82_FR_55913 82 FR 55689 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade Shares of the Innovator S&P 500 15% Shield Strategy ETF Series, Innovator S&P 500 −5% to −35% Shield Strategy ETF Series, Innovator S&P 500 Enhance and 10% Shield Strategy ETF Series, and Innovator S&P 500 Ultra Strategy ETF Series Under Rule 14.11(i)

82 FR 55689 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade Shares of the Innovator S&P 500 15% Shield Strategy ETF Series, Innovator S&P 500 −5% to −35% Shield Strategy ETF Series, Innovator S&P 500 Enhance and 10% Shield Strategy ETF Series, and Innovator S&P 500 Ultra Strategy ETF Series Under Rule 14.11(i)

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 224 (November 22, 2017)

Page Range55689-55696
FR Document2017-25226

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 224 (Wednesday, November 22, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 22, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55689-55696]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25226]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-82097; File No. SR-BatsBZX-2017-72]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing of a Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade Shares of the 
Innovator S&P 500 15% Shield Strategy ETF Series, Innovator S&P 500 -5% 
to -35% Shield Strategy ETF Series, Innovator S&P 500 Enhance and 10% 
Shield Strategy ETF Series, and Innovator S&P 500 Ultra Strategy ETF 
Series Under Rule 14.11(i)

November 16, 2017.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on November 7, 2017, Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``BZX'') (formerly known as Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.) filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the proposed rule 
change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been 
prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to 
solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange filed a proposed rule change to list and trade shares 
of the Innovator S&P 500 15% Shield Strategy ETF Series, Innovator S&P 
500 -5% to -35% Shield Strategy ETF Series, Innovator S&P 500 Enhance 
and 10% Shield Strategy ETF Series and Innovator S&P 500 Ultra Strategy 
ETF Series under the Innovator ETFs Trust (formerly, Academy Funds 
Trust), under Rule 14.11(i) (``Managed Fund Shares'').
    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's 
Web site at www.markets.cboe.com, at the principal office of the 
Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the

[[Page 55690]]

places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, 
set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts 
of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to list and trade shares (``Shares'') of up 
to twelve monthly Innovator S&P 500 15% Shield Strategy ETF Series 
(collectively, the ``Shield Funds''), Innovator S&P 500 -5% to -35% 
Shield Strategy ETF Series (collectively, the ``Ultra Shield Funds''), 
Innovator S&P 500 Enhance and 10% Shield Strategy ETF Series 
(collectively, the ``Enhance and Shield Funds'') and Innovator S&P 500 
Ultra Strategy ETF Series (collectively, the ``Ultra Funds'') (each a 
``Fund'' and, collectively, the ``Funds'') under Rule 14.11(i), which 
governs the listing and trading of Managed Fund Shares on the 
Exchange.\3\ Each Fund will be an actively managed exchange traded fund 
(``ETF'').
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    \3\ The Commission originally approved BZX Rule 14.11(i) in 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65225 (August 30, 2011), 76 FR 
55148 (September 6, 2011) (SR-BATS-2011-018) and subsequently 
approved generic listing standards for Managed Fund Shares under 
Rule 14.11(i) in Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78396 (July 22, 
2016), 81 FR 49698 (July 28, 2016) (SR-BATS-2015-100).
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    The Shares will be offered by Innovator ETFs Trust (formerly 
Academy Funds Trust) (the ``Trust''), which was established as a 
Delaware statutory trust on October 17, 2007. The Trust is registered 
with the Commission as an investment company and has filed, for each 
Fund, a registration statement on Form N-1A (``Registration 
Statement'') with the Commission on behalf of the Funds.\4\ Each Fund 
intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (a 
``RIC'') under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as 
amended.\5\ Innovator Capital Management, LLC (the ``Adviser'') is the 
investment adviser to the Funds and Milliman Financial Risk Management 
LLC (the ``Sub-Adviser'') is the sub-adviser. Rule 14.11(i)(7) provides 
that, if the investment adviser to the investment company issuing 
Managed Fund Shares is affiliated with a broker-dealer, such investment 
adviser shall erect a ``fire wall'' between the investment adviser and 
the broker-dealer with respect to access to information concerning the 
composition and/or changes to such investment company portfolio.\6\ In 
addition, Rule 14.11(i)(7) further requires that personnel who make 
decisions on the investment company's portfolio composition must be 
subject to procedures designed to prevent the use and dissemination of 
material nonpublic information regarding the applicable investment 
company portfolio. Neither the Adviser nor the Sub-Adviser is a 
registered broker-dealer, and neither the Adviser nor the Sub-Adviser 
are affiliated with broker-dealers. In addition, Adviser or Sub-Adviser 
personnel who make decisions regarding a Fund's portfolio are subject 
to procedures designed to prevent the use and dissemination of material 
nonpublic information regarding the Fund's portfolio. In the event that 
(a) the Adviser or Sub-Adviser becomes registered as a broker-dealer or 
newly affiliated with another broker-dealer, or (b) any new adviser or 
sub-adviser is a registered broker-dealer or becomes affiliated with a 
broker-dealer, it will implement a fire wall with respect to its 
relevant personnel or such broker-dealer affiliate, as applicable, 
regarding access to information concerning the composition and/or 
changes to the portfolio, and will be subject to procedures designed to 
prevent the use and dissemination of material non-public information 
regarding such portfolio.
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    \4\ See Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 59 and 60 to Registration 
Statement on Form N-1A for the Trust, dated September 8, 2017 (File 
Nos. 333-146827 and 811-22135) and Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 63 
and 64 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A for the Trust, dated 
October 19, 2017 (File Nos. 333-146827 and 811-22135). The 
descriptions of the Funds and the Shares contained herein are based 
on information in the Registration Statement.
    \5\ 26 U.S.C. 851.
    \6\ An investment adviser to an open-end fund is required to be 
registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the ``Advisers 
Act''). As a result, the Adviser and its related personnel are 
subject to the provisions of Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act 
relating to codes of ethics. This Rule requires investment advisers 
to adopt a code of ethics that reflects the fiduciary nature of the 
relationship to clients as well as compliance with other applicable 
securities laws. Accordingly, procedures designed to prevent the 
communication and misuse of non-public information by an investment 
adviser must be consistent with Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act. 
In addition, Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act makes it unlawful 
for an investment adviser to provide investment advice to clients 
unless such investment adviser has (i) adopted and implemented 
written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent 
violation, by the investment adviser and its supervised persons, of 
the Advisers Act and the Commission rules adopted thereunder; (ii) 
implemented, at a minimum, an annual review regarding the adequacy 
of the policies and procedures established pursuant to subparagraph 
(i) above and the effectiveness of their implementation; and (iii) 
designated an individual (who is a supervised person) responsible 
for administering the policies and procedures adopted under 
subparagraph (i) above.
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    The investment objective of the Shield Funds is to provide 
investors, over a one-year period, with returns equal to those of the 
S&P 500 Price Return Index, while providing protection from S&P 500 
Price Return Index losses. The investment objective of the Ultra Shield 
Funds is to provide investors, over a one-year period, with returns 
equal to those of the S&P 500 Price Return Index, while providing 
protection from S&P 500 Price Return Index losses. The investment 
objective of the Enhance and Shield Funds is to provide investors, over 
a one-year period, with returns that exceed those of the S&P 500 Price 
Return Index, while providing protection from S&P 500 Price Return 
Index losses. The investment objective of the Ultra Funds is to provide 
investors, over a one-year period, with returns that exceed those of 
the S&P 500 Price Return Index.
    The Shield Funds and the Ultra Shield Funds are each actively 
managed funds that seek to exceed the returns of a benchmark index that 
employs a ``defined outcome strategy'' that is: (1) For the Shield 
Funds, the Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect Index Series (the ``Shield 
Index''), which seeks to provide investment returns that match those of 
the S&P 500 Price Return Index (the ``S&P 500 Index''), up to a 
maximized annual return (the ``Shield Cap Level''), while guarding 
against a decline in the S&P 500 Index of the first 15% (the ``Shield 
Strategy''); and (2) for the Ultra Shield Funds, Cboe S&P 500 30% (-5% 
to -35%) Buffer Protect Index Series (the ``Ultra Shield Index''), 
which seeks to provide investment returns that match those of the S&P 
500 Index, up to a maximized annual return (the ``Ultra Shield Cap 
Level''), while guarding against a decline in the S&P 500 Index of 
between 5% and 35% (the ``Ultra Shield Strategy''). The Enhance and 
Shield Funds and the Ultra Funds do not utilize benchmark indexes and 
are each actively managed funds that employ a ``defined outcome 
strategy'' that: (1) For the Enhance and Shield Funds, seeks to provide 
investment returns that exceed the gains of the S&P 500 Index, up to a 
maximized annual return (the ``Enhance and Shield Cap Level''), while 
guarding against a decline in the S&P 500 Index of the first 10% (the 
``Enhance and Shield Strategy''); and (2) for the Ultra Funds, seeks to 
provide investment returns that exceed gains of the S&P 500 Index, up 
to a maximized annual return (the ``Ultra Cap Level'') (the ``Ultra 
Strategy'' and, collectively with the Shield Strategy, Ultra Shield 
Strategy and Enhance and Shield Strategy, the

[[Page 55691]]

``Strategies''). Pursuant to the Strategies, each Fund will invest 
primarily in exchange-traded options contracts that reference either 
the S&P 500 Index or ETFs that track the S&P 500 Index. Defined outcome 
strategies are designed to participate in market gains and losses 
within pre-determined ranges over a specified period (i.e. point to 
point). These outcomes are predicated on the assumption that an 
investment vehicle employing the strategy is held for the designated 
outcome periods. As such, the Exchange is proposing to list up to 
twelve monthly series of each of the Shield Funds, Ultra Shield Funds, 
Enhance and Shield Funds and the Ultra Funds, as named above.
    The Exchange submits this proposal in order to allow each Fund to 
hold listed derivatives, in particular FLexible EXchange Options 
(``FLEX Options'') on the S&P 500 Index, in a manner that does not 
comply with Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C)(iv)(b).\7\ Otherwise, the Funds will 
comply with all other listing requirements of the Generic Listing 
Standards \8\ for Managed Fund Shares on an initial and continued 
listing basis under Rule 14.11(i).
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    \7\ Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C)(iv)(b) provides that ``the aggregate 
gross notional value of listed derivatives based on any five or 
fewer underlying reference assets shall not exceed 65% of the weight 
of the portfolio (including gross notional exposures), and the 
aggregate gross notional value of listed derivatives based on any 
single underlying reference asset shall not exceed 30% of the weight 
of the portfolio (including gross notional exposures).'' The 
Exchange is proposing that the Funds be exempt from the requirement 
of Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C)(iv)(b) that prevents the aggregate gross 
notional value of listed derivatives based on any single underlying 
reference asset from exceeding 30% of the weight of the portfolio 
(including gross notional exposures) and the requirement that the 
aggregate gross notional value of listed derivatives based on any 
five or fewer underlying reference assets shall not exceed 65% of 
the weight of the portfolio (including gross notional exposures).
    \8\ For purposes of this proposal, the term ``Generic Listing 
Standards'' shall mean the generic listing rules for Managed Fund 
Shares under Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C).
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Innovator S&P 500 15% Shield Strategy ETF Series
    The Shield Funds are actively managed funds that seek to provide 
total return which exceeds that of the Shield Index. Each Shield Fund 
will seek excess return above the Shield Index, before expenses are 
taken into account, solely through the active management of any 
available assets not required to be deposited for margin in connection 
with the Shield Fund's respective investments in the Shield Index 
components. Under Normal Market Conditions,\9\ each Shield Fund will 
attempt to achieve its investment objective by taking positions that 
provide performance exposure substantially similar to the exposure 
provided by components of the Shield Index.\10\ Pursuant to the Shield 
Strategy, each Shield Fund will invest primarily in the FLEX Options 
included in the Shield Index or other standardized options contracts 
listed on a U.S. exchange that reference either the S&P 500 Index or 
ETFs that track the S&P 500 Index.
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    \9\ As defined in Rule 14.11(i)(3)(E), the term ``Normal Market 
Conditions'' includes, but is not limited to, the absence of trading 
halts in the applicable financial markets generally; operational 
issues causing dissemination of inaccurate market information or 
system failures; or force majeure type events such as natural or 
man-made disaster, act of God, armed conflict, act of terrorism, 
riot or labor disruption, or any similar intervening circumstance.
    \10\ The Shield Funds are not index tracking funds and are not 
required to invest in all components of the Shield Index.
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    The Shield Index is composed of U.S. exchange-listed FLEX Options 
that reference the S&P 500 Index. The Shield Index is designed to 
produce returns that, over a period of approximately one year, match 
the returns of the S&P 500 Index up to the Shield Cap Level, while 
guarding against a decline in the S&P 500 Index of the first 15%. More 
specifically, the Shield Index is designed to produce the following 
outcomes during the outcome period:
     If the S&P 500 Index appreciates over the outcome period: 
The Shield Index will provide a total return that matches the 
percentage increase of the S&P 500 Index, up to the Shield Cap Level;
     If the S&P 500 Index decreases over the outcome period by 
15% or less: The Shield Index will provide a total return of zero; and
     If the S&P 500 Index depreciates over the outcome period 
by greater than 15%: The Shield Index will provide a total return loss 
that is 15% less than the percentage loss on the S&P 500 Index with a 
maximum loss of approximately 85%.

