Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Adopting Supplementary Material .20 to Rule 123C To Provide for the Treatment of Short Sale Orders at the Close, 12195-12198 [2011-4894]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 43 / Friday, March 4, 2011 / Notices C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were either solicited or received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days after the date of the filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 19 and Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) 20 thereunder. A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 21 normally may not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing.22 However, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6)(iii) 23 permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. PSX has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay so that it may implement the change no later than February 28, 2011 to coincide with the compliance date for the amendments to Rules 200(g) and 201 of Regulation SHO. The Commission believes that waiver of the operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because the proposed rule change, among other things, implements the amendments to Rules 200(g) and 201 of Regulation SHO which have a February 28, 2011 compliance date.24 For this reason, the Commission designates the proposed rule change to be operative upon filing with the Commission.25 At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if 19 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 21 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 22 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). In addition, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) requires that a self-regulatory organization 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 Exchange has satisfied this requirement. 23 Id. 24 See supra note 5. 25 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission has considered the proposed rule change’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES 20 17 VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:16 Mar 03, 2011 Jkt 223001 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 rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–Phlx–2011–25 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–Phlx–2011–25. 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 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 PO 00000 Frm 00183 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12195 available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–Phlx– 2011–25 and should be submitted on or before March 25, 2011. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.26 Cathy H. Ahn, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–4896 Filed 3–3–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–63976; File No. SR–NYSE– 2011–06] Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Adopting Supplementary Material .20 to Rule 123C To Provide for the Treatment of Short Sale Orders at the Close February 25, 2011. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 notice is hereby given that on February 24, 2011, New York Stock Exchange LLC (‘‘NYSE’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been substantially prepared by the selfregulatory organization. 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 The Exchange proposes to adopt Supplementary Material .20 to Rule 123C (The Closing Procedures) to provide for the treatment of short sale orders at the close, for purposes of execution priority, as orders subject to tick restrictions 4 during a period when a restriction on the prices at which covered securities may be sold short is in effect (‘‘Short Sale Price Test’’) under NYSE Rule 440B 5 (which implements the provisions of Rule 201 of Regulation 26 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 15 U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 4 Orders subject to tick restrictions are sell ‘‘plus’’ and buy ‘‘minus’’ orders. See NYSE Rule 13. 5 Amendments to NYSE Rule 440B to implement the short sale price test restriction requirements of Rule 201 are the subject of a separate rule filing. See SR–NYSE–2011–05. 1 15 E:\FR\FM\04MRN1.SGM 04MRN1 12196 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 43 / Friday, March 4, 2011 / Notices SHO (‘‘Rule 201’’) under the Act).6 The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange, the Commission’s Public Reference Room, and https://www.nyse.com. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose On February 26, 2010, the Commission adopted amendments to Rule 201.7 Among other things, the amendments establish a short salerelated circuit breaker that, if triggered with respect to a covered security,8 imposes a short sale price test.9 Amended Rule 201 became effective on May 10, 2010 and the compliance date for the Rule is February 28, 2011.10 6 17 CFR 242.201. to Regulation SHO, Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61595 (Feb. 26, 2010), 75 FR 11232 (Mar. 10, 2010) (‘‘Rule 201 Adopting Release’’). In the Rule 201 Adopting Release, the Commission also adopted amendments to Rule 200(g) of Regulation SHO to include a ‘‘short exempt’’ marking requirement. 17 CFR 242.200(g). See also Division of Trading and Markets: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Rule 201 of Regulation SHO (‘‘T&M FAQs’’). 8 The term ‘‘covered security’’ shall have the same meaning as in Rule 201 of Regulation SHO. Rule 201(a)(1) defines the term ‘‘covered security’’ to mean any ‘‘NMS stock’’ as defined under Rule 600(b)(47) of Regulation NMS. Rule 600(b)(47) of Regulation NMS defines an ‘‘NMS stock’’ as ‘‘any NMS security other than an option.’’ Rule 600(b)(46) of Regulation NMS defines an ‘‘NMS security’’ as ‘‘any security or class of securities for which transaction reports are collected, processed, and made available pursuant to an effective transaction reporting plan, or an effective national market system plan for reporting transactions in listed options.’’ 17 CFR 242.201(a)(1); 17 CFR 242.600(b)(47); and 17 CFR 242.600(b)(46). 9 17 CFR 242.201(b). 10 Rule 201 Adopting Release, 75 FR 11232. The Rule 201 compliance date, originally set for November 10, 2010, was extended to February 28, 2011 in Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63247 (Nov. 4, 2010), 75 FR 68702 (Nov. 9, 2010). The May 10th effective date and February 28th compliance date also apply to amended Rule 200(g). jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES 7 Amendments VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:16 Mar 03, 2011 Jkt 223001 Rule 201(b) requires that trading centers,11 including the NYSE, establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the execution or display of a short sale order of a covered security at a price that is less than or equal to the current national best bid 12 if the price of that covered security decreases by 10% or more from the covered security’s closing price as determined by the listing market 13 for the covered security as of the end of regular trading hours on the prior day.14 In addition, Rule 201(b) requires that trading centers establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to impose the Short Sale Price Test for the remainder of the day and the following day (including the close on both days) when a national best bid for the covered security is calculated and disseminated on a current and continuing basis by a plan processor pursuant to an effective national market system plan.15 In order to implement the provisions of Rule 201, the Exchange has proposed amendments to NYSE Rule 440B to establish the protocols for determining when a Short Sale Price Test is to be triggered for a covered security where the NYSE is the listing market. The proposed Rule 440B amendments also provide that, except for certain permissible and short exempt orders,16 during the period a Short Sale Price Test 11 Rule 201(a)(9) states that the term ‘‘trading center’’ shall have the same meaning as in Rule 600(b)(78) of Regulation NMS. Rule 600(b)(78) defines a ‘‘trading center’’ as ‘‘a national securities exchange or national securities association that operates an SRO trading facility, an alternative trading system, an exchange market maker, an OTC market maker, or any other broker or dealer that executes orders internally by trading as principal or crossing orders as agent.’’ 17 CFR 242.600(b)(78). 12 The term ‘‘national best bid’’ shall have the same meaning as in Rule 201 of Regulation SHO. Rule 201(a)(4) states that such term shall have the same meaning as in Rule 600(b)(42) of Regulation NMS. 17 CFR 242.201(a)(4); 17 CFR 242.600(b)(42). 13 The term ‘‘listing market’’ shall have the same meaning as in Rule 201 of Regulation SHO. Rule 201(a)(3) defines the term ‘‘listing market’’ to have the same meaning as the term ‘‘listing market’’ as defined in the effective transaction reporting plan for the covered security. 17 CFR 242.201(a)(3). See also 17 CFR 242.201(a)(2). 14 17 CFR 242.201(b)(1)(i). 15 17 CFR 242.201(b)(1)(ii). In addition, if the price of a covered security declines intra-day by at least 10% on a day on which the security is already subject to the short sale price test restriction of Rule 201, the restriction will be re-triggered and, therefore, will continue in effect for the remainder of that day and the following day. See Rule 201 Adopting Release, 75 FR 11232, 11253, n. 290. Rule 201 does not place any limit on the frequency or number of times the circuit breaker can be retriggered with respect to a particular stock. See T&M FAQs, at Q&A 2.2. 16 See paragraphs (f) and (g) of proposed Rule 440B regarding the treatment of permissible and short exempt orders. See SR–NYSE–2011–05. PO 00000 Frm 00184 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 is in effect for a covered security, Exchange systems will not execute or display a short sale order with respect to that security at a price that is less than or equal to the current national best bid. NYSE Rule 123C prescribes the method for determining the closing print to be reported to the Consolidated Tape for each security at the close of trading. Interest executed in the closing transaction is allocated pursuant to NYSE Rule 72 and consistent with the hierarchy of allocation of trading interest in Rule 123C(7). In the hierarchy of allocation, better priced interest 17 must receive an execution in whole or in part (‘‘must execute interest’’) 18 in order for the security to close. Included in this category are MOC orders without tick restrictions, MOC orders with tick restrictions that are eligible to be executed at a price better than the closing price,19 better priced limit orders, better priced limit on close (‘‘LOC’’) orders with or without tick restrictions that are eligible for execution at a better price than the closing price and Crowd interest.20 After the ‘‘must execute interest’’ is satisfied, then any limit orders represented in the Display Book 21 at the closing price may be used to offset the remaining imbalance.22 Next eligible for execution in the hierarchy of allocation for the closing transaction are LOC orders without tick restrictions limited to the closing price, then MOC orders that have tick restrictions which limit the order’s price to the price of the 17 Better priced interest means an order that is priced lower than the closing price (in the case of an order to sell) or priced higher than the closing price (in the case of an order to buy). 