82_FR_43439 82 FR 43262 - Innovator ETFs Trust, et al.

82 FR 43262 - Innovator ETFs Trust, et al.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 177 (September 14, 2017)

Page Range43262-43264
FR Document2017-19537

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 177 (Thursday, September 14, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 177 (Thursday, September 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43262-43264]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19537]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Investment Company Act Release No. 32812; 812-14781]


Innovator ETFs Trust, et al.

September 11, 2017.
AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'').

ACTION: Notice.

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

    Notice of an application for an order under section 6(c) of the 
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the ``Act'') for an exemption from 
sections 2(a)(32),

[[Page 43263]]

5(a)(1), 22(d), and 22(e) of the Act and rule 22c-1 under the Act, 
under sections 6(c) and 17(b) of the Act for an exemption from sections 
17(a)(1) and 17(a)(2) of the Act, and under section 12(d)(1)(J) for an 
exemption from sections 12(d)(1)(A) and 12(d)(1)(B) of the Act. The 
requested order would permit (a) actively-managed series of certain 
open-end management investment companies (``Funds'') to issue shares 
redeemable in large aggregations only (``Creation Units''); (b) 
secondary market transactions in Fund shares to occur at negotiated 
market prices rather than at net asset value (``NAV''); (c) certain 
Funds to pay redemption proceeds, under certain circumstances, more 
than seven days after the tender of shares for redemption; (d) certain 
affiliated persons of a Fund to deposit securities into, and receive 
securities from, the Fund in connection with the purchase and 
redemption of Creation Units; and (e) certain registered management 
investment companies and unit investment trusts outside of the same 
group of investment companies as the Funds (``Funds of Funds'') to 
acquire shares of the Funds.

Applicants: Innovator Capital Management, LLC (``Innovator''), a 
Delaware limited liability company registered as an investment adviser 
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Innovator ETFs Trust 
(formerly, Academy Funds Trust) (the ``Trust''), a Delaware statutory 
trust registered under the Act as an open-end management investment 
company with multiple series, and Quasar Distributors, LLC (the 
``Distributor''), a Delaware limited liability company and broker-
dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange 
Act'').

Filing Dates:  The application was filed on June 7, 2017, and amended 
on September 8, 2017.

Hearing or Notification of Hearing: An order granting the requested 
relief will be issued unless the Commission orders a hearing. 
Interested persons may request a hearing by writing to the Commission's 
Secretary and serving applicants with a copy of the request, personally 
or by mail. Hearing requests should be received by the Commission by 
5:30 p.m. on October 5, 2017, and should be accompanied by proof of 
service on applicants, in the form of an affidavit, or for lawyers, a 
certificate of service. Pursuant to rule 0-5 under the Act, hearing 
requests should state the nature of the writer's interest, any facts 
bearing upon the desirability of a hearing on the matter, the reason 
for the request, and the issues contested. Persons who wish to be 
notified of a hearing may request notification by writing to the 
Commission's Secretary.

ADDRESSES: Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street 
NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090; Applicants: The Trust and Innovator, 
120 N. Hale Street, Suite 200, Wheaton, Illinois 60187; the 
Distributor, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hae-Sung Lee, Attorney-Adviser, at 
(202) 551-7345, or Andrea Ottomanelli Magovern, Acting Branch Chief, at 
(202) 551-6821 (Division of Investment Management, Chief Counsel's 
Office).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following is a summary of the 
application. The complete application may be obtained via the 
Commission's Web site by searching for the file number, or for an 
applicant using the Company name box, at http://www.sec.gov/search/search.htm or by calling (202) 551-8090.

