Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto to Modify Fees for Transactions Executed Through NSTS and ITS Plans, 15742-15744 [E7-5984]
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15742
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 62 / Monday, April 2, 2007 / Notices
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Reference Room, and https://
www.nsx.com.
[Release No. 34–55541; File No. SR–NSX–
2007–01]
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission,
NSX 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. NSX has prepared
summaries, set forth in Sections A, B,
and C below, of the most significant
aspects of such statements.
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
National Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness
of Proposed Rule Change and
Amendment No. 1 Thereto to Modify
Fees for Transactions Executed
Through NSTS and ITS Plans
March 27, 2007.
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with NOTICES
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 February
5, 2007, the National Stock Exchange,
Inc. (‘‘NSX’’ 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 substantially prepared by the
Exchange. On March 19, 2007, NSX
submitted Amendment No. 1 to the
proposed rule change. NSX has filed the
proposal pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)
of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2)
thereunder,4 which renders the proposal
effective upon filing with the
Commission. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change,
as amended, from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange is proposing various
amendments to its fees for transactions
executed through National Securities
Trading System (‘‘NSTS’’), the
Exchange’s legacy trading system, so
that this fee schedule will correspond
more closely to the existing fees for
transactions executed through NSX
BLADE, the Exchange’s new trading
platform. These amendments involve
proposed changes to old NSX Rule
11.10(A) (which is applicable to NSTS
transactions), and the associated NSTS
Fee Schedule. The Exchange is also
proposing corresponding changes to its
Fee Schedule applicable to transactions
under the Intermarket Trading System
Plan and/or the Plan for the purpose of
Creating and Operating an Intermarket
Communications Linkage (‘‘ITS Plans’’)
for transactions executed through the
ITS Plans (‘‘ITS Transactions’’). The text
of the proposed rule change is available
at NSX, the Commission’s Public
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
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A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
Background
The Exchange has created a new state
of the art trading platform, known as
NSX BLADE, which utilizes a strict
price/time priority system as the
ultimate replacement for NSTS. The
Exchange is in the midst of phasing in
NSX BLADE. NSX BLADE was
launched on October 23, 2006. As of the
date of the initial filing of this proposed
rule change, all Tape ‘‘C’’ securities
have been phased into NSX BLADE
from NSTS, and the Exchange plans to
transition all Tape ‘‘A’’ and Tape ‘‘B’’
securities from NSTS to NSX BLADE in
the near future.
During this transitional period of
phasing in various securities to NSX
BLADE, the Exchange will be operating
both NSTS and NSX BLADE. Until such
securities are phased into NSX BLADE,
Tape ‘‘A’’ and ‘‘B’’ securities will
continue to be traded via NSTS.
Rule Set
During this transitional period of
phasing in various securities to NSX
BLADE, the Exchange is operating both
NSTS and NSX BLADE. Accordingly,
the Exchange is operating under two
sets of rules during this phase-in period.
All transactions in NSTS are operating
under the rules pertaining to NSTS (old
Rule 11.9 (National Securities Trading
System) and old Rule 11.10 (National
Securities Trading System Fees) and any
associated Fee Schedule) while all
transactions in NSX BLADE are
operating under the NSX BLADE trading
rules approved in SR–NSX–2006–03
and the new fee rules in Chapter XVI of
the Exchange Rules. When the phase-in
is complete and NSTS is no longer
operational, old Rules 11.9 and 11.10
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Frm 00099
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
(and any associated NSTS Fee
Schedule) will be extinguished. The
Exchange has issued a Notice to ETP
Holders to advise them of the different
trading systems and rules and fees
applicable to each,5 and will issue a
Notice advising them of the fee changes
with this rule change. During this
interim period, the Exchange has
created a Fee Schedule applicable to
NSTS Rules (‘‘NSTS Fee Schedule’’)
under the authority of NSX Rule 16.1.6
Further, while the Fee Schedule for ITS
Transactions is identical to the Fee
Schedule for identical transactions
entered in NSTS, the Exchange has
decided to create a Fee Schedule for ITS
Transactions to make it easier for parties
to identify the specific fees associated
with the ETP Holder’s transactions.