18 A market on close (‘‘MOC’’) order without tick restrictions must be executed in its entirety at the closing price. Marketable limit orders receive an execution subject to the availability of contra side volume. 19 References in Rule 123C(7) to orders with tick restrictions mean sell ‘‘plus’’ or buy ‘‘minus’’ orders, as defined in Rule 13. 20 Crowd interest means verbal floor broker interest at the market entered by the designated market maker (‘‘DMM’’) to interact with orders in the Display Book. See note 21 infra. 21 The Display Book system is an order management and execution facility. The Display Book system receives and displays orders to the DMM, contains order information, and provides a mechanism to execute and report transactions and published reports to the Consolidated Tape. The Display Book system is connected to a number of other Exchange systems for the purposes of comparison, surveillance, and reporting information to customers and other market data and national market systems. 22 DMM interest, including better priced DMM interest entered into the Display Book prior to the closing transaction that is eligible to participate in the closing transaction is always included in the hierarchy of execution as if it were interest equal to the price of the closing transaction. E:\FR\FM\04MRN1.SGM 04MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 43 / Friday, March 4, 2011 / Notices jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES closing transaction,23 followed by LOC orders limited to the price of the closing transaction that have tick restrictions, ‘‘G’’ orders,24 and finally closing offset orders. The Exchange proposes to establish the execution priority for short sale orders at the close during a period when the Short Sale Price Test is in effect. As provided for in proposed Rule 440B(h)(3), when the Short Sale Price Test is in effect, Exchange systems will, in connection with the closing transaction, re-price all short sale market orders and short sale orders limited to the last published Exchange bid or lower to one minimum price increment above the last published Exchange bid. If the closing price will be at or below the last published Exchange bid, such re-priced short sale orders will not participate in the close. If the closing price is above the last published Exchange bid, the re-priced short sale orders may participate in the closing transaction, depending on whether the proposed closing price is the same as the re-priced order, or if the re-priced order is priced better than the closing price. If the re-priced order is priced better than the closing price, such re-priced short sale order will participate in the closing transaction.25 If the re-priced order is priced at the same price as the closing price, such repriced short sale order plus all other short sale orders limited at that price 26 may (but are not required to) participate in the closing transaction consistent with how Rule 123C(7)(b) treats market or limit orders with tick restrictions. The Exchange therefore proposes to add new Supplementary Material .20 to Rule 123C providing that short sale orders for a covered security during a period when a Short Sale Price Test is in effect will be treated, for purposes of execution at the close under Rule 123C(7)(b), as orders that have tick restrictions.27 Thus, short sale orders that are eligible to participate in the closing transaction and that are priced at the same price as the closing transaction will be treated in the same manner as sell ‘‘plus’’ and buy ‘‘minus’’ tick restrictive orders priced at the closing price.28 As a result, re-priced short sale orders priced at the closing price will be eligible for participation at the close following limit orders represented in the Display Book with a price equal to the closing price and LOC orders with a price equal to the closing price. 23 For example, the last sale on the Exchange was at a price of $46.00 on a minus tick, the closing price is $46.01, all sell plus MOC orders are limited to the closing price of $46.01 because the closing transaction would be the next plus tick. 24 See Section 11(a)(1)(G) of the Act. G orders are orders for an Exchange member’s own account where the member meets a business mix test that requires it to be primarily engaged in the business of underwriting and distributing securities, selling securities to customers, and/or acting as a broker and provided more than 50% of its gross revenues is derived from such businesses and related activities. G orders on the NYSE are required to yield priority, parity and precedence to non-G orders. 25 See Rule 123C(7)(a). 26 These would include short sale orders that were already priced above the last published Exchange bid. 27 The Exchange will not be making any changes in its opening and re-opening procedures in connection with the implementation of the short sale price test restrictions of Rule 201. The presence of short sale price test restrictions will have no impact on the priority of orders eligible to participate in openings and re-openings. 