Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Regarding the CBSX Obvious Error Rule, 51914-51917 [E9-24248]
Download as PDF
51914
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 194 / Thursday, October 8, 2009 / Notices
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
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–2009–05 on the
subject line.
Paper Comments
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
[Release No. 34–60760; File No. SR–CBOE–
2009–071]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
Chicago Board Options Exchange,
Incorporated; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change Regarding the CBSX
Obvious Error Rule
October 1, 2009.
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 25, 2009, the Chicago Board
All submissions should refer to File
Options Exchange, Incorporated
Number SR–NSX–2009–05. This file
(‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘CBOE’’) filed with the
number should be included on the
Securities and Exchange Commission
subject line if e-mail is used. To help the (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
Commission process and review your
change as described in Items I and II
comments more efficiently, please use
below, which Items have been prepared
only one method. The Commission will by the Exchange. CBOE has designated
post all comments on the Commission’s the proposed rule change as constituting
Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
a rule change under Rule 19b–4(f)(6)
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
under the Act,3 which renders the
submission, all subsequent
proposal effective upon filing with the
amendments, all written statements
Commission. The Commission is
with respect to the proposed rule
publishing this notice to solicit
change that are filed with the
comments on the proposed rule change
Commission, and all written
from interested persons.
communications relating to the
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
proposed rule change between the
Commission and any person, other than Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
those that may be withheld from the
public in accordance with the
The Exchange proposes to modify the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
CBOE Stock Exchange (‘‘CBSX’’)
available for inspection and copying in
obvious error rule. The text of the
the Commission’s Public Reference
proposed rule change is available on the
Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington,
Exchange’s Web site (https://
DC 20549, on official business days
between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. www.cboe.org/Legal), at the Exchange’s
Office of the Secretary and at the
Copies of such filing also will be
Commission.
available for inspection and copying at
the principal office of the Exchange. All II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
comments received will be posted
Statement of the Purpose of, and
without change; the Commission does
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
not edit personal identifying
Change
information from submissions. You
In its filing with the Commission, the
should submit only information that
you wish to make publicly available. All self-regulatory organization included
statements concerning the purpose of
submissions should refer to File
and basis for the proposed rule change
Number SR–NSX–2009–05 and should
and discussed any comments it received
be submitted on or before October 29,
on the proposed rule change. The text
2009.
of those statements may be examined at
For the Commission, by the Division of
the places specified in Item IV below.
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
The Exchange has prepared summaries,
17
authority.
set forth in sections A, B, and C below,
Florence E. Harmon,
of the most significant parts of such
Deputy Secretary.
statements.
[FR Doc. E9–24249 Filed 10–7–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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18:31 Oct 07, 2009
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1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to amend
Rule 52.4 in order to improve the CBSX
rule regarding clearly erroneous
executions. The proposed changes are
part of a market-wide effort designed to
provide transparency and finality with
respect to clearly erroneous executions.
This effort seeks to achieve consistent
results for participants across U.S.
equities exchanges while maintaining a
fair and orderly market, protecting
investors and protecting the public
interest. The proposed changes are more
fully discussed below.
As proposed, the term ‘‘clearly
erroneous’’ would be defined as when
there is an obvious error in any term,
such as price, number of shares or other
unit of trading, or identification of the
security. Further, a transaction made in
clearly erroneous error and cancelled by
both parties or determined by CBSX to
be clearly erroneous will be removed
from the Consolidated Tape. A trade
will only be removed from the
Consolidated Tape when the
determination is deemed final and any
applicable appeals have been exhausted.
Under the proposed rule, a CBSX
Trader 4 that receives an execution on
an order that was submitted erroneously
to CBSX for its own or customer account
may request that CBSX review the
transaction. One or more senior level
officials of CBSX designated by the
President (‘‘Official’’) shall review the
transaction under dispute and
determine whether it is clearly
erroneous, with a view toward
maintaining a fair and orderly market
and the protection of investors and the
public interest. Such request for review
shall be made in writing via e-mail or
other electronic means specified from
time to time by CBSX in a circular
distributed to CBSX Traders. Requests
for review must be received within
thirty (30) minutes of execution time
and shall include information
concerning the time of the
transaction(s), security symbol(s),
number of shares, price(s), side (bought
or sold), and factual basis for believing
that the trade is clearly erroneous. Upon
receipt of a timely filed request that
satisfies the numerical guidelines set
forth in paragraph (c)(1) of the Rule, the
counterparty to the trade shall be
notified by CBSX as soon as practicable,
4 A CBSX Trader is defined as an individual who
or organization which has the right to trade on
CBSX (See Rule 50.1).
