83_FR_16214 83 FR 16142 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 19.3, Criteria for Underlying Securities

83 FR 16142 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 19.3, Criteria for Underlying Securities

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 72 (April 13, 2018)

Page Range16142-16146
FR Document2018-07675

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 72 (Friday, April 13, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 72 (Friday, April 13, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16142-16146]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07675]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-83020; File No. SR-CboeEDGX-2018-011]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice 
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To 
Amend Rule 19.3, Criteria for Underlying Securities

April 9, 2018.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on March 29, 2018, Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``EDGX Options'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and 
II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange 
has designated this proposal as a ``non-controversial'' proposed rule 
change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder,\4\ which renders it effective upon filing with 
the Commission. 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.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange filed a proposal to amend Rule 19.3(b).
    (additions are italicized; deletions are [bracketed])
* * * * *

Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc. Rules

* * * * *

Rule 19.3. Criteria for Underlying Securities

    (a) (No change).
    (b) In addition, the Exchange shall from time to time establish 
standards to be considered in evaluating potential underlying 
securities for EDGX Options options transactions. There are many 
relevant factors which must be considered in arriving at such a 
determination, and 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. The Exchange may give 
consideration to maintaining diversity among various industries and 
issuers in selecting underlying securities. Notwithstanding the 
foregoing, an underlying security will not be selected unless:
    (1)-(4) (No change).
    (5) Either:
    (A) if the underlying security is a ``covered security'' as defined 
under Section 18(b)(1)(A) of the Securities Act of 1933, the market 
price per share of the underlying security has been at least $3.00 for 
the previous [five]three consecutive business days preceding the date 
on which the Exchange submits a certificate to the Clearing Corporation 
for listing and trading, as measured by the closing price reported in 
the primary market in which the underlying security is traded; or
    (B) (No change).
    (c)-(m) (No change).
* * * * *
    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's 
website at www.markets.cboe.com, at the principal office of the 
Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 19.3, Criteria for Underlying 
Securities, 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 (hereinafter ``covered security'' or ``covered securities''). This 
is a competitive filing that is based on a proposal recently submitted 
by Nasdaq

[[Page 16143]]

PHLX LLC (``Nasdaq Phlx'') and approved by the Commission.\5\
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    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82474 (January 9, 
2018), 83 FR 2240 (January 16, 2018) (order approving SR-Phlx-2017-
75); see also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82828 (March 8, 
2018), 83 FR 11278 (March 14, 2018) (notice of filing and immediate 
effectiveness of SR-MIAX-2018-06).
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    In particular, the Exchange proposes to modify Rule 19.3(b)(5)(A) 
to permit the listing of an option on an underlying covered security 
that has a market price of at least $3.00 per share for the previous 
three (3) consecutive business days preceding the date on which the 
Exchange submits a certificate to the Options Clearing Corporation 
(``OCC'') for listing and trading. The Exchange does not intend to 
amend any other criteria for listing options on an underlying security 
in Rule 19.3.
    Currently the underlying covered security must have a closing 
market price of $3.00 per share for the previous five (5) consecutive 
business days preceding the date on which the Exchange submits a 
listing certificate to OCC. In the proposed amendment, the market price 
will still be measured by the closing price reported in the primary 
market in which the underlying covered security is traded, but the 
measurement will be the price over the prior three (3) consecutive 
business day period preceding the submission of the listing certificate 
to OCC, instead of the prior five (5) business day period.
    The Exchange acknowledges that the Options Listing Procedures Plan 
\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 will still comport with that requirement. For 
example, if an initial public offering (``IPO'') occurs at 11:00 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 (4) 
business days of an IPO becoming available instead of six (6) business 
days (five (5) consecutive days plus the day the listing certificate is 
submitted to OCC).
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    \6\ 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 (a/k/a the Options Listing 
Procedures Plan (``OLPP'')) 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 OCC; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (formerly 
BATS Exchange, Inc.); BOX Options Exchange LLC; Cboe C2 Exchange, 
Inc. (formerly C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated); Cboe Exchange, 
Inc. (formerly Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated); Cboe 
EDGX Exchange, Inc. (formerly EDGX Exchange, Inc.); Miami 
International Securities Exchange, LLC; MIAX PEARL, LLC; The Nasdaq 
Stock Market LLC; NASDAQ BX, Inc.; Nasdaq PHLX LLC; Nasdaq GEMX, 
LLC; Nasdaq ISE, LLC; Nasdaq MRX, LLC; NYSE American, LLC; and NYSE 
Arca, Inc.
    \7\ See OLPP at page 3.
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    The Exchange's initial listing standards for equity options in Rule 
19.3 (including the current price/time standard of $3.00 per share for 
five (5) consecutive business days) are substantially similar to the 
initial listing standards adopted by other options exchanges.\8\ At the 
time EDGX Options received its initial approval from the Commission, as 
part of its Rules, the Exchange adopted the options industry adopted 
the ``look back'' period of five consecutive business days, because it 
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.\9\ 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 of options on the Exchange.\10\
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    \8\ See, e.g., Phlx Rule 1009, Commentary .01; see also MIAX 
Rule 402(b)(5) and BOX Rule 5020(b)(5).
    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75650 (August 7, 
2015), 80 FR 48600 (August 13, 2015) (SR-EDGX-2015-18) (order 
approving rules governing the trading of options on the Cboe EDGX 
Exchange).
    \10\ 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. 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.
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    Furthermore, the Exchange notes that the scope of its surveillance 
program also includes cross-market surveillance for trading that is not 
just limited to the Exchange. In particular, the Exchange or the 
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (``FINRA''), pursuant to a 
regulatory services agreement on behalf of the Exchange and its 
affiliate Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (``BZX''), operates a range of cross-
market equity surveillance patterns to look for potential manipulative 
behavior, including spoofing, algorithm gaming, marking the close and 
open, and momentum ignition strategies, as well as more general, 
abusive behavior related to front running, wash sales, quoting/routing, 
and Reg SHO violations. These cross-market patterns incorporate 
relevant data from various markets beyond the Exchange and its 
affiliates, including data from the New York Stock Exchange (``NYSE'') 
and from the Nasdaq Stock Market (``Nasdaq'').
    Additionally, for options, the Exchange and BZX utilize an array of 
patterns that monitor manipulation of options, or manipulation of 
equity securities (regardless of venue) for the purpose of impacting 
options prices on both the Exchange and BZX options markets (i.e., 
mini-manipulation strategies). Surveillance coverage is initiated once 
options begin trading on either the Exchange or BZX. Accordingly, the 
Exchange believes that the cross-market surveillance performed by the 
Exchange or FINRA on behalf of the Exchange and BZX, coupled with the 
Exchange staff's real-time monitoring of similarly violative activity 
on the Exchange and BZX as described herein, reflects a comprehensive 
surveillance program that is adequate to monitor for manipulation of 
the underlying security and overlying option within 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 National 
Market System of The Nasdaq Stock Market (now known as 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. 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.
    Furthermore, the Nasdaq had no cases within the past five years 
where an IPO-related issue for which it had pricing information 
qualified for the $3.00 price requirement during the first three (3) 
days of trading and did not qualify for the $3.00 price requirement 
during the