Fee Proposal
In the instant rule filing, the Exchange
is proposing amendments to old Rule
11.10(A) and the associated NSTS Fee
Schedule relating to transactions in
Tape ‘‘A’’ and ‘‘B’’ securities on NSTS,
and is proposing corresponding
amendments to its Fee Schedule for ITS
Transactions. As amended, old Rule
11.10(A) and the associated NSTS Fee
Schedule would provide for an
execution fee of $0.0030 per share for
removing liquidity from NSTS (in other
words, a charge for taking liquidity
against an order in NSTS), and a rebate
of $0.0030 per share executed for adding
liquidity into NSTS (in other words, a
rebate for the addition of liquidity to
NSTS, provided that it results in an
execution through NSTS). Thus, ETP
Holders taking liquidity against an order
in NSTS will be charged a fee of $0.0030
per share executed, and ETP Holders
providing liquidity into NSTS will be
paid a rebate of $0.0030 per share
executed. In connection with this rule
change, language is also proposed to be
added to the NSTS Fee Schedule stating
that with respect to ITS Transactions
executed through NSTS, the Exchange
will pay the applicable liquidity
provider rebate only after it receives
payment of the liquidity taker fee
applicable to the execution.
This liquidity taker fee and liquidity
provider rebate are proposed to replace
the current transaction fees applicable
to transactions in Tape ‘‘A’’ and ‘‘B’’
securities on NSTS. Currently, old Rule
11.10(A) provides for a variety of fees
for executions in Tape ‘‘A’’ securities,
and the NSTS Fee Schedule provides for
5 Regulatory Circular 06–011, issued on October
19, 2006.
6 On November 14, 2006, a new NSTS Fee
Schedule became effective. See Securities Exchange
Act Release No. 54753 (November 14, 2006), 71 FR
67678 (November 22, 2006) (SR–NSX–2006–14).
E:\FR\FM\02APN1.SGM
02APN1
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 62 / Monday, April 2, 2007 / Notices
a $0.0030 per share liquidity taker fee
and a $0.0027 per share liquidity
provider rebate for executions in Tape
‘‘B’’ securities. These fees and rebates
are proposed to be removed and
replaced with the fee structure
described herein.7 In connection with
this filing, the Exchange also proposes
to remove $50,000 monthly transaction
fee cap for transactions on NSTS that is
currently provided for in old Rule
11.10(A)(i), and the quotation fee that is
currently provided for in old Rule
11.10(A)(s). The Exchange is proposing
these changes to its fees for NSTS
transactions in order to harmonize its
NSTS fees with the fees applicable to
transactions executed through NSX
BLADE. One of the proposed changes
described above—the proposed new
language in the NSTS Fee Schedule
relating to the timing of liquidity
provider rebate payments on ITS
Transactions—is a policy change and, as
of the date of the initial filing of this
rule change, similar language was not
contained in the Fee Schedule
applicable to transactions executed
through NSX BLADE.
The liquidity taker fee and liquidity
provider rebate described above are
contained in the NSTS Fee Schedule.
The NSTS Fee Schedule supplements
the fees and rebates contained in old
NSX Rule 11.10. If the NSTS Fee
Schedule does not contravene any fees
stated in old NSX Rule 11.10, the ETP
Holder effecting a transaction via NSTS
will be charged the fees noted in old
NSX Rule 11.10.
Changes are also being proposed to
the Fee Schedule for ITS Transactions,
to provide for a corresponding $0.0030
per share liquidity taker fee for ITS
Transactions executed through NSTS.
Thus ETP Holders taking liquidity will
be charged under the NSTS Fee
Schedule, and executions through an
ITS Plan will be charged under the Fee
Schedule for ITS Transactions (although
the rates of the two execution fees are
identical). The Exchange bills non-ETP
Holders using the facilities of the
Exchange for ITS Transactions under
the Fee Schedule for ITS Transactions.
Pursuant to NSX Rule 16.1(c), the
Exchange will ‘‘provide ETP Holders
with notice of all relevant dues, fees,
assessments and charges of the
Exchange.’’ ETP Holders and others,
including self-regulatory organizations
that are the subject of exchange-toexchange billing, using the Exchange
will be advised of these fees through the
Exchange’s Web site. In addition, ETP
Holders will, simultaneously with this
filing, be notified through the issuance
of a Regulatory Circular of the changes
to the Fee Schedules applicable to
transactions through NSTS and the ITS
Plans.