2 17
17 17
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 194 / Thursday, October 8, 2009 / Notices
but generally within 30 minutes. An
Official may request additional
supporting written information to aid in
the resolution of the matter. If
requested, each party to the transaction
shall provide, within thirty (30) minutes
of the request, any supporting written
information. Either party to the disputed
trade may request the supporting
written information provided by the
other party on the matter.
A transaction executed on CBSX may
be found to be clearly erroneous only if
the price of the transaction to buy (sell)
that is the subject of the complaint is
greater than (less than) the Reference
Price by an amount that equals or
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Greater than $0.00 and up to and including $25.00 ...............
Greater than $25.00 and up to and including $50.00 .............
Greater than $50.00 .................................................................
Multi-Stock Event-Filings involving five or more securities by
the same CBSX Trader will be aggregated into a single filing.
Leveraged ETF/ETN securities ................................................
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18:31 Oct 07, 2009
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8:15 a.m. CT to 8:30 a.m. CT numerical guidelines (subject transaction’s %
difference from the consolidated last
sale)
10% .......................................................
5% .........................................................
3% .........................................................
10% .......................................................
20%.
10%.
6%.
10%.
Regular Trading Hours Numerical
Guidelines multiplied by the leverage
multiplier (i.e. 2×).
Regular Trading Hours Numerical
Guidelines multiplied by the leverage
multiplier (i.e. 2×)
such that immediate finality is
necessary to maintain a fair and orderly
market and to protect investors and the
public interest.
In events that involve other markets,
CBSX would have the ability to use a
different reference price and/or
numerical guidelines. In these
instances, the reference price would be
determined based on a consensus
among the Exchanges where the
transactions occurred. Furthermore,
when a ruling is made across markets,
CBSX may determine that the ruling is
not eligible for appeal because
immediate finality is necessary to
maintain a fair and orderly market and
to protect investors and the public
interest.
An Official may also consider
additional factors to determine whether
an execution is clearly erroneous,
including but not limited to, system
malfunctions or disruptions, volume
and volatility for the security, derivative
securities products that correspond to
greater than 100% in the direction of a
tracking index, news released for the
security, whether trading in the security
was recently halted/resumed, whether
the security is an IPO, whether the
security was subject to a stock-split,
reorganization, or other corporate
action, overall market conditions,
validity of the consolidated tape’s trades
and quotes, consideration of primary
market indications, and executions
inconsistent with the trading pattern in
the stock. Each additional factor shall be
considered with a view toward
maintaining a fair and orderly market
and the protection of investors and the
public interest.
PO 00000
exceeds the Numerical Guidelines set
forth in the Rule (see chart below). The
execution time of the transaction under
review determines whether the
guideline threshold is regular trading
hours or between 8:15 a.m. CT to 8:30
a.m. CT (which occurs before regular
trading hours).
Regular trading hours numerical guidelines (subject transaction’s
% difference from the consolidated
last sale)
Reference price: Consolidated Last Sale
Establishing Numerical Guidelines
within the rule brings regulatory
transparency and consistency in the
application of the rules of the Exchange.
The Numerical Guidelines represent the
general consensus approach and were
developed based on the collective
experiences of a market-wide group.
CBSX believes that the thresholds
established are fair and appropriate and
apply evenly to all participants.
In Unusual Circumstances, which
may include periods of extreme market
volatility, sustained illiquidity, or
widespread system issues, CBSX may,
in its discretion and with a view toward
maintaining a fair and orderly market
and the protection of investors and the
public interest, use a Reference Price
other than the consolidated last sale.
Other Reference Prices may include the
consolidated inside price, the
consolidated opening price, the
consolidated prior close, or the
consolidated last sale prior to a series of
executions. It may also be necessary to
use a higher Numerical Guideline if,
after market participants have been
alerted to the existence of erroneous
activity, the price of the security returns
toward its prior trading range but
continues to trade beyond the price at
which trades would normally be broken.
