Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change as Modified by Amendment No. 1 To Extend, Through December 31, 2011, the Pilot Program That Permits Certain Classes To Be Quoted in Penny Increments on BOX, 75716-75718 [2010-30432]
Download as PDF
75716
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 233 / Monday, December 6, 2010 / Notices
it was filed, 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 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii)
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. If the
Commission takes such action, the
Commission shall institute proceedings
to determine whether the proposed rule
should be approved or disapproved.
Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549 on 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–NYSEAmex–2010–107 and
should be submitted on or before
December 27, 2010.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.9
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–30431 Filed 12–3–10; 8:45 am]
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–NYSEAmex–2010–107 on the
subject line.
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES
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:
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of
Proposed Rule Change as Modified by
Amendment No. 1 To Extend, Through
December 31, 2011, the Pilot Program
That Permits Certain Classes To Be
Quoted in Penny Increments on BOX
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–NYSEAmex-2010–107. 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
November 30, 2010.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:27 Dec 03, 2010
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BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–63397; File No. SR–BX–
2010–084]
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 November
24, 2010, NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (the
‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I, II, and
III below, which Items have been
prepared by the self-regulatory
organization. On November 30, 2010,
the Exchange submitted Amendment
No. 1 to the proposed rule change. The
Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend
Chapter V, Section 33 (Penny Pilot
Program) of the Rules of the Boston
Options Exchange Group, LLC (‘‘BOX’’)
9 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
to extend, through December 31, 2011,
the pilot program that permits certain
classes to be quoted in penny
increments on BOX (‘‘Penny Pilot
Program’’). The text of the proposed rule
change is available from the principal
office of the Exchange, at the
Commission’s Public Reference Room,
on the Commission’s Web site at https://
www.sec.gov, 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
The Exchange proposes to extend the
effective time period of the Penny Pilot
Program on BOX that is currently
scheduled to expire on December 31,
2010, for an additional year, through
December 31, 2011.3 The Penny Pilot
Program permits certain classes to be
3 The Penny Pilot Program has been in effect on
BOX since January 26, 2007. See Securities
Exchange Act Release No. 55155 (Jan. 23, 2007), 72
FR 4741 (Feb. 1, 2007) (SR–BSE–2006–49). The
Penny Pilot Program was later extended through
September 27, 2007. See Securities Exchange Act
Release No. 56149 (July 26, 2007), 72 FR 42450
(Aug. 2, 2007) (SR–BSE–2007–38). A subsequent
rule filing by the Exchange on September 27, 2007
initiated a two-phased expansion of the Penny Pilot
Program. See Securities Exchange Act Release No.
56566 (Sept. 27, 2007), 72 FR 56400 (Oct. 3, 2007)
(S–aRBSE–2007–40). See also Securities Exchange
Act Release No. 57566 (March 26, 2008), 73 FR
18013 (April 2, 2008) (SR–BSE–2008–20). The
Penny Pilot Program was then extended and
expanded a number of times and is set to expire on
December 31, 2010. See Securities Exchange Act
Release Nos. 59629 (March 26, 2009), 74 FR 15021
(April 2, 2009) (SR–BX–2009–017); 60213 (July 1,
2009), 74 FR 32998 (July 9, 2009) (SR–BX–2009–
032); 60886 (Oct. 27, 2009), 74 FR 56897 (Nov. 3,
2009) (SR–BX–2009–067); 60950 (Nov. 6, 2009), 74
FR 58666 (Nov. 6, 2009) (SR–BX–2009–069); 61456
(Feb. 1, 2010), 75 FR 6235 (Feb. 8, 2010) (SR–BX–
2010–011); 62039 (May 5, 2010), 75 FR 26313 (May
11, 2010) (SR–BX–2010–032) and 62615 (July 30,
2010), 75 FR 47875 (Aug. 9, 2010) (SR–BX–2010–
052). The extension of the effective date is the only
change to the Penny Pilot Program being proposed
at this time.
E:\FR\FM\06DEN1.SGM
06DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 233 / Monday, December 6, 2010 / Notices
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES
quoted in penny increments on BOX.
The minimum price variation for all
classes included in the Penny Pilot
Program, except for the QQQQs, SPY
and IWM, will continue to be $0.01 for
all quotations in option series that are
quoted at less than $3 per contract and
$0.05 for all quotations in option series
that are quoted at $3 per contract or
greater. The QQQQs, SPY and IWM,
will continue to be quoted in $0.01
increments for all options series. The
Exchange is not currently proposing any
changes to the classes included within
the Penny Pilot Program.
