82_FR_47063 82 FR 46870 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To List and Trade Pursuant to NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(3) Twelve Series of Investment Company Units

82 FR 46870 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To List and Trade Pursuant to NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(3) Twelve Series of Investment Company Units

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 193 (October 6, 2017)

Page Range46870-46877
FR Document2017-21537

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 193 (Friday, October 6, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 193 (Friday, October 6, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46870-46877]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21537]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-81794; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2017-56]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Instituting 
Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed 
Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To List and Trade Pursuant 
to NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(3) Twelve Series of Investment Company Units

DATE: October 2, 2017.

I. Introduction

    On June 19, 2017, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``Exchange'' or ``NYSE Arca'') 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission''), 
pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule change to 
list and trade certain series of Investment Company Units listed 
pursuant to NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(3). The proposed rule change was 
published for comment in the Federal Register on July 7, 2017.\3\ On 
August 7, 2017, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule 
change, which amended and superseded the

[[Page 46871]]

proposed rule change as originally filed.\4\ On August 15, 2017, 
pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,\5\ the Commission designated a 
longer period within which to approve the proposed rule change, 
disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to 
determine whether to disapprove the proposed rule change.\6\ The 
Commission has received no comment letters on the proposed rule change. 
This order institutes proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act 
\7\ to determine whether to approve or disapprove the proposed rule 
change, as modified by Amendment No. 1.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81062 (June 30, 
2017), 82 FR 31651.
    \4\ In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange: (1) Described the 
investment objective of each fund; (2) described investment 
eligibility criteria and restrictions for each fund; (3) clarified 
that the Web site for each fund will contain its prospectus and 
additional data; (4) clarified that the Exchange has obtained a 
representation from each fund issuer that the applicable net asset 
value for each fund will be calculated daily and made available to 
all market participants at the same time; (5) clarified that none of 
the indexes underlying the funds are maintained by a broker-dealer; 
and (6) made technical changes. Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule 
change is available at: https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysearca-2017-56/nysearca201756.htm.
    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81400, 82 FR 39643 
(August 21, 2017). The Commission designated October 5, 2017, as the 
date by which the Commission shall either approve or disapprove, or 
institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove, the 
proposed rule change.
    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
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II. Exchange's Description of the Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by 
Amendment No. 1

    The Exchange proposes to list and trade pursuant to NYSE Arca Rule 
5.2-E(j)(3) shares (``Shares'') of the following series of Investment 
Company Units: (1) iShares National Muni Bond ETF; (2) iShares Short-
Term National Muni Bond ETF; (3) VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Intermediate 
Municipal Index ETF; (4) VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Long Municipal Index 
ETF; (5) VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Short Municipal Index ETF; (6) VanEck 
Vectors High-Yield Municipal Index ETF; (7) VanEck Vectors Pre-Refunded 
Municipal Index ETF; (8) PowerShares VRDO Tax-Free Weekly Portfolio; 
(9) SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays Short Term Municipal Bond ETF; (10) 
SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond ETF (collectively, the 
``Multistate Municipal Bond Funds''); (11) iShares California Muni Bond 
ETF; and (12) iShares New York Muni Bond ETF (collectively, the 
``Single-State Municipal Bond Funds'' and, together with the Multistate 
Municipal Bond Funds, the ``Municipal Bond Funds'').\8\ The Single-
State Municipal Bond Funds overlie an index comprised of the fixed 
income municipal bond securities of one State; the Multistate Municipal 
Bond Funds overlie an index comprised of the fixed income municipal 
bond securities of more than one State.
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    \8\ The Commission notes that, although the Shares do not meet 
the standards set forth in Commentary .02 to Rule 5.2-E(j)(3), the 
Exchange nevertheless listed the Shares prior to 2010.
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    Commentary .02 to Rule 5.2(j)(3) sets forth the generic listing 
requirements for an index of fixed income securities underlying a 
series of Investment Company Units. One of the enumerated listing 
requirements is that component fixed income securities that, in the 
aggregate, account for at least 75% of the weight of the index each 
shall have a minimum principal amount outstanding of $100 million or 
more.\9\ The Exchange states that none of the indexes underlying the 
Municipal Bond Funds satisfy this criterion but represents that each of 
the underlying indexes meet all of the other requirements of such rule.
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    \9\ See Commentary .02(a)(2) to NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(3).
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A. The Exchange's Description of the Municipal Bond Funds and Their 
Underlying Indexes \10\
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    \10\ Additional information regarding the Funds and their 
underlying indexes can be found in Amendment No. 1. See supra note 
4.
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1. iShares National Muni Bond ETF
    The iShares National Muni Bond ETF seeks to track the investment 
results of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, which 
measures the performance of the investment grade segment of the U.S. 
municipal bond market. The S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index 
primarily includes municipal bonds from issuers that are state or local 
governments or agencies such that the interest on each such bond is 
exempt from U.S. federal income taxes and the federal alternative 
minimum tax. Each bond in the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond 
Index must have a rating of at least BBB- by S&P Global Ratings 
(``S&P''), Baa3 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (``Moody's''), or 
BBB- by Fitch Ratings, Inc. (``Fitch''). Each bond in the S&P National 
AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars, must 
be a constituent of an offering where the original offering amount was 
at least $100 million, and must have a minimum par amount of $25 
million. To remain in the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, 
bonds must maintain a minimum par amount greater than or equal to $25 
million as of the next rebalancing date.
    As of April 1, 2017, the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index 
included 11,333 component fixed income municipal bond securities from 
issuers in 47 different states or U.S. territories. The most heavily 
weighted security in the index represented approximately 0.25% of the 
total weight of the index and the aggregate weight of the top five most 
heavily weighted securities in the index represented less than 1% of 
the total weight of the index. Approximately 99.29% of the weight of 
the index components was composed of individual maturities that were 
part of an entire municipal bond offering with a minimum original 
principal amount outstanding of $100 million or more for all maturities 
in the offering. Approximately 31.79% of the weight of the components 
in the index had a minimum original principal amount outstanding of 
$100 million or more. In addition, the total dollar amount outstanding 
of issues in the index was approximately $628,460,731,594, and the 
average dollar amount outstanding of issues in the index was 
approximately $55,454,048.
    Generally, the iShares National Muni Bond ETF invests at least 90% 
of its assets in the component securities of the S&P National AMT-Free 
Municipal Bond Index and may invest up to 10% of its assets in certain 
futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents, 
including shares of money market funds, as well as in securities not 
included in the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, but which 
the fund's investment advisor believes will help the fund track the S&P 
National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index.
2. iShares Short Term National Muni Bond ETF
    The iShares Short Term National Muni Bond ETF seeks to track the 
investment results of the S&P Short Term National AMT-Free Municipal 
Bond Index, which measures the performance of the short-term investment 
grade segment of the U.S. municipal bond market. The S&P Short Term 
National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index primarily includes municipal 
bonds from issuers that are state or local governments or agencies such 
that the interest on each such bond is exempt from U.S. federal income 
taxes and the federal alternative minimum tax (``AMT''). Each bond in 
the S&P Short Term National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index must have a 
rating of at least BBB- by S&P, Baa3 by Moody's, or BBB- by Fitch. Each 
bond in the S&P Short Term National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index must 
be

[[Page 46872]]

denominated in U.S. dollars, must be a constituent of an offering where 
the original offering amount was at least $100 million, and must have a 
minimum par amount of $25 million. To remain in the S&P Short Term 
National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, bonds must maintain a minimum 
par amount greater than or equal to $25 million as of the next 
rebalancing date.
    As of April 1, 2017, the S&P Short Term National AMT-Free Municipal 
Bond Index included 3,309 component fixed income municipal bond 
securities from issuers in 44 different states or U.S. territories. The 
most heavily weighted security in the index represented approximately 
1% of the total weight of the index and the aggregate weight of the top 
five most heavily weighted securities in the index represented 
approximately 2% of the total weight of the index. Approximately 98.22% 
of the weight of the index components was composed of individual 
maturities that were part of an entire municipal bond offering with a 
minimum original principal amount outstanding of $100 million or more 
for all maturities in the offering. Approximately 27.63% of the weight 
of the components in the index had a minimum original principal amount 
outstanding of $100 million or more. In addition, the total dollar 
amount outstanding of issues in the index was approximately 
$166,147,941,156, and the average dollar amount outstanding of issues 
in the index was approximately $50,210,922.
    Generally, the iShares National Muni Bond ETF invests at least 90% 
of its assets in the component securities of the S&P Short Term 
National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index and may invest up to 10% of its 
assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash 
equivalents, including shares of money market funds, as well as in 
securities not included in the S&P Short Term National AMT-Free 
Municipal Bond Index, but which the fund's investment advisor believes 
will help the fund track the S&P Short Term National AMT-Free Municipal 
Bond Index.
3. VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Intermediate Municipal Index ETF
    The VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Intermediate Municipal Index ETF seeks 
to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the 
price and yield performance of the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free 
Intermediate Continuous Municipal Index. The Bloomberg Barclays AMT-
Free Intermediate Continuous Municipal Index is a market size weighted 
index comprised of publicly traded municipal bonds that cover the U.S. 
dollar-denominated intermediate term tax-exempt bond market. To be 
included in the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Intermediate Continuous 
Municipal Index, a bond must be rated Baa3/BBB- or higher by at least 
two of the following ratings agencies if all three agencies rate the 
security: Moody's, S&P, and Fitch. If only one of the three agencies 
rates a security, the rating must be at least Baa3/BBB-. Constituent 
securities of the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Intermediate Continuous 
Municipal Index must have an outstanding par value of at least $7 
million and be issued as part of a transaction of at least $75 million.
    As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Intermediate 
Continuous Municipal Index included 17,272 component fixed income 
municipal bond securities from issuers in 50 different states or U.S. 
territories. The most heavily weighted security in the index 
represented less than 0.25% of the total weight of the index and the 
aggregate weight of the top five most heavily weighted securities in 
the index represented approximately 0.50% of the total weight of the 
index. Approximately 96.13% of the weight of the index components was 
composed of individual maturities that were part of an entire municipal 
bond offering with a minimum original principal amount outstanding of 
$100 million or more for all maturities in the offering. Approximately 
7.75% of the weight of the components in the index had a minimum 
original principal amount outstanding of $100 million or more. In 
addition, the total dollar amount outstanding of issues in the index 
was approximately $340,102,539,050, and the average dollar amount 
outstanding of issues in the index was approximately $19,690,976.
    Normally, the VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Intermediate Municipal Index 
ETF invests at least 80% of its total assets in fixed income securities 
that comprise the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Intermediate Continuous 
Municipal Index.
4. VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Long Municipal Index ETF
    The VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Long Municipal Index ETF seeks to 
replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price 
and yield performance of the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Long 
Continuous Municipal Index. The Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Long 
Continuous Municipal Index is a market size weighted index comprised of 
publicly traded municipal bonds that cover the U.S. dollar denominated 
long-term tax-exempt bond market. To be included in the Bloomberg 
Barclays AMT-Free Long Continuous Municipal Index, bonds must be rated 
Baa3/BBB- or higher by at least two of the following ratings agencies 
if all three agencies rate the security: Moody's, S&P, and Fitch. If 
only one of the three agencies rates a security, the rating must be at 
least Baa3/BBB-. Constituent securities of the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-
Free Long Continuous Municipal Index must have an outstanding par value 
of at least $7 million and be issued as part of a transaction of at 
least $75 million.
    As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Long 
Continuous Municipal Index included 7,657 component fixed income 
municipal bond securities from issuers in 50 different states or U.S. 
territories. The most heavily weighted security in the index 
represented less than 0.50% of the total weight of the index and the 
aggregate weight of the top five most heavily weighted securities in 
the index represented approximately 1.25% of the total weight of the 
index. Approximately 93.84% of the weight of the index components was 
composed of individual maturities that were part of an entire municipal 
bond offering with a minimum original principal amount outstanding of 
$100 million or more for all maturities in the offering. Approximately 
32.34% of the weight of the components in the index had a minimum 
original principal amount outstanding of $100 million or more. In 
addition, the total dollar amount outstanding of issues in the index 
was approximately $279,575,285,082, and the average dollar amount 
outstanding of issues in the index was approximately $36,512,379.
    Normally, the VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Long Municipal Index ETF 
invests at least 80% of its total assets in fixed income securities 
that comprise the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Long Continuous Municipal 
Index.
5. VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Short Municipal Index ETF
    The VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Short Municipal Index ETF seeks to 
replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price 
and yield performance of the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Short 
Continuous Municipal Index. The Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Short 
Continuous Municipal Index is a market size weighted index comprised of 
publicly traded municipal bonds that cover the U.S. dollar denominated 
short-term tax-exempt bond market. To be included in the