CBSX also may use a different Reference
Price and/or higher Numerical
Guideline in events that involve other
markets in an effort to coordinate a
Reference Price and/or Numerical
Guideline that is consistent across
markets. In order to achieve consistent
results across markets, when a ruling is
made in conjunction with another
market center it may be determined that
the number of affected transactions is
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Frm 00086
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
CBSX may expand the Numerical
Guidelines applicable to transactions
occurring between 8:30 a.m. CT and 9
a.m. CT based on the disseminated
value of the S & P 500 Futures at 8:15
a.m. CT. When the S & P 500 Futures
are up or down from 3% to up to but
not including 5% at 8:15 a.m. the
Numerical Guidelines are doubled for
executions occurring between 8:30 a.m.
and 9 a.m. Also, when the S & P 500
Futures are up or down 5% or greater
at 8:15 a.m. the Numerical Guidelines
are tripled for executions occurring
between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.
In the case of an Outlier Transaction,
an Official may at his or her sole
discretion, and on a case-by-case basis,
consider requests received after 30
minutes, but not longer than sixty
minutes after the transaction in
question, depending on the facts and
circumstances surrounding such
request. An ‘‘Outlier Transaction’’ is a
transaction where: (i) The execution
price of the security is greater than three
times the current Numerical Guidelines
set forth in paragraph (c)(1) of the Rule,
or (ii) the execution price of the security
in question is not within the Outlier
Transaction parameters set forth in
paragraph (d)(1)(A) of the Rule but
breaches the 52-week high or 52-week
low, CBSX may consider Additional
Factors (as outlined in paragraph (c)(3)
of the Rule), in determining if the
transaction qualifies for further review
or if the Corporation shall decline to act.
Unless both parties to the disputed
transaction agree to withdraw the initial
request for review, the transaction under
dispute shall be reviewed, and a
determination shall be rendered by the
Official. If the Official determines that
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 194 / Thursday, October 8, 2009 / Notices
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the transaction is not clearly erroneous,
the Official shall decline to take any
action in connection with the completed
trade. In the event that the Official
determines that the transaction in
dispute is clearly erroneous, the Official
shall declare the transaction null and
void. A determination shall be made
generally within 30 minutes of receipt
of the complaint, but in no case later
than the start of trading on the following
trading day. The parties shall be
promptly notified of the determination.
Under the proposed rule, the Official
will only have the authority to break the
trades or rule to let the trades stand.
This attempts to remove subjectivity
that is necessitated by an adjustment.
If a CBSX Trader affected by a
determination made under this Rule so
requests within the time permitted
below, a Clearly Erroneous Execution
Panel (‘‘CEE Panel’’) will review
decisions made by the Official; provided
however that the CEE Panel will not
review decisions made by an official
under paragraph (f) of the Rule
(regarding system disruptions and
malfunctions) if such Official also
determines under paragraph (f) that the
number of the affected transactions is
such that immediate finality is
necessary to maintain a fair and orderly
market and to protect investors and the
public interest.5
The CEE Panel will consist of the
Exchange’s Chief Regulatory Officer
(‘‘CRO’’), or a designee of the CRO, and
representatives from two (2) CBSX
Traders. Further, CBSX shall designate
at least ten (10) CBSX Trader
representatives to be called upon to
serve on the CEE Panel as needed. In no
case shall a CEE Panel include a person
affiliated with a party to the trade in
5 In the event of any disruption or a malfunction
in the use or operation of any electronic
communications and trading facilities of CBSX, or
extraordinary market conditions or other
circumstances in which the nullification of
transactions may be necessary for the maintenance
of a fair and orderly market or the protection of
investors and the public interest exist, the Official,
on his or her own motion, may review such
transactions and declare such transactions arising
out of the use or operation of such facilities during
such period null and void. In such events, the
Official will rely on the provisions of paragraph
(c)(1)–(3) of the Rule, but in extraordinary
circumstances may also use a lower Numerical
Guideline if necessary to maintain a fair and orderly
market, protect investors and the public interest.
Absent extraordinary circumstances, any such
action of the Official pursuant to paragraph (f) shall
be taken within thirty (30) minutes of detection of
the erroneous transaction. When extraordinary
circumstances exist, any such action of the Official
must be taken by no later than the start of trading
on the day following the date of execution(s) under
review. Each CBSX Trader involved in the
transaction shall be notified as soon as practicable,
and the CBSX Trader aggrieved by the action may
appeal such action.
