Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend FINRA Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size Requirements for OTC Equity Securities), 65307-65310 [2011-27135]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 203 / Thursday, October 20, 2011 / Notices halt during the initial time period when a stock is coming out of a halt commenced pursuant to Rule 4120(a)(11). Under the proposed change, NASDAQ systems will not look back for any prices disseminated during a halt and instead will use the opening price determined by its halt-cross process as the initial price level against which subsequent price increases or declines will be measured. As before, any subsequent triggering price increases or declines within any continuous fiveminute period, even one immediately triggering a halt in comparison to the halt-cross process, will initiate a halt in conformity with Rule 4120(a)(11). NASDAQ believes that the above interpretation will ensure that prices determined and submitted at a period of time around the start of a trading halt do not carry over and inappropriately impact attempts to re-start trading after that halt. NASDAQ also understands that this approach to initial pricing coming out of a halt is already in effect at other listing markets likewise subject to uniform percentage increase or decline stock halt rules. sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 2. Statutory Basis NASDAQ believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,3 in general, and with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 4 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 4120(a)(11), thereby promoting members’ understanding of the parameters of the rule and the efficiency of its administration. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition As all listing markets are subject to uniform halt rules, and it is NASDAQ’s understanding that its proposed approach to evaluating prices coming out of a halt is similar to that already being used by other listing markets, U.S.C. 78f. 4 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 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. 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)(ii) of the Act.5 At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File No. SR–NASDAQ–2011–141 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 No. SR–NASDAQ–2011–141. 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 3 15 VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:59 Oct 19, 2011 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–NASDAQ– 2011–141 and should be submitted on or before November 10, 2011. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.6 Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–27136 Filed 10–19–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–65568; File No. SR–FINRA– 2011–058] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend FINRA Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size Requirements for OTC Equity Securities) October 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 October 6, 2011, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by FINRA. The Commission is publishing this notice to 6 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 5 15 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii). Frm 00150 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 65307 E:\FR\FM\20OCN1.SGM 20OCN1 65308 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 203 / Thursday, October 20, 2011 / Notices solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of the Substance of the Proposed Rule Change FINRA is proposing to amend FINRA Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size Requirements for OTC Equity Securities). The text of the proposed rule change is available on FINRA’s Web site at https://www.finra.org, at the principal office of FINRA and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, FINRA included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. FINRA has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 1. Purpose FINRA Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size Requirements For OTC Equity Securities) (the ‘‘Rule’’) requires every member functioning as an OTC Market Maker 3 in an OTC Equity Security 4 that enters firm quotations into any inter-dealer quotation system that permits quotation updates on a realtime basis to honor those quotations for certain minimum sizes (‘‘minimum quotation sizes’’). Under the Rule, different minimum quotation sizes apply depending upon the price level of the bid or offer and, therefore, a different minimum quotation size can apply to each side of the market being quoted by the member in a given security. FINRA is proposing changes to the minimum quotation sizes to, among other things, simplify the tier structure, facilitate the display of customer limit orders under new FINRA Rule 6460 (Display of Customer Limit Orders) (the 3 See FINRA Rule 6420(f). Equity Security’’ means any equity security that is not an ‘‘NMS stock’’ as that term is defined in Rule 600(b)(47) of SEC Regulation NMS; provided, however, that the term OTC Equity Security shall not include any Restricted Equity Security. See FINRA Rule 6420(e). 