Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending the Members' Schedule of NYSE Amex Options LLC (the “Company”) in Order To Reflect Changes to the Capital Structure of the Company, 23963-23965 [2013-09525]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 78 / Tuesday, April 23, 2013 / Notices
required under Rule 10b–10 would be
$8,190,000,000.
Written comments are invited on: (a)
Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Commission, including whether the
information shall have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the Commission’s
estimates of the burden of the proposed
collection of information; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information collected; and (d)
ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on
respondents, including through the use
of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Consideration will be given to
comments and suggestions submitted in
writing within 60 days of this
publication.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information
subject to the PRA unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
Please direct your written comments to:
Thomas Bayer, Director/Chief
Information Officer, Securities and
Exchange Commission, c/o Remi PavlikSimon, 6432 General Green Way,
Alexandria, Virginia 22312 or send an
email to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov.
Dated: April 17, 2013.
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013–09484 Filed 4–22–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–69388; File No. SR–
NYSEMKT–2013–34]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change Amending the Members’
Schedule of NYSE Amex Options LLC
(the ‘‘Company’’) in Order To Reflect
Changes to the Capital Structure of the
Company
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
April 17, 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 April 9,
2013, NYSE MKT LLC (‘‘NYSE MKT’’ or
‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I and II
1 15
2 17
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:51 Apr 22, 2013
Jkt 229001
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 amend the
Members’ Schedule (as defined in the
Limited Liability Company Agreement
of NYSE Amex Options LLC (the
‘‘Company’’) dated as of June 29, 2011
(the ‘‘LLC Agreement’’)) in order to
reflect changes to the capital structure of
the Company based on two transactions
(such amendment, the ‘‘Proposed Rule
Change’’). The first transaction involved
the issuance of Annual Incentive Shares
(as defined in the Members Agreement)
to the Founding Firms (as defined
below) pursuant to Section 2.1 of that
certain Members Agreement, dated as of
June 29, 2011, by and among the
Company, NYSE MKT, NYSE Euronext,
Banc of America Strategic Investments
Corporation (‘‘BAML’’), Barclays
Electronic Commerce Holdings Inc.
(‘‘Barclays’’), Citadel Securities LLC
(‘‘Citadel’’), Citigroup Financial
Strategies, Inc. (‘‘Citigroup’’), Goldman,
Sachs & Co. (‘‘Goldman Sachs’’), Datek
Online Management Corp. (‘‘TD
Ameritrade’’) and UBS Americas Inc.
(‘‘UBS’’) (collectively, excluding the
Company, NYSE MKT and NYSE
Euronext, the ‘‘Founding Firms’’) (the
‘‘Members Agreement’’). The second
transaction will involve the transfer of
Interests (as defined in the LLC
Agreement) by the Founding Firms to
NYSE Market (DE), Inc. (‘‘NYSE
Market’’), an affiliate of the Exchange, as
soon as reasonably practicable following
April 2, 2013 pursuant to Article XI of
the LLC Agreement and Section 3.1 of
the Members Agreement. 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,
PO 00000
Frm 00081
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
23963
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 Exchange proposes to amend the
Members’ Schedule as set forth herein.
The amendment reflects changes to the
capital structure of the Company due to
(i) the issuance of Annual Incentive
Shares to the Founding Firms effective
February 28, 2013 pursuant to Section
2.1 of the Members Agreement and (ii)
the transfer of Interests by the Founding
Firms to NYSE Market as soon as
reasonably practicable following April
2, 2013 pursuant to Article XI of the
LLC Agreement and Section 3.1 of the
Members Agreement.
Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares
Pursuant to Section 2.1 of the
Members Agreement, each year (until
2015, unless extended by the Board) the
Company must issue a number of Class
B Common Interests (as defined in the
LLC Agreement) equal to thirty percent
(30%) of the then-outstanding Class B
Common Interests as Annual Incentive
Shares. These Annual Incentive Shares
are allocated among the Members (as
defined in the LLC Agreement) holding
Class B Common Interests (such
Members, the ‘‘Class B Members’’) based
on each Class B Member’s contribution
to the volume of the Exchange relative
to such Class B Member’s Individual
Target (as defined in the Members
Agreement). The Annual Incentive
Shares may change the relative
economic and voting rights among the
Class B Members but have no effect on
the relative economic and voting rights
as between Members holding Class A
Common Interests (as defined in the
LLC Agreement) and Class B Members.