[[Page 16144]]

first five (5) days.\11\ In other words, none of these qualifying 
issues fell below the $3.00 threshold within the first three (3) or 
five (5) days of trading. As such, the Exchange believes that its 
existing surveillance technologies and procedures, coupled with 
Nasdaq's findings related to the IPO-related issues as described 
herein, adequately address potential concerns regarding possible 
manipulation or price stability within the proposed timeframe.
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    \11\ There were over 750 IPO-related issues on Nasdaq within the 
past five years. Out of all of the issues with pricing information, 
there was only one issue that had a price below $3 during the first 
five consecutive business days. The Exchange notes, however, that 
Nasdaq allows for companies to list on the Nasdaq Capital Market at 
$2.00 or $3.00 per share in some instances, which was the case for 
this particular issue. See Nasdaq Rule 5500 Series for initial 
listing standards on the Nasdaq Capital Market; see also Release No. 
82474 in supra note 5.
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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 will generally not 
be known until T+2.\12\ 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 Rule 15c6-1(a) to adopt 
the shortened settlement cycle,\13\ and the look back period of three 
(3) 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 (3) business days) and 
therefore the number of shareholders could be verified within three (3) 
business days, thereby enabling options trading within four (4) 
business days of an IPO (three (3) consecutive business days plus the 
day the listing certificate is submitted to OCC).
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    \12\ The number of shareholders of record can be validated by 
large clearing agencies such as The Depository Trust and Clearing 
Corporation (``DTCC'') upon the settlement date (i.e., T+2).
    \13\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78962 (September 
28, 2016), 81 FR 69240 (October 5, 2016) (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 T+2 after an IPO. For the foregoing reasons, the Exchange 
believes that basing the proposed three (3) 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 will apply to all covered securities that 
meet the criteria of Rule 19.3. Pursuant to Rule 19.3, the Exchange 
establishes guidelines to be considered in evaluating the potential 
underlying securities for Exchange option transactions.\14\ However, 
the fact that a particular security may meet the guidelines established 
by the Exchange does not necessarily mean that it will be approved as 
an underlying security.\15\ As part of the established criteria, the 
issuer must be in compliance with any applicable requirement of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.\16\ Additionally, there are many 
relevant factors that are considered in arriving at a determination to 
approve an underlying security.\17\ Even if the proposed option meets 
the objective criteria, the Exchange may decide not to list, or place 
limitations or conditions upon listing.\18\ 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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    \14\ See Rule 19.3(b). The Exchange established specific 
criteria to be considered in evaluating potential underlying 
securities for Exchange option transactions.
    \15\ Id.
    \16\ See Rule 19.3(b)(3).
    \17\ See Rule 19.3(b).
    \18\ Id.
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2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, 
the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\19\ Specifically, the 
Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
Section 6(b)(5) \20\ requirements that the rules of an exchange be 
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. Additionally, 
the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
Section 6(b)(5) \21\ requirement that the rules of an exchange not be 
designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, 
brokers, or dealers.
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    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \21\ Id.
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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 (3) consecutive 
business day timeframe. The Exchange also believes that the proposed 
three (3) consecutive business day timeframe would continue to be a 
reliable test for price stability in light of Nasdaq's findings that 
none of the IPO-related issues on Nasdaq within the past five years 
that qualified for the $3.00 per share price standard during the first 
three trading days fell below the $3.00 threshold during the fourth or 
fifth trading day. Furthermore, the established guidelines to be 
considered by the Exchange in evaluating the potential underlying 
securities for Exchange option transactions,\22\ together with existing 
trading surveillances, provide adequate safeguards in the review of any 
covered security that may meet the proposed criteria for consideration 
of the option within the proposed timeframe.
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    \22\ See supra notes 14-18.
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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

[[Page 16145]]

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 hedged their investment in the stock in a shorter 
amount of time than what is currently in place.\23\
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    \23\ 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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    Finally, it should be noted that a price/time standard for the 
underlying security was first adopted when the listed options market 
was in its infancy, and was intended to prevent the proliferation of 
options being listed on low-priced securities that presented special 
manipulation concerns and/or lacked liquidity needed to maintain fair 
and orderly markets.\24\ When options trading commenced in 1973, the 
Commission determined that it was necessary for securities underlying 
options to meet certain minimum standards regarding both the quality of 
the issuer and the quality of the market for a particular security.\25\ 
These standards, including a price/time standard, were imposed to 
ensure that those issuers upon whose securities options were to be 
traded were widely-held, financially sound companies whose shares had 
trading volume and float substantial enough so as not to be readily 
susceptible to manipulation.\26\ At the time, the Commission determined 
that the imposition of these standards was reasonable in view of the 
pilot nature of options trading and the limited experience of investors 
with options trading.\27\
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    \24\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 29628 (August 29, 
1991), 56 FR 43949-01 (September 5, 1991) (SR-AMEX-86-21; SR-CBOE-
86-15; SR-NYSE-86-20; SR-PSE-86-15; and SR-PHLX-86-21) (``1991 
Approval Order'') at 43949 (discussing the Commission's concerns 
when options trading initially commenced in 1973).
    \25\ See 1991 Approval Order at 43949.
    \26\ Id.
    \27\ Id.
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    Now more than 40 years later, the listed options market has evolved 
into a mature market with sophisticated investors. In view of this 
evolution, the Commission has approved various exchange proposals to 
relax some of these initial listing standards throughout the years,\28\ 
including reducing the price/time standard in 2003 from $7.50 per share 
for the majority of business days over a three month period to the 
current $3.00 per share/five business day standard (``2003 
Proposal'').\29\ It has been almost fifteen years since the Commission 
approved the 2003 proposal, and both the listed options market and 
exchange technologies have continued to evolve since then. In this 
instance, the Exchange is only proposing a modest reduction of the 
current five (5) business day standard to three (3) business days to 
correspond to the securities industry's move to a T+2 standard 
settlement cycle.\30\ The $3.00 per share standard and all other 
initial options listing criteria in Rule 19.3 will remain unchanged by 
this proposal. For the reasons discussed herein, the Exchange therefore 
believes that the proposed three (3) business day period will be 
beneficial to the marketplace without sacrificing investor protections.
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    \28\ See, e.g., 1991 Approval Order (modifying a number of 
initial listing criteria, including the reduction of the price/time 
standard from $10 per share each day during the preceding three 
calendar months to $7.50 per share for the majority of days during 
the same period).
    \29\ 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).
    \30\ See supra note 13.
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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 that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. In this regard and as 
indicated above, the Exchange notes that the rule change is being 
proposed as a competitive response to a filing submitted by Nasdaq Phlx 
that was recently approved by the Commission.\31\ The proposed rule 
change will reduce the number of days to list options on an underlying 
security, and is intended to bring new options listings to the 
marketplace quicker.
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    \31\ See supra note 5.
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(C) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the 
Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others

