Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval to a Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Amounts That Direct Edge ECN, in Its Capacity as an Introducing Broker for Non-ISE Members, Passes Through to Such Non-ISE Members, 6782-6784 [2010-2957]
Download as PDF
6782
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 27 / Wednesday, February 10, 2010 / Notices
in trading volume on the Exchange and
in the income derived therefrom.
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 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 Changes Received From
Members, Participants or Others
No written comments were either
solicited or received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Changes and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section
19(B)(3)(A)(ii) [sic] of the Act 9 and
subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b–4
thereunder 10 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 such 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 purpose 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–CHX–2010–03 on the
subject line.
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES
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–CHX–2010–03. 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 Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official
business days between the hours of 10
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
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–CHX–
2010–03 and should be submitted on or
before March 3, 2010.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.11
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–2958 Filed 2–9–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–61491; File No. SR–ISE–
2010–11]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
International Securities Exchange,
LLC; Notice of Filing and Order
Granting Accelerated Approval to a
Proposed Rule Change Relating to the
Amounts That Direct Edge ECN, in Its
Capacity as an Introducing Broker for
Non-ISE Members, Passes Through to
Such Non-ISE Members
February 4, 2010.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
11 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
9 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
10 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
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1 15
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notice is hereby given that on January
29, 2010, the International Securities
Exchange, LLC (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or the
‘‘ISE’’) 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 selfregulatory organization. The
Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons, and is
approving the proposal on an
accelerated basis.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to modify the
amounts that Direct Edge ECN
(‘‘DECN’’), in its capacity as an
introducing broker for non-ISE
Members, passes through to such nonISE Members.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available on the Exchange’s Internet
Web site at https://www.ise.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, 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 these statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item III below.
The self-regulatory organization 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
DECN, a facility of ISE, operates two
trading platforms, EDGX and EDGA. On
January 29, 2010, the ISE filed for
immediate effectiveness a proposed rule
change to amend Direct Edge ECN’s
(‘‘DECN’’) fee schedule for ISE
Members 3 to simplify its fee schedule
by (i) re-introducing a rebate; 4 (ii)
3 References to ISE Members in this filing refer to
DECN Subscribers who are ISE Members.
4 In SR–ISE–2009–68, the Exchange amended the
criteria for meeting the Ultra Tier by allowing ISE
Members to receive a $0.0032 rebate per share for
securities priced at or above $1.00 when ISE
Members add liquidity on EDGX if the attributed
MPID posts 1% of the total consolidated volume
(‘‘TCV’’) in average daily volume (‘‘ADV’’). TCV is
defined as volume reported by all exchanges and
trade reporting facilities to the consolidated
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sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES
adding a fee for stocks priced less than
$1 that remove liquidity on EDGA; 5 (iii)
eliminating certain tables on the fee
schedule; 6 and (iv) making
typographical and clarifying changes to
the fee schedule.7 The changes made
transaction reporting plans for Tape A, B, and C
securities. See Securities Exchange Act Release No.
60769 (October 2, 2009), 74 FR 51903 (October 8,
2009)(SR–ISE–2009–68). In SR–ISE–2010–10, the
Exchange re-introduced an Ultra Tier rebate of
$0.0031 per share for competitive reasons.
The Ultra Tier rebate ($0.0031 per share), which
is a higher rebate than the next best rebate ($0.0029
per share) for adding liquidity on EDGX, is also
more difficult to reach, as a higher volume
threshold is required based on recent TCV figures.
For example, 1% of the average TCV for January
2010 (8.9 billion) was approximately 89 million
shares.
This threshold far exceeds the criteria (no
minimum share volume requirement) to meet the
next best rebate of $0.0029 per share. In addition,
the higher rebate also results in part from lower
administrative costs associated with higher volume.
5 In SR–ISE–2010–10, the Exchange added a fee
to its schedule to provide that stocks priced less
than $1 will be charged 0.20% of the dollar value
if they do not meet the minimum average daily
share volume of 50,000 shares on EDGA to qualify
for the removal rate. A conforming footnote 1 was
added in the first table on the fee schedule (next
to the word ‘‘Free’’) for removing liquidity in stocks
less than $1.00 on EDGA.