Effective February 28, 2013, the
Company issued 16.4736 Annual
Incentive Shares in the aggregate to the
Founding Firms (the ‘‘Issuance of
Annual Incentive Shares’’). Because
each Founding Firm achieved or
exceeded its Individual Target, the
Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares did
not result in any change to any
Member’s economic or voting interest in
the Company. The Exchange proposes to
amend the Members’ Schedule as set
forth in Exhibit 5A attached hereto 3
(marked against the Members’ Schedule
in effect prior to such issuance) to
3 The Commission notes that Exhibit 5A is
attached to the filing, not to this Notice.
E:\FR\FM\23APN1.SGM
23APN1
23964
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 78 / Tuesday, April 23, 2013 / Notices
reflect the Issuance of Annual Incentive
Shares.
Founding Firm Transfer
Pursuant to Article XI of the LLC
Agreement and Section 3.1 of the
Members Agreement, a Member may
transfer Interests to a third party or to
another Member in accordance with the
conditions and limitations set forth
therein. The Exchange is filing this
Proposed Rule Change, in part, to
provide notice that the Founding Firms
collectively intend to transfer an
aggregate equity interest of 10.4000% in
the Company to NYSE Market, an
affiliate of the Exchange (the ‘‘Founding
Firm Transfer’’). Upon consummation of
the Founding Firm Transfer and the
acquisition by NYSE Market of the Class
B Common Interests transferred by the
Founding Firms, such Class B Common
Interests will automatically convert into
an appropriate number of Class A
Common Interests.
Immediately following the Founding
Firm Transfer, NYSE MKT will own an
equity interest of 47.2000% in the
Company, NYSE Market will own an
equity interest of 20.9600%, and the
Founding Firms, collectively, will own
the remaining equity interest of
31.8400%. The Exchange proposes,
upon consummation of the Founding
Firm Transfer, to amend the Members’
Schedule as set forth in Exhibit 5B
attached hereto 4 (marked against the
Members’ Schedule following the
Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares) to
reflect the Founding Firm Transfer.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
2. Statutory Basis
The Proposed Rule Change is
consistent with Section 6(b) 5 of the
Securities Exchange Act,6 as amended
(the ‘‘Act’’), in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(1) 7 of the Act,
which requires a national securities
exchange to be so organized and have
the capacity to carry out the purposes of
the Act and to comply, and to enforce
compliance by its members and persons
associated with its members, with the
provisions of the Act, the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder and
the rules of the Exchange. The Proposed
Rule Change does not modify the
Company’s trading or compliance rules
and preserves the existing mechanisms
for ensuring the Exchange’s and the
Company’s compliance with the Act,
the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder and the rules of the
4 The Commission notes that Exhibit 5B is
attached to the filing, not to this Notice.
5 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
6 15 U.S.C. 78.
7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1).
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17:51 Apr 22, 2013
Jkt 229001
Exchange. The Proposed Rule Change
also preserves the structure of the joint
venture which retains NYSE MKT’s
regulatory control over the Company
and the provisions specifically designed
to ensure the independence of its selfregulatory function and to ensure that
any regulatory determinations by NYSE
MKT, as the Company’s SRO, are
controlling with respect to the actions
and decisions of the Company.
Additionally, the Proposed Rule
Change continues to require the
Company, its Members and its directors
to comply with the federal securities
laws and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder and to engage
in conduct that fosters and does not
interfere with the Exchange’s or the
Company’s ability to carry out its
respective responsibilities under the
Act.
