83_FR_24646 83 FR 24543 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq ISE, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Schedule of Fees Related to Complex Orders

83 FR 24543 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq ISE, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Schedule of Fees Related to Complex Orders

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 103 (May 29, 2018)

Page Range24543-24547
FR Document2018-11456

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 103 (Tuesday, May 29, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 29, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24543-24547]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11456]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-83306; File No. SR-ISE-2018-46]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq ISE, LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the 
Schedule of Fees Related to Complex Orders

May 23, 2018.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on May 10, 2018, Nasdaq ISE, LLC (``ISE'' or ``Exchange'') filed with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the proposed 
rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been 
prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to 
solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend the Schedule of Fees related to 
Complex Orders traded on the Exchange.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
website at http://ise.cchwallstreet.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 aspects of such 
statements.

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

1. Purpose
    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to amend the Schedule of 
Fees related to Complex Orders traded on the Exchange, including: (1) 
Priority Customer \3\ Complex Order rebates, (2) Market Maker \4\ fees, 
(3) the non-Priority Customer Complex Order taker surcharge, and (4) 
formatting and other non-substantive changes to the tables. Each of the 
proposed changes is described in more detail below.
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    \3\ A ``Priority Customer'' is a person or entity that is not a 
broker/dealer in securities, and does not place more than 390 orders 
in listed options per day on average during a calendar month for its 
own beneficial account(s), as defined in Nasdaq ISE Rule 
100(a)(37A).
    \4\ ``Market Maker'' refers to ``Competitive Market Makers'' and 
``Primary Market Makers'' collectively. See ISE Rule 100(a)(28).
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I. Priority Customer Complex Order Rebates
    Currently, the Exchange has a fee structure in place for Complex 
Orders that provides rebates to Priority Customer Complex Orders in 
order to encourage Members to bring that order flow to the Exchange. 
Specifically, Priority Customer Complex Orders are provided rebates in 
Select Symbols \5\ and Non-Select Symbols \6\ (other than NDX and MNX) 
based on Priority Customer average daily volume (``ADV'') in eight 
tiers as shown in the table below:\7\
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    \5\ ``Select Symbols'' are options overlying all symbols listed 
on the Nasdaq ISE that are in the Penny Pilot Program.
    \6\ ``Non-Select Symbols'' are options overlying all symbols 
excluding Select Symbols.
    \7\ The Priority Customer Complex Order rebates are provided per 
contract per leg if the order trades with non-Priority Customer 
orders in the Complex Order Book or trades with quotes and orders on 
the regular order book.
    The rebate for the highest tier volume achieved is applied 
retroactively to all eligible Priority Customer Complex volume once 
the threshold has been reached.
    Members will not receive rebates for net zero complex orders. 
For purposes of determining which complex orders qualify as ``net 
zero'' the Exchange will count all complex orders that leg in to the 
regular order book and are executed at a net price per contract that 
is within a range of $0.01 credit and $0.01 debit.

[[Page 24544]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Rebate for    Rebate for non-
                                          select symbols  select symbols
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Priority Customer Complex ADV 0-14,999..         ($0.26)         ($0.40)
Priority Customer Complex ADV 15,000-             (0.30)          (0.60)
 44,999.................................
Priority Customer Complex ADV 45,000-             (0.36)          (0.70)
 59,999.................................
Priority Customer Complex ADV 60,000-             (0.41)          (0.75)
 74,999.................................
Priority Customer Complex ADV 75,000-             (0.42)          (0.75)
 99,999.................................
Priority Customer Complex ADV 100,000-            (0.45)          (0.80)
 124,999................................
Priority Customer Complex ADV 125,000-            (0.46)          (0.81)
 224,999................................
Priority Customer Complex ADV 225,000+..          (0.50)          (0.85)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange now proposes to modify this rebate structure such that 
Priority Customer Complex Order rebates will be paid a rebate based on 
a percentage of industry volume rather than straight volume thresholds. 
In addition, the Exchange proposes to move away from a tier calculation 
based solely on Priority Customer Complex ADV to one that includes 
Complex Orders entered for other market participant types, and orders 
entered by affiliates of the Member. Specifically, the Exchange 
proposes to adopt Priority Customer Complex Tiers that are based on 
Total Affiliated Member Complex Order Volume (Excluding Crossing Orders 
and Responses to Crossing Orders) Calculated as a Percentage of 
Customer Total Consolidated Volume. All Complex Order volume executed 
on the Exchange, including volume executed by Affiliated Members, will 
be included in the volume calculation, except for volume executed as 
Crossing Orders and Responses to Crossing Orders. An ``Affiliated 
Member'' is a Member that shares at least 75% common ownership with a 
particular Member as reflected on the Member's Form BD, Schedule A. 
Furthermore, ``Customer Total Consolidated Volume'' means the total 
national volume cleared at The Options Clearing Corporation in the 
Customer range in equity and ETF options in that month.
    As proposed, there will be nine Priority Customer Complex Order 
Tiers based on the percentage of industry volume calculation: 0.000%-
0.200% (Tier 1); above 0.200%-0.400% (Tier 2); above 0.400%-0.600% 
(Tier 3), above 0.600%-0.800% (Tier 4), above 0.800%-1.000% (Tier 5), 
above 1.000%-1.600% (Tier 6), above 1.600%-2.000% (Tier 7), above 
2.000%-3.500% (Tier 8), above 3.500% (Tier 9). Furthermore, the 
associated rebates will be modified such that in Select Symbols the 
proposed rebate will be $0.25 per contract for Tier 1, $0.30 per 
contract for Tier 2, $0.35 per contract for Tier 3, $0.40 per contract 
for Tier 4, $0.45 per contract for Tier 5, $0.46 per contract for Tier 
6, $0.48 per contract for Tier 7, and $0.50 per contract for Tiers 8 
and 9. Furthermore, in Non-Select Symbols the proposed rebate will be 
$0.40 per contract for Tier 1, $0.55 per contract for Tier 2, $0.70 per 
contract for Tier 3, $0.75 per contract for Tier 4, $0.80 per contract 
for Tiers 5-7, and $0.85 per contract for Tiers 8 and 9.
II. Market Maker Fees
    Market Maker Complex Orders in Select Symbols are charged a maker 
fee of $0.47 per contract when trading against Priority Customer 
Complex Orders, and a $0.50 per contract taker fee regardless of the 
counterparty. Currently, each of these fees is reduced to $0.44 per 
contract for Market Makers with total affiliated Priority Customer 
Complex ADV of 150,000 or more contracts.\8\ The Exchange proposes to 
base this fee discount on the proposed Priority Customer Complex Tiers, 
and introduce a second tier of reduced fee for Market Makers that 
achieve a higher Priority Customer Complex Tier. Specifically, the 
Exchange proposes to keep the current $0.44 per contract fee for Market 
Makers Market Makers that achieve Priority Customer Complex Tier 9, and 
charge a fee of $0.47 per contract for Market Makers that achieve 
Priority Customer Complex Tier 8.
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    \8\ All eligible volume from affiliated Members is aggregated in 
determining total affiliated Priority Customer Complex ADV, provided 
there is at least 75% common ownership between the Members as 
reflected on each Member's Form BD, Schedule A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, Market Makers that qualify for the Market Maker Plus 
program are currently charged a fee $0.10 per contract instead of the 
applicable Market Maker Plus rebate when trading against Priority 
Customer Complex Orders that leg into the regular order book. 
Regardless of the counterparty, a $0.10 per contract maker fee also 
applies to Market Makers that do not qualify for Market Maker Plus and 
Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Makers. With the proposed Priority Customer 
Complex Order Tiers described above, which in some cases may result in 
higher rebates being provided to Priority Customer Complex Orders, 
including Complex Orders that leg into the regular order book, the 
Exchange proposes to increase the fee for trading against Priority 
Customer Complex Orders that leg into the regular order book. 
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to increase this fee to $0.15 per 
contract and apply it to all Market Maker Orders and Non-Nasdaq ISE 
Market Maker Orders. Furthermore, there is currently no fee charged or 
rebate provided to Market Maker Orders submitted by Market Makers that 
qualify for Market Maker Plus when trading against non-Priority 
Customer Complex Orders that leg into the regular order book. As 
proposed, this treatment will be afforded to all Market Maker Orders 
when trading against non-Priority Customer Complex Orders that leg into 
the regular order book. The fees for Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Makers for 
trading against non-Priority Customer Complex Orders that leg into the 
regular order book will remain unchanged.
III. Non-Priority Customer Complex Order Taker Surcharge
    Currently, the Exchange assesses a $0.03 per contract surcharge to 
non-Priority Customer Complex Orders in Non-Select Symbols that take 
liquidity from the Complex Order Book, excluding Complex Orders 
executed in the Facilitation Mechanism, Solicited Order Mechanism, 
Price Improvement Mechanism (``PIM'') and ``exposure'' auctions 
pursuant to Rule 722(b)(3)(iii). The Exchange proposes to increase this 
taker surcharge to $0.05 per contract.
IV. Formatting and Other Non-Substantive Changes to the Tables
    With the changes described above, which add additional content to 
the Schedule of Fees, the Exchange proposes to make certain non-
substantive formatting changes that are designed to make the flow of 
the Schedule of Fees easier for Members to understand. None of these 
changes affect the fees charged or rebates provided to members. With 
the proposed changes, the Exchange will

