Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC Relating to Inactive Nominees, 28260-28262 [2011-11898]
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28260
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 94 / Monday, May 16, 2011 / Notices
The Commission finds that the
proposed modification to the
dissemination of the final Order
Imbalance Indicator is consistent with
the Act. Currently, any time an
imbalance remains just prior to the
opening cross, the Exchange
disseminates one last Order Imbalance
Indicator. The Exchange proposes to
disseminate that final Order Imbalance
Indicator only when the imbalance
contains routable trading interest that is
marketable against the NBBO. After the
opening cross is executed, any nonroutable interest that is not cancelled
will be posted. As such, dissemination
of this interest will be broadcast via the
consolidated quote. The effect of this
change is that the Exchange will not
disseminate the very last Order
Imbalance Indicator that it would
otherwise have disseminated right
before the opening cross when the
imbalance only contains non-routable
interest. While this change could have
the effect of reducing the last message
on imbalances that the Exchange
currently sends immediately before the
opening cross, it also mitigates message
traffic for orders that the Exchange
expects would post immediately
thereafter. The Commission believes
this change will not adversely affect
transparency with respect to imbalance
information immediately prior to the
opening cross.
The Commission finds that the
proposed establishment of an opening
cross following a trading halt is
consistent with the Act. The Exchange
believes that conducting an opening
cross will provide a more orderly
opening of the market after a halt,
particularly to the extent that NOM
attracts higher levels of liquidity than it
did previously.36 The Commission notes
that the halt cross will operate in the
same manner as the opening cross. It is
also consistent with the use of an
opening cross following a trading halt
on NASDAQ’s equities platform.37 The
Commission notes that similar auctions
are used by other options markets
following a trading halt.38 The
Commission believes that the adoption
of a halt cross is designed to provide for
36 See
id. at 18591.
NASDAQ Rule 4753.
38 See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No.
54238 (July 28, 2006), 71 FR 44758, 44762 (August
7, 2006) (SR–NYSEArca–2006–13) (approving the
OX Trading Platform, including trading auctions
following halts, for NYSE Arca, Inc. (‘‘NYSE Arca’’));
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59472
(February 27, 2009), 74 FR 9843, 9851 (March 6,
2009) (SR–NYSEALTR–2008–14) (finding that
NYSE Alternext US LLC’s (now NYSE Amex LLC)
rules on trading auctions and procedures for trading
halts are closely modeled on the rules of NYSE Arca
and consistent with the Act).
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37 See
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a fair and orderly re-opening of the
market and contribute to the quality of
executions following a trading halt.
IV. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,39 that the
proposed rule change (SR–NASDAQ–
2011–037) be, and hereby is, approved.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.40
Cathy H. Ahn,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011–11919 Filed 5–13–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–64451; File No. SR–Phlx–
2011–59]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness
of Proposed Rule Change by NASDAQ
OMX PHLX LLC Relating to Inactive
Nominees
May 10, 2011.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that, on May 3,
2011, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’
or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I, II, and
III below, which Items have been
prepared by the Exchange. 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 codify its
existing procedures to designate an
Inactive Nominee as an effective permit
holder and make other non-substantive
clarifying changes to the text of Rule
925 titled ‘‘Inactive Nominees.’’ 3
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
3 The term ‘‘inactive nominee’’ means a natural
person associated with and designated as such by
a member organization and who has been approved
for such status and is registered as such with the
Membership Department. An Inactive Nominee
shall have no rights or privileges under a permit
unless and until said Inactive Nominee becomes
admitted as a member of the Exchange pursuant to
the By-Laws and Rules of the Exchange. An Inactive
Nominee merely stands ready to exercise rights
under a permit upon notice by the member
organization to the Membership Department on an
expedited basis. See Exchange Rule 1(i) [sic].