The fees have been designed in this
manner in order to ensure that the
Exchange can continue to fulfill its
obligations under the Act.
2. Statutory Basis
NSX believes that the proposed rule
change is consistent with the provisions
of Section 6 of the Act,8 in general, and
with Sections 6(b)(4) of the Act,9 in
particular, in that the proposal provides
for the equitable allocation of reasonable
dues, fees, and other charges. In
addition, NSX believes that the
proposed rule change furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(1) of the Act 10
in that it helps to assure that the
Exchange is so organized and has the
capacity to be able to carry out the
purposes of the Act and to comply, and
to enforce compliance by its ETP
Holders with the Act.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will result in
any burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants or Others
The Exchange has neither solicited
nor received written comments on the
proposed rule change.
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 11 and
subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b–4
thereunder 12 because it establishes or
changes a due, fee, or other charge
applicable only to a member imposed by
the self-regulatory organization.
Accordingly, the proposal is effective
upon Commission receipt of the filing.
At any time within 60 days of the filing
of the proposed rule change, the
Commission may summarily abrogate
such rule change if it appears to the
Commission that such action is
necessary or appropriate in the public
8 15
U.S.C. 78f.
U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1).
11 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
12 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
9 15
7 All Tape ‘‘C’’ securities have been transitioned
to NSX BLADE, so there will be no Tape ‘‘C’’
transactions on NSTS.
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Frm 00100
Fmt 4703
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15743
interest, for the protection of investors,
or otherwise in furtherance of the
purposes of the Act.13
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 e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–NSX–2007–01 on the
subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–NSX–2007–01. This file
number should be included on the
subject line if e-mail 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 inspection and copying in
the Commission’s Public Reference
Room. Copies of the filing also will be
available for inspection and copying at
the principal office of NSX. 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–NSX–2007–01 and should
13 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(C). For purposes of
calculating the 60-day period within which the
Commission may summarily abrogate the proposal,
the Commission considers the period to commence
on March 19, 2007, the date on which the Exchange
submitted Amendment No. 1.
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15744
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 62 / Monday, April 2, 2007 / Notices
Tape A rebate program applicable to
transactions executed through the
Exchange’s new trading system, NSX
BLADE. This proposed Tape A rebate
program is also equivalent to the
Exchange’s current Tape B and Tape C
rebate programs applicable to NSTS an
NSX BLADE transactions.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available at NSX, https://
www.nsx.com, and the Commission’s
Public Reference Room.
be submitted on or before April 23,
2007.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated
authority.14
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7–5984 Filed 3–30–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–55542; File No. SR–NSX–
2007–02]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
National Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness
of Proposed Rule Change and
Amendment No. 1 Thereto to Amend
the Exchange’s Tape Rebate Programs
for Transactions Through NSTS to
Establish an Equivalent Tape A Rebate
Program
March 27, 2007.
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 February
15, 2007, the National Stock Exchange,
Inc. (‘‘NSX’’ or ‘‘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 substantially by NSX.
NSX amended the proposed rule change
on March 19, 2007.3 NSX filed the
proposed rule change pursuant to
Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act4 and Rule
19b–4(f)(6) thereunder,5 which renders
it effective upon filing with the
Commission. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change,
as amended, from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange is proposing to amend
old NSX Rule 11.10(A)(1), which is
applicable to transactions through the
Exchange’s legacy trading system,
National Securities Trading System
(‘‘NSTS’’), to provide for a rebate
program for Tape A securities that is
equivalent to the Exchange’s current
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with NOTICES
14 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
3 See Amendment No. 1.
4 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
5 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). The Commission
considers the 60-day abrogation period to have
commenced on March 19, 2007, the date NSX filed
Amendment No. 1.
1 15
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18:39 Mar 30, 2007
Jkt 211001
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission,
NSX 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. NSX has prepared
summaries, set forth in Sections A, B,
and C below, of the most significant
aspects of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
NSX proposes to amend old Exchange
Rule 11.10(A)(1), which is applicable to
transactions through NSTS, to provide
for a rebate program for Tape A
securities that is equivalent to the
Exchange’s current Tape A rebate
program applicable to transactions
executed through NSX BLADE. This
proposed Tape A rebate program is also
equivalent to the Exchange’s current
Tape B and Tape C rebate programs
applicable to NSTS and NSX BLADE
transactions.