[[Page 24545]]

have three tables located under Section II of the Schedule of Fees 
(Complex Order Fees and Rebates): (1) ``Priority Customer Rebates,'' 
(2) ``Maker and Taker Fees,'' and (3) ``Crossing Order Fees and 
Rebates.''
    The first table, i.e., Priority Customer Rebates, will contain the 
Priority Customer Complex Tiers described above rather than all rebates 
as is currently the case. As such, the Exchange proposes to move the 
column on Facilitation and Solicitation Break-up Rebate for Select 
Symbols to the third table on Crossing Order Fees and Rebates. These 
rebates will continue to be applied in exactly the same manner as 
today. Furthermore, the Exchange proposes to delete references in this 
table to other market participant types, which are not eligible for 
rebates in Complex Orders other than the Facilitation and Solicitation 
Break-up Rebate in Select Symbols described above. The second table, 
i.e., Maker and Taker Fees, will include both the maker fees described 
there today as well as the taker fees that are currently included in 
the following table. As such, the Exchange proposes to move the columns 
that describe the taker fee for Select Symbols and the taker fee for 
Non-Select Symbols to this table. No changes to these taker fees are 
proposed. Finally, the third table, i.e., Crossing Order Fees and 
Rebates, will include only fees and rebates that relate to the 
Exchange's various crossing mechanisms. The fees and rebates moved to 
and from this table are described above.
    Finally, the footnote referenced in the column on Facilitation and 
Solicitation Break-up Rebates for Select Symbols contains an outdated 
reference to the PIM. Specifically, the footnote provides that rebates 
are provided per contract per leg for contracts that are submitted to 
PIM, Facilitation and Solicitation Mechanisms . . .'' As indicated in 
the header to the column, these break-up rebates apply to the 
Facilitation and Solicitation Mechanisms only. The language related to 
the PIM was included in the Schedule of Fees when the Exchange offered 
a break-up rebate for the PIM. When the Exchange eliminated PIM break-
up rebates, the Exchange deleted the column that included those rebates 
but did not remove the related reference in this footnote.\9\ The 
Exchange therefore proposes to update this footnote now by deleting the 
PIM reference, which is no longer applicable.
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    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80684 (May 16, 
2017), 82 FR 23435 (May 22, 2017) (SR-ISE-2017-39).
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2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\10\ in general, and furthers the objectives of 
Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,\11\ in particular, in that it 
provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and 
other charges among members and issuers and other persons using any 
facility, and is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between 
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
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    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
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I. Priority Customer Complex Order Rebates
    The Exchange believes that the proposed changes to the Priority 
Customer Complex Order Tiers are reasonable and equitable as these 
changes are designed to incentivize Members to trade Complex Orders, 
and, in particular Priority Customer Complex Orders, on the Exchange. 
The Exchange is proposing to base Priority Customer Complex Order Tiers 
on a percentage of industry volume in recognition of the fact that the 
volume executed by a Member may rise or fall with industry volume. A 
percentage of industry volume calculation allows the Exchange's tiers 
to be calibrated to current market volumes rather than requiring the 
same amount of volume regardless of market conditions. While the amount 
of volume required by the proposed tiers may change in any given month 
due to increases or decreases in industry volume, the Exchange believes 
that the proposed tier requirements are set at a level that roughly 
corresponds to the current ADV requirements for Priority Customer 
Complex Tiers. The Exchange is also proposing to include additional 
types of Complex Order volume in the tier calculation. Although the 
current tier structure counts solely Priority Customer Complex ADV, the 
proposed structure would allow Members to qualify for higher tier based 
on all Complex Order volume except for Crossing Orders and Responses to 
Crossing Orders. The Exchange believes that increasing the volume 
counted for purposes of calculating tiers will encourage Members to 
bring different types of Complex Order volume to the Exchange (i.e., to 
qualify for a higher tier), while continuing to incentivize Members to 
bring Priority Customer Complex Orders specifically to earn the 
associated rebates. Crossing Orders and Responses to Crossing Orders 
will be excluded from the proposed tier calculation as this type of 
order flow is subject to separate pricing, with various incentives for 
Members that trade in the Exchange's crossing mechanisms.
    In addition, the Exchange believes that the proposed changes are 
equitable and not unfairly discriminatory as these changes are designed 
to bring more order flow, and in particular, Priority Customer Complex 
Orders, to the Exchange. The Exchange does not believe that it is 
unfairly discriminatory provide rebates only to Priority Customer 
Complex Orders as this is the order flow that the Exchange is seeking 
to incentivize. A Priority Customer is by definition not a broker or 
dealer in securities, and does not place more than 390 orders in listed 
options per day on average during a calendar month for its own 
beneficial account(s). This limitation does not apply to participants 
whose behavior is substantially similar to that of market 
professionals, including Professional Customers, who will generally 
submit a higher number of orders than Priority Customers. The Exchange 
currently has Priority Customer Complex Order Tiers in place to 
incentivize that order flow, and is simply modifying those tiers in a 
way that the Exchange believes will increase participation in Complex 
Orders. The Exchange believes that the proposed changes to the Priority 
Customer Complex Tiers will benefit all market participants that trade 
on the Exchange by increasing their opportunities to trade.
    Furthermore, the Exchange believes that its proposed definitions of 
``Affiliated Member'' and ``Customer Total Consolidated Volume'' are 
reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly discriminatory as these 
definitions clarify terms that the Exchange is using to describe its 
Priority Customer Complex Tiers. The proposed definitions are 
consistent with definitions adopted for these concepts on the 
Exchange's affiliated exchanges, Nasdaq MRX, LLC (``MRX'') and Nasdaq 
GEMX, LLC (``GEMX'') respectively.\12\ Furthermore, with respect to the 
definition of ``Affiliated Member'' in particular the Exchange is 
adopting a definition that is consistent with the Exchange's current 
practice of aggregating volume from Members that share at least 75% 
common ownership.
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    \12\ See MRX Schedule of Fees, Preface; GEMX Schedule of Fees, 
I. Regular Order Fees and Rebates, Qualifying Tier Thresholds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Market Maker Fees
    The Exchange believes the proposed changes to the Market Maker 
Complex Order fees in Select Symbols are reasonable and equitable as 
the