4 ‘‘OTC VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:59 Oct 19, 2011 Jkt 226001 ‘‘limit order display rule’’) 5 and expand the scope of the rule, as further discussed below.6 Under the proposed approach, the minimum quotation size required for display of a quotation in an OTC Equity Security would fall into one of six tiers rather than nine tiers. Specifically, for OTC Equity Securities priced between $0.51 and $0.9999/share, the minimum quotation size would be 200 shares; between $0.26 and $0.5099/share, the minimum quotation size would be 500 shares; between $0.02 and $0.2599/ share, the minimum quotation size would be 1,000 shares; and between $0.0001 and $0.0199/share, the minimum quotation size would be 10,000 shares.7 For quotations in securities priced at least $1.00/share, the proposed rule generally would parallel the approach taken by the exchanges by setting the minimum quotation size at a round lot of 100 shares,8 except that, with respect to OTC Equity Securities priced at or above $175.00/share, the minimum quotation size would equal the round lot size applicable to those securities, which is one (1) share.9 In addition to simplifying the tier structure, FINRA believes that the proposed revisions will benefit investors by facilitating display of customer limit orders under the limit order display rule, which generally requires that OTC Market Makers fully 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62359 (June 22, 2010), 75 FR 37488 (June 29, 2010) (File No. SR–FINRA–2009–054; Order Approving NMS– Principled Rules for OTC Equity Securities) (‘‘NMS–Principled Rules Approval Order’’). FINRA Rule 6460 became effective on May 9, 2011. 6 The proposal also would incorporate the requirements of FINRA Rule 6434 (Minimum Pricing Increments for OTC Equity Securities) which, among other things, prohibits members from displaying a bid or offer in an OTC Equity Security in an increment smaller than $0.01 if the bid or offer is priced $1.00 or greater per share, or in an increment smaller than $0.0001 if the bid or offer is priced below $1.00. See FINRA Rule 6460(b)(8). 7 Under the proposed revisions, securities priced under $0.02/share would be subject to a larger minimum quotation size than the current Rule. Increasing the minimum for quotations in this lower-priced tier should result in more substantive dollar-value commitments to the market. For securities priced at or above $0.02/share, the minimum quotation size requirements would be reduced so that a greater percentage of customer limit orders priced in this range would be eligible for display, while continuing to recognize the utility of requiring that displayed quotations represent a minimum aggregate dollar value commitment to the market. 8 A round lot of 100 shares applies to most NASDAQ and NYSE listed securities. 9 The unit of trade for OTC Equity Securities traded at or above $175.00/share is one (1) Share (i.e., transactions in these securities for fewer than 100 shares no longer are considered ‘‘odd-lot transactions’’ for dissemination purposes). See Trade Reporting Notice, OTC Equity Security Transactions (April 21, 2008). PO 00000 Frm 00151 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 display better-priced customer limit orders (or same-priced customer limit orders that are at the best bid or offer and that increase the OTC Market Maker’s size by more than a de minimis amount).10 OTC Market Makers are not required to display a customer limit order unless doing so would comply with the minimum quotation sizes applicable to the display of quotations on an inter-dealer quotation system.11 Therefore, although a customer limit order may otherwise have been required to be displayed under the limit order display rule because it improved price or size more than a de minimis amount, if the order is less than the minimum quotation size set forth in this Rule, the member is not required to display the order. FINRA believes that the proposed modifications to the Rule’s tiers will result in the display of a larger number of customer limit orders because more limit orders should meet the revised minimums than those currently in place under the Rule. Based upon a review of a sample of Order Audit Trail System data submitted over the past year in OTC Equity Securities, only approximately 50% of customer limit orders in the sample met the current Rule’s thresholds and would have been eligible to be displayed. For example, the existing tiers apply a 2,500 share minimum to OTC Equity Securities priced between $0.51 and $1.00/share, resulting in minimum dollar commitments to the market that range from $1,275.00 (for 2,500 shares priced at $0.51/share) to $2,500.00 (for 2,500 shares priced at $1.00/share). In contrast, the proposed minimum quotation size of 200 shares applicable to quotes priced between $0.51 and $0.9999/share would have resulted in a significant increase in the number of limit orders that would have been eligible to be displayed—over 90% of the orders comprising the sample. FINRA also is proposing to expand the scope of the Rule to apply to all quotations or orders displayed in an inter-dealer quotation system, including quotations displayed by alternative 10 The limit order display rule was adopted as part of a broader effort to extend certain protections in place for NMS stocks to quoting and trading in OTC Equity Securities. See NMS–Principled Rules Approval Order. As stated in the proposal for the limit order display rule, FINRA believes that applying the display requirements to OTC Equity Securities will improve transparency in the OTC equity market and advances the goal of the public availability of quotation information, as well as fair competition, market efficiency, best execution and disintermediation. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60515 (August 17, 2009), 74 FR 43207 (August 26, 2009) (Notice of Filing File No. SR– FINRA–2009–054). 11 See Regulatory Notice 10–42 (September 2010). E:\FR\FM\20OCN1.SGM 20OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 203 / Thursday, October 20, 2011 / Notices trading systems (ATSs) or those representing customer trading interest. The scope of the current rule is limited to quotations where the member ‘‘functions as a market maker in OTC Equity Securities.’’ Therefore, the Rule does not currently apply to quotes by ATSs (because they are not market makers) and quotes representing customer trading interest (e.g., customer limit orders). However, ATSs have become increasingly active in the overthe-counter market and FINRA believes that the minimum quotation size requirements should apply uniformly for any trading interest displayed on an inter-dealer quotation system by members, whether submitted by an OTC Market Maker or an ATS.12 In addition, FINRA believes that expanding the scope of the Rule to include quotations representing customer limit orders will ensure that minimum quotation sizes are observed consistently by all members displaying quotations on an inter-dealer quotation system. Of course, each member would continue to be required to honor its quotations to the full quantity displayed in accordance with Rule 5220 (Offers at Stated Prices), which generally provides that no member shall make an offer to buy or sell any security at a stated price unless such member is prepared to purchase or sell the security at such price and under such conditions as are stated at the time of such offer to buy or sell.13 Likewise, member obligations pursuant to Rule 5210 (Publication of Transactions and Quotations) continue to apply. Among other things, Rule 5210 generally prohibits members from publishing, circulating, or causing to be published or circulated, any quotation which purports to quote the bid price or asked price for any security, unless such member believes that such quotation represents a bona fide bid for, or offer of, such security.14 FINRA will announce the effective date of the proposed rule change in a Regulatory Notice. The effective date will be no later than 180 days following Commission approval. sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 2. Statutory Basis FINRA believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions 12 While ATS quotes and quotes representing customer trading interest currently are not captured within the scope of the Rule, as a practical matter, members displaying any quotation on an interdealer quotation system often must post a size that is at least equal to this Rule’s minimums due to the systems requirements of inter-dealer quotation systems that program the size field consistent with this Rule. 13 See also Rule 5220.01 (Firmness of Quotations). 14 See also Rule 5210.01 (Manipulative and Deceptive Quotations). VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:59 Oct 19, 2011 Jkt 226001 of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,15 which requires, among other things, that FINRA rules must be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. FINRA also believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 15A(b)(11) of the Act.16 Section 15A(b)(11) requires that FINRA rules include provisions governing the form and content of quotations relating to securities sold otherwise than on a national securities exchange which may be distributed or published by any member or person associated with a member, and the persons to whom such quotations may be supplied. FINRA believes that the proposed rule change meets these requirements by simplifying the tier structure and facilitating display of customer limit orders consistent with Rule 6460, while still recognizing the utility of requiring that quotes in lower-priced securities represent a minimum dollar-value commitment to the market. FINRA believes that the proposed revisions to the minimum quotation sizes should benefit investors by increasing the percentage of customer limit orders that will be eligible for display under Rule 6460. This should improve transparency and enhance execution of customer limit orders. Finally, FINRA believes that the applicability of the minimum quotation sizes to all members posting quotations in an inter-dealer quotation system will promote consistency in the minimum quotation sizes displayed on an inter-dealer quotation system. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition FINRA does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others Written comments were neither solicited nor received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action 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 15 15 16 15 PO 00000 U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(6). U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(11). Frm 00152 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 65309 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, 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–FINRA–2011–058 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–FINRA–2011–058. 