Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Modify the Operation of Market Orders for BATS Options, 16750-16752 [2013-06155]
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16750
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 52 / Monday, March 18, 2013 / Notices
The Exchange also believes that this
change will help to protect all investors
from executions at prices that are not
based on a reliable benchmark for the
price of an option during times of
significant volatility, and thus, believes
the proposal to be consistent with the
protection of investors and the public
interest.
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
other options exchanges are proposing
to modify a market maker’s quoting
obligations when the underlying
security is subject to a Limit State or
Straddle State in connection with the
Limit Up-Limit Down Plan consistent
with the Exchange’s handling 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 comments on the proposed
rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Within 45 days of the date of
publication of this notice in the Federal
Register or within such longer period (i)
as the Commission may designate up to
90 days of such date if it finds such
longer period to be appropriate and
publishes its reasons for so finding or
(ii) as to which the self-regulatory
organization consents, the Commission
will:
(A) By order approve or disapprove
such proposed rule change, or
(B) institute proceedings to determine
whether the proposed rule change
should be disapproved.
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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:
No. SR–BOX–2013–13 on the subject
line.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Paper Comments
[Release No. 34–69121; File No. SR–BATS–
2013–014]
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File No.
SR–BOX–2013–13. 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 No. SR–BOX–2013–
13 and should be submitted on or before
April 2, 2013.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.3
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013–06088 Filed 3–15–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
Electronic Comments
15:16 Mar 15, 2013
March 12, 2013.
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 February
27, 2013, BATS Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BATS’’
or ‘‘Exchange’’) 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.
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 Rule 21.1 in
connection with the upcoming
operation of the Plan to Address
Extraordinary Market Volatility
Pursuant to Rule 608 of Regulation NMS
under the Act (the ‘‘Limit Up-Limit
Down Plan’’ or ‘‘Plan’’).5
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
1 15
• 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
VerDate Mar<14>2013
Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS
Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change To Modify the Operation
of Market Orders for BATS Options
Jkt 229001
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67091
(May 31, 2012), 77 FR 33498 (June 6, 2012) (the
‘‘Limit Up-Limit Down Release’’).
2 17
3
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17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 52 / Monday, March 18, 2013 / Notices
statements may be examined at the
places specified in Item IV below. The
Exchange has prepared summaries, set
forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of
the most significant parts of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
1. Purpose
The Exchange currently allows the
entry of market orders, which are orders
that are orders to buy or sell at the best
price available at the time of execution
(‘‘Market Orders’’). The purpose of this
proposed rule change is to amend BATS
Rule 21.1(d)(5) to reject Market Orders
if they are received when the underlying
security is subject to a ‘‘Limit State’’ or
‘‘Straddle State’’ as defined Limit in the
Up-Limit Down Plan.6
The Limit Up-Limit Down Plan is
designed to prevent executions from
occurring outside of dynamic price
bands disseminated to the public by the
single plan processor as defined in the
Limit Up-Limit Down Plan. Under the
Plan, a Limit State will be declared if
the national best offer equals the lower
price band and does not cross the
national best bid, or the national best
bid equals the upper price band and
does not cross the national best offer. A
Straddle State is when the national best
bid (offer) is below (above) the lower
(upper) price band and the security is
not in a Limit State, and trading in that
security deviates from normal trading
characteristics such that declaring a
trading pause would support the Plan’s
goal to address extraordinary market
volatility. Accordingly, when the
underlying security is in a Limit State
or Straddle State, there will not be a
reliable price for the security to serve as
a benchmark for the price of the related
option. In such a state, the Exchange
does not believe that it should permit
the execution of Market Orders, which
are un-priced orders that execute at the
best price available at the time the
Exchange receives such orders. The
Exchange believes that the rejection of
Market Orders when the underlying
security is subject to a Limit State or
Straddle State will help to maintain a
fair and efficient marketplace for the
execution of options.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its
proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)
6 The Exchange notes that it will verify whether
the underlying security is in a Limit State or
Straddle State immediately prior to executing any
Market Order.
