Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Modify the Short Term Options Series Program, 10229-10233 [2013-03304]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 30 / Wednesday, February 13, 2013 / Notices Trading Permit Holders and other persons using its facilities. In particular, the proposed change is reasonable because it will allow TPHs who engage in XSP options trading the opportunity to pay lower fees for such transactions. The proposed changes to the customer XSP options transaction fees are equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because they are designed to attract greater customer order flow to the Exchange. This would bring greater liquidity to the market, which benefits all market participants. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition CBOE does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange does not believe that the proposed changes to customer XSP options transaction fees will cause any unnecessary burden on intramarket competition because, while customers are assessed different, and often lower, fee rates than other market participants, this is a common practice within the options marketplace, and customers often do not have the sophisticated trading algorithms and systems that other market participants often possess. Further, to the extent that any change in intramarket competition may result from the proposed changes to customer XSP options transaction fees, such possible change is justifiable and offset because the changes to such fees are designed to attract greater customer order flow to the Exchange. This would bring greater liquidity to the market, which benefits all market participants. The Exchange does not believe that the proposed changes to customer XSP options transaction fees will cause any unnecessary burden on intermarket competition because the changes are minimal and apply to a single index on the Exchange. The Exchange also notes that it operates in a highly-competitive market in which market participants can readily direct order flow to competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be excessive. The proposed rule change reflects a competitive pricing structure designed to incent market participants to direct their order flow to the Exchange, and the Exchange believes that such structure will help the Exchange remain competitive with those fees and rebates assessed by other venues. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the proposed rule change. 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) of the Act 6 and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b–4 7 thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–CBOE–2013–015 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–CBOE–2013–015. This file number should be included on the subject line if email 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 6 15 7 17 VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:21 Feb 12, 2013 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f). Frm 00103 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 10229 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 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 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 Number SR–CBOE– 2013–015, and should be submitted on or before March 6, 2013. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.8 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2013–03274 Filed 2–12–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–68865; File No. SR–BATS– 2013–006] Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Modify the Short Term Options Series Program February 7, 2013. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on January 23, 2013, BATS Exchange, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BATS’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange has designated this proposal as a ‘‘noncontroversial’’ proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder,4 which renders it effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. 8 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 1 15 E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM 13FEN1 10230 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 30 / Wednesday, February 13, 2013 / Notices I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES The Exchange filed a proposal for the BATS Options Market (‘‘BATS Options’’) to amend its rules to modify the short term option series (‘‘Short Term Option Series’’ or ‘‘STOS’’) Program 5 to permit, during the week before expiration week and expiration week of an option class that is selected for the STOS Program, the strike price intervals for the related non-short term option series options to be the same as the strike price interval for the Short Term Option Series 6 options, to permit the Exchange to open STOS that are opened by other securities exchanges, and to adopt a rule to open Short Term Option Series for trading at $0.50 strike price intervals for option classes that trade in one dollar increments and are in the STOS Program. The Exchange also proposes to increase the number of expirations, strikes per class, and classes that are eligible to participate in the STOS Program, along with a clarifying change regarding the number of initial strikes per class. Lastly, the Exchange is proposing to amend the definition of Short Term Option Series in order to reflect the proposed increase in the number of expirations eligible for participation in the STOS Program and to add titles to several of its rules in order to make clear the subject matter that the rule covers. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange’s Web site at https://www.batstrading.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. 5 The STOS Program was established in August of 2010 on BATS Options. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62597 (July 29, 2010), 75 FR 47335 (August 5, 2010) (SR–BATS–2010–020) (notice of filing and immediate effectiveness establishing Short Term Option Series Program on BATS). Other exchanges have also established permanent short term option programs, including The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘NOM’’), NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (‘‘PHLX’’), Chicago Board Options Exchange (‘‘CBOE’’), International Securities Exchange (‘‘ISE’’), NYSE Arca Options (‘‘NYSE Arca’’), NYSE Amex, LLC (‘‘Amex’’), NASDAQ OMX BX (‘‘BX’’), and Boston Options Exchange LLC (‘‘BOX’’). 6 Short Term Option Series are series in an option class that is approved for listing and trading on the Exchange in which the series is opened for trading on any Thursday or Friday that is a business day and that expires on the Friday of the next business week. If a Thursday or Friday is not a business day, the series may be opened (or shall expire) on the first business day immediately prior to that Thursday or Friday, respectively. See BATS Rules 16.1(a)(57) and 29.2(n). VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:21 Feb 12, 2013 Jkt 229001 II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements. (A) Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The purpose of this proposed rule change is to amend BATS Rules 16.1(a)(57), 19.6, 29.2(n), and 29.11(h) related to the STOS Program. