83_FR_11627 83 FR 11576 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 5.3-O

83 FR 11576 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 5.3-O

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 51 (March 15, 2018)

Page Range11576-11578
FR Document2018-05209

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 51 (Thursday, March 15, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 51 (Thursday, March 15, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11576-11578]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05209]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-82851; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2018-16]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 5.3-O

March 9, 2018.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 (the ``Act''),\2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ notice is hereby 
given that on March 6, 2018, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``NYSE Arca'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
``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.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
    \3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of the 
Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 5.3-O (Criteria for Underlying 
Securities). The proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
website at www.nyse.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and 
at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

    In its filing with the Commission, the 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 those 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 parts of such statements.

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

1. Purpose
    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to amend Rule 5.3-O to 
modify the criteria for listing options on an underlying security as 
defined in Section 18(b)(1)(A) of the Securities Act of 1933 (each a 
``covered security''; collectively, ``covered securities''). In 
particular, the Exchange proposes to modify Rule 5.3-(a)(4)(A), which 
currently requires that to list an option, the underlying covered 
security has to have a market price of at least $3.00 per share for the 
previous five consecutive business days preceding the date on which the 
Exchange submits a certificate to the Options Clearing Corporation 
(``OCC'') for listing and trading. The proposal would shorten the 
current ``look back'' period of five consecutive business days to three 
consecutive business days.\4\ The Exchange does not intend to amend any 
other criteria in Rule 5.3-O. This proposed rule change is 
substantively identical to a recently-approved rule change by Nasdaq 
PHLX LLC (``Phlx''),\5\ and would align Exchange listing rules with 
those of other options markets.
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    \4\ See proposed Rule 5.3-O(a)(4)(A) (providing that the market 
price per share of an covered security is ``at least $3.00 for the 
previous three consecutive business days preceding the date on which 
the Exchange submits a certificate to [the OCC] for listing and 
trading, as measured by the closing price reported in the primary 
market in which the underlying security is traded'').
    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82474 (January 9, 
2018), 83 FR 2240 (January 16, 2018) (SR-Phlx-2017-75) (Order 
approving amendment to Rule 1009 to modify the criteria for listing 
an option on an underlying covered security).
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    The Exchange acknowledges that the Options Listing Procedures Plan 
(``OLPP'') \6\ requires that the listing certificate be provided to OCC 
no earlier than 12:01 a.m. and no later than 11:00 a.m. (Chicago time) 
on the trading day prior to the day on which trading is to begin.\7\ 
The proposed amendment would still comport with that requirement. For 
example, if an initial public offering (``IPO'') occurs at 11 a.m. on 
Monday, the earliest date the Exchange could submit its listing 
certificate to OCC would be on Thursday by 12:01 a.m. (Chicago time), 
with the market price determined by the closing price over the three-
day period from Monday through Wednesday. The option on the IPO would 
then be eligible for trading on the Exchange on Friday. The proposed 
amendment would essentially enable options trading within four business 
days of an IPO becoming available instead of six business days (five 
consecutive days, plus the day the listing certificate is submitted to 
OCC).
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    \6\ The OLPP (a/k/a the Plan for the Purpose of Developing and 
Implementing Procedures Designed to Facilitate the Listing and 
Trading of Standardized Options Submitted Pursuant to Section 
11a(2)(3)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) is a national 
market system plan that, among other things, sets forth procedures 
governing the listing of new options series. See Securities Exchange 
Act Release No. 44521 (July 6, 2001), 66 FR 36809 (July 13, 2001) 
(Order approving OLPP). The sponsors of OLPP include the Exchange; 
OCC; BATS Exchange, Inc.; BOX Options Exchange LLC; C2 Options 
Exchange, Inc.; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc.; EDGX Exchange, 
Inc.; Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC; MIAX PEARL, LLC; 
Phlx; Nasdaq BX, Inc.; Nasdaq GEMX, LLC; Nasdaq ISE, LLC; Nasdaq 
MRX, LLC; and NYSE American LLC.
    \7\ See OLPP at page 3.
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    At the time the options industry adopted the ``look back'' period 
of five consecutive business days, it was determined that the five-day 
period was sufficient to protect against attempts to manipulate the 
market price of the underlying security and would provide a reliable 
test for stability.\8\ Surveillance technologies and procedures 
concerning manipulation have evolved since then to provide adequate 
prevention or detection of rule or securities law violations within the 
proposed time frame, and the Exchange represents that its existing 
trading surveillances are adequate to monitor the trading in the 
underlying security and subsequent trading of options on the 
Exchange.\9\
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    \8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 47190 (January 15, 
2003), 68 FR 3072 (January 22, 2003) (SR-CBOE-2002-62); 47352 
(February 11, 2003), 68 FR 8319 (February 20, 2003) (SR-PCX-2003-
06); 47483 (March 11, 2003), 68 FR 13352 (March 19, 2003) (SR-ISE-
2003-04); 47613 (April 1, 2003), 68 FR 17120 (April 8, 2003) (SR-
Amex-2003-19); and 47794 (May 5, 2003), 68 FR 25076 (May 9, 2003) 
(SR-Phlx-2003-27).
    \9\ Such surveillance procedures generally focus on detecting 
securities trading subject to opening price manipulation, closing 
price manipulation, layering, spoofing or other unlawful activity 
impacting an underlying security, the option, or both. As it relates 
to IPOs, the Exchange has price movement alerts, unusual market 
activity and order book alerts active for all trading symbols. These 
real-time patterns are active for the new security as soon as the 
IPO begins trading. The NYSE Regulation group, which provides such 
real-time surveillance on the Exchange and its affiliated markets, 
monitors trading activity in IPOs to see whether the new issue moves 
substantially above or below the public offering price in the first 
day or several days of trading.