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15:16 Mar 15, 2013
Jkt 229001
of the Act 7 in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 8
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. The
Exchange believes that the rejection of
options Market Orders when the
underlying security is in a Limit State
or Straddle State will help to prevent
executions that might occur at prices
that have not been reliably formed. The
Exchange believes that this change will
help to protect, in particular, retail
investors from executions of un-priced
orders during times of significant
volatility, and thus, believes the
proposal to be consistent with the
protection of investors and the public
interest.
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 other
options exchanges are proposing to
handle market orders subject to a Limit
State or Straddle State in connection
with the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan
consistent with the Exchange’s handling
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
The Exchange has filed the proposed
rule change pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 9 and Rule
19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.10 Because the
proposed rule change does not: (i)
Significantly affect the protection of
investors or the public interest; (ii)
impose any significant burden on
7 15
U.S.C. 78f(b).
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
9 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
10 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) 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 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
has satisfied this requirement.
8 15
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16751
competition; and (iii) become operative
prior to 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, the
proposed rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)
of the Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii)
thereunder.
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of such proposed rule change, the
Commission summarily may
temporarily suspend such rule change if
it appears to the Commission that such
action is necessary or appropriate in the
public interest, for the protection of
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
the purposes of the Act. If the
Commission takes such action, the
Commission shall institute proceedings
under Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act 11 to
determine whether the proposed rule
change should be approved or
disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
No. SR–BATS–2013–014 on the subject
line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File No.
SR–BATS–2013–014. 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
11 15
E:\FR\FM\18MRN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
18MRN1
16752
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 52 / Monday, March 18, 2013 / Notices
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 No. SR–BATS–
2013–014 and should be submitted on
or before April 8, 2013.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.12
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013–06155 Filed 3–15–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–69124; File Nos. SR–
CBOE–2013–016; SR–ISE–2013–08]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
Chicago Board Options Exchange,
Incorporated; International Securities
Exchange, LLC; Order Granting
Accelerated Approval of Proposed
Rule Changes To Permit the Minimum
Price Variation for Mini Options To Be
the Same as Permitted for Standard
Options on the Same Underlying
Security
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
March 12, 2013.
I. Introduction
On January 31, 2013, Chicago Board
Options Exchange, Incorporated
(‘‘CBOE’’) and on February 6, 2013,
International Securities Exchange, LLC
(‘‘ISE,’’ and together with CBOE,
‘‘Exchanges’’) 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 proposed rule changes to
permit the minimum price variation for
Mini Options to be the same as the
minimum price variation for standard
options on the same underlying
12 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
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15:16 Mar 15, 2013
Jkt 229001
security. CBOE’s proposed rule change
was published for comment in the
Federal Register on February 14, 2013,3
and the Commission received three
comment letters on the proposal.4 On
March 8, 2013, CBOE submitted a
response letter.5 ISE’s proposed rule
change was published for comment in
the Federal Register on February 20,
2013,6 and the Commission received
one comment letter on the proposal.7
The Commission is approving the
Exchanges’ proposals on an accelerated
basis.
II. Description of the Proposed Rule
Changes
CBOE and ISE currently have rules
that provide for the listing and trading
of options (‘‘Mini Options’’) that deliver
10 physical shares of SPDR S&P 500
(‘‘SPY’’), Apple Inc. (‘‘AAPL’’), SPDR
Gold Trust (‘‘GLD’’), Google Inc.
(‘‘GOOG’’), and Amazon.com, Inc.
(‘‘AMZN’’).8 The Exchanges now
propose to amend their rules to provide
that the minimum price variation for
bids and offers for Mini Options be the
same as the minimum price variation for
standard options on the same
underlying security.9 For example, if
standard options on a security
participate in the Penny Pilot Program,
Mini Options on the same underlying
security would be quoted in the same
minimum increments (i.e., $0.01 for
series that are quoted at less than $3 per
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68873
(February 8, 2013), 78 FR 10671 (‘‘CBOE Notice’’).
