83_FR_37136 83 FR 36989 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Fees and Credits Under Rule 7018(a)

83 FR 36989 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Fees and Credits Under Rule 7018(a)

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 147 (July 31, 2018)

Page Range36989-36992
FR Document2018-16270

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 147 (Tuesday, July 31, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 147 (Tuesday, July 31, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36989-36992]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16270]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-83702; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2018-057]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To 
Amend Fees and Credits Under Rule 7018(a)

July 25, 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 July 12, 2018, The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (``Nasdaq'' or 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in 
Items I, II, and III 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 Exchange's transaction fees at 
Rule 7018(a) to amend qualification criteria for a credit tier 
applicable to securities of all three Tapes, and to reduce the

[[Page 36990]]

charge assessed members applicable to DOT and LIST Orders in Tape A 
securities, as described further below.\3\
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    \3\ Tape C securities are those that are listed on the Exchange, 
Tape A securities are those that are listed on NYSE, and Tape B 
securities are those that are listed on exchanges other than Nasdaq 
or NYSE.
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    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
website at http://nasdaq.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 Rule 7018(a), 
concerning the fees and credits provided for the use of the order 
execution and routing services of the Nasdaq Market Center by members 
for all securities priced at $1 or more that it trades. Rule 7018(a)(1) 
sets forth the fees and credits for the execution and routing of orders 
in Nasdaq-listed securities (Tape C); Rule 7018(a)(2) sets forth the 
fees and credits for the execution and routing of securities listed on 
the New York Stock Exchange LLC (Tape A); and Rule 7018(a)(3) sets 
forth the fees and credits for the execution and routing of securities 
listed on exchanges other than Nasdaq and NYSE (Tape B).
    The Exchange is proposing to amend the criteria required to qualify 
for credits provided to a member for displayed quotes/orders that 
provide liquidity, and to reduce a fee applicable to Tape A securities. 
Currently, under Rules 7018(a)(1)-(3) the Exchange provides credits to, 
and assesses fees on, members for execution of displayed quotes/orders 
(other than Supplemental Orders or Designated Retail Orders) if they 
qualify by meeting the requirements of the various credit and fee tiers 
under those rules. As described below, the Exchange is proposing to 
amend the Exchange's transaction fees at Rule 7018(a)(1)-(3) to amend 
qualification criteria for a credit tier applicable to securities of 
all three Tapes, and to reduce a fee under Rule 7018(a)(2) applicable 
to only Tape A securities, as described further below.
First Change
    The Exchange is proposing to amend the criteria required to qualify 
for a $0.0030 per share executed credit, which will apply to securities 
of all three Tapes under Rules 7018(a)(1)-(3). Currently, the Exchange 
provides the credit if a member has shares of liquidity provided in all 
securities through one or more of its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs that 
represent 0.575% or more of Consolidated Volume \4\ during the month, 
including shares of liquidity provided with respect to securities that 
are listed on exchanges other than Nasdaq or NYSE that represent 0.10% 
or more of Consolidated Volume. The Exchange is proposing to increase 
the level of shares of liquidity required to be provided in all 
securities through one or more of its [sic] Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs 
from 0.575% to 0.625% or more of Consolidated Volume during the month. 
The Exchange is also proposing to increase the required level of shares 
of liquidity provided from 0.10% to 0.15% or more of Consolidated 
Volume with respect to securities that are listed on exchanges other 
than Nasdaq or NYSE.
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    \4\ Rule 7018(a) defines ``Consolidated Volume'' as the total 
consolidated volume reported to all consolidated transaction 
reporting plans by all exchanges and trade reporting facilities 
during a month in equity securities, excluding executed orders with 
a size of less than one round lot. For purposes of calculating 
Consolidated Volume and the extent of a member's trading activity 
the date of the annual reconstitution of the Russell Investments 
Indexes shall be excluded from both total Consolidated Volume and 
the member's trading activity.
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Second Change
    The purpose of the second proposed change is to reduce the fee 
assessed for a DOT \5\ or LIST \6\ Order that executes in the NYSE 
opening or reopening process.\7\ Currently, the Exchange assesses a 
$0.0015 per share executed charge on a DOT or LIST Order in a Tape A 
security that executes in the NYSE opening or reopening process. DOT is 
a routing option for Orders that the entering firm wishes to route to 
NYSE or NYSE American. LIST is a routing option that allows an Order to 
participate in the opening and/or closing process of the primary 
listing market for a security. The Exchange is proposing to reduce the 
fee assessed members for DOT or LIST Order in a Tape A security that 
executes in the NYSE opening or reopening process from $0.0015 to 
$0.0010 per share executed.
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    \5\ See Rule 4758(a)(i)-(ii).
    \6\ See Rule 4758(a)(x).
    \7\ The Exchange is also making a minor technical correction to 
the rule.
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2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\8\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Sections 
6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,\9\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
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First Change
    The Exchange believes that changing the Consolidated Volume 
qualification criteria required to qualify for the $0.0030 per share 
executed credit under Rules 7018(a)(1)-(3) is reasonable. Nasdaq 
believes that the changes to the volume thresholds are reasonable 
because the increased volume thresholds are more closely aligned to the 
corresponding credit than the current volume thresholds. This increase 
is also reflective of the Exchange's desire to provide incentives to 
attract order flow to the Exchange in return for significant market-
improving behavior. By modestly increasing both the requirement that 
members add liquidity in all securities through one or more of its 
[sic] Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs from 0.575% to 0.625%, or more, of 
Consolidated Volume, and the requirement that the member provide shares 
of liquidity with respect to securities that are listed on exchanges 
other than Nasdaq or NYSE from 0.10% to 0.15%, or more, of Consolidated 
Volume, the Exchange is increasing the volume of liquidity that a 
member must add during the month in order to qualify for the 
corresponding credit. This change will help ensure that members are 
providing significant market-improving behavior in return for credits.
    The Exchange believes that the increase in the Consolidated Volume 
thresholds needed to qualify for the $0.0030 per share executed credit 
under Rules 7018(a)(1)-(3) is an equitable allocation and is not 
unfairly discriminatory because the Exchange will apply the same credit 
to all