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[[Page 11577]]

    Furthermore, the Exchange notes that the regulatory program 
operated by and overseen by NYSE Regulation includes cross-market 
surveillances designed to identify manipulative and other improper 
trading that may occur on the Exchange and other markets. In 
particular, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (``FINRA''), 
pursuant to a regulatory services agreement and other arrangements, 
operates a range of cross-market equity and options surveillance 
patterns on behalf of the Exchange to identify a variety of potentially 
manipulative trading activities. These cross-market patterns 
incorporate relevant data from the Exchange, its affiliates (including 
the New York Stock Exchange), and markets not affiliated with the 
Exchange.
    In addition, NYSE Regulation operates an array of surveillances to 
identify potentially manipulative trading of options on the Exchange 
and its affiliated markets. That surveillance coverage is initiated 
once options begin trading on the Exchange or an options exchange 
affiliated with the Exchange. Accordingly, the Exchange believes that 
the cross-market surveillance performed by FINRA on behalf of the 
Exchange and NYSE Regulation's own monitoring for violative activity on 
the Exchange and its affiliated markets comprise a comprehensive 
surveillance program that is adequate to monitor for manipulation of 
options and their underlying equity securities that could occur during 
the proposed three-day look back period.
    Furthermore, the Exchange notes that the proposed listing criteria 
would still require that the underlying security be listed on NYSE, the 
American Stock Exchange (now known as NYSE American), or the Nasdaq 
Global Market (collectively, the ``Named Markets''), as provided for in 
the definition of ``covered security'' from Section 18(b)(1)(A) of the 
1933 Act.\10\ Accordingly, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule 
change would still ensure that the underlying security meets the high 
listing standards of a Named Market, and would also ensure that the 
underlying is covered by the regulatory protections (including market 
surveillance, investigation and enforcement) offered by these exchanges 
for trading in covered securities conducted on their facilities.
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    \10\ See 15 U.S.C. 77r(b)(1)(A).
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    The Exchange also believes that the proposed look back period can 
be implemented in connection with the other initial listing criteria 
for underlying covered securities. In particular, the Exchange 
recognizes that it may be difficult to verify the number of 
shareholders in the days immediately following an IPO due to the fact 
that stock trades generally clear within two business days (T+2) of 
their trade date and therefore the shareholder count would generally 
not be known until T+2.\11\ The Exchange notes that the current T+2 
settlement cycle was recently reduced from T+3 on September 5, 2017 in 
connection with the Commission's amendments to Exchange Rule 15c6-1(a) 
to adopt the shortened settlement cycle,\12\ and the look back period 
of three consecutive business days proposed herein reflects this 
shortened T+2 settlement period. As proposed, stock trades would clear 
within T+2 of their trade date (i.e., within three business days) and 
therefore the number of shareholders could be verified within three 
business days, thereby enabling options trading within four business 
days of an IPO (three consecutive business days, plus the day the 
listing certificate is submitted to OCC).
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    \11\ The number of shareholders of record can be verified from 
large clearing agencies such as The Depository Trust and Clearing 
Corporation (``DTCC'') upon the settlement date (i.e., T+2).
    \12\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80295 (March 22, 
2017), 82 FR 15564 (March 29, 2017) (release adopting amendment to 
securities transaction settlement cycle) (File No. S7-22-16). See 
also Exchange Act Release No. 78962 (Sep. 28, 2016), 81 FR 69240 
(Oct. 5, 2016) (release proposing amendment to securities 
transaction settlement cycle) (File No. S7-22-16).
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    Furthermore, the Exchange notes that it can verify the shareholder 
count with various brokerage firms that have a large retail customer 
clientele. Such firms can confirm the number of individual customers 
who have a position in the new issue. The earliest that these firms can 
provide confirmation is usually the day after the first day of trading 
(T+1) on an unsettled basis, while others can confirm on the third day 
of trading (T+2). The Exchange has confirmed with some of these 
brokerage firms who provide shareholder numbers to the Exchange that 
they are able to provide these numbers within T+2 after an IPO. For the 
foregoing reasons, the Exchange believes that basing the proposed three 
business day look back period on the T+2 settlement cycle would allow 
for sufficient verification of the number of shareholders.
    The proposed rule change would apply to all covered securities that 
meet the relevant criteria in Rule 5.3-O. Pursuant to Rule 5.3-O(a), 
the Exchange establishes guidelines to be considered in evaluating the 
potential underlying securities for Exchange options transactions.\13\ 
However, the fact that a particular security may meet the standards 
established by the Exchange does not necessarily mean that it will be 
selected as an underlying security.\14\ As part of the established 
criteria, the issuer must be in compliance with any applicable 
requirements of the Act.\15\ The Exchange believes that these measures, 
together with its existing surveillance procedures, provide adequate 
safeguards in the review of any covered security that may meet the 
proposed criteria for consideration of the option within the timeframe 
contained in this proposal.
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    \13\ See Rule 5.3-O(a)(1)-(6).
    \14\ Id.
    \15\ See Rule 5.3-O(a)(5).
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2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\16\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act,\17\ 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.
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    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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    The Exchange believes that the proposed changes to its listing 
standards for covered securities would allow the Exchange to more 
quickly list options on a qualifying covered security that has met the 
$3.00 eligibility price without sacrificing investor protection. As 
discussed above, the Exchange believes that its existing trading 
surveillances provide a sufficient measure of protection against 
potential price manipulation within the proposed three consecutive 
business day timeframe. Furthermore, the established guidelines to be 
considered by the Exchange in evaluating the potential underlying 
securities for Exchange option transactions,\18\ together with existing 
trading surveillances, provide adequate safeguards in the review of any 
covered security that may meet the proposed