4 See letters from David Schmueck, Director,
Chief Regulatory Officer, LiquidPoint LLC, dated
March 11, 2013 (‘‘LiquidPoint Letter’’); Ellen
Greene, Vice President, Financial Services
Operations, Securities Industry and Financial
Markets Association (‘‘SIFMA’’), dated March 6,
2013 (‘‘SIFMA Letter’’); and Michael L. Sheedy,
dated February 22, 2013 (‘‘Sheedy Letter’’).
5 See letter from Jenny Golding, Senior Attorney,
Legal Division, CBOE, dated March 8, 2013 (‘‘CBOE
Response Letter’’).
6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68919
(February 13, 2013), 78 FR 11921 (‘‘ISE Notice’’).
7 See letter from Gary J. Sjostedt, Director, Order
Routing Strategy, TD Ameritrade, Inc. (‘‘TD
Ameritrade’’), dated January 30, 2013 (‘‘TD
Ameritrade Letter’’).
8 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 68656
(January 15, 2013), 78 FR 4526 (January 22, 2013)
(SR–CBOE–2013–001) (‘‘CBOE Mini Options
Notice’’) and 67948 (September 28, 2012), 77 FR
60735 (October 4, 2012) (SR–ISE–2012–58) (‘‘ISE
Mini Options Order’’).
9 See CBOE Rule 5.5, Interpretation and Policy
.22(d) and ISE Rule 504, Supplementary Material
.13(d). While the Exchanges propose these
minimum price variations for Mini Options, they
are not proposing to include any Mini Option in the
Penny Pilot Program. See CBOE Notice, supra note
3, at 10672 and ISE Notice, supra note 6, at 11922.
As CBOE states, because Mini Options are a
separate class from standard options on the same
underlying security, Mini Options would have to
qualify separately for entry into the Penny Pilot
Program, which they do not, at least initially. See
CBOE Notice, supra note 3, at 10672.
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Frm 00106
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contract and $0.05 for series that are
quoted at $3 per contract or greater, and
$0.01 for all SPY options series). Of the
five securities on which Mini Options
are permitted, SPY, AAPL, GLD, and
AMZN participate in the Penny Pilot
Program. As proposed, for Mini Options
on AAPL, GLD, and AMZN, the
minimum price variation would be
$0.01 for quotations in series that are
quoted at less than $3 per contract and
$0.05 for quotations in series that are
quoted at $3 per contract or greater.10
For Mini Options on SPY, the minimum
price variation would be $0.01 for all
quotations in all series.11 Because
GOOG does not participate in the Penny
Pilot Program, the minimum price
variation for Mini Options on GOOG
would be $0.05 for series that are quoted
at less than $3 per contract and $0.10 for
series that are quoted at $3 per contract
or greater.12
III. Discussion and Commission
Findings
The Commission finds that the
proposed rule changes filed by the
Exchanges are consistent with the
requirements of the Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder applicable to
a national securities exchange.13
Specifically, the Commission finds that
the proposed rule changes are consistent
with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,14 which
requires, among other things, that the
rules of a national securities exchange
be designed to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, 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.
The Commission believes that
permitting Mini Options on SPY, AAPL,
GLD, GOOG, and AMZN to have the
same minimum price variation as
standard options on the same
underlying securities, in the manner
proposed by the Exchanges, is
consistent with the Act.15 In addition,
10 See CBOE Rule 6.42(3) and ISE Rule 710,
Supplementary Material .01.
11 See CBOE Rule 6.42(3) and ISE Rule 710,
Supplementary Material .01.
12 See CBOE Rules 6.42(1) and (2) and ISE Rule
710(a).
