83_FR_64407 83 FR 64168 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 15 Relating to the Reference Price for Exchange-Listed Securities

83 FR 64168 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 15 Relating to the Reference Price for Exchange-Listed Securities

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 239 (December 13, 2018)

Page Range64168-64170
FR Document2018-26944

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 239 (Thursday, December 13, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 239 (Thursday, December 13, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64168-64170]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26944]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-84755; File No. SR-NYSE-2018-60]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To 
Amend Rule 15 Relating to the Reference Price for Exchange-Listed 
Securities

December 7, 2018.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 (``Act'') \2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ notice is hereby given 
that on December 4, 2018, New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE'' or the 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and 
II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The 
Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the 
proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
    \3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 15 relating to the Reference 
Price for Exchange-listed securities. The proposed rule change is 
available on the Exchange's website at www.nyse.com, at the principal 
office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 15 relating to a security's 
Reference Price that is used in determining whether to publish a pre-
opening indication prior to an opening auction in a security that is 
already listed on the Exchange. The Exchange proposes to use the 
``Official Closing Price'' (``OCP'') rather than the last reported sale 
price \4\ as an Exchange-listed security's Reference Price and to 
clarify that such Reference Price would be adjusted as applicable based 
on the publicly disclosed terms of a corporate action.
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    \4\ All references to ``last reported sale price'' or ``last-
sale eligible trade'' are to a trade that is of at least one round 
lot.
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    Rule 15(a) states that a pre-opening indication will include the 
security and the price range within which the opening price is 
anticipated to occur and that a pre-opening indication is published via 
the securities information processor and the Exchange's proprietary 
data feeds. Rule 15(b) provides that a designated market maker 
(``DMM'') will publish a pre-opening indication either: (i) Before a 
security opens if the opening transaction on the Exchange is 
anticipated to be at a price that represents a change of more than the 
``Applicable Price Range,'' as specified in Rule 15(d),\5\ from a 
specified ``Reference Price,'' as specified in Rule 15(c); or (ii) if a 
security has not opened by 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Accordingly, the 
Reference Price operates as a trigger for whether to publish a pre-
opening indication. The pre-opening indication price range that is 
published is based on where the opening price is anticipated to occur; 
the Reference Price is not published as part of the pre-opening 
indication.
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    \5\ Under Rule 15(d)(1), the Applicable Price Range for 
determining whether to publish a pre-opening indication is 5% for 
securities with a Reference Price over $3.00 and $0.15 for 
securities with a Reference Price equal to or lower than $3.00.
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    Rule 15(c)(1)(A) specifies that the Reference Price for a security 
(other than an American Depository Receipt) that is already listed on 
the Exchange will be the security's last reported sale price on the 
Exchange.\6\ The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 15(c)(1)(A) to: (i) 
Use the Official Closing Price rather than the last reported sale price 
as an Exchange-listed security's Reference Price; and (ii) specify that 
the Official Closing Price would be adjusted as applicable based on the 
publicly disclosed terms of a corporate action.
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    \6\ See Rule 15(c)(1). Rule 15(c)(1)(B)-(D) also specifies what 
the Reference Price will be for a security that is the subject of an 
initial public offering, that is transferred from another securities 
market, or that is listed under Footnote (E) to Section 102.01B of 
the Listed Company Manual.
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    Official Closing Price. Currently, the reference in Rule 
15(c)(1)(A) to a security's ``last reported sale price'' means the last 
round-lot sale price on the Exchange that is reported to the 
Consolidated Tape, which includes the closing transaction price of a 
round lot or more in a security, and if there was no closing 
transaction, the last round-lot sale price on the Exchange in that 
security. For example, if there was no closing transaction, and the 
last reported sale price of a round lot or more on the Exchange was 
from 3:30 p.m., the Exchange would use that 3:30 p.m. last reported 
sale price as the Reference Price for Rule 15(c)(1)(A). If there was no 
reported sale price the prior day, the Exchange will use the last 
reported sale price, regardless of how long ago it was published.
    The Exchange proposes to update the terminology used in Rule 
15(c)(1)(A) to reference the term OCP rather than reference a 
security's ``last reported sale price.'' When the OCP is determined 
under Rule 123C(1)(e)(i),\7\ use of such OCP for purposes of Rule 
15(c)(1)(A) would result in the same Reference Price as under the 
current rule using the last reported sale price.\8\ In addition, by

