Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Enhancements to the Exchange's Electronic Trading Platform, 21087-21089 [2011-8973]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 72 / Thursday, April 14, 2011 / Notices
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
offering investors in such securities
greater transparency and choice with
respect to secondary market trading.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its
proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ‘‘Act’’),5 in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,6
in particular, in that it is designed to
prevent fraudulent and manipulative
acts and practices, to promote just and
equitable principles of trade, to remove
impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a free and open market
and a national market system, and, in
general, to protect investors and the
public interest. The Exchange believes
the proposed rule changes are consistent
with these principles in that they seek
to expand the number of Debt Securities
that can be traded on the NYSE, thereby
benefiting investors with increased
transparency and choice with respect to
secondary market trading.
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.
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Within 45 days of the date of
publication of this notice in the Federal
Register or within such longer period (i)
as the Commission may designate up to
90 days of such date if it finds such
longer period to be appropriate and
publishes its reasons for so finding or
(ii) as to which the self-regulatory
organization consents, the Commission
will:
(A) By order approve or disapprove
such proposed rule change, or
(B) Institute proceedings to determine
whether the proposed rule change
should be disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
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–2011–15 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–2011–15. This file
number should be included on the
subject line if e-mail is used. To help the
Commission process and review your
comments more efficiently, please use
only one method. The Commission will
post all comments on the Commission’s
Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
submission, all subsequent
amendments, all written statements
with respect to the proposed rule
change that are filed with the
Commission, and all written
communications relating to the
proposed rule change between the
Commission and any person, other than
those that may be withheld from the
public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official
business days between the hours of 10
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing
also will be available for inspection and
copying at the principal office of the
Exchange. All comments received will
be posted without change; the
Commission does not edit personal
identifying information from
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File No. SR–NYSE–
2011–15 and should be submitted on or
before May 5, 2011.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.7
Cathy H. Ahn,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011–9050 Filed 4–13–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
5 15
6 15
U.S.C. 78f(b).
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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20:32 Apr 13, 2011
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–64275; File No. SR–ISE–
2011–24]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
International Securities Exchange,
LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change Relating to Enhancements to
the Exchange’s Electronic Trading
Platform
April 8, 2011.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on April 7,
2011, the International Securities
Exchange, LLC (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or the
‘‘ISE’’) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’)
the proposed rule change as described
in Items I and II below, which items
have been prepared by the Exchange.
The Exchange has filed the proposal as
a ‘‘non-controversial’’ proposed rule
change pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 3 and Rule
19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.4 The
Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit 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
certain rules to facilitate enhancements
to its electronic options trading system
being implemented as part of the
Optimise platform. The text of the
proposed rule change is available on the
Exchange’s Web site https://
www.ise.com, at the principal office of
the Exchange, 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, 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
self-regulatory organization has
prepared summaries, set forth in
Sections A, B and C below, of the most
significant aspects of such statements.
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
2 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 72 / Thursday, April 14, 2011 / Notices
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
1. Purpose
The Exchange has developed an
enhanced technology trading platform
(the ‘‘Optimise platform’’). To assure a
smooth transition, the Exchange will
migrate option classes from its current
trading system to the Optimise platform
over time (the ‘‘Transition Period’’).5 The
Optimise platform will offer members
the same trading functionality as the
current trading system with some minor
enhancements, several of which were
previously added to the ISE’s rules.6
Additionally, the Exchange previously
adopted rule changes to identify certain
functionality that it anticipated would
be phased-in during the Transition
Period.7 However, since the adoption of
these rule changes, the initial plan for
the launch of the Optimise platform has
changed, and the Optimise platform will
now have most of the current
functionality available during the
Transition Period. The purpose of this
rule filing is to remove language from
the Exchange’s rules indicating that
certain functionality is not available on
the Optimise platform and to identify
additional minor enhancements that
will be included on the Optimise
platform.
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to
delete Supplementary Material .10 to
Rule 716 (Block Trades), Supplementary
Material .03 to Rule 722 (Complex
Orders), and Supplementary Material
.09 to Rule 723 (Price Improvement
Mechanism for Crossing Transactions),
which indicate that the Block Order
Mechanism, Facilitation Mechanism,
Solicited Order Mechanism, Price
Improvement Mechanism and complex
order functionality will not be available
for options traded on the Optimise
platform.8 The Optimise platform will
now include all of this functionality
during the Transition Period.