[[Page 36991]]

similarly-situated members that meet its requirements. The credit and 
its corresponding volume requirements will apply equally to 
transactions in securities of all the Tapes. The Exchange believes that 
the new volume requirements will not significantly impact the number of 
members that will likely qualify for the corresponding credit, since 
the new volume thresholds are a modest increase over the current volume 
thresholds. Participation in the Exchange's various credit tiers is 
completely voluntary, and members may always elect to either qualify 
for the corresponding credit by adding sufficient liquidity to the 
Exchange to meet the new volume requirement, or by electing to qualify 
for a different credit. Finally, by modestly increasing the total 
volume of liquidity as well as the liquidity provided with respect to 
securities that are listed on exchanges other than Nasdaq or NYSE that 
a member must add during the month in order to qualify for the 
corresponding credit, the proposed change will help ensure that members 
are providing significant market-improving behavior in return for 
credits.
Second Change
    The Exchange believes that reducing the fee assessed for a DOT or 
LIST Order in a Tape A security that executes in the NYSE opening or 
reopening process from $0.0015 to $0.0010 per share executed is 
reasonable. The Exchange notes that it currently assesses a charge of 
$0.00095 per share executed for the execution of a LIST Order in a Tape 
B security in the NYSEAmex closing process.\10\ This fee decrease is 
reflective of the Exchange's desire to provide incentives to market 
participants to use the routing function of the Exchange. When routing 
Orders to non-Nasdaq exchanges such as NYSE, the Exchange incurs costly 
connectivity charges related to telecommunication lines, membership and 
access fees, and other related costs when routing orders. Although the 
Exchange may realize less overall fees from [sic] proposed fee decrease 
for DOT and LIST Orders that execute in the NYSE opening or reopening 
processes, the Exchange believes that it will continue to be able to 
recover the costs it incurs to route such Orders to NYSE.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ See Rule 7018(a)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that reducing the fee assessed for a DOT or 
LIST Order that executes in the NYSE opening or reopening process is an 
equitable allocation and is not unfairly discriminatory because the 
Exchange will apply the same fee to all similarly situated members that 
meet its requirements. The proposed fee is only available to Tape A 
securities because DOT and LIST Orders include Tape A securities, 
whereas the Exchange's fee tiers for routing and execution of Tape C 
and B securities are covered under Rules 7018(a)(1) and (3), 
respectively. These rules provide the fees assessed for execution of 
Tape C and B securities on the primary listing exchange, which have 
previously been found to be equitably allocated.\11\ Moreover, the fee 
is more closely aligned with the fee that the Exchange assesses for the 
execution of LIST Orders in Tape B securities that execute in the 
NYSEAmex closing process. The Exchange believes that the lower fee may 
attract more Orders in Tape A securities to the Exchange and promote 
the use of the Exchange's routing functionality, while also providing 
all members with reduced fees for the execution of their DOT and LIST 
Orders. Last, the Exchange notes that participation in the Exchange's 
various fee and credit tiers is completely voluntary, and members may 
always elect to enter Orders in Tape A securities that they wish to 
execute on NYSE either directly or through intermediaries.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ The Commission notes that these fees were filed effective 
on filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and thus the 
Commission made no findings regarding the fees.
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. In terms of inter-market 
competition, the Exchange notes that it operates in a highly 
competitive market in which market participants can readily favor 
competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be 
excessive, or rebate opportunities available at other venues to be more 
favorable. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually adjust 
its fees to remain competitive with other exchanges and with 
alternative trading systems that have been exempted from compliance 
with the statutory standards applicable to exchanges. Because 
competitors are free to modify their own fees in response, and because 
market participants may readily adjust their order routing practices, 
the Exchange believes that the degree to which fee changes in this 
market may impose any burden on competition is extremely limited.
    In this instance, the proposed rule change does not impose a burden 
on competition because the Exchange's execution services are completely 
voluntary and subject to extensive competition both from other 
exchanges and from off-exchange venues. With respect to the first 
proposed change, the Exchange will apply the same volume thresholds to 
all members for transactions in the securities of all three of the 
Tapes. As noted, participation in the Exchange's various credit tiers 
is completely voluntary, and the Exchange does not believe that the new 
Consolidated Volume thresholds will significantly impact the number of 
members that will likely qualify for the corresponding credit. Members 
may always elect to either qualify for the new Consolidated Volume 
thresholds by adding sufficient liquidity to the Exchange to meet the 
new volume requirement, or by electing to qualify for a different 
credit. As such, the Exchange believes that the proposed Consolidated 
Volume thresholds will not negatively impact who will qualify for the 
corresponding credits, but will rather have a positive impact on 
overall market quality as members increase their participation in the 
market to qualify for the particular credit. With respect to the second 
proposed change, the Exchange does not believe that the reduction in 
the fee assessed for execution of DOT and LIST Orders in Tape A 
securities burdens competition, but it rather promotes competition by 
making the Exchange a more attractive venue to enter such Orders. If, 
however, the Exchange is incorrect and the changes proposed herein are 
unattractive to members, it is likely that Nasdaq will lose market 
share as a result. Accordingly, Nasdaq does not believe that the 
proposed changes will impair the ability of members or competing order 
execution venues to maintain their competitive standing in the 
financial markets.