[[Page 64169]]

referencing the OCP, the proposed amendment to Rule 15(c)(1)(A) would 
provide for a new method for determining the Reference Price if the 
Exchange is unable to conduct a closing transaction due to a systems or 
technical issue. In such case, Rules 123C(1)(e)(ii) and (iii) specify 
that the OCP would be determined via one of the contingency procedures 
specified in that rule, the selection of which depends on whether the 
Exchange determines that it cannot conduct a closing auction before or 
after 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.\9\
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    \7\ In 2015, the Exchange amended Rule 123C to define the term 
OCP and specified how the Exchange would determine the OCP for a 
security. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76598 (December 9, 
2015), 80 FR 77688 (December 15, 2015) (SR-NYSE-2015-62) (Notice of 
filing and immediate effectiveness of proposed rule change).
    \8\ Rule 123C(1)(e)(i) provides that ``[t]he Official Closing 
Price is the price established in a closing transaction under 
paragraphs (7) and (8) of [Rule 123C] of one round lot or more. If 
there is no closing transaction in a security or if a closing 
transaction is less than a round lot, the Official Closing Price 
will be the most recent last-sale eligible trade in such security on 
the Exchange on that trading day.'' Rule 123C(7) and (8) specify the 
allocation process for the closing transaction. Rule 
123C(1)(e)(i)(A) provides that ``[i]f there were no last-sale 
eligible trades in a security on the Exchange on a trading day, the 
Official Closing Price of such security will be the prior day's 
Official Closing Price.'' Taken together, these provisions would 
result in the same Reference Price as under the current rule using 
the last reported sale price.
    \9\ In 2016, the Exchange further amended Rule 123C to modify 
how the Exchange would determine an OCP if the Exchange is unable to 
conduct a closing transaction due to a systems or technical issue. 
In general, Rules 123C(1)(e)(ii) or (iii) provide that the OCP would 
be either an official closing price from a designated alternate 
exchange or a volume weighted average price of the consolidated 
last-sale eligible trades of the last five minutes of trading during 
regular trading hours. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78015 
(June 8, 2016), 81 FR 38747 (June 14, 2016) (SR-NYSE-2016-18).
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    The Exchange believes that it is appropriate to amend Rule 
15(c)(1)(A) to reference the OCP instead of the last reported sale 
price because using the OCP as determined under Rules 123C(1)(e)(i), 
(ii), or (iii) as the Reference Price would cover all potential 
contingencies and reflect the most recent valuation in a security, 
including situations where the Exchange is unable to conduct a closing 
auction due to a systems or technical issue. For example, if for a 
security the last reported sale price on the Exchange was at 2:00 p.m., 
and then the Exchange uses either Rule 123C(1)(e)(ii) or (iii) to 
determine an OCP, the Exchange believes that the OCP that is determined 
as of the close of trading is more reflective of the value of such 
security as compared to the Exchange's last reported sale price at 2:00 
p.m.
    Corporate Actions. The Exchange also proposes to amend Rule 
15(c)(1)(A) to specify that the OCP used as the Reference Price would 
be adjusted as applicable based on the publicly disclosed terms of a 
corporate action. The Exchange notes that currently, the Reference 
Price under Rule 15(c)(1)(A) for a security that is the subject of a 
corporate action would be adjusted based on the publicly disclosed 
terms of the corporate action before it is used to determine whether to 
publish a pre-opening indication. For example, if an Exchange-listed 
security that closed the previous day with an Official Closing Price of 
$50 per share is subject to a 2-for-1 stock split, the Reference Price 
used for Rule 15(c)(1)(A) would be $25 per share, consistent with 
current practice.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ This represents an example of a ``standard'' corporate 
action, such as a stock split, reverse stock split, or dividend 
payment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Similarly, if a security is the subject of a non-standard corporate 
action, such as a merger or recapitalization, currently, the last 
reported sale price would be adjusted based on the publicly disclosed 
terms of the corporate action. For example, assume a listed company is 
being recapitalized in a merger transaction in which the Exchange-
listed security (Class A) is exchanged for a cash dividend of $10 per 
share of Class A stock plus two shares of the common stock of a new 
holding company (New Holdco Common). If the Class A stock is trading at 
a price of $90 prior to the corporate action, the Reference Price under 
Rule 15(c)(1)(A) for each share of New Holdco Common Stock would be $40 
per share (i.e., ($90-$10) / 2). The Exchange believes that this 
process ensures that a Reference Price accurately reflects the value of 
the security after a corporate action. To promote transparency in its 
rules, the Exchange proposes to codify this practice in Rule 
15(c)(1)(A) so that member organizations and market participants are 
appropriately advised of how the Reference Price is determined for 
securities that are subject to a corporate action.
2. Statutory Basis
    The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act''),\11\ in general, and 
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),\12\ in particular, because 
it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and 
practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating 
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to, and perfect the 
mechanism of, a free and open market and a national market system and, 
in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that using the OCP instead of the last 
reported sale price on the Exchange would remove impediments to and 
perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market 
system because it would align Rule 15(c)(1)(A) with how the Exchange 
determines the OCP for a security and would cover all potential 
contingencies if there is no closing transaction on the Exchange, 
including if the Exchange is unable to conduct a closing transaction 
due to a systems or technical issue. The proposed amendment would 
maintain that the Reference Price is the price of a last sale of at 
least one round lot, and therefore promotes just and equitable 
principles of trade because it is consistent with Rule 123C(1)(e)(i) 
which requires that the OCP be either the price of the closing 
transaction, or the last-sale eligible trade on the Exchange when there 
is no closing transaction or the closing transaction is less than one 
round lot. The proposal would, therefore, continue to ensure that the 
Reference Price is an accurate indicator for determining whether a pre-
opening indication of interest should be published. The proposed 
amendment would also enable the determination of a Reference Price 
under Rule 15(c)(1)(A) to account for when the OCP is determined via 
one of the contingency procedures set forth in Rules 123C(1)(e)(ii) and 
(iii). The Exchange believes that referencing the OCP rather than the 
last reported sale price would remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system 
because it would result in a Reference Price that is more reflective of 
the most recent value of the security value because the OCP as 
determined under Rules 123C(1)(e)(ii) or (iii) would be a price 
determined as of the close of trading, rather than the Exchange's last 
reported sale price, which may occur earlier in the trading day.
    The Exchange believes that amending Rule 15(c)(1)(A) to specify 
that the OCP would be adjusted as applicable based on the publicly 
disclosed terms of a corporate action would remove impediments to and 
perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market 
system by promoting transparency in Exchange rules of how the Reference 
Price is determined if a security listed on the Exchange is subject to 
a corporate action. The Exchange believes it is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest to adjust the OCP that 
would be used as a Reference Price under Rule 15(c)(1)(A) based on the 
publicly disclosed terms of a corporate action as such adjusted price 
would better reflect the price of the security for purposes of the 
opening auction on the first day that a corporate action is in effect. 
The Exchange notes that the Reference Price is used as a trigger for 
determining whether to publish a pre-opening indication, and

