Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Exchange's Transaction Fees, 38749-38752 [2017-17169]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 156 / Tuesday, August 15, 2017 / Notices acquire such ownership or exercise such voting rights; (2) the CHX Holdings board must resolve to expressly permit such ownership or exercise of voting rights; 221 and (3) such resolution must be filed with and approved by the Commission under Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act.222 The proposed NA Casin Holdings Certificate contains substantially identical provisions.223 The Commission believes that these provisions are reasonably designed to assist the Exchange in fulfilling its selfregulatory obligations, and in administering and complying with the requirements of the Exchange Act, by ensuring that the Commission will review and approve, if appropriate, any future change in ownership or voting power that gives rise to its concerns about a stockholder exercising undue control over the operation of the Exchange.224 Similarly, the Commission believes that this protection against such future changes in ownership or voting concentration without careful Commission review and approval is reasonably designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade and to protect investors and the public interest under the standards set forth in Section 6(b)(5) of the Exchange Act. The Commission also notes that these requirements for acquiring ownership or exercising voting rights in excess of the ownership and voting limitations are consistent with other such provisions previously approved by the Commission.225 IV. Solicitation of Comments on Amendment No. 1 mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change is consistent with the Exchange Act. Comments may 221 The CHX Holdings Bylaws require that the board must make a determination that: (1) Such acquisition of ownership or exercise of voting rights will not impair any of CHX Holdings’ or the Exchange’s ability to discharge its responsibilities under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and is otherwise in the best interests of CHX Holdings and its stockholders; (2) such acquisition of ownership or exercise of voting rights will not impair the Commission’s ability to enforce the Exchange Act; and (3) neither such Person nor any of its Related Persons is subject to any statutory disqualification as defined in Section 3(a)(39) of the Exchange Act. See CHX Holdings Certificate Article FOURTH, Sections (b)(iii) and (c)(i)(B). 222 See CHX Holdings Certificate Article FOURTH, Sections (b)(ii)–(iii) and (c)(ii)(A)–(B). 223 See NA Casin Holdings Certificate Article IX, Sections (6)–(7), and (9). 224 See supra Section III.A. 225 See, e.g., NSX Approval Order, supra note 153, 80 FR at 9288–89. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:15 Aug 14, 2017 Jkt 241001 be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– CHX–2016–20 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–CHX–2016–20. 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 Web site (https://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 Web site 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 this filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–CHX– 2016–20 and should be submitted on or before September 5, 2017. V. Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1 The Commission finds good cause to approve the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, prior to the 30th day after the date of publication of notice of Amendment No. 1 in the Federal Register. As noted above, Amendment No. 1 does not change the structure or purpose of the proposed rule change as it was previously published for notice and PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 38749 comment.226 Rather, the Exchange modified its proposed rule change to address certain concerns raised by commenters. The Commission believes that an additional notice and comment period for Amendment No. 1 before approval of the proposed rule change would not be in furtherance of the public interest or the protection of investors. Accordingly, the Commission finds good cause, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act,227 to approve the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, on an accelerated basis. VI. Conclusion For the foregoing reasons, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, is consistent with the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange. It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act 228 that the proposed rule change (SR– CHX–2016–20), as modified by Amendment No. 1, be, and hereby is, approved on an accelerated basis. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.229 Brent J. Fields, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–17179 Filed 8–14–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–81361; File No. SR– NASDAQ–2017–080] Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Exchange’s Transaction Fees August 9, 2017. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on August 1, 2017, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III, below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The 226 See supra note 10. U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 228 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 229 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 227 15 E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM 15AUN1 38750 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 156 / Tuesday, August 15, 2017 / Notices Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend the Exchange’s transaction fees at Chapter XV, Section 2 entitled ‘‘NASDAQ Options Market—Fees and Rebates,’’ which governs pricing for Nasdaq Participants using the NASDAQ Options Market (‘‘NOM’’), Nasdaq’s facility for executing and routing standardized equity and index options. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at https://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes two NOM pricing amendments at Chapter XV, Section 2(1), as described below in greater detail. Customer and Professional Rebate to Add Liquidity mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES The Exchange proposes to amend an existing method for earning a rebate for adding liquidity for both Customers 3 3 The term ‘‘Customer’’ or (‘‘C’’) applies to any transaction that is identified by a Participant for clearing in the Customer range at The Options Clearing Corporation (‘‘OCC’’) which is not for the account of broker or dealer or for the account of a ‘‘Professional’’ (as that term is defined in Chapter I, Section 1(a)(48)). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:15 Aug 14, 2017 Jkt 241001 and Professionals 4 in Penny Pilot 5 and Non-Penny Pilot Options. For Customers and Professionals transacting in Penny Pilot Options, the Exchange currently pays a volume-based tiered Rebate to Add Liquidity, as set forth in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) of NOM Rules. That rebate consists of 8 tiers, ranging from $0.20 per contract to $0.48 per contract, with the volume requirements increasing with each tier. Thus, a NOM Participant would qualify for a rebate of $0.20 per contract in Tier 1 for Customers and Professionals if it added Customer, Professional, Firm,6 NonNOM Market Maker 7 and/or BrokerDealer 8 liquidity in Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-Penny Pilot Options of up to 0.10% of total industry customer equity and ETF option average daily volume (‘‘ADV’’) contracts per day in a month. In comparison, a Participant would qualify for a rebate of $0.48 in Tier 8 for Customers and Professionals if it added Customer, Professional, Firm, Non-NOM Market Maker and/or BrokerDealer liquidity in Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-Penny Pilot Options above 0.75% or more of total industry customer equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a month, or if the Participant adds: (1) Customer and/or Professional liquidity in Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-Penny Pilot Options of 0.20% or more of total industry customer equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a month, and (2) has added liquidity in all securities through one or more of its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs that represent 1.00% or more of 4 The term ‘‘Professional’’ or (‘‘P’’) means any person or entity that (i) is not a broker or dealer in securities, and (ii) places more than 390 orders in listed options per day on average during a calendar month for its own beneficial account(s) pursuant to Chapter I, Section 1(a)(48). All Professional orders shall be appropriately marked by Participants. 5 The Penny Pilot was established in March 2008. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57579 (March 28, 2008), 73 FR 18587 (April 4, 2008) (SR– NASDAQ–2008–026) (notice of filing and immediate effectiveness establishing Penny Pilot). Since that date, the Penny Pilot has been expanded and is currently extended through December 31, 2016 or the date of permanent approval, if earlier. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78037 (June 10, 2016), 81 FR 39299 (June 16, 2016) (SR– NASDAQ–2016–052). 6 The term ‘‘Firm’’ or (‘‘F’’) applies to any transaction that is identified by a Participant for clearing in the Firm range at OCC. 7 The term ‘‘Non-NOM Market Maker’’ or (‘‘O’’) is a registered market maker on another options exchange that is not a NOM Market Maker. A NonNOM Market Maker must append the proper NonNOM Market Maker designation to orders routed to NOM. 8 The term ‘‘Broker-Dealer’’ or (‘‘B’’) applies to any transaction which is not subject to any of the other transaction fees applicable within a particular category. PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Consolidated Volume in a month or qualifies for MARS.9 Currently, Customers and Professionals transacting in Non-Penny Pilot Options on NOM receive a $0.80 per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity, as set forth in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) of NOM Rules. In addition, footnote ‘‘1’’ in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) provides that a Participant that qualifies for a Customer or Professional Penny Pilot Options Rebate to Add Liquidity in Tiers 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 in a month will receive an additional $0.10 per contract Non-Penny Pilot Options Rebate to Add Liquidity for each transaction which adds liquidity in Non-Penny Options in that month. A Participant that qualifies for Customer or Professional Penny Pilot Options Rebate to Add Liquidity in Tiers 7 or 8 in a month will receive an additional $0.20 per contract NonPenny Pilot Options Rebate to Add Liquidity for each transaction which adds liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Options in that month. In addition, note ‘‘e’’ in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) provides that a Participant may receive a $0.53 per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in Penny Pilot Options as Customer or Professional, and a $1.00 per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Options as a Customer or Profession, if that NOM Participant transacts on the NASDAQ Stock Market through one or more of its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs in the same month, and such transactions in all securities on the NASDAQ Stock Market that month through all of its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs represent 3.00% or more of Consolidated Volume.10 Participants that qualify for this rebate would not be eligible for any other rebates