6 In SR–ISE–2010–10, in order to further simplify
its fee schedule for Members, the Exchange deleted
the table on the fee schedule entitled ‘‘Fees per
Share for Special Order Types’’ as the Exchange
believed that the information on this schedule was
repetitive of the information in the ‘‘liquidity flags
and associated fees’’ table below it. As a result of
this deletion, the Exchange relocated footnote
numbers 4 and 5. Footnote 4 was relocated to ‘‘Flag
E’’ and also added to ‘‘Flag 5’’ to clarify it. Footnote
5 was relocated to ‘‘Flag O.’’ These are the
corresponding areas where these references belong.
7 Effective January 1, 2010, DECN adjusted its
pricing model to be more consistent with other
exchanges (even though DECN is not an exchange),
by de-linking the pricing structures of DECN to
eliminate pricing offers that are contingent on
activity across both platforms. See Securities
Exchange Act Release No. 61289 (January 5, 2010),
75 FR 1674 (January 12, 2010) (SR–ISE–2009–108).
Secondly, the Exchange simplified its fee schedule
in order to provide Members with greater
consistency and transparency during the period that
the EDGA and EDGX Exchanges are preparing to
launch, when volume will be transitioning from
DECN to the EDGA and EDGX Exchanges (assuming
their respective Form 1 applications are approved
by the Commission). On May 7, 2009, each of EDGA
Exchange, Inc. and EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the
‘‘EDGA and EDGX Exchanges’’) filed their respective
Form 1 applications to register as a national
securities exchange (‘‘Form 1’’) pursuant to Section
6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On July
30, 2009, the Exchanges filed Amendment No. 1 to
the Form 1 Application. On September 17, 2009,
the Form 1 was published in the Federal Register
for notice and comment. See Securities Exchange
Act Release No. 60651 (September 11, 2009), 74 FR
47827 (September 17, 2009). The Exchange believes
that these same goals were also advanced for the
most part in SR–ISE–2010–10, which made
technical and clarifying changes to DECN’s fee
schedule.
In SR–ISE–2009–108, to effectuate the foregoing,
the Exchange deleted certain charges in footnote 1
of the fee schedule, including one whereby ISE
Members were charged $0.0002 per share to add
liquidity on EDGA unless the attributed MPID
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16:21 Feb 09, 2010
Jkt 220001
pursuant to SR–ISE–2010–10 became
operative on February 1, 2010.
In its capacity as a member of ISE,
DECN currently serves as an introducing
broker for the non-ISE Member
subscribers of DECN to access EDGX
and EDGA. DECN, as an ISE Member
and introducing broker, receives rebates
and is assessed charges from DECN for
transactions it executes on EDGX or
EDGA in its capacity as introducing
broker for non-ISE Members. Since the
amounts of such rebates and charges
were changed pursuant to SR–ISE–
2010–10, DECN wishes to make
corresponding changes to the amounts it
passes through to non-ISE Member
subscribers of DECN for which it acts as
introducing broker. As a result, the per
share amounts that non-ISE Member
subscribers receive and are charged will
be the same as the amounts that ISE
Members receive and are charged.
ISE is seeking accelerated approval of
this proposed rule change, as well an
effective date of February 1, 2010. ISE
represents that this proposal will ensure
that both ISE Members and non-ISE
Members (by virtue of the pass-through
described above) will in effect receive
and be charged equivalent amounts and
that the imposition of such amounts
will begin on the same February 1, 2010
start date.
added a minimum average daily share volume,
measured monthly, of at least 50,000,000 shares on
EDGA. Prior to January 1, 2010, any attributed
MPID meeting the aforementioned minimum was
not charged to add liquidity on EDGA. Since this
charge was deleted from footnote 1, in SR–ISE–
2010–10, the Exchange deleted the corresponding
footnote 1 from flags B, V, Y, 3, and 4 from the
EDGA column as this footnote no longer applies.
In addition, in SR–ISE–2010–10, the Exchange reworded the first sentence in footnote 1 to clarify
that adding can include placing hidden orders.
In SR–ISE–2009–108, for securities priced less
than $1, the Exchange changed the fee for adding
liquidity on EDGX from free to a rebate of 0.15%
of the dollar value of the transaction. In SR–ISE–
2010–10, the Exchange corrected a typographical
error on its current schedule by adding parenthesis
around the ‘‘0.15% of dollar value’’ to clarify that
this was a rebate, and not a charge, for adding
liquidity on EDGX in securities priced less than $1.
In SR–ISE–2010–10, for Flag P, the Exchange
corrected a typographical error on the schedule by
inverting the columns that were displayed. For
EDGX, flag P was corrected to read ‘‘N/A’’ and for
EDGA it was corrected to read a rebate of $0.0025
per share (i.e., (0.0025)).