[[Page 64170]]

having a Reference Price more closely aligned to the updated value of 
the security, based on the terms of the corporate action, would promote 
a more efficient opening process.

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change is 
designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules 
regarding how a Reference Price under Rule 15 is determined for an 
Exchange-listed security. The proposed rule change is therefore not 
designed to address any competitive concerns but rather inform member 
organizations that the OCP would be used as the Reference Price for 
listed securities, adjusted as applicable based on the publicly 
disclosed terms of a corporate action.

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

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

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

    The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \13\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\14\ 
Because the proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the 
protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any 
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 
days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the 
Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\15\
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    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \14\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \15\ In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-
regulatory organization to give the Commission written notice of its 
intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days 
prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such 
shorter time as designated by the Commission. The Exchange has 
satisfied this requirement.
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    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \16\ normally 
does not become operative for 30 days after the date of the filing. 
However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\17\ the Commission may 
designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest. In its filing with the 
Commission, the Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day 
operative delay so that the proposal may become operative immediately 
upon filing to provide greater transparency to investors regarding how 
a security's Reference Price would be adjusted if that security is 
subject to a publicly disclosed corporate action and avoid potential 
investor confusion that could arise during the operative delay period. 
According to the Exchange, waiver of the operative delay period would 
also avoid potential investor confusion because the proposal will 
clarify when a pre-opening indication would be published based on the 
security's Reference Price.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \17\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes that waiver of the 30-day operative delay 
is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest 
because it will provide transparency to investors on the determination 
of the Reference Price for Exchange listed securities, which is used as 
the basis for determining when pre-opening indications will be 
published, as well as provide transparency on the adjustments that will 
be made to the Reference Price as a result of corporate actions. For 
these reasons, the Commission hereby waives the operative delay and 
designates the proposed rule change operative upon filing.\18\
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    \18\ For purposes only of waiving the operative delay, the 
Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, 
competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission 
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under 
Section 19(b)(2)(B) \19\ of the Act to determine whether the proposed 
rule change should be approved or disapproved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
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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-NYSE-2018-60 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-NYSE-2018-60. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's internet website (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). 
Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written 
statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with 
the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed 
rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those 
that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions 
of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for website viewing and printing in 
the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 
20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 
3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection 
and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments 
received will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are 
cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying 
information from comment submissions. You should submit only 
information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions 
should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2018-60, and should be submitted on 
or before January 3, 2019.
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    \20\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\20\
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-26944 Filed 12-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                              64168                     Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 239 / Thursday, December 13, 2018 / Notices