28 See NYSE Rule 13 (defining Sell ‘‘Plus’’-Buy ‘‘Minus’’ Orders). A sell ‘‘plus’’ order is an order to sell a specified amount of stock as long as the price of the trade is not lower than the price of the last sale if the last sale was a plus or zero plus tick, and is not lower than the last sale plus the minimum change in the price if the last sale was a minus or zero minus tick. A buy ‘‘minus’’ order is an order to buy a specified amount of stock as long as the price to be executed is not higher than the price of the last sale if the last sale was a minus or zero minus tick, and is not higher than the price of the last sale less than the minimum change in the price of the stock if the last sale was a plus tick or zero plus tick. 29 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 30 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:16 Mar 03, 2011 Jkt 223001 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,29 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,30 in particular, in that it is designed to, among other things, 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. The proposal is designed to implement the provisions of Rule 201 of Regulation SHO by establishing, maintaining and enforcing written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the execution or display of a short sale order of a covered security at the close in violation of the Short Sale Price Test established in that rule. To that end, the proposed rule change will, among other things, amend the Exchange’s procedures for determining the closing price by treating short sale orders as orders subject to tick restrictions during a period when a Short Sale Price Test is in effect. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. PO 00000 Frm 00185 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12197 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 Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 31 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.32 Because the proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative prior to 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, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 33 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.34 A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 35 normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),36 the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The Commission hereby grants the request. Waiving the 30-day operative delay will allow the Exchange to implement the proposed amendments by February 28, 2011, which, as noted by the Exchange, is the compliance date for amendments to Regulation SHO under the Act. By waiving the operative delay, the Exchange will be able to comply with the amendments to Regulation SHO by February 28, 2011. Therefore, the Commission believes it is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest to waive the 30-day operative delay and 31 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 33 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). 34 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). In addition, Rule 19b–4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this requirement. 35 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 36 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 32 17 E:\FR\FM\04MRN1.SGM 04MRN1 12198 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 43 / Friday, March 4, 2011 / Notices designates the proposal as operative upon filing.37 At any time within 60 days of the filing of such 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: jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES 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–2011–06 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–2011–06. 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 20549–1090. Copies of the filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the NYSE’s principal office and on its Internet Web site at https://www.nyse.com. All 37 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission has considered the proposed rule change’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:16 Mar 03, 2011 Jkt 223001 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–NYSE–2011–06 and should be submitted on or before March 25, 2011. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.38 Cathy H. Ahn, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–4894 Filed 3–3–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–63974; File No. SR– NYSEAMEX–2011–08] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Amex LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending NYSE Amex Equities Rule 440B (Short Sales) in Order To Implement the Provisions of Rule 201 of Regulation SHO Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 February 25, 2011. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 notice is hereby given that on February 24, 2011, NYSE Amex LLC (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE Amex’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been substantially prepared by the selfregulatory organization. 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 The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Amex Equities Rule 440B (Short Sales) in order to implement the provisions of Rule 201 of Regulation SHO (‘‘Rule 201’’) 4 under the Act which, if triggered, imposes a restriction on the prices at which securities may be sold short (‘‘Short Sale Price Test’’). Among other things, Rule 201 requires trading centers to establish, maintain, and 38 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C.78s(b)(1). 2 15 U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 4 17 CFR 242.201. 