[[Page 24546]]

proposed fees replace a fee that was previously tied to the Priority 
Customer Complex ADV with a new fees based on the proposed Priority 
Customer Complex Tiers. Furthermore, the Exchange believes that it is 
reasonable and equitable to provide a differentiated fee based on 
whether the Market Maker achieves Priority Customer Complex Tier 8 or 
9. With the proposed changes, Market Makers that achieve Priority 
Customer Complex Tier 9 will pay the same fee as would be applicable 
today based on achieving the required total affiliated Priority 
Customer ADV, while Market Makers that achieve Priority Customer 
Complex Tier 8 will pay a slightly higher fee that is nonetheless 
discounted compared to the fees applicable to Market Makers that do not 
achieve these tiers. The Exchange believes that this two tiered 
structure will encourage firms to reach for the highest tier of the 
under Priority Customer Complex Order rebate program, while nonetheless 
incentivizing firms that do not have sufficient volume to reach that 
tier to work towards the second highest tier introduced under that 
program.
    Furthermore, the Exchange believes that the proposed changes to 
Market Maker Complex Order fees are equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory the changes apply equally to all Market Maker Complex 
Orders based on achieving the required Priority Customer Complex Tier. 
As is the case today, the Exchange will continue to charge lower fees 
to Market Makers that execute, through their affiliates, a significant 
volume of Priority Customer Complex Orders, as this will incentivize 
members to bring order flow to the Exchange, creating additional 
liquidity in Complex Orders to the benefit of all Members. The Exchange 
does not believe that it is unfairly discriminatory only to provide 
these lower fees to Market Maker Orders as Market Makers are subject to 
additional requirements and obligations (such as quoting requirements) 
that other market participants are not.
    The Exchange also believes that that it is reasonable and equitable 
to increase the maker fee charged to Market Makers and Non-Nasdaq ISE 
Market Makers that provide liquidity to Priority Customer Complex 
Orders that leg into the regular order book. Today, Market Makers that 
do not qualify for Market Maker Plus and Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Makers 
pay a small fee for providing liquidity in Select Symbols. In addition, 
Market Makers that qualify for Market Maker Plus and would typically be 
eligible for a maker rebate are instead charged a maker fee when 
trading against Priority Customer Complex Orders that leg into the 
regular order book. At the same time, the Exchange pays high rebates to 
Priority Customer Complex Orders, including when those Complex Orders 
leg into the regular order book. In some cases these rebates may be 
increased with the proposed changes described above to the Priority 
Customer Complex Order Tiers. The Exchange believes that it is 
reasonable and equitable to increase the fees charged for all Market 
Maker and Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Maker Orders that provide liquidity to 
Priority Customer Complex Orders that leg into the regular market as 
this will help offset potentially significant rebates paid on the other 
side of these trades. In this regard, the proposed fee increase would 
decrease but not completely eliminate the negative economics associated 
with these trades as the Exchange pays out significantly more in rebate 
opportunity for Priority Customer Complex Orders than it receives from 
other side of the trade when those orders leg into the regular order 
book. Furthermore, the Exchange believes that it is reasonable and 
equitable to reduce fees for all Market Maker Orders trading against 
non-Priority Customer Complex Orders that leg into the regular order 
book. Currently, this benefit is provided only to Market Makers that 
achieve Market Maker Plus status. The Exchange believes, however, that 
it is appropriate to extend this benefit to all Market Maker Orders as 
an additional incentive for Market Makers that have an obligation to 
maintain quotes and provide liquidity in the regular market rather than 
only those Market Makers that meet the heightened requirements of 
Market Maker Plus. Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Makers who have no obligations 
to provide liquidity will not be eligible for this incentive.
    Furthermore, the Exchange believes that the proposed changes to 
these fees for Market Maker and Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Maker Orders are 
equitable and not unfairly discriminatory as they are designed to 
reduce the negative economics associated with Priority Customer Complex 
Orders that leg into the regular order book. The proposed fees will 
apply equally to all Market Makers and Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Makers. 
The Exchange pays significant rebates to that Priority Customer Complex 
Orders, including when those orders leg into the regular order book 
where they may trade with Market Makers and Non-Nasdaq ISE Market 
Makers providing liquidity in the regular market. The Exchange does not 
believe it is unfairly discriminatory to charge increased maker fees 
only to Market Maker and Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Maker Orders as these 
market participants are typically the ones providing liquidity and 
trading with Priority Customer Complex Orders that leg into the regular 
order book.
III. Non-Priority Customer Complex Order Taker Surcharge
    The Exchange believes that the proposed increase the taker 
surcharge for non-Priority Customer Complex Orders in Non-Select 
Symbols that take liquidity from the complex order book is reasonable 
and equitable. The proposed fees are modestly increased and the 
Exchange believes that such fees will remain attractive to market 
participants, who will continue to be charged lower fees for adding 
liquidity to the complex order book than for removing liquidity, and 
who may be granted additional opportunities to trade by virtue of the 
incentives being granted to attract Priority Customer Complex Orders to 
the Exchange. Furthermore, the Exchange believes that the proposed 
change is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory as it applies to 
all non-Priority Customer Complex Orders that take liquidity in Non-
Select Symbols.
IV. Formatting and Other Non-Substantive Changes to the Tables
    The Exchange believes that the proposed formatting changes to the 
tables are reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly discriminatory. As 
explained in the purpose section of this filing, these changes are 
entirely cosmetic and merely move around columns in various tables so 
that these are grouped in a manner that the Exchange believes will be 
easier for Members to follow. The Exchange hopes that these changes 
will increase the readability of the Schedule of Fees by grouping fees 
and rebates for Complex Orders under three headings--i.e., Priority 
Customer Rebates, Maker and Taker Fees, and Crossing Order Fees and 
Rebates. None of the proposed formatting changes impact the fees 
charged or rebates provided to Members. Furthermore, the Exchange 
believes that it is reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly 
discriminatory to remove the outdated reference to the PIM in the 
Facilitation and Solicitation break-up rebate footnote. As explained in 
the purpose section of this proposed rule change, the Exchange does not 
have break-up rebates for the PIM. Although the column correctly refers 
to Facilitation and Solicitation break-up rebates, the PIM reference 
was inadvertently left in the footnote at the time the Exchange filed 
to remove those

[[Page 24547]]

rebates. The proposed change corrects this reference.

