) is                      Æ The execution price of $1.00
                                                  the following:                                          quoting in twenty series of options                    exceeds the $0.25 minimum amount set
                                                     • A TPH acting as a Market Maker on                  underlying security ABCD on the                        forth in the Exchange’s table to
                                                  the Exchange (‘‘Market Maker A’’) is                    Exchange and on a second exchange                      determine whether an obvious error has
                                                  quoting in twenty series of options                     (‘‘Away Exchange’’).15                                 occurred (i.e., $0.05 + $0.25 = $0.30) so
                                                  underlying security ABCD on the                            • Market Maker A makes an error in                  any execution at or above this price is
                                                  Exchange and on a second exchange                       calculating the market for options on                  an obvious error.
                                                  (‘‘Away Exchange’’).                                    ABCD, and publishes quotes on both the                    Æ Accordingly, the executions in all
                                                     • Market Maker A makes an error in                   Exchange and the Away Exchange in all                  series would be adjusted by the
                                                  calculating the market for options on                   twenty series to buy options at $1.00                  Exchange to executions at $0.20 per
                                                  ABCD, and publishes quotes on both the                  and to sell options at $1.05.                          contract (Theoretical Price of $0.05 plus
                                                  Exchange and the Away Exchange in all                      • In fact, options on ABCD in these                 $0.15) to the extent the incoming orders
                                                  twenty series to buy options at $1.00                   series are nearly worthless and no other               submitted by TPH A were non-Customer
                                                  and to sell options at $1.05.                           market participant is quoting in such                  orders.
                                                     • In fact, options on ABCD in these                  series.                                                   Æ The executions in all series would
                                                  series are nearly worthless and no other                   • Therefore, the NBBO in the twenty                 be nullified to the extent the incoming
                                                  market participant is quoting in such                   series at issue is $1.00 × $1.05 (with the             orders submitted by TPH A were
                                                  series.                                                 Exchange and the Away Exchange                         Customer orders.
                                                     • Therefore, the NBBO in the twenty                  representing the NBBO based on Market                     • As the Exchange and all other
                                                  series at issue is $1.00 × $1.05 (with the              Maker A’s quotes).                                     options exchanges would have identical
                                                  Exchange and the Away Exchange                             • Assume TPH A immediately enters                   rules with respect to the process
                                                  representing the NBBO based on Market                   sell orders and executes against Market                described above, as other options
                                                  Maker A’s quotes).                                      Maker A’s quotes at $1.00.                             exchanges intend to adopt the same rule
                                                                                                             • Assume Market Maker A submits to
                                                     • Assume TPH A immediately enters                                                                           if the proposed rule is approved, the
                                                                                                          the Exchange and to the Away Exchange                  transactions on the Away Exchange
                                                  sell orders and executes against Market
                                                                                                          timely requests for review of the trades               would also be nullified or adjusted as
                                                  Maker A’s quotes at $1.00.
                                                                                                          with TPH A as potentially erroneous                    set forth above.
                                                     • Assume Market Maker A submits to                   transactions to buy. At the time of
                                                  the Exchange and to the Away Exchange                                                                             • If this example was instead
                                                                                                          submitting the requests for review to the              modified such that Market Maker A was
                                                  timely requests for review of the trades                Exchange and the Away Exchange,
                                                  with TPH A as potentially erroneous                                                                            quoting in 200 series rather than 20, the
                                                                                                          Market Maker A identifies to the                       Exchange notes that Market Maker A
                                                  transactions to buy.                                    Exchange the quotes on the Away                        could only request that the Exchange
                                                  Result                                                  Exchange as quotes also represented by                 consider as invalid their quotations in
                                                                                                          Market Maker A (and to the Away                        25 of those series on other exchanges.
                                                     • Based on the Exchange’s current                    Exchange, the quotes on the Exchange
                                                  rules, the Exchange would identify                                                                             As noted above, the Exchange has
                                                                                                          as quotes also represented by Market                   proposed to limit the proposed rule to
                                                  Market Maker A as a participant to the                  Maker A).