[[Page 11578]]

criteria for consideration of the option within the proposed timeframe.
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    \18\ See supra notes 13-15.
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    In addition, the Exchange believes that basing the proposed 
timeframe on the T+2 settlement cycle adequately addresses the 
potential difficulties in confirming the number of shareholders of the 
underlying covered security. Having some of the largest brokerage firms 
that provide these shareholder counts to the Exchange confirm that they 
are able to provide these numbers within T+2 further demonstrates that 
the 2,000 shareholder requirement can be sufficiently verified within 
the proposed timeframe. For the foregoing reasons, the Exchange 
believes that the proposed amendments will remove and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system by 
providing an avenue for investors to swiftly hedge their investment in 
the stock in a shorter amount of time than what is currently in 
place.\19\
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    \19\ This proposed rule change does not alter any obligations of 
issuers or other investors of an IPO that may be subject to a lock-
up or other restrictions on trading related securities.
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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 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change 
reduces the number of days to list options on an underlying security, 
and is intended to bring new options listings to the marketplace 
quicker.

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

    No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the 
proposed rule change.

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

    Because the 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) of the Act \20\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\21\
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    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \21\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). As required under Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written 
notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a 
brief description and the text of 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.
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    A proposed rule change filed pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the 
Act \22\ normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date 
of its filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \23\ 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 asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that 
the proposed rule change may become effective and operative upon 
filing. The Exchange states that waiver of the operative delay would be 
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest 
because it would allow the Exchange to implement the modified rule, 
which aligns with the rules of other options exchanges,\24\ without 
delay. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay 
is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. 
Accordingly, the Commission hereby waives the operative delay and 
designates the proposal as operative upon filing.\25\
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    \22\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \23\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \24\ See supra note 5.
    \25\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has also 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 necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
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 [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-NYSEArca-2018-16 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEArca-2018-16. 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 such 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-NYSEArca-2018-16, and should be 
submitted on or before April 5, 2018.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\26\
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    \26\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-05209 Filed 3-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                11576                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 51 / Thursday, March 15, 2018 / Notices

