Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Modify Rule 7027 of the NASDAQ Pricing Schedule, 43364-43366 [2011-18219]
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43364
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 139 / Wednesday, July 20, 2011 / Notices
members and issuers and other persons
using any facility or system which BX
operates or controls. All similarly
situated members are subject to the
same fee structure, and access to BX is
offered on fair and non-discriminatory
terms. The addition of rule language
stipulating that the timing for
recognition of requests for aggregation is
reasonable because it establishes a
standard for implementation of such
requests that is easy to administer and
that reflects the need for BX to review
and approve aggregation requests while
avoiding the complexities associated
with proration of the bills of members
that affiliate during the course of a
month. The provision is equitable
because all members seeking to
aggregate their activity are subject to the
same parameters, in accordance with a
commonsense standard that recognizes
an affiliation as of the month’s
beginning closes in time to when the
affiliation occurs, provided the members
submit a timely filing.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
BX does not believe that the proposed
rule change will result in any burden on
competition that is not necessary or
appropriate in furtherance of the
purposes of the Act, as amended.
Because the market for order execution
and routing is extremely competitive,
members may readily opt to disfavor
BX’s execution services if they believe
that alternatives offer them better value.
BX does not believe that the proposed
changes will impair the ability of
members or competing order execution
venues to maintain their competitive
standing in the financial markets.
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
Written comments were neither
solicited nor received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act.7 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
7 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(a)(i).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:29 Jul 19, 2011
Jkt 223001
takes such action, the Commission shall
institute proceedings to determine
whether the proposed rule should be
approved or disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.8
Cathy H. Ahn,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011–18220 Filed 7–19–11; 8:45 am]
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–BX–2011–042 on the
subject line.
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–64885; File No. SR–
NASDAQ–2011–093]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
Proposed Rule Change To Modify Rule
7027 of the NASDAQ Pricing Schedule
July 14, 2011.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Paper Comments
(‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that, on July 1,
• Send paper comments in triplicate
2011, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
(the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NASDAQ’’) filed
Securities and Exchange Commission,
with the Securities and Exchange
100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC
Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the
20549–1090.
proposed rule change as described in
All submissions should refer to File
Items I, II, and III, below, which Items
Number SR–BX–2011–042. This file
have been prepared by NASDAQ. The
number should be included on the
subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
Commission process and review your
change from interested persons.
comments more efficiently, please use
only one method. The Commission will I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
post all comments on the Commission’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of
Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
the Proposed Rule Change
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
NASDAQ proposes to modify Rule
submission, all subsequent
7027 of its pricing schedule. NASDAQ
amendments, all written statements
will implement the proposed change
with respect to the proposed rule
immediately upon filing. The text of the
change that are filed with the
proposed rule change is available from
Commission, and all written
NASDAQ’s Web site at https://
communications relating to the
nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at
proposed rule change between the
Commission and any person, other than NASDAQ’s principal office, at the
Commission’s Public Reference Room,
those that may be withheld from the
and at the Commission’s Web site at
public in accordance with the
https://www.sec.gov.
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for Web site viewing and
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
printing in the Commission’s Public
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE.,
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Washington, DC 20549, on official
Change
business days between the hours of
In its filing with the Commission,
10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing
NASDAQ included statements
also will be available for inspection and
concerning the purpose of and basis for
copying at the principal office of the
the proposed rule change and discussed
Exchange. All comments received will
any comments it received on the
be posted without change; the
proposed rule change. The text of these
Commission does not edit personal
statements may be examined at the
identifying information from
places specified in Item IV below.
submissions. You should submit only
NASDAQ has prepared summaries, set
information that you wish to make
forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–BX–
8 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
2011–042 and should be submitted on
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
or before August 10, 2011.
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
PO 00000
Frm 00112
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\20JYN1.SGM
20JYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 139 / Wednesday, July 20, 2011 / Notices
the most significant aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
1. Purpose
NASDAQ is amending Rule 7027,
which allows affiliated members to
aggregate their activity under certain
provisions of NASDAQ’s fee schedule
that make fees dependent upon the
volume of their activity. For example,
various provisions of Rule 7018 contain
pricing tiers, under which the fees
charged to, or rebates received by,
members are dependent upon their
share volumes. Affiliated members that
might not qualify for a favorable pricing
tier by themselves may be able to
qualify by aggregating their activity.