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to: (1) Adopt a rule to permit the Exchange to list Short Term Option Series at $0.50 strike price intervals for option classes that trade in one dollar increments and are in the STOS Program (‘‘Eligible Option Classes’’); (2) expand the number of expirations to five consecutive expirations under the STOS Program for trading on the Exchange; (3) increase the number of classes (from 15 to 30) that are eligible to participate in the STOS Program; (4) increase the number of strikes that may be listed per class (from 20 to 30) that participates in the STOS Program; (5) allow the Exchange to open Short Term Option Series that are opened by other securities exchanges in option classes selected by such exchanges under their respective short term option rules; (6) indicate that during the expiration week of an option class that is selected for the STOS Program, the strike price intervals for the related non-STOS option shall be the same as the strike price intervals for the STOS option and that during the week before the expiration week of a STOS option, the Exchange shall open the related non-STOS option for trading in STOS option intervals in the same manner as for STOS options; (7) make clear that the Exchange may open up to 20 initial series for each option class that participates in the STOS Program; (8) amend the definitions of Short Term Option Series in order to reflect the proposed increase in expirations; and (9) make BATS Rules clearer by adding titles to certain paragraphs. PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 $0.50 Strikes in the STOS Program The Exchange is proposing to amend BATS Rules 19.6 and 29.11(h) to permit the Exchange to list Short Term Option Series at $0.50 strike price intervals for option classes that trade in one dollar increments and are in the STOS Program. Currently, BATS Rules do not permit the Exchange to list Short Term Option Series at $0.50 strike price intervals. Rather, BATS Rules 19.6 and 29.11(h) only state that after an option class has been approved for listing and trading on the Exchange, the Exchange may open for trading on any Thursday or Friday that is a business day series of options on that class that expire on the Friday of the following business week that is a business day. The principal reason for the proposed structure is to compete on an equal playing field with other options exchanges in satisfying the high market demand for weekly options. Multiple options exchanges, including ISE, have implemented substantially similar STOS Programs, although there are some differences in the practical implementation of permitted strike prices. ISE’s STOS Program differs from the other programs in that ISE permits $0.50 strike price intervals for weekly options for option classes that trade in one dollar increments and are in the STOS Program.7 On the other hand, PHLX, for instance, permits $0.50 strike price intervals when the strike price is below $75, and $1 strike price intervals when the strike price is between $75 and $150.8 The Exchange is proposing to allow $0.50 strikes in a manner identical to ISE. There is continuing strong customer demand for having the ability to execute hedging and trading strategies effectively via STOS, particularly in the current fast, multi-faceted trading and investing environment that extends across numerous markets and platforms.9 The Exchange has observed increased demand for STOS classes and/or series, particularly when market moving events such as significant market volatility, corporate events, or large market, sector, or individual issue price swings have occurred. The STOS Program is one of the most popular and 7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67754 (August 29, 2012), 77 FR 54629 (September 5, 2012) (SR–ISE–2012–33). 8 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67753 (August 29, 2012) 77 FR 54635 (September 5, 2012) (SR–PHLX–2012–78). 9 These include, without limitation, options, equities, futures, derivatives, indexes, exchange traded funds, exchange traded notes, currencies, and over-the-counter instruments. E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM 13FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 30 / Wednesday, February 13, 2013 / Notices quickly expanding options expiration programs. The changes proposed by the Exchange should allow execution of more trading and hedging strategies on the Exchange. The Exchange notes that in conformance with Exchange Rules, the Exchange shall not list $0.50 or $1 strike price intervals on Related nonSTOS options within five (5) days of expiration. For example, if a Related non-STOS in an options class is set to expire on Friday, September 21, the Exchange could begin to trade $0.50 strike price intervals surrounding that Related non-STOS on Thursday, September 13, but no later than Friday September 14. The Exchange believes that there are substantial benefits to market participants in the ability to trade the Eligible Option Classes at more granular strike price intervals [sic] the proposed interval for the Eligible Option Classes would allow traders and investors, and in particular public (retail) investors to more effectively and with greater precision consummate trading and hedging strategies on the Exchange. The Exchange believes that this precision is increasingly necessary, and in fact crucial, as traders and investors engage in trading and hedging strategies across various investment platforms (e.g. equity and ETF, index, derivatives, futures, foreign currency, and even commodities products). mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Additional STOS Program Expirations The Exchange is also proposing to amend BATS Rules 19.6 and 29.11(h) to permit the Exchange to open up to five consecutive expirations under the STOS Program for trading on the Exchange. Currently under the STOS Program, the Exchange may open STOS option series for only one week expirations. This proposal seeks to allow the Exchange to add a maximum of five consecutive week expirations under the STOS Program, however it will not add a STOS expiration in the same week that a monthly options series expires or, in the case of Quarterly Option Series, on an expiration that coincides with an expiration of Quarterly Option Series on the same class. In other words, the total number of consecutive expirations will be five, including any existing monthly or quarterly expirations.10 As noted above, the STOS Program has been well10 For example, if quarterly options expire week 1 and monthly options expire week 3, the proposal would allow the following expirations: week 1 quarterly, week 2 STOS, week 3 monthly, week 4 STOS, and week 5 STOS. If quarterly options expire week 3 and monthly options expire week 5, the following expirations would be allowed: week 1 STOS, week 2 STOS, week 3 quarterly, week 4 STOS, and week 5 monthly. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:21 Feb 12, 2013 Jkt 229001 received by market participants, in particular by retail investors, and the Exchange believes that the proposed revision to the STOS Program will permit the Exchange to meet increased customer demand and provide market participants with the ability to hedge in a greater number of option classes and series as well as to allow the Exchange to compete with other options exchanges offering similar short term options programs, such as NYSE Arca.11 Additional Classes Participating in the STOS Program The Exchange is also proposing to amend BATS Rules 19.6 and 29.11(h) to permit the Exchange to increase the number of classes that are eligible to participate in the STOS Program from 15 to 30. Currently, for each option class that has been approved for listing and trading on the Exchange, the Exchange may open for trading on any Thursday or Friday that is a business day series of options on no more than fifteen option classes that expire on the Friday of the following business week that is a business day. Several other options exchanges, including NASDAQ Options Market (‘‘NOM’’),12 have rules that allow 30 classes to be eligible to participate in their STOS Programs. As a result, the Exchange is competitively disadvantaged because it operates a substantially similar STOS Program as ISE, NOM, and PHLX, but is limited to selecting only 15 classes that may participate in its STOS Program (whereas ISE, NOM, and PHLX may each select 30 classes). The proposed increase to the number of classes eligible to participate in the STOS Program is required for competitive purposes as well as to ensure consistency and uniformity among the competing options exchanges that have adopted similar short term options series programs. Additional Series per Class in the STOS Program The Exchange is also proposing to amend its rules to permit the Exchange to increase the number of series that the Exchange may open per class that is eligible to participate in the STOS Program from 20 to 30 as well as to make a clarifying change that states that the Exchange may open 20 initial series for each option class that participates in the STOS Program. Currently, for each 11 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68190 (November 8, 2012), 77 FR 68193 (November 15, 2012) (SR–NYSEArca–2012–95). 12 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65528 (October 11, 2011), 76 FR 64142 (October 17, 2011) (SR–NASDAQ–2011–138). PO 00000 Frm 00105 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 10231 class that has been approved for listing and trading on the Exchange as part of the STOS Program, the Exchange may open up to 20 series. ISE’s rules and the rules of other exchanges allow them to open up to 30 STOS for each option class eligible for participation in the STOS Program.13 As a result, the Exchange is competitively disadvantaged because it operates a substantially similar STOS Program as ISE and other exchanges but is limited to opening only 20 series per expiration in each class that is eligible to participate in its STOS Program (whereas ISE may select 30 series). The Exchange is proposing to amend its rules to allow the Exchange to open up to ten additional series (a total of 30) for each option class that participates in the STOS Program when the Exchange deems it necessary to maintain an orderly market, to meet customer demand, or when the market price of the underlying security moves substantially from the exercise price or prices of the series already opened. The Exchange is also proposing to amend its rules in order to clarify that it may open up to 20 initial series for each option class that participates in the STOS Program. STOS Opened by Other Exchanges The Exchange is also proposing to amend its rules to allow the Exchange to open STOS that are opened by other securities exchanges in option classes selected by other exchanges under their respective short term option rules. Currently, for each option class eligible for participation in the STOS Program, the Exchange may open up to 20 short term option series for each expiration date in that class.14 This proposal seeks to allow the Exchange to open STOS that are opened by other securities exchanges in option classes selected by other exchanges under their respective short term option rules. This change is being proposed notwithstanding the current cap of 20 series per class under the STOS Program. This too is a competitive change and is based on approved filings and existing rules of ISE, NOM, and PHLX.15 13 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 65771 (November 17, 2011), 76 FR 72472 (November 23, 2011) (SR–ISE–2011–60) and 65806 (November 22, 2011), 76 FR 73753 (November 29, 2011) (SR–NYSEArca-2011–88). 14 As previously discussed, the Exchange is also proposing to increase the number of series that may be opened on each class from 20 series per class to 30 series per class. 15 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 65775 (November 17, 2011), 76 FR 72473 (November 23, 2011) (SR–NASDAQ–2011–138) E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM Continued 13FEN1 10232 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 30 / Wednesday, February 13, 2013 / Notices The Exchange is competitively disadvantaged because it operates a substantially similar STOS Program as ISE, NOM, and PHLX, but is limited to listing a maximum of 20 series per options class that participates in its STOS Program (whereas ISE, NOM, and PHLX are not similarly restricted). The Exchange again notes that the STOS Program has been well-received by market participants, in particular by retail investors. The Exchange believes that the current proposed revision to the STOS Program will permit the Exchange to meet increased customer demand and provide market participants with the ability to hedge in a greater number of option classes and series, as well as provide consistency and uniformity among competing options exchanges. Strike Price Intervals in the non-STOS Options mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES The Exchange is also proposing to add Rule 19.6(g) and to amend Rule 19.6 Commentary .05(e) and Rule 29.11(h)(5) to indicate during the expiration week of an option class that is selected for the STOS Program, the strike price intervals for the related non-STOS option shall be the same as the strike price intervals for the STOS option. Currently, the Exchange does not list STOS options during the expiration week of an option class. The Exchange is not proposing to change this functionality, but rather, the Exchange is proposing to allow the use of the same strike price intervals for the related non-short term option during expiration week as are used for the short term option. This will allow option classes that are selected for the STOS Program that are trading at narrower strike price intervals as part of the STOS Program to continue trading at the narrower strike price intervals during expiration week, even though the short term option will not be traded during that week. In addition, the Exchange proposes that during the week before the expiration week of a STOS option, the Exchange shall open the related non-STOS option for trading in STOS option intervals in the same manner that they are opened for STOS options. Thus, a non-STOS option may be opened in STOS option intervals on a Thursday or Friday that is a business day before the non-STOS option expiration week. This functionality is (order granting approval of proposed rule change expanding the short term option series program) and 65776 (November 17, 2011), 76 FR 72482 (November 23, 2011) (SR–PHLX–2011–131) (order granting approval of proposed rule to increase the number of series permitted per class in the short term option series program); see also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 66623 (March 20, 2012), 77 FR 17531 (March 26, 2012) (SR–ISE–2012–23). VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:21 Feb 12, 2013 Jkt 229001 identical to that of BOX,16 among others, and would promote consistency in strike prices during the week prior to expiration, when the Exchange does not list short term options. Definition of STOS The Exchange is also proposing to amend Rules 16.1(a)(57) and 29.2(n) to make the definition of Short Term Option Series accurately reflect the proposed additional expirations proposed above. Currently, the definitions only include one expiration for STOS. The Exchange is proposing to include the additional expirations proposed above in both definitions of STOS. Adding Titles to Certain Paragraphs The Exchange is also proposing to amend its rules in order to make more clear which paragraphs are related to the initials series and additional series for each option class that participates in the STOS Program as well as the strike intervals on Short Term Option Series. With regard to the impact of these proposals on system capacity, the Exchange has analyzed its capacity and represents that it and the Options Price Reporting Authority have the necessary systems capacity to handle the potential additional traffic associated with proposed expansion to the STOS Program. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act 17 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 18 in particular, in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general to protect investors and the public interest. This will be effectuated by the following rule changes: STOS Program strike price intervals of $0.50 for option classes that trade in $1 increments; during the expiration week of the non-short term option, the strike price intervals for the non-short term option will be the same as for the short term option; allowing the Exchange to open STOS that are opened by other securities exchanges in option classes selected under their respective short term option rules; expanding the number of expirations to five consecutive expirations under the STOS Program for trading on the 16 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67870 (September 17, 2012), 77 FR 58600 (September 21, 2012) (SR–BOX–2012–012). 17 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 18 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). PO 00000 Frm 00106 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Exchange; and increasing the number of classes and strikes that are eligible to participate in the STOS Program. The Exchange believes that expanding the current STOS Program will result in a continuing benefit to investors by giving them more flexibility to closely tailor their investment and hedging decisions, while ensuring conformity between short term options and related non-short term options. While the expansion of the STOS Program will generate additional quote traffic, the Exchange does not believe that this increased traffic will become unmanageable since the proposal is limited to a limited number of classes. Further, the Exchange does not believe that the proposal will result in a material proliferation of additional series because it is limited to a fixed number of classes and the Exchange does not believe that the additional price points will result in fractured liquidity. (B) Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. To the contrary, the Exchange believes that the proposal will allow the Exchange to compete more effectively with other options exchanges that have already adopted changes to their short term options series programs that are identical to the changes proposed by this filing. (C) Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written comments on the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest, does not impose any significant burden on competition, and by its terms, does not become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM 13FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 30 / Wednesday, February 13, 2013 / Notices Act 19 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.20 The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay. The Commission believes that waiver of the operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because the proposal is substantially similar to those of other exchanges that have expanded and modified their STOS programs, which been approved by the Commission or filed for immediate effectiveness as ‘‘copycat’’ filings.21 Waiver of the delay would allow BATS to compete with these exchanges and clarify its rules without undue delay. Therefore, the Commission grants the Exchange’s waiver request and designates the proposal operative upon filing.22 At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–BATS–2013–006 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. 19 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6)(iii) requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the Exchange’s intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and the text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The Exchange satisfied this requirement. 21 See supra, notes 7–8, 11–13, and 15–16. 22 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 20 17 VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:21 Feb 12, 2013 Jkt 229001 All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BATS–2013–006. This file number should be included on the subject line if email 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 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 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 Number SR–BATS– 2013–006 and should be submitted on or before March 6, 2013. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.23 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2013–03304 Filed 2–12–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 10233 notice is hereby given that on January 24, 2013, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE Arca’’) 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 the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to list and trade shares of the SPDR Blackstone/ GSO Senior Loan ETF under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.600. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at www.nyse.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the 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 Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–68862; File No. SR– NYSEArca–2013–08] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Listing and Trading of the SPDR Blackstone/ GSO Senior Loan ETF Under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.600 February 7, 2013. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 23 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 15 U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 PO 00000 Frm 00107 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Exchange proposes to list and trade the shares (‘‘Shares’’) of the following under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.600, which governs the listing and trading of Managed Fund Shares 4 on the Exchange: SPDR Blackstone/GSO 4 A Managed Fund Share is a security that represents an interest in an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–1) (the ‘‘1940 Act’’) organized as an open-end investment company or similar entity that invests in a portfolio of securities selected by its investment adviser consistent with its investment objectives and policies. In contrast, an open-end investment company that issues Investment Company Units, listed and traded on the Exchange under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3), seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of a specific foreign or domestic stock index, fixed income securities index or combination thereof. E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM 13FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10229-10233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03304]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-68865; File No. SR-BATS-2013-006]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Modify 
the Short Term Options Series Program

