82_FR_60498 82 FR 60256 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX Options Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt Rule 7600(i) To Allow Split-Price Transactions on the Trading Floor

82 FR 60256 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX Options Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt Rule 7600(i) To Allow Split-Price Transactions on the Trading Floor

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 242 (December 19, 2017)

Page Range60256-60259
FR Document2017-27234

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 242 (Tuesday, December 19, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60256-60259]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27234]



[[Page 60256]]

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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-82315; File No. SR-BOX-2017-36]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX Options Exchange LLC; Notice 
of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt Rule 7600(i) To Allow Split-
Price Transactions on the Trading Floor

December 13, 2017.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on November 30, 2017, BOX Options Exchange LLC (``Exchange'') 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 self-regulatory organization. The Commission 
is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule 
change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 7600 to allow split-price 
transactions on the Trading Floor. The text of the proposed rule change 
is available from the principal office of the Exchange, at the 
Commission's Public Reference Room and also on the Exchange's internet 
website at http://boxoptions.com.

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 self-regulatory organization 
included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the 
proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the 
proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at 
the places specified in Item IV below. The self-regulatory organization 
has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the 
most significant aspects of such statements.

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to adopt Rule 7600(i). Specifically, the 
Exchange is proposing to adopt rules for split-price transactions on 
the Trading Floor. The proposal is based on the rules of another 
options exchange with an open outcry trading floor.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Cboe Rule 6.47. See also NYSE Arca Rule 6.75-O(h), NYSE 
American Rule 963NY(f), and Phlx Rule 1014(g)(i)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 7600(i) establishes priority principles for split-
price transactions occurring in open outcry on the Trading Floor. 
Generally, if an order or offer (bid) for any number of contracts of a 
series is represented to the trading crowd, a Floor Participant that 
buys (sells) one or more contracts of that order or offer (bid) at one 
price will have priority over all other orders and quotes, except 
Public Customer Orders resting in the BOX Book, to buy (sell) up to the 
same number of contracts of those remaining from the same order or 
offer (bid) at the next lower (higher) price.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See proposed Rule 7600(i)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In order to execute a split-price transaction, a Floor Broker will 
submit a Qualified Open Outcry (``QOO'') Order to the system in the 
same manner as done today on the Trading Floor, with the exception that 
the QOO Order will be entered at a sub-minimum trading increment.\5\ 
After receiving the QOO Order, the system will split the QOO Order into 
two transactions. The transactions are separated by one tick that, when 
combined, will yield a net price equal to the original price entered by 
the Floor Broker. For example, assume a Floor Broker submits a QOO 
Order with a price of $1.025 for 100 contracts in a series with a 
minimum trading increment of $0.05. The system will split the QOO Order 
into two transactions; a transaction for the purchase of 50 contracts 
at $1.00 and a transaction for the purchase of 50 contracts at $1.05.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ For example, entering a QOO Order at a price of $1.03 when 
the minimum trading increment for the series is $0.05.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The manner in which a Floor Broker brings an order to the Trading 
Floor is the same for a split-price QOO Order as it is for all other 
QOO Orders. Specifically, a Floor Broker may bring a single-sided order 
(i.e., the initiating side of a QOO Order) to the Trading Floor in 
order to seek liquidity (i.e., contra-side of a QOO Order). In such 
case, the Floor Broker announces the single-sided order to the trading 
crowd in an attempt to source contra-side liquidity. After finding 
sufficient liquidity for the single-sided order, the Floor Broker would 
be able to submit a two-sided QOO Order to the system as required.\6\ 
If a Floor Participant responds by providing liquidity at two separate 
prices, then the Floor Broker would submit the QOO Order at a sub-
minimum trading increment resulting in a split-price transaction.\7\ 
For example, a Floor Market Maker might be willing to buy half of the 
contracts at one price provided that the Floor Market Maker could buy 
the other half at one tick lower. Alternatively, the Floor Broker may 
have had both sides of the QOO Order (i.e., the initiating side and the 
contra-side) when the order is brought to the Trading Floor and desires 
to execute the order at two separate prices in an attempt to have a net 
execution price with a sub-minimum trading increment. In such 
situation, the Floor Broker will announce the QOO Order to the trading 
crowd as required by Rule 7580(e)(2) and Floor Participants will be 
able to respond. Specifically, the Floor Broker will announce they are 
attempting to execute a QOO Order as a split-price transaction.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See Rule 7600(a).
    \7\ The Exchange notes that nothing prevents a Floor Participant 
from responding for the full amount of the order at the better price 
for the Floor Broker's customer. For example if a Floor Broker 
announces an order for a customer looking to buy at $0.30 and $0.35, 
a Floor Participant could respond to sell the full quantity at $0.30 
instead of selling part at $0.30 and part at $0.35.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For example, assume the market for a series is $0.25-$0.35 (with a 
minimum trading increment of $0.05), and a Floor Broker receives an 
order from a customer who would like to buy 50 contracts at a price or 
prices no higher than $0.35. The Floor Broker will announce the single-
sided order (i.e., the initiating side of the QOO Order) to the crowd 
in order to solicit contra-side interest. Assume a Floor Market Maker 
is willing to sell 25 contracts at $0.30 provided that he can also sell 
the remaining 25 contracts at $0.35. Under the proposed Rule, that 
Floor Market Maker could offer $0.30 for 25 contracts and then, by 
virtue of the proposed split-price priority, he will have priority for 
the balance of the order (up to 25 contracts) over all other 
Participants, except Public Customer Orders resting on the BOX Book. 
The Floor Broker will enter a QOO Order at a price of $0.325, now that 
the Floor Broker has a two-sided order. The system will then split the 
QOO Order. The first transaction will be for 25 contracts at $0.30. The 
second transaction will be for 25 contracts at $0.35, the next best 
price for the Floor Broker customer. The Floor Market Maker (i.e., the 
contra-side of the QOO Order) would have priority over all other 
Participants to sell the 25 contracts at $0.35, except Public Customer 
Orders resting on the BOX Book. Two trades will be reported to the 
tape; a purchase of 25 contracts at $0.30 and a purchase of 25 at 
$0.35. The Floor Broker's customer will receive a net