The Exchange is also proposing to
amend certain typographical errors in
Exchange Rules 1 and 124 and By-Law
Article II.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available on the Exchange’s Web site
at https://nasdaqtrader.com/
micro.aspx?id=PHLXfilings, at the
principal office of the Exchange, at the
Commission’s Public Reference Room,
and on the Commission’s Web site at
https://www.sec.gov.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, the
Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for
the proposed rule change and discussed
any comments it received on the
proposed rule change. The text of these
statements may be examined at the
places specified in Item IV below. The
Exchange has prepared summaries, set
forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
the most significant aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
The purpose of the proposed rule
change is to codify the Exchange’s
existing procedures for designating an
Inactive Nominee as an effective permit
holder. Additionally, the Exchange is
proposing to amend the text of Rule 925
to delete irrelevant and repetitive rule
language.
Rule 925 titled ‘‘Inactive Nominees’’
states that a member organization may
designate an individual as an ‘‘Inactive
Nominee’’ and shall pay for the privilege
of maintaining that status.4 Further, to
be eligible as an Inactive Nominee, an
individual must be approved as eligible
to hold a permit in accordance with the
Exchange’s By-Laws and Rules.
Pursuant to Rule 925, an Inactive
Nominee does not have any rights or
39 15
40 17
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4 The Exchange assesses an Inactive Nominee Fee
of $500 for every six months and a monthly Trading
Floor Personnel Registration Fee of $100 on Inactive
Nominees. See the Exchange’s Fee Schedule. An
Inactive Nominee is also assessed the Application
and Initiation Fees when such person applies to be
an Inactive Nominee. Such fees are reassessed if
there is a lapse in the Inactive Nominee’s
membership status. However, an Inactive Nominee
would not be assessed the Application and
Initiation Fees if such Inactive Nominee applied for
membership without a lapse in that individual’s
association with a particular member organization.
See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64010
(March 2, 2011), 76 FR 12780 (March 8, 2011) (SR–
Phlx–2011–26).
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privileges of a permit holder unless and
until the Inactive Nominee becomes an
effective permit holder and all
applicable Exchange fees are paid.5
The Exchange proposes to add
additional language to Rule 925 to
codify the existing practice of notifying
the Membership Department when a
member organization desires to
designate an Inactive Nominee as an
effective permit holder. The Exchange is
proposing to add language to state that
the member organization is required to
notify the member organization of its
desire to designate an Inactive Nominee
as an effective permit holder in writing
and prior to the opening of trading on
any business day.6 Further, the member
organization must identify the name of
the permit holder that the Inactive
Nominee will be acting on behalf of as
well as the expected duration that such
Inactive Nominee will remain activated.
This practice of notifying the
Membership Department of the Inactive
Nominee designation exists today.
Members were previously notified that
the Exchange required notice prior to
such a designation.7 The Exchange
desires to codify this practice in its
Rules.
Additionally, the Exchange is
proposing to add a statement that an
Inactive Nominee shall meet all
membership requirements including
examinations administered by the
Exchange to clarify a requirement that
was included in the original Inactive
Nominee rule filing which was
approved by the Commission.8 Finally,
the Exchange is proposing additional
non-substantive amendments to the text
of Rule 925 to remove irrelevant and
repetitive language.
The Exchange recently filed a rule
change, to among other things, amend
5 The Inactive Nominee allows a member to have
additional flexibility in obtaining coverage on the
trading floor. An Inactive Nominee stands ready to
assume a membership upon notice by the member
requesting that a specific permit be transferred
intra-firm on an expedited and temporary basis.
This transfer allows an Inactive Nominee to become
an effective member of the Exchange. By way of
example, an Inactive Nominee would be activated
in the event of an emergency due to illness or other
factors. This would allow a member organization to
have a full staff available to conduct business on the
Exchange trading floor.
6 This requirement is noted in the original rule
change which established the Inactive Nominee, but
the language was not carried over to the rule text.
See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 39851
(April 10, 1998), 63 FR 19282 (April 17, 1998) (SR–
Phlx–97–35).