[[Page 46873]]

Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Short Continuous Municipal Index, bonds 
must be rated Baa3/BBB- or higher by at least two of the following 
ratings agencies if all three agencies rate the security: Moody's, S&P, 
and Fitch. If only one of the three agencies rates a security, the 
rating must be at least Baa3/BBB-. Constituent securities of the 
Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Short Continuous Municipal Index must have 
an outstanding par value of at least $7 million and be issued as part 
of a transaction of at least $75 million.
    As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Short 
Continuous Municipal Index included 7,229 component fixed income 
municipal bond securities from issuers in 48 different states or U.S. 
territories. The most heavily weighted security in the index 
represented approximately 1% of the total weight of the index and the 
aggregate weight of the top five most heavily weighted securities in 
the index represented approximately 2.25% of the total weight of the 
index. Approximately 94.4% of the weight of the index components was 
composed of individual maturities that were part of an entire municipal 
bond offering with a minimum original principal amount outstanding of 
$100 million or more for all maturities in the offering. Approximately 
13.60% of the weight of the components in the index had a minimum 
original principal amount outstanding of $100 million or more. In 
addition, the total dollar amount outstanding of issues in the index 
was approximately $152,020,140,995, and the average dollar amount 
outstanding of issues in the index was approximately $21,026,299.
    Normally, the VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Short Municipal Index ETF 
invests at least 80% of its total assets in fixed income securities 
that comprise the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Short Continuous 
Municipal Index.
6. VanEck Vectors High-Yield Municipal Index ETF
    The VanEck Vectors High-Yield Municipal Index ETF seeks to 
replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price 
and yield performance of the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Custom High 
Yield Composite Index. The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Custom High 
Yield Composite Index is a market size weighted index composed of 
publicly traded municipal bonds that cover the U.S. dollar denominated 
high yield long-term tax-exempt bond market. The Bloomberg Barclays 
Municipal Custom High Yield Composite Index is calculated using a 
market value weighting methodology, provided that the total allocation 
to issuers from each individual territory of the United States 
(including Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, 
and the Northern Mariana Islands) does not exceed 4%. The Bloomberg 
Barclays Municipal Custom High Yield Composite Index tracks the high 
yield municipal bond market with a 75% weight in non-investment grade 
municipal bonds and a targeted 25% weight in Baa/BBB rated investment 
grade municipal bonds.
    As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Custom High 
Yield Composite Index included 4,702 component fixed income municipal 
bond securities from issuers in 50 different states or U.S. 
territories. The most heavily weighted security in the index 
represented approximately 1.25% of the total weight of the index, and 
the aggregate weight of the top five most heavily weighted securities 
in the index represented approximately 6% of the total weight of the 
index. Approximately 75.16% of the weight of the index components was 
composed of individual maturities that were part of an entire municipal 
bond offering with a minimum original principal amount outstanding of 
$100 million or more for all maturities in the offering. Approximately 
43.26% of the weight of the components in the index had a minimum 
original principal amount outstanding of $100 million or more. In 
addition, the total dollar amount outstanding of issues in the index 
was approximately $224,318,153,150, and the average dollar amount 
outstanding of issues in the index was approximately $47,706,966.
    Normally, the VanEck Vectors High-Yield Municipal Index ETF invests 
at least 80% of its total assets in securities that comprise the 
Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Custom High Yield Composite Index.
7. VanEck Vectors Pre-Refunded Municipal Index ETF
    The VanEck Vectors Pre-Refunded Municipal Index ETF seeks to 
replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price 
and yield performance of the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Pre-
Refunded--Treasury-Escrowed Index. The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal 
Pre-Refunded--Treasury-Escrowed Index is a market size weighted index 
comprised of publicly traded municipal bonds that cover the U.S. dollar 
denominated tax-exempt bond market. The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal 
Pre-Refunded--Treasury-Escrowed Index is comprised of pre-refunded and/
or escrowed-to-maturity municipal bonds. To be included in the 
Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Pre-Refunded--Treasury-Escrowed Index, 
bonds must have an explicit or implicit credit rating of AAA. 
Constituent securities of the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Pre-
Refunded--Treasury-Escrowed Index must have an outstanding par value of 
at least $7 million and be issued as part of a transaction of at least 
$75 million in market value.
    As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Pre-Refunded-
Treasury-Escrowed Index included 3,691 component fixed income municipal 
bond securities from issuers in 50 different states or U.S. 
territories. The most heavily weighted security in the index 
represented approximately 0.50% of the total weight of the index and 
the aggregate weight of the top five most heavily weighted securities 
in the index represented approximately 2.25% of the total weight of the 
index. Approximately 93.70% of the weight of the index components was 
composed of individual maturities that were part of an entire municipal 
bond offering with a minimum original principal amount outstanding of 
$100 million or more for all maturities in the offering. Approximately 
19.23% of the weight of the components in the index had a minimum 
original principal amount outstanding of $100 million or more. In 
addition, the total dollar amount outstanding of issues in the index 
was approximately $94,289,476,486, and the average dollar amount 
outstanding of issues in the index was approximately $25,545,780.
    Normally, the VanEck Vectors Pre-Refunded Municipal Index ETF 
invests at least 80% of its total assets in securities that comprise 
the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Pre-Refunded--Treasury-Escrowed Index.
8. PowerShares VRDO Tax-Free Weekly Portfolio
    The PowerShares VRDO Tax-Free Weekly Portfolio seeks investment 
results that generally correspond (before fees and expenses) to the 
price and yield of the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal AMT-Free Weekly VRDO 
Index. The Bloomberg U.S. Municipal AMT-Free Weekly VRDO Index is 
comprised of municipal securities issued in the primary market as 
variable rate demand obligation (``VRDO'') bonds. Only VRDOs whose 
interest rates are reset weekly are included in the Bloomberg U.S. 
Municipal AMT-Free Weekly VRDO Index, and the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal 
AMT-Free Weekly VRDO Index excludes secondary or derivative VRDOs 
(tender option bonds). To be

[[Page 46874]]

included in the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal AMT-Free Weekly VRDO Index, 
constituents must be rated by at least one of the following statistical 
rating agencies at the following minimum ratings: Moody's as A-3 for 
long-term bonds or Prime-2 for short-term bonds; by S&P as A- for long-
term bonds or A-2 for short-term bonds; and by Fitch as A- for long-
term bonds or F-2 for short-term bonds.
    As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg US Municipal AMT-Free Weekly 
VRDO Index included 1,494 component fixed income municipal bond 
securities from issuers in 49 different states or U.S. territories. The 
most heavily weighted security in the index represented approximately 
0.75% of the total weight of the index and the aggregate weight of the 
top five most heavily weighted securities in the index represented 
approximately 2.75% of the total weight of the index. Approximately 
44.76% of the weight of the index components was composed of individual 
maturities that were part of an entire municipal bond offering with a 
minimum original principal amount outstanding of $100 million or more 
for all maturities in the offering. Approximately 34.88% of the weight 
of the components in the index had a minimum original principal amount 
outstanding of $100 million or more. In addition, the total dollar 
amount outstanding of issues in the index was approximately 
$68,489,564,000, and the average dollar amount outstanding of issues in 
the index was approximately $45,843,082.
    Generally, the PowerShares VRDO Tax-Free Weekly Portfolio invests 
at least 80% of its total assets in VRDO bonds that are exempt from 
federal income tax with interest rates that reset weekly that comprise 
the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal AMT-Free Weekly VRDO Index.
9. SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays Short Term Municipal Bond ETF
    The SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays Short Term Municipal Bond ETF 
seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, 
correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the 
Bloomberg Barclays Managed Money Municipal Short Term Index which 
tracks the short term tax exempt municipal bond market. The Bloomberg 
Barclays Managed Money Municipal Short Term Index is designed to track 
the publicly traded municipal bonds that cover the U.S. dollar 
denominated short term tax exempt bond market, including state and 
local general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, pre-refunded bonds, and 
insured bonds. All bonds in the Bloomberg Barclays Managed Money 
Municipal Short Term Index must be rated Aa3/AA- or higher by at least 
two of the following statistical ratings agencies: Moody's, S&P, or 
Fitch. If only one of the agencies rates the security, the rating must 
be at least Aa3/AA-. Each security in the Bloomberg Barclays Managed 
Money Municipal Short Term Index must have an outstanding par value of 
at least $7 million and be issued as part of a transaction of at least 
$75 million.
    As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg Barclays Managed Money Municipal 
Short Term Index included 4,263 component fixed income municipal bond 
securities from issuers in 44 different states or U.S. territories. The 
most heavily weighted security in the index represented approximately 
0.75% of the total weight of the index, and the aggregate weight of the 
top five most heavily weighted securities in the index represented 
approximately 2% of the total weight of the index. Approximately 94.54% 
of the weight of the index components was composed of individual 
maturities that were part of an entire municipal bond offering with a 
minimum original principal amount outstanding of $100 million or more 
for all maturities in the offering. Approximately 10.82% of the weight 
of the components in the index had a minimum original principal amount 
outstanding of $100 million or more. In addition, the total dollar 
amount outstanding of issues in the index was approximately 
$85,187,709,681, and the average dollar amount outstanding of issues in 
the index was approximately $19,983,042.
    Under normal market conditions, the SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays 
Short Term Municipal Bond ETF generally invests substantially all, but 
at least 80%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the 
Bloomberg Barclays Managed Money Municipal Short Term Index or in 
securities that the fund's sub-adviser determines have economic 
characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic 
characteristics of the securities that comprise the Bloomberg Barclays 
Managed Money Municipal Short Term Index. In addition, the SPDR Nuveen 
Bloomberg Barclays Short Term Municipal Bond ETF may invest in debt 
securities that are not included in the Bloomberg Barclays Managed 
Money Municipal Short Term Index, cash and cash equivalents or money 
market instruments, such as repurchase agreements and money market 
funds.
10. SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond ETF
    The Exchange states that, according to its prospectus, the SPDR 
Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond ETF seeks to provide 
investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally 
to the price and yield performance of the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal 
Managed Money Index which tracks the U.S. municipal bond market. The 
Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Managed Money Index is designed to track 
the U.S. long term tax-exempt bond market, including state and local 
general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, pre-refunded bonds, and 
insured bonds. The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Managed Money Index is 
comprised of tax-exempt municipal securities issued by states, cities, 
counties, districts and their respective agencies. The Bloomberg 
Barclays Municipal Managed Money Index also includes municipal lease 
obligations, which are securities issued by state and local governments 
and authorities to finance the acquisition of equipment and facilities. 
All bonds in the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Managed Money Index must 
be rated Aa3/AA- or higher by at least two of the following statistical 
ratings agencies: Moody's, S&P, and Fitch. If only one of the agencies 
rates the security, the rating must be at least Aa3/AA-. Each security 
in the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Managed Money Index must have an 
outstanding par value of at least $7 million and be issued as part of a 
transaction of at least $75 million.
    As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Managed Money 
Index included 22,247 component fixed income municipal bond securities 
from issuers in 48 different states or U.S. territories. The most 
heavily weighted security in the index represented less than 0.25% of 
the total weight of the index, and the aggregate weight of the top five 
most heavily weighted securities in the index represented approximately 
0.50% of the total weight of the index. Approximately 95.05% of the 
weight of the index components was composed of individual maturities 
that were part of an entire municipal bond offering with a minimum 
original principal amount outstanding of $100 million or more for all 
maturities in the offering. Approximately 13.35% of the weight of the 
components in the index had a minimum original principal amount 
outstanding of $100 million or more. In addition, the total dollar 
amount outstanding of issues in the index was approximately 
$496,240,108,998, and the average