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18:31 Oct 07, 2009
Jkt 220001
question. To the extent reasonably
possible, the Exchange shall call upon
the designated representatives to
participate on a CEE Panel on an equally
frequent basis.
A request for review on appeal must
be made via e-mail within thirty (30)
minutes after the party making the
appeal is given notification of the initial
determination being appealed. The CEE
Panel shall review the facts and render
a decision as soon as practicable, but
generally on the same trading day as the
execution(s) under review. On requests
for appeal received between 2 CT and
the close of trading, a decision will be
rendered as soon as practicable, but in
no case later than the trading day
following the date of the execution
under review. The CEE Panel may
overturn or modify an action taken by
the Official under the Rule. All
determinations by the CEE Panel shall
constitute final action by CBSX on the
matter at issue.6
CBSX proposes to add a section to the
Rule that will grant Officials the ability
to act on their own motion to review
potentially erroneous executions. The
proposed rule would allow an Official
to review executions and rely on the
Numerical Guidelines, under any
circumstance. In extraordinary
circumstances an Official may apply a
lower Numerical Guideline if it is
determined that such action is necessary
to maintain a fair and orderly market or
protect investors and the public interest.
In some instances the Exchange may
detect a single execution that breaches
the Numerical Guidelines but is not the
subject of a ruling request. This
provision gives the Exchange the ability
to review such executions. Additionally,
in practice, clearly erroneous executions
commonly involve multiple parties and
multiple executions. In such instances,
all affected parties may not request a
ruling. The Exchange proposes this
provision to permit an Official to rule
on a group of transactions related to the
same occurrence or event as a whole,
without a formal request for a ruling
from every affected party.
The proposed rule also modifies
CBSX’s policy on trade nullification and
for UTP securities that are subject to
initial public offerings. Under the
proposed rule, Officials must either
declare an opening transaction null and
void or decline to take action, but can
no longer be adjusted. Furthermore, the
proposed rule requires that, in
extraordinary circumstances, the
6 If
the CEE Panel votes to uphold the decision
made pursuant to paragraph (e)(1) of this Rule,
CBSX will assess a $500.00 fee against the CBSX
Trader(s) who initiated the request for appeal.
PO 00000
Frm 00087
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
reviewing Official must take action in a
timely fashion.
The proposed rule language is based
on language adopted by NYSE Arca in
SR–NYSEArca–2009–36.7 CBSX
anticipates this new obvious error
policy to become effective on October 5,
2009.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed
rule change is consistent with the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’) 8 and the rules and regulations
thereunder and, in particular, the
requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.9
Specifically, the Exchange believes the
proposed rule change is consistent with
the Section 6(b)(5) 10 requirements that
the rules of an exchange be designed to
promote just and equitable principles of
trade, to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts, to remove
impediments to and to perfect the
mechanism for a free and open market
and a national market system, and, in
general, to promote the maintenance of
fair and orderly markets, and to protect
investors and the public interest. The
proposed rule change provides
transparency and finality for
participants and creates consistent
results across U.S. equities exchanges
with respect to clearly erroneous
executions.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
CBOE 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
The Exchange neither solicited nor
received comments on the proposal.
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
7 See Exchange Act Release No. 34–60706
(approving SR–NYSEArca–2009–36).
8 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 194 / Thursday, October 8, 2009 / Notices
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 11 and Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) thereunder.12
A proposed rule change filed
pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6) under the
Act 13 normally does not become
operative for 30 days after the date of its
filing. However, Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 14
permits the Commission to designate a
shorter time if such action is consistent
with the protection of investors and the
public interest. The Exchange requests
that the Commission waive the 30-day
operative delay so that it may
implement the new rule on October 5,
2009, the same date as the other equities
exchanges. The Commission believes
that waiving the 30-day operative delay
is consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest
because it will allow the Exchange to
begin applying the new rule on the same
date as the other equities exchanges.15
Application of the new rule on this date
should help foster transparency and
consistency among those exchanges that
adopt clearly erroneous execution rules
substantially similar to those previously
approved by the Commission.16 For
these reasons, the Commission
designates that the proposed rule
change become operative on October 5,
2009.
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:
11 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give
the Commission written notice of its intent to file
the proposed rule change at least five business days
prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule
change, or such shorter time as designated by the
Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this
requirement.
