Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend a TRACE Pilot Program, 2739-2741 [2011-668]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2011 / Notices
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to amend its
Price List for equity transactions in
stocks with a per share stock price less
than $1.00 to provide that the equity per
share charge for all other transactions
(i.e., when taking liquidity from the
NYSE) per transaction will be the lesser
of (i) 0.3% of the total dollar value of
the transaction and (ii) $0.0023 per
share. This is an increase of $0.0002 per
share from the currently applicable rate
of $0.0021 per share under the second
part of the formula.
The amount of the proposed fee
increase under this portion of the
formula is identical to the increase in
charges to customers and floor brokers
for the trading of NYSE-listed securities
that take liquidity from the Exchange
with a per share stock price of $1.00 or
more, as recently filed with the
Commission by the Exchange 4 pursuant
to Rule 19b–4 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’).5
These changes are intended to be
effective immediately for all
transactions beginning January 3, 2011
and are only applicable to those NYSElisted securities with a per share stock
price of under $1.00. The charges are
equally applicable to customers and
floor brokers.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,6
in general, and Section 6(b)(4) of the
Act,7 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. The Exchange
believes that the proposal does not
constitute an inequitable allocation of
fees, as all similarly situated member
organizations will be subject to the same
fee structure, the new charges apply
equally to both customers and floor
brokers, and access to the Exchange’s
market is offered on fair and nondiscriminatory terms.
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
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
4 See
File No. SR–NYSE–2010–87.
CFR 240.19b–4.
6 15 U.S.C. 78f.
7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were solicited
or received with respect to the proposed
rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change is effective
upon filing pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) 8 of the Act and
subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b–4 9
thereunder, because it establishes or
changes a due, fee, or other charge
imposed on its members by the
Exchange. 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 rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–NYSE–2011–01 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–NYSE–2011–01. 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
5 17
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:03 Jan 13, 2011
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
publicly available. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–NYSE–
2011–01 and should be submitted on or
before February 4, 2011.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.10
Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011–667 Filed 1–13–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–63673; File No. SR–FINRA–
2011–002]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change To Extend a TRACE Pilot
Program
January 7, 2011.
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 January 5,
2011, the 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
prepared by FINRA. FINRA has
designated the proposed rule change as
constituting a ‘‘non-controversial’’ rule
change under paragraph (f)(6) of Rule
10 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
8 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
9 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
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2739
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2011 / Notices
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 the
pilot program in FINRA Rule 6730(e)(4)
to July 8, 2011. The pilot program does
not require reporting to Trade Reporting
and Compliance Engine (‘‘TRACE’’)
transactions in TRACE-Eligible
Securities that are executed on a facility
of the NYSE in accordance with NYSE
Rules 1400, 1401 and 86 and reported
to NYSE in accordance with NYSE’s
applicable trade reporting rules and
disseminated publicly by NYSE.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available on FINRA’s Web site at
https://www.finra.org, at the principal
office of FINRA, and at the
Commission’s Public Reference Room.
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.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
FINRA proposes to amend FINRA
Rule 6730(e)(4) to extend the pilot
program, which is scheduled to expire
on January 7, 2011, to July 8, 2011.4 The
pilot program does not require reporting
to TRACE transactions in TRACEEligible Securities that are executed on
a facility of NYSE in accordance with
3 17
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54768
(November 16, 2006), 71 FR 67673 (November 22,
2006) (Order Approving Proposed Rule Change; File
No. SR–NASD–2006–110) (pilot program in FINRA
Rule 6730(e)(4), subject to the execution of a data
sharing agreement addressing relevant transactions,
became effective on January 9, 2007); Securities
Exchange Act Release No. 59216 (January 8, 2009),
74 FR 2147 (January 14, 2009) (Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change;
File No. SR–FINRA–2008–065) (pilot program
extended to January 7, 2011).