Additionally, the Exchange proposes
to amend Chapter V, Section 33(b) of the
BOX Rules to continue to be able to
replace, on a semi-annual basis, any
Pilot Program classes that have been
delisted. These delisted classes will be
replaced by the next most actively
traded multiply listed options classes
that are not yet included in the Pilot
Program, based on trading activity in the
previous six months. The replacement
classes may be added to the Pilot
Program on the second trading day
following January 1, 2011 and July 1,
2011.4 The replacement issues will be
selected based on trading activity for the
six-month period beginning June 1,
2010 and ending November 30, 2010, for
the January 2011 replacement, and the
six month period beginning December 1,
2010 and ending May 31, 2011 for the
July 2011 replacements. The Exchange
will employ the same parameters to
prospective replacement classes as
approved and applicable under the Pilot
Program, including excluding highpriced underlying securities.
Further, BOX agrees to submit to the
Commission such reports regarding the
Penny Pilot Program as the Commission
may request. Such reports may include:
(1) Data and analysis on the number of
quotations generated for options
included in the Pilot Program; (2) an
assessment of the quotation spreads for
the options included in the Pilot
Program; (3) an assessment of the
impact of the Pilot Program on the
capacity of BOX’s automated systems;
(4) data reflecting the size and depth of
markets; and (5) any capacity problems
or other problems that arose related to
the operation of the Pilot Program and
how the Exchange addressed them.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposal is consistent with the
requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act,5
4 The replacement classes will be announced to
BOX Participants via Regulatory Circular and
published by the Exchange on its Web site.
5 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
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Jkt 223001
in general, and Section 6(b)(5) of the
Act,6 in particular, in that it is designed
to foster cooperation and coordination
with persons engaged in regulating,
clearing, settling, processing
information with respect to, and
facilitating transactions in securities, to
remove impediments to and perfect the
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
proposed extension will allow the
Penny Pilot Program to remain in effect
on BOX without interruption.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will impose
any burden on competition not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange has neither solicited
nor received comments on the proposed
rule change.
III. Basis for Summary Effectiveness
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(3) or for
Accelerated Effectiveness Pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2)
This proposed rule change is filed
pursuant to paragraph (A) of section
19(b)(3) of the Exchange Act 7 and Rule
19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.8 This proposed
rule change does not significantly affect
the protection of investors or the public
interest, does not impose any significant
burden on competition, and, by its
terms, does not become operative for 30
days after the date of the filing, or such
shorter time as the Commission may
designate if consistent with the
protection of investors and the public
interest.9
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.
6 15
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
8 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
9 As required under Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), BOX
provided the Commission with written notice of its
intent to file the proposed rule change along with
a brief description and the 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.
7 15
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Frm 00056
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
75717
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–BX–2010–084 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–BX–2010–084. 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, on business days
between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.,
located at 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549. 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–BX–
2010–084 and should be submitted on
or before December 27, 2010.
E:\FR\FM\06DEN1.SGM
06DEN1
75718
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 233 / Monday, December 6, 2010 / Notices
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.10
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–30432 Filed 12–3–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–63391; File No. SR–FINRA–
2010–063]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change To Extend to July 16,
2011, the Pilot Period for FINRA Rule
4240 (Margin Requirements for Credit
Default Swaps)
November 30, 2010.
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on November
22, 2010, Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed
rule change as described in Items I and
II below, which Items have been
substantially prepared by FINRA.
FINRA has designated the proposed rule
change as constituting a ‘‘noncontroversial’’ rule change under
paragraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 under the
Act,3 which renders the proposal
effective upon receipt of this filing by
the Commission. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change
from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
FINRA is proposing to extend to July
16, 2011, FINRA Rule 4240 (Margin
Requirements for Credit Default Swaps)
on an interim pilot program basis.
FINRA Rule 4240, as approved by the
SEC on May 22, 2009, will expire on
November 30, 2010. The rule
implements an interim pilot program
with respect to margin requirements for
transactions in credit default swaps
executed by a member (regardless of the
type of account in which the transaction
is booked), including those in which the
offsetting matching hedging transactions
are effected by the member in credit
default swap contracts that are cleared
through the central counterparty
clearing services of the Chicago
Mercantile Exchange.
The text of the proposed rule change
is below. Proposed new language is
underlined; proposed deletions are in
brackets:
*
*
*
*
*
4000. FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL
RULES
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
4200. MARGIN
*
*
*
4240. Margin Requirements for Credit
Default Swaps
(a) Effective Period of Interim Pilot
Program.
This Rule establishes an interim pilot
program (‘‘Interim Pilot Program’’) with
respect to margin requirements for any
transactions in credit default swaps executed
by a member (regardless of the type of
account in which the transaction is booked),
including those in which the offsetting
matching hedging transactions (‘‘matching
transactions’’) are effected by the member in
contracts that are cleared through the central
counterparty clearing services of the Chicago
Mercantile Exchange (‘‘CME’’). The Interim
Pilot Program shall automatically expire on
[November 30, 2010] July 16, 2011. For
purposes of this Rule, the term ‘‘credit default
swap’’ (‘‘CDS’’) shall mean any ‘‘eligible credit
default swap’’ as defined in Securities Act
Rule 239T(d), as well as any other CDS that
would otherwise meet such definition but for
being subject to individual negotiation, and
the term ‘‘transaction’’ shall include any
ongoing CDS position.