February 7, 2013.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on January 23, 2013, BATS Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``BATS'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and 
II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange 
has designated this proposal as a ``non-controversial'' proposed rule 
change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder,\4\ which renders it effective upon filing with 
the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit 
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).

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[[Page 10230]]

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange filed a proposal for the BATS Options Market (``BATS 
Options'') to amend its rules to modify the short term option series 
(``Short Term Option Series'' or ``STOS'') Program \5\ to permit, 
during the week before expiration week and expiration week of an option 
class that is selected for the STOS Program, the strike price intervals 
for the related non-short term option series options to be the same as 
the strike price interval for the Short Term Option Series \6\ options, 
to permit the Exchange to open STOS that are opened by other securities 
exchanges, and to adopt a rule to open Short Term Option Series for 
trading at $0.50 strike price intervals for option classes that trade 
in one dollar increments and are in the STOS Program. The Exchange also 
proposes to increase the number of expirations, strikes per class, and 
classes that are eligible to participate in the STOS Program, along 
with a clarifying change regarding the number of initial strikes per 
class. Lastly, the Exchange is proposing to amend the definition of 
Short Term Option Series in order to reflect the proposed increase in 
the number of expirations eligible for participation in the STOS 
Program and to add titles to several of its rules in order to make 
clear the subject matter that the rule covers.
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    \5\ The STOS Program was established in August of 2010 on BATS 
Options. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62597 (July 29, 
2010), 75 FR 47335 (August 5, 2010) (SR-BATS-2010-020) (notice of 
filing and immediate effectiveness establishing Short Term Option 
Series Program on BATS). Other exchanges have also established 
permanent short term option programs, including The NASDAQ Stock 
Market LLC (``NOM''), NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (``PHLX''), Chicago Board 
Options Exchange (``CBOE''), International Securities Exchange 
(``ISE''), NYSE Arca Options (``NYSE Arca''), NYSE Amex, LLC 
(``Amex''), NASDAQ OMX BX (``BX''), and Boston Options Exchange LLC 
(``BOX'').
    \6\ Short Term Option Series are series in an option class that 
is approved for listing and trading on the Exchange in which the 
series is opened for trading on any Thursday or Friday that is a 
business day and that expires on the Friday of the next business 
week. If a Thursday or Friday is not a business day, the series may 
be opened (or shall expire) on the first business day immediately 
prior to that Thursday or Friday, respectively. See BATS Rules 
16.1(a)(57) and 29.2(n).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's 
Web site at https://www.batstrading.com, at the principal office of the 
Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. The 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 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The purpose of this proposed rule change is to amend BATS Rules 
16.1(a)(57), 19.6, 29.2(n), and 29.11(h) related to the STOS Program. 
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to: (1) Adopt a rule to permit the 
Exchange to list Short Term Option Series at $0.50 strike price 
intervals for option classes that trade in one dollar increments and 
are in the STOS Program (``Eligible Option Classes''); (2) expand the 
number of expirations to five consecutive expirations under the STOS 
Program for trading on the Exchange; (3) increase the number of classes 
(from 15 to 30) that are eligible to participate in the STOS Program; 
(4) increase the number of strikes that may be listed per class (from 
20 to 30) that participates in the STOS Program; (5) allow the Exchange 
to open Short Term Option Series that are opened by other securities 
exchanges in option classes selected by such exchanges under their 
respective short term option rules; (6) indicate that during the 
expiration week of an option class that is selected for the STOS 
Program, the strike price intervals for the related non-STOS option 
shall be the same as the strike price intervals for the STOS option and 
that during the week before the expiration week of a STOS option, the 
Exchange shall open the related non-STOS option for trading in STOS 
option intervals in the same manner as for STOS options; (7) make clear 
that the Exchange may open up to 20 initial series for each option 
class that participates in the STOS Program; (8) amend the definitions 
of Short Term Option Series in order to reflect the proposed increase 
in expirations; and (9) make BATS Rules clearer by adding titles to 
certain paragraphs.