With the Optimise platform, the
Exchange proposes to add the flexibility
for the Exchange to determine, on a
class basis, whether orders on the
5 Options classes will be transferred from the
current trading platform to the Optimise trading
platform. The same options cannot trade on both
systems at the same time. The Exchange has been
working with its members to assure a smooth
transition to the Optimise trading platform and will
continue to do so up to the launch of the new
technology and during the Transition Period.
6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63117
(October 15, 2010), 75 FR 65042 (October 21, 2010)
(SR–ISE–2010–101).
7 Id.
8 The only functionality that will be phased-in is
related to cabinet trades pursuant to ISE Rule 718.
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complex order book at the same price
are executed in time priority, as they are
currently, or among participants
pursuant to ISE Rule 713(e) and
Supplementary Material .01(a) to ISE
Rule 713(e).9 Under ISE Rule 713(e),
priority customer orders are given
priority over Professional Orders and
market maker quotes at the same price,
which will also be the case on the
complex order book. However, because
there is no obligation for primary market
makers to enter quotes on the complex
order book, primary market makers will
not receive the enhanced participation
rights to which they are entitled in the
regular market.10 The Exchange notes
that this proposed rule change does not
affect the provisions of paragraph (b)(2)
of Rule 722 which limits the execution
of complex orders when there are
Priority Customer orders on the
Exchange for the individual series of a
complex order.
For options traded on the Optimise
platform, the Exchange also proposes to
modify the Price Improvement
Mechanism so that Counter-Side Orders
and Improvement Orders only execute
against the Agency Order that is being
exposed. Currently, when members
respond to an order entered into the
Price Improvement Mechanism, they
may be executed against certain other,
unrelated orders.11 While the Exchange
initially implemented this particular
feature of the Price Improvement
Mechanism to differentiate its service
from those offered by other exchanges
and to potentially attract additional
unrelated order flow to the Exchange,
this feature may discourage market
participants from responding to Agency
Orders. Accordingly, the Exchange
believes that removing this feature
could increase competition for orders
entered into the Price Improvement
Mechanism and thereby result in
additional price improvement for
agency orders.12
Finally, the Exchange notes that
members initially will not be able to
enter reserve orders, nor complex orders
9 Exchanges have previously been given the
ability to choose an allocation methodology on a
class or series basis. See, e.g., CBOE Rule 6.53C.
The Exchange will notify Exchange members
regarding allocation methodology for executions on
the complex order book via circular.
10 Supplementary Material to Rule 713,
paragraphs .01(b) and (c) (enhanced participation
rights for Primary Market Makers).
11 Pursuant to ISE Rule 723(d)(6), when a market
order or marketable limit order on the same side of
the market as the Agency Order ends the exposure
period, it will execute against any unexecuted
interest in the Price Improvement Mechanism after
the Agency Order is executed in full.
12 The Price Improvement Period on the Boston
Options Exchange (‘‘BOX’’) currently contains this
feature. See Chapter 5, Sec. 18(i) of the BOX Rules.
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Frm 00149
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with an all-or-none or minimum
quantity modifier in options classes that
are traded on the Optimise platform.
The Exchange will make these order
types available on the Optimise
platform as promptly as possible within
the first month of the Transition Period,
and assure that members are informed
of the status of these order types.
2. Statutory Basis
The basis under the Act for this
proposed rule change is the requirement
under Section 6(b),13 in general, and
Section 6(b)(5)14 in particular, that an
exchange have rules that are designed to
prevent fraudulent and manipulative
acts and practices, to promote just and
equitable principles of trade, to remove
impediments to and perfect the
mechanism for a free and open market
and a national market system, and, in
general, to protect investors and the
public interest. In particular, the
Exchange believes the Optimise
platform will improve the efficiency and
quality of options executions on the
Exchange. The Exchange further
believes that liquidity on the complex
order book may be enhanced by
executing all interest at the same price
pro-rata based on size (with Priority
Customer priority) as it does in its
regular market. Having the ability to
determine on a class basis whether
orders on the complex order book at the
same price will be executed in time
priority or pro-rata based on size (with
Priority Customer priority) will give the
Exchange greater flexibility to respond
to market needs and enhance its ability
to compete more effectively. Finally, the
Exchange believes that limiting the
availability of Counter-Side Orders and
Improvement Orders to execute only
against the agency order being exposed
in the Price Improvement Mechanism
will encourage greater price competition
with larger size, thereby increasing the
opportunity for such agency order to
receive additional price improvement.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The proposed rule change does not
impose any burden on competition that
is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants or Others
The Exchange has not solicited, and
does not intend to solicit, comments on
this proposed rule change. The
13 15
14 15
E:\FR\FM\14APN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78f(b).