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 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 FINRA. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that E:\FR\FM\20OCN1.SGM 20OCN1 65310 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 203 / Thursday, October 20, 2011 / Notices you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–FINRA–2011–058, and should be submitted on or before November 10, 2011. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.17 Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–27135 Filed 10–19–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–65572; File No. SR– NYSEAmex–2011–61] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Amex LLC; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change Adding Commentary .01 to Rule 925.1NY Concerning Market Maker Continuous Quoting Obligations and Adjusted Option Series October 14, 2011. sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES I. Introduction On August 16, 2011, NYSE Amex LLC (‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE Amex’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to add Commentary .01 to Rule 925.1NY to indicate that market makers will not be obligated to quote in adjusted option series and to reference an existing exception to the quoting obligations. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on September 1, 2011.3 The Commission received no comment letters on the proposed rule change. This order approves the proposed rule change. II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to add Commentary .01 to Rule 925.1NY (i) To add an exception to relieve market makers from the obligation to continuously quote in adjusted option series, and (ii) to reflect in Rule 925.1NY an exception from the continuous quote requirements for Long-Term Equity Option Series (‘‘LEAPS’’) that is currently provided for in Commentary .03(a) to Rule 903. 17 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65209 (August 26, 2011), 76 FR 54518 (‘‘Notice’’). 1 15 VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:59 Oct 19, 2011 Jkt 226001 Rule 925.1NY, relating to market maker quotations, requires Specialists to provide continuous two-sided quotations throughout the trading day in its appointed issues for 90% of the time the Exchange is open for trading in each such issue. Rule 925.1NY also requires non-specialist market makers to provide continuous two-sided quotations throughout the trading day in their appointed issues for 60% of the time the Exchange is open for trading in each such issue. Commentary .03(a) to Rule 903, relating to LEAPS open for trading, currently provides that Exchange Rules regarding continuous quoting obligations do not apply to index option series until the time to expiration is less than 12 months and do not apply to equity options or option on Exchange Traded Fund Shares until the time to expiration is less than nine months.4 The Exchange now proposes to add Commentary .01 to Rule 925.1NY (the rule applicable to market maker quotations) to reflect the exception for LEAPS that is currently provided for in Commentary .03(a) to Rule 903 to the continuous quoting obligations contained in Rule 925.1NY. In other words, without altering the substance of the exception, the Exchange is proposing to include text that already appears in Commentary .03(a) to Rule 903 into Rule 925.1NY in order to reference that exception in the rule that addresses market maker quoting obligations. In addition, the Exchange proposes to extend the exception from the continuous quoting obligations to certain ‘‘adjusted series.’’ The Exchange proposes to define an ‘‘adjusted series’’ for purposes of Rule 925.1NY as ‘‘an option series wherein, as a result of a corporate action by the issuer of the underlying security, one option contract in the series represents the delivery of other than 100 shares of underlying stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Shares.’’ 5 In its filing, the Exchange notes that adjusted series are generally active for a short period of time following adjustment and thereafter become inactive as new orders to open options positions in the underlying are almost exclusively placed in the new standard 4 In addition, Commentary .03(a) to Rule 903 provides that trading in such LEAPS will commence either when there is buying or selling interest, or forty minutes prior to the close of trading for the day, whichever occurs first. Further, the rule provides that quotations will not be posted for extended far term option series until trading in such series is commenced on the day. 5 The Exchange provided additional background regarding adjusted series options in its Notice. See Notice, supra note 3, at 54519. PO 00000 Frm 00153 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 contracts.6 The Exchange noted that adjusted series may not meet the standards to be considered ‘‘active’’ and thereby, under NYSE Amex Rule 970.1NY, the Exchange may no longer disseminate quotes in such series.7 Consequently, market makers are currently required to submit quotes in adjusted series that may not be published to OPRA unless otherwise requested.8 In its filing, the Exchange states that market makers, including Specialists, that have recently