Summary of the Application

    1. Applicants request an order that would allow Funds to operate as 
actively-managed exchange traded funds (``ETFs'').\1\ Fund shares will 
be purchased and redeemed at their NAV in Creation Units only. All 
orders to purchase Creation Units and all redemption requests will be 
placed by or through an ``Authorized Participant,'' which will have 
signed a participant agreement with the Distributor. Shares will be 
listed and traded individually on a national securities exchange, where 
share prices will be based on the current bid/offer market. Any order 
granting the requested relief would be subject to the terms and 
conditions stated in the application.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Applicants request that the order apply to the initial Fund 
and any additional series of the Trust, and any other open-end 
management investment company or series thereof (each, included in 
the term ``Fund''), each of which will operate as an actively-
managed ETF. Any Fund will (a) be advised by Innovator or an entity 
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with Innovator 
(each, an ``Advisor'') and (b) comply with the terms and conditions 
of the application.
    \2\ Prior to May 9, 2017, Innovator Management LLC (``Innovator 
Management'') served as the Trust's investment adviser. (Innovator 
and Innovator Management are not affiliated persons of each other.) 
Innovator Management entered into an agreement with Innovator 
pursuant to which Innovator Management transferred the assets of its 
investment advisory business and related intellectual property to 
Innovator (the ``Transaction''). The closing of the Transaction (the 
``Closing'') occurred on May 9, 2017. The Commission previously 
granted relief to Innovator Management and the Trust that, other 
than the identity of the investment adviser, was identical in all 
material respects to that requested in the application. Innovator 
Management LLC, et al., Investment Company Act Release Nos. 31209 
(Aug. 13, 2014) (notice) and 31248 (Sep. 9, 2014) (order) 
(``Existing Order''). On May 5, 2017, the Commission staff provided 
oral no-action relief to Innovator, the Trust, and the Distributor 
to rely on the Existing Order until the earlier of the receipt of 
any order granted by the Commission on the application or 150 days 
from the date of the Closing.
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    2. Each Fund will consist of a portfolio of securities and other 
assets and investment positions (``Portfolio Instruments''). Each Fund 
will disclose on its Web site the identities and quantities of the 
Portfolio Instruments that will form the basis for the Fund's 
calculation of NAV at the end of the day.
    3. Shares will be purchased and redeemed in Creation Units and 
generally on an in-kind basis. Except where the purchase or redemption 
will include cash under the limited circumstances specified in the 
application, purchasers will be required to purchase Creation Units by 
depositing specified instruments (``Deposit Instruments''), and 
shareholders redeeming their shares will receive specified instruments 
(``Redemption Instruments''). The Deposit Instruments and the 
Redemption Instruments will each correspond pro rata to the positions 
in the Fund's portfolio (including cash positions) except as specified 
in the application.
    4. Because shares will not be individually redeemable, applicants 
request an exemption from section 5(a)(1) and section 2(a)(32) of the 
Act that would permit the Funds to register as open-end management 
investment companies and issue shares that are redeemable in Creation 
Units only.
    5. Applicants also request an exemption from section 22(d) of the 
Act and rule 22c-1 under the Act as secondary market trading in shares 
will take place at negotiated prices, not at a current offering price 
described in a Fund's prospectus, and not at a price based on NAV. 
Applicants state that (a) secondary market trading in shares does not 
involve a Fund as a party and will not result in dilution of an 
investment in shares, and (b) to the extent different prices exist 
during a given trading day, or from day to day, such variances occur as 
a result of third-party market forces, such as supply and demand. 
Therefore, applicants assert that secondary market transactions in 
shares will not lead to discrimination or preferential treatment among 
purchasers. Finally, applicants represent that share market prices will 
be disciplined by arbitrage opportunities, which should prevent

[[Page 43264]]