In SR–ISE–2010–10, the Exchange also clarified
Footnote 3. The second sentence of this footnote
states that the ‘‘rebate for adding liquidity on the
NYSE of $0.0010 per share.’’ This information was
already conveyed in Flag F and was deleted in
order to simplify and clarify the fee schedule. The
first sentence of footnote 3 was also deleted as it
is repetitive of the amended third sentence in
footnote 3 (‘‘stocks prices below $1.00 on the NYSE
are charged $0.0018 per share when removing
liquidity.’’) As a result, on Flag J, footnote 3 was
deleted as the reference no longer applies. However,
footnote 3 was relocated to Flag D in order to
further clarify it.
PO 00000
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6783
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
the objectives of Section 6 of the Act,8
in general, and furthers the objectives of
Section 6(b)(4),9 in particular, in that it
is designed to provide for the equitable
allocation of reasonable dues, fees and
other charges among its members and
other persons using its facilities. In
particular, this proposal will ensure that
dues, fees and other charges imposed on
ISE Members are equitably allocated to
both ISE Members and non-ISE
Members (by virtue of the pass-through
described above).
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The proposed rule change does not
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
The Exchange has not solicited, and
does not intend to solicit, comments on
this proposed rule change. The
Exchange has not received any
unsolicited written comments from
members or other interested parties.
III. 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–ISE–2010–11 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–ISE–2010–11. 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
8 15
9 15
E:\FR\FM\10FEN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78f.
U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
10FEN1
6784
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 27 / Wednesday, February 10, 2010 / Notices
post all comments on the Commission’s
Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
submission,10 all subsequent
amendments, all written statements
with respect to the proposed rule
change that are filed with the
Commission, and all written
communications relating to the
proposed rule change between the
Commission and any person, other than
those that may be withheld from the
public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official
business days between the hours of 10
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing also
will be available for inspection and
copying at the principal office of the
ISE. 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–ISE–2010–11 and should be
submitted on or before March 3, 2010.
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES
IV. Commission’s Findings and Order
Granting Accelerated Approval of
Proposed Rule Change
The Commission finds that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
the requirements of the Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder
applicable to a national securities
exchange.11 Specifically, the
Commission finds that the proposed
rule change is consistent with Section
6(b)(4) 12 of the Act, which requires that
the rules of a national securities
exchange provide for the equitable
allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and
other charges among members and
issuers and other persons using its
facilities.
As described more fully above, ISE
recently amended DECN’s fee schedule
for ISE Members pursuant to SR–ISE–
2010–10 (the ‘‘Member Fee Filing’’). The
fee changes made pursuant to the
Member Fee Filing became operative on
February 1, 2010. DECN receives rebates
and is charged fees for transactions it
executes on EGDX or EDGA in its
capacity as an introducing broker for its
10 The text of the proposed rule change is
available on ISE’s Web site at https://www.ise.com,
on the Commission’s Web site at https://
www.sec.gov, at ISE, and at the Commission’s
Public Reference Room.
11 In approving this proposal, the Commission has
considered its impact on efficiency, competition,
and capital formation. 15 U.S.C 78c(f).
12 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
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16:21 Feb 09, 2010
Jkt 220001
non-ISE member subscribers. The
current proposal, which will apply
retroactively to February 1, 2010, will
allow DECN to pass through the revised
rebates and fees to the non-ISE member
subscribers for which it acts an
introducing broker. The Commission
finds that the proposal is consistent
with the Act because it will provide
rebates and charge fees to non-ISE
member subscribers that are equivalent
to those established for ISE member
subscribers in the Member Fee Filing.13
ISE has requested that the
Commission find good cause for
approving the proposed rule change
prior to the thirtieth day after
publication of notice of filing thereof in
the Federal Register. As discussed
above, the proposal will allow DECN to
pass through to non-ISE member
subscribers the revised rebate and fees
established for ISE member subscribers
in the Member Fee Filing, resulting in
equivalent rebates and fees for ISE
member and non-member subscribers.
In addition, because the proposal will
apply the revised rebates and fees
retroactively to February 1, 2010, the
revised rebates and fees will have the
same effective date, thereby promoting
consistency in the DECN’s fee schedule.
Accordingly, the Commission finds
good cause, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)
of the Act, for approving the proposed
rule change prior to the thirtieth day
after the date of publication of notice of
filing thereof in the Federal Register.
V. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,14 that the
proposed rule change (SR–ISE–2010–11)
be, and hereby is, approved on an
accelerated basis.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.15
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–2957 Filed 2–9–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 6896]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant
Proposals: The Youth Exchange and
Study (YES) Summer Academy
Announcement Type: New Grant.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/
PE/C/PY–10–27.
13 Id.
14 15
15 17
PO 00000
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
Frm 00163
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Number: 19.415.
Application Deadline: March 19,
2010.
Executive Summary: The Office of
Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs
Division, of the Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces
an open competition for a grant for a
summer academy for youth. Public and
private non-profit organizations meeting
the provisions described in Internal
Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C.
501(c)(3), including accredited, postsecondary U.S. educational institutions,
may submit proposals to provide a fourweek U.S.-based Academy in July 2010
for up to 27 teenagers. Seventeen of the
participants will be foreign students
from multiple countries who have
already been screened and selected for
an exchange program in the United
States. They will be joined at the
Academy by 10 American teenagers
selected by the U.S. grant recipient. The
Academy’s activities will focus on
leadership development, critical
thinking, communication skills, and
community activism, in addition to
exposure to U.S. culture and society
through site visits and homestays with
American families.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: Overall grant making
authority for this program is contained
in the Mutual Educational and Cultural
Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87–
256, as amended, also known as the
Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of the
Act is ‘‘to enable the Government of the
United States to increase mutual
understanding between the people of
the United States and the people of
other countries * * *; to strengthen the
ties which unite us with other nations
by demonstrating the educational and
cultural interests, developments, and
achievements of the people of the
United States and other
nations* * *and thus to assist in the
development of friendly, sympathetic
and peaceful relations between the
United States and the other countries of
the world.’’ The funding authority for
the program above is provided through
legislation.
Purpose: This Academy aims to foster
relationships between American
teenagers and teenagers from countries
with significant Muslim populations to
build strong linkages and an awareness
of shared values, and to enable youth to
face together the global challenges of the
21st Century. Through this Academy,
diverse but intellectually curious
students will participate in an intensive,
four-week program in the United States
in the summer of 2010. Participants will
E:\FR\FM\10FEN1.SGM
10FEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6782-6784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-2957]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-61491; File No. SR-ISE-2010-11]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange,
LLC; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval to a
Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Amounts That Direct Edge ECN, in
Its Capacity as an Introducing Broker for Non-ISE Members, Passes
Through to Such Non-ISE Members
February 4, 2010.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given
that on January 29, 2010, the International Securities Exchange, LLC
(the ``Exchange'' or the ``ISE'') 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 self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this
notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested
persons, and is approving the proposal on an accelerated basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to modify the amounts that Direct Edge ECN
(``DECN''), in its capacity as an introducing broker for non-ISE
Members, passes through to such non-ISE Members.
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's
Internet Web site at https://www.ise.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, 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 these statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item III below. The self-regulatory
organization 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
DECN, a facility of ISE, operates two trading platforms, EDGX and
EDGA. On January 29, 2010, the ISE filed for immediate effectiveness a
proposed rule change to amend Direct Edge ECN's (``DECN'') fee schedule
for ISE Members \3\ to simplify its fee schedule by (i) re-introducing
a rebate; \4\ (ii)
[[Page 6783]]
adding a fee for stocks priced less than $1 that remove liquidity on
EDGA; \5\ (iii) eliminating certain tables on the fee schedule; \6\ and
(iv) making typographical and clarifying changes to the fee
schedule.\7\ The changes made pursuant to SR-ISE-2010-10 became
operative on February 1, 2010.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ References to ISE Members in this filing refer to DECN
Subscribers who are ISE Members.
\4\ In SR-ISE-2009-68, the Exchange amended the criteria for
meeting the Ultra Tier by allowing ISE Members to receive a $0.0032
rebate per share for securities priced at or above $1.00 when ISE
Members add liquidity on EDGX if the attributed MPID posts 1% of the
total consolidated volume (``TCV'') in average daily volume
(``ADV''). TCV is defined as volume reported by all exchanges and
trade reporting facilities to the consolidated transaction reporting
plans for Tape A, B, and C securities. See Securities Exchange Act
Release No. 60769 (October 2, 2009), 74 FR 51903 (October 8,
2009)(SR-ISE-2009-68). In SR-ISE-2010-10, the Exchange re-introduced
an Ultra Tier rebate of $0.0031 per share for competitive reasons.
The Ultra Tier rebate ($0.0031 per share), which is a higher
rebate than the next best rebate ($0.0029 per share) for adding
liquidity on EDGX, is also more difficult to reach, as a higher
volume threshold is required based on recent TCV figures. For
example, 1% of the average TCV for January 2010 (8.9 billion) was
approximately 89 million shares.