in Tiers 1 through 8 or other rebate incentives on NOM for Customer and Professional order flow in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) of NOM Rules.11 Lastly, note ‘‘f’’ in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) provides that a Participant may receive a $0.55 per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in Penny Pilot Options as Customer or Professional, and a $1.05 per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in 9 MARS refers to the Market Access and Routing Subsidy, which is set forth in Chapter XV, Section 6. The MARS payment currently comprises of four volume-based tiers, and is paid to NOM Participants that route eligible contracts to NOM through a participating NOM Participant’s routing system. The MARS payment is paid on all executed eligible contracts that add liquidity. See NOM Rules at Chapter XV, Section 6. 10 Consolidated Volume would be determined as set forth in Nasdaq Rule 7018(a). 11 In calculating total volume, the Exchange would add the NOM Participant’s total volume transacted on the NASDAQ Stock Market in a given month across its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs, and will divide this number by the total industry Consolidated Volume. E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM 15AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 156 / Tuesday, August 15, 2017 / Notices mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES Non-Penny Pilot Options as Customer or Professional, if that NOM Participant (a) adds Customer, Professional, Firm, NonNOM Market Maker and/or BrokerDealer liquidity in Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-Penny Pilot Options above 1.45% of total industry customer equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a month (‘‘NOM Volume Threshold’’), (b) executes greater than 0.04% of Consolidated Volume (‘‘CV’’) via Market-on-Close/Limit-on-Close (‘‘MOC/LOC’’) 12 volume within the NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Cross within a month, and (c) adds greater than 1.5 million shares per day of nondisplayed volume within the NASDAQ Stock Market within a month. Participants that qualify for this rebate would not be eligible for any other rebates in Tiers 1 through 8 or other rebate incentives on NOM for Customer and Professional order flow in Chapter XV, Section 2(1). The Exchange now proposes to amend the current qualifications for earning the Rebate to Add Liquidity in note ‘‘f’’ by lowering the NOM Volume Threshold. Specifically, the Exchange is proposing to continue to pay a $0.55 per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in Penny Pilot Options as Customer or Professional, and a $1.05 per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Options as Customer or Professional, if that NOM Participant (a) adds Customer, Professional, Firm, Non-NOM Market Maker and/or Broker-Dealer liquidity in Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-Penny Pilot Options above 1.20% of total industry customer equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a month, (b) executes greater than 0.04% of CV via MOC/LOC volume within the NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Cross within a month, and (c) adds greater than 1.5 million shares per day of nondisplayed volume within the NASDAQ Stock Market within a month.13 The Exchange’s proposal to lower the NOM Volume Threshold from above 1.45% of total industry customer equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day 12 MOC/LOC, as set forth in NASDAQ Rule 4754, represents the volume in the NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Cross that allows market participants to contribute order flow that will result in executions at the official closing price for the day in the NASDAQ listed security. A ‘‘MOC Order’’ is an order type entered without a price that may be executed only during the NASDAQ Closing Cross, which refers to the equity closing cross. A ‘‘LOC Order’’ is an order type entered with a price that may be executed only in the NASDAQ Closing Cross. 13 Participants that meet the new qualifications for the note ‘‘f’’ incentive would continue to be ineligible for any other rebates in Tiers 1 through 8 or other rebate incentives on NOM for Customer and Professional order flow in Chapter XV, Section 2(1). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:15 Aug 14, 2017 Jkt 241001 in a month to above 1.20% should provide Participants the ability to qualify for this incentive by executing less contracts which represent industry volume in a given month. The Exchange believes that this amendment should incentivize Participants to transact more volume to qualify for the rebate in footnote ‘‘f’’ since one of the qualifiers requires a lower percentage of total industry customer equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a month as compared to the current percentage. NOM Market Maker Non-Penny Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity The Exchange proposes to offer Participants that send NOM Market Maker 14 order flow an opportunity to lower their Fee for Adding Liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Options, as set forth in Chapter XV, Section 2(1). In particular, the Exchange proposes to offer Participants the opportunity to reduce the NOM Market Maker Non-Penny Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity from $0.35 to $0.00 per contract, provided the Participant adds NOM Market Maker liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Options of 7,500 or more ADV contracts per day in a month. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,15 in general, and furthers the objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,16 in particular, in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among members and issuers and other persons using any facility, and is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers. Customer and Professional Rebate to Add Liquidity The Exchange’s proposal to lower the NOM Volume Threshold is reasonable because the rebates in footnote ‘‘f’’ should continue to attract Customer and Professional order flow to NOM. The additional Customer and Professional order flow to NOM benefits other market participants by providing additional liquidity with which to interact. Customer liquidity offers unique benefits to the market by 14 The term ‘‘NOM Market Maker’’ or (‘‘M’’) is a Participant that has registered as a Market Maker on NOM pursuant to Chapter VII, Section 2, and must also remain in good standing pursuant to Chapter VII, Section 4. In order to receive NOM Market Maker pricing in all securities, the Participant must be registered as a NOM Market Maker in at least one security. 15 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 16 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5). PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 38751 providing more trading opportunities, which attracts market makers. An increase in the activity of market makers in turn facilitates tighter spreads, which may cause an additional corresponding increase in order flow from other market participants. Furthermore, the Exchange believes that encouraging Participants to add Professional liquidity creates competition among options exchanges because the amended note ‘‘f’’ rebates may cause market participants to select NOM as a venue to send Professional order flow. Amending the existing NOM Volume Threshold affords more Participants the ability to qualify for the note ‘‘f’’ rebates because it requires less volume as a result of the proposed lower percentage of industry volume. With this proposal, Participants that consistently send order flow to the Exchange may continue to qualify for the rebates in note ‘‘f’’ and other Participants may send additional order flow to qualify for the note ‘‘f’’ rebates with the lower requirement. The Exchange’s proposal to lower the NOM Volume Threshold is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because all Participants are eligible to earn rebates. These rebates would be paid uniformly to all qualifying Participants. NOM Market Maker Non-Penny Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity The proposed change to offer Participants that send NOM Market Maker order flow the opportunity to reduce the NOM Market Maker NonPenny Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity from $0.35 to $0.00 per contract, provided the Participant adds NOM Market Maker liquidity in NonPenny Pilot Options of 7,500 or more ADV contracts per day in a month is reasonable because the Exchange seeks to encourage Participants to add NOM Market Maker liquidity in Non-Penny Options to obtain the discount. The Exchange believes that its proposal will incentivize Participants to select NOM as a venue and in turn benefit other market participants with the opportunity to interact with such liquidity. Furthermore, the Exchange believes that its proposal to reduce the NOM Market Maker fee as described above is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because NOM Market Makers, unlike other market participants, add value through continuous quoting 17 and the 17 Pursuant to Chapter VII (Market Participants), Section 5 (Obligations of Market Makers), in registering as a market maker, an Options Participant commits himself to various obligations. Transactions of a Market Maker in its market E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM Continued 15AUN1 38752 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 156 / Tuesday, August 15, 2017 / Notices commitment of capital. In addition, encouraging NOM Market Makers to add greater liquidity benefits all Participants in the quality of order interaction. The Exchange believes it is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory to offer only NOM Market Makers the opportunity to earn the discounted fee described above because of the obligations borne by these market participants, as noted herein. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. In terms of inter-market competition, the Exchange notes that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily favor competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be excessive, or rebate opportunities available at other venues to be more favorable. The Exchange believes that the proposed pricing changes are competitive and does not impose a burden on intermarket competition. If the changes proposed herein are unattractive to market participants, it is likely that the Exchange will lose market share as a result. Accordingly, the Exchange does not believe that the proposed changes will impair the ability of members or competing order execution venues to maintain their competitive standing in the financial markets. As it relates to the proposed fee change to lower the NOM Volume Threshold, the Exchange does not believe that its proposal imposes an undue burden on intra-market competition because all Participants are eligible to earn rebates and these rebates would be uniformly paid to all qualifying Participants. The Exchange also does not believe that its proposal to offer Participants an opportunity to reduce the NOM Market Maker NonPenny Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity from $0.35 to $0.00 if they meet the volume-based standard described above imposes an undue burden on intra-market competition because NOM Market Makers, unlike other market participants, add value making capacity must constitute a course of dealings reasonably calculated to contribute to the maintenance of a fair and orderly market, and Market Makers should not make bids or offers or enter into transactions that are inconsistent with such course of dealings. Further, all Market Makers are designated as specialists on NOM for all purposes under the Act or rules thereunder. See Chapter VII, Section 5. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:15 Aug 14, 2017 Jkt 241001 through continuous quoting 18 and the commitment of capital. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were either solicited or received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.19 At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is: (i) Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the protection of investors; or (iii) otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved. 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: 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 Web site 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; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR– NASDAQ–2017–080, and should be submitted on or before September 5, 2017. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.20 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–17169 Filed 8–14–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– NASDAQ–2017–080 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NASDAQ–2017–080. 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 Web site (https://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 [Release No. 34–81360; File No. SR– NASDAQ–2017–079] Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Market Access and Routing Subsidy Program August 9, 2017. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on August 1, 2017, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III, below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. 20 17 18 See note 17 above. 19 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii). PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM 15AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 15, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38749-38752]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17169]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-81361; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2017-080]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To 
Amend the Exchange's Transaction Fees

August 9, 2017.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on August 1, 2017, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (``Nasdaq'' or 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, 
and III, below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The

[[Page 38750]]

Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the 
proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend the Exchange's transaction fees at 
Chapter XV, Section 2 entitled ``NASDAQ Options Market--Fees and 
Rebates,'' which governs pricing for Nasdaq Participants using the 
NASDAQ Options Market (``NOM''), Nasdaq's facility for executing and 
routing standardized equity and index options.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
Web site at https://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at the principal office of 
the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes two NOM pricing amendments at Chapter XV, 
Section 2(1), as described below in greater detail.
Customer and Professional Rebate to Add Liquidity
    The Exchange proposes to amend an existing method for earning a 
rebate for adding liquidity for both Customers \3\ and Professionals 
\4\ in Penny Pilot \5\ and Non-Penny Pilot Options. For Customers and 
Professionals transacting in Penny Pilot Options, the Exchange 
currently pays a volume-based tiered Rebate to Add Liquidity, as set 
forth in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) of NOM Rules. That rebate consists of 
8 tiers, ranging from $0.20 per contract to $0.48 per contract, with 
the volume requirements increasing with each tier. Thus, a NOM 
Participant would qualify for a rebate of $0.20 per contract in Tier 1 
for Customers and Professionals if it added Customer, Professional, 
Firm,\6\ Non-NOM Market Maker \7\ and/or Broker-Dealer \8\ liquidity in 
Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-Penny Pilot Options of up to 0.10% of 
total industry customer equity and ETF option average daily volume 
(``ADV'') contracts per day in a month. In comparison, a Participant 
would qualify for a rebate of $0.48 in Tier 8 for Customers and 
Professionals if it added Customer, Professional, Firm, Non-NOM Market 
Maker and/or Broker-Dealer liquidity in Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-
Penny Pilot Options above 0.75% or more of total industry customer 
equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a month, or if the 
Participant adds: (1) Customer and/or Professional liquidity in Penny 
Pilot Options and/or Non-Penny Pilot Options of 0.20% or more of total 
industry customer equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a 
month, and (2) has added liquidity in all securities through one or 
more of its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs that represent 1.00% or more of 
Consolidated Volume in a month or qualifies for MARS.\9\
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    \3\ The term ``Customer'' or (``C'') applies to any transaction 
that is identified by a Participant for clearing in the Customer 
range at The Options Clearing Corporation (``OCC'') which is not for 
the account of broker or dealer or for the account of a 
``Professional'' (as that term is defined in Chapter I, Section 
1(a)(48)).
    \4\ The term ``Professional'' or (``P'') means any person or 
entity that (i) is not a broker or dealer in securities, and (ii) 
places more than 390 orders in listed options per day on average 
during a calendar month for its own beneficial account(s) pursuant 
to Chapter I, Section 1(a)(48). All Professional orders shall be 
appropriately marked by Participants.