shares from trading at a material discount or premium from NAV.
    6. With respect to Funds that hold non-U.S. Portfolio Instruments 
and that effect creations and redemptions of Creation Units in kind, 
applicants request relief from the requirement imposed by section 22(e) 
in order to allow such Funds to pay redemption proceeds within fourteen 
calendar days following the tender of Creation Units for redemption. 
Applicants assert that the requested relief would not be inconsistent 
with the spirit and intent of section 22(e) to prevent unreasonable, 
undisclosed or unforeseen delays in the actual payment of redemption 
proceeds.
    7. Applicants request an exemption to permit Funds of Funds to 
acquire Fund shares beyond the limits of section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 
Act; and the Funds, and any principal underwriter for the Funds, and/or 
any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act, to sell shares 
to Funds of Funds beyond the limits of section 12(d)(1)(B) of the Act. 
The application's terms and conditions are designed to, among other 
things, help prevent any potential (i) undue influence over a Fund 
through control or voting power, or in connection with certain 
services, transactions, and underwritings, (ii) excessive layering of 
fees, and (iii) overly complex fund structures, which are the concerns 
underlying the limits in sections 12(d)(1)(A) and (B) of the Act.
    8. Applicants request an exemption from sections 17(a)(1) and 
17(a)(2) of the Act to permit persons that are affiliated persons, or 
second-tier affiliates, of the Funds, solely by virtue of certain 
ownership interests, to effectuate purchases and redemptions in-kind. 
The deposit procedures for in-kind purchases of Creation Units and the 
redemption procedures for in-kind redemptions of Creation Units will be 
the same for all purchases and redemptions and Deposit Instruments and 
Redemption Instruments will be valued in the same manner as those 
Portfolio Instruments currently held by the Funds. Applicants also seek 
relief from the prohibitions on affiliated transactions in section 
17(a) to permit a Fund to sell its shares to and redeem its shares from 
a Fund of Funds, and to engage in the accompanying in-kind transactions 
with the Fund of Funds.\3\ The purchase of Creation Units by a Fund of 
Funds directly from a Fund will be accomplished in accordance with the 
policies of the Fund of Funds and will be based on the NAVs of the 
Funds.
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    \3\ The requested relief would apply to direct sales of shares 
in Creation Units by a Fund to a Fund of Funds and redemptions of 
those shares. Applicants, moreover, are not seeking relief from 
section 17(a) for, and the requested relief will not apply to, 
transactions where a Fund could be deemed an affiliated person, or a 
second-tier affiliate, of a Fund of Funds because an Advisor or an 
entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with an 
Advisor provides investment advisory services to that Fund of Funds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    9. Section 6(c) of the Act permits the Commission to exempt any 
persons or transactions from any provision of the Act if such exemption 
is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with 
the protection of investors and the purposes fairly intended by the 
policy and provisions of the Act. Section 12(d)(1)(J) of the Act 
provides that the Commission may exempt any person, security, or 
transaction, or any class or classes of persons, securities, or 
transactions, from any provision of section 12(d)(1) if the exemption 
is consistent with the public interest and the protection of investors. 
Section 17(b) of the Act authorizes the Commission to grant an order 
permitting a transaction otherwise prohibited by section 17(a) if it 
finds that (a) the terms of the proposed transaction are fair and 
reasonable and do not involve overreaching on the part of any person 
concerned; (b) the proposed transaction is consistent with the policies 
of each registered investment company involved; and (c) the proposed 
transaction is consistent with the general purposes of the Act.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, 
under delegated authority.
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-19537 Filed 9-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                    43262                         Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 177 / Thursday, September 14, 2017 / Notices

