Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Rules of the Boston Options Exchange Group, LLC To Enable the Listing and Trading of Options on the Sprott Physical Gold Trust, 48400-48402 [2010-19654]
Download as PDF
48400
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 153 / Tuesday, August 10, 2010 / Notices
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room on official business
days between the hours of 10 a.m. and
3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be
available for inspection and copying at
the principal office of CBOE. 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–CBOE–2010–071 and
should be submitted on or before
August 31, 2010.
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:
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.10
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
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–2010–071 on the
subject line.
sroberts on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing proposed rule
change establishes or changes a due, fee,
or other charge imposed by the
Exchange, it has become effective
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
Act 7 and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule
19b–4 8 thereunder. At any time within
60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may
temporarily suspend such rule change if
it appears to the Commission that such
action is necessary or appropriate in the
public interest, for the protection of
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
the purposes of the Act.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
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–2010–071. 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,9 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
7 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
9 The text of the proposed rule change is available
on the Commission’s Web site at https://
www.sec.gov.
8 17
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[FR Doc. 2010–19655 Filed 8–9–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
[Release No. 34–62647; File No. SR–BX–
2010–053]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of
Proposed Rule Change To Amend the
Rules of the Boston Options Exchange
Group, LLC To Enable the Listing and
Trading of Options on the Sprott
Physical Gold Trust
August 4, 2010.
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 July 28,
2010, NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (the
‘‘Exchange’’), filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I and II
below, which Items have been prepared
by the self-regulatory organization. The
Exchange filed the proposed rule change
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder,4
which renders the proposal effective
upon filing with the Commission. The
Commission is publishing this notice to
9 The text of the proposed rule change is available
on the Commission’s Web site at https://
www.sec.gov.
10 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
PO 00000
Frm 00099
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (the
‘‘Exchange’’) proposes to amend the
Rules of the Boston Options Exchange
Group, LLC (‘‘BOX’’) to enable the listing
and trading of options on the Sprott
Physical Gold Trust. A copy of the
proposed rule change is available from
the principal office of the Exchange, at
the Commission’s Public Reference
Room and also on the Exchange’s
Internet Web site at https://
nasdaqomxbx.cchwallstreet.com/
NASDAQOMXBX/Filings/.
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 IV 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
Recently, the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or
‘‘Commission’’) authorized the listing
and trading on BOX of options on the
SPDR Gold Trust,5 the iShares COMEX
Gold Trust,6 the iShares Silver Trust,7
the ETFS Gold Trust,8 the ETFS Silver
Trust,9 the ETFS Palladium Trust 10 and
the ETFS Platinum Trust.11 Now, the
Exchange proposes that BOX list and
trade options on PHYS.
Under Chapter IV, Section 3(i) of the
BOX Rules, Exchange-Traded Fund
Shares (‘‘ETFs’’) must meet the following
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58136
(July 10, 2008), 73 FR 40884 (July 16, 2008) (SR–
BSE–2008–41).
6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59055
(December 4, 2008), 73 FR 75148 (December 10,
2008) (SR–BSE–2008–51).
7 Id.
8 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62464
(July 7, 2010), 75 FR 40007 (July 13, 2010) (SR–BX–
2010–045).
9 Id.
10 Id.
11 Id.
E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM
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sroberts on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 153 / Tuesday, August 10, 2010 / Notices
criteria to be eligible as underlying
securities for options traded on BOX:
The ETFs must (i) be traded on a
national securities exchange; (ii) be
defined as an ‘‘NMS’’ stock under Rule
600 of Regulation NMS; and (iii)(a)
represent interests in registered
investment companies (or series thereof)
organized as open-end management
investment companies, unit investment
trusts or similar entities that hold
portfolios of securities and/or financial
instruments, including, but not limited
to, stock index futures contracts, options
on futures, options on securities and
indices, equity caps, collars and floors,
swap agreements, forward contracts,
repurchase agreements and reverse
repurchase agreements (the ‘‘Financial
Instruments’’), and money market
instruments, including, but not limited
to, U.S. government securities and
repurchase agreements (the ‘‘Money
Market Instruments’’) comprising or
otherwise based on or representing
investments in broad based indexes or
portfolios of securities and/or Financial
Instruments and Money Market
Instruments (or that hold securities in
one or more other registered investment
companies that themselves hold such
portfolios of securities and/or Financial
Instruments and Money Market
Instruments); (b) represent interests in a
trust that holds a specified non-U.S.