                                                available for website viewing and                       the Exchange, and at the Commission’s                 (‘‘OLPP’’) 6 requires that the listing
                                                printing in the Commission’s Public                     Public Reference Room.                                certificate be provided to OCC no earlier
                                                Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,                                                                              than 12:01 a.m. and no later than 11:00
                                                                                                        II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                    a.m. (Chicago time) on the trading day
                                                Washington, DC 20549 on official
                                                                                                        Statement of the Purpose of, and                      prior to the day on which trading is to
                                                business days between the hours of
                                                                                                        Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                begin.7 The proposed amendment
                                                10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
                                                                                                        Change                                                would still comport with that
                                                filing also will be available for
                                                inspection and copying at the principal                   In its filing with the Commission, the              requirement. For example, if an initial
                                                office of the Exchange. All comments                    self-regulatory organization included                 public offering (‘‘IPO’’) occurs at 11 a.m.
                                                received will be posted without change.                 statements concerning the purpose of,                 on Monday, the earliest date the
                                                Persons submitting comments are                         and basis for, the proposed rule change               Exchange could submit its listing
                                                cautioned that we do not redact or edit                 and discussed any comments it received                certificate to OCC would be on
                                                personal identifying information from                   on the proposed rule change. The text                 Thursday by 12:01 a.m. (Chicago time),
                                                comment submissions. You should                         of those statements may be examined at                with the market price determined by the
                                                submit only information that you wish                   the places specified in Item IV below.                closing price over the three-day period
                                                to make available publicly. All                         The Exchange has prepared summaries,                  from Monday through Wednesday. The
                                                submissions should refer to File                        set forth in sections A, B, and C below,              option on the IPO would then be
                                                Number SR–NYSEAMER–2018–09, and                         of the most significant parts of such                 eligible for trading on the Exchange on
                                                should be submitted on or before April                  statements.                                           Friday. The proposed amendment
                                                5, 2018.                                                                                                      would essentially enable options trading
                                                                                                        A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     within four business days of an IPO
                                                  For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated              Statement of the Purpose of, and                      becoming available instead of six
                                                authority.26                                            Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                business days (five consecutive days,
                                                Eduardo A. Aleman,                                      Change                                                plus the day the listing certificate is
                                                                                                                                                              submitted to OCC).
                                                Assistant Secretary.                                    1. Purpose                                               At the time the options industry
                                                [FR Doc. 2018–05210 Filed 3–14–18; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                           The purpose of the proposed rule                   adopted the ‘‘look back’’ period of five
                                                BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                                                                        consecutive business days, it was
                                                                                                        change is to amend Rule 5.3–O to
                                                                                                        modify the criteria for listing options on            determined that the five-day period was
                                                                                                        an underlying security as defined in                  sufficient to protect against attempts to
                                                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                                                                        Section 18(b)(1)(A) of the Securities Act             manipulate the market price of the
                                                COMMISSION
                                                                                                        of 1933 (each a ‘‘covered security’’;                 underlying security and would provide
                                                [Release No. 34–82851; File No. SR–                     collectively, ‘‘covered securities’’). In             a reliable test for stability.8 Surveillance
                                                NYSEArca–2018–16]                                       particular, the Exchange proposes to                  technologies and procedures concerning
                                                                                                        modify Rule 5.3–(a)(4)(A), which                      manipulation have evolved since then
                                                Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE                     currently requires that to list an option,            to provide adequate prevention or
                                                Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and                        the underlying covered security has to                detection of rule or securities law
                                                Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed                     have a market price of at least $3.00 per             violations within the proposed time
                                                Rule Change To Amend Rule 5.3–O                         share for the previous five consecutive               frame, and the Exchange represents that
                                                                                                        business days preceding the date on                   its existing trading surveillances are
                                                March 9, 2018.                                                                                                adequate to monitor the trading in the
                                                   Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the                which the Exchange submits a
                                                                                                        certificate to the Options Clearing                   underlying security and subsequent
                                                Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                                                                          trading of options on the Exchange.9
                                                ‘‘Act’’),2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3                  Corporation (‘‘OCC’’) for listing and
                                                notice is hereby given that on March 6,                 trading. The proposal would shorten the                  6 The OLPP (a/k/a the Plan for the Purpose of

