82_FR_6679 82 FR 6667 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Cabinet Trading Pilot Program

82 FR 6667 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Cabinet Trading Pilot Program

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 12 (January 19, 2017)

Page Range6667-6669
FR Document2017-01153

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6667-6669]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01153]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-79782; File No. SR-Phlx-2017-01]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the 
Cabinet Trading Pilot Program

January 12, 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 January 4, 2017, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (``Phlx'' or ``Exchange'') filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission'') 
the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II, below, which 
Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing 
this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from 
interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to extend the pilot program in Phlx Rule 
1059, Accommodation Transactions, to allow cabinet trading to take 
place below $1 per option contract under specified circumstances (the 
``pilot program'').
    The text of the proposed rule change is set forth below. Proposed 
new language is underlined; proposed deletions are in brackets.
* * * * *

NASDAQ PHLX Rules

* * * * *

Options Rules

* * * * *

Rule 1059. Accommodation Transactions

    (a)-(b) No change.

   Commentary:

    .01 No change.
    .02 Limit Orders Priced Below $1: Limit orders with a price of at 
least $0 but less than $1 per option contract may trade under the terms 
and conditions in Rule 1059 above in each series of option contracts 
open for trading on the Exchange, except that:
    (a)-(c) No change.
    (d) Unless otherwise extended, the effectiveness of the Commentary 
.02 terminates January 5, [2017] 2018, or, upon permanent approval of 
these procedures by the Securities and Exchange Commission, whichever 
occurs first.
* * * * *

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

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in 
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such 
statements.

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to extend the pilot program in Commentary .02 
of Exchange Rule 1059, Accommodation Transactions, which sets forth 
specific procedures for engaging in cabinet trades, to allow the 
Commission adequate time to consider permanently allowing transactions 
to take place on the Exchange in open outcry at a price of at least $0 
but less than $1 per option

[[Page 6668]]