currency or currencies deposited with
the trust or similar entity when
aggregated in some specified minimum
number that may be surrendered to the
trust by the beneficial owner to receive
the specified non-U.S. currency or
currencies and pays the beneficial
owner interest and other distributions
on the deposited non-U.S. currency or
currencies, if any, declared and paid by
the trust (‘‘Currency Trust Shares’’); (c)
represent commodity pool interests
principally engaged, directly or
indirectly, in holding and/or managing
portfolios or baskets of securities,
commodity futures contracts, options on
commodity futures contracts, swaps,
forward contracts and/or options on
physical commodities and/or non-U.S.
currency (‘‘Commodity Pool ETFs’’); or
(d) represent interests in the SPDR®
Gold Trust, iShares COMEX Gold Trust,
iShares Silver Trust, ETFS Gold Trust,
ETFS Silver Trust, ETFS Palladium
Trust or the ETFS Platinum Trust.12
This rule change proposes to expand the
types of ETFs that may be approved for
options trading on BOX to include
PHYS.
Apart from allowing PHYS to be an
underlying security for options traded
on BOX as described above, the listing
12 See
Chapter IV, Section 3(i) of the BOX Rules.
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16:26 Aug 09, 2010
Jkt 220001
standards for ETFs will remain
unchanged from those that apply under
current BOX rules. ETFs on which
options may be listed and traded must
still be listed and traded on a national
securities exchange and must satisfy the
other listing standards set forth in
Chapter IV, Section 3(i) of the BOX
Rules.
Specifically, in addition to satisfying
the aforementioned listing
requirements, ETFs must either (1) meet
the criteria and guidelines set forth in
paragraphs (a) and (b) of Chapter IV,
Section 3 of the BOX Rules or (2) be
available for creation or redemption
each business day from or through the
issuing trust, investment company,
commodity pool or other entity in cash
or in kind at a price related to net asset
value, and the issuer must be obligated
to issue ETF shares in a specified
aggregate number even if some or all of
the investment assets and/or cash
required to be deposited have not been
received by the issuer, subject to the
condition that the person obligated to
deposit the investment assets has
undertaken to deliver them as soon as
possible and such undertaking is
secured by the delivery and
maintenance of collateral consisting of
cash or cash equivalents satisfactory to
the issuer of the ETF, all as provided in
the ETF’s prospectus.
The current continued listing
standards for options on ETFs will
apply to options on PHYS. Specifically,
under Chapter IV, Section 4(h) of the
BOX Rules, options on ETFs may be
subject to the suspension of opening
transactions as follows: (i) In the case of
options covering ETFs approved
pursuant to Section 3(i)(A)(1), in
accordance with the terms of
subparagraphs (b)(i), (ii) and (iii) of
Chapter IV, Section 4 of the BOX Rules;
(ii) in the case of options covering ETFs
approved pursuant to Chapter IV,
Section 3(i)(A)(2) of the BOX Rules,
following the initial twelve-month
period beginning upon the
commencement of trading in the ETF on
a national securities exchange,13 if there
are fewer than 50 record and/or
beneficial holders of the ETF for 30 or
more consecutive trading days; (iii) the
value of the index, portfolio of
securities, non-U.S. currency, or
portfolio of commodities including
commodity futures contracts, options on
commodity futures contracts, swaps,
forward contracts and/or options on
physical commodities and/or Financial
Instruments and Money Market
Instruments on which the ETF is based
13 The ETF must also be defined as an NMS Stock
under Rule 600 of Regulation NMS.
PO 00000
Frm 00100
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
48401
is no longer calculated or available; or
(iv) an event occurs or condition exists
that in the opinion of BOXR makes
further dealing in such options on BOX
inadvisable.
Additionally, PHYS shall not be
deemed to meet the requirements for
continued approval, and BOX shall not
open for trading any additional series of
option contracts of the class covering
PHYS, if PHYS ceases to be an ‘‘NMS
stock’’ as provided for in Chapter IV,
Section 4(b)(vi) of the BOX Rules or
PHYS is halted from trading on its
primary market.