[[Page 46875]]

dollar amount outstanding of issues in the index was approximately 
$22,305,934.
    Under normal market conditions, the SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays 
Municipal Bond ETF generally invests substantially all, but at least 
80%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the Bloomberg 
Barclays Municipal Managed Money Index or in securities that the fund's 
sub-adviser determines have economic characteristics that are 
substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the 
securities that comprise the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Managed Money 
Index. In addition, the SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond 
ETF may invest in debt securities that are not included in the 
Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Managed Money Index, cash and cash 
equivalents or money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements 
and money market funds.
11. iShares California Muni Bond ETF
    The iShares California Muni Bond ETF seeks to track the investment 
results of the S&P California AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, which 
measures the performance of the investment grade segment of the 
California municipal bond market. The S&P California AMT-Free Municipal 
Bond Index is a subset of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond 
Index and is comprised of municipal bonds issued in the State of 
California. The S&P California AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index primarily 
includes municipal bonds from issuers in California that are California 
state or local governments or agencies whose interest payments are 
exempt from U.S. federal and California state income taxes and the 
federal alternative minimum tax. Each bond in the S&P California AMT-
Free Municipal Bond Index must have a rating of at least BBB- by S&P, 
Baa3 by Moody's, or BBB- by Fitch. Each bond in the S&P California AMT-
Free Municipal Bond Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars, must be 
a constituent of an offering where the original offering amount was at 
least $100 million, and must have a minimum par amount of $25 million. 
To remain in the S&P California AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, bonds 
must maintain a minimum par amount greater than or equal to $25 million 
as of the next rebalancing date.
    As of April 1, 2017, the S&P California AMT-Free Municipal Bond 
Index included 2,115 component fixed income municipal bond securities 
from more than 150 distinct municipal bond issuers in the State of 
California. The most heavily weighted security in the index represented 
approximately 0.50% of the total weight of the index, and the aggregate 
weight of the top five most heavily weighted securities in the index 
represented approximately 2.75% of the total weight of the index. 
Approximately 96.31% of the weight of the index components was composed 
of individual maturities that were part of an entire municipal bond 
offering with a minimum original principal amount outstanding of $100 
million or more for all maturities in the offering. Approximately 
38.89% of the weight of the components in the index had a minimum 
original principal amount outstanding of $100 million or more. In 
addition, the total dollar amount outstanding of issues in the index 
was approximately $137,796,471,640, and the average dollar amount 
outstanding of issues in the index was approximately $65,151,996.
    Generally, the iShares California Muni Bond ETF invests at least 
90% of its assets in the component securities of the S&P California 
AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index and may invest up to 10% of its assets in 
certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents, 
including shares of money market funds, as well as in securities not 
included in the S&P California AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, but which 
the fund's investment advisor believes will help the fund track the S&P 
California AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index.
12. iShares New York Muni Bond ETF
    The iShares New York Muni Bond ETF seeks to track the investment 
results of the S&P New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, which 
measures the performance of the investment grade segment of the New 
York municipal bond market. The S&P New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond 
Index is a subset of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index and 
is comprised of municipal bonds issued in the State of New York. The 
S&P New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index primarily includes municipal 
bonds from issuers in New York that are New York state or local 
governments or agencies whose interest payments are exempt from U.S. 
federal and New York State personal income taxes and the federal 
alternative minimum tax. Each bond in the S&P New York AMT-Free 
Municipal Bond Index must have a rating of at least BBB- by S&P, Baa3 
by Moody's, or BBB- by Fitch. Each bond in the S&P New York AMT-Free 
Municipal Bond Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars, must be a 
constituent of an offering where the original offering amount was at 
least $100 million, and must have a minimum par amount of $25 million. 
To remain in the S&P New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, bonds must 
maintain a minimum par amount greater than or equal to $25 million as 
of the next rebalancing date.
    As of April 1, 2017, the S&P New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index 
included 2,191 component fixed income municipal bond securities from 
more than 20 distinct municipal bond issuers in the State of New York. 
The most heavily weighted security in the index represented 
approximately 1.50% of the total weight of the index, and the aggregate 
weight of the top five most heavily weighted securities in the index 
represented approximately 4.25% of the total weight of the index. 
Approximately 98.63% of the weight of the index components was composed 
of individual maturities that were part of an entire municipal bond 
offering with a minimum original principal amount outstanding of $100 
million or more for all maturities in the offering. Approximately 
34.50% of the weight of the components in the index had a minimum 
original principal amount outstanding of $100 million or more. In 
addition, the total dollar amount outstanding of issues in the index 
was approximately $124,381,556,872, and the average dollar amount 
outstanding of issues in the index was approximately $56,769,309.
    Generally, the iShares New York Muni Bond ETF invests at least 90% 
of its assets in the component securities of the S&P New York AMT-Free 
Municipal Bond Index and may invest up to 10% of its assets in certain 
futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents, 
including shares of money market funds, as well as in securities not 
included in the S&P New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index x, but which 
the fund's investment advisor believes will help the fund track the S&P 
New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index.

B. The Continued Listing and Trading of the Shares

    The Exchange states that it is appropriate to continue to list and 
trade the Shares based on the characteristics of the indexes underlying 
the Municipal Bond Funds. According to the Exchange, each index 
underlying the Municipal Bond Funds satisfies all of the generic 
listing requirements for Investment Company Units based on a fixed 
income index, except for the minimum principal amount outstanding 
requirement of Commentary .02(a)(2) to Rule 5.2(j)(3). The Exchange 
asserts that a fundamental purpose behind the minimum principal amount 
outstanding requirement is to ensure that component

[[Page 46876]]

securities of an index are sufficiently liquid such that the potential 
for index manipulation is reduced.\11\ The Exchange asserts that each 
index underlying the Municipal Bond Funds is a broad-based index of 
fixed income municipal bond securities that is not readily susceptible 
to manipulation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ See Amendment No. 1, supra note 4, at 16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With respect to the Multistate Municipal Bond Funds, the Exchange 
states: (1) Each underlying index is broad-based and currently 
includes, on average, more than 8,000 component securities; (2) 
currently each underlying index includes securities issued by municipal 
entities in more than 40 states or U.S. territories, and notes that the 
applicable generic listing criterion requires that an index contain 
securities issued by at least 13 non-affiliated issuers; \12\ and (3) 
no single security currently represents more than approximately 1.5% of 
the weight of any underlying index, the aggregate weight of the five 
most heavily weighted securities in each index does not exceed 
approximately 6% of the weight of the index, and notes the applicable 
generic listing criterion permits a single component security to 
represent up to 30% of the weight of an index and the top five 
component securities to, in aggregate, represent up to 65% of the 
weight of an index.\13\ The Exchange asserts that this index 
diversification is significant, and that the absence of constituent 
concentration in the underlying indexes provides a strong degree of 
protection against manipulation of the indexes.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ See Commentary .02(a)(5) to NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(3).
    \13\ See Commentary .02(a)(4) to NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(3).
    \14\ See Amendment No. 1, supra note 4, at 17.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With respect to the Single-State Municipal Bond Funds, the Exchange 
states that each underlying index is well-diversified to protect 
against index manipulation. To support this, the Exchange states: (1) 
On average, the underlying indexes include more than 1,500 securities; 
(2) each underlying index includes securities from at least 20 distinct 
municipal bond issuers; and (3) the most heavily weighted security in 
any of the underlying indexes represents approximately 2% of the weight 
of the index, and the aggregate weight of the five most heavily 
weighted securities in any of the indexes represents approximately 
6.25% of the total index weight.
    The Exchange represents that: (1) On a continuous basis, each index 
underlying a Municipal Bond Fund will contain at least 500 component 
securities; (2) currently, each index satisfies all of the generic 
listing requirements under NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(3) except for 
Commentary .02(a)(2); (3) the continued listing criteria under Rules 
5.2(j)(3) (except for Commentary .02(a)(2)) and 5.5(g)(2) applicable to 
Investment Company Units will apply to the Shares; and (4) the issuer 
of each Municipal Bond Fund is required to comply with Rule 10A-3 \15\ 
under the Act for the initial and continued listing of the Shares of 
each Municipal Bond Fund. In addition, the Exchange represents that the 
Shares will comply with all other requirements applicable to Investment 
Company Units including, but not limited to, requirements relating to 
the dissemination of key information such as the value of the 
underlying index and the applicable Intraday Indicative Value 
(``IIV''),\16\ rules governing the trading of equity securities, 
trading hours, trading halts, surveillance, information barriers and 
the Information Bulletin to Equity Trading Permit Holders, as set forth 
in Exchange rules applicable to Investment Company Units and prior 
Commission orders approving the generic listing rules applicable to the 
listing and trading of Investment Company Units.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ 17 CFR 240.10A-3.
    \16\ An IIV for each Municipal Bond Fund will be widely 
disseminated by one or more major market data vendors at least every 
15 seconds during the Exchange's Core Trading Session of 9:30 a.m. 
to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time. See Amendment No. 1, supra note 4, at 
18, n.10. The Exchange states that currently it understands that 
several major market data vendors display and/or make widely 
available IIVs taken from the Consolidated Tape Association or other 
data feeds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove SR-
NYSEArca-2017-56, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, and Grounds for 
Disapproval Under Consideration

    The Commission is instituting proceedings pursuant to Section 
19(b)(2)(B) of the Act \17\ to determine whether the proposed rule 
change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, should be approved or 
disapproved. Institution of such proceedings is appropriate at this 
time in view of the legal and policy issues raised by the proposed rule 
change. Institution of proceedings does not indicate that the 
Commission has reached any conclusions with respect to any of the 
issues involved. Rather, as described below, the Commission seeks and 
encourages interested persons to provide comments on the proposed rule 
change, as modified by Amendment No. 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act,\18\ the Commission is 
providing notice of the grounds for disapproval under consideration. 
The Commission is instituting proceedings to allow for additional 
analysis of the proposal's consistency with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act, 
which requires, among other things, that the rules of a national 
securities exchange be ``designed to prevent fraudulent and 
manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade,'' and ``to protect investors and the public 
interest.'' \19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ Id.
    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As noted above, the Exchange has submitted this proposed rule 
change because the Shares of the Municipal Bond Funds do not meet all 
of the generic listing requirements set forth in Commentary.02 to NYSE 
Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(3). In the proposal, the Exchange describes certain 
characteristics of the underlying indexes as of April 1, 2017,\20\ and 
asserts that those characteristics demonstrate that ``each . . . fund 
is based on a broad-based index that is not readily susceptible to 
manipulation.'' \21\ Further, the Exchange contends that the 
``significant diversification and the lack of concentration among 
constituent securities provides a strong degree of protection against 
index manipulation.'' \22\ For purposes of continued listing of the 
Shares, however, apart from the representation that each index will 
have at least 500 component securities on an ongoing basis, the 
Exchange has not provided any criteria governing the extent to which 
the indexes may deviate from the initial set of characteristics that 
the Exchange relies on to determine the susceptibility of the indexes 
to manipulation. Accordingly, the Commission seeks commenters' views on 
whether the Exchange's statements and representations support a 
determination that the continued listing and trading of the Shares of 
the Municipal Bond Funds would be consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of 
the Act, which, among other things, requires that the rules of an 
exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and 
practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, and to 
protect investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ See supra Section II.A.
    \21\ See supra note 3, 82 FR at 31652.
    \22\ See supra note 3, 82 FR at 31653.