                                                    Laws in the manner set forth in Section                     the proposed non-substantive changes                      and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street
                                                    1. Furthermore, the Exchange has                            to the By-Laws will apply to all market                   NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                    always intended to allow amendments                         participants in a uniform manner once                     All submissions should refer to File
                                                    to the By-Laws by either the Company                        implemented.                                              Number SR–ISE–2017–80. This file
                                                    Member or the Board, as evidenced by                                                                                  number should be included on the
                                                                                                                C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    the discussions of this provision in both                                                                             subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                                                                                Statement on Comments on the
                                                    the Governance Approval Order and                                                                                     Commission process and review your
                                                                                                                Proposed Rule Change Received From
                                                    Notice of Filing.7 The existing language                                                                              comments more efficiently, please use
                                                                                                                Members, Participants, or Others
                                                    in Section 1 itself, however, provides                                                                                only one method. The Commission will
                                                    that the By-Laws may be amended by                            No written comments were either                         post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                    the Company Member and by the                               solicited or received.                                    Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                    majority of the Exchange’s Board of                         III. Date of Effectiveness of the                         rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                    Directors, so the Exchange is now                           Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                       submission, all subsequent
                                                    seeking to make the non-substantive                         Commission Action                                         amendments, all written statements
                                                    change from ‘‘and’’ to ‘‘or’’ in Section 1                                                                            with respect to the proposed rule
                                                    to reflect the rule’s original intent.                         Because the foregoing proposed rule
                                                                                                                change does not: (i) Significantly affect                 change that are filed with the
                                                    2. Statutory Basis                                          the protection of investors or the public                 Commission, and all written
                                                                                                                interest; (ii) impose any significant                     communications relating to the
                                                       The Exchange believes that its
                                                                                                                burden on competition; and (iii) become                   proposed rule change between the
                                                    proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)
                                                                                                                operative for 30 days from the date on                    Commission and any person, other than
                                                    of the Act,8 in general, and furthers the
                                                                                                                which it was filed, or such shorter time                  those that may be withheld from the
                                                    objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,9
                                                                                                                as the Commission may designate, it has                   public in accordance with the
                                                    in particular, in that it is designed to
                                                                                                                become effective pursuant to Section                      provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                    promote just and equitable principles of
                                                                                                                19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 10 and                        available for Web site viewing and
                                                    trade, to remove impediments to and
                                                                                                                subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4                         printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                    perfect the mechanism of a free and
                                                                                                                thereunder.11                                             Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                    open market and a national market
                                                                                                                   At any time within 60 days of the                      Washington, DC 20549 on official
                                                    system, and, in general to protect
                                                                                                                filing of the proposed rule change, the                   business days between the hours of
                                                    investors and the public interest, by
                                                                                                                Commission summarily may                                  10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
                                                    permitting the Exchange to align the
                                                                                                                temporarily suspend such rule change if                   filing also will be available for
                                                    implementation date of its Governance
                                                                                                                it appears to the Commission that such                    inspection and copying at the principal
                                                    Proposal with its affiliates Nasdaq
                                                                                                                action is: (i) Necessary or appropriate in                office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                    GEMX, LLC and Nasdaq MRX, LLC, and
                                                                                                                the public interest; (ii) for the protection              received will be posted without change;
                                                    to make non-substantive corrections to
                                                                                                                of investors; or (iii) otherwise in                       the Commission does not edit personal
                                                    the proposed By-Laws. The Exchange’s
                                                                                                                furtherance of the purposes of the Act.                   identifying information from
                                                    proposal does not significantly affect the
                                                                                                                If the Commission takes such action, the                  submissions. You should submit only
                                                    protection of investors or the public
                                                                                                                Commission shall institute proceedings                    information that you wish to make
                                                    interest because this proposal does not
                                                                                                                to determine whether the proposed rule                    available publicly. All submissions
                                                    make any substantive changes to the
                                                                                                                should be approved or disapproved.                        should refer to File Number SR–ISE–
                                                    Governance Proposal itself; the only
                                                                                                                                                                          2017–80, and should be submitted on or
                                                    changes are to extend the                                   IV. Solicitation of Comments                              before October 5, 2017.
                                                    implementation date and to make non-
                                                    substantive corrections to the proposed                       Interested persons are invited to                         For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                    By-Laws, as discussed above. As noted                       submit written data, views, and                           Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                    above, the Exchange will provide                            arguments concerning the foregoing,                       authority.12
                                                    advance notice to members with respect                      including whether the proposed rule                       Eduardo A. Aleman,
                                                    to the specific implementation date                         change is consistent with the Act.                        Assistant Secretary.
                                                    through a Regulatory Alert. In addition,                    Comments may be submitted by any of                       [FR Doc. 2017–19477 Filed 9–13–17; 8:45 am]
                                                    the Exchange believes that the non-                         the following methods:
                                                                                                                                                                          BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                    substantive amendments to the By-Laws                       Electronic Comments
                                                    proposed herein will alleviate potential                      • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                    confusion as to the applicability of the                                                                              SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                                                                                comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                    Exchange’s rules, which will protect                                                                                  COMMISSION
                                                                                                                rules/sro.shtml); or
                                                    investors and the public interest.                            • Send an email to rule-comments@                       [Investment Company Act Release No.
                                                    B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                           sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                   32812; 812–14781]
                                                    Statement on Burden on Competition                          ISE–2017–80 on the subject line.
                                                                                                                                                                          Innovator ETFs Trust, et al.
                                                      The Exchange does not believe that                        Paper Comments
                                                    the proposed rule change will impose                                                                                  September 11, 2017.
                                                                                                                  • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                    any burden on competition not                               to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities                 AGENCY: Securities and Exchange
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                    necessary or appropriate in furtherance                                                                               Commission (‘‘Commission’’).
                                                    of the purposes of the Act. The                               10 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).                        ACTION: Notice.
                                                    Exchange’s proposal does not impose                           11 17  CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
                                                    any significant burden on competition                       4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give     Notice of an application for an order
                                                    because the Governance Proposal and                         the Commission written notice of its intent to file       under section 6(c) of the Investment
                                                                                                                the proposed rule change at least five business days      Company Act of 1940 (the ‘‘Act’’) for an
                                                                                                                prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule
                                                      7 Id.
                                                                                                                change, or such shorter time as designated by the         exemption from sections 2(a)(32),
                                                      8 15    U.S.C. 78f(b).                                    Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this
                                                      9 15    U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                                 requirement.                                                12 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).