contract.\3\ Prior to the pilot program, Rule 1059 required that all 
orders placed in the cabinet were assigned priority based upon the 
sequence in which such orders were received by the specialist. All 
closing bids and offers would be submitted to the specialist in 
writing, and the specialist effected all closing cabinet transactions 
by matching such orders placed with him. Bids or offers on orders to 
open for the accounts of customer, firm, specialists and Registered 
Options Traders (``ROTs'') could be made at $1 per option contract, but 
such orders could not be placed in and must yield to all orders in the 
cabinet. Specialists effected all cabinet transactions by matching 
closing purchase or sale orders which were placed in the cabinet or, 
provided there was no matching closing purchase or sale order in the 
cabinet, by matching a closing purchase or sale order in the cabinet 
with an opening purchase or sale order.\4\ All cabinet transactions 
were reported to the Exchange following the close of each business 
day.\5\ Any (i) member, (ii) member organization, or (iii) other person 
who was a non-member broker or dealer and who directly or indirectly 
controlled, was controlled by, or was under common control with, a 
member or member organization (any such other person being referred to 
as an affiliated person) could effect any transaction as principal in 
the over-the-counter market in any class of option contracts listed on 
the Exchange for a premium not in excess of $1.00 per contract.
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    \3\ Cabinet or accommodation trading of option contracts is 
intended to accommodate persons wishing to effect closing 
transactions in those series of options dealt in on the Exchange for 
which there is no auction market.
    \4\ Specialists and ROTs are not subject to the requirements of 
Rule 1014 in respect of orders placed pursuant to this Rule. Also, 
the provisions of Rule 1033(b) and (c), Rule 1034 and Rule 1038 do 
not apply to orders placed in the cabinet. Cabinet transactions are 
not reported on the ticker.
    \5\ See Exchange Rule 1059.
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    On December 30, 2010, the Exchange filed an immediately effective 
proposal that established the pilot program being extended by this 
filing. The pilot program allowed transactions to take place in open 
outcry at a price of at least $0 but less than $1 per option contract 
until June 1, 2011.\6\ These lower priced transactions are traded 
pursuant to the same procedures applicable to $1 cabinet trades, except 
that pursuant to the pilot program (i) bids and offers for opening 
transactions are only permitted to accommodate closing transactions in 
order to limit use of the procedure to liquidations of existing 
positions, and (ii) the procedures are also made available for trading 
in options participating in the Penny Pilot Program.\7\ On May 20, 
2011, the Exchange filed an immediately effective proposal that 
extended the pilot program until December 1, 2011 to consider whether 
to seek permanent approval of the temporary procedure.\8\ On November 
16, 2011, the Exchange filed an immediately effective proposal that 
extended the pilot program until June 1, 2012.\9\ On May 29, 2012, the 
Exchange filed an immediately effective proposal that extended the 
pilot program until December 1, 2012.\10\ On November 1, 2012, the 
Exchange filed an immediately effective proposal that extended the 
pilot program until June 1, 2013.\11\ On May 8, 2013, the Exchange 
filed an immediately effective proposal that extended the pilot program 
until January 5, 2014.\12\ On December 4, 2013, the Exchange filed an 
immediately effective proposal that extended the pilot program until 
January 5, 2015.\13\ On January 2, 2015, the Exchange filed an 
immediately effective proposal that extended the pilot program until 
January 5, 2016.\14\ On December 9, 2015, the Exchange filed an 
immediately effective proposal that extended the pilot program until 
January 5, 2017.\15\ The Exchange now proposes an extension of the 
pilot program to allow additional time to consider its effects while 
the pilot program continues uninterrupted.
