Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating To Order Routing, 59696-59698 [E8-23978]
Download as PDF
59696
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 197 / Thursday, October 9, 2008 / Notices
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
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
The purpose of adopting the proposed
order entry port fee is to establish a
connectivity fee in connection with
routing orders to the Exchange. Member
organizations access the Exchange’s
network through these order entry ports.
Currently, member organizations do not
pay for this service.6 The Exchange
believes that it is appropriate for
members to pay a uniform monthly fee
to support the infrastructure associated
with market access.
The $250 per month order entry port
fee would be assessed per member
organization order entry mnemonic. The
$250 per month order entry port fee
would be assessed on any order entry
mnemonic that was active during that
billing month.7
The proposed monthly $250 order
entry port fee is scheduled to be
implemented beginning October 1,
2008.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its
proposal to amend its schedule of fees
is consistent with Section 6(b) of the
Act 8 in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act 9
in particular, in that it is an equitable
allocation of reasonable fees and other
charges among Exchange member
organizations. The Exchange believes
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
6 The
proposed order entry port fee is different
than the ‘‘SQF Port Fee and Corresponding Credit’’
that appears on Appendix A of the Exchange’s fee
schedule. ‘‘SQF’’ stands for specialized quote feed
and is a proprietary quoting system that allows
specialists, streaming quote traders and remote
streaming quote traders to connect and send quotes
into Phlx XL, bypassing the Exchange’s Auto-Quote
System. See Exchange Rule 1080, Commentary
.01(b). Thus, the proposed order entry port fee
would be assessed in connection with sending
orders to the Exchange, while the SQF port fee is
assessed in connection with sending quotes to the
Exchange.
7 For purposes of this proposal, an order entry
mnemonic would be considered active if a member
organization sends at least one order to the
Exchange using that order entry mnemonic during
the applicable billing month.
8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
VerDate Aug<31>2005
21:01 Oct 08, 2008
Jkt 217001
that the proposed order entry port fee is
reasonable and should allow member
organizations to connect to the
Exchange without being unduly
financially burdensome. The Exchange
believes that the proposal is an
equitable allocation of reasonable fees
among member organizations because
the proposed order entry port fee would
be assessed on those member
organizations who send orders to the
Exchange through these external order
entry ports.
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.
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 10 and
paragraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b–4 11
thereunder. 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.
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–Phlx–2008–70 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–Phlx–2008–70. 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, 100 F Street, NE., Washington,
DC 20549, on official business days
between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Copies of the filing will also be available
for inspection and copying at the
principal office of the self-regulatory
organization. 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–Phlx–
2008–70 and should be submitted on or
before October 30, 2008.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.12
Florence E. Harmon,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–23940 Filed 10–8–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–58721; File No. SR–
NASDAQ–2008–079]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
Proposed Rule Change Relating To
Order Routing
October 2, 2008.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
12 17
10 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
PO 00000
Frm 00101
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\09OCN1.SGM
09OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 197 / Thursday, October 9, 2008 / Notices
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
notice is hereby given that on
September 29, 2008, 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 and II
below, which Items have been prepared
by NASDAQ. NASDAQ filed the
proposed rule change as a ‘‘noncontroversial’’ proposed rule change
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder,4
which renders it effective upon filing
with the Commission. The 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
NASDAQ proposes to modify Rule
4758, Order Routing, to require that
orders routed to the New York Stock
Exchange LLC (‘‘NYSE’’) or the
American Stock Exchange LLC
(‘‘AMEX’’) through NASDAQ’s DOT
routing strategy check the NASDAQ
book prior to routing, except in the case
of orders directed for participation in
the NYSE or AMEX opening or closing
processes. NASDAQ proposes to make
the change operative on October 1,
2008. The text of the proposed rule
amendment is as follows, with deletions
in [brackets] and additions italicized:
4758. Order Routing
(a) Order Routing Process
(1) The Order Routing Process shall be
available to Participants from 7:00 a.m.
until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and shall
route orders as described below: All
routing of orders shall comply with Rule
611 of Regulation NMS under the
Exchange Act.
(A) The System provides three routing
options. Of these three, DOT is only
available for orders ultimately sought to
be directed to either the New York Stock
Exchange (‘‘NYSE’’) or the American
Stock Exchange (‘‘AMEX’’). The System
will consider the quotations only of
accessible markets. The three System
routing options are:
(i) DOT (‘‘DOT’’)—under this option,
after checking the System for available
shares [if so instructed by the entering
firm], orders are sent to other available
market centers for potential execution,
per entering firm’s instructions, before
being sent to the destination exchange,
so long as the price at such market
centers would not violate the Order
Protection Rule. Any un-executed
portion will thereafter be sent to the
3 15
4 17
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
VerDate Aug<31>2005
21:01 Oct 08, 2008
Jkt 217001
NYSE or AMEX, as appropriate, at the
order’s original limit order price. This
option may only be used for orders with
time-in-force parameters of either
SDAY, SIOC, MDAY, MIOC, GTMC or
market-on-open/close. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, orders designated for
participation in the NYSE or AMEX
opening or closing processes will not
check the System for available shares
prior to routing.