7 See Exchange Memorandum number 1701–02.
8 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 39851
(April 10, 1998), 63 FR 19282 (April 17, 1998) (SR–
Phlx–97–35) (a rule change which subjected
Inactive Nominees to the membership application
process, including fees, including a fee for the
privilege of maintaining an inactive nominee
status).
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15:14 May 13, 2011
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several Exchange Rules.9 Among those
Rules, the Exchange amended Rule 124
and inadvertently removed the word
‘‘Options’’ before the term ‘‘Exchange
Official.’’ The Exchange is proposing to
add the word ‘‘Options’’ in two places in
Rule 124 to conform to the remainder of
the Rule.10 Additionally, the Exchange
inadvertently capitalized the word
‘‘Rule’’ in Exchange Rule 1(aa) titled
‘‘Protected Bid, Offer or Quotation.’’ The
word ‘‘Rule’’ in that definition refers to
rules of Regulation NMS and not the
Exchange’s Rules and therefore that
term should be lowercase.
Finally, the Exchange proposes to
correct one typographical error in the
Exchange’s By-Laws. By-Law Article II,
Section 2–3, titled ‘‘Filling of Vacancies’’
states that in the event of a board
vacancy, specifically a Member
Representative Director position, the
Member shall elect a Person from a list
of candidates prepared by the Member
Nominating Committee to fill such
vacancy.11 The Exchange mirrored the
language of the NASDAQ Stock Market
LLC’s By-Laws in adopting this
language. The term ‘‘Member’’ was
intended to refer to the limited liability
company Member, not an Exchange
member. The Exchange desires to
change the word ‘‘Member’’ to
‘‘Stockholder’’ in order to properly
reflect the intent of the provision and
correspond to the Exchange’s Limited
Liability Company Agreement.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its
proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)
of the Act 12 in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 13
in particular, in that it is designed 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, by
codifying procedures to designate
9 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64338
(April 25, 2011), 76 FR 12180 (March 4, 2011) [sic]
(SR–Phlx–2011–13).
10 The term ‘‘Options Exchange Official’’ is
defined in Rule 1(w).
11 The entire provision of Article II, Section 2–3
is as follows: ‘‘[i]f a Member Representative Director
position shall become vacant prior to the expiration
of such person’s term, or if an increase in the size
of the Board results in the creation of a new
Member Representative Director position, the
Member shall elect a Person from a list of
candidates prepared by the Member Nominating
Committee to fill such vacancy, except that if the
remaining term of office for the vacant Director
position is less than six months, no replacement
shall be required.’’
12 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
13 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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28261
Inactive Nominees as effective permit
holders within its Rules.
The Exchange believes that providing
member organizations information
related to the eligibility and
requirements of Inactive Nominees
within Rule 925 further clarifies the
member organization’s obligations with
respect to the designation of Inactive
Nominees as effective permit holders.
Finally, the Exchange believes that
the proposed amendments to correct
typographical errors would further
clarify the Exchange’s Rules.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will impose
any burden on competition not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were either
solicited or received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
Act 14 and Rule 19b–4(f)(1) 15
thereunder, the Exchange has
designated this proposal as one that
constitutes a stated policy, practice or
interpretation with respect to the
meaning, administration, or
enforcement of an existing rule of the
SRO, and therefore has become
effective.
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of the proposed rule change, the
Commission summarily may
temporarily suspend such rule change if
it appears to the Commission that such
action is necessary or appropriate in the
public interest, for the protection of
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
the purposes of the Act. If the
Commission takes such action, the
Commission shall institute proceedings
to determine whether the proposed rule
should be approved or disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
14 15
15 17
E:\FR\FM\16MYN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(1).
16MYN1
28262
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 94 / Monday, May 16, 2011 / 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–Phlx–2011–59 on the
subject line.