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

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

    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) \32\ of the Act and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\33\
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    \32\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \33\ 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, 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. The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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    A proposed rule change filed pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the 
Act \34\ normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date 
of its filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \35\ 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 proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The Exchange 
states that waiver of the 30-day operative delay would allow the 
Exchange greater flexibility in bringing new options listing to the 
marketplace more quickly, which will be beneficial to the marketplace 
permit fair competition among the exchanges by allowing the Exchange to 
modify the criteria for listing an option on an underlying covered 
security which is currently allowed on Nasdaq Phlx.\36\ Based on the 
foregoing, the Commission believes the waiver of the operative delay is 
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. 
Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the operative delay and 
designates the proposal operative upon filing.\37\
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    \34\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \35\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \36\ See supra note 5.
    \37\ 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: (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,

[[Page 16146]]

including whether the proposal 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 No. SR-CboeEDGX-2018-011 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 No. SR-CboeEDGX-2018-011. 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 will also 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 No. SR-CboeEDGX-2018-011 and should be submitted 
on or before May 4, 2018.
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    \38\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\38\
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-07675 Filed 4-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                               16142                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 72 / Friday, April 13, 2018 / Notices

                                               to determine whether the proposed rule                    For the Commission, by the Division of                considered in arriving at such a
                                               should be approved or disapproved.                      Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated              determination, and the fact that a
                                                                                                       authority.19                                            particular security may meet the
                                               IV. Solicitation of Comments                            Eduardo A. Aleman,                                      standards established by the Exchange
                                                                                                       Assistant Secretary.                                    does not necessarily mean that it will be
                                                 Interested persons are invited to
                                               submit written data, views and                          [FR Doc. 2018–07676 Filed 4–12–18; 8:45 am]             selected as an underlying security. The
                                               arguments concerning the foregoing,                     BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                  Exchange may give consideration to
                                               including whether the proposal is                                                                               maintaining diversity among various
                                               consistent with the Act. Comments may                                                                           industries and issuers in selecting
                                                                                                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                 underlying securities. Notwithstanding
                                               be submitted by any of the following
                                                                                                       COMMISSION                                              the foregoing, an underlying security
                                               methods:
                                                                                                       [Release No. 34–83020; File No. SR–                     will not be selected unless:
                                               Electronic Comments                                     CboeEDGX–2018–011]                                         (1)–(4) (No change).
                                                                                                                                                                  (5) Either:
                                                 • Use the Commission’s internet                       Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe                        (A) if the underlying security is a
                                               comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                       EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing                   ‘‘covered security’’ as defined under
                                               rules/sro.shtml); or                                    and Immediate Effectiveness of a                        Section 18(b)(1)(A) of the Securities Act
                                                 • Send an email to rule-comments@                     Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule                      of 1933, the market price per share of
                                               sec.gov. Please include File No. SR–                    19.3, Criteria for Underlying Securities                the underlying security has been at least
                                               CboeBZX–2018–026 on the subject line.                                                                           $3.00 for the previous [five]three
                                                                                                       April 9, 2018.                                          consecutive business days preceding the
                                               Paper Comments                                             Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                  date on which the Exchange submits a
                                                                                                       Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                    certificate to the Clearing Corporation
                                                 • Send paper comments in triplicate                   ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                  for listing and trading, as measured by
                                               to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                   notice is hereby given that on March 29,                the closing price reported in the primary
                                               Commission, 100 F Street NE,                            2018, Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the                     market in which the underlying security
                                               Washington, DC 20549–1090.                              ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘EDGX Options’’) filed                 is traded; or
                                               All submissions should refer to File No.                with the Securities and Exchange                           (B) (No change).
                                               SR–CboeBZX–2018–026. This file                          Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the                            (c)–(m) (No change).
                                                                                                       proposed rule change as described in                    *      *     *     *    *
                                               number should be included on the
                                                                                                       Items I and II below, which Items have                     The text of the proposed rule change
                                               subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                                                                       been prepared by the Exchange. The                      is available at the Exchange’s website at
                                               Commission process and review your
                                                                                                       Exchange has designated this proposal                   www.markets.cboe.com, at the principal
                                               comments more efficiently, please use
                                                                                                       as a ‘‘non-controversial’’ proposed rule                office of the Exchange, and at the
                                               only one method. The Commission will                    change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)
                                               post all comments on the Commission’s                                                                           Commission’s Public Reference Room.
                                                                                                       of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii)
                                               internet website (http://www.sec.gov/                   thereunder,4 which renders it effective                 II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                               rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                         upon filing with the Commission. The                    Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                               submission, all subsequent                              Commission is publishing this notice to                 Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                               amendments, all written statements                      solicit comments on the proposed rule                   Change
                                               with respect to the proposed rule                       change from interested persons.                           In its filing with the Commission, the
                                               change that are filed with the                                                                                  Exchange included statements
                                               Commission, and all written                             I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                       Statement of the Terms of Substance of                  concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                               communications relating to the                                                                                  the proposed rule change and discussed
                                               proposed rule change between the                        the Proposed Rule Change
                                                                                                                                                               any comments it received on the
                                               Commission and any person, other than                     The Exchange filed a proposal to                      proposed rule change. The text of these
                                               those that may be withheld from the                     amend Rule 19.3(b).                                     statements may be examined at the
                                               public in accordance with the                             (additions are italicized; deletions are              places specified in Item IV below. The
                                               provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                     [bracketed])                                            Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                               available for website viewing and                       *    *     *     *      *                               forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of
                                               printing in the Commission’s Public                                                                             the most significant parts of such
                                               Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,                        Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc. Rules
                                                                                                                                                               statements.
                                               Washington, DC 20549, on official                       *           *   *       *      *
                                               business days between the hours of                                                                              (A) Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                       Rule 19.3. Criteria for Underlying                      Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                               10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
                                                                                                       Securities                                              Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                               filing will also be available for
                                               inspection and copying at the principal                    (a) (No change).                                     Change
                                               office of the Exchange. All comments                       (b) In addition, the Exchange shall                  1. Purpose
                                               received will be posted without change.                 from time to time establish standards to
                                                                                                                                                                  The Exchange proposes to amend
                                               Persons submitting comments are                         be considered in evaluating potential
                                                                                                                                                               Rule 19.3, Criteria for Underlying
                                               cautioned that we do not redact or edit                 underlying securities for EDGX Options
                                                                                                                                                               Securities, to modify the criteria for
                                                                                                       options transactions. There are many
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                                               personal identifying information from                                                                           listing options on an underlying
                                               comment submissions. You should                         relevant factors which must be
                                                                                                                                                               security as defined in Section
                                               submit only information that you wish                                                                           18(b)(1)(A) of the Securities Act of 1933
                                                                                                           19 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                               to make available publicly. All                             1 15                                                (hereinafter ‘‘covered security’’ or
                                                                                                                U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                               submissions should refer to File No.                        2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                 ‘‘covered securities’’). This is a
                                               SR–CboeBZX–2018–026 and should be                           3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).                           competitive filing that is based on a
                                               submitted on or before May 4, 2018.                         4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).                      proposal recently submitted by Nasdaq