The addition of PHYS to Chapter IV,
Section 3(i) of the BOX Rules will not
have any effect on the rules pertaining
to position and exercise limits 14 or
margin requirements.15
The Exchange represents that its
surveillance procedures applicable to
trading in options on PHYS will be
similar to those applicable to all other
options on other ETFs currently traded
on BOX. Also, the Exchange may obtain
information from the New York
Mercantile Exchange, Inc. (‘‘NYMEX’’) (a
member of the Intermarket Surveillance
Group) related to any financial
instrument that is based, in whole or in
part, upon an interest in or performance
of gold.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposal is consistent with the
requirements of Section 6(b) of the
Act,16 in general, and Section 6(b)(5) of
the Act,17 in particular, in that it is
designed to foster cooperation and
coordination with persons engaged in
regulating, clearing, settling, and
processing information with respect to,
and facilitating transactions in
securities, to remove impediments to
and perfect the mechanism for a free
and open market and a national market
system and, in general, to protect
investors and the public interest. In
particular, the Exchange believes that
amending the BOX Rules to
accommodate the listing and trading of
options on PHYS will benefit investors
by providing them with valuable risk
management tools.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will impose
any burden on competition not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act.
14 See Chapter III, Sections 7 and 9 of the BOX
Rules.
15 See Chapter XIII of the BOX Rules.
16 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
17 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM
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48402
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 153 / Tuesday, August 10, 2010 / Notices
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange has neither solicited
nor received comments on the proposed
rule change.
Commission summarily may
temporarily suspend 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.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing proposed rule
change: (1) Does not significantly affect
the protection of investors or the public
interest; (2) does not impose any
significant burden on competition; and
(3) by its terms does not become
operative for 30 days after the date of
this filing, or such shorter time as the
Commission may designate if consistent
with the protection of investors and the
public interest, the proposed rule
change has become effective pursuant to
Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 18 and
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.19
A proposed rule change filed under
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally does not
become operative for 30 days after the
date of filing. However, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6)(iii) 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
the Exchange can list and trade options
on the Sprott Physical Gold Trust
immediately. The Commission believes
that waiving the 30-day operative delay
is consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest to
permit the Exchange to list and trade
options on the Sprott Physical Gold
Trust without delay.20 The Commission
notes the proposal is substantively
identical to proposals that were recently
approved by the Commission, and does
not raise any new regulatory issues.21
For these reasons, the Commission
designates the proposed rule change as
operative upon filing.
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of the proposed rule change, the
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:
18 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-regulatory organization to
provide the Commission with written notice of its
intent to file the proposed rule change, along with
a brief description and text of 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 fulfilled this requirement.
20 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
operative delay, the Commission has also
considered the proposed rule’s impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
21 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62463
(July 7, 2010), 75 FR 40005 (July 13, 2010) (SR–
CBOE–2010–043).
sroberts on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
19 17
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16:26 Aug 09, 2010
Jkt 220001
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–BX–2010–053 on the
subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Securities Exchange Commission, 100 F
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–
1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–BX–2010–053. 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,22 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
Exchange. All comments received will
be posted without change; the
Commission does not edit personal
identifying information from
22 The text of the proposed rule change is
available on the Commission’s Web site at https://
www.sec.gov.
PO 00000
Frm 00101
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–BX–
2010–053 and should be submitted on
or before August 31, 2010.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.23
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–19654 Filed 8–9–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–62643; File No. SR–NSX–
2010–10]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
National Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness
of Proposed Rule Change To Extend
Post Regular Trading Hours Trading
Session
August 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 July 30,
2010, National Stock Exchange, Inc.
(‘‘NSX®’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change, as described in Items I and II
below, which Items have been prepared
by the Exchange. The Exchange filed the
proposal as a ‘‘non-controversial’’
proposed rule change pursuant to
Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 3 and
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.4 The
Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comment on the proposed rule
change from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
NSX proposes to extend the
Exchange’s post regular trading hours
session.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available on the Exchange’s Web site
at https://www.nsx.com, at the principal
office of the Exchange, and at the
Commission’s Public Reference Room.
23 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
1 15
E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM
10AUN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 153 (Tuesday, August 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48400-48402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19654]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-62647; File No. SR-BX-2010-053]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the
Rules of the Boston Options Exchange Group, LLC To Enable the Listing
and Trading of Options on the Sprott Physical Gold Trust
August 4, 2010.