The Exchange has created a new
trading platform, known as NSX
BLADE, which uses a strict price/time
priority system as the ultimate
replacement for NSTS. The Exchange is
in the midst of phasing in NSX BLADE.
NSX BLADE was launched on October
23, 2006. As of the date of the initial
filing of this proposed rule change, all
Tape C securities have been phased into
NSX BLADE from NSTS, and the
Exchange plans to transition all Tape A
and Tape B securities from NSTS to
NSX BLADE in the near future.
During this transitional period of
phasing in various securities to NSX
BLADE, the exchange will be operating
both NSTS and NSX BLADE. Until such
securities are phased into NSX BLADE,
Tape A and Tape B securities will
continue to be traded via NSTS.
PO 00000
Frm 00101
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
During this transitional period of
phasing in various securities to NSX
BLADE, the Exchange is operating both
NSTS and NSX BLADE. Accordingly,
the Exchange is operating under two
sets of rules during the phase-in period.
All transactions in the NSTS System are
operating under the rules pertaining to
NSTS (old Exchange Rule 11.9 (National
Securities Trading System) and old
Exchange Rule 11.10 (National
Securities Trading System Fees) and any
associated Fee Schedule) while all
transactions in NSX BLADE are
operating under the NSX BLADE trading
rules approved in SR–NSX–2006–036
and the new fee rules in Chapter XVI.
When the phase-in is complete and
NSTS is no longer operational, old
Rules 11.9 and 11.10 will be
extinguished. The Exchange has issued
a Notice to ETP Holders to advise them
of the different trading systems and
rules and fees applicable to each,7 and
will issue a Notice advising them of the
fee changes with this proposed rule
change.
Additionally, the Exchange currently
offers rebate programs for Tape A, B and
C transactions executed through NSX
BLADE, each consisting of a 50 percent
transaction credit on revenues generated
by transactions executed through NSX
BLADE in Tape A, B or C securities,
respectively. Old Rule 11.10(A)(1),
which is applicable to transactions
executed through NSTS, currently
provides for equivalent 50 percent Tape
B and C rebate programs for transactions
executed through NSTS. Under each of
the Exchange’s current rebate programs,
the credit is allocable to ETP Holders on
a pro rata basis based upon Tape A, B
or C revenue generated by an ETP
Holder’s transactions on NSX BLADE or
NSTS, as applicable.
With the instant proposed rule
change, the Exchange is proposing to
adopt a rebate program for NSTS
transactions in Tape A securities that is
equivalent to the Exchange’s current
Tape A rebate program applicable to
NSX BLADE transactions. As with the
Exchange’s other tape rebate programs,
this proposed Tape A rebate program
will provide a 50 percent transaction
credit on revenues generated by
transactions executed through NSTS in
Tape A securities, and will be allocable
to ETP Holders on a pro rata basis based
upon the Tape A revenue generated by
such ETP Holder’s transactions on
NSTS. The Exchange believes that there
6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53963
(June 8, 2006), 71 FR 34660 (June 15, 2006) (order)
(SR–NSX–2006–034).
7 Regulatory Circular 06–011, issued on October
19, 2006.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 62 (Monday, April 2, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15742-15744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5984]
[[Page 15742]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-55541; File No. SR-NSX-2007-01]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Stock Exchange, Inc.;
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change
and Amendment No. 1 Thereto to Modify Fees for Transactions Executed
Through NSTS and ITS Plans
March 27, 2007.