The Proposed Rule Change is also
consistent with, and furthers the
objectives of, Section 6(b)(5) 8 of the Act,
in that it preserves all of NYSE MKT’s
existing rules and mechanisms to
prevent fraudulent and manipulative
acts and practices, to promote just and
equitable principles of trade, to foster
cooperation and coordination with
persons engaged in facilitating
transactions in securities, to remove
impediments to and perfect the
mechanisms of a free and open market
and a national market system and, in
general, to protect 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 have any
impact on competition. The Proposed
Rule Change solely relates to changes in
the relative equity interests among
existing Members of the Company
pursuant to provisions of the LLC
Agreement and Members Agreement
that have been previously filed and
approved by the Commission. In
addition, neither the Issuance of Annual
Incentive Shares nor the Founding Firm
Transfer implicates the Commission’s
policies with respect to permissible
ownership. Furthermore, because the
Proposed Rule Change does not affect
the availability or pricing of any goods
or services, the Proposed Rule Change
will not affect competition either
between the Exchange and others that
provide the same goods and services as
the Exchange or among market
participants.
8 15
PO 00000
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
Frm 00082
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were solicited
or received with respect to 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.
A proposed rule change filed under
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 11 normally does not
become operative prior to 30 days after
the date of the filing. However, pursuant
to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),12 the
Commission may designate a shorter
time if such action is consistent with the
protection of investors and the public
interest. The Exchange has asked the
Commission to waive the 30-day
operative delay so that the proposal may
become operative immediately upon
filing. The Exchange stated that an
immediate operative date is necessary to
permit the efficient consummation of
both the Issuance of Annual Incentive
Shares and the Founding Firm Transfer.
According to the Exchange,
accomplishing the Founding Firm
Transfer requires that the Members have
certainty as to the amount of Common
Interests owned by each, which in turn
requires timely consummation of the
Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares.
The Commission believes that waiving
the 30-day operative delay is consistent
with the protection of investors and the
public interest because such waiver
9 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
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.
11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
12 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
10 17
E:\FR\FM\23APN1.SGM
23APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 78 / Tuesday, April 23, 2013 / Notices
would allow the Company to
consummate the transactions described
in the filing in an efficient and
predictable manner. Accordingly, the
Commission hereby grants the
Exchange’s request and designates the
proposal operative upon filing. 13
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.
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
publicly available. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–
NYSEMKT–2013–34 and should be
submitted on or before May 14, 2013.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.14
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
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–NYSEMKT–2013–34
on the subject line.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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–NYSEMKT–2013–34. 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
13 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).
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17:51 Apr 22, 2013
Jkt 229001
[FR Doc. 2013–09525 Filed 4–22–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–69387; File No. SR–BATS–
2013–023]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS
Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed
Rule Change To Adopt a Market Order
Collar for BATS Options
April 17, 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 April 10,
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) 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
14 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).
23965
Options’’) to amend BATS Rule
21.1(d)(5) in order to add system
functionality that will cancel any
portion of a market order submitted to
BATS Options (a ‘‘BATS Market Order’’)
that would execute at a price that is
more than 50 cents or 5 percent worse
than the NBBO at the time the order
initially reaches BATS Options (the
‘‘Initial NBBO’’), whichever is greater (a
‘‘Market Order Collar’’). The Exchange
is also proposing to make two clean-up
changes by eliminating references to
discretionary orders in Rule 21.8.
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 the proposed rule
change is to implement a Market Order
Collar on BATS Options and to make
two clean-up changes by eliminating
references to discretionary orders in
Rule 21.8.
The Exchange is proposing to protect
market participants from executions at
prices that are significantly worse than
the NBBO at the time of order entry by
amending the rules of BATS Options
such that any portion of a BATS Market
Order that would execute at a price that
is the greater of 50 cents or 5 percentage
points worse than the Initial NBBO will
be cancelled by the BATS Options
system (the ‘‘System’’). Any portion of
a BATS Market Order that would
otherwise execute outside of these
thresholds will be immediately
cancelled back to the User.5 The
1 15
PO 00000
Frm 00083
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
5 A User defined in Exchange Rule 1.5(cc) as any
Member or sponsored participant with access to the
Exchange.