(ii)–(iii) No change.
(B) No change.
(b) No change.
*
*
*
*
*
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission,
NASDAQ 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.
NASDAQ 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
NASDAQ is amending Rule 4758 to
make its procedures for routing orders
to NYSE and AMEX more consistent
with its procedures for routing to other
trading venues. Currently, a NASDAQ
member seeking to route orders that are
eligible for posting on the NYSE or
AMEX books has the option of
instructing NASDAQ Execution
Services, the routing broker for
NASDAQ, to bypass the NASDAQ book
altogether and route the order directly to
the destination exchange. By contrast,
members seeking to bypass the
NASDAQ book to reach venues other
than NYSE and AMEX may do so only
for the purpose of removing liquidity
from the other venue through the use of
‘‘directed orders.’’ As NYSE’s and
AMEX’s share of trading in U.S. cash
equities decreases, less volume is being
routed through this specialized routing
option. Accordingly, NASDAQ proposes
to eliminate the functionality that
allows members to post liquidity on the
NYSE or AMEX books without first
checking the NASDAQ book, while
continuing to allow members to post on
NYSE or AMEX after checking the
NASDAQ book, or to route directed
PO 00000
Frm 00102
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
59697
orders to NYSE or AMEX that remove
liquidity without first checking the
NASDAQ book.
Members seeking to use NASDAQ to
route to NYSE and AMEX will continue
to have the following options: (i) Access
available liquidity on NASDAQ and
then route for posting at the away
market; 5 (ii) access available liquidity,
route to the away market to access
available liquidity, and then return to
NASDAQ for posting; 6 (iii) access only
displayed liquidity on NASDAQ and
other venues (including NYSE and/or
AMEX) prior to cancelling or returning
to NASDAQ for posting; 7 or (iv) route
directed orders to NYSE or AMEX
without checking the NASDAQ book,
but on an immediate-or-cancel (IOC)
basis only.8 In addition, members
seeking to route orders to NYSE or
AMEX for purposes of participating in
opening or closing processes will
continue to have the option of bypassing
the NASDAQ book.9
2. Statutory Basis
NASDAQ believes the proposed rule
change is consistent with the provisions
of Section 6 of the Act,10 in general, and
with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,11 in
particular, in that it is designed to
prevent fraudulent and manipulative
practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, to foster cooperation
and coordination with persons engaged
in regulating, clearing, settling,
processing information with respect to,
and facilitating transactions in
securities, to remove impediments to
and perfect the mechanisms of a free
and open market and a national market
system, and, in general, to protect
investors and the public interest. The
change will eliminate functionality that
allows members to post liquidity on the
NYSE or AMEX books without first
checking the NASDAQ book, in
accordance with decreasing use of this
functionality. Following the change,
members will continue to have
numerous options for routing to NYSE
and AMEX, including the use of
5 See NASDAQ Rule 4758(a)(1)(A)(i) (including
proposed amendments).
6 See NASDAQ Rule 4758(a)(1)(A)(ii) and (iii).
Orders that return for posting may, in turn, be
designated as eligible either for routing again if they
subsequently become executable (‘‘STGY’’) or
designated to remain on the NASDAQ book after
posting (‘‘SCAN’’).
7 Id. Both SCAN and STGY allow market
participants to instruct whether the order should
access all available liquidity or only displayed
liquidity.
8 See NASDAQ Rule 4751(f)(9).
9 See NASDAQ Rule 4758(a)(1)(A)(i) (including
proposed amendments).
10 15 U.S.C. 78f.
11 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM
09OCN1
59698
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 197 / Thursday, October 9, 2008 / Notices
directed IOC orders that bypass the
NASDAQ book, and orders that are
eligible for posting at NYSE or AMEX
after checking the NASDAQ book.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
NASDAQ does not believe that the
proposed rule change will impose any
burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants or Others
No written comments were solicited
or received with respect to the proposed
rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing proposed rule
change does not: (i) Significantly affect
the protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) impose any significant
burden on competition; and (iii) become
operative for 30 days from the date on
which it was filed, or such shorter time
as the Commission may designate, it has
become effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 12 and Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) thereunder.13
A proposed rule change filed under
19b–4(f)(6) normally may not become
operative prior to 30 days after the date
of filing.14 However, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6)(iii) 15 permits the Commission to
designate a shorter time if such action
is consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest. The
Exchange has requested that the
Commission waive the 30-day operative
delay. The Exchange states that waiver
of the 30-day operative delay will allow
NASDAQ to make its processes for
routing to various exchanges consistent
at the beginning of October 2008.