                                              modification or revocation if at any time               II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          opening price is anticipated to occur;
                                              the Commission determines that such                     Statement of the Purpose of, and                            the Reference Price is not published as
                                              action is necessary or appropriate in                   Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                      part of the pre-opening indication.
                                              furtherance of the purposes of the                      Change                                                         Rule 15(c)(1)(A) specifies that the
                                              Securities Exchange Act of 1934.                           In its filing with the Commission, the                   Reference Price for a security (other
                                              Responsibility for compliance with any                  self-regulatory organization included                       than an American Depository Receipt)
                                              applicable provisions of the Federal                                                                                that is already listed on the Exchange
                                                                                                      statements concerning the purpose of,
                                              securities laws must rest with the                                                                                  will be the security’s last reported sale
                                                                                                      and basis for, the proposed rule change
                                                                                                                                                                  price on the Exchange.6 The Exchange
                                              persons relying on the exemptions that                  and discussed any comments it received
                                                                                                                                                                  proposes to amend Rule 15(c)(1)(A) to:
                                              are the subject of this Order.                          on the proposed rule change. The text
                                                                                                                                                                  (i) Use the Official Closing Price rather
                                                For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                                                                      of those statements may be examined at
                                                                                                                                                                  than the last reported sale price as an
                                              Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated              the places specified in Item IV below.
                                                                                                                                                                  Exchange-listed security’s Reference
                                              authority.7                                             The Exchange has prepared summaries,
                                                                                                                                                                  Price; and (ii) specify that the Official
                                                                                                      set forth in sections A, B, and C below,
                                              Eduardo A. Aleman,                                                                                                  Closing Price would be adjusted as
                                                                                                      of the most significant parts of such
                                              Deputy Secretary.                                                                                                   applicable based on the publicly
                                                                                                      statements.
                                              [FR Doc. 2018–27004 Filed 12–12–18; 8:45 am]                                                                        disclosed terms of a corporate action.
                                                                                                      A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                              Official Closing Price. Currently, the
                                              BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                      Statement of the Purpose of, and the                        reference in Rule 15(c)(1)(A) to a
                                                                                                      Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                      security’s ‘‘last reported sale price’’
                                                                                                      Change                                                      means the last round-lot sale price on
                                              SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                                                                                                                                  the Exchange that is reported to the
                                              COMMISSION                                              1. Purpose
                                                                                                                                                                  Consolidated Tape, which includes the
                                                                                                         The Exchange proposes to amend                           closing transaction price of a round lot
                                              [Release No. 34–84755; File No. SR–NYSE–                Rule 15 relating to a security’s Reference                  or more in a security, and if there was
                                              2018–60]                                                Price that is used in determining                           no closing transaction, the last round-lot
                                                                                                      whether to publish a pre-opening                            sale price on the Exchange in that
                                              Self-Regulatory Organizations; New                      indication prior to an opening auction                      security. For example, if there was no
                                              York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of                      in a security that is already listed on the                 closing transaction, and the last
                                              Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of                   Exchange. The Exchange proposes to                          reported sale price of a round lot or
                                              Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule                      use the ‘‘Official Closing Price’’ (‘‘OCP’’)                more on the Exchange was from 3:30
                                              15 Relating to the Reference Price for                  rather than the last reported sale price 4                  p.m., the Exchange would use that 3:30
                                              Exchange-Listed Securities                              as an Exchange-listed security’s                            p.m. last reported sale price as the
                                                                                                      Reference Price and to clarify that such                    Reference Price for Rule 15(c)(1)(A). If
                                              December 7, 2018.                                       Reference Price would be adjusted as                        there was no reported sale price the
                                                 Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the                applicable based on the publicly                            prior day, the Exchange will use the last
                                              Securities Exchange Act of 1934                         disclosed terms of a corporate action.                      reported sale price, regardless of how
                                              (‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3                    Rule 15(a) states that a pre-opening                     long ago it was published.
                                              notice is hereby given that on December                 indication will include the security and                       The Exchange proposes to update the
                                              4, 2018, New York Stock Exchange LLC                    the price range within which the                            terminology used in Rule 15(c)(1)(A) to
                                              (‘‘NYSE’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with               opening price is anticipated to occur                       reference the term OCP rather than
                                              the Securities and Exchange                             and that a pre-opening indication is                        reference a security’s ‘‘last reported sale
                                              Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the                         published via the securities information                    price.’’ When the OCP is determined
                                                                                                      processor and the Exchange’s                                under Rule 123C(1)(e)(i),7 use of such
                                              proposed rule change as described in
                                                                                                      proprietary data feeds. Rule 15(b)                          OCP for purposes of Rule 15(c)(1)(A)
                                              Items I and II below, which Items have
                                                                                                      provides that a designated market maker                     would result in the same Reference
                                              been prepared by the Exchange. The
                                                                                                      (‘‘DMM’’) will publish a pre-opening                        Price as under the current rule using the
                                              Commission is publishing this notice to                 indication either: (i) Before a security                    last reported sale price.8 In addition, by
                                              solicit comments on the proposed rule                   opens if the opening transaction on the
                                              change from interested persons.                         Exchange is anticipated to be at a price                       6 See Rule 15(c)(1). Rule 15(c)(1)(B)–(D) also