1 15 PO 00000 Frm 00186 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the execution or display of a short sale order of a covered security at a price that is less than or equal to the current national best bid if the price of a covered security decreases by 10% or more from the covered security’s closing price as determined by the listing market for the covered security as of the end of regular trading hours on the prior day. The proposed rule amendment would establish procedures for the Exchange, as a listing market, to determine that a Short Sale Price Test has been triggered for a covered security. The proposed rule amendment would also establish the protocols for the handling of short sale orders by the Exchange, as a trading center, in the event the Short Sale Price Test is triggered, including establishing what types of short sale orders will be repriced to achieve a permitted price, in accordance with Rule 201, during the period in which a Short Sale Price Test is in effect (‘‘Short Sale Period’’).5 Amended NYSE Amex Equities Rule 440B would also establish the Exchange’s procedures regarding the execution and display of permissible orders during the Short Sale Period, and the execution of orders marked ‘‘short exempt.’’ Further, the proposed rule amendment would establish the Exchange’s procedures regarding the permissible execution price of short sale orders in single-priced opening, reopening and closing transactions. The proposed rule amendment would also make minor technical changes to the Supplementary Material to Rule 440B.6 Finally, the proposed rule amendment would also establish Exchange procedures for addressing situations where the Exchange determines that the Short Sale Price Test for a covered security was triggered by a ‘‘clearly erroneous’’ execution as that term is defined in NYSE Amex Equities Rule 128.7 5 See notes 24–26 infra and accompanying text. Material to Rule 440B is proposed to be amended to (a) delete an incorrect reference to Rule 440B(c) (in .11) and (b) to permit orders to be marked ‘‘short exempt’’ in accordance with Rules 200(g)(2) and 201 of Regulation SHO (in .12). The remaining provisions in Supplementary Material are not proposed to be modified and will remain in effect. 7 See infra note 23 and accompanying text regarding ‘‘clearly erroneous’’ trades and proposed Rule 440B(d)(1). The proposed rule amendment would establish the duration of the Short Sale Price Test. See infra note 22 and accompanying text. In addition, the proposed rule amendment would provide for an Exchange determination that a Short Sale Price Test has been triggered for covered securities for which the Exchange is the listing market. See infra notes 21–22 and accompanying text. 6 Supplementary E:\FR\FM\04MRN1.SGM 04MRN1

Agencies

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12195-12198]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4894]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-63976; File No. SR-NYSE-2011-06]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC;
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change
Adopting Supplementary Material .20 to Rule 123C To Provide for the
Treatment of Short Sale Orders at the Close

February 25, 2011.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the ``Act'') \2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ notice is hereby
given that on February 24, 2011, New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE''
or the ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I
and II below, which Items have been substantially prepared by the self-
regulatory organization. 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\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
\3\ 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 adopt Supplementary Material .20 to Rule
123C (The Closing Procedures) to provide for the treatment of short
sale orders at the close, for purposes of execution priority, as orders
subject to tick restrictions \4\ during a period when a restriction on
the prices at which covered securities may be sold short is in effect
(``Short Sale Price Test'') under NYSE Rule 440B \5\ (which implements
the provisions of Rule 201 of Regulation

[[Page 12196]]

SHO (``Rule 201'') under the Act).\6\ The text of the proposed rule
change is available at the Exchange, the Commission's Public Reference
Room, and https://www.nyse.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\4\ Orders subject to tick restrictions are sell ``plus'' and
buy ``minus'' orders. See NYSE Rule 13.
\5\ Amendments to NYSE Rule 440B to implement the short sale
price test restriction requirements of Rule 201 are the subject of a
separate rule filing. See SR-NYSE-2011-05.
\6\ 17 CFR 242.201.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization
included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the
proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the
proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared
summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most
significant parts of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
On February 26, 2010, the Commission adopted amendments to Rule
201.\7\ Among other things, the amendments establish a short sale-
related circuit breaker that, if triggered with respect to a covered
security,\8\ imposes a short sale price test.\9\ Amended Rule 201
became effective on May 10, 2010 and the compliance date for the Rule
is February 28, 2011.\10\
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\7\ Amendments to Regulation SHO, Securities Exchange Act
Release No. 61595 (Feb. 26, 2010), 75 FR 11232 (Mar. 10, 2010)
(``Rule 201 Adopting Release''). In the Rule 201 Adopting Release,
the Commission also adopted amendments to Rule 200(g) of Regulation
SHO to include a ``short exempt'' marking requirement. 17 CFR
242.200(g). See also Division of Trading and Markets: Responses to
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Rule 201 of Regulation SHO
(``T&M FAQs'').