E:\FR\FM\23APN1.SGM
23APN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 78 (Tuesday, April 23, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23963-23965]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09525]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-69388; File No. SR-NYSEMKT-2013-34]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending the Members'
Schedule of NYSE Amex Options LLC (the ``Company'') in Order To Reflect
Changes to the Capital Structure of the Company
April 17, 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 April 9, 2013, NYSE MKT LLC (``NYSE MKT'' 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 Commission is publishing this
notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested
persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend the Members' Schedule (as defined in
the Limited Liability Company Agreement of NYSE Amex Options LLC (the
``Company'') dated as of June 29, 2011 (the ``LLC Agreement'')) in
order to reflect changes to the capital structure of the Company based
on two transactions (such amendment, the ``Proposed Rule Change''). The
first transaction involved the issuance of Annual Incentive Shares (as
defined in the Members Agreement) to the Founding Firms (as defined
below) pursuant to Section 2.1 of that certain Members Agreement, dated
as of June 29, 2011, by and among the Company, NYSE MKT, NYSE Euronext,
Banc of America Strategic Investments Corporation (``BAML''), Barclays
Electronic Commerce Holdings Inc. (``Barclays''), Citadel Securities
LLC (``Citadel''), Citigroup Financial Strategies, Inc.
(``Citigroup''), Goldman, Sachs & Co. (``Goldman Sachs''), Datek Online
Management Corp. (``TD Ameritrade'') and UBS Americas Inc. (``UBS'')
(collectively, excluding the Company, NYSE MKT and NYSE Euronext, the
``Founding Firms'') (the ``Members Agreement''). The second transaction
will involve the transfer of Interests (as defined in the LLC
Agreement) by the Founding Firms to NYSE Market (DE), Inc. (``NYSE
Market''), an affiliate of the Exchange, as soon as reasonably
practicable following April 2, 2013 pursuant to Article XI of the LLC
Agreement and Section 3.1 of the Members Agreement. 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
The Exchange proposes to amend the Members' Schedule as set forth
herein. The amendment reflects changes to the capital structure of the
Company due to (i) the issuance of Annual Incentive Shares to the
Founding Firms effective February 28, 2013 pursuant to Section 2.1 of
the Members Agreement and (ii) the transfer of Interests by the
Founding Firms to NYSE Market as soon as reasonably practicable
following April 2, 2013 pursuant to Article XI of the LLC Agreement and
Section 3.1 of the Members Agreement.
Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares
Pursuant to Section 2.1 of the Members Agreement, each year (until
2015, unless extended by the Board) the Company must issue a number of
Class B Common Interests (as defined in the LLC Agreement) equal to
thirty percent (30%) of the then-outstanding Class B Common Interests
as Annual Incentive Shares. These Annual Incentive Shares are allocated
among the Members (as defined in the LLC Agreement) holding Class B
Common Interests (such Members, the ``Class B Members'') based on each
Class B Member's contribution to the volume of the Exchange relative to
such Class B Member's Individual Target (as defined in the Members
Agreement). The Annual Incentive Shares may change the relative
economic and voting rights among the Class B Members but have no effect
on the relative economic and voting rights as between Members holding
Class A Common Interests (as defined in the LLC Agreement) and Class B
Members.
Effective February 28, 2013, the Company issued 16.4736 Annual
Incentive Shares in the aggregate to the Founding Firms (the ``Issuance
of Annual Incentive Shares''). Because each Founding Firm achieved or
exceeded its Individual Target, the Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares
did not result in any change to any Member's economic or voting
interest in the Company. The Exchange proposes to amend the Members'
Schedule as set forth in Exhibit 5A attached hereto \3\ (marked against
the Members' Schedule in effect prior to such issuance) to
[[Page 23964]]
reflect the Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The Commission notes that Exhibit 5A is attached to the
filing, not to this Notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Founding Firm Transfer
Pursuant to Article XI of the LLC Agreement and Section 3.1 of the
Members Agreement, a Member may transfer Interests to a third party or
to another Member in accordance with the conditions and limitations set
forth therein. The Exchange is filing this Proposed Rule Change, in
part, to provide notice that the Founding Firms collectively intend to
transfer an aggregate equity interest of 10.4000% in the Company to
NYSE Market, an affiliate of the Exchange (the ``Founding Firm
Transfer''). Upon consummation of the Founding Firm Transfer and the
acquisition by NYSE Market of the Class B Common Interests transferred
by the Founding Firms, such Class B Common Interests will automatically
convert into an appropriate number of Class A Common Interests.