                                                                                                      that represents a change of more than                       specifies what the Reference Price will be for a
                                              I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                                                                                   security that is the subject of an initial public
                                              Statement of the Terms of Substance of                  the ‘‘Applicable Price Range,’’ as                          offering, that is transferred from another securities
                                              the Proposed Rule Change                                specified in Rule 15(d),5 from a                            market, or that is listed under Footnote (E) to
                                                                                                      specified ‘‘Reference Price,’’ as specified                 Section 102.01B of the Listed Company Manual.
                                                 The Exchange proposes to amend                       in Rule 15(c); or (ii) if a security has not                   7 In 2015, the Exchange amended Rule 123C to

                                              Rule 15 relating to the Reference Price                 opened by 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.                          define the term OCP and specified how the
                                                                                                                                                                  Exchange would determine the OCP for a security.
                                              for Exchange-listed securities. The                     Accordingly, the Reference Price                            See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76598
                                              proposed rule change is available on the                operates as a trigger for whether to                        (December 9, 2015), 80 FR 77688 (December 15,
                                              Exchange’s website at www.nyse.com, at                  publish a pre-opening indication. The                       2015) (SR–NYSE–2015–62) (Notice of filing and
                                                                                                      pre-opening indication price range that                     immediate effectiveness of proposed rule change).
                                              the principal office of the Exchange, and                                                                              8 Rule 123C(1)(e)(i) provides that ‘‘[t]he Official
                                              at the Commission’s Public Reference                    is published is based on where the                          Closing Price is the price established in a closing
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1




                                              Room.                                                      4 All references to ‘‘last reported sale price’’ or
                                                                                                                                                                  transaction under paragraphs (7) and (8) of [Rule
                                                                                                                                                                  123C] of one round lot or more. If there is no closing
                                                                                                      ‘‘last-sale eligible trade’’ are to a trade that is of at   transaction in a security or if a closing transaction
                                                                                                      least one round lot.                                        is less than a round lot, the Official Closing Price
                                                                                                         5 Under Rule 15(d)(1), the Applicable Price Range        will be the most recent last-sale eligible trade in
                                                7 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(83).
                                                1 15
                                                                                                      for determining whether to publish a pre-opening            such security on the Exchange on that trading day.’’
                                                     U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                                                                      indication is 5% for securities with a Reference            Rule 123C(7) and (8) specify the allocation process
                                                2 15 U.S.C. 78a.
                                                                                                      Price over $3.00 and $0.15 for securities with a            for the closing transaction. Rule 123C(1)(e)(i)(A)
                                                3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                   Reference Price equal to or lower than $3.00.               provides that ‘‘[i]f there were no last-sale eligible



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                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 239 / Thursday, December 13, 2018 / Notices                                                64169