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 February 5, 2007, the National Stock Exchange, Inc. (``NSX'' 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 substantially prepared by the
Exchange. On March 19, 2007, NSX submitted Amendment No. 1 to the
proposed rule change. NSX has filed the proposal pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) thereunder,\4\ which
renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. The
Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the
proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange is proposing various amendments to its fees for
transactions executed through National Securities Trading System
(``NSTS''), the Exchange's legacy trading system, so that this fee
schedule will correspond more closely to the existing fees for
transactions executed through NSX BLADE, the Exchange's new trading
platform. These amendments involve proposed changes to old NSX Rule
11.10(A) (which is applicable to NSTS transactions), and the associated
NSTS Fee Schedule. The Exchange is also proposing corresponding changes
to its Fee Schedule applicable to transactions under the Intermarket
Trading System Plan and/or the Plan for the purpose of Creating and
Operating an Intermarket Communications Linkage (``ITS Plans'') for
transactions executed through the ITS Plans (``ITS Transactions''). The
text of the proposed rule change is available at NSX, the Commission's
Public Reference Room, and https://www.nsx.com.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, NSX 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. NSX has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B,
and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
Background
The Exchange has created a new state of the art trading platform,
known as NSX BLADE, which utilizes a strict price/time priority system
as the ultimate replacement for NSTS. The Exchange is in the midst of
phasing in NSX BLADE. NSX BLADE was launched on October 23, 2006. As of
the date of the initial filing of this proposed rule change, all Tape
``C'' securities have been phased into NSX BLADE from NSTS, and the
Exchange plans to transition all Tape ``A'' and Tape ``B'' securities
from NSTS to NSX BLADE in the near future.
During this transitional period of phasing in various securities to
NSX BLADE, the Exchange will be operating both NSTS and NSX BLADE.
Until such securities are phased into NSX BLADE, Tape ``A'' and ``B''
securities will continue to be traded via NSTS.
Rule Set
During this transitional period of phasing in various securities to
NSX BLADE, the Exchange is operating both NSTS and NSX BLADE.
Accordingly, the Exchange is operating under two sets of rules during
this phase-in period. All transactions in NSTS are operating under the
rules pertaining to NSTS (old Rule 11.9 (National Securities Trading
System) and old Rule 11.10 (National Securities Trading System Fees)
and any associated Fee Schedule) while all transactions in NSX BLADE
are operating under the NSX BLADE trading rules approved in SR-NSX-
2006-03 and the new fee rules in Chapter XVI of the Exchange Rules.
When the phase-in is complete and NSTS is no longer operational, old
Rules 11.9 and 11.10 (and any associated NSTS Fee Schedule) will be
extinguished. The Exchange has issued a Notice to ETP Holders to advise
them of the different trading systems and rules and fees applicable to
each,\5\ and will issue a Notice advising them of the fee changes with
this rule change. During this interim period, the Exchange has created
a Fee Schedule applicable to NSTS Rules (``NSTS Fee Schedule'') under
the authority of NSX Rule 16.1.\6\ Further, while the Fee Schedule for
ITS Transactions is identical to the Fee Schedule for identical
transactions entered in NSTS, the Exchange has decided to create a Fee
Schedule for ITS Transactions to make it easier for parties to identify
the specific fees associated with the ETP Holder's transactions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ Regulatory Circular 06-011, issued on October 19, 2006.
\6\ On November 14, 2006, a new NSTS Fee Schedule became
effective. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54753 (November
14, 2006), 71 FR 67678 (November 22, 2006) (SR-NSX-2006-14).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fee Proposal
In the instant rule filing, the Exchange is proposing amendments to
old Rule 11.10(A) and the associated NSTS Fee Schedule relating to
transactions in Tape ``A'' and ``B'' securities on NSTS, and is
proposing corresponding amendments to its Fee Schedule for ITS
Transactions. As amended, old Rule 11.10(A) and the associated NSTS Fee
Schedule would provide for an execution fee of $0.0030 per share for
removing liquidity from NSTS (in other words, a charge for taking
liquidity against an order in NSTS), and a rebate of $0.0030 per share
executed for adding liquidity into NSTS (in other words, a rebate for
the addition of liquidity to NSTS, provided that it results in an
execution through NSTS). Thus, ETP Holders taking liquidity against an
order in NSTS will be charged a fee of $0.0030 per share executed, and
ETP Holders providing liquidity into NSTS will be paid a rebate of
$0.0030 per share executed. In connection with this rule change,
language is also proposed to be added to the NSTS Fee Schedule stating
that with respect to ITS Transactions executed through NSTS, the
Exchange will pay the applicable liquidity provider rebate only after
it receives payment of the liquidity taker fee applicable to the
execution.