[[Page 60257]]

purchase price of $0.325 for 50 contracts,\8\ which is the price that 
the Floor Broker entered when submitting the QOO Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ The Floor Broker's customer would receive 25 contracts at 
$0.30 and 25 contracts at $0.35. The net price that the customer 
paid for the contracts would be $0.325 ((25* $0.30 + 25* $0.35)/50).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If an order or offer (bid) of 100 or more contracts of a series is 
represented to the trading crowd, a Floor Participant that buys (sells) 
50 or more of the contracts of that order or offer (bid) at one price 
will have priority over all other orders and quotes to buy (sell) up to 
the same number of contracts of those remaining from the same order or 
offer (bid) at the next lower (higher) price.\9\ If the bids or offers 
of two or more Floor Participants are both entitled to split-price 
priority, it will be afforded to the extent practicable on a pro-rata 
basis.\10\ Further, the Exchange may increase the minimum qualifying 
size of 100 contracts. These changes will be announced to Participants 
via Regulatory Circular.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See proposed Rule 7600(i)(2).
    \10\ See proposed Rule 7600(i)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For example, assume the market for a series is $0.25-$0.35, and a 
Floor Broker receives an order from a customer who would like to buy 
100 contracts at a price or prices no higher than $0.35. Assume a Floor 
Market Maker is willing to sell 50 contracts at $0.30 provided that he 
can also sell the remaining 50 contracts at $0.35. Under the proposed 
Rule, that Floor Market Maker could offer $0.30 for 50 contracts then, 
by virtue of the proposed split-price priority, he will have priority 
for the balance of the order (up to 50 contracts) over all other 
Participants, including any resting Public Customer Orders on the BOX 
Book. The Floor Broker will enter a QOO Order with a price of $0.325. 
The system will then split the QOO Order. The first transaction will be 
for 50 contracts at $0.30. The second transaction will be for 50 
contracts at $0.35, the next best price for the Floor Broker's 
customer. The Floor Market Maker will have priority over all other 
Participants to sell the 50 contracts at $0.35, including any resting 
Public Customer Orders on the BOX Book. Two trades will be reported to 
the tape; a purchase of 50 contracts at $0.30 and a purchase of 50 at 
$0.35. The Floor Broker's customer will receive a net purchase price of 
$0.325 for 100 contracts, which is the price that the Floor Broker 
entered when submitting the QOO Order.
    In order for a Floor Participant to avail himself to split-price 
priority, there are certain requirements. First, the priority is 
available for open outcry transactions only (i.e., QOO Orders) and does 
not apply to Complex Orders. The Floor Participant must make its bid 
(offer) at the next lower (higher) price for the second (or later) 
transaction at the same time as the first bid (offer) or promptly 
following the announcement of the first (or earlier) transaction. The 
second (or later) purchase (sale) must represent the opposite side of a 
transaction with the same order or offer (bid) as the first (or 
earlier) purchase (sale).
    The Exchange further proposes that if the width of the quote for a 
series is the minimum increment for that series (e.g., $1.00-$1.05 for 
a series with a minimum increment of $0.05, or $1.00-$1.01 for a series 
with a minimum increment of $0.01), and both the bid and offer 
represent Public Customer Orders resting in the BOX Book, split-price 
priority pursuant to this rule is not available to Floor Participant 
until the Public Customer Order(s) resting in the BOX Book on either 
side of the market trades. This exception is consistent with the 
Exchange's allocation and priority rules, which provide for Public 
Customer Orders to have priority at the best price in open outcry over 
QOO Orders.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ See Rules 7600(c) and (d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For example, assume the market for a series with a minimum 
increment of $0.05 is $1.00-$1.05 (with the $1.00 bid and $1.05 offer 
each representing a Public Customer Order for 25 contracts), and a 
Floor Broker receives an order from a customer who would like to buy 
100 contracts at a price or prices no higher than $1.05. Assume a Floor 
Market Maker is willing to sell 50 contracts at $1.00 and 50 contracts 
at $1.05. The Floor Broker will enter a QOO Order at a price of $1.025. 
The system will then attempt to split the QOO Order. The first 
transaction would be for 50 contracts at $1.00. However, there is 
Public Customer interest resting at $1.00 on the BOX Book, which will 
have priority to trade at $1.00. Therefore, the system will reject the 
QOO Order entered at $1.025.\12\ In this situation, if the Floor Market 
Maker wants to receive split-price priority at $1.05, the Floor Market 
Maker will not be able to execute the first part of a split-price 
transaction with the order being represented by the Floor Broker until 
after the resting Public Customer Order at $1.00 trades.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ If, however, the resting interest at $1.00 on the BOX Book 
was for non-Public Customer interest, the system would accept the 
QOO Order entered at $1.025. This is in line with the priority rules 
applicable to the Trading Floor as outlined in Rule 7600(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule change provides that ``either side of the 
market'' must trade for split-price priority to become available. The 
proposal provides that a Floor Participant is eligible to receive 
split-price priority, which could include the Floor Participant 
representing the order or offer (quote). Thus, the proposal allows for 
the Floor Participant on either side of a transaction to be eligible 
for split-price priority. Assume the market for a series with a minimum 
increment of $0.05 is $1.00-$1.05 (with the $1.00 bid representing a 
Public Customer order for 25 contracts), and a Floor Broker receives an 
order from a customer who would like to buy 100 contracts at a price or 
prices no higher than $1.05. After receiving no interest from the 
trading crowd to sell 100 contracts at $1.00, the Floor Broker 
represents to the trading crowd that he would like to buy 50 contracts 
at $1.00 and 50 contracts at $1.05 for a net execution price of $1.025. 
Assume a Floor Market Maker is willing to sell 50 contracts at $1.00 
and 50 contracts at $1.05. The Floor Broker will enter a QOO Order at a 
price of $1.025. The system will then split the QOO Order. The first 
transaction will be for 50 contracts at $1.05 (at which price there is 
no resting Public Customer offer). The second transaction will be for 
50 contracts at $1.00, the next best price for the Floor Broker. In 
this situation, the Floor Broker's customer (i.e., the initiating side 
of the QOO Order) is eligible to receive split-price priority at $1.00 
over the resting Public Customer interest at $1.00 and achieve a better 
net price execution of $1.025 for its customer order, which is the 
price that the Floor Broker entered when submitting the QOO Order. Two 
trades will be reported to the tape; a purchase of 50 contracts at 
$1.00 and a purchase of 50 at $1.05.
    The Floor Broker may utilize the book sweep size, as provided in 
Rule 7600(h), when entering a split-price QOO Order. For example, 
assume the market for a series is $0.30-$0.35 (with a minimum trading 
increment of $0.05 and the $0.35 offer is a Public Customer Order for 
10 contracts). A Floor Broker intends to execute a split-price QOO 
Order for a customer looking to buy 80 contracts (i.e., the initiating 
side) at $0.325 with a Floor Market Maker willing to sell 80 contracts 
(i.e., the contra-side). The QOO Order will be split by the system into 
transactions for 40 contracts at $0.30 and 40 contracts at $0.35. A QOO 
Order entered at $0.325 will be accepted as long as the Floor Broker 
provided a book sweep size of at least 10 contracts which would sweep 
the resting Public