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

[[Page 46877]]

IV. Procedure: Request for Written Comments

    The Commission requests that interested persons provide written 
submissions of their views, data, and arguments with respect to the 
issues identified above, as well as any other concerns they may have 
with the proposal. In particular, the Commission invites the written 
views of interested persons concerning whether the proposal is 
consistent with Section 6(b)(5) or any other provision of the Act, or 
the rules and regulations thereunder. Although there do not appear to 
be any issues relevant to approval or disapproval that would be 
facilitated by an oral presentation of views, data, and arguments, the 
Commission will consider, pursuant to Rule 19b-4, any request for an 
opportunity to make an oral presentation.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, as amended by the Securities 
Acts Amendments of 1975, Public Law 94-29 (June 4, 1975), grants the 
Commission flexibility to determine what type of proceeding--either 
oral or notice and opportunity for written comments--is appropriate 
for consideration of a particular proposal by a self-regulatory 
organization. See Securities Acts Amendments of 1975, Senate Comm. 
on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs, S. Rep. No. 75, 94th Cong., 1st 
Sess. 30 (1975).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments regarding whether the proposal should be approved or 
disapproved by October 27, 2017. Any person who wishes to file a 
rebuttal to any other person's submission must file that rebuttal by 
November 13, 2017. The Commission asks that commenters address the 
sufficiency of the Exchange's statements in support of the proposal, 
which are set forth in Amendment No. 1,\24\ in addition to any other 
comments they may wish to submit about the proposed rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ See supra note 3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-NYSEArca-2017-56 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-NYSEArca-2017-56. This 
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To 
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEArca-2017-56 and should 
be submitted on or before October 27, 2017. Rebuttal comments should be 
submitted by November 13, 2017.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(57).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-21537 Filed 10-5-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                    46870                          Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 193 / Friday, October 6, 2017 / Notices

                                                    the needs of the market and regulators                  Silver Price will change from CME and                 provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                    (including the IOSCO Principles 19).                    Thomson Reuters to IBA, effective                     available for Web site viewing and
                                                                                                            October 2, 2017. The Commission                       printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                    B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                            believes that waiver of the operative                 Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                    Statement on Burden on Competition
                                                                                                            delay is consistent with the protection               Washington, DC 20549 on official
                                                      The Exchange does not believe that                    of investors and the public interest as it            business days between the hours of
                                                    the proposed rule change will impose                    will prevent the disruption in the                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                    any burden on competition that is not                   trading of the Silver Trust and the Silver            filing also will be available for
                                                    necessary or appropriate in furtherance                 Fund shares. Therefore, the Commission                inspection and copying at the principal
                                                    of the purposes of the Act. The                         designates the proposed rule change to                office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                    proposed rule change will facilitate the                be operative upon filing.24                           received will be posted without change;
                                                    continued administration of the LBMA                       At any time within 60 days of the                  the Commission does not edit personal
                                                    Silver Price utilizing a fully auditable                filing of the proposed rule change, the               identifying information from
                                                    auction process and will promote                        Commission summarily may                              submissions. You should submit only
                                                    market competition by permitting the                    temporarily suspend such rule change if               information that you wish to make
                                                    continued listing and trading of shares                 it appears to the Commission that such                available publicly. All submissions
                                                    of the Silver Trusts and the Silver Funds               action is necessary or appropriate in the             should refer to File Number SR–
                                                    utilizing the LBMA Silver Price.                        public interest, for the protection of                NYSEArca–2017–113 and should be
                                                    C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       investors, or otherwise in furtherance of             submitted on or before October 27,
                                                    Statement on Comments on the                            the purposes of the Act.                              2017.
                                                    Proposed Rule Change Received From                      IV. Solicitation of Comments                            For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                    Members, Participants, or Others                                                                              Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                                                                              Interested persons are invited to                   authority.25
                                                      No written comments were solicited
                                                                                                            submit written data, views, and                       Eduardo A. Aleman,
                                                    or received with respect to the proposed
                                                                                                            arguments concerning the foregoing,                   Assistant Secretary.
                                                    rule change.
                                                                                                            including whether the proposed rule                   [FR Doc. 2017–21536 Filed 10–5–17; 8:45 am]
                                                    III. Date of Effectiveness of the                       change is consistent with the Act.                    BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                    Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                     Comments may be submitted by any of
                                                    Commission Action                                       the following methods:
                                                       The Exchange has filed the proposed                  Electronic Comments                                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                    rule change pursuant to Section                                                                               COMMISSION
                                                    19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 20 and Rule                    • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                                                                            comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                     [Release No. 34–81794; File No. SR–
                                                    19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.21 Because the                                                                         NYSEArca–2017–56]
                                                    foregoing proposed rule change does                     rules/sro.shtml); or
                                                    not: (i) Significantly affect the                          • Send an email to rule-comments@                  Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
                                                    protection of investors or the public                   sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–               Arca, Inc.; Order Instituting
                                                    interest, (ii) impose any significant                   NYSEArca–2017–113 on the subject                      Proceedings To Determine Whether To
                                                    burden on competition, and (iii) become                 line.                                                 Approve or Disapprove a Proposed
                                                    operative for 30 days from the date on                  Paper Comments                                        Rule Change, as Modified by
                                                    which it was filed, or such shorter time                                                                      Amendment No. 1, To List and Trade
                                                    as the Commission may designate, it has                    • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                                                                                                                                  Pursuant to NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–E(j)(3)
                                                    become effective pursuant to Section                    to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                                                                                  Twelve Series of Investment Company
                                                    19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 22 and Rule 19b–                 Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                                                                                                                                  Units
                                                    4(f)(6) thereunder.23                                   Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                       A proposed rule change filed under                   All submissions should refer to File                  DATE:     October 2, 2017.
                                                    Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally does not                      Number SR–NYSEArca–2017–113. This
                                                                                                                                                                  I. Introduction
                                                    become operative prior to 30 days after                 file number should be included on the
                                                    the date of the filing. However, pursuant               subject line if email is used. To help the               On June 19, 2017, NYSE Arca, Inc.
                                                    to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Commission                Commission process and review your                    (‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE Arca’’) filed
                                                    may designate a shorter time if such                    comments more efficiently, please use                 with the Securities and Exchange
                                                    action is consistent with the protection                only one method. The Commission will                  Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant
                                                    of investors and the public interest. The               post all comments on the Commission’s                 to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities
                                                    Exchange has asked the Commission to                    Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule
                                                    waive the 30-day operative delay so that                rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                       19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule
                                                    the proposal may become operative                       submission, all subsequent                            change to list and trade certain series of
                                                    immediately upon filing. As noted                       amendments, all written statements                    Investment Company Units listed
                                                    above, the administrator for the LBMA                   with respect to the proposed rule                     pursuant to NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–E(j)(3).
                                                                                                            change that are filed with the                        The proposed rule change was
                                                      19 See  note 18, supra.                               Commission, and all written                           published for comment in the Federal
                                                      20 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).                      communications relating to the                        Register on July 7, 2017.3 On August 7,
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                      21 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
                                                                                                            proposed rule change between the                      2017, the Exchange filed Amendment
                                                      22 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                                                                                            Commission and any person, other than                 No. 1 to the proposed rule change,
                                                      23 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). As required under Rule
                                                                                                            those that may be withheld from the                   which amended and superseded the
                                                    19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the
                                                    Commission with written notice of its intent to file    public in accordance with the
                                                                                                                                                                    25 17  CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                    the proposed rule change, along with a brief
                                                                                                                                                                    1 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                    description and the text of the proposed rule             24 Forpurposes only of waiving the 30-day
                                                                                                                                                                     2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                    change, at least five business days prior to the date   operative delay, the Commission has considered the
                                                    of filing of the proposed rule change, or such          proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition,       3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81062

                                                    shorter time as designated by the Commission.           and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).          (June 30, 2017), 82 FR 31651.



                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:40 Oct 05, 2017   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00118   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\06OCN1.SGM    06OCN1


                                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 193 / Friday, October 6, 2017 / Notices                                         46871