The Shield Index will produce these outcomes by layering ``purchased'' 
and ``written'' FLEX Options. The customizable nature of FLEX Options 
allows for the creation of a strategy that sets desired defined outcome 
parameters. The FLEX Options comprising the Shield Index have terms 
that, when layered upon each other, are designed to buffer against 
losses of the S&P 500 Index. However, another effect of the layering of 
FLEX Options with these terms is a cap on the level of possible gains. 
Any FLEX Options that are written by the Shield Index that create an 
obligation to sell or buy an asset will be offset with a position in 
FLEX Options purchased by the Shield Index to create the right to buy 
or sell the same asset such that the Shield Index will always be in a 
net long position. That is, any theoretical obligations of a Shield 
Index created by its writing of FLEX Options will be covered by 
offsetting positions in other purchased FLEX Options. As the FLEX 
Options mature at the end of each outcome period, they are replaced. By 
replacing FLEX Options annually, each Shield Index seeks to ensure that 
investments made in a given month during the current year buffer 
against negative returns of the S&P 500 Index up to pre-determined 
levels in that same month of the following year.
    Similarly, each of the Shield Funds will layer purchased and 
written FLEX Options that comprise the Shield Index. Any FLEX Options 
that are written by a Shield Fund that create an obligation to sell or 
buy an asset will be offset with a position in FLEX Options purchased 
by the Shield Fund to create the right to buy or sell the same asset 
such that the Shield Fund will always be in a net long position. That 
is, any obligations of a Shield Fund created by its writing of FLEX 
Options will be covered by offsetting positions in other purchased FLEX 
Options. As the FLEX Options mature at the end of each outcome period, 
they are replaced. By replacing FLEX Options annually, each Shield Fund 
seeks to ensure that investments made in a given month during the 
current year buffer against negative returns of the S&P 500 Index up to 
pre-determined levels in that same month of the following year. The 
Shield Funds do not offer any protection against declines in the S&P 
500 Index exceeding 15% on an annualized basis. Shareholders will bear 
all S&P 500 Index losses exceeding 15% on a one-to-one basis.
    The FLEX Options owned by each of the Shield Funds will have the 
same terms (i.e. same strike price and expiration) for all investors of 
a Shield Fund within an outcome period. The Shield Cap Level will be 
determined with respect to each Shield Fund on the inception date of 
the Shield Fund and at the beginning of each outcome period.
Innovator S&P 500 -5% to -35% Shield Strategy ETF Series
    The Ultra Shield Funds are actively managed funds that seek to 
provide total return which exceeds that of the Ultra Shield Index. Each 
Ultra Shield Fund will seek excess return above the Ultra Shield Index, 
before expenses are taken into account, solely through the active 
management of any available assets not required to be deposited for 
margin in

[[Page 55692]]

connection with the Ultra Shield Fund's respective investments in the 
Ultra Shield Index components. Under Normal Market Conditions, each 
Ultra Shield Fund will attempt to achieve its investment objective by 
taking positions that provide performance exposure substantially 
similar to the exposure provided by components of the Ultra Shield 
Index.\11\ Pursuant to the Ultra Shield Strategy, each Ultra Shield 
Fund will invest primarily in the FLEX Options included in the Ultra 
Shield Index or other standardized options contracts listed on a U.S. 
exchange that reference either the S&P 500 Index or ETFs that track the 
S&P 500 Index.
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    \11\ The Ultra Shield Funds are not index tracking funds and are 
not required to invest in all components of the Ultra Shield Index.
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    The Ultra Shield Index is composed of U.S. exchange-listed FLEX 
Options that reference the S&P 500 Index. The Ultra Shield Index is 
designed to produce returns that, over a period of approximately one 
year, match the returns of the S&P 500 Index up the Ultra Shield Cap 
Level while guarding against a decline in the S&P 500 Index of between 
5% and 35%. More specifically, the Ultra Shield Index is designed to 
produce the following outcomes during the outcome period:
     If the S&P 500 Index appreciates over the outcome period: 
The Ultra Shield Index seeks to provide a total return that matches the 
percentage increase of the S&P 500 Index, up to the Ultra Shield Cap 
Level;
     If the S&P 500 Index decreases over the outcome period by 
5% or less: The Ultra Shield Index seeks to provide a total return loss 
that is equal to the percentage loss on the S&P 500 Index;
     If the S&P 500 Index decreases over the outcome period by 
5%-35%: The Ultra Shield Index seeks to provide a total return loss of 
5%; and
     If the S&P 500 Index depreciates over the outcome period 
by greater than 35%: The Ultra Shield Index seeks to provide a total 
return loss that is 30% less than the percentage loss on the S&P 500 
Index with a maximum loss of approximately 70%.

The Ultra Shield Index will produce these outcomes by layering 
``purchased'' and ``written'' FLEX Options. The customizable nature of 
FLEX Options allows for the creation of a strategy that sets desired 
defined outcome parameters. The FLEX Options comprising the Ultra 
Shield Index have terms that, when layered upon each other, are 
designed to buffer against losses of the S&P 500 Index. However, 
another effect of the layering of FLEX Options with these terms is a 
cap on the level of possible gains. Any FLEX Options that are written 
by the Ultra Shield Index that create an obligation to sell or buy an 
asset will be offset with a position in FLEX Options purchased by the 
Ultra Shield Index to create the right to buy or sell the same asset 
such that the Ultra Shield Index will always be in a net long position. 
That is, any theoretical obligations of an Ultra Shield Index created 
by its writing of FLEX Options will be covered by offsetting positions 
in other purchased FLEX Options. As the FLEX Options mature at the end 
of each outcome period, they are replaced. By replacing FLEX Options 
annually, each Ultra Shield Index seeks to ensure that investments made 
in a given month during the current year buffer against negative 
returns of the S&P 500 Index up to pre-determined levels in that same 
month of the following year.
    Similarly, each of the Ultra Shield Funds will layer purchased and 
written FLEX Options that comprise the Ultra Shield Index. Any FLEX 
Options that are written by an Ultra Shield Fund that create an 
obligation to sell or buy an asset will be offset with a position in 
FLEX Options purchased by the Ultra Shield Fund to create the right to 
buy or sell the same asset such that the Ultra Shield Fund will always 
be in a net long position. That is, any obligations of an Ultra Shield 
Fund created by its writing of FLEX Options will be covered by 
offsetting positions in other purchased FLEX Options. As the FLEX 
Options mature at the end of each outcome period, they are replaced. By 
replacing FLEX Options annually, each Ultra Shield Fund seeks to ensure 
that investments made in a given month during the current year buffer 
against negative returns of the S&P 500 Index up to pre-determined 
levels in that same month of the following year. The Ultra Shield Funds 
do not offer any protection against declines in the S&P 500 Index 
exceeding 35% on an annualized basis. Shareholders will bear all S&P 
500 Index losses exceeding 35% on a one-to-one basis.
    The FLEX Options owned by each of the Ultra Shield Funds will have 
the same terms (i.e. same strike price and expiration) for all 
investors of an Ultra Shield Fund within an outcome period. The Ultra 
Shield Cap Level will be determined with respect to each Ultra Shield 
Fund on the inception date of the Ultra Shield Fund and at the 
beginning of each outcome period.
Innovator S&P 500 Enhance and 10% Shield Strategy ETF Series
    Under Normal Market Conditions, each Enhance and Shield Fund will 
attempt to achieve its investment objective by employing a ``defined 
outcome strategy'' that seeks to provide investment returns that exceed 
the gains of the S&P 500 Index, up to the Enhance and Shield Cap Level, 
while shielding investors from S&P 500 Index losses of up to 10%. 
Pursuant to the Enhance and Shield Strategy, each Enhance and Shield 
Fund will invest primarily in FLEX Options or other standardized 
options contracts listed on a U.S. exchange that reference either the 
S&P 500 Index or ETFs that track the S&P 500 Index.
    The portfolio managers will invest in a portfolio of FLEX Options 
linked to an underlying asset, the S&P 500 Index, that, when held for 
the specified period, seeks to produce returns that, over a period of 
approximately one year, exceed the returns of the S&P 500 Index up to 
the Enhance and Shield Cap Level. Pursuant to the Enhance and Shield 
Strategy, each Enhance and Shield Fund's portfolio managers will seek 
to produce the following outcomes during the outcome period:
     If the S&P 500 Index appreciates over the outcome period: 
The Enhance and Shield Fund seeks to provide shareholders with a total 
return that exceeds that of the S&P 500 Index, up to and including the 
Enhance and Shield Cap Level;
     If the S&P 500 Index depreciates over the outcome period 
by 10% or less: The Enhance and Shield Fund seeks to provide a total 
return of zero;
     If the S&P 500 Index decreases over the outcome period by 
more than 10%: The Enhance and Shield Fund seeks to provide a total 
return loss that is 10% less than the percentage loss on the S&P 500 
Index with a maximum loss of approximately 90%.

The Enhance and Shield Funds will produce these outcomes by layering 
purchased and written FLEX Options. The customizable nature of FLEX 
Options allows for the creation of a strategy that sets desired defined 
outcome parameters. The FLEX Options comprising an Enhance and Shield 
Fund's portfolio have terms that, when layered upon each other, are 
designed to buffer against losses or exceed the gains of the S&P 500 
Index. However, another effect of the layering of FLEX Options with 
these terms is a cap on the level of possible gains.
    Any FLEX Options that are written by an Enhance and Shield Fund 
that create an obligation to sell or buy an asset will be offset with a 
position in FLEX Options purchased by the Enhance and Shield Fund to 
create the right to buy or sell the same asset such that the

[[Page 55693]]

Enhance and Shield Fund will always be in a net long position. That is, 
any obligations of an Enhance and Shield Fund created by its writing of 
FLEX Options will be covered by offsetting positions in other purchased 
FLEX Options. As the FLEX Options mature at the end of each outcome 
period, they are replaced. By replacing FLEX Options annually, each 
Enhance and Shield Fund seeks to ensure that investments made in a 
given month during the current year buffer against negative returns of 
the S&P 500 Index up to pre-determined levels in that same month of the 
following year. The Enhance and Shield Funds do not offer any 
protection against declines in the S&P 500 Index exceeding 10% on an 
annualized basis. Shareholders will bear all S&P 500 Index losses 
exceeding 10% on a one-to-one basis.
    The FLEX Options owned by each of the Enhance and Shield Funds will 
have the same terms (i.e. same strike price and expiration) for all 
investors of an Enhance and Shield Fund within an outcome period. The 
Enhance and Shield Cap Level will be determined with respect to each 
Enhance and Shield Fund on the inception date of the Enhance and Shield 
Fund and at the beginning of each outcome period.
Innovator S&P 500 Ultra Strategy ETF Series
    Under Normal Market Conditions, each Ultra Fund will attempt to 
achieve its investment objective by employing a ``defined outcome 
strategy'' that seeks to provide investment returns that exceed the 
gains of the S&P 500 Index, up to the Ultra Cap Level. Pursuant to the 
Ultra Strategy, each Ultra Fund will invest primarily in FLEX Options 
or other standardized options contracts listed on a U.S. exchange that 
reference either the S&P 500 Index or ETFs that track the S&P 500 
Index.
    The portfolio managers will invest in a portfolio of FLEX Options 
linked to an underlying asset, the S&P 500 Index, that, when held for 
the specified period, seeks to produce returns that, over a period of 
approximately one year, exceed the returns of the S&P 500 Index up to 
the Ultra Cap Level. Pursuant to the Ultra Strategy, each Ultra Fund's 
portfolio managers will seek to produce the following outcomes during 
the outcome period:
     If the S&P 500 Index appreciates over the outcome period: 
The Ultra Fund seeks to provide shareholders with a total return that 
exceeds that of the S&P 500 Index, up to the Ultra Cap Level;
     If the S&P 500 Index decreases over the outcome period: 
The Ultra Fund seeks to provide a total return loss that is equal to 
the percentage loss of the S&P 500 Index.