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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 177 / Thursday, September 14, 2017 / Notices                                                        43263

                                                    5(a)(1), 22(d), and 22(e) of the Act and                Persons who wish to be notified of a                       2. Each Fund will consist of a
                                                    rule 22c–1 under the Act, under                         hearing may request notification by                     portfolio of securities and other assets
                                                    sections 6(c) and 17(b) of the Act for an               writing to the Commission’s Secretary.                  and investment positions (‘‘Portfolio
                                                    exemption from sections 17(a)(1) and                    ADDRESSES: Secretary, Securities and                    Instruments’’). Each Fund will disclose
                                                    17(a)(2) of the Act, and under section                  Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                  on its Web site the identities and
                                                    12(d)(1)(J) for an exemption from                       Washington, DC 20549–1090;                              quantities of the Portfolio Instruments
                                                    sections 12(d)(1)(A) and 12(d)(1)(B) of                 Applicants: The Trust and Innovator,                    that will form the basis for the Fund’s
                                                    the Act. The requested order would                      120 N. Hale Street, Suite 200, Wheaton,                 calculation of NAV at the end of the
                                                    permit (a) actively-managed series of                   Illinois 60187; the Distributor, 615 East               day.
                                                    certain open-end management                             Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin                      3. Shares will be purchased and
                                                    investment companies (‘‘Funds’’) to                     53202.                                                  redeemed in Creation Units and
                                                    issue shares redeemable in large                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hae-                   generally on an in-kind basis. Except
                                                    aggregations only (‘‘Creation Units’’); (b)             Sung Lee, Attorney-Adviser, at (202)                    where the purchase or redemption will
                                                    secondary market transactions in Fund                   551–7345, or Andrea Ottomanelli                         include cash under the limited
                                                    shares to occur at negotiated market                    Magovern, Acting Branch Chief, at (202)                 circumstances specified in the
                                                    prices rather than at net asset value                   551–6821 (Division of Investment                        application, purchasers will be required
                                                    (‘‘NAV’’); (c) certain Funds to pay                     Management, Chief Counsel’s Office).                    to purchase Creation Units by
                                                    redemption proceeds, under certain                                                                              depositing specified instruments
                                                                                                            SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                                    circumstances, more than seven days                                                                             (‘‘Deposit Instruments’’), and
                                                                                                            following is a summary of the
                                                    after the tender of shares for                                                                                  shareholders redeeming their shares
                                                                                                            application. The complete application
                                                    redemption; (d) certain affiliated                                                                              will receive specified instruments
                                                                                                            may be obtained via the Commission’s
                                                    persons of a Fund to deposit securities                                                                         (‘‘Redemption Instruments’’). The
                                                                                                            Web site by searching for the file
                                                    into, and receive securities from, the                                                                          Deposit Instruments and the
                                                                                                            number, or for an applicant using the
                                                    Fund in connection with the purchase                                                                            Redemption Instruments will each
                                                                                                            Company name box, at http://
                                                    and redemption of Creation Units; and                                                                           correspond pro rata to the positions in
                                                                                                            www.sec.gov/search/search.htm or by
                                                    (e) certain registered management                                                                               the Fund’s portfolio (including cash
                                                                                                            calling (202) 551–8090.
                                                    investment companies and unit                                                                                   positions) except as specified in the
                                                    investment trusts outside of the same                   Summary of the Application                              application.
                                                    group of investment companies as the                      1. Applicants request an order that
                                                    Funds (‘‘Funds of Funds’’) to acquire                                                                              4. Because shares will not be
                                                                                                            would allow Funds to operate as                         individually redeemable, applicants
                                                    shares of the Funds.                                    actively-managed exchange traded                        request an exemption from section
                                                    APPLICANTS: Innovator Capital                           funds (‘‘ETFs’’).1 Fund shares will be                  5(a)(1) and section 2(a)(32) of the Act
                                                    Management, LLC (‘‘Innovator’’), a                      purchased and redeemed at their NAV                     that would permit the Funds to register
                                                    Delaware limited liability company                      in Creation Units only. All orders to                   as open-end management investment
                                                    registered as an investment adviser                     purchase Creation Units and all                         companies and issue shares that are
                                                    under the Investment Advisers Act of                    redemption requests will be placed by                   redeemable in Creation Units only.
                                                    1940, Innovator ETFs Trust (formerly,                   or through an ‘‘Authorized Participant,’’
                                                    Academy Funds Trust) (the ‘‘Trust’’), a                                                                            5. Applicants also request an
                                                                                                            which will have signed a participant
                                                    Delaware statutory trust registered                                                                             exemption from section 22(d) of the Act
                                                                                                            agreement with the Distributor. Shares
                                                    under the Act as an open-end                                                                                    and rule 22c–1 under the Act as
                                                                                                            will be listed and traded individually on
                                                    management investment company with                                                                              secondary market trading in shares will
                                                                                                            a national securities exchange, where
                                                    multiple series, and Quasar Distributors,                                                                       take place at negotiated prices, not at a
                                                                                                            share prices will be based on the current
                                                    LLC (the ‘‘Distributor’’), a Delaware                                                                           current offering price described in a
                                                                                                            bid/offer market. Any order granting the
                                                    limited liability company and broker-                                                                           Fund’s prospectus, and not at a price
                                                                                                            requested relief would be subject to the
                                                    dealer registered under the Securities                                                                          based on NAV. Applicants state that (a)
                                                                                                            terms and conditions stated in the
                                                    Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Exchange Act’’).                                                                        secondary market trading in shares does
                                                                                                            application.2
                                                    FILING DATES: The application was filed
                                                                                                                                                                    not involve a Fund as a party and will
                                                    on June 7, 2017, and amended on                            1 Applicants request that the order apply to the     not result in dilution of an investment
                                                    September 8, 2017.                                      initial Fund and any additional series of the Trust,    in shares, and (b) to the extent different
                                                                                                            and any other open-end management investment            prices exist during a given trading day,
                                                    HEARING OR NOTIFICATION OF HEARING: An                  company or series thereof (each, included in the        or from day to day, such variances occur
                                                    order granting the requested relief will                term ‘‘Fund’’), each of which will operate as an
                                                                                                                                                                    as a result of third-party market forces,
                                                    be issued unless the Commission orders                  actively-managed ETF. Any Fund will (a) be
                                                                                                            advised by Innovator or an entity controlling,          such as supply and demand. Therefore,
                                                    a hearing. Interested persons may
                                                                                                            controlled by, or under common control with             applicants assert that secondary market
                                                    request a hearing by writing to the                     Innovator (each, an ‘‘Advisor’’) and (b) comply with    transactions in shares will not lead to
                                                    Commission’s Secretary and serving                      the terms and conditions of the application.
                                                                                                                                                                    discrimination or preferential treatment
                                                    applicants with a copy of the request,                     2 Prior to May 9, 2017, Innovator Management

