Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change Adding Commentary .01 to Rule 6.37B Concerning Market Maker Continuous Quoting Obligations and Adjusted Option Series, 65305-65306 [2011-27137]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 203 / Thursday, October 20, 2011 / Notices For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.73 Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–27190 Filed 10–19–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–65573; File No. SR– NYSEArca–2011–59] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change Adding Commentary .01 to Rule 6.37B 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 Arca’’) 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 6.37B 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 6.37B (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 6.37B an exception from the continuous quote requirements for Long-Term Equity Option Series (‘‘LEAPS’’) that is currently provided for in Rule 6.4(e)(i). Rule 6.37B, relating to market maker quotations, requires a Lead Market Maker 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 6.37B also requires 73 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. 65210 (August 26, 2011), 76 FR 54516 (‘‘Notice’’). 1 15 VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:59 Oct 19, 2011 Jkt 226001 non-lead 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. Rule 6.4(e)(i), 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 6.37B (the rule applicable to market maker quotations) to reflect the exception for LEAPS that is currently provided for in Rule 6.4(e)(i) to the continuous quoting obligations contained in Rule 6.37B. In other words, without altering the substance of the exception, the Exchange is proposing to include text that already appears in Rule 6.4(e)(i) into Rule 6.37B 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 6.37B 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 contracts.6 The Exchange noted that adjusted series may not meet the standards to be considered ‘‘active’’ and thereby, under Commentary .03 to NYSE Arca Rule 6.86, the Exchange may no longer disseminate quotes in such series.7 Consequently, market makers are currently required to submit quotes 4 In addition, Rule 6.4(e)(1) 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 54517. 6 See id. 7 See id. PO 00000 Frm 00148 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 65305 in adjusted series that may not be published to OPRA unless otherwise requested.8 In its filing, the Exchange states that market makers, including Lead Market Makers, 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 6.37B to relieve market makers from the obligation to continuously quote in adjusted option series in order to encourage market makers, including Lead Market Makers, 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 particular, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,14 which requires, among other things, that the Exchange’s rules be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation 8 Commentary .03 to Rule 6.86 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 Arca receives an order in the series; or (iii) NYSE Arca 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 54517. See also Rule 6.35 (providing for market maker appointments by class). 10 See Notice, supra note 3, at 54517. 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). 14 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). E:\FR\FM\20OCN1.SGM 20OCN1 sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 65306 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 203 / Thursday, October 20, 2011 / Notices and coordination with persons engaged in 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. The Exchange’s proposal to relieve market makers from the obligation to continuously quote in adjusted series would not affect market makers’ other obligations. For example, the Commission notes that the proposal does not excuse a market maker from the obligations to respond with a twosided, legal width market to a call for a market by a floor broker.15 The Commission also notes that the proposal does not excuse a market maker from the obligation to submit a single quote or maintain continuous quotes in one or more series of an option issue within the market maker’s appointment whenever, in the judgment of such Trading Official, it is necessary to do so in the interest of maintaining fair and orderly markets.16 Accordingly, the Exchange’s proposal concerning adjusted series is narrowly tailored to, among other things, 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. To the extent such series, shortly after the adjustment, become inactive as a result of a lack of interest in the series by market participants who have instead focused their trading in the new standard contracts, the Exchange’s proposal would reduce the burden on market makers to submit continuous quotes that the Exchange may not submit to OPRA. In so doing, the proposal may incentivize market makers to continue appointments in classes that have adjusted option series, and thereby should help maintain liquidity in these classes to the benefit of the Exchange, its OTP Holders, and investors. In addition, the obligation to continuously quote in such illiquid series, for which there may be little or no trading interest, is a minor part of a market maker’s overall obligations and thus requiring a continuous quote may not justify the system resources necessary to accommodate them. Further, the proposed new Commentary .01 to Rule 6.37B (the rule applicable to market maker quotations) to reflect the exception for LEAPS provided for in Rule 6.4(e)(i) to the continuous quoting obligations contained in Rule 6.37B, is not a new substantive provision, but rather references the exception currently provided for in Rule 6.4(e)(i). In so doing, the proposed change clarifies the exception by referencing it in the rule applicable to market maker quoting obligations generally. IV. Conclusion It Is Therefore Ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,17 that the proposed rule change (SR–NYSEArca– 2011–59) be, and hereby is, approved. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.18 Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–27137 Filed 10–19–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–65575; File No. SR– NASDAQ–2011–141] Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Modify Interpretation of Rule 4120(a)(11) 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 NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC (‘‘NASDAQ’’ 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 NASDAQ. 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 NASDAQ proposes to modify its interpretation of Rule 4120(a)(11) regarding at what price level to initiate a subsequent trading halts for any security that has been previously halted. NASDAQ will implement the proposed change immediately upon filing. There is no new proposed rule text, and a copy of the proposed rule change is available at https://nasdaqomx.cchwallstreet.com, at NASDAQ’s principal office, and at 17 15 15 See NYSE Arca Rule 6.37B. 16 See NYSE Arca Rule 6.37(b)(5) and Commentary .05. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:59 Oct 19, 2011 Jkt 226001 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. 18 17 PO 00000 Frm 00149 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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, 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 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 modifying its interpretation and practices related to certain language contained in Rule 4120(a)(11) which generally allows for the pausing of trading in individual securities should that security experience a significant percentage price increase or decline. Once a stock is halted pursuant to the rule, a fiveminute halt period commences, after which trading is re-commenced using prices determined by NASDAQ’s haltcross process. Currently, NASDAQ interprets language in Rule 4120(a) that states ‘‘[p]rice moves under this paragraph will be calculated by changes in each consolidated last-sale price disseminated by a network processor over a five minute rolling period measured continuously[.]’’ as requiring a continuous look back of five minutes—even when a stock is currently halted for a previous triggering price increase or decline. In this situation, trade reports for transactions taking place immediately before, or contemporaneous with, the halt can be submitted and disseminated, and thus set a new ‘‘within five minutes’’ comparison price level with any subsequent opening price coming out of the halt-cross process. Should a resulting price decline differential between the late intra-halt disseminated price and any new opening price coming out of the cross halt be great enough, another disruptive halt can be triggered. In response, NASDAQ proposes to modify its interpretation of what price its systems will for [sic] consider for evaluating the need for any subsequent E:\FR\FM\20OCN1.SGM 20OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 203 (Thursday, October 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65305-65306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27137]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-65573; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2011-59]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Granting 
Approval of Proposed Rule Change Adding Commentary .01 to Rule 6.37B 
Concerning Market Maker Continuous Quoting Obligations and Adjusted 
Option Series