                                                  trades at issue and would consider                                                                             25 series in order to continue to process
                                                  Market Maker A’s quotations on the                      Result                                                 requests for review in a timely and
                                                  Exchange invalid pursuant to Rule                                                                              organized fashion in order to provide
                                                                                                            • Based on the proposed rules, the
                                                  6.15(b)(2). The Exchange, however,                                                                             certainty to market participants. This is
                                                                                                          Exchange would identify Market Maker
                                                  would view the Away Exchange’s                                                                                 due to the amount of coordination that
                                                                                                          A as a participant to the trades at issue
                                                  quotations as valid, and would thus                                                                            will be necessary in such a scenario to
                                                                                                          and would consider Market Maker A’s
                                                  determine Theoretical Price to be $1.05                                                                        confirm that the quotations in question
                                                                                                          quotations on the Exchange invalid
                                                  (i.e., the NBO in the case of a potentially                                                                    on an away options exchange were
                                                                                                          pursuant to Rule 6.15(b)(2).
                                                  erroneous buy transaction).                               • The Exchange and the Away                          indeed submitted by a party to a
                                                     • The execution price of $1.00 does                  Exchange would also coordinate to                      transaction on the Exchange.
                                                  not exceed the $0.25 minimum amount                     confirm that the quotations identified by              Implementation Date
                                                  set forth in the Exchange’s table to                    Market Maker A on the other exchange                     The Exchange proposes to delay the
                                                  determine whether an obvious error has                  were indeed Market Maker A’s                           operative date of this proposal to a date
                                                  occurred (i.e., $1.05 + $0.25 = $1.30) so               quotations. Once confirmed, each of the                within ninety (90) days after the
                                                  any execution at or above this price is                 Exchange and the Away Exchange                         Commission approved the Bats BZX
                                                  an obvious error.
                                                                                                                                                                 proposal on July 6, 2017. The Exchange
                                                     • The transactions on the Exchange                     14 The Exchange notes that its proposed rule will
                                                                                                                                                                 will announce the operative date in a
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                                                  would not be nullified or adjusted.                     not impact the proposed handling of a request for
                                                                                                          review where a market participant is quoting only      Regulatory Circular made available to its
                                                     • As the Exchange and all other                      on the Exchange, thus, the Exchange has not            Members.
                                                  options exchanges have identical rules                  included a separate example for such a fact-pattern.
                                                  with respect to the process described                     15 The Exchange notes that the proposed rule         2. Statutory Basis
                                                  above, the transactions on the Away                     would operate the same if Market Maker A was
                                                                                                          quoting on more than two exchanges. The Exchange
                                                                                                                                                                    The Exchange believes that its
                                                  Exchange would not be nullified or                      has limited the example to two exchanges for           proposal is consistent with the
                                                  adjusted.                                               simplicity.                                            requirements of the Act and the rules


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 172 / Thursday, September 7, 2017 / Notices                                           42373

                                                  and regulations thereunder that are                     because the wide quote provision of the               or more other options exchanges to
                                                  applicable to a national securities                     harmonized rule only applies if the                   identify to the Exchange the quotes
                                                  exchange, and, in particular, with the                  quote was narrower and then gapped                    which were submitted by that party and
                                                  requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.                but does not apply if the quote had been              published by other options exchanges.
                                                  Specifically, the proposal is consistent                persistently wide). Thus, the Exchange                The Exchange believes these limitations
                                                  with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act because                 believes it will need to request                      are consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the
                                                  it would promote just and equitable                     Theoretical Price from the TP Provider                Act because they will ensure that the
                                                  principles of trade, remove                             only in very rare circumstances and in                Exchange is able to continue to apply
                                                  impediments to, and perfect the                         turn, the Exchange anticipates that the               the Rule in a timely and organized
                                                  mechanism of, a free and open market                    need to contact the TP Provider for                   fashion, thus fostering cooperation and
                                                  and a national market system, and, in                   additional review of the Theoretical                  coordination with persons engaged in
                                                  general, protect investors and the public               Price provided by the TP Provider will                regulating and facilitating transactions
                                                  interest.                                               be even rarer. Similarly, the Exchange                and also removing impediments to and
                                                     As described above, the Exchange and                 believes it is unlikely that an Exchange              perfecting the mechanism of a free and
                                                  other options exchanges are seeking to                  Official will ever be required to                     open market and a national market
                                                  further modify their harmonized rules                   determine Theoretical Price, as such                  system.