The Ultra Funds will produce these outcomes by layering purchased and 
written FLEX Options. The customizable nature of FLEX Options allow for 
the creation of a strategy that sets desired defined outcome 
parameters. The FLEX Options comprising the Ultra Fund's portfolio have 
terms that, when layered upon each other, are designed to exceed the 
gains of the S&P 500 Index. However, another effect of the layering of 
FLEX Options with these terms is a cap on the level of possible gains.
    Any FLEX Options that are written by the Ultra Fund that create an 
obligation to sell or buy an asset will be offset with a position in 
FLEX Options purchased by the Ultra Fund to create the right to buy or 
sell the same asset such that the Ultra Fund will always be in a net 
long position. That is, any obligations of an Ultra Fund created by its 
writing of FLEX Options will be covered by offsetting positions in 
other purchased FLEX Options. As the FLEX Options mature at the end of 
each outcome period, they are replaced.
    The FLEX Options owned by each of the Ultra Funds will have the 
same terms (i.e. same strike price and expiration) for all investors of 
an Enhance and Shield Fund within an outcome period. The Ultra Cap 
Level will be determined with respect to each Ultra Fund on inception 
date of the Ultra Fund and at the beginning of each outcome period.
Investment Methodology for the Funds
    Under Normal Market Conditions, each Fund will invest primarily in 
U.S. exchange-listed FLEX Options on the S&P 500 Index. Each of the 
Funds may invest its net assets (in the aggregate) in other investments 
which the Adviser or Sub-Adviser believes will help each Fund to meet 
its investment objective and that will be disclosed at the end of each 
trading day (``Other Assets''). Other Assets include only the 
following: cash or cash equivalents, as defined in Rule 
14.11(i)(4)(C)(iii) \12\ and standardized options contracts listed on a 
U.S. securities exchange that reference either the S&P 500 Index or 
that reference ETFs that track the S&P 500 Index (``Reference ETFs'').
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    \12\ As defined in Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C)(iii), cash equivalents 
include short-term instruments with maturities of less than three 
months, including: (i) U.S. Government securities, including bills, 
notes, and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest, 
which are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by 
U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities; (ii) certificates of 
deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or savings and loan 
association; (iii) bankers acceptances, which are short-term credit 
instruments used to finance commercial transactions; (iv) repurchase 
agreements and reverse repurchase agreements; (v) bank time 
deposits, which are monies kept on deposit with banks or savings and 
loan associations for a stated period of time at a fixed rate of 
interest; (vi) commercial paper, which are short-term unsecured 
promissory notes; and (vii) money market funds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

S&P 500 Index FLEX Options
    The market for options contracts on the S&P 500 Index traded on 
Cboe Exchange, Inc. (``Cboe Options'') is among the most liquid markets 
in the world. In 2016, 1,023,623 options contracts on the S&P 500 Index 
were traded per day on Cboe Options, which is more than $200 billion in 
notional volume traded on a daily basis. While FLEX Options are traded 
differently than standardized options contracts, the Exchange believes 
that this liquidity bolsters the market for FLEX Options, as described 
below. Every FLEX Option order submitted to Cboe Options is exposed to 
a competitive auction process for price discovery. The process begins 
with a request for quote (``RFQ'') in which the interested party 
establishes the terms of the FLEX Options contract. The RFQ solicits 
interested market participants, including on-floor market makers, 
remote market makers trading electronically, and member firm traders, 
to respond to the RFQ with bids or offers through a competitive 
process. This solicitation contains all of the contract specifications-
underlying, size, type of option, expiration date, strike price, 
exercise style and settlement basis. During a specified amount of time, 
responses to the RFQ are received and at the end of that time period, 
the initiator can decide whether to accept the best bid or offer. The 
process occurs under the rules of Cboe Options which means that 
customer transactions are effected according to the principles of a 
fair and orderly market following trading procedures and policies 
developed by Cboe Options.
    The Exchange believes that sufficient protections are in place to 
protect against market manipulation of the Funds' Shares and FLEX 
Options on the S&P 500 Index for several reasons: (i) The diversity, 
liquidity, and market cap of the securities underlying the S&P 500 
Index; (ii) the competitive quoting process for FLEX Options; (iii) the 
significant liquidity in the market for options on the S&P 500 Index 
results in a well-established price discovery process that provides 
meaningful guideposts for FLEX Option pricing; and (iv) surveillance by 
the Exchange, Cboe

[[Page 55694]]

Options \13\ and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority 
(``FINRA'') designed to detect violations of the federal securities 
laws and self-regulatory organization (``SRO'') rules. The Exchange has 
in place a surveillance program for transactions in ETFs to ensure the 
availability of information necessary to detect and deter potential 
manipulations and other trading abuses, thereby making the Shares less 
readily susceptible to manipulation. Further, the Exchange believes 
that because the assets in each Fund's portfolio, which are comprised 
primarily of FLEX Options on the S&P 500 Index, will be acquired in 
extremely liquid and highly regulated markets,\14\ the Shares are less 
readily susceptible to manipulation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ The Exchange notes that Cboe Options is a member of the 
Option Price Regulatory Surveillance Authority, which was 
established in 2006, to provide efficiencies in looking for insider 
trading and serves as a central organization to facilitate 
collaboration in insider trading and investigations for the U.S. 
options exchanges. For more information, see http://www.cboe.com/aboutcboe/legal/departments/orsareg.aspx.
    \14\ All exchange-listed securities that the Funds may hold will 
trade on a market that is a member of the Intermarket Surveillance 
Group (``ISG'') and the Funds will not hold any non-exchange-listed 
equities or options, however, not all of the components of the 
portfolio for the Funds may trade on exchanges that are members of 
the ISG or with which the Exchange has in place a comprehensive 
surveillance sharing agreement. For a list of the current members of 
ISG, see www.isgportal.org.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that its surveillance procedures are adequate 
to properly monitor the trading of the Shares on the Exchange during 
all trading sessions and to deter and detect violations of Exchange 
rules and the applicable federal securities laws. Trading of the Shares 
through the Exchange will be subject to the Exchange's surveillance 
procedures for derivative products, including Managed Fund Shares. All 
statements and representations made in this filing regarding (a) the 
description of the portfolio, reference assets, and index, (b) 
limitations on portfolio holdings or reference assets, or (c) the 
applicability of Exchange rules shall constitute continued listing 
requirements for listing the Shares on the Exchange. The issuer has 
represented to the Exchange that it will advise the Exchange of any 
failure by a Fund or the related Shares to comply with the continued 
listing requirements, and, pursuant to its obligations under Section 
19(g)(1) of the Act, the Exchange will surveil for compliance with the 
continued listing requirements. If a Fund or the related Shares are not 
in compliance with the applicable listing requirements, then, with 
respect to such Fund or Shares, the Exchange will commence delisting 
procedures under Exchange Rule 14.12. FINRA conducts certain cross-
market surveillances on behalf of the Exchange pursuant to a regulatory 
services agreement. The Exchange is responsible for FINRA's performance 
under this regulatory services agreement. If a Fund is not in 
compliance with the applicable listing requirements, the Exchange will 
commence delisting procedures with respect to such Fund under Exchange 
Rule 14.12.
    The Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, will communicate 
as needed regarding trading in the Shares and exchange-traded options 
contracts with other markets and other entities that are members of the 
ISG and may obtain trading information regarding trading in the Shares 
and exchange-traded options contracts from such markets and other 
entities. In addition, the Exchange may obtain information regarding 
trading in the Shares and exchange-traded options contracts from 
markets and other entities that are members of ISG or with which the 
Exchange has in place a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement. 
In addition, the Exchange also has a general policy prohibiting the 
distribution of material, non-public information by its employees.
    As noted above, options on the S&P 500 Index are among the most 
liquid options in the world and derive their value from the actively 
traded S&P 500 Index components. The contracts are cash-settled with no 
delivery of stocks or ETFs, and trade in competitive auction markets 
with price and quote transparency. The Exchange believes the highly 
regulated options markets and the broad base and scope of the S&P 500 
Index make securities that derive their value from that index less 
susceptible to market manipulation in view of market capitalization and 
liquidity of the S&P 500 Index components, price and quote 
transparency, and arbitrage opportunities.
    The Exchange believes that the liquidity of the markets for S&P 500 
Index securities, options on the S&P 500 Index, and other related 
derivatives is sufficiently great to deter fraudulent or manipulative 
acts associated with the Funds' Shares price. The Exchange also 
believes that such liquidity is sufficient to support the creation and 
redemption mechanism. Coupled with the extensive surveillance programs 
of the SROs described above, the Exchange does not believe that trading 
in the Funds' Shares would present manipulation concerns.
    The Exchange represents that, except for the limitations on listed 
derivatives in BZX Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C)(iv)(b), the Funds' proposed 
investments will satisfy, on an initial and continued listing basis, 
all of the generic listing standards under BZX Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C) and 
all other applicable requirements for Managed Fund Shares under Rule 
14.11(i). The Trust is required to comply with Rule 10A-3 under the Act 
for the initial and continued listing of the Shares of the Funds. A 
minimum of 100,000 Shares will be outstanding at the commencement of 
trading on the Exchange. In addition, the Exchange represents that the 
Shares of the Funds will comply with all other requirements applicable 
to Managed Fund Shares, which includes the dissemination of key 
information such as the Disclosed Portfolio,\15\ Net Asset Value,\16\ 
and the Intraday Indicative Value,\17\ suspension of trading or 
removal,\18\ trading halts,\19\ surveillance,\20\ minimum price 
variation for quoting and order entry,\21\ and the information 
circular,\22\ as set forth in Exchange rules applicable to Managed Fund 
Shares. Moreover, all of the options contracts held by the Funds will 
trade on markets that are a member of ISG or affiliated with a member 
of ISG or with which the Exchange has in place a comprehensive 
surveillance sharing agreement. Quotation and last sale information for 
U.S. exchange-listed options contracts cleared by The Options Clearing 
Corporation will be available via the Options Price Reporting 
Authority. RFQ information for FLEX Options will be available directly 
from Cboe Options. The intra-day, closing and settlement prices of 
exchange-traded options will be readily available from the options 
exchanges, automated quotation systems, published or other public 
sources, or online information services such as Bloomberg or Reuters. 
Price information on cash equivalents is available from major broker-
dealer firms or market data vendors, as well as from automated 
quotation systems, published or other public sources, or online 
information services.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(A)(ii) and 14.11(i)(4)(B)(ii).
    \16\ See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(A)(ii).
    \17\ See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(i).
    \18\ See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(iii).
    \19\ See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(iv).
    \20\ See Rule 14.11(i)(2)(C).
    \21\ See Rule 14.11(i)(2)(B).
    \22\ See Rule 14.11(i)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act \23\ in general and Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \24\ in 
particular in that

[[Page 55695]]

it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and 
practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating 
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system and, 
in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
    \24\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is designed to 
prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just 
and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and 
coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in 
securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a 
free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to 
protect investors and the public interest in that the Shares will meet 
each of the initial and continued listing criteria in BZX Rule 14.11(i) 
with the exception of Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C)(iv)(b), which requires that 
the aggregate gross notional value of listed derivatives based on any 
five or fewer underlying reference assets shall not exceed 65% of the 
weight of the portfolio (including gross notional exposures), and the 
aggregate gross notional value of listed derivatives based on any 
single underlying reference asset shall not exceed 30% of the weight of 
the portfolio (including gross notional exposures).\25\ Rule 
14.11(i)(4)(C)(iv)(b) is intended to ensure that a fund is not subject 
to manipulation by virtue of significant exposure to a manipulable 
underlying reference asset by establishing concentration limits among 
the underlying reference assets for listed derivatives held by a 
particular fund.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ As noted above, the Exchange is proposing that each Fund be 
exempt only from the requirements of Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C)(iv)(b) 
which prevents the aggregate gross notional value of listed 
derivatives based on any single underlying reference asset from 
exceeding 30% of the weight of the portfolio (including gross 
notional exposures) and the aggregate gross notional value of listed 
derivatives based on any five or fewer underlying reference assets 
from exceeding 65% of the weight of the portfolio (including gross 
notional exposures).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that sufficient protections are in place to 
protect against market manipulation of the Funds' Shares and FLEX 
Options on the S&P 500 Index for several reasons: (i) The diversity, 
liquidity, and market cap of the securities underlying the S&P 500 
Index; (ii) the competitive quoting process for FLEX Options; (iii) the 
significant liquidity in the market for options on the S&P 500 Index 
results in a well-established price discovery process that provides 
meaningful guideposts for FLEX Option pricing; and (iv) surveillance by 
the Exchange, Cboe Options and FINRA designed to detect violations of 
the federal securities laws and SRO rules. The Exchange has in place a 
surveillance program for transactions in ETFs to ensure the 
availability of information necessary to detect and deter potential 
manipulations and other trading abuses, thereby making the Shares less 
readily susceptible to manipulation. Further, the Exchange believes 
that because the assets in each Fund's portfolio, which are comprised 
primarily of FLEX Options on the S&P 500 Index, will be acquired in 
extremely liquid and highly regulated markets, the Shares are less 
readily susceptible to manipulation.
    The Exchange believes that its surveillance procedures are adequate 
to properly monitor the trading of the Shares on the Exchange during 
all trading sessions and to deter and detect violations of Exchange 
rules and the applicable federal securities laws. Trading of the Shares 
through the Exchange will be subject to the Exchange's surveillance 
procedures for derivative products, including Managed Fund Shares. All 
statements and representations made in this filing regarding (a) the 
description of the portfolio, reference assets, and index, (b) 
limitations on portfolio holdings or reference assets, or (c) the 
applicability of Exchange rules shall constitute continued listing 
requirements for listing the Shares on the Exchange. The issuer has 
represented to the Exchange that it will advise the Exchange of any 
failure by a Fund or the related Shares to comply with the continued 
listing requirements, and, pursuant to its obligations under Section 
19(g)(1) of the Act, the Exchange will surveil for compliance with the 
continued listing requirements. If a Fund or the related Shares are not 
in compliance with the applicable listing requirements, then, with 
respect to such Fund or Shares, the Exchange will commence delisting 
procedures under Exchange Rule 14.12. FINRA conducts certain cross-
market surveillances on behalf of the Exchange pursuant to a regulatory 
services agreement. The Exchange is responsible for FINRA's performance 
under this regulatory services agreement. If a Fund is not in 
compliance with the applicable listing requirements, the Exchange will 
commence delisting procedures with respect to such Fund under Exchange 
Rule 14.12.
    The Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, will communicate 
as needed regarding trading in the Shares and exchange-traded options 
contracts with other markets and other entities that are members of the 
ISG and may obtain trading information regarding trading in the Shares 
and exchange-traded options contracts from such markets and other 
entities. In addition, the Exchange may obtain information regarding 
trading in the Shares and exchange-traded options contracts from 
markets and other entities that are members of ISG or with which the 
Exchange has in place a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement. 
In addition, the Exchange also has a general policy prohibiting the 
distribution of material, non-public information by its employees. As 
noted above, options on the S&P 500 Index are among the most liquid 
options in the world and derive their value from the actively traded 
S&P 500 Index components. The contracts are cash-settled with no 
delivery of stocks or ETFs, and trade in competitive auction markets 
with price and quote transparency. The Exchange believes the highly 
regulated options markets and the broad base and scope of the S&P 500 
Index make securities that derive their value from that index less 
susceptible to market manipulation in view of market capitalization and 
liquidity of the S&P 500 Index components, price and quote 
transparency, and arbitrage opportunities.
    The Exchange believes that the liquidity of the markets for S&P 500 
Index securities, options on the S&P 500 Index, and other related 
derivatives is sufficiently great to deter fraudulent or manipulative 
acts associated with the Funds' Shares price. The Exchange also 
believes that such liquidity is sufficient to support the creation and 
redemption mechanism. Coupled with the extensive surveillance programs 
of the SROs described above, the Exchange does not believe that trading 
in the Funds' Shares would present manipulation concerns.
    The Exchange represents that, except as described above, the Funds 
will meet and be subject to all other requirements of the Generic 
Listing Standards and other applicable continued listing requirements 
for Managed Fund Shares under Rule 14.11(i), including those 
requirements regarding the Disclosed Portfolio,\26\ Intraday Indicative 
Value,\27\ suspension of trading or removal,\28\ trading halts,\29\ 
disclosure,\30\ and firewalls.\31\ The Trust is required to comply with 
Rule 10A-3 under the Act