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    \6\ Phlx Rule 1059, Commentary .02; See Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 63626 (December 30, 2010), 76 FR 812 (January 6, 2011) 
(SR-Phlx-2010-185).
    \7\ Prior to the pilot, the $1 cabinet trading procedures were 
limited to options classes traded in $0.05 or $0.10 standard 
increments. The $1 cabinet trading procedures were not available in 
Penny Pilot Program classes because in those classes, an option 
series could trade in a standard increment as low as $0.01 per share 
(or $1.00 per option contract with a 100 share multiplier). The 
pilot allows trading below $0.01 per share (or $1.00 per option 
contract with a 100 share multiplier) in all classes, including 
those classes participating in the Penny Pilot Program.
    \8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64571 (May 31, 
2011), 76 FR 32385 (June 6, 2011) (SR-Phlx-2011-72).
    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65852 (November 30, 
2011), 76 FR 76212 (December 6, 2011) (SR-Phlx-2011-156).
    \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67106 (June 4, 
2012), 77 FR 34108 (June 8, 2012) (SR-Phlx-2012-74).
    \11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68201 (November 9, 
2012), 77 FR 68871 (November 16, 2012) (SR-Phlx-2012-131).
    \12\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 69583 (May 15, 
2013), 78 FR 30380 (May 22, 2013) (SR-Phlx-2013-53).
    \13\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71096 (December 17, 
2013), 78 FR 77538 (December 23, 2013) (SR-Phlx-2013-120).
    \14\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 74012 (January 7, 
2015), 80 FR 1688 (January 13, 2015) (SR-Phlx-2015-03).
    \15\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76671 (December 16, 
2015), 80 FR 79642 (December 22, 2015) (SR-Phlx-2015-103).
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    The Exchange believes that allowing a price of at least $0 but less 
than $1 will continue to better accommodate the closing of options 
positions in series that are worthless or not actively traded, 
particularly due to recent market conditions which have resulted in a 
significant number of series being out-of-the-money. For example, a 
market participant might have a long position in a call series with a 
strike price of $100 and the underlying stock might now be trading at 
$30. In such an instance, there might not otherwise be a market for 
that person to close-out its position even at the $1 cabinet price 
(e.g., the series might be quoted no bid).
    The Exchange hereby seeks to extend the pilot period for such $1 
cabinet trading until January 5, 2018. The Exchange seeks this 
extension to allow the procedures to continue without interruption.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,\16\ in general, and with 
Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\17\ in particular, in that the proposal is 
designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to 
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation 
and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, 
settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating 
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, 
in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Specifically, 
the Exchange believes that allowing for liquidations at a price less 
than $1 per option contract pursuant to the pilot program will better 
facilitate the closing of options positions that are worthless or not 
actively trading, especially in Penny Pilot issues where cabinet trades 
are not otherwise permitted. The Exchange believes the extension is of 
sufficient length to allow the Commission to assess the impact of the 
Exchange's authority to allow transactions to take place in open outcry 
at a price of at least $0 but less than $1 per option in accordance 
with its attendant obligations and conditions.
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    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
result in

[[Page 6669]]

any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act, as amended. The proposal does 
not raise any issues of intra-market competition because it applies to 
all options participants in the same manner.