                                              referencing the OCP, the proposed                          for-1 stock split, the Reference Price                   contingencies if there is no closing
                                              amendment to Rule 15(c)(1)(A) would                        used for Rule 15(c)(1)(A) would be $25                   transaction on the Exchange, including
                                              provide for a new method for                               per share, consistent with current                       if the Exchange is unable to conduct a
                                              determining the Reference Price if the                     practice.10                                              closing transaction due to a systems or
                                              Exchange is unable to conduct a closing                       Similarly, if a security is the subject               technical issue. The proposed
                                              transaction due to a systems or technical                  of a non-standard corporate action, such                 amendment would maintain that the
                                              issue. In such case, Rules 123C(1)(e)(ii)                  as a merger or recapitalization,                         Reference Price is the price of a last sale
                                              and (iii) specify that the OCP would be                    currently, the last reported sale price                  of at least one round lot, and therefore
                                              determined via one of the contingency                      would be adjusted based on the publicly                  promotes just and equitable principles
                                              procedures specified in that rule, the                     disclosed terms of the corporate action.                 of trade because it is consistent with
                                              selection of which depends on whether                      For example, assume a listed company                     Rule 123C(1)(e)(i) which requires that
                                              the Exchange determines that it cannot                     is being recapitalized in a merger                       the OCP be either the price of the
                                              conduct a closing auction before or after                  transaction in which the Exchange-                       closing transaction, or the last-sale
                                              3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.9                                   listed security (Class A) is exchanged for               eligible trade on the Exchange when
                                                 The Exchange believes that it is                        a cash dividend of $10 per share of                      there is no closing transaction or the
                                              appropriate to amend Rule 15(c)(1)(A) to                   Class A stock plus two shares of the                     closing transaction is less than one
                                              reference the OCP instead of the last                      common stock of a new holding                            round lot. The proposal would,
                                              reported sale price because using the                      company (New Holdco Common). If the                      therefore, continue to ensure that the
                                              OCP as determined under Rules                              Class A stock is trading at a price of $90               Reference Price is an accurate indicator
                                              123C(1)(e)(i), (ii), or (iii) as the                       prior to the corporate action, the                       for determining whether a pre-opening
                                              Reference Price would cover all                            Reference Price under Rule 15(c)(1)(A)                   indication of interest should be
                                              potential contingencies and reflect the                    for each share of New Holdco Common                      published. The proposed amendment
                                              most recent valuation in a security,                       Stock would be $40 per share (i.e.,                      would also enable the determination of
                                              including situations where the                             ($90¥$10) ÷ 2). The Exchange believes                    a Reference Price under Rule 15(c)(1)(A)
                                              Exchange is unable to conduct a closing                    that this process ensures that a                         to account for when the OCP is
                                              auction due to a systems or technical                      Reference Price accurately reflects the                  determined via one of the contingency
                                              issue. For example, if for a security the                  value of the security after a corporate                  procedures set forth in Rules
                                              last reported sale price on the Exchange                   action. To promote transparency in its                   123C(1)(e)(ii) and (iii). The Exchange
                                              was at 2:00 p.m., and then the Exchange                    rules, the Exchange proposes to codify                   believes that referencing the OCP rather
                                              uses either Rule 123C(1)(e)(ii) or (iii) to                this practice in Rule 15(c)(1)(A) so that                than the last reported sale price would
                                              determine an OCP, the Exchange                             member organizations and market                          remove impediments to and perfect the
                                              believes that the OCP that is determined                   participants are appropriately advised of                mechanism of a free and open market
                                              as of the close of trading is more                         how the Reference Price is determined                    and a national market system because it
                                              reflective of the value of such security                   for securities that are subject to a                     would result in a Reference Price that is
                                              as compared to the Exchange’s last                         corporate action.                                        more reflective of the most recent value
                                              reported sale price at 2:00 p.m.                                                                                    of the security value because the OCP as
                                                 Corporate Actions. The Exchange also                    2. Statutory Basis
                                                                                                                                                                  determined under Rules 123C(1)(e)(ii) or
                                              proposes to amend Rule 15(c)(1)(A) to                         The proposed rule change is                           (iii) would be a price determined as of