(b) through (e) No Change.
* * * Supplementary Material:
.01 No Change.
*
*
*
*
*
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission,
FINRA 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. FINRA has prepared
summaries, set forth in sections A, B,
and C below, of the most significant
aspects of such statements.
10 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
3 17 CFR 240.19b 4(f)(6).
1 15
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15:27 Dec 03, 2010
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Frm 00057
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
On May 22, 2009, the Commission
approved FINRA Rule 4240,4 which
implements an interim pilot program
(the ‘‘Interim Pilot Program’’) with
respect to margin requirements for
transactions in credit default swaps
(‘‘CDS’’) executed by a member
(regardless of the type of account in
which the transaction is booked),
including those in which the offsetting
matching hedging transactions are
effected by the member in credit default
swap contracts that are cleared through
the central counterparty clearing
services of the Chicago Mercantile
Exchange (‘‘CME’’). On September 21,
2009, FINRA extended the
implementation of Rule 4240 to
November 30, 2010.5
As explained in the Approval Order,
FINRA Rule 4240 is intended to be
coterminous with certain Commission
actions intended to address concerns
arising from systemic risk posed by
CDS, including, among others, risks to
the financial system arising from the
lack of a central clearing counterparty to
clear and settle CDS.6 Recently, the
Commission has determined to extend
the period for which certain of these
actions are in effect.7 FINRA believes it
4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59955
(May 22, 2009), 74 FR 25586 (May 28, 2009) (Notice
of Approval of Proposed Rule Change; File No. SR–
FINRA–2009–012) (‘‘Approval Order’’).
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60722
(September 25, 2009), 74 FR 50856 (October 1,
2010) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness
of Proposed Rule Change; File No. SR–FINRA–
2009–063).
6 See 74 FR 25588 through 25589. In early 2009
the Commission enacted interim final temporary
rules (the ‘‘interim final temporary rules’’) providing
enumerated exemptions under the Federal
securities laws for certain CDS to facilitate the
operation of one or more central clearing
counterparties in such CDS. See Securities Act
Release No. 8999 (January 14, 2009), 74 FR 3967
(January 22, 2009) (Temporary Exemptions for
Eligible Credit Default Swaps To Facilitate
Operation of Central Counterparties To Clear and
Settle Credit Default Swaps); Securities Act Release
No. 9063 (September 14, 2009) (Extension of
Temporary Exemptions for Eligible Credit Default
Swaps To Facilitate Operation of Central
Counterparties To Clear and Settle Credit Default
Swaps). See also Securities Exchange Act Release
No. 59578 (March 13, 2009), 74 FR 11781 (March
19, 2009) (Order Granting Temporary Exemptions
in Connection with Request of Chicago Mercantile
Exchange Inc. and Citadel Investment Group, L.L.C.
Related to Central Clearing of Credit Default
Swaps); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59165
(December 24, 2008), 74 FR 133 (January 2, 2009)
(Order Granting Temporary Exemptions for BrokerDealers and Exchanges Effecting Transactions in
Credit Default Swaps).
7 See Securities Act Release No. 9158 (November
19, 2010), 75 FR 72260 (November 26, 2009)
E:\FR\FM\06DEN1.SGM
06DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 233 (Monday, December 6, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75716-75718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30432]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-63397; File No. SR-BX-2010-084]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change as Modified
by Amendment No. 1 To Extend, Through December 31, 2011, the Pilot
Program That Permits Certain Classes To Be Quoted in Penny Increments
on BOX
November 30, 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 November 24, 2010, NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (the ``Exchange'') filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the proposed
rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items
have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. On November 30,
2010, the Exchange submitted Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule
change. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on
the proposed rule from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 amend Chapter V, Section 33 (Penny Pilot
Program) of the Rules of the Boston Options Exchange Group, LLC
(``BOX'') to extend, through December 31, 2011, the pilot program that
permits certain classes to be quoted in penny increments on BOX
(``Penny Pilot Program''). The text of the proposed rule change is
available from the principal office of the Exchange, at the
Commission's Public Reference Room, on the Commission's Web site at
https://www.sec.gov, 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
The Exchange proposes to extend the effective time period of the
Penny Pilot Program on BOX that is currently scheduled to expire on
December 31, 2010, for an additional year, through December 31,
2011.\3\ The Penny Pilot Program permits certain classes to be
[[Page 75717]]
quoted in penny increments on BOX. The minimum price variation for all
classes included in the Penny Pilot Program, except for the QQQQs, SPY
and IWM, will continue to be $0.01 for all quotations in option series
that are quoted at less than $3 per contract and $0.05 for all
quotations in option series that are quoted at $3 per contract or
greater. The QQQQs, SPY and IWM, will continue to be quoted in $0.01
increments for all options series. The Exchange is not currently
proposing any changes to the classes included within the Penny Pilot
Program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The Penny Pilot Program has been in effect on BOX since
January 26, 2007. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55155
(Jan. 23, 2007), 72 FR 4741 (Feb. 1, 2007) (SR-BSE-2006-49). The
Penny Pilot Program was later extended through September 27, 2007.