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.\12\
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    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the

[[Page 36992]]

Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it 
appears to the Commission that such action is: (i) Necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the protection of 
investors; or (iii) otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the 
Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall 
institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be 
approved or disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

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

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-NASDAQ-2018-057 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-NASDAQ-2018-057. 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-NASDAQ-2018-057, and should be submitted 
on or before August 21, 2018.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\13\
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    \13\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-16270 Filed 7-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 147 / Tuesday, July 31, 2018 / Notices                                                 36989

                                               III. Date of Effectiveness of the                         protection of investors and the public                provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                               Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                       interest. Accordingly, the Commission                 available for website viewing and
                                               Commission Action                                         waives the 30-day operative delay and                 printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                  The Exchange has filed the proposed                    designates the proposed rule change                   Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,
                                               rule change pursuant to Section                           operative upon filing.24                              Washington, DC 20549 on official
                                               19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 19 and Rule                      At any time within 60 days of the                  business days between the hours of
                                               19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.20 Because the                     filing of such proposed rule change, the              10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                               proposed rule change does not: (i)                        Commission summarily may                              filing also will be available for
                                               Significantly affect the protection of                    temporarily suspend such rule change if               inspection and copying at the principal
                                               investors or the public interest; (ii)                    it appears to the Commission that such                office of the Exchange. All comments
                                               impose any significant burden on                          action is necessary or appropriate in the             received will be posted without change.
                                               competition; and (iii) become operative                   public interest, for the protection of                Persons submitting comments are
                                               prior to 30 days from the date on which                   investors, or otherwise in furtherance of             cautioned that we do not redact or edit
                                               it was filed, or such shorter time as the                 the purposes of the Act. If the                       personal identifying information from
                                               Commission may designate, if                              Commission takes such action, the                     comment submissions. You should
                                               consistent with the protection of                         Commission shall institute proceedings                submit only information that you wish
                                               investors and the public interest, the                    under Section 19(b)(2)(B) 25 of the Act to            to make available publicly. All
                                               proposed rule change has become                           determine whether the proposed rule                   submissions should refer to File
                                               effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)                 change should be approved or                          Number SR–NYSEAMER–2018–35 and
                                               of the Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii)                      disapproved.                                          should be submitted on or before
                                               thereunder.21                                             IV. Solicitation of Comments                          August 21, 2018.
                                                  A proposed rule change filed under                                                                             For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                                                                           Interested persons are invited to                   Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                               Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 22 normally does not
                                                                                                         submit written data, views, and                       authority.26
                                               become operative prior to 30 days after
                                                                                                         arguments concerning the foregoing,                   Eduardo A. Aleman,
                                               the date of the filing. However, pursuant
                                                                                                         including whether the proposed rule
                                               to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),23 the                                                                                 Assistant Secretary.
                                                                                                         change is consistent with the Act.
                                               Commission may designate a shorter                        Comments may be submitted by any of                   [FR Doc. 2018–16275 Filed 7–30–18; 8:45 am]
                                               time if such action is consistent with the                the following methods:                                BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                               protection of investors and the public
                                               interest. The Exchange requests that the                  Electronic Comments
                                               Commission waive the 30-day operative                        • Use the Commission’s internet                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                               delay so that the proposal may become                     comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                     COMMISSION
                                               operative immediately upon filing. The                    rules/sro.shtml); or                                  [Release No. 34–83702; File No. SR–
                                               Exchange represents that the proposed                        • Send an email to rule-comments@                  NASDAQ–2018–057]
                                               rule changes present no new or novel                      sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                               issues. According to the Exchange,                        NYSEAMER–2018–35 on the subject                       Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
                                               waiver of the operative delay would                       line.                                                 Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; Notice of
                                               allow Users to access the Proposed                                                                              Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
                                               Third Party Systems and the Proposed                      Paper Comments                                        Proposed Rule Change To Amend
                                               Third Party Data Feeds without delay,                        • Send paper comments in triplicate                Fees and Credits Under Rule 7018(a)
                                               which would assist Users in tailoring                     to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                         Commission, 100 F Street NE,                          July 25, 2018.
                                               their data center operations to the
                                               requirements of their business                            Washington, DC 20549–1090.                               Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                               operations. The Exchange also                             All submissions should refer to File                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                               represents that the proposed changes to                   Number SR–NYSEAMER–2018–35. This                      (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                               the Price List would provide Users with                   file number should be included on the                 notice is hereby given that on July 12,
                                               more complete information regarding                       subject line if email is used. To help the            2018, The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
                                               their Access and Connectivity options.                    Commission process and review your                    (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the
                                               The Exchange further asserts that waiver                  comments more efficiently, please use                 Securities and Exchange Commission
                                               of the operative delay would help avoid                   only one method. The Commission will                  (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed
                                               potential investor confusion by allowing                  post all comments on the Commission’s                 rule change as described in Items I, II,
                                               the Exchange to immediately update the                    internet website (http://www.sec.gov/                 and III below, which Items have been
                                               names of the exchanges noted above to                     rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                       prepared by the Exchange. The
                                               reflect recent business combinations                      submission, all subsequent                            Commission is publishing this notice to
                                               and name changes. The Commission                          amendments, all written statements                    solicit comments on the proposed rule
                                               believes that waiving the 30-day                          with respect to the proposed rule                     change from interested persons.
                                               operative delay is consistent with the                    change that are filed with the                        I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                         Commission, and all written                           Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                 19 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).                        communications relating to the                        the Proposed Rule Change
                                                 20 17  CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                             proposed rule change between the
                                                 21 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–                                                                The Exchange proposes to amend the
                                                                                                         Commission and any person, other than
                                                                                                                                                               Exchange’s transaction fees at Rule
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                               4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give
                                                                                                         those that may be withheld from the
                                               the Commission written notice of its intent to file                                                             7018(a) to amend qualification criteria
                                               the proposed rule change at least five business days      public in accordance with the
                                                                                                                                                               for a credit tier applicable to securities
                                               prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule
                                               change, or such shorter time as designated by the           24 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
                                                                                                                                                               of all three Tapes, and to reduce the
                                               Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this               operative delay, the Commission has considered the
                                               requirement.                                              proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition,      26 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                 22 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                              and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).            1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                 23 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).                           25 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).                            2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.




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                                               36990                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 147 / Tuesday, July 31, 2018 / Notices