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

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) 
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \18\ and 
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\19\
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    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \19\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission 
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at 
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed 
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. 
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \20\ normally 
does not become operative for 30 days after the date of filing. 
However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \21\ permits the Commission to designate 
a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest. The Exchange has requested a waiver 
of the 30-day operative delay so that the pilot program may continue 
without interruption. The Commission believes that waiver of the 30-day 
operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the 
public interest because it will allow the pilot to continue 
uninterrupted, thereby avoiding any potential investor confusion that 
could result from a temporary interruption in the pilot and allowing 
members to continue to benefit from the program. Therefore, the 
Commission waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the 
proposed rule change operative upon filing.\22\
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    \20\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \21\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \22\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission also has considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
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    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is: (i) 
Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the 
protection of investors; or (iii) otherwise in furtherance of the 
purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the 
Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the 
proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

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

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to rule-co[email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-Phlx-2017-01 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-Phlx-2017-01. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2017-01 and should be 
submitted on or before February 9, 2017.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\23\
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    \23\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-01153 Filed 1-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices                                             6667

                                                  Rule 5700 Series. The Commission                           identifying information from                           language is underlined; proposed
                                                  believes that Amendment No. 2 furthers                     submissions. You should submit only                    deletions are in brackets.
                                                  the goals of the proposed rule change                      information that you wish to make                      *     *    *     *     *
                                                  and does not raise novel regulatory                        available publicly. All submissions
                                                  issues. Accordingly, the Commission                        should refer to File Number SR–                        NASDAQ PHLX Rules
                                                  finds good cause, pursuant to Section                      NASDAQ–2016–135 and should be                          *       *    *    *      *
                                                  19(b)(2) of the Act,21 to approve the                      submitted on or before February 9, 2017.
                                                  proposed rule change, as modified by                                                                              Options Rules
                                                  Amendment No. 2, on an accelerated                         VI. Conclusion
                                                                                                                                                                    *       *    *    *      *
                                                  basis.                                                       It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
                                                                                                             Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,22 that the                Rule 1059. Accommodation
                                                  V. Solicitation of Comments on                                                                                    Transactions
                                                  Amendment No. 2                                            proposed rule change (SR–NASDAQ–
                                                                                                             2016–135), as modified by Amendment                        (a)–(b) No change.
                                                    Interested persons are invited to                        No. 2, be, and hereby is, approved on an
                                                  submit written data, views, and                            accelerated basis.                                     • • • Commentary:
                                                  arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                  including whether Amendment No. 2 is                         For the Commission, by the Division of                  .01 No change.
                                                  consistent with the Act. Comments may                      Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                                                                             authority.23                                              .02 Limit Orders Priced Below $1:
                                                  be submitted by any of the following                                                                              Limit orders with a price of at least $0
                                                  methods:                                                   Brent J. Fields,
                                                                                                             Secretary.                                             but less than $1 per option contract may
                                                  Electronic Comments                                        [FR Doc. 2017–01141 Filed 1–18–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                                    trade under the terms and conditions in
                                                    • Use the Commission’s Internet                                                                                 Rule 1059 above in each series of option
                                                                                                             BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                  comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                                                                                 contracts open for trading on the
                                                  rules/sro.shtml); or                                                                                              Exchange, except that:
                                                    • Send an email to rule-                                 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                   (a)–(c) No change.
                                                  comments@sec.gov. Please include File                      COMMISSION                                                (d) Unless otherwise extended, the
                                                  Number SR–NASDAQ–2016–135 on the                                                                                  effectiveness of the Commentary .02
                                                  subject line.                                              [Release No. 34–79782; File No. SR–Phlx–               terminates January 5, [2017] 2018, or,
                                                  Paper Comments                                             2017–01]                                               upon permanent approval of these
                                                     • Send paper comments in triplicate                                                                            procedures by the Securities and
                                                                                                             Self-Regulatory Organizations;                         Exchange Commission, whichever
                                                  to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities                  NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing
                                                  and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street                                                                             occurs first.
                                                                                                             and Immediate Effectiveness of
                                                  NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.                            Proposed Rule Change To Extend the                     *      *    *     *    *
                                                  All submissions should refer to File                       Cabinet Trading Pilot Program                          II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  Number SR–NASDAQ–2016–135. This                                                                                   Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  file number should be included on the                      January 12, 2017.
                                                                                                                                                                    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  subject line if email is used. To help the                    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                 Change
                                                  Commission process and review your                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                  comments more efficiently, please use                      (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                  In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                  only one method. The Commission will                       notice is hereby given that on January 4,              Exchange included statements
                                                  post all comments on the Commission’s                      2017, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’ or                     concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                  Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                     ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities                the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                  rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                            and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or                    any comments it received on the
                                                  submission, all subsequent                                 ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                      proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                  amendments, all written statements                         change as described in Items I and II,                 statements may be examined at the
                                                  with respect to the proposed rule                          below, which Items have been prepared                  places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                  change that are filed with the                             by the Exchange. The Commission is                     Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                  Commission, and all written                                publishing this notice to solicit                      forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                  communications relating to the                             comments on the proposed rule change                   the most significant aspects of such
                                                  proposed rule change between the                           from interested persons.                               statements.
                                                  Commission and any person, other than                      I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                      A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  those that may be withheld from the                        Statement of the Terms of Substance of                 Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  public in accordance with the                              the Proposed Rule Change                               Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                                                                                                                                    Change
                                                  available for Web site viewing and                            The Exchange proposes to extend the
                                                  printing in the Commission’s Public                        pilot program in Phlx Rule 1059,                       1. Purpose
                                                  Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                          Accommodation Transactions, to allow
                                                  Washington, DC 20549, on official                          cabinet trading to take place below $1                    The Exchange proposes to extend the
                                                  business days between the hours of                         per option contract under specified                    pilot program in Commentary .02 of
                                                  10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                     circumstances (the ‘‘pilot program’’).                 Exchange Rule 1059, Accommodation
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  filing also will be available for                             The text of the proposed rule change                Transactions, which sets forth specific
                                                  inspection and copying at the principal                    is set forth below. Proposed new                       procedures for engaging in cabinet
                                                  office of the Exchange. All comments                                                                              trades, to allow the Commission
                                                  received will be posted without change;                      22 15
                                                                                                                                                                    adequate time to consider permanently
                                                                                                                     U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
                                                  the Commission does not edit personal                        23 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                                                                                                                                    allowing transactions to take place on
                                                                                                               1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                               the Exchange in open outcry at a price
                                                    21 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).                                  2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                  of at least $0 but less than $1 per option