[[Page 60258]]

Customer interest on the contra-side. Assuming the Floor Broker entered 
a book sweep size of 10 contracts for the QOO Order, the second 
transaction at $0.35 will result in an allocation of the initiating 
side of the QOO Order to the Public Customer Order for 10 contracts and 
the remaining 30 contracts will be allocated to the Floor Market Maker.
    To address potential concerns regarding Section 11(a) of the 
Act,\13\ the Exchange is proposing IM-7600-6. Section 11(a) generally 
prohibits members of national securities exchanges from effecting 
transactions for the member's own account, absent an exemption. With 
respect to the proposal, there could be situations where because of the 
limited exception to Public Customer priority, orders on behalf of 
members could trade ahead of orders of nonmembers in violation of 
Section 11(a).\14\ The proposal would make clear that Floor Brokers may 
avail themselves of the split-price priority rule, but they would be 
obligated to ensure compliance with Section 11(a). Specifically, the 
Exchange is proposing that a Floor Broker who bids (offers) on behalf 
of a non-Market-Maker BOX Participant broker-dealer (``BOX Participant 
BD'') must ensure that the BOX Participant BD qualifies for an 
exemption from Section 11(a)(1) of the Exchange Act or the transaction 
satisfies the requirements of Exchange Act Rule 11a2-2(T). Pursuant to 
IM-7600-5, a Participant shall not utilize the Trading Floor to effect 
any transaction for its own account, the account of an associated 
person, or an account with respect to which it or an associated person 
thereof exercises investment discretion by relying on an exemption 
under Section 11(a)(1)(G) of the Exchange Act (the ``G 
Exemption'').\15\ Therefore, a Floor Broker bidding or offering on 
behalf of a BOX Participant must rely on other exceptions from Section 
11(a).\16\ Otherwise a Floor Broker cannot execute a split-price 
transaction on the Trading Floor. The Exchange notes that the proposed 
rule change would not limit in any way the obligation of a BOX 
Participant, while acting as a Floor Broker or otherwise, to comply 
with Section 11(a) or the rules thereunder.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78k(a).
    \14\ For example, assume Floor Broker A walks into the trading 
crowd attempting to find a crowd member willing to effect a split-
price transaction. Floor Broker B, who is representing either a 
proprietary or Participant broker-dealer order, expresses interest. 
In this instance, Section 11(a) could be implicated, absent an 
exemption.
    \15\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80720 (May 18, 
2017), 82 FR 23657 (May 23, 2017) (Notice of Amendment 2 to SR-BOX-
2016-48) at 23674 and 23681. See also Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 81292 (August 2, 2017), 82 FR 37144 (August 8, 2017) 
(Order Approving SR-BOX-2016-48).
    \16\ For example, other Section 11(a)(1) exemptions include, the 
``effect vs. execute'' exemption, the market maker exemption, and 
the error account exemption.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange will provide at least two weeks' notice to 
Participants via Circular prior to the launch of split-price priority. 
The Exchange anticipates launching in the first quarter of 2018.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act \17\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act \18\ in particular, in that it is designed to 
promote just and equitable principles of trade, 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In particular, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is 
consistent with the existing split-price priority on another options 
exchange.\19\ The proposed rule change is designed to induce Floor 
Participants to bid (offer) at better prices for an order or offer 
(bid) that may require execution at multiple prices (such as larger 
orders), which will result in a better average price for the 
originating Floor Participant (or its customer).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ See supra note 3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, the Exchange believes that the proposal should lead to 
more aggressive quoting by Floor Participants, which in turn could lead 
to better executions. A Floor Participant might be willing to trade at 
a better price for a portion of an order if he were assured of trading 
with the balance of the order at the next pricing increment. As a 
result, Floor Brokers representing orders in the trading crowd might 
receive better-priced executions. As such, the Exchange believes that 
the proposed rule change will encourage Participants on BOX's Trading 
Floor to bid or offer better prices, thus creating more opportunities 
for price improvement, which ultimately enhances competition.
    Lastly, as discussed above, the Exchange notes that the proposed 
change is substantially similar to the split-price priority rules at 
another options exchange with open outcry trading floor.\20\ As such, 
the Exchange believes that the proposed change would remove impediments 
to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market because the 
proposed rules establishing split-price priority on the BOX Trading 
Floor would further promote competition among options exchange with 
open outcry trading floors. As such, the Exchange believes that the 
proposed change is consistent with the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. As discussed above, the 
proposed change aligns the rules of the Exchange with those of another 
options exchange \21\ and will allow the Exchange to compete with the 
options exchanges that have open outcry floors. The Exchange believes 
it will help Floor Brokers at the Exchange to compete for executions 
against floor brokers at other exchanges by providing an additional 
tool to Floor Brokers that allows them to provide better executions for 
their customers. This, in turn, helps the Exchange compete against 
exchanges in a deeply competitive landscape.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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 within such longer period 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:

[[Page 60259]]

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-BOX-2017-36 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-BOX-2017-36. 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 website (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 website 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-BOX-2017-36 and should be submitted on 
or before January 9, 2018.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-27234 Filed 12-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                60256                         Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 242 / Tuesday, December 19, 2017 / Notices

                                                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                    proposal is based on the rules of another             minimum trading increment resulting in
                                                COMMISSION                                                 options exchange with an open outcry                  a split-price transaction.7 For example,
                                                                                                           trading floor.3                                       a Floor Market Maker might be willing
                                                [Release No. 34–82315; File No. SR–BOX–                       Proposed Rule 7600(i) establishes
                                                2017–36]
                                                                                                                                                                 to buy half of the contracts at one price
                                                                                                           priority principles for split-price                   provided that the Floor Market Maker
                                                Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX                         transactions occurring in open outcry on              could buy the other half at one tick
                                                Options Exchange LLC; Notice of                            the Trading Floor. Generally, if an order             lower. Alternatively, the Floor Broker
                                                Filing of Proposed Rule Change To                          or offer (bid) for any number of                      may have had both sides of the QOO
                                                Adopt Rule 7600(i) To Allow Split-Price                    contracts of a series is represented to the           Order (i.e., the initiating side and the
                                                Transactions on the Trading Floor                          trading crowd, a Floor Participant that               contra-side) when the order is brought
                                                                                                           buys (sells) one or more contracts of that            to the Trading Floor and desires to
                                                December 13, 2017.                                         order or offer (bid) at one price will                execute the order at two separate prices
                                                   Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                     have priority over all other orders and               in an attempt to have a net execution
                                                Securities Exchange Act of 1934                            quotes, except Public Customer Orders                 price with a sub-minimum trading
                                                (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                    resting in the BOX Book, to buy (sell) up             increment. In such situation, the Floor
                                                notice is hereby given that on November                    to the same number of contracts of those              Broker will announce the QOO Order to
                                                30, 2017, BOX Options Exchange LLC                         remaining from the same order or offer                the trading crowd as required by Rule
                                                (‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities                   (bid) at the next lower (higher) price.4              7580(e)(2) and Floor Participants will be
                                                and Exchange Commission                                       In order to execute a split-price                  able to respond. Specifically, the Floor
                                                (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                         transaction, a Floor Broker will submit               Broker will announce they are
                                                change as described in Items I and II                      a Qualified Open Outcry (‘‘QOO’’) Order               attempting to execute a QOO Order as
                                                below, which Items have been prepared                      to the system in the same manner as                   a split-price transaction.
                                                by the self-regulatory organization. The                   done today on the Trading Floor, with                    For example, assume the market for a
                                                Commission is publishing this notice to                    the exception that the QOO Order will                 series is $0.25–$0.35 (with a minimum
                                                solicit comments on the proposed rule                      be entered at a sub-minimum trading                   trading increment of $0.05), and a Floor
                                                change from interested persons.                            increment.5 After receiving the QOO                   Broker receives an order from a
                                                                                                           Order, the system will split the QOO                  customer who would like to buy 50
                                                I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                           Order into two transactions. The                      contracts at a price or prices no higher
                                                Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                                                                           transactions are separated by one tick                than $0.35. The Floor Broker will
                                                the Proposed Rule Change
                                                                                                           that, when combined, will yield a net                 announce the single-sided order (i.e.,
                                                   The Exchange proposes to amend                          price equal to the original price entered             the initiating side of the QOO Order) to
                                                Rule 7600 to allow split-price                             by the Floor Broker. For example,                     the crowd in order to solicit contra-side
                                                transactions on the Trading Floor. The                     assume a Floor Broker submits a QOO                   interest. Assume a Floor Market Maker
                                                text of the proposed rule change is                        Order with a price of $1.025 for 100                  is willing to sell 25 contracts at $0.30
                                                available from the principal office of the                 contracts in a series with a minimum                  provided that he can also sell the
                                                Exchange, at the Commission’s Public                       trading increment of $0.05. The system                remaining 25 contracts at $0.35. Under
                                                Reference Room and also on the                             will split the QOO Order into two                     the proposed Rule, that Floor Market
                                                Exchange’s internet website at http://                     transactions; a transaction for the                   Maker could offer $0.30 for 25 contracts
                                                boxoptions.com.                                            purchase of 50 contracts at $1.00 and a               and then, by virtue of the proposed
                                                II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                         transaction for the purchase of 50                    split-price priority, he will have priority
                                                Statement of the Purpose of, and                           contracts at $1.05.                                   for the balance of the order (up to 25
                                                Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                        The manner in which a Floor Broker                 contracts) over all other Participants,
                                                Change                                                     brings an order to the Trading Floor is               except Public Customer Orders resting
                                                                                                           the same for a split-price QOO Order as               on the BOX Book. The Floor Broker will
                                                   In its filing with the Commission, the                  it is for all other QOO Orders.
                                                self-regulatory organization included                                                                            enter a QOO Order at a price of $0.325,
                                                                                                           Specifically, a Floor Broker may bring a              now that the Floor Broker has a two-
                                                statements concerning the purpose of,                      single-sided order (i.e., the initiating
                                                and basis for, the proposed rule change                                                                          sided order. The system will then split
                                                                                                           side of a QOO Order) to the Trading                   the QOO Order. The first transaction
                                                and discussed any comments it received                     Floor in order to seek liquidity (i.e.,
                                                on the proposed rule change. The text                                                                            will be for 25 contracts at $0.30. The
                                                                                                           contra-side of a QOO Order). In such                  second transaction will be for 25
                                                of these statements may be examined at                     case, the Floor Broker announces the
                                                the places specified in Item IV below.                                                                           contracts at $0.35, the next best price for
                                                                                                           single-sided order to the trading crowd               the Floor Broker customer. The Floor
                                                The self-regulatory organization has                       in an attempt to source contra-side
                                                prepared summaries, set forth in                                                                                 Market Maker (i.e., the contra-side of the
                                                                                                           liquidity. After finding sufficient                   QOO Order) would have priority over
                                                Sections A, B, and C below, of the most                    liquidity for the single-sided order, the
                                                significant aspects of such statements.                                                                          all other Participants to sell the 25
                                                                                                           Floor Broker would be able to submit a                contracts at $0.35, except Public
                                                A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          two-sided QOO Order to the system as                  Customer Orders resting on the BOX
                                                Statement of the Purpose of, and                           required.6 If a Floor Participant                     Book. Two trades will be reported to the
                                                Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                     responds by providing liquidity at two                tape; a purchase of 25 contracts at $0.30
                                                Change                                                     separate prices, then the Floor Broker                and a purchase of 25 at $0.35. The Floor
                                                                                                           would submit the QOO Order at a sub-                  Broker’s customer will receive a net
                                                1. Purpose
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                   The Exchange proposes to adopt Rule                       3 See Cboe Rule 6.47. See also NYSE Arca Rule
                                                                                                                                                                    7 The Exchange notes that nothing prevents a