                                               charge assessed members applicable to                     fee tiers under those rules. As described              participate in the opening and/or
                                               DOT and LIST Orders in Tape A                             below, the Exchange is proposing to                    closing process of the primary listing
                                               securities, as described further below.3                  amend the Exchange’s transaction fees                  market for a security. The Exchange is
                                                  The text of the proposed rule change                   at Rule 7018(a)(1)–(3) to amend                        proposing to reduce the fee assessed
                                               is available on the Exchange’s website at                 qualification criteria for a credit tier               members for DOT or LIST Order in a
                                               http://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com/, at the                  applicable to securities of all three                  Tape A security that executes in the
                                               principal office of the Exchange, and at                  Tapes, and to reduce a fee under Rule                  NYSE opening or reopening process
                                               the Commission’s Public Reference                         7018(a)(2) applicable to only Tape A                   from $0.0015 to $0.0010 per share
                                               Room.                                                     securities, as described further below.                executed.
                                               II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        First Change                                           2. Statutory Basis
                                               Statement of the Purpose of, and                             The Exchange is proposing to amend                     The Exchange believes that its
                                               Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                    the criteria required to qualify for a                 proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)
                                               Change                                                    $0.0030 per share executed credit,                     of the Act,8 in general, and furthers the
                                                  In its filing with the Commission, the                 which will apply to securities of all                  objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5)
                                               Exchange included statements                              three Tapes under Rules 7018(a)(1)–(3).                of the Act,9 in particular, in that it
                                               concerning the purpose of and basis for                   Currently, the Exchange provides the                   provides for the equitable allocation of
                                               the proposed rule change and discussed                    credit if a member has shares of                       reasonable dues, fees and other charges
                                               any comments it received on the                           liquidity provided in all securities                   among members and issuers and other
                                               proposed rule change. The text of these                   through one or more of its Nasdaq                      persons using any facility, and is not
                                               statements may be examined at the                         Market Center MPIDs that represent                     designed to permit unfair
                                               places specified in Item IV below. The                    0.575% or more of Consolidated                         discrimination between customers,
                                               Exchange has prepared summaries, set                      Volume 4 during the month, including                   issuers, brokers, or dealers.
                                               forth in sections A, B, and C below, of                   shares of liquidity provided with
                                                                                                                                                                First Change
                                               the most significant aspects of such                      respect to securities that are listed on
                                               statements.                                               exchanges other than Nasdaq or NYSE                       The Exchange believes that changing
                                                                                                         that represent 0.10% or more of                        the Consolidated Volume qualification
                                               A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                         Consolidated Volume. The Exchange is                   criteria required to qualify for the
                                               Statement of the Purpose of, and                          proposing to increase the level of shares              $0.0030 per share executed credit under
                                               Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                    of liquidity required to be provided in                Rules 7018(a)(1)–(3) is reasonable.
                                               Change                                                    all securities through one or more of its              Nasdaq believes that the changes to the
                                               1. Purpose                                                [sic] Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs from                  volume thresholds are reasonable
                                                                                                         0.575% to 0.625% or more of                            because the increased volume
                                                  The purpose of the proposed rule
                                                                                                         Consolidated Volume during the month.                  thresholds are more closely aligned to
                                               change is to amend Rule 7018(a),
                                                                                                         The Exchange is also proposing to                      the corresponding credit than the
                                               concerning the fees and credits
                                                                                                         increase the required level of shares of               current volume thresholds. This
                                               provided for the use of the order
                                                                                                         liquidity provided from 0.10% to 0.15%                 increase is also reflective of the
                                               execution and routing services of the
                                                                                                         or more of Consolidated Volume with                    Exchange’s desire to provide incentives
                                               Nasdaq Market Center by members for
                                                                                                         respect to securities that are listed on               to attract order flow to the Exchange in
                                               all securities priced at $1 or more that
                                                                                                         exchanges other than Nasdaq or NYSE.                   return for significant market-improving
                                               it trades. Rule 7018(a)(1) sets forth the
                                                                                                                                                                behavior. By modestly increasing both
                                               fees and credits for the execution and                    Second Change
                                                                                                                                                                the requirement that members add
                                               routing of orders in Nasdaq-listed                          The purpose of the second proposed                   liquidity in all securities through one or
                                               securities (Tape C); Rule 7018(a)(2) sets                 change is to reduce the fee assessed for               more of its [sic] Nasdaq Market Center
                                               forth the fees and credits for the                        a DOT 5 or LIST 6 Order that executes in               MPIDs from 0.575% to 0.625%, or more,
                                               execution and routing of securities                       the NYSE opening or reopening                          of Consolidated Volume, and the
                                               listed on the New York Stock Exchange                     process.7 Currently, the Exchange                      requirement that the member provide
                                               LLC (Tape A); and Rule 7018(a)(3) sets                    assesses a $0.0015 per share executed                  shares of liquidity with respect to
                                               forth the fees and credits for the                        charge on a DOT or LIST Order in a                     securities that are listed on exchanges
                                               execution and routing of securities                       Tape A security that executes in the                   other than Nasdaq or NYSE from 0.10%
                                               listed on exchanges other than Nasdaq                     NYSE opening or reopening process.                     to 0.15%, or more, of Consolidated
                                               and NYSE (Tape B).                                        DOT is a routing option for Orders that
                                                  The Exchange is proposing to amend                                                                            Volume, the Exchange is increasing the
                                                                                                         the entering firm wishes to route to                   volume of liquidity that a member must
                                               the criteria required to qualify for                      NYSE or NYSE American. LIST is a
                                               credits provided to a member for                                                                                 add during the month in order to qualify
                                                                                                         routing option that allows an Order to                 for the corresponding credit. This
                                               displayed quotes/orders that provide
                                               liquidity, and to reduce a fee applicable                                                                        change will help ensure that members
                                                                                                            4 Rule 7018(a) defines ‘‘Consolidated Volume’’ as