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange believes that the 
proposed changes will enhance both intermarket and intramarket 
competition by amending various fees and rebates related to the trading 
of Complex Orders on the Exchange. The Exchange believes that the 
proposed fees and rebates remain competitive with those on other 
options markets, and will continue to attract order flow to the 
Exchange, thereby encouraging additional volume and liquidity to the 
benefit of all market participants. The Exchange operates in a highly 
competitive market in which market participants can readily direct 
their order flow to competing venues. In such an environment, the 
Exchange must continually review, and consider adjusting, its fees and 
rebates to remain competitive with other exchanges. For the reasons 
described above, the Exchange believes that the proposed fee changes 
reflect this competitive environment.

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

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act,\13\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) \14\ thereunder. 
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
    \14\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Solicitation of Comments

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

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-ISE-2018-46 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-ISE-2018-46. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's internet website (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). 
Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written 
statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with 
the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed 
rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those 
that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions 
of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for website viewing and printing in 
the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 
20549, on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 
3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection 
and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments 
received will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are 
cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying 
information from comment submissions. You should submit only 
information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions 
should refer to File Number SR-ISE-2018-46 and should be submitted on 
or before June 19, 2018.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-11456 Filed 5-25-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 103 / Tuesday, May 29, 2018 / Notices                                                       24543

                                               change is consistent with the Act.                         For the Commission, by the Division of             Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                               Comments may be submitted by any of                     Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated            forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                                                                       authority.16                                          the most significant aspects of such
                                               the following methods:
                                                                                                       Jill M. Peterson,                                     statements.
                                               Electronic Comments                                     Assistant Secretary.
                                                                                                       [FR Doc. 2018–11356 Filed 5–25–18; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                             A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                 • Use the Commission’s internet                                                                             Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                       BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                               comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                                                                             Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                               rules/sro.shtml); or                                                                                          Change
                                                 • Send an email to rule-comments@                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               1. Purpose
                                               sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                 COMMISSION
                                               CboeBZX–2018–034 on the subject line.                                                                           The purpose of the proposed rule
                                                                                                       [Release No. 34–83306; File No. SR–ISE–               change is to amend the Schedule of Fees
                                               Paper Comments                                          2018–46]
                                                                                                                                                             related to Complex Orders traded on the
                                                                                                                                                             Exchange, including: (1) Priority
                                                 • Send paper comments in triplicate                   Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq
                                                                                                                                                             Customer 3 Complex Order rebates, (2)
                                               to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                   ISE, LLC; Notice of Filing and
                                                                                                       Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed                   Market Maker 4 fees, (3) the non-Priority
                                               Commission, 100 F Street NE,                                                                                  Customer Complex Order taker
                                               Washington, DC 20549–1090.                              Rule Change To Amend the Schedule
                                                                                                       of Fees Related to Complex Orders                     surcharge, and (4) formatting and other
                                               All submissions should refer to File                                                                          non-substantive changes to the tables.
                                                                                                       May 23, 2018.                                         Each of the proposed changes is
                                               Number SR–CboeBZX–2018–034. This
                                               file number should be included on the                      Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                described in more detail below.
                                                                                                       Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                               subject line if email is used. To help the                                                                    I. Priority Customer Complex Order
                                                                                                       (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                               Commission process and review your                                                                            Rebates
                                                                                                       notice is hereby given that on May 10,
                                               comments more efficiently, please use                   2018, Nasdaq ISE, LLC (‘‘ISE’’ or
                                               only one method. The Commission will                                                                             Currently, the Exchange has a fee
                                                                                                       ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities               structure in place for Complex Orders
                                               post all comments on the Commission’s                   and Exchange Commission                               that provides rebates to Priority
                                               internet website (http://www.sec.gov/                   (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                    Customer Complex Orders in order to
                                               rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                         change as described in Items I and II                 encourage Members to bring that order
                                               submission, all subsequent                              below, which Items have been prepared                 flow to the Exchange. Specifically,
                                               amendments, all written statements                      by the Exchange. The Commission is                    Priority Customer Complex Orders are
                                               with respect to the proposed rule                       publishing this notice to solicit                     provided rebates in Select Symbols 5
                                               change that are filed with the                          comments on the proposed rule change                  and Non-Select Symbols 6 (other than
                                               Commission, and all written                             from interested persons.                              NDX and MNX) based on Priority
                                               communications relating to the                          I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     Customer average daily volume
                                               proposed rule change between the                        Statement of the Terms of Substance of                (‘‘ADV’’) in eight tiers as shown in the
                                               Commission and any person, other than                   the Proposed Rule Change                              table below:7
                                               those that may be withheld from the
                                                                                                          The Exchange proposes to amend the
                                               public in accordance with the                                                                                    3 A ‘‘Priority Customer’’ is a person or entity that
                                                                                                       Schedule of Fees related to Complex
                                               provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                                                                           is not a broker/dealer in securities, and does not
                                                                                                       Orders traded on the Exchange.                        place more than 390 orders in listed options per day
                                               available for website viewing and                          The text of the proposed rule change               on average during a calendar month for its own
                                               printing in the Commission’s Public                     is available on the Exchange’s website at             beneficial account(s), as defined in Nasdaq ISE Rule
                                               Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,                        http://ise.cchwallstreet.com/, at the                 100(a)(37A).
                                                                                                                                                                4 ‘‘Market Maker’’ refers to ‘‘Competitive Market
                                               Washington, DC 20549 on official                        principal office of the Exchange, and at              Makers’’ and ‘‘Primary Market Makers’’ collectively.
                                               business days between the hours of                      the Commission’s Public Reference                     See ISE Rule 100(a)(28).
                                               10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                  Room.                                                    5 ‘‘Select Symbols’’ are options overlying all

                                               filing also will be available for                                                                             symbols listed on the Nasdaq ISE that are in the
                                                                                                       II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                    Penny Pilot Program.
                                               inspection and copying at the principal
                                                                                                       Statement of the Purpose of, and                         6 ‘‘Non-Select Symbols’’ are options overlying all
                                               office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                                                                       Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                symbols excluding Select Symbols.
                                               received will be posted without change.                 Change                                                   7 The Priority Customer Complex Order rebates

                                               Persons submitting comments are                                                                               are provided per contract per leg if the order trades
                                               cautioned that we do not redact or edit                    In its filing with the Commission, the             with non-Priority Customer orders in the Complex
                                               personal identifying information from                   Exchange included statements                          Order Book or trades with quotes and orders on the
                                                                                                       concerning the purpose of and basis for               regular order book.
                                               comment submissions. You should                                                                                  The rebate for the highest tier volume achieved
                                                                                                       the proposed rule change and discussed
                                               submit only information that you wish                                                                         is applied retroactively to all eligible Priority
                                                                                                       any comments it received on the                       Customer Complex volume once the threshold has
                                               to make available publicly. All
                                                                                                       proposed rule change. The text of these               been reached.
                                               submissions should refer to File
                                                                                                       statements may be examined at the                        Members will not receive rebates for net zero
                                               Number SR–CboeBZX–2018–034, and                         places specified in Item IV below. The                complex orders. For purposes of determining which
                                               should be submitted on or before June                                                                         complex orders qualify as ‘‘net zero’’ the Exchange
                                               19, 2018.                                                                                                     will count all complex orders that leg in to the
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                                                                                                         16 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                          regular order book and are executed at a net price
                                                                                                         1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                              per contract that is within a range of $0.01 credit
                                                                                                         2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                 and $0.01 debit.