                                                2018, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’                 current ‘‘look back’’ period of five                  Developing and Implementing Procedures Designed
                                                or ‘‘NYSE Arca’’) filed with the                        consecutive business days to three                    to Facilitate the Listing and Trading of
                                                Securities and Exchange Commission                      consecutive business days.4 The                       Standardized Options Submitted Pursuant to
                                                                                                        Exchange does not intend to amend any                 Section 11a(2)(3)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act
                                                (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                                                                        of 1934) is a national market system plan that,
                                                change as described in Items I and II                   other criteria in Rule 5.3–O. This                    among other things, sets forth procedures governing
                                                below, which Items have been prepared                   proposed rule change is substantively                 the listing of new options series. See Securities
                                                by the self-regulatory organization. The                identical to a recently-approved rule                 Exchange Act Release No. 44521 (July 6, 2001), 66
                                                                                                        change by Nasdaq PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’),5                FR 36809 (July 13, 2001) (Order approving OLPP).
                                                Commission is publishing this notice to                                                                       The sponsors of OLPP include the Exchange; OCC;
                                                solicit comments on the proposed rule                   and would align Exchange listing rules                BATS Exchange, Inc.; BOX Options Exchange LLC;
                                                change from interested persons.                         with those of other options markets.                  C2 Options Exchange, Inc.; Chicago Board Options
                                                                                                           The Exchange acknowledges that the                 Exchange, Inc.; EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Miami
                                                I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       Options Listing Procedures Plan
                                                                                                                                                              International Securities Exchange, LLC; MIAX
                                                Statement of the Terms of the Substance                                                                       PEARL, LLC; Phlx; Nasdaq BX, Inc.; Nasdaq GEMX,
                                                                                                                                                              LLC; Nasdaq ISE, LLC; Nasdaq MRX, LLC; and
                                                of the Proposed Rule Change                                4 See proposed Rule 5.3–O(a)(4)(A) (providing      NYSE American LLC.
                                                                                                                                                                 7 See OLPP at page 3.
                                                  The Exchange proposes to amend                        that the market price per share of an covered
                                                Rule 5.3–O (Criteria for Underlying                     security is ‘‘at least $3.00 for the previous three      8 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 47190

                                                                                                        consecutive business days preceding the date on       (January 15, 2003), 68 FR 3072 (January 22, 2003)
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                Securities). The proposed rule change is                which the Exchange submits a certificate to [the      (SR–CBOE–2002–62); 47352 (February 11, 2003), 68
                                                available on the Exchange’s website at                  OCC] for listing and trading, as measured by the      FR 8319 (February 20, 2003) (SR–PCX–2003–06);
                                                www.nyse.com, at the principal office of                closing price reported in the primary market in       47483 (March 11, 2003), 68 FR 13352 (March 19,
                                                                                                        which the underlying security is traded’’).           2003) (SR–ISE–2003–04); 47613 (April 1, 2003), 68
                                                                                                           5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82474    FR 17120 (April 8, 2003) (SR–Amex–2003–19); and
                                                  26 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                            (January 9, 2018), 83 FR 2240 (January 16, 2018)      47794 (May 5, 2003), 68 FR 25076 (May 9, 2003)
                                                  1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                (SR–Phlx–2017–75) (Order approving amendment          (SR–Phlx–2003–27).
                                                  2 15 U.S.C. 78a.
                                                                                                        to Rule 1009 to modify the criteria for listing an       9 Such surveillance procedures generally focus on
                                                  3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                   option on an underlying covered security).            detecting securities trading subject to opening price



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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 51 / Thursday, March 15, 2018 / Notices                                             11577