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
4 See
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:03 Jan 13, 2011
Jkt 223001
NYSE Rules 1400, 1401 and 86 and
reported to NYSE in accordance with
NYSE’s applicable trade reporting rules
and disseminated publicly by NYSE,
provided that a data sharing agreement
between FINRA and NYSE related to
transactions covered by the Rule
remains in effect.
FINRA is proposing to extend the
pilot program until July 8, 2011 to
continue to exempt transactions in
TRACE-Eligible Securities on an NYSE
facility (and as to which all the other
conditions of the exemption are met)
from the TRACE reporting requirements.
FINRA believes that the extension will
provide additional time to analyze the
impact of the exemption. Without the
extension, members would be subject to
both FINRA’s and NYSE’s trade
reporting requirements with respect to
these securities.
The proposed rule change would not
expand or otherwise change the pilot.
FINRA notes that the success of the
pilot program remains dependent on
FINRA’s ability to effectively continue
to conduct surveillance on corporate
debt trading in the over-the-counter
market. In this regard, FINRA Rule
6730(e)(4) would continue to require
that the exemption be predicated on the
data agreement between FINRA and
NYSE to share data related to the
transactions covered by the Rule
remaining in effect. However, FINRA
supports a regulatory construct that, in
the future, consolidates all last sale
transaction information to provide
better price transparency and a more
efficient means to engage in market
surveillance of TRACE-Eligible
Securities transactions. The extension
proposed herein will allow the pilot
program to continue to operate without
interruption while FINRA and the NYSE
further assess the effect of the
exemption and issues regarding the
consolidation of market data, market
surveillance and price transparency.
FINRA has filed the proposed rule
change for immediate effectiveness and
has requested that the SEC waive the
requirement that the proposed rule
change not become operative for 30 days
after the date of the filing, such that the
pilot can continue to operate without
interruption.
2. Statutory Basis
FINRA believes that the proposed rule
change is consistent with the provisions
of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,5 which
requires, among other things, that
FINRA rules must be designed to
prevent fraudulent and manipulative
acts and practices, to promote just and
5 15
PO 00000
U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(6).
Frm 00096
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
equitable principles of trade, and, in
general, to protect investors and the
public interest. FINRA believes that the
extension of the exemptive provision
protects investors and the public
because transactions will be reported,
transparency will be maintained for
these transactions, and NYSE’s
agreement to share data with FINRA
allows FINRA, at this time, to conduct
surveillance in the corporate debt
securities market.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
FINRA does not believe that the
proposed rule change will result in 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
Written comments were neither
solicited nor received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The Exchange represented that the
proposed rule change qualifies for
immediate effectiveness pursuant to
Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Exchange
Act 6 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder 7
because it: (i) Does not significantly
affect the protection of investors or the
public interest; (ii) does not impose any
significant burden on competition; and
(iii) by its terms, does not become
operative for 30 days from the date on
which it was filed, or such shorter time
as the Commission may designate if
consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest.8
The Exchange has requested that the
Commission waive the 30-day operative
delay, so that the proposed rule change
may become operative upon filing. The
Commission hereby grants the
Exchange’s request.9 The Commission
believes that waiving the 30-day
operative delay is consistent with the
protection of investors and the public
6 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
8 In addition, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) requires a selfregulatory organization to submit to the
Commission 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 Commission
has waived the five-day pre-filing period in this
case.
9 For the purposes only of waiving the 30-day
operative delay, the Commission has considered the
proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition,
and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
7 17
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14JAN1
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2011 / Notices
interest by allowing the continuation of
the pilot program without interruption
while permitting FINRA and NYSE to
further assess the effects of the current
exemption issues regarding the
consolidation of market data, market
surveillance, and price transparency.
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.
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
FINRA. 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–FINRA–2011–002 and
should be submitted on or before
February 4, 2011.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.10
Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011–668 Filed 1–13–11; 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 rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–FINRA–2011–002 on the
subject line.