See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56149 (July 26, 2007), 72 FR
42450 (Aug. 2, 2007) (SR-BSE-2007-38). A subsequent rule filing by
the Exchange on September 27, 2007 initiated a two-phased expansion
of the Penny Pilot Program. See Securities Exchange Act Release No.
56566 (Sept. 27, 2007), 72 FR 56400 (Oct. 3, 2007) (S-aRBSE-2007-
40). See also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57566 (March 26,
2008), 73 FR 18013 (April 2, 2008) (SR-BSE-2008-20). The Penny Pilot
Program was then extended and expanded a number of times and is set
to expire on December 31, 2010. See Securities Exchange Act Release
Nos. 59629 (March 26, 2009), 74 FR 15021 (April 2, 2009) (SR-BX-
2009-017); 60213 (July 1, 2009), 74 FR 32998 (July 9, 2009) (SR-BX-
2009-032); 60886 (Oct. 27, 2009), 74 FR 56897 (Nov. 3, 2009) (SR-BX-
2009-067); 60950 (Nov. 6, 2009), 74 FR 58666 (Nov. 6, 2009) (SR-BX-
2009-069); 61456 (Feb. 1, 2010), 75 FR 6235 (Feb. 8, 2010) (SR-BX-
2010-011); 62039 (May 5, 2010), 75 FR 26313 (May 11, 2010) (SR-BX-
2010-032) and 62615 (July 30, 2010), 75 FR 47875 (Aug. 9, 2010) (SR-
BX-2010-052). The extension of the effective date is the only change
to the Penny Pilot Program being proposed at this time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additionally, the Exchange proposes to amend Chapter V, Section
33(b) of the BOX Rules to continue to be able to replace, on a semi-
annual basis, any Pilot Program classes that have been delisted. These
delisted classes will be replaced by the next most actively traded
multiply listed options classes that are not yet included in the Pilot
Program, based on trading activity in the previous six months. The
replacement classes may be added to the Pilot Program on the second
trading day following January 1, 2011 and July 1, 2011.\4\ The
replacement issues will be selected based on trading activity for the
six-month period beginning June 1, 2010 and ending November 30, 2010,
for the January 2011 replacement, and the six month period beginning
December 1, 2010 and ending May 31, 2011 for the July 2011
replacements. The Exchange will employ the same parameters to
prospective replacement classes as approved and applicable under the
Pilot Program, including excluding high-priced underlying securities.
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\4\ The replacement classes will be announced to BOX
Participants via Regulatory Circular and published by the Exchange
on its Web site.
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Further, BOX agrees to submit to the Commission such reports
regarding the Penny Pilot Program as the Commission may request. Such
reports may include: (1) Data and analysis on the number of quotations
generated for options included in the Pilot Program; (2) an assessment
of the quotation spreads for the options included in the Pilot Program;
(3) an assessment of the impact of the Pilot Program on the capacity of
BOX's automated systems; (4) data reflecting the size and depth of
markets; and (5) any capacity problems or other problems that arose
related to the operation of the Pilot Program and how the Exchange
addressed them.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the
requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act,\5\ in general, and Section
6(b)(5) of the Act,\6\ in particular, in that it is designed to foster
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating,
clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and
facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and
perfect the 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 proposed extension will allow the Penny Pilot
Program to remain in effect on BOX without interruption.
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\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\6\ 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.
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. Basis for Summary Effectiveness Pursuant to Section 19(b)(3) or
for Accelerated Effectiveness Pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)
This proposed rule change is filed pursuant to paragraph (A) of
section 19(b)(3) of the Exchange Act \7\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
thereunder.\8\ This proposed rule change does not significantly affect
the protection of investors or the public interest, does not impose any
significant burden on competition, and, by its terms, does not become
operative for 30 days after the date of the filing, or such shorter
time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection
of investors and the public interest.\9\
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\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\8\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\9\ As required under Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), BOX provided the
Commission with written notice of its intent to file the proposed
rule change along with a brief description and the 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.
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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-2010-084 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-BX-2010-084. 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, on business days
between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., located at 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549. 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-BX-2010-084 and should be
submitted on or before December 27, 2010.
[[Page 75718]]
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\10\
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\10\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-30432 Filed 12-3-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P