Immediately following the Founding Firm Transfer, NYSE MKT will own
an equity interest of 47.2000% in the Company, NYSE Market will own an
equity interest of 20.9600%, and the Founding Firms, collectively, will
own the remaining equity interest of 31.8400%. The Exchange proposes,
upon consummation of the Founding Firm Transfer, to amend the Members'
Schedule as set forth in Exhibit 5B attached hereto \4\ (marked against
the Members' Schedule following the Issuance of Annual Incentive
Shares) to reflect the Founding Firm Transfer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ The Commission notes that Exhibit 5B is attached to the
filing, not to this Notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Statutory Basis
The Proposed Rule Change is consistent with Section 6(b) \5\ of the
Securities Exchange Act,\6\ as amended (the ``Act''), in general, and
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(1) \7\ of the Act, which
requires a national securities exchange to be so organized and have the
capacity to carry out the purposes of the Act and to comply, and to
enforce compliance by its members and persons associated with its
members, with the provisions of the Act, the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder and the rules of the Exchange. The Proposed Rule
Change does not modify the Company's trading or compliance rules and
preserves the existing mechanisms for ensuring the Exchange's and the
Company's compliance with the Act, the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder and the rules of the Exchange. The Proposed Rule
Change also preserves the structure of the joint venture which retains
NYSE MKT's regulatory control over the Company and the provisions
specifically designed to ensure the independence of its self-regulatory
function and to ensure that any regulatory determinations by NYSE MKT,
as the Company's SRO, are controlling with respect to the actions and
decisions of the Company.
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\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\6\ 15 U.S.C. 78.
\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1).
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Additionally, the Proposed Rule Change continues to require the
Company, its Members and its directors to comply with the federal
securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder
and to engage in conduct that fosters and does not interfere with the
Exchange's or the Company's ability to carry out its respective
responsibilities under the Act.
The Proposed Rule Change is also consistent with, and furthers the
objectives of, Section 6(b)(5) \8\ of the Act, in that it preserves all
of NYSE MKT's existing rules and mechanisms to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with
persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, to remove
impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market and
a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the
public interest.
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\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the Proposed Rule Change will
have any impact on competition. The Proposed Rule Change solely relates
to changes in the relative equity interests among existing Members of
the Company pursuant to provisions of the LLC Agreement and Members
Agreement that have been previously filed and approved by the
Commission. In addition, neither the Issuance of Annual Incentive
Shares nor the Founding Firm Transfer implicates the Commission's
policies with respect to permissible ownership. Furthermore, because
the Proposed Rule Change does not affect the availability or pricing of
any goods or services, the Proposed Rule Change will not affect
competition either between the Exchange and others that provide the
same goods and services as the Exchange or among market participants.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were solicited or received with respect to 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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A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \11\ normally
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\12\ the Commission
may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the
protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked
the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal
may become operative immediately upon filing. The Exchange stated that
an immediate operative date is necessary to permit the efficient
consummation of both the Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares and the
Founding Firm Transfer. According to the Exchange, accomplishing the
Founding Firm Transfer requires that the Members have certainty as to
the amount of Common Interests owned by each, which in turn requires
timely consummation of the Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares. The
Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest
because such waiver
[[Page 23965]]
would allow the Company to consummate the transactions described in the
filing in an efficient and predictable manner. Accordingly, the
Commission hereby grants the Exchange's request and designates the
proposal operative upon filing. \13\
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\11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
\13\ 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).
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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.
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-NYSEMKT-2013-34 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-NYSEMKT-2013-34. 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 publicly available. All
submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEMKT-2013-34 and should
be submitted on or before May 14, 2013.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\14\
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\14\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-09525 Filed 4-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P