withdrawn from assignments in classes have informed the Exchange that the withdrawals were based in part on the obligation to continuously quote adjusted options series whereby the quoting obligations on such less frequently traded option series impacted the risk parameters acceptable to the market makers.9 The Exchange noted that market makers have also expressed concern that the adjusted nature of these series complicates the calculation of an appropriate quote.10 As a result of withdrawals from such assignments by market makers, the Exchange states that liquidity, as well as volume, has been negatively impacted in the affected options classes listed on the Exchange.11 The Exchange now proposes to add an exception to Rule 925.1NY to relieve market makers from the obligation to continuously quote in adjusted option series in order to encourage market makers, including Specialists, to continue their appointments in option classes that include adjusted series. III. Discussion and Commission’s Findings After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of Section 6 of the Act 12 and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange.13 In 6 See id. id. 8 NYSE Amex Rule 970.1NY states, in part, ‘‘The Exchange may determine that a series has become active intraday if (i) The series trades at any options exchange; (ii) NYSE Amex receives an order in the series; or (iii) NYSE Amex receives a request for quote from a customer in that series. If a series becomes active intraday, the Exchange will immediately disseminate quotes in the series to OPRA, and continue to disseminate quotes for the balance of the trading day.’’ 9 See Notice, supra note 3, at 54519. See also Rule 925NY (providing for market maker appointments by class). 10 See Notice, supra note 3, at 54519. 11 See id. 12 15 U.S.C. 78f. 13 In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 7 See E:\FR\FM\20OCN1.SGM 20OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 203 (Thursday, October 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65307-65310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27135]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-65568; File No. SR-FINRA-2011-058]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend 
FINRA Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size Requirements for OTC Equity 
Securities)

October 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 October 6, 2011, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. 
(``FINRA'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' 
or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, 
II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by FINRA. The 
Commission is publishing this notice to

[[Page 65308]]

solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of the 
Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

    FINRA is proposing to amend FINRA Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size 
Requirements for OTC Equity Securities).
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on FINRA's Web 
site at https://www.finra.org, at the principal office of FINRA and at 
the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    FINRA Rule 6433 (Minimum Quotation Size Requirements For OTC Equity 
Securities) (the ``Rule'') requires every member functioning as an OTC 
Market Maker \3\ in an OTC Equity Security \4\ that enters firm 
quotations into any inter-dealer quotation system that permits 
quotation updates on a real-time basis to honor those quotations for 
certain minimum sizes (``minimum quotation sizes''). Under the Rule, 
different minimum quotation sizes apply depending upon the price level 
of the bid or offer and, therefore, a different minimum quotation size 
can apply to each side of the market being quoted by the member in a 
given security.
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    \3\ See FINRA Rule 6420(f).
    \4\ ``OTC Equity Security'' means any equity security that is 
not an ``NMS stock'' as that term is defined in Rule 600(b)(47) of 
SEC Regulation NMS; provided, however, that the term OTC Equity 
Security shall not include any Restricted Equity Security. See FINRA 
Rule 6420(e).
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    FINRA is proposing changes to the minimum quotation sizes to, among 
other things, simplify the tier structure, facilitate the display of 
customer limit orders under new FINRA Rule 6460 (Display of Customer 
Limit Orders) (the ``limit order display rule'') \5\ and expand the 
scope of the rule, as further discussed below.\6\
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    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62359 (June 22, 
2010), 75 FR 37488 (June 29, 2010) (File No. SR-FINRA-2009-054; 
Order Approving NMS-Principled Rules for OTC Equity Securities) 
(``NMS-Principled Rules Approval Order''). FINRA Rule 6460 became 
effective on May 9, 2011.
    \6\ The proposal also would incorporate the requirements of 
FINRA Rule 6434 (Minimum Pricing Increments for OTC Equity 
Securities) which, among other things, prohibits members from 
displaying a bid or offer in an OTC Equity Security in an increment 
smaller than $0.01 if the bid or offer is priced $1.00 or greater 
per share, or in an increment smaller than $0.0001 if the bid or 
offer is priced below $1.00. See FINRA Rule 6460(b)(8).