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
14APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 72 / Thursday, April 14, 2011 / Notices
Exchange has not received any
unsolicited written comments from
members or other interested parties.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing proposed rule
change: (1) Does not significantly affect
the protection of investors or the public
interest; (2) does not impose any
significant burden on competition; and
(3) by its terms does not become
operative for 30 days after the date of
this filing, or such shorter time as the
Commission may designate if consistent
with the protection of investors and the
public interest, the proposed rule
change has become effective pursuant to
Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 15 and
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.16
A proposed rule change filed under
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally does not
become operative for 30 days after the
date of filing. However, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6)(iii) permits the Commission to
designate a shorter time if such action
is consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest.
The Exchange requests that the
Commission waive the 30 day period for
this filing to become operative so that it
may become effective and operative
upon filing with the Commission
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
Act and rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder. The
Exchange believes that waiver of the
operative delay period is consistent
with the protection of investors and the
public interest in that it will allow the
Exchange to effect an orderly launch of
the Optimise platform on April 11,
2011. Specifically, the Exchange
previously adopted rule changes to
identify certain existing functionality
that it anticipated would be phase-in
during the Transition Period.17
However, virtually all of that
functionality has been fully tested and
is available for the launch. The
Exchange believes that it will be less
disruptive to members for this existing
functionality to be available on the
Optimise platform at the launch, as the
trading environment will be more
similar to the Exchange’s existing
market. In this respect, the Exchange
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
15 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
16 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-regulatory organization to
provide the Commission with written notice of its
intent to file the proposed rule change, along with
a brief description and text of the proposed rule
change, at least five business days prior to the date
of filing of the proposed rule change, or such
shorter time as designated by the Commission. The
Exchange has fulfilled this requirement.
17 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63117
(October 15, 2010), 75 FR 65042 (October 21, 2010)
(SR–ISE–2010–101).
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notes that it has been conducting
extensive testing with members and that
it will initially trade only ten securities
that have very limited trading volume
on the Optimise platform. The Exchange
will gradually transition additional
securities to the Optimise platform to
assure an orderly implementation of the
new system.
The Commission notes that in October
of 2010, the Exchange filed a proposed
rule change relating to the
functionalities that are the subject of the
current proposal.18 At that time, the
Exchange identified certain
functionalities, including the
functionalities that are the subject of the
current proposal, which will not be
immediately available on the Optimise
platform but would be phased in during
the Transition Period. However, the
Exchange now represents that the
functionalities discussed in this filing
are fully tested and available for launch
on April 11. Allowing the
functionalities to be available on the
Optimise platform at the launch rather
than after a delay should contribute to
a more orderly launch and should
facilitate implementation of Optimise
under the Transition Period
contemplated by the Exchange’s rules.
Further, as stated above, the Exchange
has already noted its intent to later
adopt these functionalities in a previous
proposal. Therefore, Commission
believes that waiving the 30-day
operative delay is appropriate and
consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest 19 and
designates the proposed rule change as
operative upon filing.
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:
18 See
id.
purposes only of waiving the 30-day
operative delay, the Commission has also
considered the proposed rule’s impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
21089
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–ISE–2011–24 on the subject
line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–ISE–2011–24. 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.20 All comments received will
be posted without change; the
Commission does not edit personal
identifying information from
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–ISE–
2011–24 and should be submitted on or
before May 5, 2011.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.21
Cathy H. Ahn,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011–8973 Filed 4–13–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
19 For
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20 The text of the proposed rule change is
available on the Commission’s Web site at https://
www.sec.gov.
21 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 72 (Thursday, April 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21087-21089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8973]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-64275; File No. SR-ISE-2011-24]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange,
LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change Relating to Enhancements to the Exchange's Electronic Trading
Platform
April 8, 2011.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given
that on April 7, 2011, the International Securities Exchange, LLC (the
``Exchange'' or the ``ISE'') filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in
Items I and II below, which items have been prepared by the Exchange.
The Exchange has filed the proposal as a ``non-controversial'' proposed
rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \3\ and
Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\4\ The Commission is publishing this
notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested
persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend certain rules to facilitate
enhancements to its electronic options trading system being implemented
as part of the Optimise platform. The text of the proposed rule change
is available on the Exchange's Web site https://www.ise.com, at the
principal office of the Exchange, 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, 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 self-regulatory organization has prepared summaries,
set forth in Sections A, B and C below, of the most significant aspects
of such statements.