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 July 28, 2010, NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (the ``Exchange''), filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the proposed
rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been
prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Exchange filed the
proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and
Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder,\4\ which renders the proposal effective
upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this
notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested
persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (the ``Exchange'') proposes to amend the Rules
of the Boston Options Exchange Group, LLC (``BOX'') to enable the
listing and trading of options on the Sprott Physical Gold Trust. A
copy of the proposed rule change is available from the principal office
of the Exchange, at the Commission's Public Reference Room and also on
the Exchange's Internet Web site at https://nasdaqomxbx.cchwallstreet.com/NASDAQOMXBX/Filings/.
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 IV 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
Recently, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or
``Commission'') authorized the listing and trading on BOX of options on
the SPDR Gold Trust,\5\ the iShares COMEX Gold Trust,\6\ the iShares
Silver Trust,\7\ the ETFS Gold Trust,\8\ the ETFS Silver Trust,\9\ the
ETFS Palladium Trust \10\ and the ETFS Platinum Trust.\11\ Now, the
Exchange proposes that BOX list and trade options on PHYS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58136 (July 10,
2008), 73 FR 40884 (July 16, 2008) (SR-BSE-2008-41).
\6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59055 (December 4,
2008), 73 FR 75148 (December 10, 2008) (SR-BSE-2008-51).
\7\ Id.
\8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62464 (July 7,
2010), 75 FR 40007 (July 13, 2010) (SR-BX-2010-045).
\9\ Id.
\10\ Id.
\11\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under Chapter IV, Section 3(i) of the BOX Rules, Exchange-Traded
Fund Shares (``ETFs'') must meet the following
[[Page 48401]]
criteria to be eligible as underlying securities for options traded on
BOX: The ETFs must (i) be traded on a national securities exchange;
(ii) be defined as an ``NMS'' stock under Rule 600 of Regulation NMS;
and (iii)(a) represent interests in registered investment companies (or
series thereof) organized as open-end management investment companies,
unit investment trusts or similar entities that hold portfolios of
securities and/or financial instruments, including, but not limited to,
stock index futures contracts, options on futures, options on
securities and indices, equity caps, collars and floors, swap
agreements, forward contracts, repurchase agreements and reverse
repurchase agreements (the ``Financial Instruments''), and money market
instruments, including, but not limited to, U.S. government securities
and repurchase agreements (the ``Money Market Instruments'') comprising
or otherwise based on or representing investments in broad based
indexes or portfolios of securities and/or Financial Instruments and
Money Market Instruments (or that hold securities in one or more other
registered investment companies that themselves hold such portfolios of
securities and/or Financial Instruments and Money Market Instruments);
(b) represent interests in a trust that holds a specified non-U.S.
currency or currencies deposited with the trust or similar entity when
aggregated in some specified minimum number that may be surrendered to
the trust by the beneficial owner to receive the specified non-U.S.
currency or currencies and pays the beneficial owner interest and other
distributions on the deposited non-U.S. currency or currencies, if any,
declared and paid by the trust (``Currency Trust Shares''); (c)
represent commodity pool interests principally engaged, directly or
indirectly, in holding and/or managing portfolios or baskets of
securities, commodity futures contracts, options on commodity futures
contracts, swaps, forward contracts and/or options on physical
commodities and/or non-U.S. currency (``Commodity Pool ETFs''); or (d)
represent interests in the SPDR[supreg] Gold Trust, iShares COMEX Gold
Trust, iShares Silver Trust, ETFS Gold Trust, ETFS Silver Trust, ETFS
Palladium Trust or the ETFS Platinum Trust.\12\ This rule change
proposes to expand the types of ETFs that may be approved for options
trading on BOX to include PHYS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ See Chapter IV, Section 3(i) of the BOX Rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apart from allowing PHYS to be an underlying security for options
traded on BOX as described above, the listing standards for ETFs will
remain unchanged from those that apply under current BOX rules. ETFs on
which options may be listed and traded must still be listed and traded
on a national securities exchange and must satisfy the other listing
standards set forth in Chapter IV, Section 3(i) of the BOX Rules.
Specifically, in addition to satisfying the aforementioned listing
requirements, ETFs must either (1) meet the criteria and guidelines set
forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Chapter IV, Section 3 of the BOX
Rules or (2) be available for creation or redemption each business day
from or through the issuing trust, investment company, commodity pool
or other entity in cash or in kind at a price related to net asset
value, and the issuer must be obligated to issue ETF shares in a
specified aggregate number even if some or all of the investment assets
and/or cash required to be deposited have not been received by the
issuer, subject to the condition that the person obligated to deposit
the investment assets has undertaken to deliver them as soon as
possible and such undertaking is secured by the delivery and
maintenance of collateral consisting of cash or cash equivalents
satisfactory to the issuer of the ETF, all as provided in the ETF's
prospectus.