    \5\ The Penny Pilot was established in March 2008. See 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57579 (March 28, 2008), 73 FR 
18587 (April 4, 2008) (SR-NASDAQ-2008-026) (notice of filing and 
immediate effectiveness establishing Penny Pilot). Since that date, 
the Penny Pilot has been expanded and is currently extended through 
December 31, 2016 or the date of permanent approval, if earlier. See 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78037 (June 10, 2016), 81 FR 
39299 (June 16, 2016) (SR-NASDAQ-2016-052).
    \6\ The term ``Firm'' or (``F'') applies to any transaction that 
is identified by a Participant for clearing in the Firm range at 
OCC.
    \7\ The term ``Non-NOM Market Maker'' or (``O'') is a registered 
market maker on another options exchange that is not a NOM Market 
Maker. A Non-NOM Market Maker must append the proper Non-NOM Market 
Maker designation to orders routed to NOM.
    \8\ The term ``Broker-Dealer'' or (``B'') applies to any 
transaction which is not subject to any of the other transaction 
fees applicable within a particular category.
    \9\ MARS refers to the Market Access and Routing Subsidy, which 
is set forth in Chapter XV, Section 6. The MARS payment currently 
comprises of four volume-based tiers, and is paid to NOM 
Participants that route eligible contracts to NOM through a 
participating NOM Participant's routing system. The MARS payment is 
paid on all executed eligible contracts that add liquidity. See NOM 
Rules at Chapter XV, Section 6.
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    Currently, Customers and Professionals transacting in Non-Penny 
Pilot Options on NOM receive a $0.80 per contract Rebate to Add 
Liquidity, as set forth in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) of NOM Rules. In 
addition, footnote ``1'' in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) provides that a 
Participant that qualifies for a Customer or Professional Penny Pilot 
Options Rebate to Add Liquidity in Tiers 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 in a month 
will receive an additional $0.10 per contract Non-Penny Pilot Options 
Rebate to Add Liquidity for each transaction which adds liquidity in 
Non-Penny Options in that month. A Participant that qualifies for 
Customer or Professional Penny Pilot Options Rebate to Add Liquidity in 
Tiers 7 or 8 in a month will receive an additional $0.20 per contract 
Non-Penny Pilot Options Rebate to Add Liquidity for each transaction 
which adds liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Options in that month.
    In addition, note ``e'' in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) provides that a 
Participant may receive a $0.53 per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in 
Penny Pilot Options as Customer or Professional, and a $1.00 per 
contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Options as a 
Customer or Profession, if that NOM Participant transacts on the NASDAQ 
Stock Market through one or more of its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs in 
the same month, and such transactions in all securities on the NASDAQ 
Stock Market that month through all of its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs 
represent 3.00% or more of Consolidated Volume.\10\ Participants that 
qualify for this rebate would not be eligible for any other rebates in 
Tiers 1 through 8 or other rebate incentives on NOM for Customer and 
Professional order flow in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) of NOM Rules.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ Consolidated Volume would be determined as set forth in 
Nasdaq Rule 7018(a).
    \11\ In calculating total volume, the Exchange would add the NOM 
Participant's total volume transacted on the NASDAQ Stock Market in 
a given month across its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs, and will divide 
this number by the total industry Consolidated Volume.
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    Lastly, note ``f'' in Chapter XV, Section 2(1) provides that a 
Participant may receive a $0.55 per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in 
Penny Pilot Options as Customer or Professional, and a $1.05 per 
contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in

[[Page 38751]]

Non-Penny Pilot Options as Customer or Professional, if that NOM 
Participant (a) adds Customer, Professional, Firm, Non-NOM Market Maker 
and/or Broker-Dealer liquidity in Penny Pilot Options and/or Non-Penny 
Pilot Options above 1.45% of total industry customer equity and ETF 
option ADV contracts per day in a month (``NOM Volume Threshold''), (b) 
executes greater than 0.04% of Consolidated Volume (``CV'') via Market-
on-Close/Limit-on-Close (``MOC/LOC'') \12\ volume within the NASDAQ 
Stock Market Closing Cross within a month, and (c) adds greater than 
1.5 million shares per day of non-displayed volume within the NASDAQ 
Stock Market within a month. Participants that qualify for this rebate 
would not be eligible for any other rebates in Tiers 1 through 8 or 
other rebate incentives on NOM for Customer and Professional order flow 
in Chapter XV, Section 2(1).