[[Page 21088]]
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange has developed an enhanced technology trading platform
(the ``Optimise platform''). To assure a smooth transition, the
Exchange will migrate option classes from its current trading system to
the Optimise platform over time (the ``Transition Period'').\5\ The
Optimise platform will offer members the same trading functionality as
the current trading system with some minor enhancements, several of
which were previously added to the ISE's rules.\6\ Additionally, the
Exchange previously adopted rule changes to identify certain
functionality that it anticipated would be phased-in during the
Transition Period.\7\ However, since the adoption of these rule
changes, the initial plan for the launch of the Optimise platform has
changed, and the Optimise platform will now have most of the current
functionality available during the Transition Period. The purpose of
this rule filing is to remove language from the Exchange's rules
indicating that certain functionality is not available on the Optimise
platform and to identify additional minor enhancements that will be
included on the Optimise platform.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ Options classes will be transferred from the current trading
platform to the Optimise trading platform. The same options cannot
trade on both systems at the same time. The Exchange has been
working with its members to assure a smooth transition to the
Optimise trading platform and will continue to do so up to the
launch of the new technology and during the Transition Period.
\6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63117 (October 15,
2010), 75 FR 65042 (October 21, 2010) (SR-ISE-2010-101).
\7\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to delete Supplementary
Material .10 to Rule 716 (Block Trades), Supplementary Material .03 to
Rule 722 (Complex Orders), and Supplementary Material .09 to Rule 723
(Price Improvement Mechanism for Crossing Transactions), which indicate
that the Block Order Mechanism, Facilitation Mechanism, Solicited Order
Mechanism, Price Improvement Mechanism and complex order functionality
will not be available for options traded on the Optimise platform.\8\
The Optimise platform will now include all of this functionality during
the Transition Period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ The only functionality that will be phased-in is related to
cabinet trades pursuant to ISE Rule 718.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the Optimise platform, the Exchange proposes to add the
flexibility for the Exchange to determine, on a class basis, whether
orders on the complex order book at the same price are executed in time
priority, as they are currently, or among participants pursuant to ISE
Rule 713(e) and Supplementary Material .01(a) to ISE Rule 713(e).\9\
Under ISE Rule 713(e), priority customer orders are given priority over
Professional Orders and market maker quotes at the same price, which
will also be the case on the complex order book. However, because there
is no obligation for primary market makers to enter quotes on the
complex order book, primary market makers will not receive the enhanced
participation rights to which they are entitled in the regular
market.\10\ The Exchange notes that this proposed rule change does not
affect the provisions of paragraph (b)(2) of Rule 722 which limits the
execution of complex orders when there are Priority Customer orders on
the Exchange for the individual series of a complex order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ Exchanges have previously been given the ability to choose
an allocation methodology on a class or series basis. See, e.g.,
CBOE Rule 6.53C. The Exchange will notify Exchange members regarding
allocation methodology for executions on the complex order book via
circular.
\10\ Supplementary Material to Rule 713, paragraphs .01(b) and
(c) (enhanced participation rights for Primary Market Makers).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For options traded on the Optimise platform, the Exchange also
proposes to modify the Price Improvement Mechanism so that Counter-Side
Orders and Improvement Orders only execute against the Agency Order
that is being exposed. Currently, when members respond to an order
entered into the Price Improvement Mechanism, they may be executed
against certain other, unrelated orders.\11\ While the Exchange
initially implemented this particular feature of the Price Improvement
Mechanism to differentiate its service from those offered by other
exchanges and to potentially attract additional unrelated order flow to
the Exchange, this feature may discourage market participants from
responding to Agency Orders. Accordingly, the Exchange believes that
removing this feature could increase competition for orders entered
into the Price Improvement Mechanism and thereby result in additional
price improvement for agency orders.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ Pursuant to ISE Rule 723(d)(6), when a market order or
marketable limit order on the same side of the market as the Agency
Order ends the exposure period, it will execute against any
unexecuted interest in the Price Improvement Mechanism after the
Agency Order is executed in full.
\12\ The Price Improvement Period on the Boston Options Exchange
(``BOX'') currently contains this feature. See Chapter 5, Sec. 18(i)
of the BOX Rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, the Exchange notes that members initially will not be able
to enter reserve orders, nor complex orders with an all-or-none or
minimum quantity modifier in options classes that are traded on the
Optimise platform. The Exchange will make these order types available
on the Optimise platform as promptly as possible within the first month
of the Transition Period, and assure that members are informed of the
status of these order types.