Paper Comments
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• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–64440; File No. SR–
NASDAQ–2011–061]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
Proposed Rule Change To Modify Fees
for Non Co-Location Services
May 9, 2011.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on April 28,
All submissions should refer to File
2011, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Number SR–Phlx–2011–59. This file
(‘‘NASDAQ’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with
number should be included on the
the Securities and Exchange
subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the
Commission process and review your
proposed rule change as described in
comments more efficiently, please use
Items I, II, and III below, which Items
only one method. The Commission will have been prepared by the Exchange.
post all comments on the Commission’s The Commission is publishing this
Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
notice to solicit comments on the
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
proposed rule change from interested
submission, all subsequent
persons.
amendments, all written statements
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
with respect to the proposed rule
Statement of the Terms of the Substance
change that are filed with the
of the Proposed Rule Change
Commission, and all written
communications relating to the
The Exchange proposes to modify fees
proposed rule change between the
Commission and any person, other than for non co-location services. While
changes to the Fee Schedule pursuant to
those that may be withheld from the
this proposal are effective upon filing,
public in accordance with the
the Exchange has designated these
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
changes to be operative on May 1, 2011.
available for Web site viewing and
The text of the proposed rule change is
printing in the Commission’s Public
available at https://
Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE.,
nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com/, at the
Washington, DC 20549, on official
Exchange’s principal office, and at the
business days between the hours of
Commission’s Public Reference Room.
10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing
also will be available for inspection and II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
copying at the principal office of the
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Exchange. All comments received will
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
be posted without change; the
Change
Commission does not edit personal
In its filing with the Commission, the
identifying information from
Exchange included statements
submissions. You should submit only
concerning the purpose of and basis for
information that you wish to make
the proposed rule change and discussed
available publicly. All submissions
any comments it received on the
should refer to File Number SR–Phlx–
2011–59 and should be submitted on or proposed rule change. The text of these
statements may be examined at the
before June 6, 2011.
places specified in Item IV below. The
For the Commission, by the Division of
Exchange has prepared summaries, set
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of
authority.16
the most significant aspects of such
Cathy H. Ahn,
statements.
Deputy Secretary.
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
1 15
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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15:14 May 13, 2011
2 17
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PO 00000
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
Frm 00054
Fmt 4703
1. Purpose
The Exchange is amending Rule 7051
entitled ‘‘Direct Connectivity to Nasdaq’’
to establish pricing for customers who
are not co-located in NASDAQ’s data
center, but require shared cabinet space
and power for optional routers,
switches, or modems to support their
direct circuit connections. The
Exchange proposes to assess customers
who are not co-located in NASDAQ’s
data center monthly fees for space based
on a height unit of approximately two
inches high, commonly call a ‘‘U’’ space
and a maximum power of 125 Watts per
U space.
Currently, non co-located customers
are assessed fees for direct circuit
connection to NASDAQ, as well as
installation of an optional on-site cable
router.3 However, there is no charge to
non co-located customers for the space
and utility cost to maintain the optional
router. As more and more non colocated customers seek to utilize the
optional router, the Exchange must
utilize more space and utilities to
accommodate the influx. It has become
a necessity for NASDAQ to offset the
space and utility cost to maintain the
optional router in the same manner as
has been established for co-located
customers. Additionally, the optional
router may include other networks
devices (e.g., switches or modems) to
operate the customer’s business.
While co-located customers are
assessed the same per U fee, the colocated customers are assessed in
increments of a 4U Block at $600 per
month. The Exchange seeks to establish
and make transparent the fees imposed
for space and utility costs to non colocated customers.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,4
in general, and with Section 6(b)(4) of
the Act,5 in particular, in that it
provides for the equitable allocation of
reasonable dues, fees and other charges
among members and issuers and other
persons using any facility or system
which the Exchange operates or
controls. The Exchange believes the
3 See NASDAQ Rule 7051, Direct Connectivity to
Nasdaq, Release No. 62663 (August 9, 2010), 75 FR
49543 (August 13, 2010) (SR–NASDAQ–2010–77)
[sic].
4 15 U.S.C. 78f.