13 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
14 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
15 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
operative delay, the Commission has considered the
proposal’s impact on efficiency, competition, and
capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
16 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60706
(September 22, 2009) 74 FR 49416 (September 28,
2009) (NYSEArca–2009–36).
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12 17
VerDate Nov<24>2008
18:31 Oct 07, 2009
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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–CBOE–2009–071 on the
subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
51917
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–60759; File No. SR–BATS–
2009–030]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS
Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change To Amend BATS Rule
11.17, Entitled ‘‘Clearly Erroneous
Executions’’
October 1, 2009.
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
All submissions should refer to File
September 28, 2009, BATS Exchange,
Number SR–CBOE–2009–071. This file
Inc. (‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BATS’’) filed with
number should be included on the
the Securities and Exchange
subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the
Commission process and review your
proposed rule change as described in
comments more efficiently, please use
Items I and II below, which Items have
only one method. The Commission will been prepared by the Exchange. BATS
post all comments on the Commission’s has designated the proposed rule change
as constituting a rule change under Rule
Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
19b–4(f)(6) under the Act,3 which
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
renders the proposal effective upon
submission, all subsequent
filing with the Commission. The
amendments, all written statements
Commission is publishing this notice to
with respect to the proposed rule
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change that are filed with the
change from interested persons.
Commission, and all written
communications relating to the
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
proposed rule change between the
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
Commission and any person, other than the Proposed Rule Change
those that may be withheld from the
The Exchange is proposing to amend
public in accordance with the
BATS Rule 11.17, entitled ‘‘Clearly
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
Erroneous Executions,’’ to modify the
available for inspection and copying in
Exchange’s rule regarding clearly
the Commission’s Public Reference
erroneous executions.
Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington,
The text of the proposed rule change
DC 20549, on official business days
is available at the Exchange’s Web site
between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at https://www.batstrading.com, at the
Copies of such filing also will be
principal office of the Exchange, and at
available for inspection and copying at
the Commission’s Public Reference
the principal office of the Exchange. All Room.
comments received will be posted
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
without change; the Commission does
Statement of the Purpose of, and
not edit personal identifying
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
information from submissions. You
Change
should submit only information that
In its filing with the Commission, the
you wish to make publicly available. All
Exchange included statements
submissions should refer to File
concerning the purpose of and basis for
Number SR–CBOE–2009–071 and
the proposed rule change and discussed
should be submitted on or before
any comments it received on the
October 29, 2009.
proposed rule change. The text of these
For the Commission, by the Division of
statements may be examined at the
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
places specified in Item IV below. The
authority.17
Exchange has prepared summaries, set
Florence E. Harmon,
forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of
the most significant parts of such
Deputy Secretary.
statements.
[FR Doc. E9–24248 Filed 10–7–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
2 17
17 17
PO 00000
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 194 (Thursday, October 8, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51914-51917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-24248]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-60760; File No. SR-CBOE-2009-071]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange,
Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change Regarding the CBSX Obvious Error Rule
October 1, 2009.
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 25, 2009, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated
(``Exchange'' or ``CBOE'') 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.
CBOE has designated the proposed rule change as constituting a rule
change under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the Act,\3\ which renders the
proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change
from interested persons.
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\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to modify the CBOE Stock Exchange (``CBSX'')
obvious error rule. The text of the proposed rule change is available
on the Exchange's Web site (https://www.cboe.org/Legal), at the
Exchange's Office of the Secretary and at the Commission.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization
included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the
proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the
proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared
summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most
significant parts of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 52.4 in order to improve the
CBSX rule regarding clearly erroneous executions. The proposed changes
are part of a market-wide effort designed to provide transparency and
finality with respect to clearly erroneous executions. This effort
seeks to achieve consistent results for participants across U.S.
equities exchanges while maintaining a fair and orderly market,
protecting investors and protecting the public interest. The proposed
changes are more fully discussed below.
As proposed, the term ``clearly erroneous'' would be defined as
when there is an obvious error in any term, such as price, number of
shares or other unit of trading, or identification of the security.
Further, a transaction made in clearly erroneous error and cancelled by
both parties or determined by CBSX to be clearly erroneous will be
removed from the Consolidated Tape. A trade will only be removed from
the Consolidated Tape when the determination is deemed final and any
applicable appeals have been exhausted.