                                               to Tape A securities. Currently, under                    the total consolidated volume reported to all
                                                                                                                                                                are providing significant market-
                                               Rules 7018(a)(1)–(3) the Exchange                         consolidated transaction reporting plans by all        improving behavior in return for credits.
                                                                                                         exchanges and trade reporting facilities during a         The Exchange believes that the
                                               provides credits to, and assesses fees on,                month in equity securities, excluding executed         increase in the Consolidated Volume
                                               members for execution of displayed                        orders with a size of less than one round lot. For
                                                                                                                                                                thresholds needed to qualify for the
                                               quotes/orders (other than Supplemental                    purposes of calculating Consolidated Volume and
                                                                                                                                                                $0.0030 per share executed credit under
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                                               Orders or Designated Retail Orders) if                    the extent of a member’s trading activity the date
                                                                                                         of the annual reconstitution of the Russell            Rules 7018(a)(1)–(3) is an equitable
                                               they qualify by meeting the                               Investments Indexes shall be excluded from both        allocation and is not unfairly
                                               requirements of the various credit and                    total Consolidated Volume and the member’s
                                                                                                         trading activity.
                                                                                                                                                                discriminatory because the Exchange
                                                  3 Tape C securities are those that are listed on the      5 See Rule 4758(a)(i)–(ii).                         will apply the same credit to all
                                                                                                            6 See Rule 4758(a)(x).
                                               Exchange, Tape A securities are those that are listed
                                                                                                                                                                 8 15   U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                               on NYSE, and Tape B securities are those that are            7 The Exchange is also making a minor technical

                                               listed on exchanges other than Nasdaq or NYSE.            correction to the rule.                                 9 15   U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).



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                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 147 / Tuesday, July 31, 2018 / Notices                                              36991

                                               similarly-situated members that meet its                   situated members that meet its                           In this instance, the proposed rule
                                               requirements. The credit and its                           requirements. The proposed fee is only                change does not impose a burden on
                                               corresponding volume requirements                          available to Tape A securities because                competition because the Exchange’s
                                               will apply equally to transactions in                      DOT and LIST Orders include Tape A                    execution services are completely
                                               securities of all the Tapes. The                           securities, whereas the Exchange’s fee                voluntary and subject to extensive
                                               Exchange believes that the new volume                      tiers for routing and execution of Tape               competition both from other exchanges
                                               requirements will not significantly                        C and B securities are covered under                  and from off-exchange venues. With
                                               impact the number of members that will                     Rules 7018(a)(1) and (3), respectively.               respect to the first proposed change, the
                                               likely qualify for the corresponding                       These rules provide the fees assessed for             Exchange will apply the same volume
                                               credit, since the new volume thresholds                    execution of Tape C and B securities on               thresholds to all members for
                                               are a modest increase over the current                     the primary listing exchange, which                   transactions in the securities of all three
                                               volume thresholds. Participation in the                    have previously been found to be                      of the Tapes. As noted, participation in
                                               Exchange’s various credit tiers is                         equitably allocated.11 Moreover, the fee              the Exchange’s various credit tiers is
                                               completely voluntary, and members                          is more closely aligned with the fee that             completely voluntary, and the Exchange
                                               may always elect to either qualify for                     the Exchange assesses for the execution               does not believe that the new
                                               the corresponding credit by adding                         of LIST Orders in Tape B securities that              Consolidated Volume thresholds will
                                               sufficient liquidity to the Exchange to                    execute in the NYSEAmex closing                       significantly impact the number of
                                               meet the new volume requirement, or by                     process. The Exchange believes that the               members that will likely qualify for the
                                               electing to qualify for a different credit.                lower fee may attract more Orders in                  corresponding credit. Members may
                                               Finally, by modestly increasing the total                  Tape A securities to the Exchange and                 always elect to either qualify for the
                                               volume of liquidity as well as the                         promote the use of the Exchange’s                     new Consolidated Volume thresholds by
                                               liquidity provided with respect to                         routing functionality, while also                     adding sufficient liquidity to the
                                               securities that are listed on exchanges                    providing all members with reduced                    Exchange to meet the new volume
                                               other than Nasdaq or NYSE that a                                                                                 requirement, or by electing to qualify for
                                                                                                          fees for the execution of their DOT and
                                               member must add during the month in                                                                              a different credit. As such, the Exchange
                                                                                                          LIST Orders. Last, the Exchange notes
                                               order to qualify for the corresponding                                                                           believes that the proposed Consolidated
                                                                                                          that participation in the Exchange’s