Under the rule, a member may request
that NASDAQ aggregate its activity with
the activity of its affiliates. A member
requesting aggregation of affiliate
activity is required to certify to
NASDAQ the affiliate status of entities
whose activity it seeks to aggregate, and
is required to inform NASDAQ
immediately of any event that causes an
entity to cease to be an affiliate. In
contrast with the common definition of
affiliate, which identifies one entity as
an affiliate of another if it controls it, is
controlled by it, or is under common
control with it, Rule 7027 requires that
one affiliated member own 100% of the
voting interests in the other, or that they
are both under the common control of
a parent that owns 100% of each.
NASDAQ conducts a review of
information regarding the entities, and
reserves the right to request additional
information to verify the affiliate status
of an entity. NASDAQ then approves a
request unless it determines that the
member’s certification is not accurate.3
Although NASDAQ is not changing the
process for review and approval, it has
determined that it would promote the
clarity of the rule to add text describing
this process.
Because NASDAQ’s bills are prepared
on a monthly basis, recognizing an
affiliation in the middle of a month
would require NASDAQ to engage in a
complex proration of members’ bills.
Accordingly, it has been NASDAQ’s
practice to recognize an affiliation
request either at the beginning of the
month in which the affiliation occurs or
3 In the event of an inaccurate certification,
NASDAQ would refer the matter to its regulatory
services provider, the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (‘‘FINRA’’), to investigate whether the
member had violated NASDAQ rules and to take
appropriate disciplinary action.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:29 Jul 19, 2011
Jkt 223001
at the beginning of the following month.
NASDAQ believes, however, that the
clarity of the rule would be enhanced by
adopting a stated policy with respect to
the timing of recognition of aggregation
requests. Accordingly, NASDAQ is
amending the rule by adding a new
paragraph (a)(2). The paragraph
stipulates that if two or more members
become affiliated on or prior to the
sixteenth day of a month, and submit a
request for aggregation on or prior to the
twenty-second day of the month, an
approval of the request by NASDAQ
shall be deemed effective as of the first
day of the month. Thus, for example, if
one member acquires another, the
acquisition is completed by June 16, and
the members file a request for
aggregation by June 22, NASDAQ’s
approval of the request would allow the
members to aggregate all activity during
June. This would be the case regardless
of the time required for NASDAQ to
review and approve the request.
However, if members become affiliated
after the sixteenth day of the month, or
do not submit a request for aggregation
until after the twenty-second day, the
request would not be recognized until
the following month.
Finally, NASDAQ is replacing
references to specific rules containing
fees under which aggregation may occur
with a general reference to ‘‘any
provision of the Rule 7000 Series where
the charge assessed, or the credit
provided, by NASDAQ depends on the
volume of a member’s activity.’’
2. Statutory Basis
NASDAQ 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)(5) of the
Act 5 in particular, in that the proposal
is designed to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, to
promote just and equitable principles of
trade, to foster cooperation and
coordination with persons engaged in
regulating, clearing, settling, processing
information with respect to, and
facilitating transactions in securities, to
remove impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a free and open market
and a national market system, and, in
general, to protect investors and the
public interest. NASDAQ believes that
the change will result in the adoption of
a clear policy with respect to the
meaning, administration, and
enforcement of Rule 7027, thereby
promoting members’ understanding of
PO 00000
4 15
5 15
U.S.C. 78f.
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
Frm 00113
Fmt 4703
the parameters of the rule and the
efficiency of its administration.
NASDAQ further believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,6 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 NASDAQ operates or controls.
All similarly situated members are
subject to the same fee structure, and
access to NASDAQ is offered on fair and
non-discriminatory terms. The addition
of rule language stipulating that the
timing for recognition of requests for
aggregation is reasonable because it
establishes a standard for
implementation of such requests that is
easy to administer and that reflects the
need for NASDAQ to review and
approve aggregation requests while
avoiding the complexities associated
with proration of the bills of members
that affiliate during the course of a
month. The provision is equitable
because all members seeking to
aggregate their activity are subject to the
same parameters, in accordance with a
commonsense standard that recognizes
an affiliation as of the month’s
beginning closes [sic] in time to when
the affiliation occurs, provided the
members submit a timely filing.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
NASDAQ does not believe that the
proposed rule change will result in any
burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act, as amended.