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD 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; C2
Options Exchange, Incorporated:
Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change Relating to PULSe Fees
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–63677; File No. SR–C2–
2011–001]
January 7, 2011.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
Paper Comments
‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on January 3,
• Send paper comments in triplicate
2011, C2 Options Exchange,
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘C2’’)
Securities and Exchange Commission,
filed with the Securities and Exchange
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the
20549–1090.
proposed rule change as described in
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–FINRA–2011–002. This file Items I, II and III below, which Items
have been prepared by the Exchange.
number should be included on the
subject line if e-mail is used. To help the The Exchange has designated this
proposal as one establishing or changing
Commission process and review your
a due, fee, or other charge imposed by
comments more efficiently, please use
only one method. The Commission will the Exchange under Section
3
post all comments on the Commission’s 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act and Rule 19b–
4(f)(2) thereunder.4 The Commission is
Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
publishing this notice to solicit
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
comments on the proposed rule change
submission, all subsequent
from interested persons.
amendments, all written statements
with respect to the proposed rule
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
change that are filed with the
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
Commission, and all written
the Proposed Rule Change
communications relating to the
The Exchange proposes to amend its
proposed rule change between the
Fees Schedule to extend a fee waiver
Commission and any person, other than
related to the PULSe workstation. The
those that may be withheld from the
public in accordance with the
10 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
available for Web site viewing and
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
printing in the Commission’s Public
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE.,
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17:03 Jan 13, 2011
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2741
text of the proposed rule change is
available on the Exchange’s Web site
(https://www.cboe.org/legal), at the
Exchange’s Office of the Secretary and
at the Commission.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, the
Exchange 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
Exchange has prepared summaries, set
forth in sections (A), (B), and (C) below,
of the most significant aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
The purpose of this proposed rule
change is to extend a fee waiver related
to the PULSe workstation.
By way of background, the PULSe
workstation is a front-end order entry
system designed for use with respect to
orders that may be sent to the trading
systems of C2. In addition to providing
the capability to send orders to the C2
market, the PULSe workstation will also
provide a user with the capability to
send options orders to other U.S.
options exchanges and stock orders to
other U.S. stock exchanges through a
PULSe Routing Intermediary.5
The purpose of this proposed rule
change is to extend the waiver of the
PULSe Routing Intermediary fee.
Currently the Exchange has waived the
Routing Intermediary fee through
December 31, 2010. The Exchange is
proposing to extend this waiver through
March 31, 2011. Thus this fee will be
assessed beginning April 1, 2011.
2. Statutory Basis
The proposed rule change is
consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,6
in general, and furthers the objectives of
Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,7 in particular,
in that it is designed to provide for the
equitable allocation of reasonable dues,
fees, and other charges among C2 Permit
Holders in that the same fee waivers are
5 For a more detailed description of the PULSe
workstation and its other functionalities, see, e.g.,
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63246
(November 4, 2010), 75 FR 69478 (November 12,
2010)(SR–C2–2010–007).
6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
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14JAN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2739-2741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-668]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-63673; File No. SR-FINRA-2011-002]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
Proposed Rule Change To Extend a TRACE Pilot Program
January 7, 2011.
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 January 5, 2011, the 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 prepared by FINRA. FINRA has designated
the proposed rule change as constituting a ``non-controversial'' rule
change under paragraph (f)(6) of Rule
[[Page 2740]]
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
FINRA is proposing to extend the pilot program in FINRA Rule
6730(e)(4) to July 8, 2011. The pilot program does not require
reporting to Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (``TRACE'')
transactions in TRACE-Eligible Securities that are executed on a
facility of the NYSE in accordance with NYSE Rules 1400, 1401 and 86
and reported to NYSE in accordance with NYSE's applicable trade
reporting rules and disseminated publicly by NYSE.
The text of the proposed rule change is available on FINRA's Web
site at https://www.finra.org, at the principal office of FINRA, and at
the Commission's Public Reference Room.