                                                  related to the adjustment and                           circumstance would only be in the
                                                  nullification of erroneous options                                                                            B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                          event of a systems issue that has
                                                  transactions. The Exchange believes that                                                                      Statement on Burden on Competition
                                                                                                          rendered the TP Provider’s services
                                                  the proposal to utilize a TP Provider in                unavailable and such issue cannot be                     The Exchange believes the proposal is
                                                  the event the NBBO is unavailable or                    corrected in a timely manner.                         consistent with Section 6(b)(8) of the
                                                  unreliable will provide greater                            The Exchange also believes its                     Act 16 in that it does not impose any
                                                  transparency and clarity with respect to                proposal to adopt language in paragraph               burden on competition that is not
                                                  the adjustment and nullification of                     (d) of Interpretation and Policy .08 to               necessary or appropriate in furtherance
                                                  erroneous options transactions.                         Rule 6.15 to disclaim the liability of the            of the purposes of the Act as explained
                                                  Particularly, the proposed changes seek                 Exchange and the TP Provider in                       below.
                                                  to achieve consistent results for                       connection with the proposed Rule, the                   Importantly, the Exchange does not
                                                  participants across U.S. options                        TP Provider’s calculation of Theoretical              believe that the proposal will impose a
                                                  exchanges while maintaining a fair and                  Price, and the Exchange’s use of such                 burden on intermarket competition but
                                                  orderly market, protecting investors and                Theoretical Price is consistent with the              rather that it will alleviate any burden
                                                  protecting the public interest. Thus, the               Act. As noted above, this proposed                    on competition because it is the result
                                                  Exchange believes that the proposal is                  language is modeled after existing                    of a collaborative effort by all options
                                                  consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the                  language in Exchange Rules regarding                  exchanges to further harmonize and
                                                  Act in that the proposed Rule will foster               ‘‘reporting authorities’’ that calculate              improve the process related to the
                                                  cooperation and coordination with                       indices, and is consistent with Section               adjustment and nullification of
                                                  persons engaged in regulating and                       6(b)(5) of the Act in that the proposed               erroneous options transactions. The
                                                  facilitating transactions.                              Rule will foster cooperation and                      Exchange does not believe that the rules
                                                     The Exchange again reiterates that it                coordination with persons engaged in                  applicable to such process is an area
                                                  has retained the standard of the current                regulating and facilitating transactions.             where options exchanges should
                                                  rule for most reviews of options                           As described above, the Exchange                   compete, but rather, that all options
                                                  transactions pursuant to Rule 6.15,                     proposes a modification to the valid                  exchanges should have consistent rules
                                                  which is to rely on the NBBO to                         quotes provision to also exclude quotes               to the extent possible. Particularly
                                                  determine Theoretical Price if such                     in a series published by another options              where a market participant trades on
                                                  NBBO can reasonably be relied upon.                     exchange if either party to the                       several different exchanges and an
                                                  The proposal to use a TP Provider when                  transaction in question submitted the                 erroneous trade may occur on multiple
                                                  the NBBO is unavailable or unreliable is                orders or quotes in the series                        markets nearly simultaneously, the
                                                  consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the                  representing such options exchange’s                  Exchange believes that a participant
                                                  Act in that the proposed Rule will foster               best bid or offer. The Exchange believes              should have a consistent experience
                                                  cooperation and coordination with                       this proposal is consistent with Section              with respect to the nullification or
                                                  persons engaged in regulating and                       6(b)(5) of the Act because the                        adjustment of transactions. To that end,
                                                  facilitating transactions by further                    application of the rule will foster                   the selection and implementation of a
                                                  reducing the possibility of disparate                   cooperation and coordination with                     TP Provider utilized by all options
                                                  results between options exchanges and                   persons engaged in regulating and                     exchanges will further reduce the
                                                  increasing the objectivity of the                       facilitating transactions by allowing the             possibility that participants with
                                                  application of Rule 6.15. Further, the                  Exchange to coordinate with other                     potentially erroneous transactions that
                                                  Exchange believes that the proposed                     options exchanges to determine whether                span multiple options exchanges are
                                                  Rule is transparent with respect to the                 a market participant that is party to a               handled differently on such exchanges.