                                                    proposed rule change as originally                       The Single-State Municipal Bond Funds                   As of April 1, 2017, the S&P National
                                                    filed.4 On August 15, 2017, pursuant to                  overlie an index comprised of the fixed              AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index
                                                    Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,5 the                        income municipal bond securities of                  included 11,333 component fixed
                                                    Commission designated a longer period                    one State; the Multistate Municipal                  income municipal bond securities from
                                                    within which to approve the proposed                     Bond Funds overlie an index comprised                issuers in 47 different states or U.S.
                                                    rule change, disapprove the proposed                     of the fixed income municipal bond                   territories. The most heavily weighted
                                                    rule change, or institute proceedings to                 securities of more than one State.                   security in the index represented
                                                    determine whether to disapprove the                         Commentary .02 to Rule 5.2(j)(3) sets             approximately 0.25% of the total weight
                                                    proposed rule change.6 The Commission                    forth the generic listing requirements for           of the index and the aggregate weight of
                                                    has received no comment letters on the                   an index of fixed income securities                  the top five most heavily weighted
                                                    proposed rule change. This order                         underlying a series of Investment                    securities in the index represented less
                                                    institutes proceedings under Section                     Company Units. One of the enumerated                 than 1% of the total weight of the index.
                                                    19(b)(2)(B) of the Act 7 to determine                    listing requirements is that component               Approximately 99.29% of the weight of
                                                    whether to approve or disapprove the                                                                          the index components was composed of
                                                                                                             fixed income securities that, in the
                                                    proposed rule change, as modified by                                                                          individual maturities that were part of
                                                                                                             aggregate, account for at least 75% of
                                                    Amendment No. 1.                                                                                              an entire municipal bond offering with
                                                                                                             the weight of the index each shall have
                                                                                                                                                                  a minimum original principal amount
                                                    II. Exchange’s Description of the                        a minimum principal amount
                                                                                                                                                                  outstanding of $100 million or more for
                                                    Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by                     outstanding of $100 million or more.9
                                                                                                                                                                  all maturities in the offering.
                                                    Amendment No. 1                                          The Exchange states that none of the
                                                                                                                                                                  Approximately 31.79% of the weight of
                                                       The Exchange proposes to list and                     indexes underlying the Municipal Bond
                                                                                                                                                                  the components in the index had a
                                                    trade pursuant to NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–                    Funds satisfy this criterion but
                                                                                                                                                                  minimum original principal amount
                                                    E(j)(3) shares (‘‘Shares’’) of the following             represents that each of the underlying
                                                                                                                                                                  outstanding of $100 million or more. In
                                                    series of Investment Company Units: (1)                  indexes meet all of the other                        addition, the total dollar amount
                                                    iShares National Muni Bond ETF; (2)                      requirements of such rule.                           outstanding of issues in the index was
                                                    iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond                    A. The Exchange’s Description of the                 approximately $628,460,731,594, and
                                                    ETF; (3) VanEck Vectors AMT-Free                         Municipal Bond Funds and Their                       the average dollar amount outstanding
                                                    Intermediate Municipal Index ETF; (4)                    Underlying Indexes 10                                of issues in the index was
                                                    VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Long                                                                                  approximately $55,454,048.
                                                    Municipal Index ETF; (5) VanEck                          1. iShares National Muni Bond ETF                       Generally, the iShares National Muni
                                                    Vectors AMT-Free Short Municipal                                                                              Bond ETF invests at least 90% of its
                                                                                                                The iShares National Muni Bond ETF
                                                    Index ETF; (6) VanEck Vectors High-                                                                           assets in the component securities of the
                                                                                                             seeks to track the investment results of
                                                    Yield Municipal Index ETF; (7) VanEck                                                                         S&P National AMT-Free Municipal
                                                                                                             the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal
                                                    Vectors Pre-Refunded Municipal Index                                                                          Bond Index and may invest up to 10%
                                                                                                             Bond Index, which measures the
                                                    ETF; (8) PowerShares VRDO Tax-Free                                                                            of its assets in certain futures, options
                                                                                                             performance of the investment grade
                                                    Weekly Portfolio; (9) SPDR Nuveen                                                                             and swap contracts, cash and cash
                                                                                                             segment of the U.S. municipal bond
                                                    Bloomberg Barclays Short Term                                                                                 equivalents, including shares of money
                                                                                                             market. The S&P National AMT-Free
                                                    Municipal Bond ETF; (10) SPDR                                                                                 market funds, as well as in securities
                                                                                                             Municipal Bond Index primarily                       not included in the S&P National AMT-
                                                    Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays Municipal                      includes municipal bonds from issuers
                                                    Bond ETF (collectively, the ‘‘Multistate                                                                      Free Municipal Bond Index, but which
                                                                                                             that are state or local governments or               the fund’s investment advisor believes
                                                    Municipal Bond Funds’’); (11) iShares                    agencies such that the interest on each
                                                    California Muni Bond ETF; and (12)                                                                            will help the fund track the S&P
                                                                                                             such bond is exempt from U.S. federal                National AMT-Free Municipal Bond
                                                    iShares New York Muni Bond ETF                           income taxes and the federal alternative
                                                    (collectively, the ‘‘Single-State                                                                             Index.
                                                                                                             minimum tax. Each bond in the S&P
                                                    Municipal Bond Funds’’ and, together                     National AMT-Free Municipal Bond                     2. iShares Short Term National Muni
                                                    with the Multistate Municipal Bond                       Index must have a rating of at least                 Bond ETF
                                                    Funds, the ‘‘Municipal Bond Funds’’).8                   BBB¥ by S&P Global Ratings (‘‘S&P’’),                   The iShares Short Term National
                                                       4 In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange: (1)
                                                                                                             Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.              Muni Bond ETF seeks to track the
                                                    Described the investment objective of each fund; (2)     (‘‘Moody’s’’), or BBB¥ by Fitch Ratings,             investment results of the S&P Short
                                                    described investment eligibility criteria and            Inc. (‘‘Fitch’’). Each bond in the S&P               Term National AMT-Free Municipal
                                                    restrictions for each fund; (3) clarified that the Web   National AMT-Free Municipal Bond                     Bond Index, which measures the
                                                    site for each fund will contain its prospectus and       Index must be denominated in U.S.
                                                    additional data; (4) clarified that the Exchange has
                                                                                                                                                                  performance of the short-term
                                                    obtained a representation from each fund issuer that     dollars, must be a constituent of an                 investment grade segment of the U.S.
                                                    the applicable net asset value for each fund will be     offering where the original offering                 municipal bond market. The S&P Short
                                                    calculated daily and made available to all market        amount was at least $100 million, and                Term National AMT-Free Municipal
                                                    participants at the same time; (5) clarified that none   must have a minimum par amount of
                                                    of the indexes underlying the funds are maintained
                                                                                                                                                                  Bond Index primarily includes
                                                    by a broker-dealer; and (6) made technical changes.      $25 million. To remain in the S&P                    municipal bonds from issuers that are
                                                    Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change is           National AMT-Free Municipal Bond                     state or local governments or agencies
                                                    available at: https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-           Index, bonds must maintain a minimum                 such that the interest on each such bond
                                                    nysearca-2017-56/nysearca201756.htm.                     par amount greater than or equal to $25
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                       5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
                                                                                                                                                                  is exempt from U.S. federal income
                                                       6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81400,
                                                                                                             million as of the next rebalancing date.             taxes and the federal alternative
                                                    82 FR 39643 (August 21, 2017). The Commission                                                                 minimum tax (‘‘AMT’’). Each bond in
                                                    designated October 5, 2017, as the date by which         .02 to Rule 5.2–E(j)(3), the Exchange nevertheless   the S&P Short Term National AMT-Free
                                                    the Commission shall either approve or disapprove,       listed the Shares prior to 2010.                     Municipal Bond Index must have a
                                                    or institute proceedings to determine whether to            9 See Commentary .02(a)(2) to NYSE Arca Rule
                                                    disapprove, the proposed rule change.
                                                                                                                                                                  rating of at least BBB¥ by S&P, Baa3 by
                                                                                                             5.2–E(j)(3).
                                                       7 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).                                10 Additional information regarding the Funds     Moody’s, or BBB¥ by Fitch. Each bond
                                                       8 The Commission notes that, although the Shares      and their underlying indexes can be found in         in the S&P Short Term National AMT-
                                                    do not meet the standards set forth in Commentary        Amendment No. 1. See supra note 4.                   Free Municipal Bond Index must be


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                                                    46872                          Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 193 / Friday, October 6, 2017 / Notices

                                                    denominated in U.S. dollars, must be a                  publicly traded municipal bonds that                  bonds that cover the U.S. dollar
                                                    constituent of an offering where the                    cover the U.S. dollar-denominated                     denominated long-term tax-exempt
                                                    original offering amount was at least                   intermediate term tax-exempt bond                     bond market. To be included in the
                                                    $100 million, and must have a                           market. To be included in the                         Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Long
                                                    minimum par amount of $25 million. To                   Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free                           Continuous Municipal Index, bonds
                                                    remain in the S&P Short Term National                   Intermediate Continuous Municipal                     must be rated Baa3/BBB¥ or higher by
                                                    AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index,                          Index, a bond must be rated Baa3/BBB¥                 at least two of the following ratings
                                                    bonds must maintain a minimum par                       or higher by at least two of the following            agencies if all three agencies rate the
                                                    amount greater than or equal to $25                     ratings agencies if all three agencies rate           security: Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch. If
                                                    million as of the next rebalancing date.                the security: Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch. If             only one of the three agencies rates a
                                                       As of April 1, 2017, the S&P Short                   only one of the three agencies rates a                security, the rating must be at least
                                                    Term National AMT-Free Municipal                        security, the rating must be at least                 Baa3/BBB¥. Constituent securities of
                                                    Bond Index included 3,309 component                     Baa3/BBB¥. Constituent securities of                  the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Long
                                                    fixed income municipal bond securities                  the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free                       Continuous Municipal Index must have
                                                    from issuers in 44 different states or                  Intermediate Continuous Municipal                     an outstanding par value of at least $7
                                                    U.S. territories. The most heavily                      Index must have an outstanding par                    million and be issued as part of a
                                                    weighted security in the index                          value of at least $7 million and be                   transaction of at least $75 million.
                                                    represented approximately 1% of the                     issued as part of a transaction of at least              As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg
                                                    total weight of the index and the                       $75 million.                                          Barclays AMT-Free Long Continuous
                                                    aggregate weight of the top five most                      As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg                 Municipal Index included 7,657
                                                    heavily weighted securities in the index                Barclays AMT-Free Intermediate                        component fixed income municipal
                                                    represented approximately 2% of the                     Continuous Municipal Index included                   bond securities from issuers in 50
                                                    total weight of the index.                              17,272 component fixed income                         different states or U.S. territories. The
                                                    Approximately 98.22% of the weight of                   municipal bond securities from issuers                most heavily weighted security in the
                                                    the index components was composed of                    in 50 different states or U.S. territories.           index represented less than 0.50% of
                                                    individual maturities that were part of                 The most heavily weighted security in                 the total weight of the index and the
                                                    an entire municipal bond offering with                  the index represented less than 0.25%                 aggregate weight of the top five most
                                                    a minimum original principal amount                     of the total weight of the index and the              heavily weighted securities in the index
                                                    outstanding of $100 million or more for                 aggregate weight of the top five most                 represented approximately 1.25% of the
                                                    all maturities in the offering.                         heavily weighted securities in the index              total weight of the index.
                                                    Approximately 27.63% of the weight of                   represented approximately 0.50% of the                Approximately 93.84% of the weight of
                                                    the components in the index had a                       total weight of the index.                            the index components was composed of
                                                    minimum original principal amount                       Approximately 96.13% of the weight of                 individual maturities that were part of
                                                    outstanding of $100 million or more. In                 the index components was composed of                  an entire municipal bond offering with
                                                    addition, the total dollar amount                       individual maturities that were part of               a minimum original principal amount
                                                    outstanding of issues in the index was                  an entire municipal bond offering with                outstanding of $100 million or more for
                                                    approximately $166,147,941,156, and                     a minimum original principal amount                   all maturities in the offering.
                                                    the average dollar amount outstanding                   outstanding of $100 million or more for               Approximately 32.34% of the weight of
                                                    of issues in the index was                              all maturities in the offering.                       the components in the index had a
                                                    approximately $50,210,922.                              Approximately 7.75% of the weight of                  minimum original principal amount
                                                       Generally, the iShares National Muni                 the components in the index had a                     outstanding of $100 million or more. In
                                                    Bond ETF invests at least 90% of its                    minimum original principal amount                     addition, the total dollar amount
                                                    assets in the component securities of the               outstanding of $100 million or more. In               outstanding of issues in the index was
                                                    S&P Short Term National AMT-Free                        addition, the total dollar amount                     approximately $279,575,285,082, and
                                                    Municipal Bond Index and may invest                     outstanding of issues in the index was                the average dollar amount outstanding
                                                    up to 10% of its assets in certain                      approximately $340,102,539,050, and                   of issues in the index was
                                                    futures, options and swap contracts,                    the average dollar amount outstanding                 approximately $36,512,379.
                                                    cash and cash equivalents, including                    of issues in the index was                               Normally, the VanEck Vectors AMT-
                                                    shares of money market funds, as well                   approximately $19,690,976.                            Free Long Municipal Index ETF invests
                                                    as in securities not included in the S&P                   Normally, the VanEck Vectors AMT-                  at least 80% of its total assets in fixed
                                                    Short Term National AMT-Free                            Free Intermediate Municipal Index ETF                 income securities that comprise the
                                                    Municipal Bond Index, but which the                     invests at least 80% of its total assets in           Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Long
                                                    fund’s investment advisor believes will                 fixed income securities that comprise                 Continuous Municipal Index.
                                                    help the fund track the S&P Short Term                  the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free
                                                                                                                                                                  5. VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Short
                                                    National AMT-Free Municipal Bond                        Intermediate Continuous Municipal
                                                                                                                                                                  Municipal Index ETF
                                                    Index.                                                  Index.
                                                                                                                                                                     The VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Short
                                                    3. VanEck Vectors AMT-Free                              4. VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Long                       Municipal Index ETF seeks to replicate
                                                    Intermediate Municipal Index ETF                        Municipal Index ETF                                   as closely as possible, before fees and
                                                       The VanEck Vectors AMT-Free                             The VanEck Vectors AMT-Free Long                   expenses, the price and yield
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                    Intermediate Municipal Index ETF seeks                  Municipal Index ETF seeks to replicate                performance of the Bloomberg Barclays
                                                    to replicate as closely as possible, before             as closely as possible, before fees and               AMT-Free Short Continuous Municipal
                                                    fees and expenses, the price and yield                  expenses, the price and yield                         Index. The Bloomberg Barclays AMT-
                                                    performance of the Bloomberg Barclays                   performance of the Bloomberg Barclays                 Free Short Continuous Municipal Index
                                                    AMT-Free Intermediate Continuous                        AMT-Free Long Continuous Municipal                    is a market size weighted index
                                                    Municipal Index. The Bloomberg                          Index. The Bloomberg Barclays AMT-                    comprised of publicly traded municipal
                                                    Barclays AMT-Free Intermediate                          Free Long Continuous Municipal Index                  bonds that cover the U.S. dollar
                                                    Continuous Municipal Index is a market                  is a market size weighted index                       denominated short-term tax-exempt
                                                    size weighted index comprised of                        comprised of publicly traded municipal                bond market. To be included in the


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                                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 193 / Friday, October 6, 2017 / Notices                                           46873