13 In approving these proposed rule changes, the
Commission has considered the proposed rules’
impact on efficiency, competition, and capital
formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
14 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
15 Mini Options are currently limited to overlie
SPY, AAPL, GLD, GOOG, and AMZN, and any
expansion of the Mini Options program would
require that a subsequent proposed rule change be
submitted to the Commission. See CBOE Mini
Options Notice, supra note 8, at n.4 and ISE Mini
Options Order, supra note 8, at n.12. In addition,
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 52 (Monday, March 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16750-16752]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06155]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-69121; File No. SR-BATS-2013-014]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Modify
the Operation of Market Orders for BATS Options
March 12, 2013.
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 February 27, 2013, BATS Exchange, Inc. (``BATS'' or ``Exchange'')
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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Rule 21.1 in connection with the upcoming operation
of the Plan to Address Extraordinary Market Volatility Pursuant to Rule
608 of Regulation NMS under the Act (the ``Limit Up-Limit Down Plan''
or ``Plan'').\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67091 (May 31,
2012), 77 FR 33498 (June 6, 2012) (the ``Limit Up-Limit Down
Release'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
[[Page 16751]]
statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below.
The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C
below, of the most significant parts of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange currently allows the entry of market orders, which are
orders that are orders to buy or sell at the best price available at
the time of execution (``Market Orders''). The purpose of this proposed
rule change is to amend BATS Rule 21.1(d)(5) to reject Market Orders if
they are received when the underlying security is subject to a ``Limit
State'' or ``Straddle State'' as defined Limit in the Up-Limit Down
Plan.\6\
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\6\ The Exchange notes that it will verify whether the
underlying security is in a Limit State or Straddle State
immediately prior to executing any Market Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Limit Up-Limit Down Plan is designed to prevent executions from
occurring outside of dynamic price bands disseminated to the public by
the single plan processor as defined in the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan.
Under the Plan, a Limit State will be declared if the national best
offer equals the lower price band and does not cross the national best
bid, or the national best bid equals the upper price band and does not
cross the national best offer. A Straddle State is when the national
best bid (offer) is below (above) the lower (upper) price band and the
security is not in a Limit State, and trading in that security deviates
from normal trading characteristics such that declaring a trading pause
would support the Plan's goal to address extraordinary market
volatility. Accordingly, when the underlying security is in a Limit
State or Straddle State, there will not be a reliable price for the
security to serve as a benchmark for the price of the related option.
In such a state, the Exchange does not believe that it should permit
the execution of Market Orders, which are un-priced orders that execute
at the best price available at the time the Exchange receives such
orders. The Exchange believes that the rejection of Market Orders when
the underlying security is subject to a Limit State or Straddle State
will help to maintain a fair and efficient marketplace for the
execution of options.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section
6(b) of the Act \7\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section
6(b)(5) of the Act \8\ 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.
The Exchange believes that the rejection of options Market Orders when
the underlying security is in a Limit State or Straddle State will help
to prevent executions that might occur at prices that have not been
reliably formed. The Exchange believes that this change will help to
protect, in particular, retail investors from executions of un-priced
orders during times of significant volatility, and thus, believes the
proposal to be consistent with the protection of investors and the
public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\8\ 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 other options exchanges are proposing to handle market orders
subject to a Limit State or Straddle State in connection with the Limit
Up-Limit Down Plan consistent with the Exchange's handling 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
The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \9\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\10\
Because the proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the
protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative prior to
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, the proposed rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.
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\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\10\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
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 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 has satisfied this requirement.
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under
Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act \11\ to determine whether the proposed
rule change should be approved or disapproved.
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\11\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
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IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include
File No. SR-BATS-2013-014 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File No. SR-BATS-2013-014. 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
[[Page 16752]]
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 No. SR-BATS-2013-014 and should be submitted on or before April 8,
2013.
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\12\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\12\
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-06155 Filed 3-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P