83_FR_39640 83 FR 39486 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.; Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade Shares of the Principal Morley Short Duration Index ETF Under Rule 14.11(c)(4)

83 FR 39486 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.; Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade Shares of the Principal Morley Short Duration Index ETF Under Rule 14.11(c)(4)

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 154 (August 9, 2018)

Page Range39486-39488
FR Document2018-17008

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 154 (Thursday, August 9, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 154 (Thursday, August 9, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39486-39488]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17008]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-83775; File No. SR-CboeBZX-2018-018]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.; Order 
Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a 
Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade Shares of the Principal Morley 
Short Duration Index ETF Under Rule 14.11(c)(4)

August 3, 2018.

I. Introduction

    On April 23, 2018, Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (``Exchange'' or 
``BZX'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission''), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ a 
proposed rule change to list and trade shares (``Shares'') of the 
Principal Morley Short Duration Index ETF (``Fund''). The proposed rule 
change was published for comment in the Federal Register on May 8, 
2018.\3\ On June 20, 2018, the Commission designated a longer period 
within which to approve the proposed rule change, disapprove the 
proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to determine whether to 
approve or disapprove the proposed rule change.\4\ The Commission has 
received no comment letters on the proposed rule change. This order 
institutes proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act \5\ to 
determine whether to approve or disapprove the proposed rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C.78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 83152 (May 2, 2018), 
83 FR 20892.
    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 83479, 83 FR 29838 
(June 26, 2018). The Commission designated August 6, 2018 as the 
date by which the Commission shall approve the proposed rule change, 
disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to 
determine whether to approve or disapprove the proposed rule change.
    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to list and trade the Shares pursuant to BZX 
Rule 14.11(c)(4), which governs the listing and trading of index fund 
shares based on fixed income securities indexes. The Fund would seek to 
provide investment results that replicate, before expenses, the 
performance of The ICE BofA Merrill Lynch Low Duration U.S. ABS & CMBS 
Equal Par Index (``Index'').\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ The Index value, calculated and disseminated at least once 
daily, as well as the components of the Index and their percentage 
weighting, will be available from major market data vendors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. The Exchange's Description of the Index

    The Index is designed to provide exposure to investment-grade 
securitized products issued in the U.S., including ABS \7\ and CMBS.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ ``ABS'' means fixed and floating rate debt securities 
secured by non-mortgage assets.
    \8\ ``CMBS'' means fixed rate debt securities secured by first 
mortgages on commercial real estate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To qualify for inclusion in the Index, eligible securities must be 
a component of The ICE BofA Merrill Lynch US ABS & CMBS Index (``Feeder 
Index''). Such securities are then selected and weighted based upon the 
Index methodology discussed below.
1. The Feeder Index's Methodology
    In order to be included in the Feeder Index, a security (whether 
ABS or CMBS) must meet the following criteria (``Basic Criteria''):
     Be rated investment-grade (based on an average of Moody's, 
S&P Global, and Fitch);
     have a term of at least one year remaining until final 
stated maturity; and have at least one month to the last expected cash 
flow; and
     inverse floating rate, interest only, and principal only 
securities are excluded.
    In addition to the Basic Criteria, an ABS must meet the following 
criteria:
     Must issue a fixed or floating rate coupon;
     must have an original deal size for the collateral group 
\9\ of at least $250 million;
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    \9\ A collateral group describes the assets (receivables) that 
are held by the special purpose vehicle (``SPV'') issuing the ABS 
securities. The collateral group provides the source of payment for 
the SPV's liabilities (i.e., ABS securities). Typically, an SPV will 
include assets greater than its liabilities as a form of credit 
enhancement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     must have a current outstanding deal size for the 
collateral group greater than or equal to 10% of the original deal 
size; and
     a minimum current outstanding tranche size of $50 million 
for senior tranches and $10 million current amount outstanding for 
mezzanine and subordinated tranches.
    In addition to the Basic Criteria, a CMBS (which may include U.S. 
agency CMBS) must also meet the following criteria:
     Must issue a fixed coupon schedule;
     must have an original deal size for the collateral group 
of at least $250 million;
     must have a current outstanding deal size for the 
collateral group that is greater than or equal to 10% of the original 
deal size; and

[[Page 39487]]

     must have a minimum outstanding tranche size of $50 
million for senior tranches and $10 million for mezzanine and 
subordinated tranches.
2. The Index's Methodology
    Securities in the Feeder Index are screened for inclusion/exclusion 
in the Index based on the following criteria:
     ABS related to home equity and manufactured housing are 
excluded;
     CMBS securities that are rated less than AAA credit 
quality (based on an average of Moody's, S&P Global and Fitch) are 
excluded;
     CMBS securities that are issued prior to December 31, 2010 
are excluded; and
     Securities must have a modified duration to worst that is 
less than or equal to 5 years for initial inclusion in the Index, 
although once included, the security remains in the Index provided the 
remaining criteria are met.
    The qualifying securities are assigned equal par amounts with a 70% 
allocation given to ABS securities and a 30% allocation given to CMBS 
securities. The Index rebalances on a monthly basis.