                                                    Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Short                       weighting methodology, provided that                  maturity municipal bonds. To be
                                                    Continuous Municipal Index, bonds                       the total allocation to issuers from each             included in the Bloomberg Barclays
                                                    must be rated Baa3/BBB¥ or higher by                    individual territory of the United States             Municipal Pre-Refunded—Treasury-
                                                    at least two of the following ratings                   (including Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S.                Escrowed Index, bonds must have an
                                                    agencies if all three agencies rate the                 Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and                   explicit or implicit credit rating of AAA.
                                                    security: Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch. If                   the Northern Mariana Islands) does not                Constituent securities of the Bloomberg
                                                    only one of the three agencies rates a                  exceed 4%. The Bloomberg Barclays                     Barclays Municipal Pre-Refunded—
                                                    security, the rating must be at least                   Municipal Custom High Yield                           Treasury-Escrowed Index must have an
                                                    Baa3/BBB¥. Constituent securities of                    Composite Index tracks the high yield                 outstanding par value of at least $7
                                                    the Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Short                   municipal bond market with a 75%                      million and be issued as part of a
                                                    Continuous Municipal Index must have                    weight in non-investment grade                        transaction of at least $75 million in
                                                    an outstanding par value of at least $7                 municipal bonds and a targeted 25%                    market value.
                                                    million and be issued as part of a                      weight in Baa/BBB rated investment                       As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg
                                                    transaction of at least $75 million.                    grade municipal bonds.                                Barclays Municipal Pre-Refunded-
                                                       As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg                      As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg                 Treasury-Escrowed Index included
                                                    Barclays AMT-Free Short Continuous                      Barclays Municipal Custom High Yield                  3,691 component fixed income
                                                    Municipal Index included 7,229                          Composite Index included 4,702                        municipal bond securities from issuers
                                                    component fixed income municipal                        component fixed income municipal                      in 50 different states or U.S. territories.
                                                    bond securities from issuers in 48                      bond securities from issuers in 50                    The most heavily weighted security in
                                                    different states or U.S. territories. The               different states or U.S. territories. The             the index represented approximately
                                                    most heavily weighted security in the                   most heavily weighted security in the                 0.50% of the total weight of the index
                                                    index represented approximately 1% of                   index represented approximately 1.25%                 and the aggregate weight of the top five
                                                    the total weight of the index and the                   of the total weight of the index, and the             most heavily weighted securities in the
                                                    aggregate weight of the top five most                   aggregate weight of the top five most                 index represented approximately 2.25%
                                                    heavily weighted securities in the index                heavily weighted securities in the index              of the total weight of the index.
                                                    represented approximately 2.25% of the                  represented approximately 6% of the                   Approximately 93.70% of the weight of
                                                    total weight of the index.                              total weight of the index.                            the index components was composed of
                                                    Approximately 94.4% of the weight of                    Approximately 75.16% of the weight of                 individual maturities that were part of
                                                    the index components was composed of                    the index components was composed of                  an entire municipal bond offering with
                                                    individual maturities that were part of                 individual maturities that were part of               a minimum original principal amount
                                                    an entire municipal bond offering with                  an entire municipal bond offering with                outstanding of $100 million or more for
                                                    a minimum original principal amount                     a minimum original principal amount                   all maturities in the offering.
                                                    outstanding of $100 million or more for                 outstanding of $100 million or more for               Approximately 19.23% of the weight of
                                                    all maturities in the offering.                         all maturities in the offering.                       the components in the index had a
                                                    Approximately 13.60% of the weight of                   Approximately 43.26% of the weight of                 minimum original principal amount
                                                    the components in the index had a                       the components in the index had a                     outstanding of $100 million or more. In
                                                    minimum original principal amount                       minimum original principal amount                     addition, the total dollar amount
                                                    outstanding of $100 million or more. In                 outstanding of $100 million or more. In               outstanding of issues in the index was
                                                    addition, the total dollar amount                       addition, the total dollar amount                     approximately $94,289,476,486, and the
                                                    outstanding of issues in the index was                  outstanding of issues in the index was                average dollar amount outstanding of
                                                    approximately $152,020,140,995, and                     approximately $224,318,153,150, and                   issues in the index was approximately
                                                    the average dollar amount outstanding                   the average dollar amount outstanding                 $25,545,780.
                                                    of issues in the index was                              of issues in the index was                               Normally, the VanEck Vectors Pre-
                                                    approximately $21,026,299.                              approximately $47,706,966.                            Refunded Municipal Index ETF invests
                                                       Normally, the VanEck Vectors AMT-                       Normally, the VanEck Vectors High-                 at least 80% of its total assets in
                                                    Free Short Municipal Index ETF invests                  Yield Municipal Index ETF invests at                  securities that comprise the Bloomberg
                                                    at least 80% of its total assets in fixed               least 80% of its total assets in securities           Barclays Municipal Pre-Refunded—
                                                    income securities that comprise the                     that comprise the Bloomberg Barclays                  Treasury-Escrowed Index.
                                                    Bloomberg Barclays AMT-Free Short                       Municipal Custom High Yield
                                                                                                                                                                  8. PowerShares VRDO Tax-Free Weekly
                                                    Continuous Municipal Index.                             Composite Index.
                                                                                                                                                                  Portfolio
                                                    6. VanEck Vectors High-Yield                            7. VanEck Vectors Pre-Refunded                           The PowerShares VRDO Tax-Free
                                                    Municipal Index ETF                                     Municipal Index ETF                                   Weekly Portfolio seeks investment
                                                       The VanEck Vectors High-Yield                           The VanEck Vectors Pre-Refunded                    results that generally correspond (before
                                                    Municipal Index ETF seeks to replicate                  Municipal Index ETF seeks to replicate                fees and expenses) to the price and yield
                                                    as closely as possible, before fees and                 as closely as possible, before fees and               of the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal AMT-
                                                    expenses, the price and yield                           expenses, the price and yield                         Free Weekly VRDO Index. The
                                                    performance of the Bloomberg Barclays                   performance of the Bloomberg Barclays                 Bloomberg U.S. Municipal AMT-Free
                                                    Municipal Custom High Yield                             Municipal Pre-Refunded—Treasury-                      Weekly VRDO Index is comprised of
                                                    Composite Index. The Bloomberg                          Escrowed Index. The Bloomberg                         municipal securities issued in the
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                    Barclays Municipal Custom High Yield                    Barclays Municipal Pre-Refunded—                      primary market as variable rate demand
                                                    Composite Index is a market size                        Treasury-Escrowed Index is a market                   obligation (‘‘VRDO’’) bonds. Only
                                                    weighted index composed of publicly                     size weighted index comprised of                      VRDOs whose interest rates are reset
                                                    traded municipal bonds that cover the                   publicly traded municipal bonds that                  weekly are included in the Bloomberg
                                                    U.S. dollar denominated high yield                      cover the U.S. dollar denominated tax-                U.S. Municipal AMT-Free Weekly
                                                    long-term tax-exempt bond market. The                   exempt bond market. The Bloomberg                     VRDO Index, and the Bloomberg U.S.
                                                    Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Custom                     Barclays Municipal Pre-Refunded—                      Municipal AMT-Free Weekly VRDO
                                                    High Yield Composite Index is                           Treasury-Escrowed Index is comprised                  Index excludes secondary or derivative
                                                    calculated using a market value                         of pre-refunded and/or escrowed-to-                   VRDOs (tender option bonds). To be


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                                                    46874                          Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 193 / Friday, October 6, 2017 / Notices

                                                    included in the Bloomberg U.S.                          Bloomberg Barclays Managed Money                      10. SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays
                                                    Municipal AMT-Free Weekly VRDO                          Municipal Short Term Index must be                    Municipal Bond ETF
                                                    Index, constituents must be rated by at                 rated Aa3/AA¥ or higher by at least                      The Exchange states that, according to
                                                    least one of the following statistical                  two of the following statistical ratings              its prospectus, the SPDR Nuveen
                                                    rating agencies at the following                        agencies: Moody’s, S&P, or Fitch. If only             Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond
                                                    minimum ratings: Moody’s as A¥3 for                     one of the agencies rates the security,               ETF seeks to provide investment results
                                                    long-term bonds or Prime-2 for short-                   the rating must be at least Aa3/AA¥.                  that, before fees and expenses,
                                                    term bonds; by S&P as A¥ for long-term                  Each security in the Bloomberg Barclays               correspond generally to the price and
                                                    bonds or A¥2 for short-term bonds; and                  Managed Money Municipal Short Term                    yield performance of the Bloomberg
                                                    by Fitch as A¥ for long-term bonds or                   Index must have an outstanding par                    Barclays Municipal Managed Money
                                                    F¥2 for short-term bonds.                               value of at least $7 million and be                   Index which tracks the U.S. municipal
                                                       As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg US                                                                      bond market. The Bloomberg Barclays
                                                                                                            issued as part of a transaction of at least
                                                    Municipal AMT-Free Weekly VRDO                                                                                Municipal Managed Money Index is
                                                    Index included 1,494 component fixed                    $75 million.
                                                                                                               As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg                 designed to track the U.S. long term tax-
                                                    income municipal bond securities from
                                                                                                            Barclays Managed Money Municipal                      exempt bond market, including state
                                                    issuers in 49 different states or U.S.
                                                                                                                                                                  and local general obligation bonds,
                                                    territories. The most heavily weighted                  Short Term Index included 4,263
                                                                                                                                                                  revenue bonds, pre-refunded bonds, and
                                                    security in the index represented                       component fixed income municipal
                                                                                                                                                                  insured bonds. The Bloomberg Barclays
                                                    approximately 0.75% of the total weight                 bond securities from issuers in 44
                                                                                                                                                                  Municipal Managed Money Index is
                                                    of the index and the aggregate weight of                different states or U.S. territories. The             comprised of tax-exempt municipal
                                                    the top five most heavily weighted                      most heavily weighted security in the                 securities issued by states, cities,
                                                    securities in the index represented                     index represented approximately 0.75%                 counties, districts and their respective
                                                    approximately 2.75% of the total weight                 of the total weight of the index, and the
                                                    of the index. Approximately 44.76% of                                                                         agencies. The Bloomberg Barclays
                                                                                                            aggregate weight of the top five most                 Municipal Managed Money Index also
                                                    the weight of the index components was                  heavily weighted securities in the index
                                                    composed of individual maturities that                                                                        includes municipal lease obligations,
                                                                                                            represented approximately 2% of the                   which are securities issued by state and
                                                    were part of an entire municipal bond                   total weight of the index.
                                                    offering with a minimum original                                                                              local governments and authorities to
                                                                                                            Approximately 94.54% of the weight of                 finance the acquisition of equipment
                                                    principal amount outstanding of $100                    the index components was composed of
                                                    million or more for all maturities in the                                                                     and facilities. All bonds in the
                                                                                                            individual maturities that were part of               Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Managed
                                                    offering. Approximately 34.88% of the
                                                                                                            an entire municipal bond offering with                Money Index must be rated Aa3/AA¥
                                                    weight of the components in the index
                                                    had a minimum original principal                        a minimum original principal amount                   or higher by at least two of the following
                                                    amount outstanding of $100 million or                   outstanding of $100 million or more for               statistical ratings agencies: Moody’s,
                                                    more. In addition, the total dollar                     all maturities in the offering.                       S&P, and Fitch. If only one of the
                                                    amount outstanding of issues in the                     Approximately 10.82% of the weight of                 agencies rates the security, the rating
                                                    index was approximately                                 the components in the index had a                     must be at least Aa3/AA¥. Each
                                                    $68,489,564,000, and the average dollar                 minimum original principal amount                     security in the Bloomberg Barclays
                                                    amount outstanding of issues in the                     outstanding of $100 million or more. In               Municipal Managed Money Index must
                                                    index was approximately $45,843,082.                    addition, the total dollar amount                     have an outstanding par value of at least
                                                       Generally, the PowerShares VRDO                      outstanding of issues in the index was                $7 million and be issued as part of a
                                                    Tax-Free Weekly Portfolio invests at                    approximately $85,187,709,681, and the                transaction of at least $75 million.
                                                    least 80% of its total assets in VRDO                   average dollar amount outstanding of                     As of April 1, 2017, the Bloomberg
                                                    bonds that are exempt from federal                      issues in the index was approximately                 Barclays Municipal Managed Money
                                                    income tax with interest rates that reset               $19,983,042.                                          Index included 22,247 component fixed
                                                    weekly that comprise the Bloomberg                                                                            income municipal bond securities from
                                                                                                               Under normal market conditions, the                issuers in 48 different states or U.S.
                                                    U.S. Municipal AMT-Free Weekly                          SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays Short
                                                    VRDO Index.                                                                                                   territories. The most heavily weighted
                                                                                                            Term Municipal Bond ETF generally                     security in the index represented less
                                                    9. SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays                       invests substantially all, but at least               than 0.25% of the total weight of the
                                                    Short Term Municipal Bond ETF                           80%, of its total assets in the securities            index, and the aggregate weight of the
                                                       The SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg                            comprising the Bloomberg Barclays                     top five most heavily weighted
                                                    Barclays Short Term Municipal Bond                      Managed Money Municipal Short Term                    securities in the index represented
                                                    ETF seeks to provide investment results                 Index or in securities that the fund’s                approximately 0.50% of the total weight
                                                    that, before fees and expenses,                         sub-adviser determines have economic                  of the index. Approximately 95.05% of
                                                    correspond generally to the price and                   characteristics that are substantially                the weight of the index components was
                                                    yield performance of the Bloomberg                      identical to the economic characteristics             composed of individual maturities that
                                                    Barclays Managed Money Municipal                        of the securities that comprise the                   were part of an entire municipal bond
                                                    Short Term Index which tracks the short                 Bloomberg Barclays Managed Money                      offering with a minimum original
                                                    term tax exempt municipal bond                          Municipal Short Term Index. In                        principal amount outstanding of $100
                                                                                                            addition, the SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg                   million or more for all maturities in the
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                                                    market. The Bloomberg Barclays
                                                    Managed Money Municipal Short Term                      Barclays Short Term Municipal Bond                    offering. Approximately 13.35% of the
                                                    Index is designed to track the publicly                 ETF may invest in debt securities that                weight of the components in the index
                                                    traded municipal bonds that cover the                   are not included in the Bloomberg                     had a minimum original principal
                                                    U.S. dollar denominated short term tax                  Barclays Managed Money Municipal                      amount outstanding of $100 million or
                                                    exempt bond market, including state                     Short Term Index, cash and cash                       more. In addition, the total dollar
                                                    and local general obligation bonds,                     equivalents or money market                           amount outstanding of issues in the
                                                    revenue bonds, pre-refunded bonds, and                  instruments, such as repurchase                       index was approximately
                                                    insured bonds. All bonds in the                         agreements and money market funds.                    $496,240,108,998, and the average