\8\ The term ``covered security'' shall have the same meaning as
in Rule 201 of Regulation SHO. Rule 201(a)(1) defines the term
``covered security'' to mean any ``NMS stock'' as defined under Rule
600(b)(47) of Regulation NMS. Rule 600(b)(47) of Regulation NMS
defines an ``NMS stock'' as ``any NMS security other than an
option.'' Rule 600(b)(46) of Regulation NMS defines an ``NMS
security'' as ``any security or class of securities for which
transaction reports are collected, processed, and made available
pursuant to an effective transaction reporting plan, or an effective
national market system plan for reporting transactions in listed
options.'' 17 CFR 242.201(a)(1); 17 CFR 242.600(b)(47); and 17 CFR
242.600(b)(46).
\9\ 17 CFR 242.201(b).
\10\ Rule 201 Adopting Release, 75 FR 11232. The Rule 201
compliance date, originally set for November 10, 2010, was extended
to February 28, 2011 in Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63247
(Nov. 4, 2010), 75 FR 68702 (Nov. 9, 2010). The May 10th effective
date and February 28th compliance date also apply to amended Rule
200(g).
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Rule 201(b) requires that trading centers,\11\ including the NYSE,
establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures
reasonably designed to prevent the execution or display of a short sale
order of a covered security at a price that is less than or equal to
the current national best bid \12\ if the price of that covered
security decreases by 10% or more from the covered security's closing
price as determined by the listing market \13\ for the covered security
as of the end of regular trading hours on the prior day.\14\ In
addition, Rule 201(b) requires that trading centers establish,
maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably
designed to impose the Short Sale Price Test for the remainder of the
day and the following day (including the close on both days) when a
national best bid for the covered security is calculated and
disseminated on a current and continuing basis by a plan processor
pursuant to an effective national market system plan.\15\
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\11\ Rule 201(a)(9) states that the term ``trading center''
shall have the same meaning as in Rule 600(b)(78) of Regulation NMS.
Rule 600(b)(78) defines a ``trading center'' as ``a national
securities exchange or national securities association that operates
an SRO trading facility, an alternative trading system, an exchange
market maker, an OTC market maker, or any other broker or dealer
that executes orders internally by trading as principal or crossing
orders as agent.'' 17 CFR 242.600(b)(78).
\12\ The term ``national best bid'' shall have the same meaning
as in Rule 201 of Regulation SHO. Rule 201(a)(4) states that such
term shall have the same meaning as in Rule 600(b)(42) of Regulation
NMS. 17 CFR 242.201(a)(4); 17 CFR 242.600(b)(42).
\13\ The term ``listing market'' shall have the same meaning as
in Rule 201 of Regulation SHO. Rule 201(a)(3) defines the term
``listing market'' to have the same meaning as the term ``listing
market'' as defined in the effective transaction reporting plan for
the covered security. 17 CFR 242.201(a)(3). See also 17 CFR
242.201(a)(2).
\14\ 17 CFR 242.201(b)(1)(i).
\15\ 17 CFR 242.201(b)(1)(ii). In addition, if the price of a
covered security declines intra-day by at least 10% on a day on
which the security is already subject to the short sale price test
restriction of Rule 201, the restriction will be re-triggered and,
therefore, will continue in effect for the remainder of that day and
the following day. See Rule 201 Adopting Release, 75 FR 11232,
11253, n. 290. Rule 201 does not place any limit on the frequency or
number of times the circuit breaker can be re-triggered with respect
to a particular stock. See T&M FAQs, at Q&A 2.2.