Because the current functionality for
routing and posting to NYSE and AMEX
without checking the NASDAQ book
has a particular fee associated with it,
elimination of this option will affect the
calculation of NASDAQ’s bills to
members, which are prepared on a
monthly basis. Therefore, making the
proposed change effective at the
12 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
14 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-regulatory organization to
give the Commission written notice of its intent to
file the proposed rule change at least five business
days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule
change, or such shorter time as designated by the
Commission. NASDAQ has complied with this
requirement.
15 Id.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
13 17
VerDate Aug<31>2005
21:01 Oct 08, 2008
Jkt 217001
beginning of the month will promote
efficiency and clarity in NASDAQ’s
billing processes.
The Commission believes that
waiving the 30-day operative delay is
consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest. The
Commission hereby grants the
Exchange’s request and designates the
proposal as operative beginning on
October 1, 2008.16
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.
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
No. SR–NASDAQ–2008–079 on the
subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
Commission, Station Place, 100 F Street,
NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–NASDAQ–2008–079. 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
16 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
operative delay of this proposal, the Commission
has considered the proposed rule’s impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15
U.S.C. 78c(f).
PO 00000
Frm 00103
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for inspection and copying in
the Commission’s Public Reference
Room, on official business days between
the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies
of such filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal
office of NASDAQ. 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–2008–079 and should be
submitted on or before October 30,
2008.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.17
Florence E. Harmon,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–23978 Filed 10–8–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–58722; File No. SR–NYSE–
2008–95]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; New
York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule
104.10 To Extend the Duration of the
Pilot Program Applicable to
Conditional Transactions as Defined in
Rule 104.10(6)(i) in all Securities to the
Earlier of December 31, 2008 or the
Approval of SR–NYSE–2008–46
October 2, 2008.
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
September 30, 2008, New York Stock
Exchange LLC (‘‘NYSE’’ 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 by the Exchange. The
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
Exchange Rule 104.10 to extend the
duration of the pilot program applicable
17 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM
09OCN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 197 (Thursday, October 9, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59696-59698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23978]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-58721; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2008-079]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC;
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change
Relating To Order Routing
October 2, 2008.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\
[[Page 59697]]
notice is hereby given that on September 29, 2008, 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 and II below, which Items have been prepared by
NASDAQ. NASDAQ filed the proposed rule change as a ``non-
controversial'' proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of
the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder,\4\ which renders it
effective upon filing with the Commission. The 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.
\3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
NASDAQ proposes to modify Rule 4758, Order Routing, to require that
orders routed to the New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE'') or the
American Stock Exchange LLC (``AMEX'') through NASDAQ's DOT routing
strategy check the NASDAQ book prior to routing, except in the case of
orders directed for participation in the NYSE or AMEX opening or
closing processes. NASDAQ proposes to make the change operative on
October 1, 2008. The text of the proposed rule amendment is as follows,
with deletions in [brackets] and additions italicized: 4758. Order
Routing
(a) Order Routing Process
(1) The Order Routing Process shall be available to Participants
from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and shall route orders as
described below: All routing of orders shall comply with Rule 611 of
Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act.
(A) The System provides three routing options. Of these three, DOT
is only available for orders ultimately sought to be directed to either
the New York Stock Exchange (``NYSE'') or the American Stock Exchange
(``AMEX''). The System will consider the quotations only of accessible
markets. The three System routing options are:
(i) DOT (``DOT'')--under this option, after checking the System for
available shares [if so instructed by the entering firm], orders are
sent to other available market centers for potential execution, per
entering firm's instructions, before being sent to the destination
exchange, so long as the price at such market centers would not violate
the Order Protection Rule. Any un-executed portion will thereafter be
sent to the NYSE or AMEX, as appropriate, at the order's original limit
order price. This option may only be used for orders with time-in-force
parameters of either SDAY, SIOC, MDAY, MIOC, GTMC or market-on-open/
close. Notwithstanding the foregoing, orders designated for
participation in the NYSE or AMEX opening or closing processes will not
check the System for available shares prior to routing.
(ii)-(iii) No change.
(B) No change.