[[Page 55696]]

for the initial and continued listing of the Shares of each Fund. 
Moreover, all of the options contracts held by the Funds will trade on 
markets that are a member of ISG or affiliated with a member of ISG or 
with which the Exchange has in place a comprehensive surveillance 
sharing agreement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(ii).
    \27\ See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(i).
    \28\ See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(iii).
    \29\ See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(iv).
    \30\ See Rule 14.11(i)(6).
    \31\ See Rule 14.11(i)(7).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the above reasons, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the requirements of Section 6(b)(5) of the 
Act.

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purpose of the Act. The Exchange notes that the 
proposed rule change will facilitate the listing and trading of an 
additional type of Managed Fund Shares that will enhance competition 
among market participants, to the benefit of investors and the 
marketplace.

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

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

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

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or up to 90 days (i) as the Commission may designate 
if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its 
reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the self-regulatory 
organization consents, the Commission will:
    (A) by order approve or disapprove the proposed rule change, or
    (B) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

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

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-BatsBZX-2017-72 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-BatsBZX-2017-72. 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. Persons submitting 
comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal 
identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit 
only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-BatsBZX-2017-72 and should 
be submitted on or before December 13, 2017.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-25226 Filed 11-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 22, 2017 / Notices                                                55689

                                                    19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.19 Because the                   Comments may be submitted by any of                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                    foregoing proposed rule change does                     the following methods:                                 COMMISSION
                                                    not: (i) Significantly affect the
                                                                                                            Electronic Comments                                    [Release No. 34–82097; File No. SR–
                                                    protection of investors or the public                                                                          BatsBZX–2017–72]
                                                    interest, (ii) impose any significant                      • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                    burden on competition, and (iii) become                 comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                      Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe
                                                    operative for 30 days from the date on                  rules/sro.shtml); or                                   BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of
                                                    which it was filed, or such shorter time                   • Send an email to rule-comments@                   a Proposed Rule Change To List and
                                                    as the Commission may designate, it has                 sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                Trade Shares of the Innovator S&P 500
                                                    become effective pursuant to Section                    NYSEArca–2017–128 on the subject                       15% Shield Strategy ETF Series,
                                                    19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 20 and Rule 19b–                 line.                                                  Innovator S&P 500 Ø5% to Ø35%
                                                    4(f)(6) thereunder.21                                                                                          Shield Strategy ETF Series, Innovator
                                                       A proposed rule change filed under                   Paper Comments
                                                                                                                                                                   S&P 500 Enhance and 10% Shield
                                                    Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally does not                         • Send paper comments in triplicate                 Strategy ETF Series, and Innovator
                                                    become operative prior to 30 days after                 to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                  S&P 500 Ultra Strategy ETF Series
                                                    the date of the filing. However, pursuant               Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                          Under Rule 14.11(i)
                                                    to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Commission                Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                    may designate a shorter time if such                                                                           November 16, 2017.
                                                    action is consistent with the protection                All submissions should refer to File                      Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                    of investors and the public interest. The               Number SR–NYSEArca–2017–128. This                      Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
                                                    Exchange has asked the Commission to                    file number should be included on the                  ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                    waive the 30-day operative delay so that                subject line if email is used. To help the             notice is hereby given that on November
                                                    the proposal may become operative                       Commission process and review your                     7, 2017, Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the
                                                    immediately upon filing. As noted                       comments more efficiently, please use                  ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BZX’’) (formerly known
                                                    above, the proposal would allow the                     only one method. The Commission will                   as Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.) filed with
                                                    Exchange to initiate $1 or greater strike               post all comments on the Commission’s                  the Securities and Exchange
                                                    price intervals above $200 for options                  Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                 Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the
                                                    on SPY, DIA, and IVV. Substantially                     rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                        proposed rule change as described in
                                                    similar rules are already in place at                   submission, all subsequent                             Items I and II below, which Items have
                                                    CBOE and PHLX, and the Exchange                         amendments, all written statements                     been prepared by the Exchange. The
                                                    currently has the ability to list, and does             with respect to the proposed rule                      Commission is publishing this notice to
                                                    list, these strike price intervals pursuant             change that are filed with the                         solicit comments on the proposed rule
                                                    to its matching authority in Rule                       Commission, and all written                            change from interested persons.
                                                    903A(b)(vi). The Commission therefore                   communications relating to the
                                                                                                            proposed rule change between the                       I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    believes that waiver of the operative
                                                                                                            Commission and any person, other than                  Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                    delay is consistent with the protection
                                                                                                            those that may be withheld from the                    the Proposed Rule Change
                                                    of investors and the public interest.
                                                    Therefore, the Commission designates                    public in accordance with the                             The Exchange filed a proposed rule
                                                    the proposed rule change to be operative                provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                    change to list and trade shares of the
                                                    upon filing.22                                          available for Web site viewing and                     Innovator S&P 500 15% Shield Strategy
                                                       At any time within 60 days of the                    printing in the Commission’s Public                    ETF Series, Innovator S&P 500 ¥5% to
                                                    filing of the proposed rule change, the                 Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                      ¥35% Shield Strategy ETF Series,
                                                    Commission summarily may                                Washington, DC 20549 on official                       Innovator S&P 500 Enhance and 10%
                                                    temporarily suspend such rule change if                 business days between the hours of                     Shield Strategy ETF Series and
                                                    it appears to the Commission that such                  10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                 Innovator S&P 500 Ultra Strategy ETF
                                                    action is necessary or appropriate in the               filing also will be available for                      Series under the Innovator ETFs Trust
                                                    public interest, for the protection of                  inspection and copying at the principal                (formerly, Academy Funds Trust), under
                                                    investors, or otherwise in furtherance of               office of the Exchange. All comments                   Rule 14.11(i) (‘‘Managed Fund Shares’’).
                                                    the purposes of the Act.                                received will be posted without change.                   The text of the proposed rule change
                                                                                                            Persons submitting comments are                        is available at the Exchange’s Web site
                                                    IV. Solicitation of Comments                            cautioned that we do not redact or edit                at www.markets.cboe.com, at the
                                                      Interested persons are invited to                     personal identifying information from                  principal office of the Exchange, and at
                                                    submit written data, views, and                         comment submissions. You should                        the Commission’s Public Reference
                                                    arguments concerning the foregoing,                     submit only information that you wish                  Room.
                                                    including whether the proposed rule                     to make available publicly. All                        II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    change is consistent with the Act.                      submissions should refer to File                       Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                            Number SR–NYSEArca–2017–128 and                        Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                      19 17  CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                           should be submitted on or before                       Change
                                                      20 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).                           December 13, 2017.
                                                      21 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). As required under Rule
                                                                                                                                                                      In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                                                                              For the Commission, by the Division of
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                    19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the                                                                    Exchange included statements
                                                    Commission with written notice of its intent to file    Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                    the proposed rule change, along with a brief            authority.23                                           concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                    description and the text of the proposed rule                                                                  the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                                                                            Eduardo A. Aleman,
                                                    change, at least five business days prior to the date                                                          any comments it received on the
                                                    of filing of the proposed rule change, or such          Assistant Secretary.
                                                                                                                                                                   proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                    shorter time as designated by the Commission.           [FR Doc. 2017–25229 Filed 11–21–17; 8:45 am]
                                                      22 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
                                                                                                                                                                   statements may be examined at the
                                                                                                            BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                    operative delay, the Commission has considered the
                                                                                                                                                                     1 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                    proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition,
                                                    and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).              23 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                           2 17   CFR 240.19b–4.



                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:57 Nov 21, 2017   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00137    Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\22NON1.SGM     22NON1


                                                    55690                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 22, 2017 / Notices