The current continued listing standards for options on ETFs will
apply to options on PHYS. Specifically, under Chapter IV, Section 4(h)
of the BOX Rules, options on ETFs may be subject to the suspension of
opening transactions as follows: (i) In the case of options covering
ETFs approved pursuant to Section 3(i)(A)(1), in accordance with the
terms of subparagraphs (b)(i), (ii) and (iii) of Chapter IV, Section 4
of the BOX Rules; (ii) in the case of options covering ETFs approved
pursuant to Chapter IV, Section 3(i)(A)(2) of the BOX Rules, following
the initial twelve-month period beginning upon the commencement of
trading in the ETF on a national securities exchange,\13\ if there are
fewer than 50 record and/or beneficial holders of the ETF for 30 or
more consecutive trading days; (iii) the value of the index, portfolio
of securities, non-U.S. currency, or portfolio of commodities including
commodity futures contracts, options on commodity futures contracts,
swaps, forward contracts and/or options on physical commodities and/or
Financial Instruments and Money Market Instruments on which the ETF is
based is no longer calculated or available; or (iv) an event occurs or
condition exists that in the opinion of BOXR makes further dealing in
such options on BOX inadvisable.
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\13\ The ETF must also be defined as an NMS Stock under Rule 600
of Regulation NMS.
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Additionally, PHYS shall not be deemed to meet the requirements for
continued approval, and BOX shall not open for trading any additional
series of option contracts of the class covering PHYS, if PHYS ceases
to be an ``NMS stock'' as provided for in Chapter IV, Section 4(b)(vi)
of the BOX Rules or PHYS is halted from trading on its primary market.
The addition of PHYS to Chapter IV, Section 3(i) of the BOX Rules
will not have any effect on the rules pertaining to position and
exercise limits \14\ or margin requirements.\15\
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\14\ See Chapter III, Sections 7 and 9 of the BOX Rules.
\15\ See Chapter XIII of the BOX Rules.
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The Exchange represents that its surveillance procedures applicable
to trading in options on PHYS will be similar to those applicable to
all other options on other ETFs currently traded on BOX. Also, the
Exchange may obtain information from the New York Mercantile Exchange,
Inc. (``NYMEX'') (a member of the Intermarket Surveillance Group)
related to any financial instrument that is based, in whole or in part,
upon an interest in or performance of gold.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the
requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act,\16\ in general, and Section
6(b)(5) of the Act,\17\ in particular, in that it is designed to foster
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating,
clearing, settling, and processing information with respect to, and
facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and
perfect the mechanism for a free and open market and a national market
system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
In particular, the Exchange believes that amending the BOX Rules to
accommodate the listing and trading of options on PHYS will benefit
investors by providing them with valuable risk management tools.
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\16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\17\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
[[Page 48402]]
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange has neither solicited nor received comments on the
proposed rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing proposed rule change: (1) Does not
significantly affect the protection of investors or the public
interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition;
and (3) by its terms does not become operative for 30 days after the
date of this filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may
designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public
interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to
Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \18\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
thereunder.\19\
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\18\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\19\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii)
requires a self-regulatory organization to provide the Commission
with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change,
along with a brief description and text of 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 fulfilled this requirement.
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A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does
not become operative for 30 days after the date of filing. However,
Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) 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 the Exchange can list and trade
options on the Sprott Physical Gold Trust immediately. The Commission
believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the
protection of investors and the public interest to permit the Exchange
to list and trade options on the Sprott Physical Gold Trust without
delay.\20\ The Commission notes the proposal is substantively identical
to proposals that were recently approved by the Commission, and does
not raise any new regulatory issues.\21\ For these reasons, the
Commission designates the proposed rule change as operative upon
filing.
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\20\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission has also considered the proposed rule's impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C.
78c(f).
\21\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62463 (July 7,
2010), 75 FR 40005 (July 13, 2010) (SR-CBOE-2010-043).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is 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-BX-2010-053 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary, Securities Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BX-2010-053. 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,\22\ 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
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-BX-
2010-053 and should be submitted on or before August 31, 2010.
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\22\ The text of the proposed rule change is available on the
Commission's Web site at https://www.sec.gov.
\23\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\23\
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-19654 Filed 8-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P