5 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
[FR Doc. 2011–11898 Filed 5–13–11; 8:45 am]
16 17
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 94 (Monday, May 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28260-28262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11898]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-64451; File No. SR-Phlx-2011-59]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC Relating
to Inactive Nominees
May 10, 2011.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given
that, on May 3, 2011, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (``Phlx'' or ``Exchange'')
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the
proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which
Items have been prepared by the Exchange. 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to codify its existing procedures to
designate an Inactive Nominee as an effective permit holder and make
other non-substantive clarifying changes to the text of Rule 925 titled
``Inactive Nominees.'' \3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The term ``inactive nominee'' means a natural person
associated with and designated as such by a member organization and
who has been approved for such status and is registered as such with
the Membership Department. An Inactive Nominee shall have no rights
or privileges under a permit unless and until said Inactive Nominee
becomes admitted as a member of the Exchange pursuant to the By-Laws
and Rules of the Exchange. An Inactive Nominee merely stands ready
to exercise rights under a permit upon notice by the member
organization to the Membership Department on an expedited basis. See
Exchange Rule 1(i) [sic].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange is also proposing to amend certain typographical
errors in Exchange Rules 1 and 124 and By-Law Article II.
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's
Web site at https://nasdaqtrader.com/micro.aspx?id=PHLXfilings, at the
principal office of the Exchange, at the Commission's Public Reference
Room, and on the Commission's Web site at https://www.sec.gov.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The purpose of the proposed rule change is to codify the Exchange's
existing procedures for designating an Inactive Nominee as an effective
permit holder. Additionally, the Exchange is proposing to amend the
text of Rule 925 to delete irrelevant and repetitive rule language.
Rule 925 titled ``Inactive Nominees'' states that a member
organization may designate an individual as an ``Inactive Nominee'' and
shall pay for the privilege of maintaining that status.\4\ Further, to
be eligible as an Inactive Nominee, an individual must be approved as
eligible to hold a permit in accordance with the Exchange's By-Laws and
Rules. Pursuant to Rule 925, an Inactive Nominee does not have any
rights or
[[Page 28261]]
privileges of a permit holder unless and until the Inactive Nominee
becomes an effective permit holder and all applicable Exchange fees are
paid.\5\
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\4\ The Exchange assesses an Inactive Nominee Fee of $500 for
every six months and a monthly Trading Floor Personnel Registration
Fee of $100 on Inactive Nominees. See the Exchange's Fee Schedule.
An Inactive Nominee is also assessed the Application and Initiation
Fees when such person applies to be an Inactive Nominee. Such fees
are reassessed if there is a lapse in the Inactive Nominee's
membership status. However, an Inactive Nominee would not be
assessed the Application and Initiation Fees if such Inactive
Nominee applied for membership without a lapse in that individual's
association with a particular member organization. See Securities
Exchange Act Release No. 64010 (March 2, 2011), 76 FR 12780 (March
8, 2011) (SR-Phlx-2011-26).
\5\ The Inactive Nominee allows a member to have additional
flexibility in obtaining coverage on the trading floor. An Inactive
Nominee stands ready to assume a membership upon notice by the
member requesting that a specific permit be transferred intra-firm
on an expedited and temporary basis. This transfer allows an
Inactive Nominee to become an effective member of the Exchange. By
way of example, an Inactive Nominee would be activated in the event
of an emergency due to illness or other factors. This would allow a
member organization to have a full staff available to conduct
business on the Exchange trading floor.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange proposes to add additional language to Rule 925 to
codify the existing practice of notifying the Membership Department
when a member organization desires to designate an Inactive Nominee as
an effective permit holder. The Exchange is proposing to add language
to state that the member organization is required to notify the member
organization of its desire to designate an Inactive Nominee as an
effective permit holder in writing and prior to the opening of trading
on any business day.\6\ Further, the member organization must identify
the name of the permit holder that the Inactive Nominee will be acting
on behalf of as well as the expected duration that such Inactive
Nominee will remain activated. This practice of notifying the
Membership Department of the Inactive Nominee designation exists today.