Under the proposed rule, a CBSX Trader \4\ that receives an
execution on an order that was submitted erroneously to CBSX for its
own or customer account may request that CBSX review the transaction.
One or more senior level officials of CBSX designated by the President
(``Official'') shall review the transaction under dispute and determine
whether it is clearly erroneous, with a view toward maintaining a fair
and orderly market and the protection of investors and the public
interest. Such request for review shall be made in writing via e-mail
or other electronic means specified from time to time by CBSX in a
circular distributed to CBSX Traders. Requests for review must be
received within thirty (30) minutes of execution time and shall include
information concerning the time of the transaction(s), security
symbol(s), number of shares, price(s), side (bought or sold), and
factual basis for believing that the trade is clearly erroneous. Upon
receipt of a timely filed request that satisfies the numerical
guidelines set forth in paragraph (c)(1) of the Rule, the counterparty
to the trade shall be notified by CBSX as soon as practicable,
[[Page 51915]]
but generally within 30 minutes. An Official may request additional
supporting written information to aid in the resolution of the matter.
If requested, each party to the transaction shall provide, within
thirty (30) minutes of the request, any supporting written information.
Either party to the disputed trade may request the supporting written
information provided by the other party on the matter.
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\4\ A CBSX Trader is defined as an individual who or
organization which has the right to trade on CBSX (See Rule 50.1).
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A transaction executed on CBSX may be found to be clearly erroneous
only if the price of the transaction to buy (sell) that is the subject
of the complaint is greater than (less than) the Reference Price by an
amount that equals or exceeds the Numerical Guidelines set forth in the
Rule (see chart below). The execution time of the transaction under
review determines whether the guideline threshold is regular trading
hours or between 8:15 a.m. CT to 8:30 a.m. CT (which occurs before
regular trading hours).
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Regular trading hours numerical 8:15 a.m. CT to 8:30 a.m. CT
guidelines (subject transaction's numerical guidelines (subject
Reference price: Consolidated Last Sale % difference from the transaction's % difference from
consolidated last sale) the consolidated last sale)
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Greater than $0.00 and up to and including 10%.............................. 20%.
$25.00.
Greater than $25.00 and up to and including 5%............................... 10%.
$50.00.
Greater than $50.00........................ 3%............................... 6%.
Multi-Stock Event-Filings involving five or 10%.............................. 10%.
more securities by the same CBSX Trader
will be aggregated into a single filing.
Leveraged ETF/ETN securities............... Regular Trading Hours Numerical Regular Trading Hours Numerical
Guidelines multiplied by the Guidelines multiplied by the
leverage multiplier (i.e. 2x). leverage multiplier (i.e. 2x)
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Establishing Numerical Guidelines within the rule brings regulatory
transparency and consistency in the application of the rules of the
Exchange. The Numerical Guidelines represent the general consensus
approach and were developed based on the collective experiences of a
market-wide group. CBSX believes that the thresholds established are
fair and appropriate and apply evenly to all participants.
In Unusual Circumstances, which may include periods of extreme
market volatility, sustained illiquidity, or widespread system issues,
CBSX may, in its discretion and with a view toward maintaining a fair
and orderly market and the protection of investors and the public
interest, use a Reference Price other than the consolidated last sale.
Other Reference Prices may include the consolidated inside price, the
consolidated opening price, the consolidated prior close, or the
consolidated last sale prior to a series of executions. It may also be
necessary to use a higher Numerical Guideline if, after market
participants have been alerted to the existence of erroneous activity,
the price of the security returns toward its prior trading range but
continues to trade beyond the price at which trades would normally be
broken. CBSX also may use a different Reference Price and/or higher
Numerical Guideline in events that involve other markets in an effort
to coordinate a Reference Price and/or Numerical Guideline that is
consistent across markets. In order to achieve consistent results
across markets, when a ruling is made in conjunction with another
market center it may be determined that the number of affected
transactions is such that immediate finality is necessary to maintain a
fair and orderly market and to protect investors and the public
interest.
In events that involve other markets, CBSX would have the ability
to use a different reference price and/or numerical guidelines. In
these instances, the reference price would be determined based on a
consensus among the Exchanges where the transactions occurred.
Furthermore, when a ruling is made across markets, CBSX may determine
that the ruling is not eligible for appeal because immediate finality
is necessary to maintain a fair and orderly market and to protect
investors and the public interest.