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                                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 193 / Friday, October 6, 2017 / Notices                                         46875

                                                    dollar amount outstanding of issues in                  of the total weight of the index, and the             $25 million. To remain in the S&P New
                                                    the index was approximately                             aggregate weight of the top five most                 York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index,
                                                    $22,305,934.                                            heavily weighted securities in the index              bonds must maintain a minimum par
                                                      Under normal market conditions, the                   represented approximately 2.75% of the                amount greater than or equal to $25
                                                    SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays                          total weight of the index.                            million as of the next rebalancing date.
                                                    Municipal Bond ETF generally invests                    Approximately 96.31% of the weight of                    As of April 1, 2017, the S&P New
                                                    substantially all, but at least 80%, of its             the index components was composed of                  York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index
                                                    total assets in the securities comprising               individual maturities that were part of               included 2,191 component fixed income
                                                    the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal                        an entire municipal bond offering with                municipal bond securities from more
                                                    Managed Money Index or in securities                    a minimum original principal amount                   than 20 distinct municipal bond issuers
                                                    that the fund’s sub-adviser determines                  outstanding of $100 million or more for               in the State of New York. The most
                                                    have economic characteristics that are                  all maturities in the offering.                       heavily weighted security in the index
                                                    substantially identical to the economic                 Approximately 38.89% of the weight of                 represented approximately 1.50% of the
                                                    characteristics of the securities that                  the components in the index had a                     total weight of the index, and the
                                                    comprise the Bloomberg Barclays                         minimum original principal amount                     aggregate weight of the top five most
                                                    Municipal Managed Money Index. In                       outstanding of $100 million or more. In               heavily weighted securities in the index
                                                    addition, the SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg                     addition, the total dollar amount                     represented approximately 4.25% of the
                                                    Barclays Municipal Bond ETF may                         outstanding of issues in the index was                total weight of the index.
                                                    invest in debt securities that are not                  approximately $137,796,471,640, and                   Approximately 98.63% of the weight of
                                                    included in the Bloomberg Barclays                      the average dollar amount outstanding                 the index components was composed of
                                                    Municipal Managed Money Index, cash                     of issues in the index was                            individual maturities that were part of
                                                    and cash equivalents or money market                    approximately $65,151,996.                            an entire municipal bond offering with
                                                    instruments, such as repurchase                            Generally, the iShares California                  a minimum original principal amount
                                                    agreements and money market funds.                      Muni Bond ETF invests at least 90% of                 outstanding of $100 million or more for
                                                                                                            its assets in the component securities of             all maturities in the offering.
                                                    11. iShares California Muni Bond ETF
                                                                                                            the S&P California AMT-Free Municipal                 Approximately 34.50% of the weight of
                                                       The iShares California Muni Bond                     Bond Index and may invest up to 10%                   the components in the index had a
                                                    ETF seeks to track the investment                       of its assets in certain futures, options             minimum original principal amount
                                                    results of the S&P California AMT-Free                  and swap contracts, cash and cash                     outstanding of $100 million or more. In
                                                    Municipal Bond Index, which measures                    equivalents, including shares of money                addition, the total dollar amount
                                                    the performance of the investment grade                 market funds, as well as in securities                outstanding of issues in the index was
                                                    segment of the California municipal                     not included in the S&P California                    approximately $124,381,556,872, and
                                                    bond market. The S&P California AMT-                    AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, but                    the average dollar amount outstanding
                                                    Free Municipal Bond Index is a subset                   which the fund’s investment advisor                   of issues in the index was
                                                    of the S&P National AMT-Free                            believes will help the fund track the                 approximately $56,769,309.
                                                    Municipal Bond Index and is comprised                   S&P California AMT-Free Municipal                        Generally, the iShares New York
                                                    of municipal bonds issued in the State                  Bond Index.                                           Muni Bond ETF invests at least 90% of
                                                    of California. The S&P California AMT-                                                                        its assets in the component securities of
                                                    Free Municipal Bond Index primarily                     12. iShares New York Muni Bond ETF                    the S&P New York AMT-Free Municipal
                                                    includes municipal bonds from issuers                     The iShares New York Muni Bond                      Bond Index and may invest up to 10%
                                                    in California that are California state or              ETF seeks to track the investment                     of its assets in certain futures, options
                                                    local governments or agencies whose                     results of the S&P New York AMT-Free                  and swap contracts, cash and cash
                                                    interest payments are exempt from U.S.                  Municipal Bond Index, which measures                  equivalents, including shares of money
                                                    federal and California state income taxes               the performance of the investment grade               market funds, as well as in securities
                                                    and the federal alternative minimum                     segment of the New York municipal                     not included in the S&P New York
                                                    tax. Each bond in the S&P California                    bond market. The S&P New York AMT-                    AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index x, but
                                                    AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index must                      Free Municipal Bond Index is a subset                 which the fund’s investment advisor
                                                    have a rating of at least BBB¥ by S&P,                  of the S&P National AMT-Free                          believes will help the fund track the
                                                    Baa3 by Moody’s, or BBB¥ by Fitch.                      Municipal Bond Index and is comprised                 S&P New York AMT-Free Municipal
                                                    Each bond in the S&P California AMT-                    of municipal bonds issued in the State                Bond Index.
                                                    Free Municipal Bond Index must be                       of New York. The S&P New York AMT-
                                                    denominated in U.S. dollars, must be a                  Free Municipal Bond Index primarily                   B. The Continued Listing and Trading of
                                                    constituent of an offering where the                    includes municipal bonds from issuers                 the Shares
                                                    original offering amount was at least                   in New York that are New York state or                   The Exchange states that it is
                                                    $100 million, and must have a                           local governments or agencies whose                   appropriate to continue to list and trade
                                                    minimum par amount of $25 million. To                   interest payments are exempt from U.S.                the Shares based on the characteristics
                                                    remain in the S&P California AMT-Free                   federal and New York State personal                   of the indexes underlying the Municipal
                                                    Municipal Bond Index, bonds must                        income taxes and the federal alternative              Bond Funds. According to the
                                                    maintain a minimum par amount greater                   minimum tax. Each bond in the S&P                     Exchange, each index underlying the
                                                    than or equal to $25 million as of the                  New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond                      Municipal Bond Funds satisfies all of
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                                                    next rebalancing date.                                  Index must have a rating of at least                  the generic listing requirements for
                                                       As of April 1, 2017, the S&P                         BBB¥ by S&P, Baa3 by Moody’s, or                      Investment Company Units based on a
                                                    California AMT-Free Municipal Bond                      BBB¥ by Fitch. Each bond in the S&P                   fixed income index, except for the
                                                    Index included 2,115 component fixed                    New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond                      minimum principal amount outstanding
                                                    income municipal bond securities from                   Index must be denominated in U.S.                     requirement of Commentary .02(a)(2) to
                                                    more than 150 distinct municipal bond                   dollars, must be a constituent of an                  Rule 5.2(j)(3). The Exchange asserts that
                                                    issuers in the State of California. The                 offering where the original offering                  a fundamental purpose behind the
                                                    most heavily weighted security in the                   amount was at least $100 million, and                 minimum principal amount outstanding
                                                    index represented approximately 0.50%                   must have a minimum par amount of                     requirement is to ensure that component


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                                                    46876                          Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 193 / Friday, October 6, 2017 / Notices