$0.50 Strikes in the STOS Program

    The Exchange is proposing to amend BATS Rules 19.6 and 29.11(h) to 
permit the Exchange to list Short Term Option Series at $0.50 strike 
price intervals for option classes that trade in one dollar increments 
and are in the STOS Program. Currently, BATS Rules do not permit the 
Exchange to list Short Term Option Series at $0.50 strike price 
intervals. Rather, BATS Rules 19.6 and 29.11(h) only state that after 
an option class has been approved for listing and trading on the 
Exchange, the Exchange may open for trading on any Thursday or Friday 
that is a business day series of options on that class that expire on 
the Friday of the following business week that is a business day.
    The principal reason for the proposed structure is to compete on an 
equal playing field with other options exchanges in satisfying the high 
market demand for weekly options. Multiple options exchanges, including 
ISE, have implemented substantially similar STOS Programs, although 
there are some differences in the practical implementation of permitted 
strike prices. ISE's STOS Program differs from the other programs in 
that ISE permits $0.50 strike price intervals for weekly options for 
option classes that trade in one dollar increments and are in the STOS 
Program.\7\ On the other hand, PHLX, for instance, permits $0.50 strike 
price intervals when the strike price is below $75, and $1 strike price 
intervals when the strike price is between $75 and $150.\8\ The 
Exchange is proposing to allow $0.50 strikes in a manner identical to 
ISE.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67754 (August 29, 
2012), 77 FR 54629 (September 5, 2012) (SR-ISE-2012-33).
    \8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67753 (August 29, 
2012) 77 FR 54635 (September 5, 2012) (SR-PHLX-2012-78).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    There is continuing strong customer demand for having the ability 
to execute hedging and trading strategies effectively via STOS, 
particularly in the current fast, multi-faceted trading and investing 
environment that extends across numerous markets and platforms.\9\ The 
Exchange has observed increased demand for STOS classes and/or series, 
particularly when market moving events such as significant market 
volatility, corporate events, or large market, sector, or individual 
issue price swings have occurred. The STOS Program is one of the most 
popular and

[[Page 10231]]

quickly expanding options expiration programs.
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    \9\ These include, without limitation, options, equities, 
futures, derivatives, indexes, exchange traded funds, exchange 
traded notes, currencies, and over-the-counter instruments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The changes proposed by the Exchange should allow execution of more 
trading and hedging strategies on the Exchange. The Exchange notes that 
in conformance with Exchange Rules, the Exchange shall not list $0.50 
or $1 strike price intervals on Related non-STOS options within five 
(5) days of expiration. For example, if a Related non-STOS in an 
options class is set to expire on Friday, September 21, the Exchange 
could begin to trade $0.50 strike price intervals surrounding that 
Related non-STOS on Thursday, September 13, but no later than Friday 
September 14.
    The Exchange believes that there are substantial benefits to market 
participants in the ability to trade the Eligible Option Classes at 
more granular strike price intervals [sic] the proposed interval for 
the Eligible Option Classes would allow traders and investors, and in 
particular public (retail) investors to more effectively and with 
greater precision consummate trading and hedging strategies on the 
Exchange. The Exchange believes that this precision is increasingly 
necessary, and in fact crucial, as traders and investors engage in 
trading and hedging strategies across various investment platforms 
(e.g. equity and ETF, index, derivatives, futures, foreign currency, 
and even commodities products).

Additional STOS Program Expirations

    The Exchange is also proposing to amend BATS Rules 19.6 and 
29.11(h) to permit the Exchange to open up to five consecutive 
expirations under the STOS Program for trading on the Exchange. 
Currently under the STOS Program, the Exchange may open STOS option 
series for only one week expirations.
    This proposal seeks to allow the Exchange to add a maximum of five 
consecutive week expirations under the STOS Program, however it will 
not add a STOS expiration in the same week that a monthly options 
series expires or, in the case of Quarterly Option Series, on an 
expiration that coincides with an expiration of Quarterly Option Series 
on the same class. In other words, the total number of consecutive 
expirations will be five, including any existing monthly or quarterly 
expirations.\10\ As noted above, the STOS Program has been well-
received by market participants, in particular by retail investors, and 
the Exchange believes that the proposed revision to the STOS Program 
will permit the Exchange to meet increased customer demand and provide 
market participants with the ability to hedge in a greater number of 
option classes and series as well as to allow the Exchange to compete 
with other options exchanges offering similar short term options 
programs, such as NYSE Arca.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ For example, if quarterly options expire week 1 and monthly 
options expire week 3, the proposal would allow the following 
expirations: week 1 quarterly, week 2 STOS, week 3 monthly, week 4 
STOS, and week 5 STOS. If quarterly options expire week 3 and 
monthly options expire week 5, the following expirations would be 
allowed: week 1 STOS, week 2 STOS, week 3 quarterly, week 4 STOS, 
and week 5 monthly.
    \11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68190 (November 8, 
2012), 77 FR 68193 (November 15, 2012) (SR-NYSEArca-2012-95).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Classes Participating in the STOS Program