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 72 / Friday, April 13, 2018 / Notices                                            16143

                                               PHLX LLC (‘‘Nasdaq Phlx’’) and                          submit its listing certificate to OCC                   including spoofing, algorithm gaming,
                                               approved by the Commission.5                            would be on Thursday by 12:01 a.m.                      marking the close and open, and
                                                  In particular, the Exchange proposes                 (Chicago time), with the market price                   momentum ignition strategies, as well
                                               to modify Rule 19.3(b)(5)(A) to permit                  determined by the closing price over the                as more general, abusive behavior
                                               the listing of an option on an underlying               three-day period from Monday through                    related to front running, wash sales,
                                               covered security that has a market price                Wednesday. The option on the IPO                        quoting/routing, and Reg SHO
                                               of at least $3.00 per share for the                     would then be eligible for trading on the               violations. These cross-market patterns
                                               previous three (3) consecutive business                 Exchange on Friday. The proposed                        incorporate relevant data from various
                                               days preceding the date on which the                    amendment would essentially enable                      markets beyond the Exchange and its
                                               Exchange submits a certificate to the                   options trading within four (4) business                affiliates, including data from the New
                                               Options Clearing Corporation (‘‘OCC’’)                  days of an IPO becoming available                       York Stock Exchange (‘‘NYSE’’) and
                                               for listing and trading. The Exchange                   instead of six (6) business days (five (5)              from the Nasdaq Stock Market
                                               does not intend to amend any other                      consecutive days plus the day the listing               (‘‘Nasdaq’’).
                                               criteria for listing options on an                      certificate is submitted to OCC).
                                               underlying security in Rule 19.3.                          The Exchange’s initial listing                          Additionally, for options, the
                                                  Currently the underlying covered                     standards for equity options in Rule                    Exchange and BZX utilize an array of
                                               security must have a closing market                     19.3 (including the current price/time                  patterns that monitor manipulation of
                                               price of $3.00 per share for the previous               standard of $3.00 per share for five (5)                options, or manipulation of equity
                                               five (5) consecutive business days                      consecutive business days) are                          securities (regardless of venue) for the
                                               preceding the date on which the                         substantially similar to the initial listing            purpose of impacting options prices on
                                               Exchange submits a listing certificate to               standards adopted by other options                      both the Exchange and BZX options
                                               OCC. In the proposed amendment, the                     exchanges.8 At the time EDGX Options                    markets (i.e., mini-manipulation
                                               market price will still be measured by                  received its initial approval from the                  strategies). Surveillance coverage is
                                               the closing price reported in the primary               Commission, as part of its Rules, the                   initiated once options begin trading on
                                               market in which the underlying covered                  Exchange adopted the options industry                   either the Exchange or BZX.
                                               security is traded, but the measurement                 adopted the ‘‘look back’’ period of five                Accordingly, the Exchange believes that
                                               will be the price over the prior three (3)              consecutive business days, because it                   the cross-market surveillance performed
                                               consecutive business day period                         determined that the five-day period was                 by the Exchange or FINRA on behalf of
                                               preceding the submission of the listing                 sufficient to protect against attempts to               the Exchange and BZX, coupled with
                                               certificate to OCC, instead of the prior                manipulate the market price of the                      the Exchange staff’s real-time
                                               five (5) business day period.                           underlying security and would provide                   monitoring of similarly violative activity
                                                  The Exchange acknowledges that the                   a reliable test for stability.9 Surveillance            on the Exchange and BZX as described
                                               Options Listing Procedures Plan 6                       technologies and procedures concerning                  herein, reflects a comprehensive
                                               requires that the listing certificate be                manipulation have evolved since then                    surveillance program that is adequate to
                                               provided to OCC no earlier than 12:01                   to provide adequate prevention or                       monitor for manipulation of the
                                               a.m. and no later than 11:00 a.m.                       detection of rule or securities law                     underlying security and overlying
                                               (Chicago time) on the trading day prior                 violations within the proposed time                     option within the proposed three-day
                                               to the day on which trading is to begin.7               frame, and the Exchange represents that                 look back period.
                                               The proposed amendment will still                       its existing trading surveillances are                     Furthermore, the Exchange notes that
                                               comport with that requirement. For                      adequate to monitor the trading of                      the proposed listing criteria would still
                                               example, if an initial public offering                  options on the Exchange.10                              require that the underlying security be