B. The Exchange's Description of the Fund

    Under Normal Market Conditions,\10\ the Fund will invest at least 
80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in 
ABS and CMBS that compose the Index at the time of purchase.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ The term ``Normal Market Conditions'' includes, but is not 
limited to, the absence of trading halts in the applicable financial 
markets generally; operational issues causing dissemination of 
inaccurate market information or system failures; or force majeure 
type events such as natural or man-made disaster, act of God, armed 
conflict, act of terrorism, riot or labor disruption, or any similar 
intervening circumstance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    While the Fund normally will invest at least 80% of its net assets, 
plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in ABS and CMBS that 
compose the Index, as described above, the Fund may invest its 
remaining assets in securities not included in the Index including only 
the following instruments: ABS and CMBS not included in the Index; cash 
and cash equivalents; \11\ Treasury Securities with a maturity of three 
months or greater; centrally cleared, index-based credit default swaps; 
\12\ and, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, other exchange-
traded funds (``ETFs'').\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Cash equivalents are short-term instruments with maturities 
of less than three months, including: (i) U.S. Government 
securities, including bills, notes, and bonds differing as to 
maturity and rates of interest, which are either issued or 
guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. Government agencies or 
instrumentalities; (ii) certificates of deposit issued against funds 
deposited in a bank or savings and loan association; (iii) bankers 
acceptances, which are short-term credit instruments used to finance 
commercial transactions; (iv) repurchase agreements and reverse 
repurchase agreements; (v) bank time deposits, which are monies kept 
on deposit with banks or savings and loan associations for a stated 
period of time at a fixed rate of interest; (vi) commercial paper, 
which are short-term unsecured promissory notes; and (vii) money 
market funds.
    \12\ Centrally cleared swaps are cleared through a central 
clearinghouse and, as such, the counterparty risk traditionally 
associated with over-the-counter swaps is eliminated.
    \13\ ETFs include Index Fund Shares (as described in Rule 
14.11(c)); Portfolio Depositary Receipts (as described in Rule 
14.11(b)); and Managed Fund Shares (as described in Rule 14.11(i)). 
The ETFs all will be listed and traded in the U.S. on registered 
exchanges. The Fund may invest in the securities of ETFs registered 
under the 1940 Act consistent with the requirements of Section 
12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, or any rule, regulation or order of the 
Commission or interpretation thereof. The Fund will not invest in 
leveraged or inverse leveraged (e.g., 2X, -2X, 3X or -3X) ETFs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The portfolio of securities held by the Fund will be disclosed on 
the Fund's website at www.PrincipalETFs.com.

C. Exchange's Policy Discussion

    The Exchange believes that while the proposed rule change does not 
satisfy all of the ``generic'' listing requirements of Rule 
14.11(c)(4), in particular Rules 14.11(c)(4)(B)(i)(b) \14\ and 
14.11(c)(4)(B)(i)(f),\15\ the policy issues that such provisions are 
intended to address are otherwise mitigated. The Exchange believes that 
Rule 14.11(c)(4)(B)(i)(b) is intended to address concerns around the 
size and manipulability of the Index's components. The exchange 
believes that these policy concerns would be mitigated by the fact that 
at least 90% of the weight of the Index will be comprised of securities 
that have a minimum par amount of $10 million and were a constituent of 
an offering where the original deal size was at least $250 million.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ Rule 14.11(c)(4)(B)(i)(b) requires that components that in 
the aggregate account for at least 75% of the weight of the index or 
portfolio each have a minimum original principal amount outstanding 
of $100 million or more. As of February 22, 2018, only 57.9% of the 
weight of the Index components had a minimum original principal 
amount outstanding of $100 million or more.
    \15\ Rule 14.11(c)(4)(B)(i)(f) requires that component 
securities that in aggregate account for at least 90% of the Fixed 
Income Securities portion of the weight of the index or portfolio 
must be either: (1) From issuers that are required to file reports 
pursuant to Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Act; (2) from issuers that 
have a worldwide market value of its outstanding common equity held 
by non-affiliates of $700 million or more; (3) from issuers that 
have outstanding securities that are notes, bonds, debentures, or 
evidence of indebtedness having a total remaining principal amount 
of at least $1 billion; (4) exempted securities as defined in 
section 3(a)(12) of the Act; or (5) from issuers that are a 
government of a foreign country or a political subdivision of a 
foreign country. According to the Exchange, as of February 22, 2018, 
only 68.0% of the weight of the Index components met the 
requirements of Rule 14.11(c)(4)(B)(i)(f).
    \16\ The Exchange notes that similar standards have been applied 
to other comparable funds, and cites to Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 82295 (December 12, 2017), 82 FR 60056 (December 18, 
2017) (SR-NYSEArca-2017-56). Further, according to the Exchange, the 
Index is broad-based and currently includes 2,693 component 
securities. The Exchange also states that, on a continuous basis, 
the Index will contain at least 500 component securities and comply 
with the index methodology description provided above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also believes that the availability of information 
regarding the ABS and CMBS that comprise the Index that Rule 
14.11(c)(4)(B)(i)(f) is intended to address would also be mitigated by 
the fact that the Fund will only hold ABS and CMBS for which the bond 
indenture requires the public disclosure of a statement to noteholders 
on a no less frequent than quarterly basis.

III. Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove SR-
CboeBZX-2018-018 and Grounds for Disapproval Under Consideration

    The Commission is instituting proceedings pursuant to Section 
19(b)(2)(B) of the Act \17\ to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be approved or disapproved. Institution of such 
proceedings is appropriate at this time in view of the legal and policy 
issues raised by the proposed rule change. Institution of proceedings 
does not indicate that the Commission has reached any conclusions with 
respect to any of the issues involved. Rather, as described below, the 
Commission seeks and encourages interested persons to provide comments 
on the proposed rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act,\18\ the Commission is 
providing notice of the grounds for disapproval under consideration. 
The Commission is instituting proceedings to allow for additional 
analysis of the proposal's consistency with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act, 
which requires, among other things, that the rules of a national 
securities exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative 
acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, 
and to protect investors and the public interest.\19\ Specifically, in 
light of the Index's composition of ABS and CMBS and the proposed 
continued listing criteria regarding the availability of public 
information applicable to the Shares, the Commission seeks commenters' 
views on whether the

[[Page 39488]]

information provided in the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
requirements of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ Id.
    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Procedure: Request for Written Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written views, data, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) or any other provision of the 
Act, or the rules and regulations thereunder. Although there do not 
appear to be any issues relevant to approval or disapproval that would 
be facilitated by an oral presentation of views, data, and arguments, 
the Commission will consider, pursuant to Rule 19b-4, any request for 
an opportunity to make an oral presentation.\20\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, as amended by the Securities 
Acts Amendments of 1975, Public Law 94-29 (June 4, 1975), grants the 
Commission flexibility to determine what type of proceeding--either 
oral or notice and opportunity for written comments--is appropriate 
for consideration of a particular proposal by a self-regulatory 
organization. See Securities Acts Amendments of 1975, Senate Comm. 
on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs, S. Rep. No. 75, 94th Cong., 1st 
Sess. 30 (1975).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments regarding whether the proposal should be approved or 
disapproved by August 30, 2018. Any person who wishes to file a 
rebuttal to any other person's submission must file that rebuttal by 
September 13, 2018.
    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-CboeBZX-2018-018 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-CboeBZX-2018-018. 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-CboeBZX-2018-018 and should be submitted 
on or before August 30, 2018. Rebuttal comments should be submitted by 
September 13, 2018.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(57).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-17008 Filed 8-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                39486                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2018 / Notices