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                                               24544                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 103 / Tuesday, May 29, 2018 / Notices

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Rebate for     Rebate for
                                                                                                                                                                                                                select       non-select
                                                                                                                                                                                                               symbols        symbols

                                               Priority   Customer   Complex   ADV   0–14,999 .............................................................................................................        ($0.26)        ($0.40)
                                               Priority   Customer   Complex   ADV   15,000–44,999 ....................................................................................................             (0.30)         (0.60)
                                               Priority   Customer   Complex   ADV   45,000–59,999 ....................................................................................................             (0.36)         (0.70)
                                               Priority   Customer   Complex   ADV   60,000–74,999 ....................................................................................................             (0.41)         (0.75)
                                               Priority   Customer   Complex   ADV   75,000–99,999 ....................................................................................................             (0.42)         (0.75)
                                               Priority   Customer   Complex   ADV   100,000–124,999 ................................................................................................               (0.45)         (0.80)
                                               Priority   Customer   Complex   ADV   125,000–224,999 ................................................................................................               (0.46)         (0.81)
                                               Priority   Customer   Complex   ADV   225,000+ .............................................................................................................         (0.50)         (0.85)



                                                  The Exchange now proposes to                               contract for Tier 7, and $0.50 per                                         Customer Complex Orders, including
                                               modify this rebate structure such that                        contract for Tiers 8 and 9. Furthermore,                                   Complex Orders that leg into the regular
                                               Priority Customer Complex Order                               in Non-Select Symbols the proposed                                         order book, the Exchange proposes to
                                               rebates will be paid a rebate based on                        rebate will be $0.40 per contract for Tier                                 increase the fee for trading against
                                               a percentage of industry volume rather                        1, $0.55 per contract for Tier 2, $0.70                                    Priority Customer Complex Orders that
                                               than straight volume thresholds. In                           per contract for Tier 3, $0.75 per                                         leg into the regular order book.
                                               addition, the Exchange proposes to                            contract for Tier 4, $0.80 per contract for                                Specifically, the Exchange proposes to
                                               move away from a tier calculation based                       Tiers 5–7, and $0.85 per contract for                                      increase this fee to $0.15 per contract
                                               solely on Priority Customer Complex                           Tiers 8 and 9.                                                             and apply it to all Market Maker Orders
                                               ADV to one that includes Complex                                                                                                         and Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Maker
                                                                                                             II. Market Maker Fees
                                               Orders entered for other market                                                                                                          Orders. Furthermore, there is currently
                                               participant types, and orders entered by                         Market Maker Complex Orders in                                          no fee charged or rebate provided to
                                               affiliates of the Member. Specifically,                       Select Symbols are charged a maker fee                                     Market Maker Orders submitted by
                                               the Exchange proposes to adopt Priority                       of $0.47 per contract when trading                                         Market Makers that qualify for Market
                                               Customer Complex Tiers that are based                         against Priority Customer Complex                                          Maker Plus when trading against non-
                                               on Total Affiliated Member Complex                            Orders, and a $0.50 per contract taker                                     Priority Customer Complex Orders that
                                               Order Volume (Excluding Crossing                              fee regardless of the counterparty.                                        leg into the regular order book. As
                                               Orders and Responses to Crossing                              Currently, each of these fees is reduced                                   proposed, this treatment will be
                                               Orders) Calculated as a Percentage of                         to $0.44 per contract for Market Makers                                    afforded to all Market Maker Orders
                                               Customer Total Consolidated Volume.                           with total affiliated Priority Customer                                    when trading against non-Priority
                                               All Complex Order volume executed on                          Complex ADV of 150,000 or more                                             Customer Complex Orders that leg into
                                               the Exchange, including volume                                contracts.8 The Exchange proposes to                                       the regular order book. The fees for Non-
                                               executed by Affiliated Members, will be                       base this fee discount on the proposed                                     Nasdaq ISE Market Makers for trading
                                               included in the volume calculation,                           Priority Customer Complex Tiers, and                                       against non-Priority Customer Complex
                                               except for volume executed as Crossing                        introduce a second tier of reduced fee                                     Orders that leg into the regular order
                                               Orders and Responses to Crossing                              for Market Makers that achieve a higher                                    book will remain unchanged.
                                               Orders. An ‘‘Affiliated Member’’ is a                         Priority Customer Complex Tier.
                                                                                                             Specifically, the Exchange proposes to                                     III. Non-Priority Customer Complex
                                               Member that shares at least 75%
                                                                                                             keep the current $0.44 per contract fee                                    Order Taker Surcharge
                                               common ownership with a particular
                                               Member as reflected on the Member’s                           for Market Makers Market Makers that                                          Currently, the Exchange assesses a
                                               Form BD, Schedule A. Furthermore,                             achieve Priority Customer Complex Tier                                     $0.03 per contract surcharge to non-
                                               ‘‘Customer Total Consolidated Volume’’                        9, and charge a fee of $0.47 per contract                                  Priority Customer Complex Orders in
                                               means the total national volume cleared                       for Market Makers that achieve Priority                                    Non-Select Symbols that take liquidity
                                               at The Options Clearing Corporation in                        Customer Complex Tier 8.                                                   from the Complex Order Book,
                                               the Customer range in equity and ETF                             In addition, Market Makers that                                         excluding Complex Orders executed in
                                               options in that month.                                        qualify for the Market Maker Plus                                          the Facilitation Mechanism, Solicited
                                                  As proposed, there will be nine                            program are currently charged a fee                                        Order Mechanism, Price Improvement
                                               Priority Customer Complex Order Tiers                         $0.10 per contract instead of the                                          Mechanism (‘‘PIM’’) and ‘‘exposure’’
                                               based on the percentage of industry                           applicable Market Maker Plus rebate                                        auctions pursuant to Rule 722(b)(3)(iii).
                                               volume calculation: 0.000%–0.200%                             when trading against Priority Customer                                     The Exchange proposes to increase this
                                               (Tier 1); above 0.200%–0.400% (Tier 2);                       Complex Orders that leg into the regular                                   taker surcharge to $0.05 per contract.
                                               above 0.400%–0.600% (Tier 3), above                           order book. Regardless of the
                                                                                                             counterparty, a $0.10 per contract maker                                   IV. Formatting and Other Non-
                                               0.600%–0.800% (Tier 4), above
                                                                                                             fee also applies to Market Makers that                                     Substantive Changes to the Tables
                                               0.800%–1.000% (Tier 5), above
                                               1.000%–1.600% (Tier 6), above                                 do not qualify for Market Maker Plus                                          With the changes described above,
                                               1.600%–2.000% (Tier 7), above                                 and Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Makers.                                          which add additional content to the
                                               2.000%–3.500% (Tier 8), above 3.500%                          With the proposed Priority Customer                                        Schedule of Fees, the Exchange
                                               (Tier 9). Furthermore, the associated                         Complex Order Tiers described above,                                       proposes to make certain non-
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                                               rebates will be modified such that in                         which in some cases may result in                                          substantive formatting changes that are
                                               Select Symbols the proposed rebate will                       higher rebates being provided to Priority                                  designed to make the flow of the
                                               be $0.25 per contract for Tier 1, $0.30                                                                                                  Schedule of Fees easier for Members to
                                                                                                               8 All eligible volume from affiliated Members is
                                               per contract for Tier 2, $0.35 per                                                                                                       understand. None of these changes
                                                                                                             aggregated in determining total affiliated Priority
                                               contract for Tier 3, $0.40 per contract for                   Customer Complex ADV, provided there is at least
                                                                                                                                                                                        affect the fees charged or rebates
                                               Tier 4, $0.45 per contract for Tier 5,                        75% common ownership between the Members as                                provided to members. With the
                                               $0.46 per contract for Tier 6, $0.48 per                      reflected on each Member’s Form BD, Schedule A.                            proposed changes, the Exchange will