                                              specify that the OCP used as the                           consistent with Section 6(b) of the                      the close of trading, rather than the
                                              Reference Price would be adjusted as                       Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                     Exchange’s last reported sale price,
                                              applicable based on the publicly                           ‘‘Act’’),11 in general, and furthers the                 which may occur earlier in the trading
                                              disclosed terms of a corporate action.                     objectives of Section 6(b)(5),12 in                      day.
                                              The Exchange notes that currently, the                     particular, because it is designed to
                                              Reference Price under Rule 15(c)(1)(A)                                                                                 The Exchange believes that amending
                                                                                                         prevent fraudulent and manipulative                      Rule 15(c)(1)(A) to specify that the OCP
                                              for a security that is the subject of a                    acts and practices, to promote just and
                                              corporate action would be adjusted                                                                                  would be adjusted as applicable based
                                                                                                         equitable principles of trade, to foster                 on the publicly disclosed terms of a
                                              based on the publicly disclosed terms of                   cooperation and coordination with
                                              the corporate action before it is used to                                                                           corporate action would remove
                                                                                                         persons engaged in facilitating                          impediments to and perfect the
                                              determine whether to publish a pre-                        transactions in securities, to remove
                                              opening indication. For example, if an                                                                              mechanism of a free and open market
                                                                                                         impediments to, and perfect the                          and a national market system by
                                              Exchange-listed security that closed the                   mechanism of, a free and open market
                                              previous day with an Official Closing                                                                               promoting transparency in Exchange
                                                                                                         and a national market system and, in                     rules of how the Reference Price is
                                              Price of $50 per share is subject to a 2-                  general, to protect investors and the                    determined if a security listed on the
                                                                                                         public interest.                                         Exchange is subject to a corporate
                                              trades in a security on the Exchange on a trading
                                              day, the Official Closing Price of such security will
                                                                                                            The Exchange believes that using the                  action. The Exchange believes it is
                                              be the prior day’s Official Closing Price.’’ Taken         OCP instead of the last reported sale                    consistent with the protection of
                                              together, these provisions would result in the same        price on the Exchange would remove                       investors and the public interest to
                                              Reference Price as under the current rule using the        impediments to and perfect the
                                              last reported sale price.                                                                                           adjust the OCP that would be used as a
                                                 9 In 2016, the Exchange further amended Rule
                                                                                                         mechanism of a free and open market                      Reference Price under Rule 15(c)(1)(A)
                                              123C to modify how the Exchange would determine            and a national market system because it                  based on the publicly disclosed terms of
                                              an OCP if the Exchange is unable to conduct a              would align Rule 15(c)(1)(A) with how                    a corporate action as such adjusted price
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                                              closing transaction due to a systems or technical          the Exchange determines the OCP for a                    would better reflect the price of the
                                              issue. In general, Rules 123C(1)(e)(ii) or (iii) provide   security and would cover all potential
                                              that the OCP would be either an official closing                                                                    security for purposes of the opening
                                              price from a designated alternate exchange or a
                                                                                                           10 This represents an example of a ‘‘standard’’
                                                                                                                                                                  auction on the first day that a corporate
                                              volume weighted average price of the consolidated                                                                   action is in effect. The Exchange notes
                                              last-sale eligible trades of the last five minutes of      corporate action, such as a stock split, reverse stock
                                              trading during regular trading hours. See Securities       split, or dividend payment.                              that the Reference Price is used as a
                                              Exchange Act Release No. 78015 (June 8, 2016), 81            11 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).                                   trigger for determining whether to
                                              FR 38747 (June 14, 2016) (SR–NYSE–2016–18).                  12 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                                publish a pre-opening indication, and