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014      21:20 Jan 18, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00186   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\19JAN1.SGM   19JAN1


                                                  6668                          Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices

                                                  contract.3 Prior to the pilot program,                   order to limit use of the procedure to                  while the pilot program continues
                                                  Rule 1059 required that all orders                       liquidations of existing positions, and                 uninterrupted.
                                                  placed in the cabinet were assigned                      (ii) the procedures are also made                          The Exchange believes that allowing a
                                                  priority based upon the sequence in                      available for trading in options                        price of at least $0 but less than $1 will
                                                  which such orders were received by the                   participating in the Penny Pilot                        continue to better accommodate the
                                                  specialist. All closing bids and offers                  Program.7 On May 20, 2011, the                          closing of options positions in series
                                                  would be submitted to the specialist in                  Exchange filed an immediately effective                 that are worthless or not actively traded,
                                                  writing, and the specialist effected all                 proposal that extended the pilot                        particularly due to recent market
                                                  closing cabinet transactions by matching                 program until December 1, 2011 to                       conditions which have resulted in a
                                                  such orders placed with him. Bids or                     consider whether to seek permanent                      significant number of series being out-
                                                  offers on orders to open for the accounts                approval of the temporary procedure.8                   of-the-money. For example, a market
                                                  of customer, firm, specialists and                       On November 16, 2011, the Exchange                      participant might have a long position
                                                  Registered Options Traders (‘‘ROTs’’)                    filed an immediately effective proposal                 in a call series with a strike price of
                                                  could be made at $1 per option contract,                 that extended the pilot program until                   $100 and the underlying stock might
                                                  but such orders could not be placed in                   June 1, 2012.9 On May 29, 2012, the                     now be trading at $30. In such an
                                                  and must yield to all orders in the                      Exchange filed an immediately effective                 instance, there might not otherwise be a
                                                  cabinet. Specialists effected all cabinet                proposal that extended the pilot                        market for that person to close-out its
                                                  transactions by matching closing                         program until December 1, 2012.10 On                    position even at the $1 cabinet price
                                                  purchase or sale orders which were                       November 1, 2012, the Exchange filed                    (e.g., the series might be quoted no bid).
                                                  placed in the cabinet or, provided there                 an immediately effective proposal that                     The Exchange hereby seeks to extend
                                                  was no matching closing purchase or                      extended the pilot program until June 1,                the pilot period for such $1 cabinet
                                                  sale order in the cabinet, by matching a                 2013.11 On May 8, 2013, the Exchange                    trading until January 5, 2018. The
                                                  closing purchase or sale order in the                    filed an immediately effective proposal                 Exchange seeks this extension to allow
                                                  cabinet with an opening purchase or                      that extended the pilot program until                   the procedures to continue without
                                                  sale order.4 All cabinet transactions                    January 5, 2014.12 On December 4, 2013,                 interruption.
                                                  were reported to the Exchange following                  the Exchange filed an immediately
                                                                                                                                                                   2. Statutory Basis
                                                  the close of each business day.5 Any (i)                 effective proposal that extended the
                                                                                                           pilot program until January 5, 2015.13                     The Exchange believes that the
                                                  member, (ii) member organization, or
                                                                                                           On January 2, 2015, the Exchange filed                  proposed rule change is consistent with
                                                  (iii) other person who was a non-
                                                                                                           an immediately effective proposal that                  the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,16
                                                  member broker or dealer and who
                                                  directly or indirectly controlled, was                   extended the pilot program until                        in general, and with Section 6(b)(5) of
                                                  controlled by, or was under common                       January 5, 2016.14 On December 9, 2015,                 the Act,17 in particular, in that the
                                                  control with, a member or member                         the Exchange filed an immediately                       proposal is designed to prevent
                                                  organization (any such other person                      effective proposal that extended the                    fraudulent and manipulative acts and
                                                  being referred to as an affiliated person)               pilot program until January 5, 2017.15                  practices, to promote just and equitable
                                                  could effect any transaction as principal                The Exchange now proposes an                            principles of trade, to foster cooperation
                                                  in the over-the-counter market in any                    extension of the pilot program to allow                 and coordination with persons engaged
                                                  class of option contracts listed on the                  additional time to consider its effects                 in regulating, clearing, settling,
                                                  Exchange for a premium not in excess                                                                             processing information with respect to,
                                                  of $1.00 per contract.
                                                                                                              7 Prior to the pilot, the $1 cabinet trading         and facilitating transactions in
                                                                                                           procedures were limited to options classes traded       securities, to remove impediments to
                                                     On December 30, 2010, the Exchange                    in $0.05 or $0.10 standard increments. The $1
                                                  filed an immediately effective proposal                  cabinet trading procedures were not available in
                                                                                                                                                                   and perfect the mechanism of a free and
                                                  that established the pilot program being                 Penny Pilot Program classes because in those            open market and a national market
                                                  extended by this filing. The pilot
                                                                                                           classes, an option series could trade in a standard     system, and, in general, to protect
                                                                                                           increment as low as $0.01 per share (or $1.00 per       investors and the public interest.
                                                  program allowed transactions to take                     option contract with a 100 share multiplier). The
                                                  place in open outcry at a price of at least              pilot allows trading below $0.01 per share (or $1.00    Specifically, the Exchange believes that
                                                  $0 but less than $1 per option contract                  per option contract with a 100 share multiplier) in     allowing for liquidations at a price less
                                                  until June 1, 2011.6 These lower priced
                                                                                                           all classes, including those classes participating in   than $1 per option contract pursuant to
                                                                                                           the Penny Pilot Program.                                the pilot program will better facilitate
                                                  transactions are traded pursuant to the                     8 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64571
                                                                                                                                                                   the closing of options positions that are
                                                  same procedures applicable to $1                         (May 31, 2011), 76 FR 32385 (June 6, 2011) (SR–
                                                                                                           Phlx–2011–72).                                          worthless or not actively trading,
                                                  cabinet trades, except that pursuant to                     9 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65852      especially in Penny Pilot issues where
                                                  the pilot program (i) bids and offers for                (November 30, 2011), 76 FR 76212 (December 6,           cabinet trades are not otherwise
                                                  opening transactions are only permitted                  2011) (SR–Phlx–2011–156).                               permitted. The Exchange believes the
                                                  to accommodate closing transactions in                      10 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67106