                                               (‘‘IPO’’) occurs at 11:00 a.m. on Monday,                  Furthermore, the Exchange notes that                 listed on NYSE, the American Stock
                                               the earliest date the Exchange could                    the scope of its surveillance program                   Exchange (now known as NYSE
                                                                                                       also includes cross-market surveillance                 American), or the National Market
                                                  5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82474
                                                                                                       for trading that is not just limited to the
                                               (January 9, 2018), 83 FR 2240 (January 16, 2018)                                                                System of The Nasdaq Stock Market
                                                                                                       Exchange. In particular, the Exchange or
                                               (order approving SR–Phlx–2017–75); see also                                                                     (now known as the Nasdaq Global
                                               Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82828 (March        the Financial Industry Regulatory
                                                                                                                                                               Market) (collectively, the ‘‘Named
                                               8, 2018), 83 FR 11278 (March 14, 2018) (notice of       Authority (‘‘FINRA’’), pursuant to a
                                                                                                                                                               Markets’’), as provided for in the
                                               filing and immediate effectiveness of SR–MIAX–          regulatory services agreement on behalf
                                               2018–06).                                                                                                       definition of ‘‘covered security’’ from
                                                                                                       of the Exchange and its affiliate Cboe
                                                  6 The Plan for the Purpose of Developing and                                                                 Section 18(b)(1)(A) of the 1933 Act.
                                               Implementing Procedures Designed to Facilitate the
                                                                                                       BZX Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BZX’’), operates a
                                                                                                                                                               Accordingly, the Exchange believes that
                                               Listing and Trading of Standardized Options             range of cross-market equity
                                                                                                                                                               the proposed rule change would still
                                               Submitted Pursuant to Section 11a(2)(3)(B) of the       surveillance patterns to look for
                                               Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (a/k/a the Options                                                              ensure that the underlying security
                                                                                                       potential manipulative behavior,
                                               Listing Procedures Plan (‘‘OLPP’’)) is a national                                                               meets the high listing standards of a
                                               market system plan that, among other things, sets                                                               Named Market, and would also ensure
                                                                                                          8 See, e.g., Phlx Rule 1009, Commentary .01; see
                                               forth procedures governing the listing of new
                                               options series. See Securities Exchange Act Release     also MIAX Rule 402(b)(5) and BOX Rule 5020(b)(5).       that the underlying is covered by the
                                               No. 44521 (July 6, 2001), 66 FR 36809 (July 13,            9 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75650      regulatory protections (including market
                                               2001) (Order approving OLPP). The sponsors of           (August 7, 2015), 80 FR 48600 (August 13, 2015)         surveillance, investigation and
                                               OLPP include OCC; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.               (SR–EDGX–2015–18) (order approving rules                enforcement) offered by these exchanges
                                               (formerly BATS Exchange, Inc.); BOX Options             governing the trading of options on the Cboe EDGX
                                               Exchange LLC; Cboe C2 Exchange, Inc. (formerly C2       Exchange).                                              for trading in covered securities
                                               Options Exchange, Incorporated); Cboe Exchange,            10 Such surveillance procedures generally focus      conducted on their facilities.
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                                               Inc. (formerly Chicago Board Options Exchange,          on detecting securities trading subject to opening
                                               Incorporated); Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc. (formerly       price manipulation, closing price manipulation,
                                                                                                                                                                  Furthermore, the Nasdaq had no cases
                                               EDGX Exchange, Inc.); Miami International               layering, spoofing or other unlawful activity           within the past five years where an IPO-
                                               Securities Exchange, LLC; MIAX PEARL, LLC; The          impacting an underlying security, the option, or        related issue for which it had pricing
                                               Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; NASDAQ BX, Inc.;               both. The Exchange has price movement alerts,           information qualified for the $3.00 price
                                               Nasdaq PHLX LLC; Nasdaq GEMX, LLC; Nasdaq               unusual market activity and order book alerts active
                                               ISE, LLC; Nasdaq MRX, LLC; NYSE American, LLC;          for all trading symbols. These real-time patterns are
                                                                                                                                                               requirement during the first three (3)
                                               and NYSE Arca, Inc.                                     active for the new security as soon as the IPO begins   days of trading and did not qualify for
                                                  7 See OLPP at page 3.                                trading.                                                the $3.00 price requirement during the