                                                    places specified in Item IV below. The                  Managed Fund Shares is affiliated with                    The investment objective of the
                                                    Exchange has prepared summaries, set                    a broker-dealer, such investment adviser               Shield Funds is to provide investors,
                                                    forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of                 shall erect a ‘‘fire wall’’ between the                over a one-year period, with returns
                                                    the most significant parts of such                      investment adviser and the broker-                     equal to those of the S&P 500 Price
                                                    statements.                                             dealer with respect to access to                       Return Index, while providing
                                                    A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       information concerning the composition                 protection from S&P 500 Price Return
                                                    Statement of the Purpose of, and                        and/or changes to such investment                      Index losses. The investment objective
                                                    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  company portfolio.6 In addition, Rule                  of the Ultra Shield Funds is to provide
                                                    Change                                                  14.11(i)(7) further requires that                      investors, over a one-year period, with
                                                                                                            personnel who make decisions on the                    returns equal to those of the S&P 500
                                                    1. Purpose                                              investment company’s portfolio                         Price Return Index, while providing
                                                       The Exchange proposes to list and                    composition must be subject to                         protection from S&P 500 Price Return
                                                    trade shares (‘‘Shares’’) of up to twelve               procedures designed to prevent the use                 Index losses. The investment objective
                                                    monthly Innovator S&P 500 15% Shield                    and dissemination of material                          of the Enhance and Shield Funds is to
                                                    Strategy ETF Series (collectively, the                  nonpublic information regarding the                    provide investors, over a one-year
                                                    ‘‘Shield Funds’’), Innovator S&P 500                    applicable investment company                          period, with returns that exceed those of
                                                    ¥5% to ¥35% Shield Strategy ETF                         portfolio. Neither the Adviser nor the                 the S&P 500 Price Return Index, while
                                                    Series (collectively, the ‘‘Ultra Shield                Sub-Adviser is a registered broker-                    providing protection from S&P 500 Price
                                                    Funds’’), Innovator S&P 500 Enhance                     dealer, and neither the Adviser nor the                Return Index losses. The investment
                                                    and 10% Shield Strategy ETF Series                      Sub-Adviser are affiliated with broker-                objective of the Ultra Funds is to
                                                    (collectively, the ‘‘Enhance and Shield                 dealers. In addition, Adviser or Sub-                  provide investors, over a one-year
                                                    Funds’’) and Innovator S&P 500 Ultra                    Adviser personnel who make decisions                   period, with returns that exceed those of
                                                    Strategy ETF Series (collectively, the                  regarding a Fund’s portfolio are subject               the S&P 500 Price Return Index.
                                                    ‘‘Ultra Funds’’) (each a ‘‘Fund’’ and,                  to procedures designed to prevent the                     The Shield Funds and the Ultra
                                                    collectively, the ‘‘Funds’’) under Rule                 use and dissemination of material                      Shield Funds are each actively managed
                                                    14.11(i), which governs the listing and                 nonpublic information regarding the                    funds that seek to exceed the returns of
                                                    trading of Managed Fund Shares on the                   Fund’s portfolio. In the event that (a) the            a benchmark index that employs a
                                                    Exchange.3 Each Fund will be an                         Adviser or Sub-Adviser becomes                         ‘‘defined outcome strategy’’ that is: (1)
                                                    actively managed exchange traded fund                   registered as a broker-dealer or newly                 For the Shield Funds, the Cboe S&P 500
                                                    (‘‘ETF’’).                                              affiliated with another broker-dealer, or              15% Buffer Protect Index Series (the
                                                       The Shares will be offered by                        (b) any new adviser or sub-adviser is a                ‘‘Shield Index’’), which seeks to provide
                                                    Innovator ETFs Trust (formerly                          registered broker-dealer or becomes                    investment returns that match those of
                                                    Academy Funds Trust) (the ‘‘Trust’’),                   affiliated with a broker-dealer, it will               the S&P 500 Price Return Index (the
                                                    which was established as a Delaware                     implement a fire wall with respect to its              ‘‘S&P 500 Index’’), up to a maximized
                                                    statutory trust on October 17, 2007. The                relevant personnel or such broker-dealer               annual return (the ‘‘Shield Cap Level’’),
                                                    Trust is registered with the Commission                 affiliate, as applicable, regarding access             while guarding against a decline in the
                                                    as an investment company and has                        to information concerning the                          S&P 500 Index of the first 15% (the
                                                    filed, for each Fund, a registration                    composition and/or changes to the                      ‘‘Shield Strategy’’); and (2) for the Ultra
                                                    statement on Form N–1A (‘‘Registration                  portfolio, and will be subject to                      Shield Funds, Cboe S&P 500 30% (¥5%
                                                    Statement’’) with the Commission on                     procedures designed to prevent the use                 to ¥35%) Buffer Protect Index Series
                                                    behalf of the Funds.4 Each Fund intends                 and dissemination of material non-                     (the ‘‘Ultra Shield Index’’), which seeks
                                                    to qualify each year as a regulated                     public information regarding such                      to provide investment returns that
                                                    investment company (a ‘‘RIC’’) under                    portfolio.                                             match those of the S&P 500 Index, up
                                                    Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue                                                                           to a maximized annual return (the
                                                    Code of 1986, as amended.5 Innovator                       6 An investment adviser to an open-end fund is
                                                                                                                                                                   ‘‘Ultra Shield Cap Level’’), while
                                                    Capital Management, LLC (the                            required to be registered under the Investment
                                                                                                                                                                   guarding against a decline in the S&P
                                                    ‘‘Adviser’’) is the investment adviser to               Advisers Act of 1940 (the ‘‘Advisers Act’’). As a
                                                                                                            result, the Adviser and its related personnel are      500 Index of between 5% and 35% (the
                                                    the Funds and Milliman Financial Risk                   subject to the provisions of Rule 204A–1 under the     ‘‘Ultra Shield Strategy’’). The Enhance
                                                    Management LLC (the ‘‘Sub-Adviser’’) is                 Advisers Act relating to codes of ethics. This Rule    and Shield Funds and the Ultra Funds
                                                    the sub-adviser. Rule 14.11(i)(7)                       requires investment advisers to adopt a code of
                                                                                                                                                                   do not utilize benchmark indexes and
                                                    provides that, if the investment adviser                ethics that reflects the fiduciary nature of the
                                                                                                            relationship to clients as well as compliance with     are each actively managed funds that
                                                    to the investment company issuing
                                                                                                            other applicable securities laws. Accordingly,         employ a ‘‘defined outcome strategy’’
                                                                                                            procedures designed to prevent the communication       that: (1) For the Enhance and Shield
                                                       3 The Commission originally approved BZX Rule
                                                                                                            and misuse of non-public information by an
                                                    14.11(i) in Securities Exchange Act Release No.         investment adviser must be consistent with Rule
                                                                                                                                                                   Funds, seeks to provide investment
                                                    65225 (August 30, 2011), 76 FR 55148 (September         204A–1 under the Advisers Act. In addition, Rule       returns that exceed the gains of the S&P
                                                    6, 2011) (SR–BATS–2011–018) and subsequently            206(4)–7 under the Advisers Act makes it unlawful      500 Index, up to a maximized annual
                                                    approved generic listing standards for Managed          for an investment adviser to provide investment        return (the ‘‘Enhance and Shield Cap
                                                    Fund Shares under Rule 14.11(i) in Securities           advice to clients unless such investment adviser has
                                                    Exchange Act Release No. 78396 (July 22, 2016), 81      (i) adopted and implemented written policies and
                                                                                                                                                                   Level’’), while guarding against a
                                                    FR 49698 (July 28, 2016) (SR–BATS–2015–100).            procedures reasonably designed to prevent              decline in the S&P 500 Index of the first
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                                                       4 See Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 59 and 60
                                                                                                            violation, by the investment adviser and its           10% (the ‘‘Enhance and Shield
                                                    to Registration Statement on Form N–1A for the          supervised persons, of the Advisers Act and the        Strategy’’); and (2) for the Ultra Funds,
                                                    Trust, dated September 8, 2017 (File Nos. 333–          Commission rules adopted thereunder; (ii)
                                                    146827 and 811–22135) and Post-Effective                implemented, at a minimum, an annual review
                                                                                                                                                                   seeks to provide investment returns that
                                                    Amendment Nos. 63 and 64 to Registration                regarding the adequacy of the policies and             exceed gains of the S&P 500 Index, up
                                                    Statement on Form N–1A for the Trust, dated             procedures established pursuant to subparagraph (i)    to a maximized annual return (the
                                                    October 19, 2017 (File Nos. 333–146827 and 811–         above and the effectiveness of their                   ‘‘Ultra Cap Level’’) (the ‘‘Ultra Strategy’’
                                                    22135). The descriptions of the Funds and the           implementation; and (iii) designated an individual
                                                    Shares contained herein are based on information        (who is a supervised person) responsible for
                                                                                                                                                                   and, collectively with the Shield
                                                    in the Registration Statement.                          administering the policies and procedures adopted      Strategy, Ultra Shield Strategy and
                                                       5 26 U.S.C. 851.                                     under subparagraph (i) above.                          Enhance and Shield Strategy, the


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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 22, 2017 / Notices                                               55691

                                                    ‘‘Strategies’’). Pursuant to the Strategies,              attempt to achieve its investment                       FLEX Options purchased by the Shield
                                                    each Fund will invest primarily in                        objective by taking positions that                      Index to create the right to buy or sell
                                                    exchange-traded options contracts that                    provide performance exposure                            the same asset such that the Shield
                                                    reference either the S&P 500 Index or                     substantially similar to the exposure                   Index will always be in a net long
                                                    ETFs that track the S&P 500 Index.                        provided by components of the Shield                    position. That is, any theoretical
                                                    Defined outcome strategies are designed                   Index.10 Pursuant to the Shield Strategy,               obligations of a Shield Index created by
                                                    to participate in market gains and losses                 each Shield Fund will invest primarily                  its writing of FLEX Options will be
                                                    within pre-determined ranges over a                       in the FLEX Options included in the                     covered by offsetting positions in other
                                                    specified period (i.e. point to point).                   Shield Index or other standardized                      purchased FLEX Options. As the FLEX
                                                    These outcomes are predicated on the                      options contracts listed on a U.S.                      Options mature at the end of each
                                                    assumption that an investment vehicle                     exchange that reference either the S&P                  outcome period, they are replaced. By
                                                    employing the strategy is held for the                    500 Index or ETFs that track the S&P                    replacing FLEX Options annually, each
                                                    designated outcome periods. As such,                      500 Index.                                              Shield Index seeks to ensure that
                                                    the Exchange is proposing to list up to                      The Shield Index is composed of U.S.                 investments made in a given month
                                                    twelve monthly series of each of the                      exchange-listed FLEX Options that                       during the current year buffer against
                                                    Shield Funds, Ultra Shield Funds,                         reference the S&P 500 Index. The Shield                 negative returns of the S&P 500 Index
                                                    Enhance and Shield Funds and the                          Index is designed to produce returns                    up to pre-determined levels in that same
                                                    Ultra Funds, as named above.                              that, over a period of approximately one                month of the following year.
                                                       The Exchange submits this proposal                     year, match the returns of the S&P 500                     Similarly, each of the Shield Funds
                                                    in order to allow each Fund to hold                       Index up to the Shield Cap Level, while                 will layer purchased and written FLEX
                                                    listed derivatives, in particular FLexible                guarding against a decline in the S&P                   Options that comprise the Shield Index.
                                                    EXchange Options (‘‘FLEX Options’’) on                    500 Index of the first 15%. More                        Any FLEX Options that are written by
                                                    the S&P 500 Index, in a manner that                       specifically, the Shield Index is                       a Shield Fund that create an obligation
                                                    does not comply with Rule                                 designed to produce the following                       to sell or buy an asset will be offset with
                                                    14.11(i)(4)(C)(iv)(b).7 Otherwise, the                    outcomes during the outcome period:                     a position in FLEX Options purchased
                                                    Funds will comply with all other listing                     • If the S&P 500 Index appreciates                   by the Shield Fund to create the right to
                                                    requirements of the Generic Listing                       over the outcome period: The Shield                     buy or sell the same asset such that the
                                                    Standards 8 for Managed Fund Shares                       Index will provide a total return that                  Shield Fund will always be in a net long
                                                    on an initial and continued listing basis                 matches the percentage increase of the                  position. That is, any obligations of a
                                                    under Rule 14.11(i).                                      S&P 500 Index, up to the Shield Cap                     Shield Fund created by its writing of
                                                                                                              Level;                                                  FLEX Options will be covered by
                                                    Innovator S&P 500 15% Shield Strategy
                                                    ETF Series                                                   • If the S&P 500 Index decreases over                offsetting positions in other purchased
                                                                                                              the outcome period by 15% or less: The                  FLEX Options. As the FLEX Options
                                                      The Shield Funds are actively                           Shield Index will provide a total return                mature at the end of each outcome
                                                    managed funds that seek to provide total                  of zero; and                                            period, they are replaced. By replacing
                                                    return which exceeds that of the Shield                      • If the S&P 500 Index depreciates                   FLEX Options annually, each Shield
                                                    Index. Each Shield Fund will seek                         over the outcome period by greater than                 Fund seeks to ensure that investments
                                                    excess return above the Shield Index,                     15%: The Shield Index will provide a                    made in a given month during the
                                                    before expenses are taken into account,                   total return loss that is 15% less than                 current year buffer against negative
                                                    solely through the active management of                   the percentage loss on the S&P 500                      returns of the S&P 500 Index up to pre-
                                                    any available assets not required to be                   Index with a maximum loss of                            determined levels in that same month of
                                                    deposited for margin in connection with                   approximately 85%.                                      the following year. The Shield Funds do
                                                    the Shield Fund’s respective                                                                                      not offer any protection against declines
                                                    investments in the Shield Index                           The Shield Index will produce these
                                                                                                                                                                      in the S&P 500 Index exceeding 15% on
                                                    components. Under Normal Market                           outcomes by layering ‘‘purchased’’ and
                                                                                                                                                                      an annualized basis. Shareholders will
                                                    Conditions,9 each Shield Fund will                        ‘‘written’’ FLEX Options. The
                                                                                                                                                                      bear all S&P 500 Index losses exceeding
                                                                                                              customizable nature of FLEX Options
                                                                                                                                                                      15% on a one-to-one basis.
                                                       7 Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C)(iv)(b) provides that ‘‘the       allows for the creation of a strategy that                 The FLEX Options owned by each of
                                                    aggregate gross notional value of listed derivatives      sets desired defined outcome                            the Shield Funds will have the same
                                                    based on any five or fewer underlying reference           parameters. The FLEX Options                            terms (i.e. same strike price and
                                                    assets shall not exceed 65% of the weight of the          comprising the Shield Index have terms
                                                    portfolio (including gross notional exposures), and                                                               expiration) for all investors of a Shield
                                                    the aggregate gross notional value of listed              that, when layered upon each other, are                 Fund within an outcome period. The
                                                    derivatives based on any single underlying                designed to buffer against losses of the                Shield Cap Level will be determined
                                                    reference asset shall not exceed 30% of the weight        S&P 500 Index. However, another effect
                                                    of the portfolio (including gross notional                                                                        with respect to each Shield Fund on the
                                                    exposures).’’ The Exchange is proposing that the
                                                                                                              of the layering of FLEX Options with                    inception date of the Shield Fund and
                                                    Funds be exempt from the requirement of Rule              these terms is a cap on the level of                    at the beginning of each outcome
                                                    14.11(i)(4)(C)(iv)(b) that prevents the aggregate gross   possible gains. Any FLEX Options that                   period.
                                                    notional value of listed derivatives based on any         are written by the Shield Index that
                                                    single underlying reference asset from exceeding                                                                  Innovator S&P 500 ¥5% to ¥35%
                                                    30% of the weight of the portfolio (including gross
                                                                                                              create an obligation to sell or buy an
                                                    notional exposures) and the requirement that the          asset will be offset with a position in                 Shield Strategy ETF Series
                                                    aggregate gross notional value of listed derivatives
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                                                                                                                                                                        The Ultra Shield Funds are actively
                                                    based on any five or fewer underlying reference           applicable financial markets generally; operational
                                                    assets shall not exceed 65% of the weight of the
                                                                                                                                                                      managed funds that seek to provide total
                                                                                                              issues causing dissemination of inaccurate market
                                                    portfolio (including gross notional exposures).           information or system failures; or force majeure        return which exceeds that of the Ultra
                                                       8 For purposes of this proposal, the term ‘‘Generic    type events such as natural or man-made disaster,       Shield Index. Each Ultra Shield Fund
                                                    Listing Standards’’ shall mean the generic listing        act of God, armed conflict, act of terrorism, riot or   will seek excess return above the Ultra
                                                    rules for Managed Fund Shares under Rule                  labor disruption, or any similar intervening            Shield Index, before expenses are taken
                                                    14.11(i)(4)(C).                                           circumstance.
                                                       9 As defined in Rule 14.11(i)(3)(E), the term             10 The Shield Funds are not index tracking funds     into account, solely through the active
                                                    ‘‘Normal Market Conditions’’ includes, but is not         and are not required to invest in all components of     management of any available assets not
                                                    limited to, the absence of trading halts in the           the Shield Index.                                       required to be deposited for margin in