                                                                                                           (June 4, 2012), 77 FR 34108 (June 8, 2012) (SR–         extension is of sufficient length to allow
                                                     3 Cabinet or accommodation trading of option          Phlx–2012–74).                                          the Commission to assess the impact of
                                                  contracts is intended to accommodate persons                11 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68201     the Exchange’s authority to allow
                                                  wishing to effect closing transactions in those series   (November 9, 2012), 77 FR 68871 (November 16,           transactions to take place in open outcry
                                                  of options dealt in on the Exchange for which there      2012) (SR–Phlx–2012–131).
                                                                                                                                                                   at a price of at least $0 but less than $1
                                                  is no auction market.                                       12 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 69583
                                                     4 Specialists and ROTs are not subject to the         (May 15, 2013), 78 FR 30380 (May 22, 2013) (SR–         per option in accordance with its
                                                  requirements of Rule 1014 in respect of orders           Phlx–2013–53).                                          attendant obligations and conditions.
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                                                  placed pursuant to this Rule. Also, the provisions          13 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71096

                                                  of Rule 1033(b) and (c), Rule 1034 and Rule 1038         (December 17, 2013), 78 FR 77538 (December 23,
                                                                                                                                                                   B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  do not apply to orders placed in the cabinet.            2013) (SR–Phlx–2013–120).                               Statement on Burden on Competition
                                                  Cabinet transactions are not reported on the ticker.        14 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 74012
                                                     5 See Exchange Rule 1059.
                                                                                                                                                                     The Exchange does not believe that
                                                                                                           (January 7, 2015), 80 FR 1688 (January 13, 2015)
                                                     6 Phlx Rule 1059, Commentary .02; See Securities      (SR–Phlx–2015–03).                                      the proposed rule change will result in
                                                  Exchange Act Release No. 63626 (December 30,                15 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76671
                                                                                                                                                                    16 15   U.S.C. 78f.
                                                  2010), 76 FR 812 (January 6, 2011) (SR–Phlx–2010–        (December 16, 2015), 80 FR 79642 (December 22,
                                                  185).                                                    2015) (SR–Phlx–2015–103).                                17 15   U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).



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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices                                                      6669