                                                in 2010 in connection with rule 206(4)–                 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               A. The Exchange’s Description of the
                                                5, specify that solicitation activities                 COMMISSION                                            Index
                                                involving a government entity, as                       [Release No. 34–83775; File No. SR–                      The Index is designed to provide
                                                defined in rule 206(4)–5, are subject to                CboeBZX–2018–018]                                     exposure to investment-grade
                                                the additional limitations of rule                                                                            securitized products issued in the U.S.,
                                                206(4)–5. The information rule 206(4)–                  Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe                   including ABS 7 and CMBS.8
                                                3 requires is necessary to inform                       BZX Exchange, Inc.; Order Instituting                    To qualify for inclusion in the Index,
                                                advisory clients about the nature of the                Proceedings To Determine Whether To                   eligible securities must be a component
                                                solicitor’s financial interest in the                   Approve or Disapprove a Proposed                      of The ICE BofA Merrill Lynch US ABS
                                                recommendation so the prospective                       Rule Change To List and Trade Shares                  & CMBS Index (‘‘Feeder Index’’). Such
                                                clients may consider the solicitor’s                    of the Principal Morley Short Duration                securities are then selected and
                                                potential bias, and to protect clients                  Index ETF Under Rule 14.11(c)(4)                      weighted based upon the Index
                                                against solicitation activities being                                                                         methodology discussed below.
                                                                                                        August 3, 2018.
                                                carried out in a manner inconsistent                                                                          1. The Feeder Index’s Methodology
                                                with the adviser’s fiduciary duty to                    I. Introduction
                                                                                                           On April 23, 2018, Cboe BZX                           In order to be included in the Feeder
                                                clients. Rule 206(4)–3 is applicable to
                                                                                                        Exchange, Inc. (‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BZX’’)              Index, a security (whether ABS or
                                                all Commission registered investment                                                                          CMBS) must meet the following criteria
                                                advisers. The Commission believes that                  filed with the Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                        Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant                 (‘‘Basic Criteria’’):
                                                approximately 4,395 of these advisers                                                                            • Be rated investment-grade (based on
                                                have cash referral fee arrangements. The                to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities
                                                                                                        Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule             an average of Moody’s, S&P Global, and
                                                rule requires approximately 7.04 burden                                                                       Fitch);
                                                                                                        19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule
                                                hours per year per adviser and results in                                                                        • have a term of at least one year
                                                a total of approximately 30,941 total                   change to list and trade shares
                                                                                                                                                              remaining until final stated maturity;
                                                                                                        (‘‘Shares’’) of the Principal Morley Short
                                                burden hours (7.04 × 4,395) for all                                                                           and have at least one month to the last
                                                                                                        Duration Index ETF (‘‘Fund’’). The
                                                advisers.                                                                                                     expected cash flow; and
                                                                                                        proposed rule change was published for
                                                   The disclosure requirements of rule                                                                           • inverse floating rate, interest only,
                                                                                                        comment in the Federal Register on
                                                                                                                                                              and principal only securities are
                                                206(4)–3 do not require recordkeeping                   May 8, 2018.3 On June 20, 2018, the
                                                                                                                                                              excluded.
                                                or record retention. The collections of                 Commission designated a longer period                    In addition to the Basic Criteria, an
                                                information requirements under the                      within which to approve the proposed                  ABS must meet the following criteria:
                                                rules are mandatory. Information subject                rule change, disapprove the proposed                     • Must issue a fixed or floating rate
                                                to the disclosure requirements of rule                  rule change, or institute proceedings to              coupon;
                                                206(4)–3 is not submitted to the                        determine whether to approve or                          • must have an original deal size for
                                                Commission. The disclosures pursuant                    disapprove the proposed rule change.4                 the collateral group 9 of at least $250
                                                to the rule are not kept confidential. An               The Commission has received no                        million;
                                                agency may not conduct or sponsor, and                  comment letters on the proposed rule                     • must have a current outstanding
                                                a person is not required to respond to,                 change. This order institutes                         deal size for the collateral group greater
                                                a collection of information unless it                   proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) of              than or equal to 10% of the original deal
                                                                                                        the Act 5 to determine whether to                     size; and
                                                displays a currently valid OMB control
                                                                                                        approve or disapprove the proposed                       • a minimum current outstanding
                                                number.                                                 rule change.                                          tranche size of $50 million for senior
                                                   The public may view the background                                                                         tranches and $10 million current
                                                documentation for this information                      II. Description of the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                        Change                                                amount outstanding for mezzanine and
                                                collection at the following website,                                                                          subordinated tranches.
                                                www.reginfo.gov. Comments should be                        The Exchange proposes to list and                     In addition to the Basic Criteria, a
                                                directed to: (i) Desk Officer for the                   trade the Shares pursuant to BZX Rule                 CMBS (which may include U.S. agency
                                                Securities and Exchange Commission,                     14.11(c)(4), which governs the listing                CMBS) must also meet the following
                                                Office of Information and Regulatory                    and trading of index fund shares based                criteria:
                                                Affairs, Office of Management and                       on fixed income securities indexes. The                  • Must issue a fixed coupon
                                                                                                        Fund would seek to provide investment                 schedule;
                                                Budget, Room 10102, New Executive
                                                                                                        results that replicate, before expenses,                 • must have an original deal size for
                                                Office Building, Washington, DC 20503,
                                                                                                        the performance of The ICE BofA                       the collateral group of at least $250
                                                or by sending an email to: Shagufta_                    Merrill Lynch Low Duration U.S. ABS &
                                                Ahmed@omb.eop.gov; and (ii) Pamela                                                                            million;
                                                                                                        CMBS Equal Par Index (‘‘Index’’).6                       • must have a current outstanding
                                                Dyson, Director/Chief Information
                                                Officer, Securities and Exchange                                                                              deal size for the collateral group that is
                                                                                                          1 15 U.S.C.78s(b)(1).                               greater than or equal to 10% of the
                                                Commission, c/o Candace Kenner, 100 F                     2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                                                                                                                              original deal size; and
                                                Street NE, Washington, DC 20549 or                        3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 83152
                                                send an email to: PRA_Mailbox@                          (May 2, 2018), 83 FR 20892.
                                                                                                          4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 83479,       7 ‘‘ABS’’ means fixed and floating rate debt
                                                sec.gov. Comments must be submitted to                  83 FR 29838 (June 26, 2018). The Commission           securities secured by non-mortgage assets.
                                                OMB within 30 days of this notice.                      designated August 6, 2018 as the date by which the       8 ‘‘CMBS’’ means fixed rate debt securities
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                        Commission shall approve the proposed rule            secured by first mortgages on commercial real
                                                  Dated: August 3, 2018.                                change, disapprove the proposed rule change, or       estate.
                                                Eduardo A. Aleman,                                      institute proceedings to determine whether to            9 A collateral group describes the assets
                                                                                                        approve or disapprove the proposed rule change.       (receivables) that are held by the special purpose
                                                Assistant Secretary.                                      5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
                                                                                                                                                              vehicle (‘‘SPV’’) issuing the ABS securities. The
                                                [FR Doc. 2018–17000 Filed 8–8–18; 8:45 am]                6 The Index value, calculated and disseminated at   collateral group provides the source of payment for
                                                BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                  least once daily, as well as the components of the    the SPV’s liabilities (i.e., ABS securities). Typically,
                                                                                                        Index and their percentage weighting, will be         an SPV will include assets greater than its liabilities
                                                                                                        available from major market data vendors.             as a form of credit enhancement.