    The Exchange is also proposing to amend BATS Rules 19.6 and 
29.11(h) to permit the Exchange to increase the number of classes that 
are eligible to participate in the STOS Program from 15 to 30. 
Currently, for each option class that has been approved for listing and 
trading on the Exchange, the Exchange may open for trading on any 
Thursday or Friday that is a business day series of options on no more 
than fifteen option classes that expire on the Friday of the following 
business week that is a business day.
    Several other options exchanges, including NASDAQ Options Market 
(``NOM''),\12\ have rules that allow 30 classes to be eligible to 
participate in their STOS Programs. As a result, the Exchange is 
competitively disadvantaged because it operates a substantially similar 
STOS Program as ISE, NOM, and PHLX, but is limited to selecting only 15 
classes that may participate in its STOS Program (whereas ISE, NOM, and 
PHLX may each select 30 classes).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65528 (October 11, 
2011), 76 FR 64142 (October 17, 2011) (SR-NASDAQ-2011-138).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed increase to the number of classes eligible to 
participate in the STOS Program is required for competitive purposes as 
well as to ensure consistency and uniformity among the competing 
options exchanges that have adopted similar short term options series 
programs.

Additional Series per Class in the STOS Program

    The Exchange is also proposing to amend its rules to permit the 
Exchange to increase the number of series that the Exchange may open 
per class that is eligible to participate in the STOS Program from 20 
to 30 as well as to make a clarifying change that states that the 
Exchange may open 20 initial series for each option class that 
participates in the STOS Program. Currently, for each class that has 
been approved for listing and trading on the Exchange as part of the 
STOS Program, the Exchange may open up to 20 series.
    ISE's rules and the rules of other exchanges allow them to open up 
to 30 STOS for each option class eligible for participation in the STOS 
Program.\13\ As a result, the Exchange is competitively disadvantaged 
because it operates a substantially similar STOS Program as ISE and 
other exchanges but is limited to opening only 20 series per expiration 
in each class that is eligible to participate in its STOS Program 
(whereas ISE may select 30 series).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 65771 (November 
17, 2011), 76 FR 72472 (November 23, 2011) (SR-ISE-2011-60) and 
65806 (November 22, 2011), 76 FR 73753 (November 29, 2011) (SR-
NYSEArca-2011-88).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange is proposing to amend its rules to allow the Exchange 
to open up to ten additional series (a total of 30) for each option 
class that participates in the STOS Program when the Exchange deems it 
necessary to maintain an orderly market, to meet customer demand, or 
when the market price of the underlying security moves substantially 
from the exercise price or prices of the series already opened. The 
Exchange is also proposing to amend its rules in order to clarify that 
it may open up to 20 initial series for each option class that 
participates in the STOS Program.

STOS Opened by Other Exchanges

    The Exchange is also proposing to amend its rules to allow the 
Exchange to open STOS that are opened by other securities exchanges in 
option classes selected by other exchanges under their respective short 
term option rules. Currently, for each option class eligible for 
participation in the STOS Program, the Exchange may open up to 20 short 
term option series for each expiration date in that class.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ As previously discussed, the Exchange is also proposing to 
increase the number of series that may be opened on each class from 
20 series per class to 30 series per class.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This proposal seeks to allow the Exchange to open STOS that are 
opened by other securities exchanges in option classes selected by 
other exchanges under their respective short term option rules. This 
change is being proposed notwithstanding the current cap of 20 series 
per class under the STOS Program. This too is a competitive change and 
is based on approved filings and existing rules of ISE, NOM, and 
PHLX.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 65775 (November 
17, 2011), 76 FR 72473 (November 23, 2011) (SR-NASDAQ-2011-138) 
(order granting approval of proposed rule change expanding the short 
term option series program) and 65776 (November 17, 2011), 76 FR 
72482 (November 23, 2011) (SR-PHLX-2011-131) (order granting 
approval of proposed rule to increase the number of series permitted 
per class in the short term option series program); see also 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 66623 (March 20, 2012), 77 FR 
17531 (March 26, 2012) (SR-ISE-2012-23).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 10232]]

    The Exchange is competitively disadvantaged because it operates a 
substantially similar STOS Program as ISE, NOM, and PHLX, but is 
limited to listing a maximum of 20 series per options class that 
participates in its STOS Program (whereas ISE, NOM, and PHLX are not 
similarly restricted).
    The Exchange again notes that the STOS Program has been well-
received by market participants, in particular by retail investors. The 
Exchange believes that the current proposed revision to the STOS 
Program will permit the Exchange to meet increased customer demand and 
provide market participants with the ability to hedge in a greater 
number of option classes and series, as well as provide consistency and 
uniformity among competing options exchanges.