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    \12\ MOC/LOC, as set forth in NASDAQ Rule 4754, represents the 
volume in the NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Cross that allows market 
participants to contribute order flow that will result in executions 
at the official closing price for the day in the NASDAQ listed 
security. A ``MOC Order'' is an order type entered without a price 
that may be executed only during the NASDAQ Closing Cross, which 
refers to the equity closing cross. A ``LOC Order'' is an order type 
entered with a price that may be executed only in the NASDAQ Closing 
Cross.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange now proposes to amend the current qualifications for 
earning the Rebate to Add Liquidity in note ``f'' by lowering the NOM 
Volume Threshold. Specifically, the Exchange is proposing to continue 
to pay a $0.55 per contract Rebate to Add Liquidity in Penny Pilot 
Options as Customer or Professional, and a $1.05 per contract Rebate to 
Add Liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Options as Customer or Professional, 
if that NOM Participant (a) adds Customer, Professional, Firm, Non-NOM 
Market Maker and/or Broker-Dealer liquidity in Penny Pilot Options and/
or Non-Penny Pilot Options above 1.20% of total industry customer 
equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a month, (b) executes 
greater than 0.04% of CV via MOC/LOC volume within the NASDAQ Stock 
Market Closing Cross within a month, and (c) adds greater than 1.5 
million shares per day of non-displayed volume within the NASDAQ Stock 
Market within a month.\13\
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    \13\ Participants that meet the new qualifications for the note 
``f'' incentive would continue to be ineligible for any other 
rebates in Tiers 1 through 8 or other rebate incentives on NOM for 
Customer and Professional order flow in Chapter XV, Section 2(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange's proposal to lower the NOM Volume Threshold from 
above 1.45% of total industry customer equity and ETF option ADV 
contracts per day in a month to above 1.20% should provide Participants 
the ability to qualify for this incentive by executing less contracts 
which represent industry volume in a given month. The Exchange believes 
that this amendment should incentivize Participants to transact more 
volume to qualify for the rebate in footnote ``f'' since one of the 
qualifiers requires a lower percentage of total industry customer 
equity and ETF option ADV contracts per day in a month as compared to 
the current percentage.
NOM Market Maker Non-Penny Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity
    The Exchange proposes to offer Participants that send NOM Market 
Maker \14\ order flow an opportunity to lower their Fee for Adding 
Liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Options, as set forth in Chapter XV, 
Section 2(1). In particular, the Exchange proposes to offer 
Participants the opportunity to reduce the NOM Market Maker Non-Penny 
Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity from $0.35 to $0.00 per 
contract, provided the Participant adds NOM Market Maker liquidity in 
Non-Penny Pilot Options of 7,500 or more ADV contracts per day in a 
month.
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    \14\ The term ``NOM Market Maker'' or (``M'') is a Participant 
that has registered as a Market Maker on NOM pursuant to Chapter 
VII, Section 2, and must also remain in good standing pursuant to 
Chapter VII, Section 4. In order to receive NOM Market Maker pricing 
in all securities, the Participant must be registered as a NOM 
Market Maker in at least one security.
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2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\15\ in general, and furthers the objectives of 
Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,\16\ in particular, in that it 
provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and 
other charges among members and issuers and other persons using any 
facility, and is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between 
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Customer and Professional Rebate to Add Liquidity
    The Exchange's proposal to lower the NOM Volume Threshold is 
reasonable because the rebates in footnote ``f'' should continue to 
attract Customer and Professional order flow to NOM. The additional 
Customer and Professional order flow to NOM benefits other market 
participants by providing additional liquidity with which to interact. 