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.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
FINRA proposes to amend FINRA Rule 6730(e)(4) to extend the pilot
program, which is scheduled to expire on January 7, 2011, to July 8,
2011.\4\ The pilot program does not require reporting to TRACE
transactions in TRACE-Eligible Securities that are executed on a
facility of NYSE in accordance with NYSE Rules 1400, 1401 and 86 and
reported to NYSE in accordance with NYSE's applicable trade reporting
rules and disseminated publicly by NYSE, provided that a data sharing
agreement between FINRA and NYSE related to transactions covered by the
Rule remains in effect.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54768 (November 16,
2006), 71 FR 67673 (November 22, 2006) (Order Approving Proposed
Rule Change; File No. SR-NASD-2006-110) (pilot program in FINRA Rule
6730(e)(4), subject to the execution of a data sharing agreement
addressing relevant transactions, became effective on January 9,
2007); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59216 (January 8, 2009),
74 FR 2147 (January 14, 2009) (Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change; File No. SR-FINRA-2008-065)
(pilot program extended to January 7, 2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINRA is proposing to extend the pilot program until July 8, 2011
to continue to exempt transactions in TRACE-Eligible Securities on an
NYSE facility (and as to which all the other conditions of the
exemption are met) from the TRACE reporting requirements. FINRA
believes that the extension will provide additional time to analyze the
impact of the exemption. Without the extension, members would be
subject to both FINRA's and NYSE's trade reporting requirements with
respect to these securities.
The proposed rule change would not expand or otherwise change the
pilot. FINRA notes that the success of the pilot program remains
dependent on FINRA's ability to effectively continue to conduct
surveillance on corporate debt trading in the over-the-counter market.
In this regard, FINRA Rule 6730(e)(4) would continue to require that
the exemption be predicated on the data agreement between FINRA and
NYSE to share data related to the transactions covered by the Rule
remaining in effect. However, FINRA supports a regulatory construct
that, in the future, consolidates all last sale transaction information
to provide better price transparency and a more efficient means to
engage in market surveillance of TRACE-Eligible Securities
transactions. The extension proposed herein will allow the pilot
program to continue to operate without interruption while FINRA and the
NYSE further assess the effect of the exemption and issues regarding
the consolidation of market data, market surveillance and price
transparency.
FINRA has filed the proposed rule change for immediate
effectiveness and has requested that the SEC waive the requirement that
the proposed rule change not become operative for 30 days after the
date of the filing, such that the pilot can continue to operate without
interruption.
2. Statutory Basis
FINRA believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the
provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,\5\ which requires, among
other things, that FINRA rules must be designed to prevent fraudulent
and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the
public interest. FINRA believes that the extension of the exemptive
provision protects investors and the public because transactions will
be reported, transparency will be maintained for these transactions,
and NYSE's agreement to share data with FINRA allows FINRA, at this
time, to conduct surveillance in the corporate debt securities market.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
FINRA does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in
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
Written comments were neither solicited nor received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The Exchange represented that the proposed rule change qualifies
for immediate effectiveness pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
Exchange Act \6\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder \7\ because it: (i)
Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) does not impose any significant burden on competition;
and (iii) by its terms, does not become operative for 30 days from the
date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may
designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public
interest.\8\
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\6\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\7\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\8\ In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-
regulatory organization to submit to the Commission 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
Commission has waived the five-day pre-filing period in this case.
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The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day
operative delay, so that the proposed rule change may become operative
upon filing. The Commission hereby grants the Exchange's request.\9\
The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is
consistent with the protection of investors and the public
[[Page 2741]]
interest by allowing the continuation of the pilot program without
interruption while permitting FINRA and NYSE to further assess the
effects of the current exemption issues regarding the consolidation of
market data, market surveillance, and price transparency.
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\9\ For the purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C.
78c(f).
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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. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to
determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.
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-FINRA-2011-002 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-FINRA-2011-002. 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 the filing also will be
available for inspection and copying at the principal office of FINRA.
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-FINRA-2011-002
and should be submitted on or before February 4, 2011.
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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Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-668 Filed 1-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P