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In order to implement the provisions of Rule 201, the Exchange has
proposed amendments to NYSE Rule 440B to establish the protocols for
determining when a Short Sale Price Test is to be triggered for a
covered security where the NYSE is the listing market. The proposed
Rule 440B amendments also provide that, except for certain permissible
and short exempt orders,\16\ during the period a Short Sale Price Test
is in effect for a covered security, Exchange systems will not execute
or display a short sale order with respect to that security at a price
that is less than or equal to the current national best bid.
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\16\ See paragraphs (f) and (g) of proposed Rule 440B regarding
the treatment of permissible and short exempt orders. See SR-NYSE-
2011-05.
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NYSE Rule 123C prescribes the method for determining the closing
print to be reported to the Consolidated Tape for each security at the
close of trading. Interest executed in the closing transaction is
allocated pursuant to NYSE Rule 72 and consistent with the hierarchy of
allocation of trading interest in Rule 123C(7). In the hierarchy of
allocation, better priced interest \17\ must receive an execution in
whole or in part (``must execute interest'') \18\ in order for the
security to close. Included in this category are MOC orders without
tick restrictions, MOC orders with tick restrictions that are eligible
to be executed at a price better than the closing price,\19\ better
priced limit orders, better priced limit on close (``LOC'') orders with
or without tick restrictions that are eligible for execution at a
better price than the closing price and Crowd interest.\20\
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\17\ Better priced interest means an order that is priced lower
than the closing price (in the case of an order to sell) or priced
higher than the closing price (in the case of an order to buy).
\18\ A market on close (``MOC'') order without tick restrictions
must be executed in its entirety at the closing price. Marketable
limit orders receive an execution subject to the availability of
contra side volume.
\19\ References in Rule 123C(7) to orders with tick restrictions
mean sell ``plus'' or buy ``minus'' orders, as defined in Rule 13.
\20\ Crowd interest means verbal floor broker interest at the
market entered by the designated market maker (``DMM'') to interact
with orders in the Display Book. See note 21 infra.
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After the ``must execute interest'' is satisfied, then any limit
orders represented in the Display Book \21\ at the closing price may be
used to offset the remaining imbalance.\22\ Next eligible for execution
in the hierarchy of allocation for the closing transaction are LOC
orders without tick restrictions limited to the closing price, then MOC
orders that have tick restrictions which limit the order's price to the
price of the

[[Page 12197]]

closing transaction,\23\ followed by LOC orders limited to the price of
the closing transaction that have tick restrictions, ``G'' orders,\24\
and finally closing offset orders.
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\21\ The Display Book system is an order management and
execution facility. The Display Book system receives and displays
orders to the DMM, contains order information, and provides a
mechanism to execute and report transactions and published reports
to the Consolidated Tape. The Display Book system is connected to a
number of other Exchange systems for the purposes of comparison,
surveillance, and reporting information to customers and other
market data and national market systems.
\22\ DMM interest, including better priced DMM interest entered
into the Display Book prior to the closing transaction that is
eligible to participate in the closing transaction is always
included in the hierarchy of execution as if it were interest equal
to the price of the closing transaction.
\23\ For example, the last sale on the Exchange was at a price
of $46.00 on a minus tick, the closing price is $46.01, all sell
plus MOC orders are limited to the closing price of $46.01 because
the closing transaction would be the next plus tick.
\24\ See Section 11(a)(1)(G) of the Act. G orders are orders for
an Exchange member's own account where the member meets a business
mix test that requires it to be primarily engaged in the business of
underwriting and distributing securities, selling securities to
customers, and/or acting as a broker and provided more than 50% of
its gross revenues is derived from such businesses and related
activities. G orders on the NYSE are required to yield priority,
parity and precedence to non-G orders.
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The Exchange proposes to establish the execution priority for short
sale orders at the close during a period when the Short Sale Price Test
is in effect. As provided for in proposed Rule 440B(h)(3), when the
Short Sale Price Test is in effect, Exchange systems will, in
connection with the closing transaction, re-price all short sale market
orders and short sale orders limited to the last published Exchange bid
or lower to one minimum price increment above the last published
Exchange bid. If the closing price will be at or below the last
published Exchange bid, such re-priced short sale orders will not
participate in the close. If the closing price is above the last
published Exchange bid, the re-priced short sale orders may participate
in the closing transaction, depending on whether the proposed closing
price is the same as the re-priced order, or if the re-priced order is
priced better than the closing price. If the re-priced order is priced
better than the closing price, such re-priced short sale order will
participate in the closing transaction.\25\ If the re-priced order is
priced at the same price as the closing price, such re-priced short
sale order plus all other short sale orders limited at that price \26\
may (but are not required to) participate in the closing transaction
consistent with how Rule 123C(7)(b) treats market or limit orders with
tick restrictions.