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                                              64170                       Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 239 / Thursday, December 13, 2018 / Notices

                                              having a Reference Price more closely                      action is consistent with the protection                Electronic Comments
                                              aligned to the updated value of the                        of investors and the public interest. In
                                              security, based on the terms of the                        its filing with the Commission, the                       • Use the Commission’s internet
                                              corporate action, would promote a more                     Exchange has asked the Commission to                    comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                              efficient opening process.                                 waive the 30-day operative delay so that                rules/sro.shtml); or
                                              B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          the proposal may become operative                         • Send an email to rule-comments@
                                              Statement on Burden on Competition                         immediately upon filing to provide                      sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                                                                         greater transparency to investors                       NYSE–2018–60 on the subject line.
                                                 The Exchange does not believe that                      regarding how a security’s Reference
                                              the proposed rule change will impose                       Price would be adjusted if that security                Paper Comments
                                              any burden on competition that is not                      is subject to a publicly disclosed
                                              necessary or appropriate in furtherance                                                                              • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                                                                         corporate action and avoid potential
                                              of the purposes of the Act. The                                                                                    to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                         investor confusion that could arise
                                              proposed rule change is designed to                        during the operative delay period.                      Commission, 100 F Street NE,
                                              promote clarity and transparency in                        According to the Exchange, waiver of                    Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                              Exchange rules regarding how a                             the operative delay period would also                   All submissions should refer to File
                                              Reference Price under Rule 15 is                           avoid potential investor confusion                      Number SR–NYSE–2018–60. This file
                                              determined for an Exchange-listed                          because the proposal will clarify when
                                              security. The proposed rule change is                                                                              number should be included on the
                                                                                                         a pre-opening indication would be                       subject line if email is used. To help the
                                              therefore not designed to address any                      published based on the security’s
                                              competitive concerns but rather inform                                                                             Commission process and review your
                                                                                                         Reference Price.                                        comments more efficiently, please use
                                              member organizations that the OCP                             The Commission believes that waiver
                                              would be used as the Reference Price for                                                                           only one method. The Commission will
                                                                                                         of the 30-day operative delay is                        post all comments on the Commission’s
                                              listed securities, adjusted as applicable                  consistent with the protection of
                                              based on the publicly disclosed terms of                                                                           internet website (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                                                                         investors and the public interest
                                              a corporate action.                                                                                                rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                                                                         because it will provide transparency to
                                                                                                                                                                 submission, all subsequent
                                              C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          investors on the determination of the
                                                                                                         Reference Price for Exchange listed                     amendments, all written statements
                                              Statement on Comments on the
                                              Proposed Rule Change Received From                         securities, which is used as the basis for              with respect to the proposed rule
                                              Members, Participants, or Others                           determining when pre-opening                            change that are filed with the
                                                                                                         indications will be published, as well as               Commission, and all written
                                                No written comments were solicited                                                                               communications relating to the
                                              or received with respect to the proposed                   provide transparency on the
                                                                                                         adjustments that will be made to the                    proposed rule change between the
                                              rule change.
                                                                                                         Reference Price as a result of corporate                Commission and any person, other than
                                              III. Date of Effectiveness of the                          actions. For these reasons, the                         those that may be withheld from the
                                              Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                        Commission hereby waives the                            public in accordance with the
                                              Commission Action                                          operative delay and designates the                      provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                 The Exchange has filed the proposed                     proposed rule change operative upon                     available for website viewing and
                                              rule change pursuant to Section                            filing.18                                               printing in the Commission’s Public
                                              19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 13 and Rule 19b–                       At any time within 60 days of the                    Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,
                                              4(f)(6) thereunder.14 Because the                          filing of such proposed rule change, the                Washington, DC 20549 on official
                                              proposed rule change does not: (i)                         Commission summarily may                                business days between the hours of
                                              Significantly affect the protection of                     temporarily suspend such rule change if                 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
                                              investors or the public interest; (ii)                     it appears to the Commission that such                  filing also will be available for
                                              impose any significant burden on                           action is necessary or appropriate in the               inspection and copying at the principal
                                              competition; and (iii) become operative                    public interest, for the protection of                  office of the Exchange. All comments
                                              for 30 days from the date on which it                      investors, or otherwise in furtherance of               received will be posted without change.
                                              was filed, or such shorter time as the                     the purposes of the Act. If the                         Persons submitting comments are
                                              Commission may designate, it has                           Commission takes such action, the                       cautioned that we do not redact or edit
                                              become effective pursuant to Section                       Commission shall institute proceedings
                                                                                                                                                                 personal identifying information from
                                              19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b–                       under Section 19(b)(2)(B) 19 of the Act to
                                                                                                                                                                 comment submissions. You should
                                              4(f)(6) thereunder.15                                      determine whether the proposed rule
                                                 A proposed rule change filed under                      change should be approved or                            submit only information that you wish
                                              Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 16 normally does not                      disapproved.                                            to make available publicly. All
                                              become operative for 30 days after the                                                                             submissions should refer to File
                                              date of the filing. However, pursuant to                   IV. Solicitation of Comments                            Number SR–NYSE–2018–60, and
                                              Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),17 the Commission                      Interested persons are invited to                     should be submitted on or before
                                              may designate a shorter time if such                       submit written data, views, and                         January 3, 2019.
                                                                                                         arguments concerning the foregoing,                       For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                13 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).                         including whether the proposed rule                     Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                14 17  CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                              change is consistent with the Act.                      authority.20
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                                                15 In addition, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-
                                                                                                         Comments may be submitted by any of                     Brent J. Fields,
                                              regulatory organization to give the Commission
                                              written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule     the following methods:
                                                                                                                                                                 Secretary.
                                              change at least five business days prior to the date
                                              of filing of the proposed rule change, or such               18 For purposes only of waiving the operative         [FR Doc. 2018–26944 Filed 12–12–18; 8:45 am]
                                              shorter time as designated by the Commission. The          delay, the Commission has considered the proposed       BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                              Exchange has satisfied this requirement.                   rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital
                                                16 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).                               formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
                                                17 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).                            19 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).                              20 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).



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Document Created: 2018-12-13 01:16:21
Document Modified: 2018-12-13 01:16:21
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 64168 

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