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    Under the proposed approach, the minimum quotation size required 
for display of a quotation in an OTC Equity Security would fall into 
one of six tiers rather than nine tiers. Specifically, for OTC Equity 
Securities priced between $0.51 and $0.9999/share, the minimum 
quotation size would be 200 shares; between $0.26 and $0.5099/share, 
the minimum quotation size would be 500 shares; between $0.02 and 
$0.2599/share, the minimum quotation size would be 1,000 shares; and 
between $0.0001 and $0.0199/share, the minimum quotation size would be 
10,000 shares.\7\ For quotations in securities priced at least $1.00/
share, the proposed rule generally would parallel the approach taken by 
the exchanges by setting the minimum quotation size at a round lot of 
100 shares,\8\ except that, with respect to OTC Equity Securities 
priced at or above $175.00/share, the minimum quotation size would 
equal the round lot size applicable to those securities, which is one 
(1) share.\9\
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    \7\ Under the proposed revisions, securities priced under $0.02/
share would be subject to a larger minimum quotation size than the 
current Rule. Increasing the minimum for quotations in this lower-
priced tier should result in more substantive dollar-value 
commitments to the market. For securities priced at or above $0.02/
share, the minimum quotation size requirements would be reduced so 
that a greater percentage of customer limit orders priced in this 
range would be eligible for display, while continuing to recognize 
the utility of requiring that displayed quotations represent a 
minimum aggregate dollar value commitment to the market.
    \8\ A round lot of 100 shares applies to most NASDAQ and NYSE 
listed securities.
    \9\ The unit of trade for OTC Equity Securities traded at or 
above $175.00/share is one (1) Share (i.e., transactions in these 
securities for fewer than 100 shares no longer are considered ``odd-
lot transactions'' for dissemination purposes). See Trade Reporting 
Notice, OTC Equity Security Transactions (April 21, 2008).
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    In addition to simplifying the tier structure, FINRA believes that 
the proposed revisions will benefit investors by facilitating display 
of customer limit orders under the limit order display rule, which 
generally requires that OTC Market Makers fully display better-priced 
customer limit orders (or same-priced customer limit orders that are at 
the best bid or offer and that increase the OTC Market Maker's size by 
more than a de minimis amount).\10\ OTC Market Makers are not required 
to display a customer limit order unless doing so would comply with the 
minimum quotation sizes applicable to the display of quotations on an 
inter-dealer quotation system.\11\ Therefore, although a customer limit 
order may otherwise have been required to be displayed under the limit 
order display rule because it improved price or size more than a de 
minimis amount, if the order is less than the minimum quotation size 
set forth in this Rule, the member is not required to display the 
order.
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    \10\ The limit order display rule was adopted as part of a 
broader effort to extend certain protections in place for NMS stocks 
to quoting and trading in OTC Equity Securities. See NMS-Principled 
Rules Approval Order. As stated in the proposal for the limit order 
display rule, FINRA believes that applying the display requirements 
to OTC Equity Securities will improve transparency in the OTC equity 
market and advances the goal of the public availability of quotation 
information, as well as fair competition, market efficiency, best 
execution and disintermediation. See Securities Exchange Act Release 
No. 60515 (August 17, 2009), 74 FR 43207 (August 26, 2009) (Notice 
of Filing File No. SR-FINRA-2009-054).
    \11\ See Regulatory Notice 10-42 (September 2010).
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    FINRA believes that the proposed modifications to the Rule's tiers 
will result in the display of a larger number of customer limit orders 
because more limit orders should meet the revised minimums than those 
currently in place under the Rule. Based upon a review of a sample of 
Order Audit Trail System data submitted over the past year in OTC 
Equity Securities, only approximately 50% of customer limit orders in 
the sample met the current Rule's thresholds and would have been 
eligible to be displayed. For example, the existing tiers apply a 2,500 
share minimum to OTC Equity Securities priced between $0.51 and $1.00/
share, resulting in minimum dollar commitments to the market that range 
from $1,275.00 (for 2,500 shares priced at $0.51/share) to $2,500.00 
(for 2,500 shares priced at $1.00/share). In contrast, the proposed 
minimum quotation size of 200 shares applicable to quotes priced 
between $0.51 and $0.9999/share would have resulted in a significant 
increase in the number of limit orders that would have been eligible to 
be displayed--over 90% of the orders comprising the sample.