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\25\ See Rule 123C(7)(a).
\26\ These would include short sale orders that were already
priced above the last published Exchange bid.
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The Exchange therefore proposes to add new Supplementary Material
.20 to Rule 123C providing that short sale orders for a covered
security during a period when a Short Sale Price Test is in effect will
be treated, for purposes of execution at the close under Rule
123C(7)(b), as orders that have tick restrictions.\27\ Thus, short sale
orders that are eligible to participate in the closing transaction and
that are priced at the same price as the closing transaction will be
treated in the same manner as sell ``plus'' and buy ``minus'' tick
restrictive orders priced at the closing price.\28\ As a result, re-
priced short sale orders priced at the closing price will be eligible
for participation at the close following limit orders represented in
the Display Book with a price equal to the closing price and LOC orders
with a price equal to the closing price.
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\27\ The Exchange will not be making any changes in its opening
and re-opening procedures in connection with the implementation of
the short sale price test restrictions of Rule 201. The presence of
short sale price test restrictions will have no impact on the
priority of orders eligible to participate in openings and re-
openings.
\28\ See NYSE Rule 13 (defining Sell ``Plus''-Buy ``Minus''
Orders). A sell ``plus'' order is an order to sell a specified
amount of stock as long as the price of the trade is not lower than
the price of the last sale if the last sale was a plus or zero plus
tick, and is not lower than the last sale plus the minimum change in
the price if the last sale was a minus or zero minus tick. A buy
``minus'' order is an order to buy a specified amount of stock as
long as the price to be executed is not higher than the price of the
last sale if the last sale was a minus or zero minus tick, and is
not higher than the price of the last sale less than the minimum
change in the price of the stock if the last sale was a plus tick or
zero plus tick.
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2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section
6(b) of the Act,\29\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section
6(b)(5) of the Act,\30\ in particular, in that it is designed to, among
other things, 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. The proposal is designed to
implement the provisions of Rule 201 of Regulation SHO by establishing,
maintaining and enforcing written policies and procedures reasonably
designed to prevent the execution or display of a short sale order of a
covered security at the close in violation of the Short Sale Price Test
established in that rule. To that end, the proposed rule change will,
among other things, amend the Exchange's procedures for determining the
closing price by treating short sale orders as orders subject to tick
restrictions during a period when a Short Sale Price Test is in effect.
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\29\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\30\ 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 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

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 Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \31\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\32\
Because the proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the
protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative prior to
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, the proposed rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \33\ and Rule
19b-4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.\34\
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\31\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\32\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\33\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\34\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \35\ normally
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\36\ the Commission
may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the
protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked
the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal
may become operative immediately upon filing. The Commission hereby
grants the request. Waiving the 30-day operative delay will allow the
Exchange to implement the proposed amendments by February 28, 2011,
which, as noted by the Exchange, is the compliance date for amendments
to Regulation SHO under the Act. By waiving the operative delay, the
Exchange will be able to comply with the amendments to Regulation SHO
by February 28, 2011. Therefore, the Commission believes it is
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest to
waive the 30-day operative delay and

[[Page 12198]]

designates the proposal as operative upon filing.\37\
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\35\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\36\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
\37\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission has considered the proposed rule change's impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of such 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-NYSE-2011-06 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-2011-06. 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 20549-1090. Copies of the filing will also
be available for inspection and copying at the NYSE's principal office
and on its Internet Web site at https://www.nyse.com. 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-NYSE-2011-06 and should be
submitted on or before March 25, 2011.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\38\
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\38\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Cathy H. Ahn,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-4894 Filed 3-3-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

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