                                                   Furthermore, the Exchange notes that                 Named Market, and would also ensure                    business day look back period on the
                                                the regulatory program operated by and                  that the underlying is covered by the                  T+2 settlement cycle would allow for
                                                overseen by NYSE Regulation includes                    regulatory protections (including market               sufficient verification of the number of
                                                cross-market surveillances designed to                  surveillance, investigation and                        shareholders.
                                                identify manipulative and other                         enforcement) offered by these exchanges                   The proposed rule change would
                                                improper trading that may occur on the                  for trading in covered securities                      apply to all covered securities that meet
                                                Exchange and other markets. In                          conducted on their facilities.                         the relevant criteria in Rule 5.3–O.
                                                particular, the Financial Industry                         The Exchange also believes that the                 Pursuant to Rule 5.3–O(a), the Exchange
                                                Regulatory Authority (‘‘FINRA’’),                       proposed look back period can be                       establishes guidelines to be considered
                                                pursuant to a regulatory services                       implemented in connection with the                     in evaluating the potential underlying
                                                agreement and other arrangements,                       other initial listing criteria for                     securities for Exchange options
                                                operates a range of cross-market equity                 underlying covered securities. In                      transactions.13 However, the fact that a
                                                and options surveillance patterns on                    particular, the Exchange recognizes that               particular security may meet the
                                                behalf of the Exchange to identify a                    it may be difficult to verify the number               standards established by the Exchange
                                                variety of potentially manipulative                     of shareholders in the days immediately
                                                                                                                                                               does not necessarily mean that it will be
                                                trading activities. These cross-market                  following an IPO due to the fact that
                                                                                                                                                               selected as an underlying security.14 As
                                                patterns incorporate relevant data from                 stock trades generally clear within two
                                                                                                                                                               part of the established criteria, the
                                                the Exchange, its affiliates (including                 business days (T+2) of their trade date
                                                                                                                                                               issuer must be in compliance with any
                                                the New York Stock Exchange), and                       and therefore the shareholder count
                                                                                                                                                               applicable requirements of the Act.15
                                                markets not affiliated with the                         would generally not be known until
                                                                                                                                                               The Exchange believes that these
                                                Exchange.                                               T+2.11 The Exchange notes that the
                                                                                                                                                               measures, together with its existing
                                                   In addition, NYSE Regulation                         current T+2 settlement cycle was
                                                                                                                                                               surveillance procedures, provide
                                                operates an array of surveillances to                   recently reduced from T+3 on
                                                                                                                                                               adequate safeguards in the review of any
                                                identify potentially manipulative                       September 5, 2017 in connection with
                                                                                                                                                               covered security that may meet the
                                                trading of options on the Exchange and                  the Commission’s amendments to
                                                                                                        Exchange Rule 15c6–1(a) to adopt the                   proposed criteria for consideration of
                                                its affiliated markets. That surveillance                                                                      the option within the timeframe
                                                coverage is initiated once options begin                shortened settlement cycle,12 and the
                                                                                                        look back period of three consecutive                  contained in this proposal.
                                                trading on the Exchange or an options
                                                exchange affiliated with the Exchange.                  business days proposed herein reflects                 2. Statutory Basis
                                                Accordingly, the Exchange believes that                 this shortened T+2 settlement period.
                                                                                                        As proposed, stock trades would clear                     The Exchange believes that its
                                                the cross-market surveillance performed                                                                        proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)
                                                by FINRA on behalf of the Exchange and                  within T+2 of their trade date (i.e.,
                                                                                                        within three business days) and                        of the Act,16 in general, and furthers the
                                                NYSE Regulation’s own monitoring for                                                                           objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,17
                                                violative activity on the Exchange and                  therefore the number of shareholders
                                                                                                        could be verified within three business                in particular, in that it is designed to
                                                its affiliated markets comprise a                                                                              promote just and equitable principles of