                                                    securities of an index are sufficiently                 securities; (2) currently, each index                    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the
                                                    liquid such that the potential for index                satisfies all of the generic listing                  Act,18 the Commission is providing
                                                    manipulation is reduced.11 The                          requirements under NYSE Arca Rule                     notice of the grounds for disapproval
                                                    Exchange asserts that each index                        5.2–E(j)(3) except for Commentary                     under consideration. The Commission is
                                                    underlying the Municipal Bond Funds                     .02(a)(2); (3) the continued listing                  instituting proceedings to allow for
                                                    is a broad-based index of fixed income                  criteria under Rules 5.2(j)(3) (except for            additional analysis of the proposal’s
                                                    municipal bond securities that is not                   Commentary .02(a)(2)) and 5.5(g)(2)                   consistency with Section 6(b)(5) of the
                                                    readily susceptible to manipulation.                    applicable to Investment Company                      Act, which requires, among other
                                                       With respect to the Multistate                       Units will apply to the Shares; and (4)               things, that the rules of a national
                                                    Municipal Bond Funds, the Exchange                      the issuer of each Municipal Bond Fund                securities exchange be ‘‘designed to
                                                    states: (1) Each underlying index is                    is required to comply with Rule                       prevent fraudulent and manipulative
                                                    broad-based and currently includes, on                  10A–3 15 under the Act for the initial                acts and practices, to promote just and
                                                    average, more than 8,000 component                      and continued listing of the Shares of                equitable principles of trade,’’ and ‘‘to
                                                    securities; (2) currently each underlying               each Municipal Bond Fund. In addition,                protect investors and the public
                                                    index includes securities issued by                     the Exchange represents that the Shares
                                                    municipal entities in more than 40                                                                            interest.’’ 19
                                                                                                            will comply with all other requirements
                                                    states or U.S. territories, and notes that              applicable to Investment Company                         As noted above, the Exchange has
                                                    the applicable generic listing criterion                Units including, but not limited to,                  submitted this proposed rule change
                                                    requires that an index contain securities               requirements relating to the                          because the Shares of the Municipal
                                                    issued by at least 13 non-affiliated                    dissemination of key information such                 Bond Funds do not meet all of the
                                                    issuers; 12 and (3) no single security                  as the value of the underlying index and              generic listing requirements set forth in
                                                    currently represents more than                          the applicable Intraday Indicative Value              Commentary.02 to NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–
                                                    approximately 1.5% of the weight of                     (‘‘IIV’’),16 rules governing the trading of           E(j)(3). In the proposal, the Exchange
                                                    any underlying index, the aggregate                                                                           describes certain characteristics of the
                                                                                                            equity securities, trading hours, trading
                                                    weight of the five most heavily weighted                                                                      underlying indexes as of April 1,
                                                                                                            halts, surveillance, information barriers
                                                    securities in each index does not exceed                                                                      2017,20 and asserts that those
                                                                                                            and the Information Bulletin to Equity
                                                    approximately 6% of the weight of the                                                                         characteristics demonstrate that ‘‘each
                                                                                                            Trading Permit Holders, as set forth in
                                                    index, and notes the applicable generic                                                                       . . . fund is based on a broad-based
                                                                                                            Exchange rules applicable to Investment
                                                    listing criterion permits a single                                                                            index that is not readily susceptible to
                                                    component security to represent up to                   Company Units and prior Commission
                                                                                                            orders approving the generic listing                  manipulation.’’ 21 Further, the Exchange
                                                    30% of the weight of an index and the                                                                         contends that the ‘‘significant
                                                    top five component securities to, in                    rules applicable to the listing and
                                                                                                            trading of Investment Company Units.                  diversification and the lack of
                                                    aggregate, represent up to 65% of the
                                                                                                                                                                  concentration among constituent
                                                    weight of an index.13 The Exchange                      III. Proceedings To Determine Whether
                                                    asserts that this index diversification is                                                                    securities provides a strong degree of
                                                                                                            To Approve or Disapprove SR–                          protection against index
                                                    significant, and that the absence of                    NYSEArca–2017–56, as Modified by
                                                    constituent concentration in the                                                                              manipulation.’’ 22 For purposes of
                                                                                                            Amendment No. 1, and Grounds for
                                                    underlying indexes provides a strong                                                                          continued listing of the Shares,
                                                                                                            Disapproval Under Consideration
                                                    degree of protection against                                                                                  however, apart from the representation
                                                    manipulation of the indexes.14                             The Commission is instituting                      that each index will have at least 500
                                                       With respect to the Single-State                     proceedings pursuant to Section                       component securities on an ongoing
                                                    Municipal Bond Funds, the Exchange                      19(b)(2)(B) of the Act 17 to determine                basis, the Exchange has not provided
                                                    states that each underlying index is                    whether the proposed rule change, as                  any criteria governing the extent to
                                                    well-diversified to protect against index               modified by Amendment No. 1, should                   which the indexes may deviate from the
                                                    manipulation. To support this, the                      be approved or disapproved. Institution               initial set of characteristics that the
                                                    Exchange states: (1) On average, the                    of such proceedings is appropriate at                 Exchange relies on to determine the
                                                    underlying indexes include more than                    this time in view of the legal and policy             susceptibility of the indexes to
                                                    1,500 securities; (2) each underlying                   issues raised by the proposed rule                    manipulation. Accordingly, the
                                                    index includes securities from at least                 change. Institution of proceedings does               Commission seeks commenters’ views
                                                    20 distinct municipal bond issuers; and                 not indicate that the Commission has                  on whether the Exchange’s statements
                                                    (3) the most heavily weighted security                  reached any conclusions with respect to               and representations support a
                                                    in any of the underlying indexes                        any of the issues involved. Rather, as                determination that the continued listing
                                                    represents approximately 2% of the                      described below, the Commission seeks                 and trading of the Shares of the
                                                    weight of the index, and the aggregate                  and encourages interested persons to                  Municipal Bond Funds would be
                                                    weight of the five most heavily weighted                provide comments on the proposed rule                 consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the
                                                    securities in any of the indexes                        change, as modified by Amendment                      Act, which, among other things,
                                                    represents approximately 6.25% of the                   No. 1.                                                requires that the rules of an exchange be
                                                    total index weight.                                                                                           designed to prevent fraudulent and
                                                       The Exchange represents that: (1) On                   15 17 CFR 240.10A–3.                                manipulative acts and practices, to
                                                    a continuous basis, each index
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                                                                                                              16 An IIV for each Municipal Bond Fund will be      promote just and equitable principles of
                                                    underlying a Municipal Bond Fund will                   widely disseminated by one or more major market
                                                                                                            data vendors at least every 15 seconds during the     trade, and to protect investors and the
                                                    contain at least 500 component
                                                                                                            Exchange’s Core Trading Session of 9:30 a.m. to       public interest.
                                                                                                            4:00 p.m., Eastern time. See Amendment No. 1,
                                                      11 See Amendment No. 1, supra note 4, at 16.          supra note 4, at 18, n.10. The Exchange states that     18 Id.
                                                      12 See Commentary .02(a)(5) to NYSE Arca Rule         currently it understands that several major market
                                                                                                                                                                    19 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
                                                    5.2–E(j)(3).                                            data vendors display and/or make widely available
                                                      13 See Commentary .02(a)(4) to NYSE Arca Rule                                                                 20 See supra Section II.A.
                                                                                                            IIVs taken from the Consolidated Tape Association
                                                    5.2–E(j)(3).                                            or other data feeds.                                    21 See supra note 3, 82 FR at 31652.
                                                      14 See Amendment No. 1, supra note 4, at 17.            17 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).                            22 See supra note 3, 82 FR at 31653.




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                                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 193 / Friday, October 6, 2017 / Notices                                         46877

                                                    IV. Procedure: Request for Written                      Commission process and review your                    ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
                                                    Comments                                                comments more efficiently, please use                 and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or
                                                       The Commission requests that                         only one method. The Commission will                  ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
                                                    interested persons provide written                      post all comments on the Commission’s                 change as described in Items I, II, and
                                                    submissions of their views, data, and                   Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                III below, which Items have been
                                                                                                            rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                       prepared by the Exchange. The
                                                    arguments with respect to the issues
                                                                                                            submission, all subsequent                            Commission is publishing this notice to
                                                    identified above, as well as any other
                                                                                                            amendments, all written statements                    solicit comments on the proposed rule
                                                    concerns they may have with the
                                                                                                            with respect to the proposed rule                     change from interested persons.
                                                    proposal. In particular, the Commission
                                                                                                            change that are filed with the
                                                    invites the written views of interested                                                                       I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                            Commission, and all written
                                                    persons concerning whether the                                                                                Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                                                                            communications relating to the
                                                    proposal is consistent with Section                                                                           the Proposed Rule Change
                                                                                                            proposed rule change between the
                                                    6(b)(5) or any other provision of the Act,
                                                                                                            Commission and any person, other than                    The Exchange proposes to amend
                                                    or the rules and regulations thereunder.
                                                                                                            those that may be withheld from the                   Rule 7051, which sets forth the schedule
                                                    Although there do not appear to be any
                                                                                                            public in accordance with the                         of fees that the Exchange charges to its
                                                    issues relevant to approval or                          provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                   clients for connecting directly to the
                                                    disapproval that would be facilitated by                available for Web site viewing and                    Exchange’s data centers and/or
                                                    an oral presentation of views, data, and                printing in the Commission’s Public                   receiving third party market data feeds
                                                    arguments, the Commission will                          Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                     and other non-Exchange services from
                                                    consider, pursuant to Rule 19b–4, any                   Washington, DC 20549, on official                     the Exchange via circuits provided by
                                                    request for an opportunity to make an                   business days between the hours of                    third party telecommunications
                                                    oral presentation.23                                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                providers.
                                                       Interested persons are invited to                    filing also will be available for                        While these amendments are effective
                                                    submit written data, views, and                         inspection and copying at the principal               upon filing, the Exchange has
                                                    arguments regarding whether the                         office of the Exchange. All comments                  designated the proposed amendments to
                                                    proposal should be approved or                          received will be posted without change;               be operative on October 1, 2017.
                                                    disapproved by October 27, 2017. Any                    the Commission does not edit personal                    The text of the proposed rule change
                                                    person who wishes to file a rebuttal to                 identifying information from                          is available on the Exchange’s Web site
                                                    any other person’s submission must file                 submissions. You should submit only                   at http://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com/, at
                                                    that rebuttal by November 13, 2017. The                 information that you wish to make                     the principal office of the Exchange, and
                                                    Commission asks that commenters                         available publicly. All submissions                   at the Commission’s Public Reference
                                                    address the sufficiency of the                          should refer to File Number SR–                       Room.
                                                    Exchange’s statements in support of the                 NYSEArca–2017–56 and should be
                                                    proposal, which are set forth in                        submitted on or before October 27,                    II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    Amendment No. 1,24 in addition to any                   2017. Rebuttal comments should be                     Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                    other comments they may wish to                         submitted by November 13, 2017.                       Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                    submit about the proposed rule change.                                                                        Change
                                                                                                              For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                       Comments may be submitted by any                     Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated              In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                    of the following methods:                               authority.25                                          Exchange included statements
                                                    Electronic Comments                                     Eduardo A. Aleman,                                    concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                                                                            Assistant Secretary.                                  the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                      • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                                                                            [FR Doc. 2017–21537 Filed 10–5–17; 8:45 am]           any comments it received on the
                                                    comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                                                                            BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                    rules/sro.shtml); or
                                                                                                                                                                  statements may be examined at the
                                                      • Send an email to rule-comments@
                                                                                                                                                                  places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                    sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                                                                            SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                    NYSEArca–2017–56 on the subject line.
                                                                                                            COMMISSION                                            forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                    Paper Comments                                                                                                the most significant aspects of such
                                                                                                            [Release No. 34–81798; File No. SR–
                                                       • Send paper comments in triplicate                  NASDAQ–2017–097]                                      statements.
                                                    to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                                                                         A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                           Self-Regulatory Organizations; The                    Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                    Washington, DC 20549–1090.                              NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of                    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                            Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of                 Change
                                                    All submissions should refer to File
                                                                                                            Proposed Rule Change To Amend the
                                                    Number SR–NYSEArca–2017–56. This                                                                              1. Purpose
                                                                                                            Exchange’s Connectivity Fees at Rule
                                                    file number should be included on the
                                                                                                            7051                                                     The Exchange proposes to amend
                                                    subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                                                                            October 2, 2017.                                      Rule 7051, which sets forth the schedule
                                                       23 Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, as amended by the
                                                                                                               Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the                of fees that the Exchange charges to its
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                    Securities Acts Amendments of 1975, Public Law
                                                                                                            Securities Exchange Act of 1934                       clients for connecting directly to the
                                                    94–29 (June 4, 1975), grants the Commission                                                                   Exchange’s data centers and/or
                                                    flexibility to determine what type of proceeding—       (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                    either oral or notice and opportunity for written       notice is hereby given that on                        receiving third party market data feeds
                                                    comments—is appropriate for consideration of a          September 18, 2017, The NASDAQ                        and other non-Exchange services from
                                                    particular proposal by a self-regulatory
                                                                                                            Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or                       the Exchange via circuits provided by
                                                    organization. See Securities Acts Amendments of                                                               third party telecommunications
                                                    1975, Senate Comm. on Banking, Housing & Urban
                                                    Affairs, S. Rep. No. 75, 94th Cong., 1st Sess. 30         25 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(57).                          providers.
                                                    (1975).                                                   1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                 Subscribers may use the connectivity
                                                       24 See supra note 3.                                   2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                 provided under Rule 7051 to link them


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Document Created: 2017-10-06 00:08:36
Document Modified: 2017-10-06 00:08:36
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
DatesOctober 2, 2017.
FR Citation82 FR 46870 

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