This threshold far exceeds the criteria (no minimum share volume
requirement) to meet the next best rebate of $0.0029 per share. In
addition, the higher rebate also results in part from lower
administrative costs associated with higher volume.
\5\ In SR-ISE-2010-10, the Exchange added a fee to its schedule
to provide that stocks priced less than $1 will be charged 0.20% of
the dollar value if they do not meet the minimum average daily share
volume of 50,000 shares on EDGA to qualify for the removal rate. A
conforming footnote 1 was added in the first table on the fee
schedule (next to the word ``Free'') for removing liquidity in
stocks less than $1.00 on EDGA.
\6\ In SR-ISE-2010-10, in order to further simplify its fee
schedule for Members, the Exchange deleted the table on the fee
schedule entitled ``Fees per Share for Special Order Types'' as the
Exchange believed that the information on this schedule was
repetitive of the information in the ``liquidity flags and
associated fees'' table below it. As a result of this deletion, the
Exchange relocated footnote numbers 4 and 5. Footnote 4 was
relocated to ``Flag E'' and also added to ``Flag 5'' to clarify it.
Footnote 5 was relocated to ``Flag O.'' These are the corresponding
areas where these references belong.
\7\ Effective January 1, 2010, DECN adjusted its pricing model
to be more consistent with other exchanges (even though DECN is not
an exchange), by de-linking the pricing structures of DECN to
eliminate pricing offers that are contingent on activity across both
platforms. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61289 (January 5,
2010), 75 FR 1674 (January 12, 2010) (SR-ISE-2009-108). Secondly,
the Exchange simplified its fee schedule in order to provide Members
with greater consistency and transparency during the period that the
EDGA and EDGX Exchanges are preparing to launch, when volume will be
transitioning from DECN to the EDGA and EDGX Exchanges (assuming
their respective Form 1 applications are approved by the
Commission). On May 7, 2009, each of EDGA Exchange, Inc. and EDGX
Exchange, Inc. (the ``EDGA and EDGX Exchanges'') filed their
respective Form 1 applications to register as a national securities
exchange (``Form 1'') pursuant to Section 6 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. On July 30, 2009, the Exchanges filed
Amendment No. 1 to the Form 1 Application. On September 17, 2009,
the Form 1 was published in the Federal Register for notice and
comment. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60651 (September
11, 2009), 74 FR 47827 (September 17, 2009). The Exchange believes
that these same goals were also advanced for the most part in SR-
ISE-2010-10, which made technical and clarifying changes to DECN's
fee schedule.
In SR-ISE-2009-108, to effectuate the foregoing, the Exchange
deleted certain charges in footnote 1 of the fee schedule, including
one whereby ISE Members were charged $0.0002 per share to add
liquidity on EDGA unless the attributed MPID added a minimum average
daily share volume, measured monthly, of at least 50,000,000 shares
on EDGA. Prior to January 1, 2010, any attributed MPID meeting the
aforementioned minimum was not charged to add liquidity on EDGA.
Since this charge was deleted from footnote 1, in SR-ISE-2010-10,
the Exchange deleted the corresponding footnote 1 from flags B, V,
Y, 3, and 4 from the EDGA column as this footnote no longer applies.
In addition, in SR-ISE-2010-10, the Exchange re-worded the first
sentence in footnote 1 to clarify that adding can include placing
hidden orders.
In SR-ISE-2009-108, for securities priced less than $1, the
Exchange changed the fee for adding liquidity on EDGX from free to a
rebate of 0.15% of the dollar value of the transaction. In SR-ISE-
2010-10, the Exchange corrected a typographical error on its current
schedule by adding parenthesis around the ``0.15% of dollar value''
to clarify that this was a rebate, and not a charge, for adding
liquidity on EDGX in securities priced less than $1.
In SR-ISE-2010-10, for Flag P, the Exchange corrected a
typographical error on the schedule by inverting the columns that
were displayed. For EDGX, flag P was corrected to read ``N/A'' and
for EDGA it was corrected to read a rebate of $0.0025 per share
(i.e., (0.0025)).
In SR-ISE-2010-10, the Exchange also clarified Footnote 3. The
second sentence of this footnote states that the ``rebate for adding
liquidity on the NYSE of $0.0010 per share.'' This information was
already conveyed in Flag F and was deleted in order to simplify and
clarify the fee schedule. The first sentence of footnote 3 was also
deleted as it is repetitive of the amended third sentence in
footnote 3 (``stocks prices below $1.00 on the NYSE are charged
$0.0018 per share when removing liquidity.'') As a result, on Flag
J, footnote 3 was deleted as the reference no longer applies.