                                                comprehensive surveillance program                      days, thereby enabling options trading
                                                                                                        within four business days of an IPO                    trade, to remove impediments to and
                                                that is adequate to monitor for                                                                                perfect the mechanism of a free and
                                                manipulation of options and their                       (three consecutive business days, plus
                                                                                                        the day the listing certificate is                     open market and a national market
                                                underlying equity securities that could                                                                        system, and, in general to protect
                                                                                                        submitted to OCC).
                                                occur during the proposed three-day                                                                            investors and the public interest.
                                                                                                           Furthermore, the Exchange notes that
                                                look back period.
                                                                                                        it can verify the shareholder count with                  The Exchange believes that the
                                                   Furthermore, the Exchange notes that                 various brokerage firms that have a large
                                                the proposed listing criteria would still                                                                      proposed changes to its listing standards
                                                                                                        retail customer clientele. Such firms can              for covered securities would allow the
                                                require that the underlying security be                 confirm the number of individual
                                                listed on NYSE, the American Stock                                                                             Exchange to more quickly list options
                                                                                                        customers who have a position in the                   on a qualifying covered security that has
                                                Exchange (now known as NYSE                             new issue. The earliest that these firms
                                                American), or the Nasdaq Global Market                                                                         met the $3.00 eligibility price without
                                                                                                        can provide confirmation is usually the                sacrificing investor protection. As
                                                (collectively, the ‘‘Named Markets’’), as               day after the first day of trading (T+1)
                                                provided for in the definition of                                                                              discussed above, the Exchange believes
                                                                                                        on an unsettled basis, while others can                that its existing trading surveillances
                                                ‘‘covered security’’ from Section                       confirm on the third day of trading
                                                18(b)(1)(A) of the 1933 Act.10                                                                                 provide a sufficient measure of
                                                                                                        (T+2). The Exchange has confirmed                      protection against potential price
                                                Accordingly, the Exchange believes that                 with some of these brokerage firms who
                                                the proposed rule change would still                                                                           manipulation within the proposed three
                                                                                                        provide shareholder numbers to the                     consecutive business day timeframe.
                                                ensure that the underlying security                     Exchange that they are able to provide
                                                meets the high listing standards of a                                                                          Furthermore, the established guidelines
                                                                                                        these numbers within T+2 after an IPO.                 to be considered by the Exchange in
                                                                                                        For the foregoing reasons, the Exchange                evaluating the potential underlying
                                                manipulation, closing price manipulation, layering,
                                                spoofing or other unlawful activity impacting an        believes that basing the proposed three                securities for Exchange option
                                                underlying security, the option, or both. As it                                                                transactions,18 together with existing
                                                relates to IPOs, the Exchange has price movement           11 The number of shareholders of record can be
                                                                                                                                                               trading surveillances, provide adequate
                                                alerts, unusual market activity and order book alerts   verified from large clearing agencies such as The
                                                active for all trading symbols. These real-time         Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation              safeguards in the review of any covered
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                                                patterns are active for the new security as soon as     (‘‘DTCC’’) upon the settlement date (i.e., T+2).       security that may meet the proposed
                                                the IPO begins trading. The NYSE Regulation group,         12 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80295
                                                which provides such real-time surveillance on the       (March 22, 2017), 82 FR 15564 (March 29, 2017)          13 See   Rule 5.3–O(a)(1)–(6).
                                                Exchange and its affiliated markets, monitors           (release adopting amendment to securities               14 Id.
                                                trading activity in IPOs to see whether the new         transaction settlement cycle) (File No. S7–22–16).      15 See Rule 5.3–O(a)(5).
                                                issue moves substantially above or below the public     See also Exchange Act Release No. 78962 (Sep. 28,
                                                                                                                                                                16 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                                offering price in the first day or several days of      2016), 81 FR 69240 (Oct. 5, 2016) (release proposing
                                                trading.                                                                                                        17 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
                                                                                                        amendment to securities transaction settlement
                                                   10 See 15 U.S.C. 77r(b)(1)(A).                       cycle) (File No. S7–22–16).                             18 See supra notes 13–15.