                                                7600(i). Specifically, the Exchange is                     6.75–O(h), NYSE American Rule 963NY(f), and           Floor Participant from responding for the full
                                                                                                           Phlx Rule 1014(g)(i)(B).                              amount of the order at the better price for the Floor
                                                proposing to adopt rules for split-price                     4 See proposed Rule 7600(i)(1).
                                                                                                                                                                 Broker’s customer. For example if a Floor Broker
                                                transactions on the Trading Floor. The                       5 For example, entering a QOO Order at a price
                                                                                                                                                                 announces an order for a customer looking to buy
                                                                                                           of $1.03 when the minimum trading increment for       at $0.30 and $0.35, a Floor Participant could
                                                  1 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                 the series is $0.05.                                  respond to sell the full quantity at $0.30 instead of
                                                  2 17   CFR 240.19b–4.                                      6 See Rule 7600(a).                                 selling part at $0.30 and part at $0.35.



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014      17:47 Dec 18, 2017   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00084   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM   19DEN1


                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 242 / Tuesday, December 19, 2017 / Notices                                             60257

                                                purchase price of $0.325 for 50                         transactions only (i.e., QOO Orders) and                  The proposed rule change provides
                                                contracts,8 which is the price that the                 does not apply to Complex Orders. The                  that ‘‘either side of the market’’ must
                                                Floor Broker entered when submitting                    Floor Participant must make its bid                    trade for split-price priority to become
                                                the QOO Order.                                          (offer) at the next lower (higher) price               available. The proposal provides that a
                                                   If an order or offer (bid) of 100 or                 for the second (or later) transaction at               Floor Participant is eligible to receive
                                                more contracts of a series is represented               the same time as the first bid (offer) or              split-price priority, which could include
                                                to the trading crowd, a Floor Participant               promptly following the announcement                    the Floor Participant representing the
                                                that buys (sells) 50 or more of the                     of the first (or earlier) transaction. The             order or offer (quote). Thus, the
                                                contracts of that order or offer (bid) at               second (or later) purchase (sale) must                 proposal allows for the Floor Participant
                                                one price will have priority over all                   represent the opposite side of a                       on either side of a transaction to be
                                                other orders and quotes to buy (sell) up                transaction with the same order or offer               eligible for split-price priority. Assume
                                                to the same number of contracts of those                (bid) as the first (or earlier) purchase               the market for a series with a minimum
                                                remaining from the same order or offer                  (sale).                                                increment of $0.05 is $1.00–$1.05 (with
                                                (bid) at the next lower (higher) price.9 If                The Exchange further proposes that if               the $1.00 bid representing a Public
                                                the bids or offers of two or more Floor                 the width of the quote for a series is the             Customer order for 25 contracts), and a
                                                Participants are both entitled to split-                minimum increment for that series (e.g.,               Floor Broker receives an order from a
                                                price priority, it will be afforded to the              $1.00–$1.05 for a series with a                        customer who would like to buy 100
                                                extent practicable on a pro-rata basis.10               minimum increment of $0.05, or $1.00–                  contracts at a price or prices no higher
                                                Further, the Exchange may increase the                  $1.01 for a series with a minimum                      than $1.05. After receiving no interest
                                                minimum qualifying size of 100                          increment of $0.01), and both the bid                  from the trading crowd to sell 100
                                                contracts. These changes will be                        and offer represent Public Customer                    contracts at $1.00, the Floor Broker
                                                announced to Participants via                           Orders resting in the BOX Book, split-                 represents to the trading crowd that he
                                                Regulatory Circular.                                    price priority pursuant to this rule is not            would like to buy 50 contracts at $1.00
                                                   For example, assume the market for a                                                                        and 50 contracts at $1.05 for a net
                                                                                                        available to Floor Participant until the
                                                series is $0.25–$0.35, and a Floor Broker                                                                      execution price of $1.025. Assume a
                                                                                                        Public Customer Order(s) resting in the
                                                receives an order from a customer who                                                                          Floor Market Maker is willing to sell 50
                                                                                                        BOX Book on either side of the market
                                                would like to buy 100 contracts at a                                                                           contracts at $1.00 and 50 contracts at
                                                                                                        trades. This exception is consistent with
                                                price or prices no higher than $0.35.                                                                          $1.05. The Floor Broker will enter a
                                                                                                        the Exchange’s allocation and priority
                                                Assume a Floor Market Maker is willing                                                                         QOO Order at a price of $1.025. The
                                                                                                        rules, which provide for Public
                                                to sell 50 contracts at $0.30 provided                                                                         system will then split the QOO Order.
                                                                                                        Customer Orders to have priority at the
                                                that he can also sell the remaining 50                                                                         The first transaction will be for 50