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:11 Aug 08, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00085   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM   09AUN1


                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2018 / Notices                                                       39487

                                                   • must have a minimum outstanding                    Securities with a maturity of three                      and were a constituent of an offering
                                                tranche size of $50 million for senior                  months or greater; centrally cleared,                    where the original deal size was at least
                                                tranches and $10 million for mezzanine                  index-based credit default swaps; 12                     $250 million.16
                                                and subordinated tranches.                              and, to the extent permitted by the 1940                   The Exchange also believes that the
                                                                                                        Act, other exchange-traded funds                         availability of information regarding the
                                                2. The Index’s Methodology                                                                                       ABS and CMBS that comprise the Index
                                                                                                        (‘‘ETFs’’).13
                                                   Securities in the Feeder Index are                      The portfolio of securities held by the               that Rule 14.11(c)(4)(B)(i)(f) is intended
                                                screened for inclusion/exclusion in the                 Fund will be disclosed on the Fund’s                     to address would also be mitigated by
                                                Index based on the following criteria:                  website at www.PrincipalETFs.com.                        the fact that the Fund will only hold
                                                   • ABS related to home equity and                                                                              ABS and CMBS for which the bond
                                                                                                        C. Exchange’s Policy Discussion
                                                manufactured housing are excluded;                                                                               indenture requires the public disclosure
                                                   • CMBS securities that are rated less                   The Exchange believes that while the                  of a statement to noteholders on a no
                                                than AAA credit quality (based on an                    proposed rule change does not satisfy                    less frequent than quarterly basis.
                                                average of Moody’s, S&P Global and                      all of the ‘‘generic’’ listing requirements
                                                                                                        of Rule 14.11(c)(4), in particular Rules                 III. Proceedings To Determine Whether
                                                Fitch) are excluded;
                                                                                                                                                                 To Approve or Disapprove SR–
                                                   • CMBS securities that are issued                    14.11(c)(4)(B)(i)(b) 14 and
                                                                                                        14.11(c)(4)(B)(i)(f),15 the policy issues                CboeBZX–2018–018 and Grounds for
                                                prior to December 31, 2010 are
                                                                                                        that such provisions are intended to                     Disapproval Under Consideration
                                                excluded; and
                                                   • Securities must have a modified                    address are otherwise mitigated. The                        The Commission is instituting
                                                duration to worst that is less than or                  Exchange believes that Rule                              proceedings pursuant to Section
                                                equal to 5 years for initial inclusion in               14.11(c)(4)(B)(i)(b) is intended to                      19(b)(2)(B) of the Act 17 to determine
                                                the Index, although once included, the                  address concerns around the size and                     whether the proposed rule change
                                                security remains in the Index provided                  manipulability of the Index’s                            should be approved or disapproved.
                                                the remaining criteria are met.                         components. The exchange believes that                   Institution of such proceedings is
                                                   The qualifying securities are assigned               these policy concerns would be                           appropriate at this time in view of the
                                                equal par amounts with a 70%                            mitigated by the fact that at least 90%                  legal and policy issues raised by the
                                                allocation given to ABS securities and a                of the weight of the Index will be                       proposed rule change. Institution of
                                                30% allocation given to CMBS                            comprised of securities that have a                      proceedings does not indicate that the
                                                securities. The Index rebalances on a                   minimum par amount of $10 million                        Commission has reached any
                                                monthly basis.                                                                                                   conclusions with respect to any of the
                                                                                                        savings and loan associations for a stated period of     issues involved. Rather, as described
                                                B. The Exchange’s Description of the                    time at a fixed rate of interest; (vi) commercial
                                                                                                                                                                 below, the Commission seeks and
                                                Fund                                                    paper, which are short-term unsecured promissory
                                                                                                        notes; and (vii) money market funds.                     encourages interested persons to
                                                   Under Normal Market Conditions,10                       12 Centrally cleared swaps are cleared through a      provide comments on the proposed rule
                                                the Fund will invest at least 80% of its                central clearinghouse and, as such, the counterparty     change.
                                                                                                        risk traditionally associated with over-the-counter         Pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the
                                                net assets, plus any borrowings for                     swaps is eliminated.