                                                  limited circumstances under which the                   potentially erroneous transaction on the              Similarly, the proposed ability to
                                                  Exchange will request a review and                      Exchange established the market in an                 consider quotations invalid on another
                                                  correction of Theoretical Price from the                option on other options exchanges; to                 options exchange if ultimately
                                                  TP Provider, and has sought to limit                    the extent this can be established, the               originating from a party to a potentially
                                                  such circumstances as much as possible.                 Exchange believes such participant’s                  erroneous transaction on the Exchange
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                                                  The Exchange notes that under the                       quotes should be excluded in the same                 represents a proposal intended to
                                                  current Rule, Exchange personnel are                    way such quotes are excluded on the                   further foster cooperation by the options
                                                  required to determine Theoretical Price                 Exchange. The Exchange also believes it               exchanges with respect to market
                                                  in certain circumstances and yet rarely                 is reasonable to limit the scope of this              events. The Exchange understands that
                                                  do so because such circumstances have                   provision to twenty-five (25) series and              all other options exchanges intend to
                                                  already been significantly limited under                to require the party that believes it
                                                  the harmonized rule (for example,                       established the best bid or offer on one                16 15   U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).



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                                                  42374                       Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 172 / Thursday, September 7, 2017 / Notices

                                                  file proposals that are substantially                       • Send an email to rule-comments@                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                  similar to this proposal.                                 sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                COMMISSION
                                                     The Exchange does not believe that                     C2–2017–024 on the subject line.
                                                  the proposed rule change imposes a                                                                               [Investment Company Act Release No.
                                                                                                            Paper Comments
                                                  burden on intramarket competition                                                                                32803; 812–14797]
                                                  because the proposed provisions apply                       • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                  to all market participants equally.                                                                              Northern Lights Fund Trust IV and
                                                                                                            to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                                                                                   Measured Risk Portfolios, Inc.
                                                  C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                         Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                  Statement on Comments on the                              Washington, DC 20549–1090.                             August 31, 2017.
                                                  Proposed Rule Change Received From                        All submissions should refer to File                   AGENCY: Securities and Exchange
                                                  Members, Participants, or Others                          Number SR–C2–2017–024. This file                       Commission.
                                                                                                            number should be included on the                       ACTION: Notice.
                                                    The Exchange neither solicited nor
                                                  received comments on the proposed                         subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                                                                                                                                      Notice of an application under section
                                                  rule change.                                              Commission process and review your                     6(c) of the Investment Company Act of
                                                                                                            comments more efficiently, please use                  1940 (‘‘Act’’) for an exemption from
                                                  III. Date of Effectiveness of the
                                                                                                            only one method. The Commission will                   section 15(a) of the Act and rule 18f–2
                                                  Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
                                                                                                            post all comments on the Commission’s                  under the Act, as well as from certain
                                                  Commission Action
                                                                                                            Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                 disclosure requirements in rule 20a–1
                                                     Because the foregoing proposed rule                    rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                        under the Act, Item 19(a)(3) of Form N–
                                                  change does not: (i) Significantly affect                 submission, all subsequent                             1A, Items 22(c)(1)(ii), 22(c)(1)(iii),
                                                  the protection of investors or the public                 amendments, all written statements                     22(c)(8) and 22(c)(9) of Schedule 14A
                                                  interest; (ii) impose any significant                     with respect to the proposed rule                      under the Securities Exchange Act of
                                                  burden on competition; and (iii) become                   change that are filed with the                         1934, and sections 6–07(2)(a), (b), and
                                                  operative for 30 days from the date on                    Commission, and all written                            (c) of Regulation S–X (‘‘Disclosure
                                                  which it was filed, or such shorter time                  communications relating to the                         Requirements’’). The requested
                                                  as the Commission may designate, it has                   proposed rule change between the                       exemption would permit an investment
                                                  become effective pursuant to Section                      Commission and any person, other than                  adviser to hire and replace certain
                                                  19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 17 and                        those that may be withheld from the                    subadvisers without shareholder
                                                  subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4                         public in accordance with the                          approval and grant relief from the
                                                  thereunder.18                                             provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                    Disclosure Requirements as they relate
                                                     At any time within 60 days of the                      available for Web site viewing and                     to fees paid to the subadvisers.