An Official may also consider additional factors to determine
whether an execution is clearly erroneous, including but not limited
to, system malfunctions or disruptions, volume and volatility for the
security, derivative securities products that correspond to greater
than 100% in the direction of a tracking index, news released for the
security, whether trading in the security was recently halted/resumed,
whether the security is an IPO, whether the security was subject to a
stock-split, reorganization, or other corporate action, overall market
conditions, validity of the consolidated tape's trades and quotes,
consideration of primary market indications, and executions
inconsistent with the trading pattern in the stock. Each additional
factor shall be considered with a view toward maintaining a fair and
orderly market and the protection of investors and the public interest.
CBSX may expand the Numerical Guidelines applicable to transactions
occurring between 8:30 a.m. CT and 9 a.m. CT based on the disseminated
value of the S & P 500 Futures at 8:15 a.m. CT. When the S & P 500
Futures are up or down from 3% to up to but not including 5% at 8:15
a.m. the Numerical Guidelines are doubled for executions occurring
between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. Also, when the S & P 500 Futures are up or
down 5% or greater at 8:15 a.m. the Numerical Guidelines are tripled
for executions occurring between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.
In the case of an Outlier Transaction, an Official may at his or
her sole discretion, and on a case-by-case basis, consider requests
received after 30 minutes, but not longer than sixty minutes after the
transaction in question, depending on the facts and circumstances
surrounding such request. An ``Outlier Transaction'' is a transaction
where: (i) The execution price of the security is greater than three
times the current Numerical Guidelines set forth in paragraph (c)(1) of
the Rule, or (ii) the execution price of the security in question is
not within the Outlier Transaction parameters set forth in paragraph
(d)(1)(A) of the Rule but breaches the 52-week high or 52-week low,
CBSX may consider Additional Factors (as outlined in paragraph (c)(3)
of the Rule), in determining if the transaction qualifies for further
review or if the Corporation shall decline to act.
Unless both parties to the disputed transaction agree to withdraw
the initial request for review, the transaction under dispute shall be
reviewed, and a determination shall be rendered by the Official. If the
Official determines that
[[Page 51916]]
the transaction is not clearly erroneous, the Official shall decline to
take any action in connection with the completed trade. In the event
that the Official determines that the transaction in dispute is clearly
erroneous, the Official shall declare the transaction null and void. A
determination shall be made generally within 30 minutes of receipt of
the complaint, but in no case later than the start of trading on the
following trading day. The parties shall be promptly notified of the
determination. Under the proposed rule, the Official will only have the
authority to break the trades or rule to let the trades stand. This
attempts to remove subjectivity that is necessitated by an adjustment.
If a CBSX Trader affected by a determination made under this Rule
so requests within the time permitted below, a Clearly Erroneous
Execution Panel (``CEE Panel'') will review decisions made by the
Official; provided however that the CEE Panel will not review decisions
made by an official under paragraph (f) of the Rule (regarding system
disruptions and malfunctions) if such Official also determines under
paragraph (f) that the number of the affected transactions is such that
immediate finality is necessary to maintain a fair and orderly market
and to protect investors and the public interest.\5\
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\5\ In the event of any disruption or a malfunction in the use
or operation of any electronic communications and trading facilities
of CBSX, or extraordinary market conditions or other circumstances
in which the nullification of transactions may be necessary for the
maintenance of a fair and orderly market or the protection of
investors and the public interest exist, the Official, on his or her
own motion, may review such transactions and declare such
transactions arising out of the use or operation of such facilities
during such period null and void. In such events, the Official will
rely on the provisions of paragraph (c)(1)-(3) of the Rule, but in
extraordinary circumstances may also use a lower Numerical Guideline
if necessary to maintain a fair and orderly market, protect
investors and the public interest. Absent extraordinary
circumstances, any such action of the Official pursuant to paragraph
(f) shall be taken within thirty (30) minutes of detection of the
erroneous transaction. When extraordinary circumstances exist, any
such action of the Official must be taken by no later than the start
of trading on the day following the date of execution(s) under
review. Each CBSX Trader involved in the transaction shall be
notified as soon as practicable, and the CBSX Trader aggrieved by
the action may appeal such action.