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                                                    55692                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 22, 2017 / Notices

                                                    connection with the Ultra Shield Fund’s                 level of possible gains. Any FLEX                     attempt to achieve its investment
                                                    respective investments in the Ultra                     Options that are written by the Ultra                 objective by employing a ‘‘defined
                                                    Shield Index components. Under                          Shield Index that create an obligation to             outcome strategy’’ that seeks to provide
                                                    Normal Market Conditions, each Ultra                    sell or buy an asset will be offset with              investment returns that exceed the gains
                                                    Shield Fund will attempt to achieve its                 a position in FLEX Options purchased                  of the S&P 500 Index, up to the Enhance
                                                    investment objective by taking positions                by the Ultra Shield Index to create the               and Shield Cap Level, while shielding
                                                    that provide performance exposure                       right to buy or sell the same asset such              investors from S&P 500 Index losses of
                                                    substantially similar to the exposure                   that the Ultra Shield Index will always               up to 10%. Pursuant to the Enhance and
                                                    provided by components of the Ultra                     be in a net long position. That is, any               Shield Strategy, each Enhance and
                                                    Shield Index.11 Pursuant to the Ultra                   theoretical obligations of an Ultra Shield            Shield Fund will invest primarily in
                                                    Shield Strategy, each Ultra Shield Fund                 Index created by its writing of FLEX                  FLEX Options or other standardized
                                                    will invest primarily in the FLEX                       Options will be covered by offsetting                 options contracts listed on a U.S.
                                                    Options included in the Ultra Shield                    positions in other purchased FLEX                     exchange that reference either the S&P
                                                    Index or other standardized options                     Options. As the FLEX Options mature at                500 Index or ETFs that track the S&P
                                                    contracts listed on a U.S. exchange that                the end of each outcome period, they                  500 Index.
                                                    reference either the S&P 500 Index or                   are replaced. By replacing FLEX                          The portfolio managers will invest in
                                                    ETFs that track the S&P 500 Index.                      Options annually, each Ultra Shield                   a portfolio of FLEX Options linked to an
                                                       The Ultra Shield Index is composed                   Index seeks to ensure that investments                underlying asset, the S&P 500 Index,
                                                    of U.S. exchange-listed FLEX Options                    made in a given month during the                      that, when held for the specified period,
                                                    that reference the S&P 500 Index. The                   current year buffer against negative                  seeks to produce returns that, over a
                                                    Ultra Shield Index is designed to                       returns of the S&P 500 Index up to pre-               period of approximately one year,
                                                    produce returns that, over a period of                  determined levels in that same month of               exceed the returns of the S&P 500 Index
                                                    approximately one year, match the                       the following year.                                   up to the Enhance and Shield Cap
                                                    returns of the S&P 500 Index up the                        Similarly, each of the Ultra Shield                Level. Pursuant to the Enhance and
                                                    Ultra Shield Cap Level while guarding                   Funds will layer purchased and written                Shield Strategy, each Enhance and
                                                    against a decline in the S&P 500 Index                  FLEX Options that comprise the Ultra                  Shield Fund’s portfolio managers will
                                                    of between 5% and 35%. More                             Shield Index. Any FLEX Options that                   seek to produce the following outcomes
                                                    specifically, the Ultra Shield Index is                 are written by an Ultra Shield Fund that              during the outcome period:
                                                    designed to produce the following                       create an obligation to sell or buy an                   • If the S&P 500 Index appreciates
                                                    outcomes during the outcome period:                     asset will be offset with a position in               over the outcome period: The Enhance
                                                       • If the S&P 500 Index appreciates                   FLEX Options purchased by the Ultra                   and Shield Fund seeks to provide
                                                    over the outcome period: The Ultra                      Shield Fund to create the right to buy                shareholders with a total return that
                                                    Shield Index seeks to provide a total                   or sell the same asset such that the Ultra            exceeds that of the S&P 500 Index, up
                                                    return that matches the percentage                      Shield Fund will always be in a net long              to and including the Enhance and
                                                    increase of the S&P 500 Index, up to the                position. That is, any obligations of an              Shield Cap Level;
                                                    Ultra Shield Cap Level;                                 Ultra Shield Fund created by its writing                 • If the S&P 500 Index depreciates
                                                       • If the S&P 500 Index decreases over                of FLEX Options will be covered by                    over the outcome period by 10% or less:
                                                    the outcome period by 5% or less: The                   offsetting positions in other purchased               The Enhance and Shield Fund seeks to
                                                    Ultra Shield Index seeks to provide a                   FLEX Options. As the FLEX Options                     provide a total return of zero;
                                                    total return loss that is equal to the                  mature at the end of each outcome
                                                                                                                                                                     • If the S&P 500 Index decreases over
                                                    percentage loss on the S&P 500 Index;                   period, they are replaced. By replacing
                                                                                                                                                                  the outcome period by more than 10%:
                                                       • If the S&P 500 Index decreases over                FLEX Options annually, each Ultra
                                                                                                                                                                  The Enhance and Shield Fund seeks to
                                                    the outcome period by 5%–35%: The                       Shield Fund seeks to ensure that
                                                                                                                                                                  provide a total return loss that is 10%
                                                    Ultra Shield Index seeks to provide a                   investments made in a given month
                                                                                                                                                                  less than the percentage loss on the S&P
                                                    total return loss of 5%; and                            during the current year buffer against
                                                                                                                                                                  500 Index with a maximum loss of
                                                       • If the S&P 500 Index depreciates                   negative returns of the S&P 500 Index
                                                                                                                                                                  approximately 90%.
                                                    over the outcome period by greater than                 up to pre-determined levels in that same
                                                    35%: The Ultra Shield Index seeks to                    month of the following year. The Ultra                The Enhance and Shield Funds will
                                                    provide a total return loss that is 30%                 Shield Funds do not offer any                         produce these outcomes by layering
                                                    less than the percentage loss on the S&P                protection against declines in the S&P                purchased and written FLEX Options.
                                                    500 Index with a maximum loss of                        500 Index exceeding 35% on an                         The customizable nature of FLEX
                                                    approximately 70%.                                      annualized basis. Shareholders will bear              Options allows for the creation of a
                                                                                                            all S&P 500 Index losses exceeding 35%                strategy that sets desired defined
                                                    The Ultra Shield Index will produce
                                                                                                            on a one-to-one basis.                                outcome parameters. The FLEX Options
                                                    these outcomes by layering ‘‘purchased’’
                                                                                                               The FLEX Options owned by each of                  comprising an Enhance and Shield
                                                    and ‘‘written’’ FLEX Options. The
                                                                                                            the Ultra Shield Funds will have the                  Fund’s portfolio have terms that, when
                                                    customizable nature of FLEX Options
                                                                                                            same terms (i.e. same strike price and                layered upon each other, are designed to
                                                    allows for the creation of a strategy that
                                                                                                            expiration) for all investors of an Ultra             buffer against losses or exceed the gains
                                                    sets desired defined outcome
                                                                                                            Shield Fund within an outcome period.                 of the S&P 500 Index. However, another
                                                    parameters. The FLEX Options
                                                                                                            The Ultra Shield Cap Level will be                    effect of the layering of FLEX Options
                                                    comprising the Ultra Shield Index have
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                                                                                                            determined with respect to each Ultra                 with these terms is a cap on the level
                                                    terms that, when layered upon each
                                                                                                            Shield Fund on the inception date of the              of possible gains.
                                                    other, are designed to buffer against
                                                                                                            Ultra Shield Fund and at the beginning                   Any FLEX Options that are written by
                                                    losses of the S&P 500 Index. However,
                                                                                                            of each outcome period.                               an Enhance and Shield Fund that create
                                                    another effect of the layering of FLEX
                                                                                                                                                                  an obligation to sell or buy an asset will
                                                    Options with these terms is a cap on the                Innovator S&P 500 Enhance and 10%                     be offset with a position in FLEX
                                                                                                            Shield Strategy ETF Series                            Options purchased by the Enhance and
                                                      11 The Ultra Shield Funds are not index tracking

                                                    funds and are not required to invest in all               Under Normal Market Conditions,                     Shield Fund to create the right to buy
                                                    components of the Ultra Shield Index.                   each Enhance and Shield Fund will                     or sell the same asset such that the


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 22, 2017 / Notices                                                         55693