                                                                                                            LLC (‘‘Innovator Management’’) served as the            among purchasers. Finally, applicants
                                                    personally or by mail. Hearing requests
                                                                                                            Trust’s investment adviser. (Innovator and              represent that share market prices will
                                                    should be received by the Commission                    Innovator Management are not affiliated persons of      be disciplined by arbitrage
                                                    by 5:30 p.m. on October 5, 2017, and                    each other.) Innovator Management entered into an       opportunities, which should prevent
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                    should be accompanied by proof of                       agreement with Innovator pursuant to which
                                                    service on applicants, in the form of an                Innovator Management transferred the assets of its
                                                                                                            investment advisory business and related                Investment Company Act Release Nos. 31209 (Aug.
                                                    affidavit, or for lawyers, a certificate of             intellectual property to Innovator (the                 13, 2014) (notice) and 31248 (Sep. 9, 2014) (order)
                                                    service. Pursuant to rule 0–5 under the                 ‘‘Transaction’’). The closing of the Transaction (the   (‘‘Existing Order’’). On May 5, 2017, the
                                                    Act, hearing requests should state the                  ‘‘Closing’’) occurred on May 9, 2017. The               Commission staff provided oral no-action relief to
                                                    nature of the writer’s interest, any facts              Commission previously granted relief to Innovator       Innovator, the Trust, and the Distributor to rely on
                                                                                                            Management and the Trust that, other than the           the Existing Order until the earlier of the receipt of
                                                    bearing upon the desirability of a                      identity of the investment adviser, was identical in    any order granted by the Commission on the
                                                    hearing on the matter, the reason for the               all material respects to that requested in the          application or 150 days from the date of the
                                                    request, and the issues contested.                      application. Innovator Management LLC, et al.,          Closing.