Members were previously notified that the Exchange required notice
prior to such a designation.\7\ The Exchange desires to codify this
practice in its Rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ This requirement is noted in the original rule change which
established the Inactive Nominee, but the language was not carried
over to the rule text. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 39851
(April 10, 1998), 63 FR 19282 (April 17, 1998) (SR-Phlx-97-35).
\7\ See Exchange Memorandum number 1701-02.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additionally, the Exchange is proposing to add a statement that an
Inactive Nominee shall meet all membership requirements including
examinations administered by the Exchange to clarify a requirement that
was included in the original Inactive Nominee rule filing which was
approved by the Commission.\8\ Finally, the Exchange is proposing
additional non-substantive amendments to the text of Rule 925 to remove
irrelevant and repetitive language.
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\8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 39851 (April 10,
1998), 63 FR 19282 (April 17, 1998) (SR-Phlx-97-35) (a rule change
which subjected Inactive Nominees to the membership application
process, including fees, including a fee for the privilege of
maintaining an inactive nominee status).
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The Exchange recently filed a rule change, to among other things,
amend several Exchange Rules.\9\ Among those Rules, the Exchange
amended Rule 124 and inadvertently removed the word ``Options'' before
the term ``Exchange Official.'' The Exchange is proposing to add the
word ``Options'' in two places in Rule 124 to conform to the remainder
of the Rule.\10\ Additionally, the Exchange inadvertently capitalized
the word ``Rule'' in Exchange Rule 1(aa) titled ``Protected Bid, Offer
or Quotation.'' The word ``Rule'' in that definition refers to rules of
Regulation NMS and not the Exchange's Rules and therefore that term
should be lowercase.
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\9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64338 (April 25,
2011), 76 FR 12180 (March 4, 2011) [sic] (SR-Phlx-2011-13).
\10\ The term ``Options Exchange Official'' is defined in Rule
1(w).
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Finally, the Exchange proposes to correct one typographical error
in the Exchange's By-Laws. By-Law Article II, Section 2-3, titled
``Filling of Vacancies'' states that in the event of a board vacancy,
specifically a Member Representative Director position, the Member
shall elect a Person from a list of candidates prepared by the Member
Nominating Committee to fill such vacancy.\11\ The Exchange mirrored
the language of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC's By-Laws in adopting this
language. The term ``Member'' was intended to refer to the limited
liability company Member, not an Exchange member. The Exchange desires
to change the word ``Member'' to ``Stockholder'' in order to properly
reflect the intent of the provision and correspond to the Exchange's
Limited Liability Company Agreement.
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\11\ The entire provision of Article II, Section 2-3 is as
follows: ``[i]f a Member Representative Director position shall
become vacant prior to the expiration of such person's term, or if
an increase in the size of the Board results in the creation of a
new Member Representative Director position, the Member shall elect
a Person from a list of candidates prepared by the Member Nominating
Committee to fill such vacancy, except that if the remaining term of
office for the vacant Director position is less than six months, no
replacement shall be required.''
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2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section
6(b) of the Act \12\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section
6(b)(5) of the Act \13\ in particular, in that it is designed 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, by codifying procedures to designate Inactive Nominees as
effective permit holders within its Rules.
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\12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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The Exchange believes that providing member organizations
information related to the eligibility and requirements of Inactive
Nominees within Rule 925 further clarifies the member organization's
obligations with respect to the designation of Inactive Nominees as
effective permit holders.
Finally, the Exchange believes that the proposed amendments to
correct typographical errors would further clarify the Exchange's
Rules.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were either solicited or received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \14\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(1) \15\ thereunder, the Exchange has designated this proposal as
one that constitutes a stated policy, practice or interpretation with
respect to the meaning, administration, or enforcement of an existing
rule of the SRO, and therefore has become effective.
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\14\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\15\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(1).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to
determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
[[Page 28262]]
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-Phlx-2011-59 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-2011-59. 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 available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2011-59 and should be
submitted on or before June 6, 2011.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\16\
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\16\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Cathy H. Ahn,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-11898 Filed 5-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P