Because the market for order execution
and routing is extremely competitive,
members may readily opt to disfavor
NASDAQ’s execution services if they
believe that alternatives offer them
better value. NASDAQ does not believe
that the proposed changes will impair
the ability of members or competing
order execution venues to maintain
their competitive standing in the
financial markets.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
Written comments were neither
solicited nor received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section
6 15
Sfmt 4703
43365
E:\FR\FM\20JYN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
20JYN1
43366
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 139 / Wednesday, July 20, 2011 / Notices
19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act.7 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:
sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD 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–NASDAQ–2011–093 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–NASDAQ–2011–093. 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
7 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(a)(i).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:29 Jul 19, 2011
Jkt 223001
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–
NASDAQ–2011–093 and should be
submitted on or before August 10, 2011.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.8
Cathy H. Ahn,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011–18219 Filed 7–19–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–64888; File No. SR–NYSE–
2011–33]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; New
York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
Proposed Rule Change Conforming
Certain of Its Financial Responsibility
and Related Operational Rules to a
Recently-Approved Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority Rule Change
July 14, 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 July 13, 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 prepared by the self-regulatory
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 conform
certain of its financial responsibility and
related operational Rules to a recentlyapproved Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (‘‘FINRA’’) rule change.4 The
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 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63375
(November 24, 2010), 75 FR 74759 (December 1,
2010) (Notice of filing of SR–FINRA–2010–061). See
also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63999
(March 1, 2011), 76 FR 12380 (March 7, 2011)
(Notice of filing of amendment number 1 and order
PO 00000
8 17
1 15
Frm 00114
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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
The Exchange proposes to conform
certain of its financial responsibility and
related operational Rules to a recentlyapproved FINRA rule change.
Background
On July 30, 2007, FINRA’s
predecessor, the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (‘‘NASD’’), and
NYSE Regulation, Inc. (‘‘NYSER’’)
consolidated their member firm
regulation operations into a combined
organization, FINRA. Pursuant to Rule
17d–2 under the Act, NYSE, NYSER and
FINRA entered into an agreement (the
‘‘Agreement’’) to reduce regulatory
duplication for their members by
allocating to FINRA certain regulatory
responsibilities for certain NYSE rules
and rule interpretations (‘‘FINRA
Incorporated NYSE Rules’’). NYSE
Amex LLC (‘‘NYSE Amex’’) became a
party to the Agreement effective
December 15, 2008.5
As part of its effort to reduce
regulatory duplication and relieve firms
that are members of FINRA, NYSE and
NYSE Amex of conflicting or
unnecessary regulatory burdens, FINRA
granting accelerated approval of SR–FINRA–2010–
061).
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 56148
(July 26, 2007), 72 FR 42146 (August 1, 2007) (order
approving the Agreement); 56147 (July 26, 2007), 72
FR 42166 (August 1, 2007) (SR–NASD–2007–054)
(order approving the incorporation of certain NYSE
Rules as ‘‘Common Rules’’); and 60409 (July 30,
2009), 74 FR 39353 (August 6, 2009) (order
approving the amended and restated Agreement,
adding NYSE Amex LLC as a party). Paragraph 2(b)
of the Agreement sets forth procedures regarding
proposed changes by FINRA, NYSE or NYSE Amex
to the substance of any of the Common Rules.
E:\FR\FM\20JYN1.SGM
20JYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 139 (Wednesday, July 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43364-43366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18219]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-64885; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2011-093]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC;
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To
Modify Rule 7027 of the NASDAQ Pricing Schedule
July 14, 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 July 1, 2011, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (the ``Exchange'' or
``NASDAQ'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II,
and III, below, which Items have been prepared by NASDAQ. 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
NASDAQ proposes to modify Rule 7027 of its pricing schedule. NASDAQ
will implement the proposed change immediately upon filing. The text of
the proposed rule change is available from NASDAQ's Web site at https://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at NASDAQ's principal office, at the
Commission's Public Reference Room, and at 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, NASDAQ 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. NASDAQ has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A,
B, and C below, of
[[Page 43365]]
the most significant aspects of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
NASDAQ is amending Rule 7027, which allows affiliated members to
aggregate their activity under certain provisions of NASDAQ's fee
schedule that make fees dependent upon the volume of their activity.
For example, various provisions of Rule 7018 contain pricing tiers,
under which the fees charged to, or rebates received by, members are
dependent upon their share volumes. Affiliated members that might not
qualify for a favorable pricing tier by themselves may be able to
qualify by aggregating their activity.