    FINRA also is proposing to expand the scope of the Rule to apply to 
all quotations or orders displayed in an inter-dealer quotation system, 
including quotations displayed by alternative

[[Page 65309]]

trading systems (ATSs) or those representing customer trading interest. 
The scope of the current rule is limited to quotations where the member 
``functions as a market maker in OTC Equity Securities.'' Therefore, 
the Rule does not currently apply to quotes by ATSs (because they are 
not market makers) and quotes representing customer trading interest 
(e.g., customer limit orders). However, ATSs have become increasingly 
active in the over-the-counter market and FINRA believes that the 
minimum quotation size requirements should apply uniformly for any 
trading interest displayed on an inter-dealer quotation system by 
members, whether submitted by an OTC Market Maker or an ATS.\12\ In 
addition, FINRA believes that expanding the scope of the Rule to 
include quotations representing customer limit orders will ensure that 
minimum quotation sizes are observed consistently by all members 
displaying quotations on an inter-dealer quotation system.
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    \12\ While ATS quotes and quotes representing customer trading 
interest currently are not captured within the scope of the Rule, as 
a practical matter, members displaying any quotation on an inter-
dealer quotation system often must post a size that is at least 
equal to this Rule's minimums due to the systems requirements of 
inter-dealer quotation systems that program the size field 
consistent with this Rule.
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    Of course, each member would continue to be required to honor its 
quotations to the full quantity displayed in accordance with Rule 5220 
(Offers at Stated Prices), which generally provides that no member 
shall make an offer to buy or sell any security at a stated price 
unless such member is prepared to purchase or sell the security at such 
price and under such conditions as are stated at the time of such offer 
to buy or sell.\13\ Likewise, member obligations pursuant to Rule 5210 
(Publication of Transactions and Quotations) continue to apply. Among 
other things, Rule 5210 generally prohibits members from publishing, 
circulating, or causing to be published or circulated, any quotation 
which purports to quote the bid price or asked price for any security, 
unless such member believes that such quotation represents a bona fide 
bid for, or offer of, such security.\14\
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    \13\ See also Rule 5220.01 (Firmness of Quotations).
    \14\ See also Rule 5210.01 (Manipulative and Deceptive 
Quotations).
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    FINRA will announce the effective date of the proposed rule change 
in a Regulatory Notice. The effective date will be no later than 180 
days following Commission approval.
2. Statutory Basis
    FINRA believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
provisions of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,\15\ which requires, among 
other things, that FINRA rules must be designed to prevent fraudulent 
and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the 
public interest. FINRA also believes that the proposed rule change is 
consistent with the provisions of Section 15A(b)(11) of the Act.\16\ 
Section 15A(b)(11) requires that FINRA rules include provisions 
governing the form and content of quotations relating to securities 
sold otherwise than on a national securities exchange which may be 
distributed or published by any member or person associated with a 
member, and the persons to whom such quotations may be supplied.
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    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(11).
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    FINRA believes that the proposed rule change meets these 
requirements by simplifying the tier structure and facilitating display 
of customer limit orders consistent with Rule 6460, while still 
recognizing the utility of requiring that quotes in lower-priced 
securities represent a minimum dollar-value commitment to the market. 
FINRA believes that the proposed revisions to the minimum quotation 
sizes should benefit investors by increasing the percentage of customer 
limit orders that will be eligible for display under Rule 6460. This 
should improve transparency and enhance execution of customer limit 
orders. Finally, FINRA believes that the applicability of the minimum 
quotation sizes to all members posting quotations in an inter-dealer 
quotation system will promote consistency in the minimum quotation 
sizes displayed on an inter-dealer quotation system.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    FINRA does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in 
any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    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, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-FINRA-2011-058 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FINRA-2011-058. 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 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 FINRA. All comments received will be posted without 
change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information 
from submissions. You should submit only information that

[[Page 65310]]

you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to 
File Number SR-FINRA-2011-058, and should be submitted on or before 
November 10, 2011.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\17\
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    \17\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-27135 Filed 10-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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