October 14, 2011.

I. Introduction

    On August 16, 2011, NYSE Amex LLC (``Exchange'' or ``NYSE Arca'') 
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 6.37B 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65210 (August 26, 
2011), 76 FR 54516 (``Notice'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to add Commentary .01 to Rule 6.37B (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 6.37B an exception from the continuous quote requirements for 
Long-Term Equity Option Series (``LEAPS'') that is currently provided 
for in Rule 6.4(e)(i).
    Rule 6.37B, relating to market maker quotations, requires a Lead 
Market Maker 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 6.37B also requires non-lead 
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.
    Rule 6.4(e)(i), 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\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ In addition, Rule 6.4(e)(1) 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange now proposes to add Commentary .01 to Rule 6.37B (the 
rule applicable to market maker quotations) to reflect the exception 
for LEAPS that is currently provided for in Rule 6.4(e)(i) to the 
continuous quoting obligations contained in Rule 6.37B. In other words, 
without altering the substance of the exception, the Exchange is 
proposing to include text that already appears in Rule 6.4(e)(i) into 
Rule 6.37B 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 
6.37B 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\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The Exchange provided additional background regarding 
adjusted series options in its Notice. See Notice, supra note 3, at 
54517.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 
contracts.\6\ The Exchange noted that adjusted series may not meet the 
standards to be considered ``active'' and thereby, under Commentary .03 
to NYSE Arca Rule 6.86, 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\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See id.
    \7\ See id.
    \8\ Commentary .03 to Rule 6.86 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 Arca receives an 
order in the series; or (iii) NYSE Arca 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.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In its filing, the Exchange states that market makers, including 
Lead Market Makers, 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 6.37B to relieve market makers from the obligation to 
continuously quote in adjusted option series in order to encourage 
market makers, including Lead Market Makers, to continue their 
appointments in option classes that include adjusted series.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 54517. See also Rule 6.35 
(providing for market maker appointments by class).
    \10\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 54517.
    \11\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 particular, the Commission finds that the 
proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\14\ 
which requires, among other things, that the Exchange's rules be 
designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to 
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation

[[Page 65306]]

and coordination with persons engaged in 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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).
    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange's proposal to relieve market makers from the 
obligation to continuously quote in adjusted series would not affect 
market makers' other obligations. For example, the Commission notes 
that the proposal does not excuse a market maker from the obligations 
to respond with a two-sided, legal width market to a call for a market 
by a floor broker.\15\ The Commission also notes that the proposal does 
not excuse a market maker from the obligation to submit a single quote 
or maintain continuous quotes in one or more series of an option issue 
within the market maker's appointment whenever, in the judgment of such 
Trading Official, it is necessary to do so in the interest of 
maintaining fair and orderly markets.\16\ Accordingly, the Exchange's 
proposal concerning adjusted series is narrowly tailored to, among 
other things, 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. To the extent such series, 
shortly after the adjustment, become inactive as a result of a lack of 
interest in the series by market participants who have instead focused 
their trading in the new standard contracts, the Exchange's proposal 
would reduce the burden on market makers to submit continuous quotes 
that the Exchange may not submit to OPRA. In so doing, the proposal may 
incentivize market makers to continue appointments in classes that have 
adjusted option series, and thereby should help maintain liquidity in 
these classes to the benefit of the Exchange, its OTP Holders, and 
investors. In addition, the obligation to continuously quote in such 
illiquid series, for which there may be little or no trading interest, 
is a minor part of a market maker's overall obligations and thus 
requiring a continuous quote may not justify the system resources 
necessary to accommodate them.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ See NYSE Arca Rule 6.37B.
    \16\ See NYSE Arca Rule 6.37(b)(5) and Commentary .05.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, the proposed new Commentary .01 to Rule 6.37B (the rule 
applicable to market maker quotations) to reflect the exception for 
LEAPS provided for in Rule 6.4(e)(i) to the continuous quoting 
obligations contained in Rule 6.37B, is not a new substantive 
provision, but rather references the exception currently provided for 
in Rule 6.4(e)(i). In so doing, the proposed change clarifies the 
exception by referencing it in the rule applicable to market maker 
quoting obligations generally.

IV. Conclusion

    It Is Therefore Ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\17\ that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSEArca-2011-59) be, and 
hereby is, approved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-27137 Filed 10-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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