                                                                                                        best price in open outcry over QOO
                                                contracts at $0.35. Under the proposed                                                                         contracts at $1.05 (at which price there
                                                Rule, that Floor Market Maker could                     Orders.11
                                                                                                           For example, assume the market for a                is no resting Public Customer offer). The
                                                offer $0.30 for 50 contracts then, by
                                                                                                        series with a minimum increment of                     second transaction will be for 50
                                                virtue of the proposed split-price
                                                                                                        $0.05 is $1.00–$1.05 (with the $1.00 bid               contracts at $1.00, the next best price for
                                                priority, he will have priority for the
                                                                                                        and $1.05 offer each representing a                    the Floor Broker. In this situation, the
                                                balance of the order (up to 50 contracts)
                                                                                                        Public Customer Order for 25 contracts),               Floor Broker’s customer (i.e., the
                                                over all other Participants, including
                                                                                                        and a Floor Broker receives an order                   initiating side of the QOO Order) is
                                                any resting Public Customer Orders on
                                                                                                        from a customer who would like to buy                  eligible to receive split-price priority at
                                                the BOX Book. The Floor Broker will
                                                                                                        100 contracts at a price or prices no                  $1.00 over the resting Public Customer
                                                enter a QOO Order with a price of
                                                                                                        higher than $1.05. Assume a Floor                      interest at $1.00 and achieve a better net
                                                $0.325. The system will then split the
                                                QOO Order. The first transaction will be                Market Maker is willing to sell 50                     price execution of $1.025 for its
                                                for 50 contracts at $0.30. The second                   contracts at $1.00 and 50 contracts at                 customer order, which is the price that
                                                transaction will be for 50 contracts at                 $1.05. The Floor Broker will enter a                   the Floor Broker entered when
                                                $0.35, the next best price for the Floor                QOO Order at a price of $1.025. The                    submitting the QOO Order. Two trades
                                                Broker’s customer. The Floor Market                     system will then attempt to split the                  will be reported to the tape; a purchase
                                                Maker will have priority over all other                 QOO Order. The first transaction would                 of 50 contracts at $1.00 and a purchase
                                                Participants to sell the 50 contracts at                be for 50 contracts at $1.00. However,                 of 50 at $1.05.
                                                $0.35, including any resting Public                     there is Public Customer interest resting                 The Floor Broker may utilize the book
                                                Customer Orders on the BOX Book. Two                    at $1.00 on the BOX Book, which will                   sweep size, as provided in Rule 7600(h),
                                                trades will be reported to the tape; a                  have priority to trade at $1.00.                       when entering a split-price QOO Order.
                                                purchase of 50 contracts at $0.30 and a                 Therefore, the system will reject the                  For example, assume the market for a
                                                purchase of 50 at $0.35. The Floor                      QOO Order entered at $1.025.12 In this                 series is $0.30–$0.35 (with a minimum
                                                Broker’s customer will receive a net                    situation, if the Floor Market Maker                   trading increment of $0.05 and the $0.35
                                                purchase price of $0.325 for 100                        wants to receive split-price priority at               offer is a Public Customer Order for 10
                                                contracts, which is the price that the                  $1.05, the Floor Market Maker will not                 contracts). A Floor Broker intends to
                                                Floor Broker entered when submitting                    be able to execute the first part of a                 execute a split-price QOO Order for a
                                                the QOO Order.                                          split-price transaction with the order                 customer looking to buy 80 contracts
                                                   In order for a Floor Participant to                  being represented by the Floor Broker                  (i.e., the initiating side) at $0.325 with
                                                avail himself to split-price priority,                  until after the resting Public Customer                a Floor Market Maker willing to sell 80
                                                there are certain requirements. First, the              Order at $1.00 trades.                                 contracts (i.e., the contra-side). The
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                priority is available for open outcry                                                                          QOO Order will be split by the system
                                                                                                          11 See Rules 7600(c) and (d).                        into transactions for 40 contracts at
                                                  8 The Floor Broker’s customer would receive 25          12 If,
                                                                                                               however, the resting interest at $1.00 on the   $0.30 and 40 contracts at $0.35. A QOO
                                                contracts at $0.30 and 25 contracts at $0.35. The net   BOX Book was for non-Public Customer interest,         Order entered at $0.325 will be accepted
                                                price that the customer paid for the contracts would    the system would accept the QOO Order entered at
                                                be $0.325 ((25* $0.30 + 25* $0.35)/50).                 $1.025. This is in line with the priority rules
                                                                                                                                                               as long as the Floor Broker provided a
                                                  9 See proposed Rule 7600(i)(2).
                                                                                                        applicable to the Trading Floor as outlined in Rule    book sweep size of at least 10 contracts
                                                  10 See proposed Rule 7600(i)(3).                      7600(c).                                               which would sweep the resting Public


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:47 Dec 18, 2017   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00085   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM   19DEN1


                                                60258                      Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 242 / Tuesday, December 19, 2017 / Notices