                                               credit, the proposed change will help                                                                            Volume thresholds will not negatively
                                                                                                          various fee and credit tiers is completely
                                               ensure that members are providing                                                                                impact who will qualify for the
                                                                                                          voluntary, and members may always
                                               significant market-improving behavior                                                                            corresponding credits, but will rather
                                               in return for credits.                                     elect to enter Orders in Tape A                       have a positive impact on overall market
                                                                                                          securities that they wish to execute on               quality as members increase their
                                               Second Change                                              NYSE either directly or through                       participation in the market to qualify for
                                                  The Exchange believes that reducing                     intermediaries.                                       the particular credit. With respect to the
                                               the fee assessed for a DOT or LIST Order                   B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     second proposed change, the Exchange
                                               in a Tape A security that executes in the                  Statement on Burden on Competition                    does not believe that the reduction in
                                               NYSE opening or reopening process                                                                                the fee assessed for execution of DOT
                                               from $0.0015 to $0.0010 per share                             The Exchange does not believe that                 and LIST Orders in Tape A securities
                                               executed is reasonable. The Exchange                       the proposed rule change will impose                  burdens competition, but it rather
                                               notes that it currently assesses a charge                  any burden on competition not                         promotes competition by making the
                                               of $0.00095 per share executed for the                     necessary or appropriate in furtherance               Exchange a more attractive venue to
                                               execution of a LIST Order in a Tape B                      of the purposes of the Act. In terms of               enter such Orders. If, however, the
                                               security in the NYSEAmex closing                           inter-market competition, the Exchange                Exchange is incorrect and the changes
                                               process.10 This fee decrease is reflective                 notes that it operates in a highly                    proposed herein are unattractive to
                                               of the Exchange’s desire to provide                        competitive market in which market                    members, it is likely that Nasdaq will
                                               incentives to market participants to use                   participants can readily favor competing              lose market share as a result.
                                               the routing function of the Exchange.                      venues if they deem fee levels at a                   Accordingly, Nasdaq does not believe
                                               When routing Orders to non-Nasdaq                          particular venue to be excessive, or                  that the proposed changes will impair
                                               exchanges such as NYSE, the Exchange                       rebate opportunities available at other               the ability of members or competing
                                               incurs costly connectivity charges                         venues to be more favorable. In such an               order execution venues to maintain
                                               related to telecommunication lines,                        environment, the Exchange must                        their competitive standing in the
                                               membership and access fees, and other                      continually adjust its fees to remain                 financial markets.
                                               related costs when routing orders.                         competitive with other exchanges and
                                               Although the Exchange may realize less                                                                           C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                          with alternative trading systems that
                                               overall fees from [sic] proposed fee                                                                             Statement on Comments on the
                                                                                                          have been exempted from compliance
                                               decrease for DOT and LIST Orders that                                                                            Proposed Rule Change Received From
                                                                                                          with the statutory standards applicable
                                               execute in the NYSE opening or                                                                                   Members, Participants, or Others
                                                                                                          to exchanges. Because competitors are
                                               reopening processes, the Exchange                          free to modify their own fees in                        No written comments were either
                                               believes that it will continue to be able                  response, and because market                          solicited or received.
                                               to recover the costs it incurs to route                    participants may readily adjust their
                                               such Orders to NYSE.                                                                                             III. Date of Effectiveness of the
                                                                                                          order routing practices, the Exchange                 Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
                                                  The Exchange believes that reducing                     believes that the degree to which fee
                                               the fee assessed for a DOT or LIST Order                                                                         Commission Action
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                                                                                                          changes in this market may impose any
                                               that executes in the NYSE opening or                       burden on competition is extremely                       The foregoing rule change has become
                                               reopening process is an equitable                          limited.                                              effective pursuant to Section
                                               allocation and is not unfairly                                                                                   19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.12
                                               discriminatory because the Exchange                           11 The Commission notes that these fees were
                                                                                                                                                                   At any time within 60 days of the
                                               will apply the same fee to all similarly                   filed effective on filing pursuant to Section         filing of the proposed rule change, the
                                                                                                          19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and thus the Commission
                                                 10 See   Rule 7018(a)(3).                                made no findings regarding the fees.                    12 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).