                                                  any burden on competition that is not                        At any time within 60 days of the                  received will be posted without change;
                                                  necessary or appropriate in furtherance                   filing of the proposed rule change, the               the Commission does not edit personal
                                                  of the purposes of the Act, as amended.                   Commission summarily may                              identifying information from
                                                  The proposal does not raise any issues                    temporarily suspend such rule change if               submissions. You should submit only
                                                  of intra-market competition because it                    it appears to the Commission that such                information that you wish to make
                                                  applies to all options participants in the                action is: (i) Necessary or appropriate in            available publicly. All submissions
                                                  same manner.                                              the public interest; (ii) for the protection          should refer to File Number SR–Phlx–
                                                                                                            of investors; or (iii) otherwise in                   2017–01 and should be submitted on or
                                                  C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                            furtherance of the purposes of the Act.               before February 9, 2017.
                                                  Statement on Comments on the
                                                                                                            If the Commission takes such action, the                For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                  Proposed Rule Change Received From
                                                                                                            Commission shall institute proceedings                Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                  Members, Participants, or Others
                                                                                                            to determine whether the proposed rule                authority.23
                                                    No written comments were either                         should be approved or disapproved.                    Eduardo A. Aleman,
                                                  solicited or received.
                                                                                                            IV. Solicitation of Comments                          Assistant Secretary.
                                                  III. Date of Effectiveness of the                                                                               [FR Doc. 2017–01153 Filed 1–18–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                              Interested persons are invited to
                                                  Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                                                                             BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                            submit written data, views, and
                                                  Commission Action
                                                                                                            arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                     Because the foregoing proposed rule                    including whether the proposed rule
                                                  change does not: (i) Significantly affect                                                                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                                                                            change is consistent with the Act.
                                                  the protection of investors or the public                                                                       COMMISSION
                                                                                                            Comments may be submitted by any of
                                                  interest; (ii) impose any significant                     the following methods:                                [Release No. 34–79781; File No. SR–CHX–
                                                  burden on competition; and (iii) become                                                                         2016–20]
                                                  operative for 30 days from the date on                    Electronic Comments
                                                  which it was filed, or such shorter time                    • Use the Commission’s Internet                     Self-Regulatory Organizations;
                                                  as the Commission may designate, it has                   comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                     Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc.; Order
                                                  become effective pursuant to Section                      rules/sro.shtml); or                                  Instituting Proceedings To Determine
                                                  19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 18 and                          • Send an email to rule-comments@                   Whether To Approve or Disapprove a
                                                  subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4                         sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–               Proposed Rule Change in Connection
                                                  thereunder.19                                             Phlx–2017–01 on the subject line.                     With the Proposed Transaction
                                                     A proposed rule change filed under                                                                           Involving CHX Holdings, Inc. and North
                                                                                                            Paper Comments
                                                  Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 20 normally does not                                                                           America Casin Holdings, Inc.
                                                  become operative for 30 days after the                       • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                  date of filing. However, Rule 19b–                        to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                 January 12, 2017.
                                                  4(f)(6)(iii) 21 permits the Commission to                 Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                         I. Introduction
                                                  designate a shorter time if such action                   Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                  is consistent with the protection of                      All submissions should refer to File                     On December 2, 2016, the Chicago
                                                  investors and the public interest. The                    Number SR–Phlx–2017–01. This file                     Stock Exchange, Inc. (‘‘CHX’’ or
                                                  Exchange has requested a waiver of the                    number should be included on the                      ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
                                                  30-day operative delay so that the pilot                  subject line if email is used. To help the            and Exchange Commission
                                                  program may continue without                              Commission process and review your                    (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section
                                                  interruption. The Commission believes                     comments more efficiently, please use                 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act
                                                  that waiver of the 30-day operative                       only one method. The Commission will                  of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4
                                                  delay is consistent with the protection                   post all comments on the Commission’s                 thereunder,2 a proposed rule change in
                                                  of investors and the public interest                      Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                connection with the proposed
                                                  because it will allow the pilot to                        rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                       transaction (‘‘Transaction’’) involving
                                                  continue uninterrupted, thereby                           submission, all subsequent                            CHX Holdings, Inc. (‘‘CHX Holdings’’)
                                                  avoiding any potential investor                           amendments, all written statements                    and North America Casin Holdings, Inc.
                                                  confusion that could result from a                        with respect to the proposed rule                     (‘‘N.A. Casin Holdings’’). The proposed
                                                  temporary interruption in the pilot and                   change that are filed with the                        rule change was published for comment
                                                  allowing members to continue to benefit                   Commission, and all written                           in the Federal Register on December 12,
                                                  from the program. Therefore, the                          communications relating to the                        2016.3 The Commission received five
                                                  Commission waives the 30-day                              proposed rule change between the                      comment letters on the proposed rule
                                                  operative delay and designates the                        Commission and any person, other than                 change 4 and two letters from the
                                                  proposed rule change operative upon                       those that may be withheld from the                     23 17  CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                  filing.22                                                 public in accordance with the                           1 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                                                                            provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                      2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                    18 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).                        available for Web site viewing and                       3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79474
                                                    19 17  CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–      printing in the Commission’s Public                   (December 12, 2016), 81 FR 89543 (‘‘Notice’’).
                                                  4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give
                                                  the Commission written notice of its intent to file
                                                                                                            Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                        4 See letters from: Representative Robert

                                                                                                            Washington, DC 20549, on official                     Pittenger, Representative Earl L. ‘‘Buddy’’ Carter,
                                                  the proposed rule change at least five business days                                                            Representative Peter DeFazio, Representative Collin
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule          business days between the hours of                    Peterson, and Representative David Joyce, dated
                                                  change, or such shorter time as designated by the         10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                December 22, 2016 (‘‘Pittenger Letter’’); James N.
                                                  Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this
                                                  requirement.
                                                                                                            filing also will be available for                     Hill, dated December 23, 2016 (‘‘Hill Letter’’); John
                                                                                                            inspection and copying at the principal               Ciccarelli, dated January 2, 2017 (‘‘Ciccarelli
                                                    20 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
                                                                                                                                                                  Letter’’); Anonymous, dated January 3, 2017
                                                    21 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).                         office of the Exchange. All comments                  (‘‘Anonymous Letter’’); and David E. Kaplan,
                                                    22 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day                                                                    Executive Director, Global Investigative Journalism
                                                  operative delay, the Commission also has                  efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See   Network, dated January 4, 2017 (‘‘GIJN Letter’’). All
                                                  considered the proposed rule’s impact on                  15 U.S.C. 78c(f).                                                                                 Continued




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Document Created: 2018-02-01 15:16:25
Document Modified: 2018-02-01 15:16:25
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 6667 

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