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                                                    43264                       Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 177 / Thursday, September 14, 2017 / Notices

                                                    shares from trading at a material                          The purchase of Creation Units by a                  to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities
                                                    discount or premium from NAV.                              Fund of Funds directly from a Fund will              Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule
                                                       6. With respect to Funds that hold                      be accomplished in accordance with the               19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule
                                                    non-U.S. Portfolio Instruments and that                    policies of the Fund of Funds and will               change to amend Exchange Rules 4702
                                                    effect creations and redemptions of                        be based on the NAVs of the Funds.                   and 4754 relating to the Nasdaq Closing
                                                    Creation Units in kind, applicants                            9. Section 6(c) of the Act permits the            Cross and to make other related
                                                    request relief from the requirement                        Commission to exempt any persons or                  changes. The proposed rule change was
                                                    imposed by section 22(e) in order to                       transactions from any provision of the               published for comment in the Federal
                                                    allow such Funds to pay redemption                         Act if such exemption is necessary or                Register on July 27, 2017.3 On August
                                                    proceeds within fourteen calendar days                     appropriate in the public interest and               22, 2017, the Exchange filed
                                                    following the tender of Creation Units                     consistent with the protection of                    Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule
                                                    for redemption. Applicants assert that                     investors and the purposes fairly                    change.4 The Commission received no
                                                    the requested relief would not be                          intended by the policy and provisions of             comment letters on the proposed rule
                                                    inconsistent with the spirit and intent of                 the Act. Section 12(d)(1)(J) of the Act              change. The Commission is publishing
                                                    section 22(e) to prevent unreasonable,                     provides that the Commission may                     this notice to solicit comments on
                                                    undisclosed or unforeseen delays in the                    exempt any person, security, or                      Amendment No. 1 from interested
                                                    actual payment of redemption proceeds.                     transaction, or any class or classes of              persons, and is approving the proposed
                                                       7. Applicants request an exemption to                   persons, securities, or transactions, from           rule change, as modified by Amendment
                                                    permit Funds of Funds to acquire Fund                      any provision of section 12(d)(1) if the             No. 1, on an accelerated basis.
                                                    shares beyond the limits of section                        exemption is consistent with the public
                                                    12(d)(1)(A) of the Act; and the Funds,                     interest and the protection of investors.            II. Description of the Proposed Rule
                                                    and any principal underwriter for the                      Section 17(b) of the Act authorizes the              Change, as Modified by Amendment
                                                    Funds, and/or any broker or dealer                         Commission to grant an order                         No. 1 5
                                                    registered under the Exchange Act, to                      permitting a transaction otherwise                     As described in more detail below,
                                                    sell shares to Funds of Funds beyond                       prohibited by section 17(a) if it finds              the Exchange proposes to enhance the
                                                    the limits of section 12(d)(1)(B) of the                   that (a) the terms of the proposed                   operation of the Nasdaq Closing Cross
                                                    Act. The application’s terms and                           transaction are fair and reasonable and              by extending the time period during
                                                    conditions are designed to, among other                    do not involve overreaching on the part              which members may submit LOC
                                                    things, help prevent any potential (i)                     of any person concerned; (b) the                     Orders,6 and to make other changes
                                                    undue influence over a Fund through                        proposed transaction is consistent with              relating to the Nasdaq Closing Cross and
                                                    control or voting power, or in                             the policies of each registered                      the Nasdaq Opening Cross.
                                                    connection with certain services,                          investment company involved; and (c)
                                                    transactions, and underwritings, (ii)                      the proposed transaction is consistent               A. Acceptance of LOC Orders and
                                                    excessive layering of fees, and (iii)                      with the general purposes of the Act.                Related Changes
                                                    overly complex fund structures, which                        For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                    are the concerns underlying the limits                                                                            Currently, Exchange Rule
                                                                                                               Investment Management, under delegated
                                                    in sections 12(d)(1)(A) and (B) of the                                                                          4702(b)(12)(A) provides that LOC
                                                                                                               authority.
                                                    Act.                                                                                                            Orders may be entered between 4:00
                                                                                                               Eduardo A. Aleman,
                                                       8. Applicants request an exemption                                                                           a.m. ET and immediately prior to 3:50
                                                                                                               Assistant Secretary.                                 p.m. ET. The Exchange proposes to
                                                    from sections 17(a)(1) and 17(a)(2) of the
                                                                                                               [FR Doc. 2017–19537 Filed 9–13–17; 8:45 am]          amend this rule to permit LOC orders to
                                                    Act to permit persons that are affiliated
                                                    persons, or second-tier affiliates, of the                 BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                               be entered between 3:50 p.m. ET and
                                                    Funds, solely by virtue of certain                                                                              immediately prior to 3:55 p.m. ET,
                                                    ownership interests, to effectuate                                                                              provided that there is a First Reference
                                                                                                               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                              Price.7 The Exchange proposes to define
                                                    purchases and redemptions in-kind. The                     COMMISSION
                                                    deposit procedures for in-kind                                                                                  the First Reference Price to mean the
                                                    purchases of Creation Units and the                        [Release No. 34–81556; File No. SR–
                                                    redemption procedures for in-kind                          NASDAQ–2017–061]                                       1 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                                                                                                                                      2 17  CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                    redemptions of Creation Units will be
                                                    the same for all purchases and                             Self-Regulatory Organizations; The                      3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81188