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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 103 / Tuesday, May 29, 2018 / Notices                                                 24545

                                               have three tables located under Section                 2. Statutory Basis                                    subject to separate pricing, with various
                                               II of the Schedule of Fees (Complex                        The Exchange believes that its                     incentives for Members that trade in the
                                               Order Fees and Rebates): (1) ‘‘Priority                 proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)              Exchange’s crossing mechanisms.
                                               Customer Rebates,’’ (2) ‘‘Maker and                                                                              In addition, the Exchange believes
                                                                                                       of the Act,10 in general, and furthers the
                                               Taker Fees,’’ and (3) ‘‘Crossing Order                                                                        that the proposed changes are equitable
                                                                                                       objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5)
                                               Fees and Rebates.’’                                                                                           and not unfairly discriminatory as these
                                                                                                       of the Act,11 in particular, in that it
                                                  The first table, i.e., Priority Customer                                                                   changes are designed to bring more
                                                                                                       provides for the equitable allocation of
                                               Rebates, will contain the Priority                                                                            order flow, and in particular, Priority
                                                                                                       reasonable dues, fees, and other charges
                                               Customer Complex Tiers described                                                                              Customer Complex Orders, to the
                                                                                                       among members and issuers and other
                                               above rather than all rebates as is                                                                           Exchange. The Exchange does not
                                                                                                       persons using any facility, and is not
                                               currently the case. As such, the                                                                              believe that it is unfairly discriminatory
                                                                                                       designed to permit unfair
                                               Exchange proposes to move the column                                                                          provide rebates only to Priority
                                                                                                       discrimination between customers,
                                               on Facilitation and Solicitation Break-                                                                       Customer Complex Orders as this is the
                                                                                                       issuers, brokers, or dealers.
                                               up Rebate for Select Symbols to the                                                                           order flow that the Exchange is seeking
                                               third table on Crossing Order Fees and                  I. Priority Customer Complex Order                    to incentivize. A Priority Customer is by
                                               Rebates. These rebates will continue to                 Rebates                                               definition not a broker or dealer in
                                               be applied in exactly the same manner                      The Exchange believes that the                     securities, and does not place more than
                                               as today. Furthermore, the Exchange                     proposed changes to the Priority                      390 orders in listed options per day on
                                               proposes to delete references in this                   Customer Complex Order Tiers are                      average during a calendar month for its
                                               table to other market participant types,                reasonable and equitable as these                     own beneficial account(s). This
                                               which are not eligible for rebates in                   changes are designed to incentivize                   limitation does not apply to participants
                                               Complex Orders other than the                           Members to trade Complex Orders, and,                 whose behavior is substantially similar
                                               Facilitation and Solicitation Break-up                  in particular Priority Customer Complex               to that of market professionals,
                                               Rebate in Select Symbols described                      Orders, on the Exchange. The Exchange                 including Professional Customers, who
                                               above. The second table, i.e., Maker and                is proposing to base Priority Customer                will generally submit a higher number
                                               Taker Fees, will include both the maker                 Complex Order Tiers on a percentage of                of orders than Priority Customers. The
                                               fees described there today as well as the               industry volume in recognition of the                 Exchange currently has Priority
                                               taker fees that are currently included in               fact that the volume executed by a                    Customer Complex Order Tiers in place
                                               the following table. As such, the                       Member may rise or fall with industry                 to incentivize that order flow, and is
                                               Exchange proposes to move the columns                   volume. A percentage of industry                      simply modifying those tiers in a way
                                               that describe the taker fee for Select                  volume calculation allows the                         that the Exchange believes will increase
                                               Symbols and the taker fee for Non-                      Exchange’s tiers to be calibrated to                  participation in Complex Orders. The
                                               Select Symbols to this table. No changes                current market volumes rather than                    Exchange believes that the proposed
                                               to these taker fees are proposed. Finally,              requiring the same amount of volume                   changes to the Priority Customer
                                               the third table, i.e., Crossing Order Fees              regardless of market conditions. While                Complex Tiers will benefit all market
                                               and Rebates, will include only fees and                 the amount of volume required by the                  participants that trade on the Exchange
                                               rebates that relate to the Exchange’s                   proposed tiers may change in any given                by increasing their opportunities to
                                               various crossing mechanisms. The fees                   month due to increases or decreases in                trade.
                                               and rebates moved to and from this                                                                               Furthermore, the Exchange believes
                                                                                                       industry volume, the Exchange believes
                                               table are described above.                                                                                    that its proposed definitions of
                                                                                                       that the proposed tier requirements are
                                                                                                                                                             ‘‘Affiliated Member’’ and ‘‘Customer
                                                  Finally, the footnote referenced in the              set at a level that roughly corresponds
                                                                                                                                                             Total Consolidated Volume’’ are
                                               column on Facilitation and Solicitation                 to the current ADV requirements for
                                                                                                                                                             reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly
                                               Break-up Rebates for Select Symbols                     Priority Customer Complex Tiers. The
                                                                                                                                                             discriminatory as these definitions
                                               contains an outdated reference to the                   Exchange is also proposing to include
                                                                                                                                                             clarify terms that the Exchange is using
                                               PIM. Specifically, the footnote provides                additional types of Complex Order
                                                                                                                                                             to describe its Priority Customer
                                               that rebates are provided per contract                  volume in the tier calculation. Although
                                                                                                                                                             Complex Tiers. The proposed
                                               per leg for contracts that are submitted                the current tier structure counts solely
                                                                                                                                                             definitions are consistent with
                                               to PIM, Facilitation and Solicitation                   Priority Customer Complex ADV, the
                                                                                                                                                             definitions adopted for these concepts
                                               Mechanisms . . .’’ As indicated in the                  proposed structure would allow
                                                                                                                                                             on the Exchange’s affiliated exchanges,
                                               header to the column, these break-up                    Members to qualify for higher tier based
                                                                                                                                                             Nasdaq MRX, LLC (‘‘MRX’’) and Nasdaq
                                               rebates apply to the Facilitation and                   on all Complex Order volume except for
                                                                                                                                                             GEMX, LLC (‘‘GEMX’’) respectively.12
                                               Solicitation Mechanisms only. The                       Crossing Orders and Responses to
                                                                                                                                                             Furthermore, with respect to the
                                               language related to the PIM was                         Crossing Orders. The Exchange believes
                                                                                                                                                             definition of ‘‘Affiliated Member’’ in
                                               included in the Schedule of Fees when                   that increasing the volume counted for
                                                                                                                                                             particular the Exchange is adopting a
                                               the Exchange offered a break-up rebate                  purposes of calculating tiers will
                                                                                                                                                             definition that is consistent with the
                                               for the PIM. When the Exchange                          encourage Members to bring different
                                                                                                                                                             Exchange’s current practice of
                                               eliminated PIM break-up rebates, the                    types of Complex Order volume to the
                                                                                                                                                             aggregating volume from Members that
                                               Exchange deleted the column that                        Exchange (i.e., to qualify for a higher
                                                                                                                                                             share at least 75% common ownership.
                                               included those rebates but did not                      tier), while continuing to incentivize
                                               remove the related reference in this                    Members to bring Priority Customer                    II. Market Maker Fees
                                               footnote.9 The Exchange therefore                       Complex Orders specifically to earn the                  The Exchange believes the proposed
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                               proposes to update this footnote now by                 associated rebates. Crossing Orders and               changes to the Market Maker Complex
                                               deleting the PIM reference, which is no                 Responses to Crossing Orders will be                  Order fees in Select Symbols are
                                               longer applicable.                                      excluded from the proposed tier                       reasonable and equitable as the
                                                                                                       calculation as this type of order flow is
                                                 9 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80684                                                               12 See MRX Schedule of Fees, Preface; GEMX
                                                                                                        10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                               (May 16, 2017), 82 FR 23435 (May 22, 2017) (SR–                                                               Schedule of Fees, I. Regular Order Fees and
                                               ISE–2017–39).                                            11 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).                      Rebates, Qualifying Tier Thresholds.