                                                  filing of the proposed rule change, the                   printing in the Commission’s Public                    APPLICANTS: Northern Lights Fund Trust
                                                  Commission summarily may                                  Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                      IV (the ‘‘Trust’’), a Delaware statutory
                                                  temporarily suspend such rule change if                   Washington, DC 20549 on official                       trust registered under the Act as an
                                                  it appears to the Commission that such                    business days between the hours of                     open-end management investment
                                                  action is: (i) Necessary or appropriate in                                                                       company, and Measured Risk Portfolios,
                                                                                                            10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
                                                  the public interest; (ii) for the protection                                                                     Inc. (the ‘‘Initial Adviser’’), a California
                                                                                                            filing also will be available for
                                                  of investors; or (iii) otherwise in                                                                              corporation registered as an investment
                                                  furtherance of the purposes of the Act.                   inspection and copying at the principal
                                                                                                            office of the Exchange. All comments                   adviser under the Investment Advisers
                                                  If the Commission takes such action, the                                                                         Act of 1940 (collectively with the Trust,
                                                  Commission shall institute proceedings                    received will be posted without change;
                                                                                                                                                                   the ‘‘Applicants’’).
                                                  to determine whether the proposed rule                    the Commission does not edit personal
                                                                                                            identifying information from                           FILING DATES: The application was filed
                                                  should be approved or disapproved.                                                                               on July 7, 2017 and amended on August
                                                                                                            submissions. You should submit only
                                                  IV. Solicitation of Comments                              information that you wish to make                      14, 2017 and August 25, 2017.
                                                                                                            available publicly. All submissions                    HEARING OR NOTIFICATION OF HEARING: An
                                                    Interested persons are invited to
                                                                                                            should refer to File Number SR–C2–                     order granting the application will be
                                                  submit written data, views, and
                                                                                                            2017–024, and should be submitted on                   issued unless the Commission orders a
                                                  arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                                                                            or before September 28, 2017.                          hearing. Interested persons may request
                                                  including whether the proposed rule
                                                                                                                                                                   a hearing by writing to the
                                                  change is consistent with the Act.                          For the Commission, by the Division of               Commission’s Secretary and serving
                                                  Comments may be submitted by any of                       Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated             applicants with a copy of the request,
                                                  the following methods:                                    authority.19                                           personally or by mail. Hearing requests
                                                  Electronic Comments                                       Eduardo A. Aleman,                                     should be received by the Commission
                                                                                                            Assistant Secretary.                                   by 5:30 p.m. on September 25, 2017,
                                                    • Use the Commission’s Internet                                                                                and should be accompanied by proof of
                                                                                                            [FR Doc. 2017–19003 Filed 9–6–17; 8:45 am]
                                                  comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                                                                                service on the applicants, in the form of
                                                  rules/sro.shtml); or                                      BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                                                                                   an affidavit or, for lawyers, a certificate
                                                                                                                                                                   of service. Pursuant to rule 0–5 under
                                                    17 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).                                                                               the Act, hearing requests should state
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES




                                                    18 17  CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
                                                  4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give
                                                                                                                                                                   the nature of the writer’s interest, any
                                                  the Commission written notice of its intent to file                                                              facts bearing upon the desirability of a
                                                  the proposed rule change, along with a brief                                                                     hearing on the matter, the reason for the
                                                  description and text of the proposed rule change,                                                                request, and the issues contested.
                                                  at least five business days prior to the date of filing
                                                  of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time
                                                                                                                                                                   Persons who wish to be notified of a
                                                  as designated by the Commission. The Exchange                                                                    hearing may request notification by
                                                  has satisfied this requirement.                             19 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                         writing to the Commission’s Secretary.


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Document Created: 2017-09-07 02:01:51
Document Modified: 2017-09-07 02:01:51
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 42368 

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