Securities and Exchange Commission
- [Release No. 34-78678; File Nos. SR-NYSE-2011-55; SR-NYSEAmex-2011-84]
On July 3, 2012, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) issued an order pursuant to its authority under Rule 612(c) of Regulation NMS (“Sub-Penny Rule”) [1] that granted the New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE”) and NYSE MKT LLC [2] (“NYSE MKT” and, together with NYSE, the “Exchanges”) limited exemptions from the Sub-Penny Rule in connection with the operation of the Exchanges' respective Retail Liquidity Programs (“Programs”).[3] The limited exemptions were granted concurrently with the Commission's approval of the Exchanges' proposals to adopt their respective Programs for one-year pilot terms.[4] The exemptions were granted coterminous with the effectiveness of the pilot Programs; both the pilot Programs and exemptions are scheduled to expire on August 31, 2016.[5]
The Exchanges now seek to extend the exemptions until December 31, 2016.[6] The Exchanges' request was made in conjunction with immediately effective filings that extend the operation of the Programs through the same date.[7] In their request to extend the exemptions, the Exchanges note that the participation in the Programs has increased more recently. Accordingly, the Exchanges have asked for additional time to allow themselves and the Commission to analyze more robust data concerning the Programs, which the Exchanges committed to provide to the ( printed page 60032) Commission.[8] For this reason and the reasons stated in the Order originally granting the limited exemptions, the Commission finds that extending the exemptions, pursuant to its authority under Rule 612(c) of Regulation NMS, is appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection of investors.
THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, pursuant to Rule 612(c) of Regulation NMS, each Exchange is granted a limited exemption from Rule 612 of Regulation NMS that allows it to accept and rank orders priced equal to or greater than $1.00 per share in increments of $0.001, in connection with the operation of its Retail Liquidity Program, until December 31, 2016.
The limited and temporary exemptions extended by this Order are subject to modification or revocation if at any time the Commission determines that such action is necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Responsibility for compliance with any applicable provisions of the Federal securities laws must rest with the persons relying on the exemptions that are the subject of this Order.
August 25, 2016.For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.[9]
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.