Strike Price Intervals in the non-STOS Options

    The Exchange is also proposing to add Rule 19.6(g) and to amend 
Rule 19.6 Commentary .05(e) and Rule 29.11(h)(5) to indicate during the 
expiration week of an option class that is selected for the STOS 
Program, the strike price intervals for the related non-STOS option 
shall be the same as the strike price intervals for the STOS option. 
Currently, the Exchange does not list STOS options during the 
expiration week of an option class. The Exchange is not proposing to 
change this functionality, but rather, the Exchange is proposing to 
allow the use of the same strike price intervals for the related non-
short term option during expiration week as are used for the short term 
option. This will allow option classes that are selected for the STOS 
Program that are trading at narrower strike price intervals as part of 
the STOS Program to continue trading at the narrower strike price 
intervals during expiration week, even though the short term option 
will not be traded during that week. In addition, the Exchange proposes 
that during the week before the expiration week of a STOS option, the 
Exchange shall open the related non-STOS option for trading in STOS 
option intervals in the same manner that they are opened for STOS 
options. Thus, a non-STOS option may be opened in STOS option intervals 
on a Thursday or Friday that is a business day before the non-STOS 
option expiration week. This functionality is identical to that of 
BOX,\16\ among others, and would promote consistency in strike prices 
during the week prior to expiration, when the Exchange does not list 
short term options.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67870 (September 
17, 2012), 77 FR 58600 (September 21, 2012) (SR-BOX-2012-012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Definition of STOS

    The Exchange is also proposing to amend Rules 16.1(a)(57) and 
29.2(n) to make the definition of Short Term Option Series accurately 
reflect the proposed additional expirations proposed above. Currently, 
the definitions only include one expiration for STOS. The Exchange is 
proposing to include the additional expirations proposed above in both 
definitions of STOS.

Adding Titles to Certain Paragraphs

    The Exchange is also proposing to amend its rules in order to make 
more clear which paragraphs are related to the initials series and 
additional series for each option class that participates in the STOS 
Program as well as the strike intervals on Short Term Option Series.
    With regard to the impact of these proposals on system capacity, 
the Exchange has analyzed its capacity and represents that it and the 
Options Price Reporting Authority have the necessary systems capacity 
to handle the potential additional traffic associated with proposed 
expansion to the STOS Program.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act \17\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act \18\ in particular, in that it is designed to 
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments 
to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national 
market system, and, in general to protect investors and the public 
interest. This will be effectuated by the following rule changes: STOS 
Program strike price intervals of $0.50 for option classes that trade 
in $1 increments; during the expiration week of the non-short term 
option, the strike price intervals for the non-short term option will 
be the same as for the short term option; allowing the Exchange to open 
STOS that are opened by other securities exchanges in option classes 
selected under their respective short term option rules; expanding the 
number of expirations to five consecutive expirations under the STOS 
Program for trading on the Exchange; and increasing the number of 
classes and strikes that are eligible to participate in the STOS 
Program. The Exchange believes that expanding the current STOS Program 
will result in a continuing benefit to investors by giving them more 
flexibility to closely tailor their investment and hedging decisions, 
while ensuring conformity between short term options and related non-
short term options. While the expansion of the STOS Program will 
generate additional quote traffic, the Exchange does not believe that 
this increased traffic will become unmanageable since the proposal is 
limited to a limited number of classes. Further, the Exchange does not 
believe that the proposal will result in a material proliferation of 
additional series because it is limited to a fixed number of classes 
and the Exchange does not believe that the additional price points will 
result in fractured liquidity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. To the contrary, the Exchange 
believes that the proposal will allow the Exchange to compete more 
effectively with other options exchanges that have already adopted 
changes to their short term options series programs that are identical 
to the changes proposed by this filing.

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

    The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written comments on 
the proposed rule change.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not significantly 
affect the protection of investors or the public interest, does not 
impose any significant burden on competition, and by its terms, does 
not become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, 
or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with 
the protection of investors and the public interest, it has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the

[[Page 10233]]

Act \19\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\20\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \20\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) 
requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the 
Exchange's intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a 
brief description and the text of the proposed rule change, at least 
five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule 
change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The 
Exchange satisfied this requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day 
operative delay. The Commission believes that waiver of the operative 
delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public 
interest because the proposal is substantially similar to those of 
other exchanges that have expanded and modified their STOS programs, 
which been approved by the Commission or filed for immediate 
effectiveness as ``copycat'' filings.\21\ Waiver of the delay would 
allow BATS to compete with these exchanges and clarify its rules 
without undue delay. Therefore, the Commission grants the Exchange's 
waiver request and designates the proposal operative upon filing.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ See supra, notes 7-8, 11-13, and 15-16.
    \22\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule 
change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it 
appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate 
in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-BATS-2013-006 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-BATS-2013-006. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email 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 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 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 Number SR-BATS-2013-006 and should be 
submitted on or before March 6, 2013.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-03304 Filed 2-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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