                                                    Enhance and Shield Fund will always                     seeks to provide a total return loss that              options contracts listed on a U.S.
                                                    be in a net long position. That is, any                 is equal to the percentage loss of the                 securities exchange that reference either
                                                    obligations of an Enhance and Shield                    S&P 500 Index.                                         the S&P 500 Index or that reference
                                                    Fund created by its writing of FLEX                     The Ultra Funds will produce these                     ETFs that track the S&P 500 Index
                                                    Options will be covered by offsetting                   outcomes by layering purchased and                     (‘‘Reference ETFs’’).
                                                    positions in other purchased FLEX                       written FLEX Options. The
                                                    Options. As the FLEX Options mature at                                                                         S&P 500 Index FLEX Options
                                                                                                            customizable nature of FLEX Options
                                                    the end of each outcome period, they                    allow for the creation of a strategy that                 The market for options contracts on
                                                    are replaced. By replacing FLEX                         sets desired defined outcome                           the S&P 500 Index traded on Cboe
                                                    Options annually, each Enhance and                      parameters. The FLEX Options                           Exchange, Inc. (‘‘Cboe Options’’) is
                                                    Shield Fund seeks to ensure that                        comprising the Ultra Fund’s portfolio                  among the most liquid markets in the
                                                    investments made in a given month                       have terms that, when layered upon                     world. In 2016, 1,023,623 options
                                                    during the current year buffer against                  each other, are designed to exceed the                 contracts on the S&P 500 Index were
                                                    negative returns of the S&P 500 Index                   gains of the S&P 500 Index. However,                   traded per day on Cboe Options, which
                                                    up to pre-determined levels in that same                another effect of the layering of FLEX                 is more than $200 billion in notional
                                                    month of the following year. The                        Options with these terms is a cap on the               volume traded on a daily basis. While
                                                    Enhance and Shield Funds do not offer                   level of possible gains.                               FLEX Options are traded differently
                                                    any protection against declines in the                     Any FLEX Options that are written by                than standardized options contracts, the
                                                    S&P 500 Index exceeding 10% on an                       the Ultra Fund that create an obligation               Exchange believes that this liquidity
                                                    annualized basis. Shareholders will bear                to sell or buy an asset will be offset with            bolsters the market for FLEX Options, as
                                                    all S&P 500 Index losses exceeding 10%                  a position in FLEX Options purchased                   described below. Every FLEX Option
                                                    on a one-to-one basis.                                  by the Ultra Fund to create the right to               order submitted to Cboe Options is
                                                       The FLEX Options owned by each of                    buy or sell the same asset such that the               exposed to a competitive auction
                                                    the Enhance and Shield Funds will have                  Ultra Fund will always be in a net long                process for price discovery. The process
                                                    the same terms (i.e. same strike price                  position. That is, any obligations of an               begins with a request for quote (‘‘RFQ’’)
                                                    and expiration) for all investors of an                 Ultra Fund created by its writing of                   in which the interested party establishes
                                                    Enhance and Shield Fund within an                       FLEX Options will be covered by                        the terms of the FLEX Options contract.
                                                    outcome period. The Enhance and                         offsetting positions in other purchased                The RFQ solicits interested market
                                                    Shield Cap Level will be determined                     FLEX Options. As the FLEX Options                      participants, including on-floor market
                                                    with respect to each Enhance and                                                                               makers, remote market makers trading
                                                                                                            mature at the end of each outcome
                                                    Shield Fund on the inception date of the                                                                       electronically, and member firm traders,
                                                                                                            period, they are replaced.
                                                    Enhance and Shield Fund and at the                         The FLEX Options owned by each of                   to respond to the RFQ with bids or
                                                    beginning of each outcome period.                       the Ultra Funds will have the same                     offers through a competitive process.
                                                    Innovator S&P 500 Ultra Strategy ETF                    terms (i.e. same strike price and                      This solicitation contains all of the
                                                    Series                                                  expiration) for all investors of an                    contract specifications-underlying, size,
                                                                                                            Enhance and Shield Fund within an                      type of option, expiration date, strike
                                                       Under Normal Market Conditions,
                                                                                                            outcome period. The Ultra Cap Level                    price, exercise style and settlement
                                                    each Ultra Fund will attempt to achieve
                                                                                                            will be determined with respect to each                basis. During a specified amount of
                                                    its investment objective by employing a
                                                                                                            Ultra Fund on inception date of the                    time, responses to the RFQ are received
                                                    ‘‘defined outcome strategy’’ that seeks to
                                                                                                            Ultra Fund and at the beginning of each                and at the end of that time period, the
                                                    provide investment returns that exceed
                                                                                                            outcome period.                                        initiator can decide whether to accept
                                                    the gains of the S&P 500 Index, up to the
                                                                                                                                                                   the best bid or offer. The process occurs
                                                    Ultra Cap Level. Pursuant to the Ultra                  Investment Methodology for the Funds                   under the rules of Cboe Options which
                                                    Strategy, each Ultra Fund will invest
                                                                                                              Under Normal Market Conditions,                      means that customer transactions are
                                                    primarily in FLEX Options or other
                                                                                                            each Fund will invest primarily in U.S.                effected according to the principles of a
                                                    standardized options contracts listed on
                                                                                                            exchange-listed FLEX Options on the                    fair and orderly market following
                                                    a U.S. exchange that reference either the
                                                                                                            S&P 500 Index. Each of the Funds may                   trading procedures and policies
                                                    S&P 500 Index or ETFs that track the
                                                                                                            invest its net assets (in the aggregate) in            developed by Cboe Options.
                                                    S&P 500 Index.
                                                                                                            other investments which the Adviser or                    The Exchange believes that sufficient
                                                       The portfolio managers will invest in
                                                                                                            Sub-Adviser believes will help each                    protections are in place to protect
                                                    a portfolio of FLEX Options linked to an
                                                                                                            Fund to meet its investment objective                  against market manipulation of the
                                                    underlying asset, the S&P 500 Index,
                                                                                                            and that will be disclosed at the end of               Funds’ Shares and FLEX Options on the
                                                    that, when held for the specified period,
                                                                                                            each trading day (‘‘Other Assets’’). Other             S&P 500 Index for several reasons: (i)
                                                    seeks to produce returns that, over a
                                                                                                            Assets include only the following: cash                The diversity, liquidity, and market cap
                                                    period of approximately one year,
                                                                                                            or cash equivalents, as defined in Rule                of the securities underlying the S&P 500
                                                    exceed the returns of the S&P 500 Index
                                                                                                            14.11(i)(4)(C)(iii) 12 and standardized                Index; (ii) the competitive quoting
                                                    up to the Ultra Cap Level. Pursuant to
                                                                                                                                                                   process for FLEX Options; (iii) the
                                                    the Ultra Strategy, each Ultra Fund’s                      12 As defined in Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C)(iii), cash
                                                                                                                                                                   significant liquidity in the market for
                                                    portfolio managers will seek to produce                 equivalents include short-term instruments with        options on the S&P 500 Index results in
                                                    the following outcomes during the                       maturities of less than three months, including: (i)
                                                                                                                                                                   a well-established price discovery
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                                                    outcome period:                                         U.S. Government securities, including bills, notes,
                                                       • If the S&P 500 Index appreciates                   and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of        process that provides meaningful
                                                    over the outcome period: The Ultra
                                                                                                            interest, which are either issued or guaranteed by     guideposts for FLEX Option pricing; and
                                                                                                            the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. Government agencies       (iv) surveillance by the Exchange, Cboe
                                                    Fund seeks to provide shareholders                      or instrumentalities; (ii) certificates of deposit
                                                    with a total return that exceeds that of                issued against funds deposited in a bank or savings
                                                    the S&P 500 Index, up to the Ultra Cap                  and loan association; (iii) bankers acceptances,       deposit with banks or savings and loan associations
                                                                                                            which are short-term credit instruments used to        for a stated period of time at a fixed rate of interest;
                                                    Level;                                                  finance commercial transactions; (iv) repurchase       (vi) commercial paper, which are short-term
                                                       • If the S&P 500 Index decreases over                agreements and reverse repurchase agreements; (v)      unsecured promissory notes; and (vii) money
                                                    the outcome period: The Ultra Fund                      bank time deposits, which are monies kept on           market funds.



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                                                    55694                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 22, 2017 / Notices

                                                    Options 13 and the Financial Industry                   with respect to such Fund or Shares, the              in BZX Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C)(iv)(b), the
                                                    Regulatory Authority (‘‘FINRA’’)                        Exchange will commence delisting                      Funds’ proposed investments will
                                                    designed to detect violations of the                    procedures under Exchange Rule 14.12.                 satisfy, on an initial and continued
                                                    federal securities laws and self-                       FINRA conducts certain cross-market                   listing basis, all of the generic listing
                                                    regulatory organization (‘‘SRO’’) rules.                surveillances on behalf of the Exchange               standards under BZX Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C)
                                                    The Exchange has in place a                             pursuant to a regulatory services                     and all other applicable requirements
                                                    surveillance program for transactions in                agreement. The Exchange is responsible                for Managed Fund Shares under Rule
                                                    ETFs to ensure the availability of                      for FINRA’s performance under this                    14.11(i). The Trust is required to comply
                                                    information necessary to detect and                     regulatory services agreement. If a Fund              with Rule 10A–3 under the Act for the
                                                    deter potential manipulations and other                 is not in compliance with the applicable              initial and continued listing of the
                                                    trading abuses, thereby making the                      listing requirements, the Exchange will               Shares of the Funds. A minimum of
                                                    Shares less readily susceptible to                      commence delisting procedures with                    100,000 Shares will be outstanding at
                                                    manipulation. Further, the Exchange                     respect to such Fund under Exchange                   the commencement of trading on the
                                                    believes that because the assets in each                Rule 14.12.                                           Exchange. In addition, the Exchange
                                                    Fund’s portfolio, which are comprised                      The Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of                represents that the Shares of the Funds
                                                    primarily of FLEX Options on the S&P                    the Exchange, will communicate as                     will comply with all other requirements
                                                    500 Index, will be acquired in extremely                needed regarding trading in the Shares                applicable to Managed Fund Shares,
                                                    liquid and highly regulated markets,14                  and exchange-traded options contracts                 which includes the dissemination of key
                                                    the Shares are less readily susceptible to              with other markets and other entities                 information such as the Disclosed
                                                    manipulation.                                           that are members of the ISG and may                   Portfolio,15 Net Asset Value,16 and the
                                                       The Exchange believes that its                       obtain trading information regarding                  Intraday Indicative Value,17 suspension
                                                    surveillance procedures are adequate to                 trading in the Shares and exchange-                   of trading or removal,18 trading halts,19
                                                    properly monitor the trading of the                     traded options contracts from such                    surveillance,20 minimum price variation
                                                    Shares on the Exchange during all                       markets and other entities. In addition,              for quoting and order entry,21 and the
                                                    trading sessions and to deter and detect                the Exchange may obtain information                   information circular,22 as set forth in
                                                    violations of Exchange rules and the                    regarding trading in the Shares and                   Exchange rules applicable to Managed
                                                    applicable federal securities laws.                     exchange-traded options contracts from                Fund Shares. Moreover, all of the
                                                    Trading of the Shares through the                       markets and other entities that are                   options contracts held by the Funds will
                                                    Exchange will be subject to the                         members of ISG or with which the                      trade on markets that are a member of
                                                    Exchange’s surveillance procedures for                  Exchange has in place a comprehensive                 ISG or affiliated with a member of ISG
                                                    derivative products, including Managed                  surveillance sharing agreement. In                    or with which the Exchange has in place
                                                    Fund Shares. All statements and                         addition, the Exchange also has a                     a comprehensive surveillance sharing
                                                    representations made in this filing                     general policy prohibiting the                        agreement. Quotation and last sale
                                                    regarding (a) the description of the                    distribution of material, non-public                  information for U.S. exchange-listed
                                                    portfolio, reference assets, and index, (b)             information by its employees.                         options contracts cleared by The
                                                                                                               As noted above, options on the S&P                 Options Clearing Corporation will be
                                                    limitations on portfolio holdings or
                                                                                                            500 Index are among the most liquid                   available via the Options Price
                                                    reference assets, or (c) the applicability
                                                                                                            options in the world and derive their                 Reporting Authority. RFQ information
                                                    of Exchange rules shall constitute
                                                                                                            value from the actively traded S&P 500                for FLEX Options will be available
                                                    continued listing requirements for
                                                                                                            Index components. The contracts are                   directly from Cboe Options. The intra-
                                                    listing the Shares on the Exchange. The
                                                                                                            cash-settled with no delivery of stocks               day, closing and settlement prices of
                                                    issuer has represented to the Exchange                  or ETFs, and trade in competitive
                                                    that it will advise the Exchange of any                                                                       exchange-traded options will be readily
                                                                                                            auction markets with price and quote                  available from the options exchanges,
                                                    failure by a Fund or the related Shares                 transparency. The Exchange believes the
                                                    to comply with the continued listing                                                                          automated quotation systems, published
                                                                                                            highly regulated options markets and                  or other public sources, or online
                                                    requirements, and, pursuant to its                      the broad base and scope of the S&P 500
                                                    obligations under Section 19(g)(1) of the                                                                     information services such as Bloomberg
                                                                                                            Index make securities that derive their               or Reuters. Price information on cash
                                                    Act, the Exchange will surveil for                      value from that index less susceptible to             equivalents is available from major
                                                    compliance with the continued listing                   market manipulation in view of market                 broker-dealer firms or market data
                                                    requirements. If a Fund or the related                  capitalization and liquidity of the S&P               vendors, as well as from automated
                                                    Shares are not in compliance with the                   500 Index components, price and quote                 quotation systems, published or other
                                                    applicable listing requirements, then,                  transparency, and arbitrage                           public sources, or online information
                                                       13 The Exchange notes that Cboe Options is a
                                                                                                            opportunities.                                        services.
                                                    member of the Option Price Regulatory Surveillance
                                                                                                               The Exchange believes that the
                                                                                                            liquidity of the markets for S&P 500                  2. Statutory Basis
                                                    Authority, which was established in 2006, to
                                                    provide efficiencies in looking for insider trading     Index securities, options on the S&P 500                 The Exchange believes that the
                                                    and serves as a central organization to facilitate      Index, and other related derivatives is               proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)
                                                    collaboration in insider trading and investigations
                                                    for the U.S. options exchanges. For more
                                                                                                            sufficiently great to deter fraudulent or             of the Act 23 in general and Section
                                                    information, see http://www.cboe.com/aboutcboe/         manipulative acts associated with the                 6(b)(5) of the Act 24 in particular in that
                                                    legal/departments/orsareg.aspx.                         Funds’ Shares price. The Exchange also
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                                                       14 All exchange-listed securities that the Funds
                                                                                                            believes that such liquidity is sufficient              15 See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(A)(ii) and 14.11(i)(4)(B)(ii).
                                                    may hold will trade on a market that is a member        to support the creation and redemption                  16 See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(A)(ii).
                                                    of the Intermarket Surveillance Group (‘‘ISG’’) and                                                             17 See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(i).
                                                    the Funds will not hold any non-exchange-listed         mechanism. Coupled with the extensive                   18 See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(iii).
                                                    equities or options, however, not all of the            surveillance programs of the SROs                       19 See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(iv).
                                                    components of the portfolio for the Funds may           described above, the Exchange does not                  20 See Rule 14.11(i)(2)(C).
                                                    trade on exchanges that are members of the ISG or       believe that trading in the Funds’ Shares               21 See Rule 14.11(i)(2)(B).
                                                    with which the Exchange has in place a
                                                    comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement. For       would present manipulation concerns.                    22 See Rule 14.11(i)(6).

                                                    a list of the current members of ISG, see                  The Exchange represents that, except                 23 15 U.S.C. 78f.

                                                    www.isgportal.org.                                      for the limitations on listed derivatives               24 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).