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                                               36992                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 147 / Tuesday, July 31, 2018 / Notices

                                               Commission summarily may                                 submit only information that you wish                   II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                               temporarily suspend such rule change if                  to make available publicly. All                         Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                               it appears to the Commission that such                   submissions should refer to File                        Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                               action is: (i) Necessary or appropriate in               Number SR–NASDAQ–2018–057, and                          Change
                                               the public interest; (ii) for the protection             should be submitted on or before
                                               of investors; or (iii) otherwise in                      August 21, 2018.                                          In its filing with the Commission, the
                                               furtherance of the purposes of the Act.                                                                          Exchange included statements
                                                                                                          For the Commission, by the Division of                concerning the purpose of and basis for
                                               If the Commission takes such action, the
                                                                                                        Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated              the proposed rule change and discussed
                                               Commission shall institute proceedings
                                                                                                        authority.13                                            any comments it received on the
                                               to determine whether the proposed rule
                                               should be approved or disapproved.                       Eduardo A. Aleman,                                      proposed rule change. The text of these
                                                                                                        Assistant Secretary.                                    statements may be examined at the
                                               IV. Solicitation of Comments                                                                                     places specified in Item IV below. The
                                                                                                        [FR Doc. 2018–16270 Filed 7–30–18; 8:45 am]
                                                 Interested persons are invited to                      BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                                                                                Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                               submit written data, views, and                                                                                  forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
                                               arguments concerning the foregoing,                                                                              the most significant aspects of such
                                               including whether the proposed rule                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                 statements.
                                               change is consistent with the Act.                       COMMISSION                                              A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                               Comments may be submitted by any of
                                               the following methods:                                                                                           Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                        [Release No. 34–83703; File No. SR–ISE–                 Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                               Electronic Comments                                      2018–59]                                                Change
                                                 • Use the Commission’s internet                                                                                1. Purpose
                                               comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                        Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq
                                               rules/sro.shtml); or                                     ISE, LLC; Notice of Filing and                             The Exchange proposes to eliminate
                                                 • Send an email to rule-comments@                      Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed                     its existing processes for: (1) Summarily
                                               sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                  Rule Change To Align Existing                           suspending and limiting or prohibiting
                                               NASDAQ–2018–057 on the subject line.                     Investigatory and Disciplinary                          access to Exchange services by
                                                                                                        Processes and Related Rules With the                    Exchange members (‘‘Members’’),
                                               Paper Comments                                           Investigatory and Disciplinary                          persons associated with such Members
                                                  • Send paper comments in triplicate                   Processes and Associated Rules of                       (‘‘Associated Persons’’), (2) investigating
                                               to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                    Nasdaq BX, Inc.                                         and disciplining Exchange Members
                                               Commission, 100 F Street NE,                                                                                     and Associated Persons, and (3)
                                               Washington, DC 20549–1090.                               July 25, 2018.
                                                                                                                                                                adjudicating actions brought by persons
                                               All submissions should refer to File                        Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                  economically aggrieved by certain
                                               Number SR–NASDAQ–2018–057. This                          Securities Exchange Act of 1934                         Exchange actions. The Exchange also
                                               file number should be included on the                    (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                 seeks to eliminate Chapters 15, 16, and