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                                               16144                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 72 / Friday, April 13, 2018 / Notices

                                               first five (5) days.11 In other words, none             can provide confirmation is usually the               practices, to promote just and equitable
                                               of these qualifying issues fell below the               day after the first day of trading (T+1)              principles of trade, to foster cooperation
                                               $3.00 threshold within the first three (3)              on an unsettled basis, while others can               and coordination with persons engaged
                                               or five (5) days of trading. As such, the               confirm on the third day of trading                   in regulating, clearing, settling,
                                               Exchange believes that its existing                     (T+2). The Exchange has confirmed                     processing information with respect to,
                                               surveillance technologies and                           with some of these brokerage firms who                and facilitating transactions in
                                               procedures, coupled with Nasdaq’s                       provide shareholder numbers to the                    securities, to remove impediments to
                                               findings related to the IPO-related issues              Exchange that they are T+2 after an IPO.              and perfect the mechanism of a free and
                                               as described herein, adequately address                 For the foregoing reasons, the Exchange               open market and a national market
                                               potential concerns regarding possible                   believes that basing the proposed three               system, and, in general, to protect
                                               manipulation or price stability within                  (3) business day look back period on the              investors and the public interest.
                                               the proposed timeframe.                                 T+2 settlement cycle would allow for                  Additionally, the Exchange believes the
                                                  The Exchange also believes that the                  sufficient verification of the number of              proposed rule change is consistent with
                                               proposed look back period can be                        shareholders.                                         the Section 6(b)(5) 21 requirement that
                                               implemented in connection with the                         The proposed rule change will apply                the rules of an exchange not be designed
                                               other initial listing criteria for                      to all covered securities that meet the               to permit unfair discrimination between
                                               underlying covered securities. In                       criteria of Rule 19.3. Pursuant to Rule               customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
                                               particular, the Exchange recognizes that                19.3, the Exchange establishes                           The Exchange believes that the
                                               it may be difficult to verify the number                guidelines to be considered in                        proposed changes to its listing standards
                                               of shareholders in the days immediately                 evaluating the potential underlying                   for covered securities would allow the
                                               following an IPO due to the fact that                   securities for Exchange option                        Exchange to more quickly list options
                                               stock trades generally clear within two                 transactions.14 However, the fact that a              on a qualifying covered security that has
                                               business days (T+2) of their trade date                 particular security may meet the                      met the $3.00 eligibility price without
                                               and therefore the shareholder count will                guidelines established by the Exchange                sacrificing investor protection. As
                                               generally not be known until T+2.12 The                 does not necessarily mean that it will be             discussed above, the Exchange believes
                                               Exchange notes that the current T+2                     approved as an underlying security.15                 that its existing trading surveillances
                                               settlement cycle was recently reduced                   As part of the established criteria, the              provide a sufficient measure of
                                               from T+3 on September 5, 2017 in                        issuer must be in compliance with any                 protection against potential price
                                               connection with the Commission’s                        applicable requirement of the Securities              manipulation within the proposed three
                                               amendments to Rule 15c6–1(a) to adopt                   Exchange Act of 1934.16 Additionally,                 (3) consecutive business day timeframe.
                                               the shortened settlement cycle,13 and                   there are many relevant factors that are              The Exchange also believes that the
                                               the look back period of three (3)                       considered in arriving at a                           proposed three (3) consecutive business
                                               consecutive business days proposed                      determination to approve an underlying                day timeframe would continue to be a
                                               herein reflects this shortened T+2                      security.17 Even if the proposed option               reliable test for price stability in light of
                                               settlement period. As proposed, stock                   meets the objective criteria, the                     Nasdaq’s findings that none of the IPO-
                                               trades would clear within T+2 of their                  Exchange may decide not to list, or                   related issues on Nasdaq within the past
                                               trade date (i.e., within three (3) business             place limitations or conditions upon                  five years that qualified for the $3.00 per
                                               days) and therefore the number of                       listing.18 The Exchange believes that                 share price standard during the first
                                               shareholders could be verified within                   these measures, together with its                     three trading days fell below the $3.00
                                               three (3) business days, thereby enabling               existing surveillance procedures,                     threshold during the fourth or fifth
                                               options trading within four (4) business                provide adequate safeguards in the                    trading day. Furthermore, the
                                               days of an IPO (three (3) consecutive                   review of any covered security that may               established guidelines to be considered
                                               business days plus the day the listing                  meet the proposed criteria for                        by the Exchange in evaluating the
                                               certificate is submitted to OCC).                       consideration of the option within the                potential underlying securities for
                                                  Furthermore, the Exchange notes that                 timeframe contained in this proposal.                 Exchange option transactions,22 together
                                               it can verify the shareholder count with                                                                      with existing trading surveillances,
                                                                                                       2. Statutory Basis                                    provide adequate safeguards in the
                                               various brokerage firms that have a large
                                               retail customer clientele. Such firms can                  The Exchange believes the proposed                 review of any covered security that may
                                               confirm the number of individual                        rule change is consistent with the                    meet the proposed criteria for
                                               customers who have a position in the                    Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                  consideration of the option within the
                                               new issue. The earliest that these firms                ‘‘Act’’) and the rules and regulations                proposed timeframe.
                                                                                                       thereunder applicable to the Exchange                    In addition, the Exchange believes
                                                  11 There were over 750 IPO-related issues on         and, in particular, the requirements of               that basing the proposed timeframe on
                                               Nasdaq within the past five years. Out of all of the    Section 6(b) of the Act.19 Specifically,              the T+2 settlement cycle adequately
                                               issues with pricing information, there was only one     the Exchange believes the proposed rule               addresses the potential difficulties in
                                               issue that had a price below $3 during the first five   change is consistent with the Section                 confirming the number of shareholders
                                               consecutive business days. The Exchange notes,
                                               however, that Nasdaq allows for companies to list       6(b)(5) 20 requirements that the rules of             of the underlying covered security.
                                               on the Nasdaq Capital Market at $2.00 or $3.00 per      an exchange be designed to prevent                    Having some of the largest brokerage
                                               share in some instances, which was the case for this    fraudulent and manipulative acts and                  firms that provide these shareholder
                                               particular issue. See Nasdaq Rule 5500 Series for                                                             counts to the Exchange confirm that
                                               initial listing standards on the Nasdaq Capital
                                               Market; see also Release No. 82474 in supra note
                                                                                                          14 See Rule 19.3(b). The Exchange established      they are able to provide these numbers
                                                                                                       specific criteria to be considered in evaluating      within T+2 further demonstrates that
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                                               5.
                                                                                                       potential underlying securities for Exchange option
                                                  12 The number of shareholders of record can be
                                                                                                       transactions.
                                                                                                                                                             the 2,000 shareholder requirement can
                                               validated by large clearing agencies such as The           15 Id.                                             be sufficiently verified within the
                                               Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation                  16 See Rule 19.3(b)(3).                            proposed timeframe. For the foregoing
                                               (‘‘DTCC’’) upon the settlement date (i.e., T+2).
                                                  13 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78962
                                                                                                          17 See Rule 19.3(b).                               reasons, the Exchange believes that the
                                                                                                          18 Id.
                                               (September 28, 2016), 81 FR 69240 (October 5,
                                                                                                          19 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).                                 21 Id.
                                               2016) (Amendment to Securities Transaction
                                               Settlement Cycle) (File No. S7–22–16).                     20 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                              22 See   supra notes 14–18.



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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 72 / Friday, April 13, 2018 / Notices                                                     16145