                                                investment purposes, in ABS and CMBS                       13 ETFs include Index Fund Shares (as described       Act,18 the Commission is providing
                                                that compose the Index at the time of                   in Rule 14.11(c)); Portfolio Depositary Receipts (as     notice of the grounds for disapproval
                                                purchase.                                               described in Rule 14.11(b)); and Managed Fund            under consideration. The Commission is
                                                   While the Fund normally will invest                  Shares (as described in Rule 14.11(i)). The ETFs all     instituting proceedings to allow for
                                                                                                        will be listed and traded in the U.S. on registered
                                                at least 80% of its net assets, plus any                exchanges. The Fund may invest in the securities         additional analysis of the proposal’s
                                                borrowings for investment purposes, in                  of ETFs registered under the 1940 Act consistent         consistency with Section 6(b)(5) of the
                                                ABS and CMBS that compose the Index,                    with the requirements of Section 12(d)(1) of the         Act, which requires, among other
                                                as described above, the Fund may invest                 1940 Act, or any rule, regulation or order of the        things, that the rules of a national
                                                                                                        Commission or interpretation thereof. The Fund
                                                its remaining assets in securities not                  will not invest in leveraged or inverse leveraged        securities exchange be designed to
                                                included in the Index including only                    (e.g., 2X, ¥2X, 3X or ¥3X) ETFs.                         prevent fraudulent and manipulative
                                                the following instruments: ABS and                         14 Rule 14.11(c)(4)(B)(i)(b) requires that            acts and practices, to promote just and
                                                CMBS not included in the Index; cash                    components that in the aggregate account for at          equitable principles of trade, and to
                                                                                                        least 75% of the weight of the index or portfolio
                                                and cash equivalents; 11 Treasury                       each have a minimum original principal amount            protect investors and the public
                                                                                                        outstanding of $100 million or more. As of February      interest.19 Specifically, in light of the
                                                   10 The term ‘‘Normal Market Conditions’’             22, 2018, only 57.9% of the weight of the Index          Index’s composition of ABS and CMBS
                                                includes, but is not limited to, the absence of         components had a minimum original principal              and the proposed continued listing
                                                trading halts in the applicable financial markets       amount outstanding of $100 million or more.
                                                generally; operational issues causing dissemination        15 Rule 14.11(c)(4)(B)(i)(f) requires that
                                                                                                                                                                 criteria regarding the availability of
                                                of inaccurate market information or system failures;    component securities that in aggregate account for       public information applicable to the
                                                or force majeure type events such as natural or man-    at least 90% of the Fixed Income Securities portion      Shares, the Commission seeks
                                                made disaster, act of God, armed conflict, act of       of the weight of the index or portfolio must be          commenters’ views on whether the
                                                terrorism, riot or labor disruption, or any similar     either: (1) From issuers that are required to file
                                                intervening circumstance.                               reports pursuant to Sections 13 and 15(d) of the           16 The Exchange notes that similar standards have
                                                   11 Cash equivalents are short-term instruments       Act; (2) from issuers that have a worldwide market
                                                with maturities of less than three months,              value of its outstanding common equity held by           been applied to other comparable funds, and cites
                                                including: (i) U.S. Government securities, including    non-affiliates of $700 million or more; (3) from         to Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82295
                                                bills, notes, and bonds differing as to maturity and    issuers that have outstanding securities that are        (December 12, 2017), 82 FR 60056 (December 18,
                                                rates of interest, which are either issued or           notes, bonds, debentures, or evidence of                 2017) (SR–NYSEArca–2017–56). Further, according
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                                                guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S.              indebtedness having a total remaining principal          to the Exchange, the Index is broad-based and
                                                Government agencies or instrumentalities; (ii)          amount of at least $1 billion; (4) exempted              currently includes 2,693 component securities. The
                                                certificates of deposit issued against funds            securities as defined in section 3(a)(12) of the Act;    Exchange also states that, on a continuous basis, the
                                                deposited in a bank or savings and loan association;    or (5) from issuers that are a government of a foreign   Index will contain at least 500 component securities
                                                (iii) bankers acceptances, which are short-term         country or a political subdivision of a foreign          and comply with the index methodology
                                                credit instruments used to finance commercial           country. According to the Exchange, as of February       description provided above.
                                                                                                                                                                   17 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
                                                transactions; (iv) repurchase agreements and reverse    22, 2018, only 68.0% of the weight of the Index
                                                                                                                                                                   18 Id.
                                                repurchase agreements; (v) bank time deposits,          components met the requirements of Rule
                                                which are monies kept on deposit with banks or          14.11(c)(4)(B)(i)(f).                                      19 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).