                                               subject line if email is used. To help the               notice is hereby given that on July 12,                 17 3 of the Exchange’s Rules (with
                                               Commission process and review your                       2018, Nasdaq ISE, LLC (‘‘ISE’’ or                       certain exceptions, discussed below),
                                               comments more efficiently, please use                    ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities                 which set forth and govern such
                                               only one method. The Commission will                     and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or                     processes, respectively, and it proposes
                                               post all comments on the Commission’s                    ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                       to eliminate the Exchange’s Business
                                               internet website (http://www.sec.gov/                    change as described in Items I, II, and                 Conduct Committee (‘‘BCC’’), which is a
                                               rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                          III, below, which Items have been                       body that exists to help to enforce the
                                               submission, all subsequent                               prepared by the Exchange. The                           Exchange’s Rules. The Exchange further
                                               amendments, all written statements                       Commission is publishing this notice to                 proposes to adopt, in place of the
                                               with respect to the proposed rule                        solicit comments on the proposed rule                   aforementioned Rules, the investigatory,
                                               change that are filed with the                           change from interested persons.                         disciplinary, and adjudicatory processes
                                               Commission, and all written                                                                                      of the Exchange’s sister exchange, BX. It
                                               communications relating to the                           I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       also proposes to replace the BCC with
                                               proposed rule change between the                         Statement of the Terms of Substance of                  an Exchange Review Council that is
                                               Commission and any person, other than                    the Proposed Rule Change                                similar to one that BX has in place.
                                               those that may be withheld from the                                                                              Specifically, the Exchange proposes to
                                               public in accordance with the                               The Exchange proposes to align its
                                                                                                                                                                establish new Chapters 80 and 90 of its
                                               provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                      existing investigatory and disciplinary
                                                                                                                                                                Rules 4 and incorporate by reference
                                               available for website viewing and                        processes and related rules with the
                                                                                                                                                                into those Chapters (again with certain
                                               printing in the Commission’s Public                      investigatory and disciplinary processes
                                                                                                                                                                exceptions, described below) the BX
                                               Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,                         and associated rules of Nasdaq BX, Inc.
                                               Washington, DC 20549 on official                         (‘‘BX’’).                                                 3 As discussed below, the Exchange proposes to
                                               business days between the hours of                          The text of the proposed rule change                 replace Chapter 17, which sets forth processes for
                                               10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                   is available on the Exchange’s website at               persons aggrieved by Exchange actions, including
                                               filing also will be available for                                                                                adverse membership or association determinations,
                                                                                                        http://ise.cchwallstreet.com/, at the
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                                                                                                                                                                by adding to Exchange Rules 302 and 307
                                               inspection and copying at the principal                  principal office of the Exchange, and at                provisions adapted from BX Rules 1015 and 1016,
                                               office of the Exchange. All comments                     the Commission’s Public Reference                       which provide for similar adjudicative processes.
                                               received will be posted without change.                  Room.                                                   Portions of proposed Chapter 90 also replace
                                               Persons submitting comments are                                                                                  portions of Chapter 17, e.g., statutory
                                                                                                                                                                disqualification in the 9520 Series.
                                               cautioned that we do not redact or edit                       13 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                           4 The Exchange proposes to add Chapters 23–79
                                               personal identifying information from                         1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                             and Chapters 81–89 to its Rules, but reserve such
                                               comment submissions. You should                               2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                Chapters for future use.



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Document Created: 2018-11-06 10:29:23
Document Modified: 2018-11-06 10:29:23
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 36989 

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