                                               proposed amendments will remove and                      share/five business day standard (‘‘2003             as the Commission may designate, it has
                                               perfect the mechanism of a free and                      Proposal’’).29 It has been almost fifteen            become effective pursuant to Section
                                               open market and a national market                        years since the Commission approved                  19(b)(3)(A) 32 of the Act and Rule 19b–
                                               system by providing an avenue for                        the 2003 proposal, and both the listed               4(f)(6) thereunder.33
                                               investors to swiftly hedged their                        options market and exchange                             A proposed rule change filed
                                               investment in the stock in a shorter                     technologies have continued to evolve                pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6) under the
                                               amount of time than what is currently                    since then. In this instance, the                    Act 34 normally does not become
                                               in place.23                                              Exchange is only proposing a modest                  operative for 30 days after the date of its
                                                  Finally, it should be noted that a                    reduction of the current five (5) business           filing. However, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) 35
                                               price/time standard for the underlying                   day standard to three (3) business days              permits the Commission to designate a
                                               security was first adopted when the                      to correspond to the securities                      shorter time if such action is consistent
                                               listed options market was in its infancy,                industry’s move to a T+2 standard                    with the protection of investors and the
                                               and was intended to prevent the                          settlement cycle.30 The $3.00 per share              public interest. The Exchange has asked
                                               proliferation of options being listed on                 standard and all other initial options               the Commission to waive the 30-day
                                               low-priced securities that presented                     listing criteria in Rule 19.3 will remain            operative delay so that the proposal may
                                               special manipulation concerns and/or                     unchanged by this proposal. For the                  become operative immediately upon
                                               lacked liquidity needed to maintain fair                 reasons discussed herein, the Exchange               filing. The Exchange states that waiver
                                               and orderly markets.24 When options                      therefore believes that the proposed                 of the 30-day operative delay would
                                               trading commenced in 1973, the                           three (3) business day period will be                allow the Exchange greater flexibility in
                                               Commission determined that it was                        beneficial to the marketplace without                bringing new options listing to the
                                               necessary for securities underlying                      sacrificing investor protections.                    marketplace more quickly, which will
                                               options to meet certain minimum                                                                               be beneficial to the marketplace permit
                                               standards regarding both the quality of                  (B) Self-Regulatory Organization’s                   fair competition among the exchanges
                                               the issuer and the quality of the market                 Statement on Burden on Competition                   by allowing the Exchange to modify the
                                               for a particular security.25 These                          The Exchange does not believe that                criteria for listing an option on an
                                               standards, including a price/time                        the proposed rule change will impose                 underlying covered security which is
                                               standard, were imposed to ensure that                    any burden on competition that is not                currently allowed on Nasdaq Phlx.36
                                               those issuers upon whose securities                      necessary or appropriate in furtherance              Based on the foregoing, the Commission
                                               options were to be traded were widely-                   of the purposes of the Act. In this regard           believes the waiver of the operative
                                               held, financially sound companies                        and as indicated above, the Exchange                 delay is consistent with the protection
                                               whose shares had trading volume and                      notes that the rule change is being                  of investors and the public interest.
                                               float substantial enough so as not to be                 proposed as a competitive response to a              Therefore, the Commission hereby
                                               readily susceptible to manipulation.26                   filing submitted by Nasdaq Phlx that                 waives the operative delay and
                                               At the time, the Commission                              was recently approved by the                         designates the proposal operative upon
                                               determined that the imposition of these                  Commission.31 The proposed rule                      filing.37
                                               standards was reasonable in view of the                  change will reduce the number of days                   At any time within 60 days of the
                                               pilot nature of options trading and the                  to list options on an underlying                     filing of the proposed rule change, the
                                               limited experience of investors with                     security, and is intended to bring new               Commission summarily may
                                               options trading.27                                       options listings to the marketplace                  temporarily suspend such rule change if
                                                  Now more than 40 years later, the                     quicker.                                             it appears to the Commission that such
                                               listed options market has evolved into a                                                                      action is: (i) Necessary or appropriate in
                                                                                                        (C) Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                               mature market with sophisticated                                                                              the public interest; (ii) for the protection
                                                                                                        Statement on Comments on the
                                               investors. In view of this evolution, the                                                                     of investors; or (iii) otherwise in
                                                                                                        Proposed Rule Change Received From
                                               Commission has approved various                                                                               furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
                                                                                                        Members, Participants or Others
                                               exchange proposals to relax some of                                                                           If the Commission takes such action, the
                                               these initial listing standards                            The Exchange has neither solicited                 Commission shall institute proceedings
                                               throughout the years,28 including                        nor received written comments on the                 to determine whether the proposed rule
                                               reducing the price/time standard in                      proposed rule change.                                should be approved or disapproved.
                                               2003 from $7.50 per share for the                        III. Date of Effectiveness of the                    IV. Solicitation of Comments
                                               majority of business days over a three                   Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
                                               month period to the current $3.00 per                                                                           Interested persons are invited to
                                                                                                        Commission Action
                                                                                                                                                             submit written data, views and
                                                 23 This proposed rule change does not alter any
                                                                                                           Because the foregoing proposed rule               arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                               obligations of issuers or other investors of an IPO      change does not: (i) Significantly affect
                                               that may be subject to a lock-up or other restrictions   the protection of investors or the public              32 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                               on trading related securities.                           interest; (ii) impose any significant                  33 17  CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
                                                 24 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 29628                                                            4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give
                                                                                                        burden on competition; and (iii) become
                                               (August 29, 1991), 56 FR 43949–01 (September 5,                                                               the Commission written notice of its intent to file
                                               1991) (SR–AMEX–86–21; SR–CBOE–86–15; SR–                 operative for 30 days from the date on               the proposed rule change, along with a brief
                                               NYSE–86–20; SR–PSE–86–15; and SR–PHLX–86–                which it was filed, or such shorter time             description and the text of the proposed rule
                                               21) (‘‘1991 Approval Order’’) at 43949 (discussing                                                            change, at least five business days prior to the date
                                               the Commission’s concerns when options trading              29 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos.       of filing of the proposed rule change, or such
                                               initially commenced in 1973).                            47190 (January 15, 2003), 68 FR 3072 (January 22,    shorter time as designated by the Commission. The
                                                 25 See 1991 Approval Order at 43949.                                                                        Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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                                                                                                        2003) (SR–CBOE–2002–62); 47352 (February 11,
                                                 26 Id.                                                                                                         34 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
                                                                                                        2003), 68 FR 8319 (February 20, 2003) (SR–PCX–
                                                 27 Id.                                                 2003–06); 47483 (March 11, 2003), 68 FR 13352           35 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).

                                                 28 See, e.g., 1991 Approval Order (modifying a         (March 19, 2003) (SR–ISE–2003–04); 47613 (April         36 See supra note 5.

                                               number of initial listing criteria, including the        1, 2003), 68 FR 17120 (April 8, 2003) (SR–Amex–         37 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day

                                               reduction of the price/time standard from $10 per        2003–19); and 47794 (May 5, 2003), 68 FR 25076       operative delay, the Commission has also
                                               share each day during the preceding three calendar       (May 9, 2003) (SR–Phlx–2003–27).                     considered the proposed rule’s impact on
                                                                                                           30 See supra note 13.
                                               months to $7.50 per share for the majority of days                                                            efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
                                               during the same period).                                    31 See supra note 5.                              15 U.S.C. 78c(f).