This liquidity taker fee and liquidity provider rebate are proposed
to replace the current transaction fees applicable to transactions in
Tape ``A'' and ``B'' securities on NSTS. Currently, old Rule 11.10(A)
provides for a variety of fees for executions in Tape ``A'' securities,
and the NSTS Fee Schedule provides for
[[Page 15743]]
a $0.0030 per share liquidity taker fee and a $0.0027 per share
liquidity provider rebate for executions in Tape ``B'' securities.
These fees and rebates are proposed to be removed and replaced with the
fee structure described herein.\7\ In connection with this filing, the
Exchange also proposes to remove $50,000 monthly transaction fee cap
for transactions on NSTS that is currently provided for in old Rule
11.10(A)(i), and the quotation fee that is currently provided for in
old Rule 11.10(A)(s). The Exchange is proposing these changes to its
fees for NSTS transactions in order to harmonize its NSTS fees with the
fees applicable to transactions executed through NSX BLADE. One of the
proposed changes described above--the proposed new language in the NSTS
Fee Schedule relating to the timing of liquidity provider rebate
payments on ITS Transactions--is a policy change and, as of the date of
the initial filing of this rule change, similar language was not
contained in the Fee Schedule applicable to transactions executed
through NSX BLADE.
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\7\ All Tape ``C'' securities have been transitioned to NSX
BLADE, so there will be no Tape ``C'' transactions on NSTS.
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The liquidity taker fee and liquidity provider rebate described
above are contained in the NSTS Fee Schedule. The NSTS Fee Schedule
supplements the fees and rebates contained in old NSX Rule 11.10. If
the NSTS Fee Schedule does not contravene any fees stated in old NSX
Rule 11.10, the ETP Holder effecting a transaction via NSTS will be
charged the fees noted in old NSX Rule 11.10.
Changes are also being proposed to the Fee Schedule for ITS
Transactions, to provide for a corresponding $0.0030 per share
liquidity taker fee for ITS Transactions executed through NSTS. Thus
ETP Holders taking liquidity will be charged under the NSTS Fee
Schedule, and executions through an ITS Plan will be charged under the
Fee Schedule for ITS Transactions (although the rates of the two
execution fees are identical). The Exchange bills non-ETP Holders using
the facilities of the Exchange for ITS Transactions under the Fee
Schedule for ITS Transactions.
Pursuant to NSX Rule 16.1(c), the Exchange will ``provide ETP
Holders with notice of all relevant dues, fees, assessments and charges
of the Exchange.'' ETP Holders and others, including self-regulatory
organizations that are the subject of exchange-to-exchange billing,
using the Exchange will be advised of these fees through the Exchange's
Web site. In addition, ETP Holders will, simultaneously with this
filing, be notified through the issuance of a Regulatory Circular of
the changes to the Fee Schedules applicable to transactions through
NSTS and the ITS Plans.
The fees have been designed in this manner in order to ensure that
the Exchange can continue to fulfill its obligations under the Act.
2. Statutory Basis
NSX believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the
provisions of Section 6 of the Act,\8\ in general, and with Sections
6(b)(4) of the Act,\9\ in particular, in that the proposal provides for
the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges.
In addition, NSX believes that the proposed rule change furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(1) of the Act \10\ in that it helps to
assure that the Exchange is so organized and has the capacity to be
able to carry out the purposes of the Act and to comply, and to enforce
compliance by its ETP Holders with the Act.
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\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
\10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1).
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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
result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others
The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written comments on
the proposed rule change.
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 \11\ and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4
thereunder \12\ because it establishes or changes a due, fee, or other
charge applicable only to a member imposed by the self-regulatory
organization. Accordingly, the proposal is effective upon Commission
receipt of the filing. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the
proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate 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.\13\
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\11\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
\12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
\13\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(C). For purposes of calculating the 60-
day period within which the Commission may summarily abrogate the
proposal, the Commission considers the period to commence on March
19, 2007, the date on which the Exchange submitted Amendment No. 1.
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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 (https://
www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include
File Number SR-NSX-2007-01 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NSX-2007-01. This file
number should be included on the subject line if e-mail 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 inspection and
copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of the filing
also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal
office of NSX. 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-NSX-
2007-01 and should
[[Page 15744]]
be submitted on or before April 23, 2007.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation,
pursuant to delegated authority.\14\
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\14\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7-5984 Filed 3-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P