                                                Customer interest on the contra-side.                   Exchange notes that the proposed rule                  establishing split-price priority on the
                                                Assuming the Floor Broker entered a                     change would not limit in any way the                  BOX Trading Floor would further
                                                book sweep size of 10 contracts for the                 obligation of a BOX Participant, while                 promote competition among options
                                                QOO Order, the second transaction at                    acting as a Floor Broker or otherwise, to              exchange with open outcry trading
                                                $0.35 will result in an allocation of the               comply with Section 11(a) or the rules                 floors. As such, the Exchange believes
                                                initiating side of the QOO Order to the                 thereunder.                                            that the proposed change is consistent
                                                Public Customer Order for 10 contracts                    The Exchange will provide at least                   with the Act.
                                                and the remaining 30 contracts will be                  two weeks’ notice to Participants via
                                                allocated to the Floor Market Maker.                    Circular prior to the launch of split-                 B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                   To address potential concerns                        price priority. The Exchange anticipates               Statement on Burden on Competition
                                                regarding Section 11(a) of the Act,13 the               launching in the first quarter of 2018.                   The Exchange does not believe that
                                                Exchange is proposing IM–7600–6.                                                                               the proposed rule change will impose
                                                Section 11(a) generally prohibits                       2. Statutory Basis
                                                                                                                                                               any burden on competition not
                                                members of national securities                             The Exchange believes that its                      necessary or appropriate in furtherance
                                                exchanges from effecting transactions                   proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)               of the purposes of the Act. As discussed
                                                for the member’s own account, absent                    of the Act 17 in general, and furthers the             above, the proposed change aligns the
                                                an exemption. With respect to the                       objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 18            rules of the Exchange with those of
                                                proposal, there could be situations                     in particular, in that it is designed to               another options exchange 21 and will
                                                where because of the limited exception                  promote just and equitable principles of               allow the Exchange to compete with the
                                                to Public Customer priority, orders on                  trade, to remove impediments to and                    options exchanges that have open
                                                behalf of members could trade ahead of                  perfect the mechanism of a free and                    outcry floors. The Exchange believes it
                                                orders of nonmembers in violation of                    open market and a national market                      will help Floor Brokers at the Exchange
                                                Section 11(a).14 The proposal would                     system, and, in general to protect                     to compete for executions against floor
                                                make clear that Floor Brokers may avail                 investors and the public interest.                     brokers at other exchanges by providing
                                                themselves of the split-price priority                     In particular, the Exchange believes
                                                                                                                                                               an additional tool to Floor Brokers that
                                                rule, but they would be obligated to                    the proposed rule change is consistent
                                                                                                                                                               allows them to provide better
                                                ensure compliance with Section 11(a).                   with the existing split-price priority on
                                                                                                                                                               executions for their customers. This, in
                                                Specifically, the Exchange is proposing                 another options exchange.19 The
                                                                                                                                                               turn, helps the Exchange compete
                                                that a Floor Broker who bids (offers) on                proposed rule change is designed to
                                                                                                                                                               against exchanges in a deeply
                                                behalf of a non-Market-Maker BOX                        induce Floor Participants to bid (offer)
                                                                                                                                                               competitive landscape.
                                                Participant broker-dealer (‘‘BOX                        at better prices for an order or offer (bid)
                                                Participant BD’’) must ensure that the                  that may require execution at multiple                 C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                BOX Participant BD qualifies for an                     prices (such as larger orders), which                  Statement on Comments on the
                                                exemption from Section 11(a)(1) of the                  will result in a better average price for              Proposed Rule Change Received From
                                                Exchange Act or the transaction satisfies               the originating Floor Participant (or its              Members, Participants, or Others
                                                the requirements of Exchange Act Rule                   customer).
                                                11a2–2(T). Pursuant to IM–7600–5, a                        Further, the Exchange believes that                   The Exchange has neither solicited
                                                Participant shall not utilize the Trading               the proposal should lead to more                       nor received comments on the proposed
                                                Floor to effect any transaction for its                 aggressive quoting by Floor Participants,              rule change.
                                                own account, the account of an                          which in turn could lead to better                     III. Date of Effectiveness of the
                                                associated person, or an account with                   executions. A Floor Participant might be               Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
                                                respect to which it or an associated                    willing to trade at a better price for a               Commission Action
                                                person thereof exercises investment                     portion of an order if he were assured
                                                discretion by relying on an exemption                   of trading with the balance of the order                 Within 45 days of the date of
                                                under Section 11(a)(1)(G) of the                        at the next pricing increment. As a                    publication of this notice in the Federal
                                                Exchange Act (the ‘‘G Exemption’’).15                   result, Floor Brokers representing orders              Register or within such longer period
                                                Therefore, a Floor Broker bidding or                    in the trading crowd might receive                     up to 90 days (i) as the Commission may
                                                offering on behalf of a BOX Participant                 better-priced executions. As such, the                 designate if it finds such longer period
                                                must rely on other exceptions from                      Exchange believes that the proposed                    to be appropriate and publishes its
                                                Section 11(a).16 Otherwise a Floor                      rule change will encourage Participants                reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which
                                                Broker cannot execute a split-price                     on BOX’s Trading Floor to bid or offer                 the self-regulatory organization
                                                transaction on the Trading Floor. The                   better prices, thus creating more                      consents, the Commission will:
                                                                                                        opportunities for price improvement,                     (A) By order approve or disapprove
                                                  13 15 U.S.C. 78k(a).                                  which ultimately enhances competition.                 the proposed rule change, or
                                                  14 For example, assume Floor Broker A walks into         Lastly, as discussed above, the                       (B) institute proceedings to determine
                                                the trading crowd attempting to find a crowd
                                                member willing to effect a split-price transaction.
                                                                                                        Exchange notes that the proposed                       whether the proposed rule change
                                                Floor Broker B, who is representing either a            change is substantially similar to the                 should be disapproved.
                                                proprietary or Participant broker-dealer order,         split-price priority rules at another
                                                expresses interest. In this instance, Section 11(a)     options exchange with open outcry                      IV. Solicitation of Comments
                                                could be implicated, absent an exemption.
                                                                                                        trading floor.20 As such, the Exchange
                                                  15 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80720                                                               Interested persons are invited to
                                                (May 18, 2017), 82 FR 23657 (May 23, 2017) (Notice      believes that the proposed change
                                                                                                                                                               submit written data, views and
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                of Amendment 2 to SR–BOX–2016–48) at 23674              would remove impediments to and
                                                                                                                                                               arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                and 23681. See also Securities Exchange Act             perfect the mechanism of a free and
                                                Release No. 81292 (August 2, 2017), 82 FR 37144                                                                including whether the proposed rule
                                                                                                        open market because the proposed rules
                                                (August 8, 2017) (Order Approving SR–BOX–2016–                                                                 change is consistent with the Act.
                                                48).                                                                                                           Comments may be submitted by any of
                                                                                                          17 15  U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                                  16 For example, other Section 11(a)(1) exemptions
                                                                                                          18 15  U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                             the following methods:
                                                include, the ‘‘effect vs. execute’’ exemption, the
                                                                                                          19 See supra note 3.
                                                market maker exemption, and the error account
                                                exemption.                                                20 Id.                                                 21 Id.