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                                               16146                              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 72 / Friday, April 13, 2018 / Notices

                                               including whether the proposal is                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                   (A) if the underlying security is a ‘‘covered
                                               consistent with the Act. Comments may                     COMMISSION                                              security’’ as defined under Section
                                               be submitted by any of the following                                                                              18(b)(1)(A) of the Securities Act of 1933, the
                                                                                                         [Release No. 34–83018; File No. SR–                     market price per share of the underlying
                                               methods:                                                  CboeBZX–2018–025]                                       security has been at least $3.00 for the
                                               Electronic Comments                                                                                               previous [five]three consecutive business
                                                                                                         Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe                     days preceding the date on which the
                                                  • Use the Commission’s internet                        BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing                    Exchange submits a certificate to the Clearing
                                               comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                         and Immediate Effectiveness of a                        Corporation for listing and trading, as
                                               rules/sro.shtml); or                                      Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule                      measured by the closing price reported in the
                                                  • Send an email to rule-comments@                                                                              primary market in which the underlying
                                                                                                         19.3, Criteria for Underlying Securities                security is traded; or
                                               sec.gov. Please include File No. SR–
                                               CboeEDGX–2018–011 on the subject                          April 8, 2018.                                            (B) (No change).
                                                                                                                                                                   (c)–(m) (No change).
                                               line.                                                        Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                                                                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                    *     *     *     *    *
                                               Paper Comments                                                                                                       The text of the proposed rule change
                                                                                                         ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                  • Send paper comments in triplicate                    notice is hereby given that on March 29,                is available at the Exchange’s website at
                                               to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                     2018, Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the                      www.markets.cboe.com, at the principal
                                               Commission, 100 F Street NE,                              ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BZX Options’’) filed                  office of the Exchange, and at the
                                               Washington, DC 20549–1090.                                with the Securities and Exchange                        Commission’s Public Reference Room.
                                               All submissions should refer to File No.                  Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the                         II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                               SR–CboeEDGX–2018–011. This file                           proposed rule change as described in                    Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                               number should be included on the                          Items I and II below, which Items have                  Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                               subject line if email is used. To help the                been prepared by the Exchange. The                      Change
                                               Commission process and review your                        Exchange has designated this proposal
                                               comments more efficiently, please use                                                                                In its filing with the Commission, the
                                                                                                         as a ‘‘non-controversial’’ proposed rule
                                               only one method. The Commission will                                                                              Exchange included statements
                                                                                                         change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)
                                               post all comments on the Commission’s                                                                             concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                                                                                         of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii)
                                               internet website (http://www.sec.gov/                                                                             the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                                                                         thereunder,4 which renders it effective
                                               rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                                                                                   any comments it received on the
                                                                                                         upon filing with the Commission. The
                                               submission, all subsequent                                                                                        proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                                                                         Commission is publishing this notice to
                                               amendments, all written statements                                                                                statements may be examined at the
                                                                                                         solicit comments on the proposed rule
                                               with respect to the proposed rule                                                                                 places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                                                                         change from interested persons.
                                                                                                                                                                 Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                               change that are filed with the
                                                                                                         I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of
                                               Commission, and all written
                                                                                                         Statement of the Terms of Substance of                  the most significant parts of such
                                               communications relating to the
                                                                                                         the Proposed Rule Change                                statements.
                                               proposed rule change between the
                                               Commission and any person, other than                        The Exchange filed a proposal to                     (A) Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                               those that may be withheld from the                       amend Rule 19.3(b).                                     Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                               public in accordance with the                                (additions are italicized; deletions are             Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                               provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                       [bracketed])                                            Change
                                               available for website viewing and                         *          *    *       *      *                        1. Purpose
                                               printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                                                                         Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.                                    The Exchange proposes to amend
                                               Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,
                                               Washington, DC 20549, on official                         Rules                                                   Rule 19.3, Criteria for Underlying
                                               business days between the hours of                        *          *    *       *      *                        Securities, to modify the criteria for
                                               10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such                                                                           listing options on an underlying
                                                                                                         Rule 19.3. Criteria for Underlying Securities           security as defined in Section
                                               filing will also be available for
                                               inspection and copying at the principal                      (a) (No change).                                     18(b)(1)(A) of the Securities Act of 1933
                                               office of the Exchange. All comments                         (b) In addition, the Exchange shall from             (hereinafter ‘‘covered security’’ or
                                                                                                         time to time establish standards to be                  ‘‘covered securities’’). This is a
                                               received will be posted without change.                   considered in evaluating potential
                                               Persons submitting comments are                                                                                   competitive filing that is based on a
                                                                                                         underlying securities for BZX Options
                                               cautioned that we do not redact or edit                   options transactions. There are many relevant
                                                                                                                                                                 proposal recently submitted by Nasdaq
                                               personal identifying information from                     factors which must be considered in arriving            PHLX LLC (‘‘Nasdaq Phlx’’) and
                                               comment submissions. You should                           at such a determination, and the fact that a            approved by the Commission.5
                                               submit only information that you wish                     particular security may meet the standards                 In particular, the Exchange proposes
                                               to make available publicly. All                           established by the Exchange does not                    to modify Rule 19.3(b)(5)(A) to permit
                                               submissions should refer to File No.                      necessarily mean that it will be selected as            the listing of an option on an underlying
                                                                                                         an underlying security. The Exchange may                covered security that has a market price
                                               SR–CboeEDGX–2018–011 and should be                        give consideration to maintaining diversity
                                               submitted on or before May 4, 2018.                                                                               of at least $3.00 per share for the
                                                                                                         among various industries and issuers in                 previous three (3) consecutive business
                                                 For the Commission, by the Division of                  selecting underlying securities.
                                                                                                         Notwithstanding the foregoing, an underlying            days preceding the date on which the
                                               Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                                                                                                                                 Exchange submits a certificate to the
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                                               authority.38                                              security will not be selected unless:
                                               Eduardo A. Aleman,                                           (1)–(4) (No change).
                                                                                                                                                                    5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82474
                                                                                                            (5) Either:
                                               Assistant Secretary.                                                                                              (January 9, 2018), 83 FR 2240 (January 16, 2018)
                                               [FR Doc. 2018–07675 Filed 4–12–18; 8:45 am]                   1 15
                                                                                                                                                                 (order approving SR–Phlx–2017–75); see also
                                                                                                                  U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                              Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82828 (March
                                               BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                        2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                 8, 2018), 83 FR 11278 (March 14, 2018) (notice of
                                                                                                             3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                                                                                                                                                 filing and immediate effectiveness of SR–MIAX–
                                                 38 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                                4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).                      2018–06).



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Document Created: 2018-04-13 00:18:28
Document Modified: 2018-04-13 00:18:28
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 16142 

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