                                                    redemptions and Deposit Instruments                        NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of                   (July 21, 2017), 82 FR 35014 (‘‘Notice’’).
                                                                                                                                                                       4 In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange proposes to
                                                    and Redemption Instruments will be                         Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order
                                                                                                                                                                    remove a reference to Retail Order from Exchange
                                                    valued in the same manner as those                         Granting Accelerated Approval of a                   Rule 4702(b)(12)(B) and to remove a reference to
                                                    Portfolio Instruments currently held by                    Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by                 Retail Orders and RPI Orders from Exchange Rule
                                                    the Funds. Applicants also seek relief                     Amendment No. 1, To Amend Rules                      4703(l), as these two order types are no longer
                                                                                                               4702 and 4754 Relating to the Nasdaq                 available on the Exchange. The Exchange also
                                                    from the prohibitions on affiliated                                                                             provides an example to illustrate its assertion that
                                                    transactions in section 17(a) to permit a                  Closing Cross and To Make Other                      permitting members to submit Limit On Close
                                                    Fund to sell its shares to and redeem its                  Related Changes                                      (‘‘LOC’’) Orders until immediately prior to 3:55
                                                                                                                                                                    p.m. would facilitate price discovery in the Nasdaq
                                                    shares from a Fund of Funds, and to                        September 8, 2017.                                   Closing Cross. Amendment No. 1 is available at
                                                    engage in the accompanying in-kind                                                                              https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nasdaq-2017-
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                    transactions with the Fund of Funds.3                      I. Introduction                                      061/nasdaq2017061.htm.
                                                                                                                  On July 13, 2017, The NASDAQ Stock                   5 For a more detailed description of the proposal,

                                                       3 The requested relief would apply to direct sales
                                                                                                               Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’)              see Notice, supra note 3 and Amendment No. 1,
                                                    of shares in Creation Units by a Fund to a Fund of                                                              supra note 4.
                                                                                                               filed with the Securities and Exchange                  6 See Exchange Rule 4702(b)(12) (defining LOC
                                                    Funds and redemptions of those shares. Applicants,
                                                    moreover, are not seeking relief from section 17(a)        Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant                Order).
                                                    for, and the requested relief will not apply to,                                                                   7 The Exchange proposes a related change to

                                                    transactions where a Fund could be deemed an               controlling, controlled by or under common control   Exchange Rule 4702(b)(12)(B) to provide that LOC
                                                    affiliated person, or a second-tier affiliate, of a Fund   with an Advisor provides investment advisory         Orders and Closing Cross/Extended Hours Orders
                                                    of Funds because an Advisor or an entity                   services to that Fund of Funds.                      entered at or after 3:55 p.m. ET would be rejected.



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Document Created: 2017-09-13 23:49:18
Document Modified: 2017-09-13 23:49:18
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
ActionNotice.
DatesThe application was filed on June 7, 2017, and amended on September 8, 2017.
ContactHae-Sung Lee, Attorney-Adviser, at (202) 551-7345, or Andrea Ottomanelli Magovern, Acting Branch Chief, at (202) 551-6821 (Division of Investment Management, Chief Counsel's Office).
FR Citation82 FR 43262 

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