Under the rule, a member may request that NASDAQ aggregate its
activity with the activity of its affiliates. A member requesting
aggregation of affiliate activity is required to certify to NASDAQ the
affiliate status of entities whose activity it seeks to aggregate, and
is required to inform NASDAQ immediately of any event that causes an
entity to cease to be an affiliate. In contrast with the common
definition of affiliate, which identifies one entity as an affiliate of
another if it controls it, is controlled by it, or is under common
control with it, Rule 7027 requires that one affiliated member own 100%
of the voting interests in the other, or that they are both under the
common control of a parent that owns 100% of each.
NASDAQ conducts a review of information regarding the entities, and
reserves the right to request additional information to verify the
affiliate status of an entity. NASDAQ then approves a request unless it
determines that the member's certification is not accurate.\3\ Although
NASDAQ is not changing the process for review and approval, it has
determined that it would promote the clarity of the rule to add text
describing this process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ In the event of an inaccurate certification, NASDAQ would
refer the matter to its regulatory services provider, the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority (``FINRA''), to investigate whether
the member had violated NASDAQ rules and to take appropriate
disciplinary action.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Because NASDAQ's bills are prepared on a monthly basis, recognizing
an affiliation in the middle of a month would require NASDAQ to engage
in a complex proration of members' bills. Accordingly, it has been
NASDAQ's practice to recognize an affiliation request either at the
beginning of the month in which the affiliation occurs or at the
beginning of the following month. NASDAQ believes, however, that the
clarity of the rule would be enhanced by adopting a stated policy with
respect to the timing of recognition of aggregation requests.
Accordingly, NASDAQ is amending the rule by adding a new paragraph
(a)(2). The paragraph stipulates that if two or more members become
affiliated on or prior to the sixteenth day of a month, and submit a
request for aggregation on or prior to the twenty-second day of the
month, an approval of the request by NASDAQ shall be deemed effective
as of the first day of the month. Thus, for example, if one member
acquires another, the acquisition is completed by June 16, and the
members file a request for aggregation by June 22, NASDAQ's approval of
the request would allow the members to aggregate all activity during
June. This would be the case regardless of the time required for NASDAQ
to review and approve the request. However, if members become
affiliated after the sixteenth day of the month, or do not submit a
request for aggregation until after the twenty-second day, the request
would not be recognized until the following month.
Finally, NASDAQ is replacing references to specific rules
containing fees under which aggregation may occur with a general
reference to ``any provision of the Rule 7000 Series where the charge
assessed, or the credit provided, by NASDAQ depends on the volume of a
member's activity.''
2. Statutory Basis
NASDAQ 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)(5) of the Act \5\ in particular, in that the proposal is designed
to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote
just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and
coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling,
processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions
in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a
free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to
protect investors and the public interest. NASDAQ believes that the
change will result in the adoption of a clear policy with respect to
the meaning, administration, and enforcement of Rule 7027, thereby
promoting members' understanding of the parameters of the rule and the
efficiency of its administration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NASDAQ further believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,\6\ 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 NASDAQ operates or controls. All similarly situated members are
subject to the same fee structure, and access to NASDAQ is offered on
fair and non-discriminatory terms. The addition of rule language
stipulating that the timing for recognition of requests for aggregation
is reasonable because it establishes a standard for implementation of
such requests that is easy to administer and that reflects the need for
NASDAQ to review and approve aggregation requests while avoiding the
complexities associated with proration of the bills of members that
affiliate during the course of a month. The provision is equitable
because all members seeking to aggregate their activity are subject to
the same parameters, in accordance with a commonsense standard that
recognizes an affiliation as of the month's beginning closes [sic] in
time to when the affiliation occurs, provided the members submit a
timely filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
NASDAQ does not believe that the proposed rule change will result
in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act, as amended. Because the market
for order execution and routing is extremely competitive, members may
readily opt to disfavor NASDAQ's execution services if they believe
that alternatives offer them better value. NASDAQ does not believe that
the proposed changes will impair the ability of members or competing
order execution venues to maintain their competitive standing in the
financial markets.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
Written comments were neither solicited nor received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section
[[Page 43366]]
19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act.\7\ 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.
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\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(a)(i).
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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-NASDAQ-2011-093 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-NASDAQ-2011-093. 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-
NASDAQ-2011-093 and should be submitted on or before August 10, 2011.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\8\
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\8\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Cathy H. Ahn,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-18219 Filed 7-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P