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                                               24546                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 103 / Tuesday, May 29, 2018 / Notices

                                               proposed fees replace a fee that was                    Customer Complex Orders that leg into                 Market Maker and Non-Nasdaq ISE
                                               previously tied to the Priority Customer                the regular order book. At the same                   Market Maker Orders as these market
                                               Complex ADV with a new fees based on                    time, the Exchange pays high rebates to               participants are typically the ones
                                               the proposed Priority Customer                          Priority Customer Complex Orders,                     providing liquidity and trading with
                                               Complex Tiers. Furthermore, the                         including when those Complex Orders                   Priority Customer Complex Orders that
                                               Exchange believes that it is reasonable                 leg into the regular order book. In some              leg into the regular order book.
                                               and equitable to provide a differentiated               cases these rebates may be increased
                                               fee based on whether the Market Maker                                                                         III. Non-Priority Customer Complex
                                                                                                       with the proposed changes described
                                               achieves Priority Customer Complex                                                                            Order Taker Surcharge
                                                                                                       above to the Priority Customer Complex
                                               Tier 8 or 9. With the proposed changes,                 Order Tiers. The Exchange believes that                  The Exchange believes that the
                                               Market Makers that achieve Priority                     it is reasonable and equitable to increase            proposed increase the taker surcharge
                                               Customer Complex Tier 9 will pay the                    the fees charged for all Market Maker                 for non-Priority Customer Complex
                                               same fee as would be applicable today                   and Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Maker                       Orders in Non-Select Symbols that take
                                               based on achieving the required total                   Orders that provide liquidity to Priority             liquidity from the complex order book
                                               affiliated Priority Customer ADV, while                 Customer Complex Orders that leg into                 is reasonable and equitable. The
                                               Market Makers that achieve Priority                     the regular market as this will help                  proposed fees are modestly increased
                                               Customer Complex Tier 8 will pay a                      offset potentially significant rebates                and the Exchange believes that such fees
                                               slightly higher fee that is nonetheless                 paid on the other side of these trades.               will remain attractive to market
                                               discounted compared to the fees                         In this regard, the proposed fee increase             participants, who will continue to be
                                               applicable to Market Makers that do not                 would decrease but not completely                     charged lower fees for adding liquidity
                                               achieve these tiers. The Exchange                       eliminate the negative economics                      to the complex order book than for
                                               believes that this two tiered structure                 associated with these trades as the                   removing liquidity, and who may be
                                               will encourage firms to reach for the                   Exchange pays out significantly more in               granted additional opportunities to
                                               highest tier of the under Priority                      rebate opportunity for Priority Customer              trade by virtue of the incentives being
                                               Customer Complex Order rebate                           Complex Orders than it receives from                  granted to attract Priority Customer
                                               program, while nonetheless                              other side of the trade when those                    Complex Orders to the Exchange.
                                               incentivizing firms that do not have                    orders leg into the regular order book.               Furthermore, the Exchange believes that
                                               sufficient volume to reach that tier to                 Furthermore, the Exchange believes that               the proposed change is equitable and
                                               work towards the second highest tier                    it is reasonable and equitable to reduce              not unfairly discriminatory as it applies
                                               introduced under that program.                          fees for all Market Maker Orders trading              to all non-Priority Customer Complex
                                                  Furthermore, the Exchange believes                   against non-Priority Customer Complex                 Orders that take liquidity in Non-Select
                                               that the proposed changes to Market                     Orders that leg into the regular order                Symbols.
                                               Maker Complex Order fees are equitable                  book. Currently, this benefit is provided
                                               and not unfairly discriminatory the                     only to Market Makers that achieve                    IV. Formatting and Other Non-
                                               changes apply equally to all Market                     Market Maker Plus status. The Exchange                Substantive Changes to the Tables
                                               Maker Complex Orders based on                           believes, however, that it is appropriate
                                               achieving the required Priority                                                                                  The Exchange believes that the
                                                                                                       to extend this benefit to all Market                  proposed formatting changes to the
                                               Customer Complex Tier. As is the case                   Maker Orders as an additional incentive
                                               today, the Exchange will continue to                                                                          tables are reasonable, equitable, and not
                                                                                                       for Market Makers that have an                        unfairly discriminatory. As explained in
                                               charge lower fees to Market Makers that
                                                                                                       obligation to maintain quotes and                     the purpose section of this filing, these
                                               execute, through their affiliates, a
                                                                                                       provide liquidity in the regular market               changes are entirely cosmetic and
                                               significant volume of Priority Customer
                                                                                                       rather than only those Market Makers                  merely move around columns in various
                                               Complex Orders, as this will incentivize
                                                                                                       that meet the heightened requirements                 tables so that these are grouped in a
                                               members to bring order flow to the
                                                                                                       of Market Maker Plus. Non-Nasdaq ISE                  manner that the Exchange believes will
                                               Exchange, creating additional liquidity
                                                                                                       Market Makers who have no obligations                 be easier for Members to follow. The
                                               in Complex Orders to the benefit of all
                                                                                                       to provide liquidity will not be eligible             Exchange hopes that these changes will
                                               Members. The Exchange does not
                                                                                                       for this incentive.                                   increase the readability of the Schedule
                                               believe that it is unfairly discriminatory
                                               only to provide these lower fees to                        Furthermore, the Exchange believes                 of Fees by grouping fees and rebates for
                                               Market Maker Orders as Market Makers                    that the proposed changes to these fees               Complex Orders under three headings—
                                               are subject to additional requirements                  for Market Maker and Non-Nasdaq ISE                   i.e., Priority Customer Rebates, Maker
                                               and obligations (such as quoting                        Market Maker Orders are equitable and                 and Taker Fees, and Crossing Order
                                               requirements) that other market                         not unfairly discriminatory as they are               Fees and Rebates. None of the proposed
                                               participants are not.                                   designed to reduce the negative                       formatting changes impact the fees
                                                  The Exchange also believes that that                 economics associated with Priority                    charged or rebates provided to
                                               it is reasonable and equitable to increase              Customer Complex Orders that leg into                 Members. Furthermore, the Exchange
                                               the maker fee charged to Market Makers                  the regular order book. The proposed                  believes that it is reasonable, equitable,
                                               and Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Makers that                   fees will apply equally to all Market                 and not unfairly discriminatory to
                                               provide liquidity to Priority Customer                  Makers and Non-Nasdaq ISE Market                      remove the outdated reference to the
                                               Complex Orders that leg into the regular                Makers. The Exchange pays significant                 PIM in the Facilitation and Solicitation
                                               order book. Today, Market Makers that                   rebates to that Priority Customer                     break-up rebate footnote. As explained
                                               do not qualify for Market Maker Plus                    Complex Orders, including when those                  in the purpose section of this proposed
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                                               and Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Makers pay                    orders leg into the regular order book                rule change, the Exchange does not have
                                               a small fee for providing liquidity in                  where they may trade with Market                      break-up rebates for the PIM. Although
                                               Select Symbols. In addition, Market                     Makers and Non-Nasdaq ISE Market                      the column correctly refers to
                                               Makers that qualify for Market Maker                    Makers providing liquidity in the                     Facilitation and Solicitation break-up
                                               Plus and would typically be eligible for                regular market. The Exchange does not                 rebates, the PIM reference was
                                               a maker rebate are instead charged a                    believe it is unfairly discriminatory to              inadvertently left in the footnote at the
                                               maker fee when trading against Priority                 charge increased maker fees only to                   time the Exchange filed to remove those