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                                                39488                         Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2018 / Notices

                                                information provided in the proposed                    change that are filed with the                        concerning Reserve Orders,3 Primary
                                                rule change is consistent with the                      Commission, and all written                           Pegged Orders,4 and setter priority.5 On
                                                requirements of Section 6(b)(5) of the                  communications relating to the                        June 8, 2018, the Exchange filed
                                                Act.                                                    proposed rule change between the                      Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule
                                                                                                        Commission and any person, other than                 change, which replaced and superseded
                                                IV. Procedure: Request for Written
                                                                                                        those that may be withheld from the                   the proposed rule change in its
                                                Comments
                                                                                                        public in accordance with the                         entirety.6 The proposed rule change, as
                                                   Interested persons are invited to                    provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                   modified by Amendment No. 1, was
                                                submit written views, data, and                         available for website viewing and                     published for comment in the Federal
                                                arguments concerning the foregoing,                     printing in the Commission’s Public                   Register on June 20, 2018.7 The
                                                including whether the proposed rule                     Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,                      Commission has received no comments
                                                change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5)               Washington, DC 20549 on official                      on the proposed rule change. This order
                                                or any other provision of the Act, or the               business days between the hours of                    approves the proposed rule change, as
                                                rules and regulations thereunder.                       10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                modified by Amendment No. 1.
                                                Although there do not appear to be any                  filing also will be available for
                                                issues relevant to approval or                                                                                II. Description of the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                        inspection and copying at the principal
                                                disapproval that would be facilitated by                                                                      Change, as Modified by Amendment
                                                                                                        office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                an oral presentation of views, data, and                                                                      No. 1
                                                                                                        received will be posted without change.
                                                arguments, the Commission will                          Persons submitting comments are                          The Exchange proposes several
                                                consider, pursuant to Rule 19b–4, any                   cautioned that we do not redact or edit               changes to the Reserve Order and the
                                                request for an opportunity to make an                   personal identifying information from                 Primary Pegged Order, as set forth in
                                                oral presentation.20                                    comment submissions. You should                       NYSE Rule 7.31. The Exchange also
                                                   Interested persons are invited to                    submit only information that you wish                 proposes changes to the setter priority,
                                                submit written data, views, and                         to make available publicly. All                       as set forth in NYSE Rule 7.36(h).
                                                arguments regarding whether the                         submissions should refer to File                      A. Reserve Orders
                                                proposal should be approved or                          Number SR–CboeBZX–2018–018 and
                                                disapproved by August 30, 2018. Any                     should be submitted on or before                         The Exchange proposes several
                                                person who wishes to file a rebuttal to                 August 30, 2018. Rebuttal comments                    changes to the rules for Reserve Orders,
                                                any other person’s submission must file                 should be submitted by September 13,                  in order to reduce the number of child
                                                that rebuttal by September 13, 2018.                    2018.                                                 orders associated with each Reserve
                                                   Comments may be submitted by any                                                                           Order, to codify existing functionality,
                                                                                                          For the Commission, by the Division of              and provide more clarity to existing
                                                of the following methods:                               Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                                                                                                                              Exchange rules. A ‘‘Reserve Order’’ is a
                                                Electronic Comments                                     authority.21
                                                                                                                                                              limit order with a quantity displayed,
                                                                                                        Eduardo A. Aleman,
                                                  • Use the Commission’s internet                                                                             ranked Priority 2—Display Orders, and
                                                                                                        Assistant Secretary.                                  a non-displayed quantity held in
                                                comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                rules/sro.shtml); or                                    [FR Doc. 2018–17008 Filed 8–8–18; 8:45 am]            reserve, ranked Priority 3—Non-
                                                  • Send an email to rule-comments@                     BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                Displayed.8 Both the display quantity
                                                sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                                                                       and the reserve interest of an arriving
                                                CboeBZX–2018–018 on the subject line.                                                                         marketable Reserve Order are eligible to
                                                                                                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                               trade with resting interest in the
                                                Paper Comments                                          COMMISSION                                            Exchange Book or to route to an Away
                                                   • Send paper comments in triplicate                  [Release No. 34–83768; File No. SR–NYSE–              Market.9
                                                to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                   2018–26]                                                 First, the Exchange proposes to
                                                Commission, 100 F Street NE,                                                                                  change how the displayed quantity is
                                                Washington, DC 20549–1090.                              Self-Regulatory Organizations; New                    replenished. Currently, the display
                                                All submissions should refer to File                    York Stock Exchange LLC; Order
                                                Number SR–CboeBZX–2018–018. This                        Granting Approval of a Proposed Rule                    3 See  NYSE Rule 7.31(d)(1).
                                                file number should be included on the                   Change, as Modified by Amendment                        4 See  NYSE Rule 7.31(h)(2).
                                                                                                                                                                 5 See NYSE Rule 7.36(h) for the rules concerning
                                                subject line if email is used. To help the              No. 1, Amending the Exchange’s Rules
                                                                                                                                                              setter priority.
                                                Commission process and review your                      Relating to Reserve Orders, Primary                      6 In Amendment No. 1, among other changes, the