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The CEE Panel will consist of the Exchange's Chief Regulatory
Officer (``CRO''), or a designee of the CRO, and representatives from
two (2) CBSX Traders. Further, CBSX shall designate at least ten (10)
CBSX Trader representatives to be called upon to serve on the CEE Panel
as needed. In no case shall a CEE Panel include a person affiliated
with a party to the trade in question. To the extent reasonably
possible, the Exchange shall call upon the designated representatives
to participate on a CEE Panel on an equally frequent basis.
A request for review on appeal must be made via e-mail within
thirty (30) minutes after the party making the appeal is given
notification of the initial determination being appealed. The CEE Panel
shall review the facts and render a decision as soon as practicable,
but generally on the same trading day as the execution(s) under review.
On requests for appeal received between 2 CT and the close of trading,
a decision will be rendered as soon as practicable, but in no case
later than the trading day following the date of the execution under
review. The CEE Panel may overturn or modify an action taken by the
Official under the Rule. All determinations by the CEE Panel shall
constitute final action by CBSX on the matter at issue.\6\
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\6\ If the CEE Panel votes to uphold the decision made pursuant
to paragraph (e)(1) of this Rule, CBSX will assess a $500.00 fee
against the CBSX Trader(s) who initiated the request for appeal.
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CBSX proposes to add a section to the Rule that will grant
Officials the ability to act on their own motion to review potentially
erroneous executions. The proposed rule would allow an Official to
review executions and rely on the Numerical Guidelines, under any
circumstance. In extraordinary circumstances an Official may apply a
lower Numerical Guideline if it is determined that such action is
necessary to maintain a fair and orderly market or protect investors
and the public interest. In some instances the Exchange may detect a
single execution that breaches the Numerical Guidelines but is not the
subject of a ruling request. This provision gives the Exchange the
ability to review such executions. Additionally, in practice, clearly
erroneous executions commonly involve multiple parties and multiple
executions. In such instances, all affected parties may not request a
ruling. The Exchange proposes this provision to permit an Official to
rule on a group of transactions related to the same occurrence or event
as a whole, without a formal request for a ruling from every affected
party.
The proposed rule also modifies CBSX's policy on trade
nullification and for UTP securities that are subject to initial public
offerings. Under the proposed rule, Officials must either declare an
opening transaction null and void or decline to take action, but can no
longer be adjusted. Furthermore, the proposed rule requires that, in
extraordinary circumstances, the reviewing Official must take action in
a timely fashion.
The proposed rule language is based on language adopted by NYSE
Arca in SR-NYSEArca-2009-36.\7\ CBSX anticipates this new obvious error
policy to become effective on October 5, 2009.
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\7\ See Exchange Act Release No. 34-60706 (approving SR-
NYSEArca-2009-36).
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2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') \8\ and the rules and
regulations thereunder and, in particular, the requirements of Section
6(b) of the Act.\9\ Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed
rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) \10\ requirements
that the rules of an exchange be designed to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts, to
remove impediments to and to perfect the mechanism for a free and open
market and a national market system, and, in general, to promote the
maintenance of fair and orderly markets, and to protect investors and
the public interest. The proposed rule change provides transparency and
finality for participants and creates consistent results across U.S.
equities exchanges with respect to clearly erroneous executions.
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\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
CBOE 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
The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the
proposal.
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
[[Page 51917]]
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \11\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\12\
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\11\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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A proposed rule change filed pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the
Act \13\ normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date
of its filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \14\ permits the Commission to
designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the
protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange requests
that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay so that it may
implement the new rule on October 5, 2009, the same date as the other
equities exchanges. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day
operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the
public interest because it will allow the Exchange to begin applying
the new rule on the same date as the other equities exchanges.\15\
Application of the new rule on this date should help foster
transparency and consistency among those exchanges that adopt clearly
erroneous execution rules substantially similar to those previously
approved by the Commission.\16\ For these reasons, the Commission
designates that the proposed rule change become operative on October 5,
2009.
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\13\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\14\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\15\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission has considered the proposal's impact on efficiency,
competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
\16\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60706 (September
22, 2009) 74 FR 49416 (September 28, 2009) (NYSEArca-2009-36).
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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 Number SR-CBOE-2009-071 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2009-071. 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 such filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should
submit only information that you wish to make publicly available. All
submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2009-071 and should be
submitted on or before October 29, 2009.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\17\
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\17\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-24248 Filed 10-7-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P