Customer liquidity offers unique benefits to the market by providing 
more trading opportunities, which attracts market makers. An increase 
in the activity of market makers in turn facilitates tighter spreads, 
which may cause an additional corresponding increase in order flow from 
other market participants. Furthermore, the Exchange believes that 
encouraging Participants to add Professional liquidity creates 
competition among options exchanges because the amended note ``f'' 
rebates may cause market participants to select NOM as a venue to send 
Professional order flow. Amending the existing NOM Volume Threshold 
affords more Participants the ability to qualify for the note ``f'' 
rebates because it requires less volume as a result of the proposed 
lower percentage of industry volume. With this proposal, Participants 
that consistently send order flow to the Exchange may continue to 
qualify for the rebates in note ``f'' and other Participants may send 
additional order flow to qualify for the note ``f'' rebates with the 
lower requirement.
    The Exchange's proposal to lower the NOM Volume Threshold is 
equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because all Participants are 
eligible to earn rebates. These rebates would be paid uniformly to all 
qualifying Participants.
NOM Market Maker Non-Penny Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity
    The proposed change to offer Participants that send NOM Market 
Maker order flow the opportunity to reduce the NOM Market Maker Non-
Penny Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity from $0.35 to $0.00 per 
contract, provided the Participant adds NOM Market Maker liquidity in 
Non-Penny Pilot Options of 7,500 or more ADV contracts per day in a 
month is reasonable because the Exchange seeks to encourage 
Participants to add NOM Market Maker liquidity in Non-Penny Options to 
obtain the discount. The Exchange believes that its proposal will 
incentivize Participants to select NOM as a venue and in turn benefit 
other market participants with the opportunity to interact with such 
liquidity.
    Furthermore, the Exchange believes that its proposal to reduce the 
NOM Market Maker fee as described above is equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory because NOM Market Makers, unlike other market 
participants, add value through continuous quoting \17\ and the

[[Page 38752]]

commitment of capital. In addition, encouraging NOM Market Makers to 
add greater liquidity benefits all Participants in the quality of order 
interaction. The Exchange believes it is equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory to offer only NOM Market Makers the opportunity to earn 
the discounted fee described above because of the obligations borne by 
these market participants, as noted herein.
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    \17\ Pursuant to Chapter VII (Market Participants), Section 5 
(Obligations of Market Makers), in registering as a market maker, an 
Options Participant commits himself to various obligations. 
Transactions of a Market Maker in its market making capacity must 
constitute a course of dealings reasonably calculated to contribute 
to the maintenance of a fair and orderly market, and Market Makers 
should not make bids or offers or enter into transactions that are 
inconsistent with such course of dealings. Further, all Market 
Makers are designated as specialists on NOM for all purposes under 
the Act or rules thereunder. See Chapter VII, Section 5.
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. In terms of inter-market 
competition, the Exchange notes that it operates in a highly 
competitive market in which market participants can readily favor 
competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be 
excessive, or rebate opportunities available at other venues to be more 
favorable. The Exchange believes that the proposed pricing changes are 
competitive and does not impose a burden on inter-market competition. 
If the changes proposed herein are unattractive to market participants, 
it is likely that the Exchange will lose market share as a result. 
Accordingly, the Exchange does not believe that the proposed changes 
will impair the ability of members or competing order execution venues 
to maintain their competitive standing in the financial markets.
    As it relates to the proposed fee change to lower the NOM Volume 
Threshold, the Exchange does not believe that its proposal imposes an 
undue burden on intra-market competition because all Participants are 
eligible to earn rebates and these rebates would be uniformly paid to 
all qualifying Participants. The Exchange also does not believe that 
its proposal to offer Participants an opportunity to reduce the NOM 
Market Maker Non-Penny Pilot Options Fee for Adding Liquidity from 
$0.35 to $0.00 if they meet the volume-based standard described above 
imposes an undue burden on intra-market competition because NOM Market 
Makers, unlike other market participants, add value through continuous 
quoting \18\ and the commitment of capital.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ See note 17 above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is: (i) 
Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the 
protection of investors; or (iii) otherwise in furtherance of the 
purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the 
Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the 
proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.

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 (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-NASDAQ-2017-080 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASDAQ-2017-080. 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 Web site (https://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 Web site 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; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASDAQ-2017-080, and should 
be submitted on or before September 5, 2017.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\20\
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    \20\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-17169 Filed 8-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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