                                                comments more efficiently, please use                   Pegged Orders, and Setter Priority for                Exchange revised proposed Section 7.31(d)(1)(B) to
                                                only one method. The Commission will                    UTP Securities Trading on the                         clarify that the term ‘‘child’’ order refers to each
                                                                                                        Exchange’s Pillar Platform                            display quantity with a different working time.
                                                post all comments on the Commission’s                                                                         Amendment No. 1 was reflected in the notice of
                                                internet website (http://www.sec.gov/                   August 3, 2018.                                       filing of proposed rule change that was published
                                                rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                                                                               in the Federal Register. See infra note 7.
                                                submission, all subsequent                              I. Introduction                                          7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 83432

                                                amendments, all written statements                                                                            (Jun. 14, 2018), 83 FR 28701 (Jun. 20, 2018)
                                                                                                           On June 1, 2018, New York Stock                    (‘‘Notice’’).
                                                with respect to the proposed rule                       Exchange LLC (‘‘NYSE’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’)                  8 See Section II.C. infra for a description of the

                                                                                                        filed with the Securities and Exchange                Exchange’s setter priority.
                                                   20 Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, as amended by the                                                             9 See NYSE Rule 7.31(d)(1). The term ‘‘Exchange
                                                                                                        Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant
                                                Securities Acts Amendments of 1975, Public Law
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                                                                                                                                                              Book’’ is defined in NYSE Rule 1.1(a) as the
                                                94–29 (June 4, 1975), grants the Commission             to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities                 Exchange’s electronic file of orders, containing all
                                                flexibility to determine what type of proceeding—       Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule             orders on the Exchange. The term ‘‘Away Market’’
                                                either oral or notice and opportunity for written       19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule                    is defined in NYSE Rule 1.1(ff) as any exchange,
                                                comments—is appropriate for consideration of a          change to amend NYSE rules                            alternative trading systems or other broker-dealer
                                                particular proposal by a self-regulatory                                                                      with which the Exchange maintains an electronic
                                                organization. See Securities Acts Amendments of                                                               linkage and that provides instantaneous responses
                                                                                                          21 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(57).
                                                1975, Senate Comm. on Banking, Housing & Urban                                                                to orders routed from the Exchange. The Exchange
                                                                                                          1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                Affairs, S. Rep. No. 75, 94th Cong., 1st Sess. 30                                                             will designate from time to time those ATSs or
                                                (1975).                                                   2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                 other broker-dealers that qualify as Away Markets.



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Document Created: 2018-08-09 01:11:52
Document Modified: 2018-08-09 01:11:52
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 39486 

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