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                                                11578                         Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 51 / Thursday, March 15, 2018 / Notices

                                                criteria for consideration of the option                    A proposed rule change filed                         Paper Comments
                                                within the proposed timeframe.                           pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6) under the                     • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                   In addition, the Exchange believes                    Act 22 normally does not become                         to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                                that basing the proposed timeframe on                    operative for 30 days after the date of its             Commission, 100 F Street NE,
                                                the T+2 settlement cycle adequately                      filing. However, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) 23               Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                addresses the potential difficulties in                  permits the Commission to designate a
                                                confirming the number of shareholders                    shorter time if such action is consistent               All submissions should refer to File
                                                of the underlying covered security.                      with the protection of investors and the                Number SR–NYSEArca–2018–16. This
                                                Having some of the largest brokerage                     public interest. The Exchange has asked                 file number should be included on the
                                                firms that provide these shareholder                     the Commission to waive the 30-day                      subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                counts to the Exchange confirm that                      operative delay so that the proposed                    Commission process and review your
                                                they are able to provide these numbers                   rule change may become effective and                    comments more efficiently, please use
                                                within T+2 further demonstrates that                     operative upon filing. The Exchange                     only one method. The Commission will
                                                the 2,000 shareholder requirement can                    states that waiver of the operative delay               post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                be sufficiently verified within the                      would be consistent with the protection                 internet website (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                proposed timeframe. For the foregoing                    of investors and the public interest                    rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                reasons, the Exchange believes that the                  because it would allow the Exchange to                  submission, all subsequent
                                                proposed amendments will remove and                      implement the modified rule, which                      amendments, all written statements
                                                perfect the mechanism of a free and                      aligns with the rules of other options                  with respect to the proposed rule
                                                open market and a national market                        exchanges,24 without delay. The                         change that are filed with the
                                                system by providing an avenue for                        Commission believes that waiving the                    Commission, and all written
                                                investors to swiftly hedge their                         30-day operative delay is consistent                    communications relating to the
                                                investment in the stock in a shorter                     with the protection of investors and the                proposed rule change between the
                                                amount of time than what is currently                    public interest. Accordingly, the                       Commission and any person, other than
                                                in place.19                                              Commission hereby waives the                            those that may be withheld from the
                                                                                                         operative delay and designates the                      public in accordance with the
                                                B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        proposal as operative upon filing.25                    provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                Statement on Burden on Competition                          At any time within 60 days of the                    available for website viewing and
                                                  The Exchange does not believe that                     filing of the proposed rule change, the                 printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                the proposed rule change will impose                     Commission summarily may                                Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,
                                                any burden on competition not                            temporarily suspend such rule change if                 Washington, DC 20549 on official
                                                necessary or appropriate in furtherance                  it appears to the Commission that such                  business days between the hours of
                                                of the purposes of the Act. The                          action is necessary or appropriate in the               10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
                                                proposed rule change reduces the                         public interest, for the protection of                  filing also will be available for
                                                number of days to list options on an                     investors, or otherwise in furtherance of               inspection and copying at the principal
                                                underlying security, and is intended to                  the purposes of the Act. If the                         office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                bring new options listings to the                        Commission takes such action, the                       received will be posted without change.
                                                marketplace quicker.                                     Commission shall institute proceedings                  Persons submitting comments are
                                                                                                         to determine whether the proposed rule                  cautioned that we do not redact or edit
                                                C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        should be approved or disapproved.                      personal identifying information from
                                                Statement on Comments on the                                                                                     comment submissions. You should
                                                Proposed Rule Change Received From                       IV. Solicitation of Comments                            submit only information that you wish
                                                Members, Participants, or Others                           Interested persons are invited to                     to make available publicly. All
                                                  No written comments were solicited                     submit written data, views, and                         submissions should refer to File
                                                or received with respect to the proposed                 arguments concerning the foregoing,                     Number SR–NYSEArca–2018–16, and
                                                rule change.                                             including whether the proposed rule                     should be submitted on or before
                                                                                                         change is consistent with the Act.                      April 5, 2018.
                                                III. Date of Effectiveness of the                        Comments may be submitted by any of
                                                Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                                                                                For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                                                                         the following methods:                                  Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                Commission Action
                                                                                                         Electronic Comments                                     authority.26
                                                   Because the proposed rule change                                                                              Eduardo A. Aleman,
                                                does not (i) significantly affect the                      • Use the Commission’s internet
                                                                                                                                                                 Assistant Secretary.
                                                protection of investors or the public                    comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                                                                                                                                 [FR Doc. 2018–05209 Filed 3–14–18; 8:45 am]
                                                interest; (ii) impose any significant                    rules/sro.shtml); or
                                                burden on competition; and (iii) become                    • Send an email to rule-comments@                     BILLING CODE 8011–01–P

                                                operative for 30 days from the date on                   sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                which it was filed, or such shorter time                 NYSEArca–2018–16 on the subject line.
                                                                                                                                                                 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                as the Commission may designate, it has                                                                          COMMISSION
                                                become effective pursuant to Section                     the proposed rule change, along with a brief
                                                                                                         description and the text of the proposed rule
                                                19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 20 and Rule 19b–                  change, at least five business days prior to the date   Proposed Collection; Comment
                                                4(f)(6) thereunder.21                                    of filing of the proposed rule change, or such          Request
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                                                                                                         shorter time as designated by the Commission.
                                                  19 This proposed rule change does not alter any           22 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                           Upon Written Request, Copies Available
                                                obligations of issuers or other investors of an IPO         23 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
                                                                                                                                                                  From: Securities and Exchange
                                                that may be subject to a lock-up or other restrictions      24 See supra note 5.
                                                                                                                                                                  Commission, Office of FOIA Services,
                                                on trading related securities.                              25 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
                                                  20 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                                                                                                                                                  100 F Street NE, Washington, DC
                                                                                                         operative delay, the Commission has also
                                                  21 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). As required under Rule      considered the proposed rule’s impact on                 20549–2736
                                                19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the              efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
                                                Commission with written notice of its intent to file     15 U.S.C. 78c(f).                                         26 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).



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Document Created: 2018-03-15 02:37:32
Document Modified: 2018-03-15 02:37:32
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 Citation83 FR 11576 

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