(b) No change.
* * * * *
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, NASDAQ 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. NASDAQ 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
NASDAQ is amending Rule 4758 to make its procedures for routing
orders to NYSE and AMEX more consistent with its procedures for routing
to other trading venues. Currently, a NASDAQ member seeking to route
orders that are eligible for posting on the NYSE or AMEX books has the
option of instructing NASDAQ Execution Services, the routing broker for
NASDAQ, to bypass the NASDAQ book altogether and route the order
directly to the destination exchange. By contrast, members seeking to
bypass the NASDAQ book to reach venues other than NYSE and AMEX may do
so only for the purpose of removing liquidity from the other venue
through the use of ``directed orders.'' As NYSE's and AMEX's share of
trading in U.S. cash equities decreases, less volume is being routed
through this specialized routing option. Accordingly, NASDAQ proposes
to eliminate the functionality that allows members to post liquidity on
the NYSE or AMEX books without first checking the NASDAQ book, while
continuing to allow members to post on NYSE or AMEX after checking the
NASDAQ book, or to route directed orders to NYSE or AMEX that remove
liquidity without first checking the NASDAQ book.
Members seeking to use NASDAQ to route to NYSE and AMEX will
continue to have the following options: (i) Access available liquidity
on NASDAQ and then route for posting at the away market; \5\ (ii)
access available liquidity, route to the away market to access
available liquidity, and then return to NASDAQ for posting; \6\ (iii)
access only displayed liquidity on NASDAQ and other venues (including
NYSE and/or AMEX) prior to cancelling or returning to NASDAQ for
posting; \7\ or (iv) route directed orders to NYSE or AMEX without
checking the NASDAQ book, but on an immediate-or-cancel (IOC) basis
only.\8\ In addition, members seeking to route orders to NYSE or AMEX
for purposes of participating in opening or closing processes will
continue to have the option of bypassing the NASDAQ book.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See NASDAQ Rule 4758(a)(1)(A)(i) (including proposed
amendments).
\6\ See NASDAQ Rule 4758(a)(1)(A)(ii) and (iii). Orders that
return for posting may, in turn, be designated as eligible either
for routing again if they subsequently become executable (``STGY'')
or designated to remain on the NASDAQ book after posting (``SCAN'').
\7\ Id. Both SCAN and STGY allow market participants to instruct
whether the order should access all available liquidity or only
displayed liquidity.
\8\ See NASDAQ Rule 4751(f)(9).
\9\ See NASDAQ Rule 4758(a)(1)(A)(i) (including proposed
amendments).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Statutory Basis
NASDAQ believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the
provisions of Section 6 of the Act,\10\ in general, and with Section
6(b)(5) of the Act,\11\ in particular, in that it is designed to
prevent fraudulent and manipulative practices, to promote just and
equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination
with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing
information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in
securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a
free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to
protect investors and the public interest. The change will eliminate
functionality that allows members to post liquidity on the NYSE or AMEX
books without first checking the NASDAQ book, in accordance with
decreasing use of this functionality. Following the change, members
will continue to have numerous options for routing to NYSE and AMEX,
including the use of
[[Page 59698]]
directed IOC orders that bypass the NASDAQ book, and orders that are
eligible for posting at NYSE or AMEX after checking the NASDAQ book.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
\11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
NASDAQ does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose
any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others
No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the
proposed rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i)
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii)
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \12\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\13\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A proposed rule change filed under 19b-4(f)(6) normally may not
become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing.\14\
However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \15\ permits the Commission to designate
a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest. The Exchange has requested that the
Commission waive the 30-day operative delay. The Exchange states that
waiver of the 30-day operative delay will allow NASDAQ to make its
processes for routing to various exchanges consistent at the beginning
of October 2008. Because the current functionality for routing and
posting to NYSE and AMEX without checking the NASDAQ book has a
particular fee associated with it, elimination of this option will
affect the calculation of NASDAQ's bills to members, which are prepared
on a monthly basis. Therefore, making the proposed change effective at
the beginning of the month will promote efficiency and clarity in
NASDAQ's billing processes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\14\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
NASDAQ has complied with this requirement.
\15\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest.
The Commission hereby grants the Exchange's request and designates the
proposal as operative beginning on October 1, 2008.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay of
this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's
impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C.
78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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 No. SR-NASDAQ-2008-079 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, Station Place, 100 F Street, NE., Washington,
DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASDAQ-2008-079. 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, on official
business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such
filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the
principal office of NASDAQ. 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-2008-079 and should be submitted on or before
October 30, 2008.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florence E. Harmon,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-23978 Filed 10-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P