2. Statutory Basis
The basis under the Act for this proposed rule change is the
requirement under Section 6(b),\13\ in general, and Section 6(b)(5)\14\
in particular, that an exchange have rules that are designed to prevent
fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and
equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the
mechanism for a free and open market and a national market system, and,
in general, to protect investors and the public interest. In
particular, the Exchange believes the Optimise platform will improve
the efficiency and quality of options executions on the Exchange. The
Exchange further believes that liquidity on the complex order book may
be enhanced by executing all interest at the same price pro-rata based
on size (with Priority Customer priority) as it does in its regular
market. Having the ability to determine on a class basis whether orders
on the complex order book at the same price will be executed in time
priority or pro-rata based on size (with Priority Customer priority)
will give the Exchange greater flexibility to respond to market needs
and enhance its ability to compete more effectively. Finally, the
Exchange believes that limiting the availability of Counter-Side Orders
and Improvement Orders to execute only against the agency order being
exposed in the Price Improvement Mechanism will encourage greater price
competition with larger size, thereby increasing the opportunity for
such agency order to receive additional price improvement.
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\13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The proposed rule change does not impose any burden on competition
that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of
the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others
The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit,
comments on this proposed rule change. The
[[Page 21089]]
Exchange has not received any unsolicited written comments from members
or other interested parties.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing proposed rule change: (1) Does not
significantly affect the protection of investors or the public
interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition;
and (3) by its terms does not become operative for 30 days after the
date of this filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may
designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public
interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to
Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \15\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
thereunder.\16\
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\15\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\16\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii)
requires a self-regulatory organization to provide the Commission
with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change,
along with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change,
at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the
proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the
Commission. The Exchange has fulfilled this requirement.
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A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does
not become operative for 30 days after the date of filing. However,
Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) permits the Commission to designate a shorter
time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and
the public interest.
The Exchange requests that the Commission waive the 30 day period
for this filing to become operative so that it may become effective and
operative upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder. The Exchange
believes that waiver of the operative delay period is consistent with
the protection of investors and the public interest in that it will
allow the Exchange to effect an orderly launch of the Optimise platform
on April 11, 2011. Specifically, the Exchange previously adopted rule
changes to identify certain existing functionality that it anticipated
would be phase-in during the Transition Period.\17\ However, virtually
all of that functionality has been fully tested and is available for
the launch. The Exchange believes that it will be less disruptive to
members for this existing functionality to be available on the Optimise
platform at the launch, as the trading environment will be more similar
to the Exchange's existing market. In this respect, the Exchange notes
that it has been conducting extensive testing with members and that it
will initially trade only ten securities that have very limited trading
volume on the Optimise platform. The Exchange will gradually transition
additional securities to the Optimise platform to assure an orderly
implementation of the new system.
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\17\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63117 (October 15,
2010), 75 FR 65042 (October 21, 2010) (SR-ISE-2010-101).
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The Commission notes that in October of 2010, the Exchange filed a
proposed rule change relating to the functionalities that are the
subject of the current proposal.\18\ At that time, the Exchange
identified certain functionalities, including the functionalities that
are the subject of the current proposal, which will not be immediately
available on the Optimise platform but would be phased in during the
Transition Period. However, the Exchange now represents that the
functionalities discussed in this filing are fully tested and available
for launch on April 11. Allowing the functionalities to be available on
the Optimise platform at the launch rather than after a delay should
contribute to a more orderly launch and should facilitate
implementation of Optimise under the Transition Period contemplated by
the Exchange's rules. Further, as stated above, the Exchange has
already noted its intent to later adopt these functionalities in a
previous proposal. Therefore, Commission believes that waiving the 30-
day operative delay is appropriate and consistent with the protection
of investors and the public interest \19\ and designates the proposed
rule change as operative upon filing.
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\18\ See id.
\19\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission has also considered the proposed rule's impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C.
78c(f).
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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-ISE-2011-24 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-ISE-2011-24. 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.\20\ All
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File Number SR-ISE-2011-24 and should be
submitted on or before May 5, 2011.
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\20\ The text of the proposed rule change is available on the
Commission's Web site at https://www.sec.gov.
\21\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\21\
Cathy H. Ahn,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-8973 Filed 4-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P