However, footnote 3 was relocated to Flag D in order to further
clarify it.
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In its capacity as a member of ISE, DECN currently serves as an
introducing broker for the non-ISE Member subscribers of DECN to access
EDGX and EDGA. DECN, as an ISE Member and introducing broker, receives
rebates and is assessed charges from DECN for transactions it executes
on EDGX or EDGA in its capacity as introducing broker for non-ISE
Members. Since the amounts of such rebates and charges were changed
pursuant to SR-ISE-2010-10, DECN wishes to make corresponding changes
to the amounts it passes through to non-ISE Member subscribers of DECN
for which it acts as introducing broker. As a result, the per share
amounts that non-ISE Member subscribers receive and are charged will be
the same as the amounts that ISE Members receive and are charged.
ISE is seeking accelerated approval of this proposed rule change,
as well an effective date of February 1, 2010. ISE represents that this
proposal will ensure that both ISE Members and non-ISE Members (by
virtue of the pass-through described above) will in effect receive and
be charged equivalent amounts and that the imposition of such amounts
will begin on the same February 1, 2010 start date.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with the objectives of Section 6 of the Act,\8\ in general, and
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4),\9\ in particular, in that
it is designed to provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable
dues, fees and other charges among its members and other persons using
its facilities. In particular, this proposal will ensure that dues,
fees and other charges imposed on ISE Members are equitably allocated
to both ISE Members and non-ISE Members (by virtue of the pass-through
described above).
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\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The proposed rule change does not 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
The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit,
comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received
any unsolicited written comments from members or other interested
parties.
III. 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-ISE-2010-11 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-ISE-2010-11. 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
[[Page 6784]]
post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission,\10\ all
subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the
proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all
written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the
Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from
the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission's Public
Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official
business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the
filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the
principal office of the ISE. 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-ISE-2010-11 and should be submitted on or before March
3, 2010.
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\10\ The text of the proposed rule change is available on ISE's
Web site at https://www.ise.com, on the Commission's Web site at
https://www.sec.gov, at ISE, and at the Commission's Public Reference
Room.
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IV. Commission's Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of
Proposed Rule Change
The Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent
with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange.\11\
Specifically, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is
consistent with Section 6(b)(4) \12\ of the Act, which requires that
the rules of a national securities exchange provide for the equitable
allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among members
and issuers and other persons using its facilities.
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\11\ In approving this proposal, the Commission has considered
its impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15
U.S.C 78c(f).
\12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
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As described more fully above, ISE recently amended DECN's fee
schedule for ISE Members pursuant to SR-ISE-2010-10 (the ``Member Fee
Filing''). The fee changes made pursuant to the Member Fee Filing
became operative on February 1, 2010. DECN receives rebates and is
charged fees for transactions it executes on EGDX or EDGA in its
capacity as an introducing broker for its non-ISE member subscribers.
The current proposal, which will apply retroactively to February 1,
2010, will allow DECN to pass through the revised rebates and fees to
the non-ISE member subscribers for which it acts an introducing broker.
The Commission finds that the proposal is consistent with the Act
because it will provide rebates and charge fees to non-ISE member
subscribers that are equivalent to those established for ISE member
subscribers in the Member Fee Filing.\13\
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\13\ Id.
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ISE has requested that the Commission find good cause for approving
the proposed rule change prior to the thirtieth day after publication
of notice of filing thereof in the Federal Register. As discussed
above, the proposal will allow DECN to pass through to non-ISE member
subscribers the revised rebate and fees established for ISE member
subscribers in the Member Fee Filing, resulting in equivalent rebates
and fees for ISE member and non-member subscribers. In addition,
because the proposal will apply the revised rebates and fees
retroactively to February 1, 2010, the revised rebates and fees will
have the same effective date, thereby promoting consistency in the
DECN's fee schedule. Accordingly, the Commission finds good cause,
pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, for approving the proposed
rule change prior to the thirtieth day after the date of publication of
notice of filing thereof in the Federal Register.
V. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the
Act,\14\ that the proposed rule change (SR-ISE-2010-11) be, and hereby
is, approved on an accelerated basis.
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\14\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
\15\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
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pursuant to delegated authority.\15\
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-2957 Filed 2-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P