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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 22, 2017 / Notices                                               55695

                                                    it is designed to prevent fraudulent and                process that provides meaningful                      with other markets and other entities
                                                    manipulative acts and practices, to                     guideposts for FLEX Option pricing; and               that are members of the ISG and may
                                                    promote just and equitable principles of                (iv) surveillance by the Exchange, Cboe               obtain trading information regarding
                                                    trade, to foster cooperation and                        Options and FINRA designed to detect                  trading in the Shares and exchange-
                                                    coordination with persons engaged in                    violations of the federal securities laws             traded options contracts from such
                                                    facilitating transactions in securities, to             and SRO rules. The Exchange has in                    markets and other entities. In addition,
                                                    remove impediments to and perfect the                   place a surveillance program for                      the Exchange may obtain information
                                                    mechanism of a free and open market                     transactions in ETFs to ensure the                    regarding trading in the Shares and
                                                    and a national market system and, in                    availability of information necessary to              exchange-traded options contracts from
                                                    general, to protect investors and the                   detect and deter potential                            markets and other entities that are
                                                    public interest.                                        manipulations and other trading abuses,               members of ISG or with which the
                                                       The Exchange believes that the                       thereby making the Shares less readily                Exchange has in place a comprehensive
                                                    proposed rule change is designed to                     susceptible to manipulation. Further,                 surveillance sharing agreement. In
                                                    prevent fraudulent and manipulative                     the Exchange believes that because the                addition, the Exchange also has a
                                                    acts and practices, to promote just and                 assets in each Fund’s portfolio, which                general policy prohibiting the
                                                    equitable principles of trade, to foster                are comprised primarily of FLEX                       distribution of material, non-public
                                                    cooperation and coordination with                       Options on the S&P 500 Index, will be                 information by its employees. As noted
                                                    persons engaged in facilitating                         acquired in extremely liquid and highly               above, options on the S&P 500 Index are
                                                    transactions in securities, to remove                   regulated markets, the Shares are less                among the most liquid options in the
                                                    impediments to and perfect the                          readily susceptible to manipulation.                  world and derive their value from the
                                                    mechanism of a free and open market                        The Exchange believes that its                     actively traded S&P 500 Index
                                                    and a national market system and, in                    surveillance procedures are adequate to               components. The contracts are cash-
                                                    general, to protect investors and the                   properly monitor the trading of the                   settled with no delivery of stocks or
                                                    public interest in that the Shares will                 Shares on the Exchange during all                     ETFs, and trade in competitive auction
                                                    meet each of the initial and continued                  trading sessions and to deter and detect              markets with price and quote
                                                    listing criteria in BZX Rule 14.11(i) with              violations of Exchange rules and the                  transparency. The Exchange believes the
                                                    the exception of Rule                                   applicable federal securities laws.                   highly regulated options markets and
                                                    14.11(i)(4)(C)(iv)(b), which requires that              Trading of the Shares through the                     the broad base and scope of the S&P 500
                                                    the aggregate gross notional value of                   Exchange will be subject to the                       Index make securities that derive their
                                                    listed derivatives based on any five or                 Exchange’s surveillance procedures for                value from that index less susceptible to
                                                    fewer underlying reference assets shall                 derivative products, including Managed                market manipulation in view of market
                                                    not exceed 65% of the weight of the                     Fund Shares. All statements and                       capitalization and liquidity of the S&P
                                                    portfolio (including gross notional                     representations made in this filing                   500 Index components, price and quote
                                                    exposures), and the aggregate gross                     regarding (a) the description of the                  transparency, and arbitrage
                                                    notional value of listed derivatives                    portfolio, reference assets, and index, (b)           opportunities.
                                                    based on any single underlying                          limitations on portfolio holdings or                     The Exchange believes that the
                                                    reference asset shall not exceed 30% of                 reference assets, or (c) the applicability            liquidity of the markets for S&P 500
                                                    the weight of the portfolio (including                  of Exchange rules shall constitute                    Index securities, options on the S&P 500
                                                    gross notional exposures).25 Rule                       continued listing requirements for                    Index, and other related derivatives is
                                                    14.11(i)(4)(C)(iv)(b) is intended to                    listing the Shares on the Exchange. The               sufficiently great to deter fraudulent or
                                                    ensure that a fund is not subject to                    issuer has represented to the Exchange                manipulative acts associated with the
                                                    manipulation by virtue of significant                   that it will advise the Exchange of any               Funds’ Shares price. The Exchange also
                                                    exposure to a manipulable underlying                    failure by a Fund or the related Shares               believes that such liquidity is sufficient
                                                    reference asset by establishing                         to comply with the continued listing                  to support the creation and redemption
                                                    concentration limits among the                          requirements, and, pursuant to its                    mechanism. Coupled with the extensive
                                                    underlying reference assets for listed                  obligations under Section 19(g)(1) of the             surveillance programs of the SROs
                                                    derivatives held by a particular fund.                  Act, the Exchange will surveil for                    described above, the Exchange does not
                                                       The Exchange believes that sufficient                compliance with the continued listing                 believe that trading in the Funds’ Shares
                                                    protections are in place to protect                     requirements. If a Fund or the related                would present manipulation concerns.
                                                    against market manipulation of the                      Shares are not in compliance with the                    The Exchange represents that, except
                                                    Funds’ Shares and FLEX Options on the                   applicable listing requirements, then,                as described above, the Funds will meet
                                                    S&P 500 Index for several reasons: (i)                  with respect to such Fund or Shares, the              and be subject to all other requirements
                                                    The diversity, liquidity, and market cap                Exchange will commence delisting                      of the Generic Listing Standards and
                                                    of the securities underlying the S&P 500                procedures under Exchange Rule 14.12.                 other applicable continued listing
                                                    Index; (ii) the competitive quoting                     FINRA conducts certain cross-market                   requirements for Managed Fund Shares
                                                    process for FLEX Options; (iii) the                     surveillances on behalf of the Exchange               under Rule 14.11(i), including those
                                                    significant liquidity in the market for                 pursuant to a regulatory services                     requirements regarding the Disclosed
                                                    options on the S&P 500 Index results in                 agreement. The Exchange is responsible                Portfolio,26 Intraday Indicative Value,27
                                                    a well-established price discovery                      for FINRA’s performance under this                    suspension of trading or removal,28
                                                                                                            regulatory services agreement. If a Fund              trading halts,29 disclosure,30 and
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                                                       25 As noted above, the Exchange is proposing that
                                                                                                            is not in compliance with the applicable              firewalls.31 The Trust is required to
                                                    each Fund be exempt only from the requirements          listing requirements, the Exchange will
                                                    of Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C)(iv)(b) which prevents the                                                              comply with Rule 10A–3 under the Act
                                                    aggregate gross notional value of listed derivatives    commence delisting procedures with
                                                    based on any single underlying reference asset from     respect to such Fund under Exchange                     26 See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(ii).
                                                    exceeding 30% of the weight of the portfolio            Rule 14.12.                                             27 See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(i).
                                                    (including gross notional exposures) and the               The Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of                  28 See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(iii).
                                                    aggregate gross notional value of listed derivatives
                                                    based on any five or fewer underlying reference
                                                                                                            the Exchange, will communicate as                       29 See Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(iv).

                                                    assets from exceeding 65% of the weight of the          needed regarding trading in the Shares                  30 See Rule 14.11(i)(6).

                                                    portfolio (including gross notional exposures).         and exchange-traded options contracts                   31 See Rule 14.11(i)(7).




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                                                    55696                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 22, 2017 / Notices

                                                    for the initial and continued listing of                Paper Comments                                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                    the Shares of each Fund. Moreover, all                                                                         COMMISSION
                                                    of the options contracts held by the                      • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                    Funds will trade on markets that are a                  to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                                                                                   [Release No. 34–82098; File No. SR–CHX–
                                                    member of ISG or affiliated with a                      Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                                                                                                                                   2017–14]
                                                    member of ISG or with which the                         Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                    Exchange has in place a comprehensive                   All submissions should refer to File                   Self-Regulatory Organizations;
                                                    surveillance sharing agreement.                         Number SR–BatsBZX–2017–72. This file                   Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice
                                                       For the above reasons, the Exchange                                                                         of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness
                                                                                                            number should be included on the
                                                    believes that the proposed rule change                                                                         of a Proposed Rule Change Related to
                                                                                                            subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                    is consistent with the requirements of                                                                         the Plan To Address Extraordinary
                                                    Section 6(b)(5) of the Act.                             Commission process and review your
                                                                                                            comments more efficiently, please use                  Market Volatility Pursuant to Rule 608
                                                    B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       only one method. The Commission will                   of Regulation NMS
                                                    Statement on Burden on Competition                      post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                                                                                                                                   November 16, 2017.
                                                      The Exchange does not believe that                    Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                    the proposed rule change will impose                    rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                           Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                    any burden on competition that is not                   submission, all subsequent                             Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                    necessary or appropriate in furtherance                 amendments, all written statements                     (‘‘Act’’) 1, and Rule 19b–4 2 thereunder,
                                                    of the purpose of the Act. The Exchange                 with respect to the proposed rule                      notice is hereby given that on November
                                                    notes that the proposed rule change will                change that are filed with the                         9, 2017, the Chicago Stock Exchange,
                                                    facilitate the listing and trading of an                Commission, and all written                            Inc. (‘‘CHX’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed
                                                    additional type of Managed Fund Shares                  communications relating to the                         with the Securities and Exchange
                                                    that will enhance competition among                     proposed rule change between the                       Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the
                                                    market participants, to the benefit of                  Commission and any person, other than                  proposed rule change as described in
                                                    investors and the marketplace.                          those that may be withheld from the                    Items I and II below, which Items have
                                                    C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       public in accordance with the                          been prepared by the Exchange. The
                                                    Statement on Comments on the                            provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                    Commission is publishing this notice to
                                                    Proposed Rule Change Received From                      available for Web site viewing and                     solicit comments on the proposed rule
                                                    Members, Participants, or Others                        printing in the Commission’s Public                    change from interested persons.
                                                      The Exchange has neither solicited                    Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                      I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    nor received written comments on the                    Washington, DC 20549 on official                       Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                    proposed rule change.                                   business days between the hours of                     the Proposed Rule Change
                                                                                                            10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                    III. Date of Effectiveness of the                       filing also will be available for                         CHX proposes to amend the Rules of
                                                    Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                     inspection and copying at the principal                the Exchange (‘‘CHX Rules’’) related to
                                                    Commission Action                                       office of the Exchange. All comments                   the Plan to Address Extraordinary
                                                      Within 45 days of the date of                         received will be posted without change.                Market Volatility Pursuant to Rule 608
                                                    publication of this notice in the Federal               Persons submitting comments are                        of Regulation NMS under the Act (the
                                                    Register or up to 90 days (i) as the                    cautioned that we do not redact or edit                ‘‘Limit Up-Limit Down Plan’’ or
                                                    Commission may designate if it finds                    personal identifying information from                  ‘‘Plan’’).3 The text of this proposed rule
                                                    such longer period to be appropriate                    comment submissions. You should                        change is available on the Exchange’s
                                                    and publishes its reasons for so finding                submit only information that you wish                  Web site at (www.chx.com) and in the
                                                    or (ii) as to which the self-regulatory                 to make available publicly. All                        Commission’s Public Reference Room.
                                                    organization consents, the Commission                   submissions should refer to File
                                                    will:                                                                                                          II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                            Number SR–BatsBZX–2017–72 and
                                                      (A) by order approve or disapprove                                                                           Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                            should be submitted on or before
                                                    the proposed rule change, or                                                                                   Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                            December 13, 2017.
                                                      (B) institute proceedings to determine                                                                       Change
                                                    whether the proposed rule change                          For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                    should be disapproved.                                  Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated               In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                                                                            authority.32                                           CHX included statements concerning
                                                    IV. Solicitation of Comments                                                                                   the purpose of and basis for the
                                                                                                            Eduardo A. Aleman,
                                                      Interested persons are invited to                     Assistant Secretary.                                   proposed rule changes and discussed
                                                    submit written data, views, and                         [FR Doc. 2017–25226 Filed 11–21–17; 8:45 am]           any comments it received on the
                                                    arguments concerning the foregoing,                                                                            proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                                                                            BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                    including whether the proposed rule                                                                            statements may be examined at the
                                                    change is consistent with the Act.                                                                             places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                    Comments may be submitted by any of                                                                            CHX has prepared summaries, set forth
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                    the following methods:                                                                                         in sections A, B and C below, of the
                                                    Electronic Comments                                                                                            most significant aspects of such
                                                                                                                                                                   statements.
                                                      • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                    comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                                                                                1 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                    rules/sro.shtml); or                                                                                             2 17  CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                      • Send an email to rule-comments@                                                                               3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67091
                                                    sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                                                                        (May 31, 2012), 77 FR 33498 (June 6, 2012) (the
                                                    BatsBZX–2017–72 on the subject line.                      32 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                         ‘‘Limit Up-Limit Down Release’’).



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Document Created: 2017-11-22 00:48:55
Document Modified: 2017-11-22 00:48:55
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
FR Citation82 FR 55689 

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