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                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 103 / Tuesday, May 29, 2018 / Notices                                           24547

                                               rebates. The proposed change corrects                    arguments concerning the foregoing,                    SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
                                               this reference.                                          including whether the proposed rule
                                                                                                        change is consistent with the Act.                     Reporting and Recordkeeping
                                               B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                                                                               Requirements Under OMB Review
                                                                                                        Comments may be submitted by any of
                                               Statement on Burden on Competition
                                                                                                        the following methods:                                 AGENCY:    Small Business Administration.
                                                  The Exchange does not believe that
                                               the proposed rule change will impose                     Electronic Comments                                    ACTION:   30-day notice.
                                               any burden on competition not                              • Use the Commission’s internet                      SUMMARY:   The Small Business
                                               necessary or appropriate in furtherance                  comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                      Administration (SBA) is publishing this
                                               of the purposes of the Act. The                          rules/sro.shtml); or                                   notice to comply with requirements of
                                               Exchange believes that the proposed                        • Send an email to rule-comments@
                                                                                                                                                               the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA),
                                               changes will enhance both intermarket                    sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                                                                                                                               which requires agencies to submit
                                               and intramarket competition by                           ISE–2018–46 on the subject line.
                                                                                                                                                               proposed reporting and recordkeeping
                                               amending various fees and rebates                        Paper Comments                                         requirements to OMB for review and
                                               related to the trading of Complex Orders                                                                        approval, and to publish a notice in the
                                               on the Exchange. The Exchange believes                      • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                                                                        to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                  Federal Register notifying the public of
                                               that the proposed fees and rebates                                                                              that submission.
                                               remain competitive with those on other                   Commission, 100 F Street NE,
                                                                                                        Washington, DC 20549–1090.                             DATES: Submit comments on or before
                                               options markets, and will continue to
                                                                                                        All submissions should refer to File                   June 28, 2018.
                                               attract order flow to the Exchange,
                                               thereby encouraging additional volume                    Number SR–ISE–2018–46. This file                       ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to
                                               and liquidity to the benefit of all market               number should be included on the                       the information collection by name and/
                                               participants. The Exchange operates in                   subject line if email is used. To help the             or OMB Control Number and should be
                                               a highly competitive market in which                     Commission process and review your                     sent to: Agency Clearance Officer, Curtis
                                               market participants can readily direct                   comments more efficiently, please use                  Rich, Small Business Administration,
                                               their order flow to competing venues. In                 only one method. The Commission will                   409 3rd Street SW, 5th Floor,
                                               such an environment, the Exchange                        post all comments on the Commission’s                  Washington, DC 20416; and SBA Desk
                                               must continually review, and consider                    internet website (http://www.sec.gov/                  Officer, Office of Information and
                                               adjusting, its fees and rebates to remain                rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                        Regulatory Affairs, Office of
                                               competitive with other exchanges. For                    submission, all subsequent                             Management and Budget, New
                                               the reasons described above, the                         amendments, all written statements                     Executive Office Building, Washington,
                                               Exchange believes that the proposed fee                  with respect to the proposed rule                      DC 20503.
                                               changes reflect this competitive                         change that are filed with the                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                               environment.                                             Commission, and all written                            Curtis Rich, Agency Clearance Officer,
                                                                                                        communications relating to the                         (202) 205–7030, curtis.rich@sba.gov.
                                               C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        proposed rule change between the                          Copies: A copy of the Form OMB 83–
                                               Statement on Comments on the                             Commission and any person, other than                  1, supporting statement, and other
                                               Proposed Rule Change Received From                       those that may be withheld from the                    documents submitted to OMB for
                                               Members, Participants, or Others                         public in accordance with the                          review may be obtained from the
                                                 No written comments were either                        provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                    Agency Clearance Officer.
                                               solicited or received.                                   available for website viewing and                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Small
                                                                                                        printing in the Commission’s Public                    Business Administration (SBA) Surety
                                               III. Date of Effectiveness of the
                                                                                                        Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,                       Bond Guarantee Program was created to
                                               Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
                                                                                                        Washington, DC 20549, on official                      encourage surety companies to provide
                                               Commission Action
                                                                                                        business days between the hours of                     bonding for small contractors. The
                                                  The foregoing rule change has become                  10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                 information collected on this form from
                                               effective pursuant to Section                            filing also will be available for                      small businesses and surety companies
                                               19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act,13 and Rule                   inspection and copying at the principal                will be used to evaluate the eligibility of
                                               19b–4(f)(2) 14 thereunder. At any time                   office of the Exchange. All comments                   applicants for contracts up to $250,000.
                                               within 60 days of the filing of the                      received will be posted without change.
                                               proposed rule change, the Commission                                                                            Solicitation of Public Comments
                                                                                                        Persons submitting comments are
                                               summarily may temporarily suspend                        cautioned that we do not redact or edit                  Comments may be submitted on (a)
                                               such rule change if it appears to the                    personal identifying information from                  whether the collection of information is
                                               Commission that such action is: (i)                      comment submissions. You should                        necessary for the agency to properly
                                               Necessary or appropriate in the public                   submit only information that you wish                  perform its functions; (b) whether the
                                               interest; (ii) for the protection of                     to make available publicly. All                        burden estimates are accurate; (c)
                                               investors; or (iii) otherwise in                         submissions should refer to File                       whether there are ways to minimize the
                                               furtherance of the purposes of the Act.                  Number SR–ISE–2018–46 and should be                    burden, including through the use of
                                               If the Commission takes such action, the                 submitted on or before June 19, 2018.                  automated techniques or other forms of
                                               Commission shall institute proceedings                                                                          information technology; and (d) whether
                                                                                                          For the Commission, by the Division of
                                               to determine whether the proposed rule                                                                          there are ways to enhance the quality,
                                                                                                        Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                               should be approved or disapproved.                                                                              utility, and clarity of the information.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                        authority.15
                                               IV. Solicitation of Comments                             Eduardo A. Aleman,                                     Summary of Information Collections
                                                 Interested persons are invited to                      Assistant Secretary.                                     Title: Quick Bond Guarantee
                                               submit written data, views, and                          [FR Doc. 2018–11456 Filed 5–25–18; 8:45 am]            Application and Agreement.
                                                                                                        BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                   Description of Respondents: Small
                                                 13 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).                                                                                Businesses and Surety Companies.
                                                 14 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).                               15 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                           Form Number: SBA Form 990A.


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Document Created: 2018-05-26 00:47:53
Document Modified: 2018-05-26 00:47:53
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 24543 

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