                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:47 Dec 18, 2017   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00086    Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM     19DEN1


                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 242 / Tuesday, December 19, 2017 / Notices                                                  60259

                                                Electronic Comments                                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                        COMMISSION                                            Statement of the Purpose of, and the
                                                  • Use the Commission’s internet                                                                             Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                                                                             Change
                                                rules/sro.shtml); or                                    [Release No. 34–82308; File No. SR–CBOE–
                                                                                                        2017–077]                                             1. Purpose
                                                  • Send an email to rule-comments@
                                                sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                 Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe                      Pursuant to Footnote 38 of the Fees
                                                BOX–2017–36 on the subject line.                        Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and                  Schedule, if a Lead Market-Maker
                                                Paper Comments                                          Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed                 (‘‘LMM’’) in SPX options during
                                                                                                        Rule Change Relating to the Fees                      extended trading hours (‘‘ETH’’) (1)
                                                  • Send paper comments in triplicate                   Schedule
                                                                                                                                                              provides continuous electronic quotes
                                                to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                                                                         in at least the lesser of 99% of the non-
                                                Commission, 100 F Street NE,                            December 13, 2017.                                    adjusted series or 100% of the non-
                                                Washington, DC 20549–1090.                                                                                    adjusted series minus one call-put pair
                                                                                                           Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                in an ETH allocated class (excluding
                                                All submissions should refer to File                    Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                  intra-day add-on series on the day
                                                Number SR–BOX–2017–36. This file                        ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                during which such series are added for
                                                number should be included on the                        notice is hereby given that on December               trading) and (2) enters opening quotes
                                                subject line if email is used. To help the              8, 2017, Cboe Exchange, Inc. (the                     within five minutes of the initiation of
                                                Commission process and review your                      ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘Cboe Options’’) filed               an opening rotation in any series that is
                                                comments more efficiently, please use                   with the Securities and Exchange                      not open due to the lack of a quote (see
                                                only one method. The Commission will                    Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the                   Rule 6.2B(d)(i)(A) or (ii)(A)), provided
                                                post all comments on the Commission’s                   proposed rule change as described in                  that the LMM will not be required to
                                                internet website (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                                                                        Items I, II, and III below, which Items               enter opening quotes in more than the
                                                rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                                                                        have been prepared by the Exchange.                   same percentage of series set forth in
                                                submission, all subsequent
                                                                                                        The Commission is publishing this                     clause (1) for at least 90% of the trading
                                                amendments, all written statements
                                                                                                        notice to solicit comments on the                     days during ETH in a month, the LMM
                                                with respect to the proposed rule
                                                                                                        proposed rule change from interested                  will receive a rebate for that month and
                                                change that are filed with the
                                                                                                        persons.                                              will receive a pro-rata share of a
                                                Commission, and all written
                                                                                                                                                              compensation pool equal to $15,000
                                                communications relating to the                          I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     times the number of LMMs in that class
                                                proposed rule change between the                        Statement of the Terms of Substance of                (or pro-rated amount if an appointment
                                                Commission and any person, other than                   the Proposed Rule Change                              begins after the first trading day of the
                                                those that may be withheld from the
                                                                                                                                                              month or ends prior to the last trading
                                                public in accordance with the                             The Exchanges seeks to amend the
                                                                                                                                                              day of the month).
                                                provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                     Fees Schedule. The text of the proposed                  The Exchange proposes 3 to amend
                                                available for website viewing and                       rule change is available on the                       Footnote 38 to modify the standard an
                                                printing in the Commission’s Public                     Exchange’s website (http://                           SPX LMM will need to satisfy in order
                                                Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,                        www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/                               to receive a rebate for its ETH activity,
                                                Washington, DC 20549 on official                        CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at                     and increase the compensation pool for
                                                business days between the hours of                      the Exchange’s Office of the Secretary,               SPX LMMs to $30,000 per LMM.4 In
                                                10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                  and at the Commission’s Public                        addition to providing continuous
                                                filing also will be available for                       Reference Room.                                       electronic quotes and entering opening
                                                inspection and copying at the principal
                                                                                                        II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                    quotes, as described above, in order for
                                                office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                                                                                                                              an LMM in SPX to receive the monthly
                                                received will be posted without change.                 Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                                                                              rebate, it must satisfy the following
                                                Persons submitting comments are                         Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                                                                              time-weighted average quote widths and
                                                cautioned that we do not redact or edit                 Change                                                bid/ask sizes for each moneyness
                                                personal identifying information from
                                                                                                          In its filing with the Commission, the              category during the month: (A) Out of
                                                comment submissions. You should
                                                                                                        Exchange included statements                          the money options (‘‘OTM’’) category,
                                                submit only information that you wish
                                                                                                        concerning the purpose of and basis for               average quote width of $0.75 or less and
                                                to make available publicly. All
                                                                                                        the proposed rule change and discussed                average bid/ask size of 15 contracts or
                                                submissions should refer to File
                                                                                                                                                              greater; (B) at the money options
                                                Number SR–BOX–2017–36 and should                        any comments it received on the
                                                                                                                                                              (‘‘ATM’’) category, average quote width
                                                be submitted on or before January 9,                    proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                                                                                                                              of $3.00 or less and bid/ask size of 10
                                                2018.                                                   statements may be examined at the
                                                                                                                                                              contracts or more; and (C) in the money
                                                  For the Commission, by the Division of                places specified in Item IV below. The                options (‘‘ITM’’) category, average quote
                                                Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated              Exchange has prepared summaries, set                  width of $10.00 or less and bid/ask size
                                                authority.22                                            forth in sections A, B, and C below, of               of 5 contracts or more. In other words,
                                                Eduardo A. Aleman,                                      the most significant aspects of such                  the LMM will need to satisfy the
                                                Assistant Secretary.                                    statements.                                           following nine criteria during a month
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                [FR Doc. 2017–27234 Filed 12–18–17; 8:45 am]                                                                  to receive the payment described above
                                                BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                                                                        for that month.

                                                  22 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                              3 The Exchange initially filed the proposed rule       4 The proposed rule change does not change the

                                                  1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                change on December 1, 2017 (SR–CBOE–2017–075).        standard a VIX LMM will need to meet to receive
                                                  2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                   On December 8, 2017 the Exchange withdrew SR–         a rebate.
                                                                                                        CBOE–2017–075 and then subsequently submitted
                                                                                                        this filing (SR–CBOE–2017–077).



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:47 Dec 18, 2017   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00087   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM   19DEN1



Document Created: 2017-12-19 01:31:36
Document Modified: 2017-12-19 01:31:36
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
FR Citation82 FR 60256 

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR