Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change Amending OCC's By-Laws and Rules To Reflect Enhancements in OCC's System for Theoretical Analysis and Numerical Simulations as Applied to Longer-Tenor Options, 63548-63551 [2013-24918]

Download as PDF 63548 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 206 / Thursday, October 24, 2013 / Notices of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 proposed rule changes (‘‘Proposals’’) to amend certain of their respective rules relating to Designated Market Makers (‘‘DMMs’’) 3 and floor brokers. The SRO Proposals were published for comment in the Federal Register on April 29, 2013.4 The Commission received two comment letters on the NYSE proposal.5 On June 11, 2013, the Commission extended to July 26, 2013 the period in which to approve, disapprove, or institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove the Proposals.6 On July 26, 2013, the Commission instituted proceedings to determine whether to approve or disapprove the Proposals.7 The Commission thereafter received one comment letter on the NYSE proposal.8 NYSE Euronext, on 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 See NYSE Rule 98(b)(2). ‘‘DMM unit’’ means any member organization, or division or department within an integrated proprietary aggregation unit of a member organization that (i) has been approved by NYSE Regulation pursuant to section (c) of NYSE Rule 98, (ii) is eligible for allocations under NYSE Rule 103B as a DMM unit in a security listed on NYSE, and (iii) has met all registration and qualification requirements for DMM units assigned to such unit. The term ‘‘DMM’’ means any individual qualified to act as a DMM on the Floor of the Exchange under NYSE Rule 103. See also NYSE MKT Equities Rule 2(i). NYSE MKT Rule 2(i) defines the term ‘‘DMM’’ to mean an individual member, officer, partner, employee or associated person of a DMM unit who is approved by the Exchange to act in the capacity of a DMM. NYSE MKT Equities Rule 2(j) defines the term ‘‘DMM unit’’ as a member organization or unit within a member organization that has been approved to act as a DMM unit under NYSE MKT Equities Rule 98. 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 69427 (April 23, 2013), 78 FR 25118 (SR–NYSE–2013–21) (‘‘NYSE Notice’’); 69428 (April 23, 2013), 78 FR 25102 (SR–NYSEMKT–2013–25). On April 18, 2013, the Exchanges each filed Partial Amendment No. 1 to the Proposals. The purpose of the amendment was to file the Exhibit 3, which was not included in the April 9, 2013 filings. 5 See Letter to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Commission, from Daniel Buenza, Lecturer in Management, London School of Economics and Yuval Millo, Professor of Social Studies of Finance, University of Leicester, dated May 20, 2013 (‘‘LSE Letter I’’); Letter to Commission, from James J. Angel, Ph.D., CFA, Associate Professor of Finance, Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business, dated May 14, 2013 (‘‘Angel Letter’’). Although the comment letters addressed only the NYSE proposal, the NYSE and NYSE MKT proposals are essentially identical for relevant purposes. 6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 69736, 78 FR 36284 (June 17, 2013) (SR–NYSE–2013–21); Release No. 69733, 78 FR 36284 (SR–NYSEMKT– 2012–25) (June 17, 2013). 7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 70047, 78 FR 46661 (August 1, 2013) (‘‘Order Instituting Proceedings’’). 8 See Letter to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Commission, from Daniel Buenza, Lecturer in Management, London School of Economics and Yuval Millo, Professor of Social Studies of Finance, University of Leicester, dated August 22, 2013 (‘‘LSE Letter II’’). mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 2 17 VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:25 Oct 23, 2013 Jkt 232001 behalf of the Exchanges, submitted a response letter on September 5, 2013.9 Section 19(b)(2) of the Act 10 provides that, after initiating disapproval proceedings, the Commission shall issue an order approving or disapproving the proposed rule change not later than 180 days after the Federal Register publishes notice of the proposed rule change, unless the Commission determines that a longer period is appropriate and publishes the reasons for this determination, in which case the Commission may extend the period for issuing an order approving or disapproving the proposed rule change by not more than 60 days. The proposed rule changes were published for notice and comment in the Federal Register on April 29, 2013. October 26, 2013 is 180 days from that date, and December 25, 2013 (which is a Federal holiday) is an additional 60 days from that date. The Commission finds it appropriate to designate a longer period within which to issue an order approving or disapproving the Proposals so that the Commission has sufficient time to consider the Proposals, the issues raised in the comment letters that have been submitted in connection with the Proposals, and the response to these issues in the NYSE Euronext response letter. Accordingly, the Commission, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,11 designates December 24, 2013, as the date by which the Commission must either approve or disapprove the proposed rule changes SR–NYSE–2013– 21 and SR–NYSEMKT–2013–25. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.12 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2013–24914 Filed 10–23–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–70719; File No. SR–OCC– 2013–16] Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change Amending OCC’s ByLaws and Rules To Reflect Enhancements in OCC’s System for Theoretical Analysis and Numerical Simulations as Applied to LongerTenor Options October 18, 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 October 10, 2013, The Options Clearing Corporation (‘‘OCC’’) 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 OCC.3 The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons and to approve the proposed rule change on an accelerated basis. I. Clearing Agency’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The proposed rule change would provide for enhancements in OCC’s margin model for longer-tenor options (i.e., those options with at least three years of residual tenor) and to reflect those enhancements in the description of OCC’s margin model in OCC’s Rules. II. Clearing Agency’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, OCC 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. OCC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 OCC also filed the proposed change as an advance notice under Section 806(e)(1) of Title VIII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act titled the Payment, Clearing, and Settlement Supervision Act of 2010 (‘‘Payment, Clearing and Settlement Supervision Act’’). 12 U.S.C. 5465(e)(1). The Commission issued a notice of no objection to the advance notice on October 17, 2013. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 70709 (October 17, 2013) (SR–OCC– 2013–803). 2 17 9 See Letter to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Commission, from Janet McGinness, Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary, NYSE Euronext, dated September 5, 2013. 10 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 11 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 12 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(57). PO 00000 Frm 00101 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24OCN1.SGM 24OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 206 / Thursday, October 24, 2013 / Notices and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES (A) Clearing Agency’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change The purpose of this proposed rule change is to provide for enhancements in OCC’s margin model for longer-tenor options (i.e., those options with at least three years of residual tenor) and to reflect those enhancements in the description of OCC’s margin model in OCC’s Rules. OCC also proposes to make changes to the description of OCC’s margin model to clarify that description. On August 30, 2012, OCC submitted a rule change with respect to OCC’s proposal to clear certain over-thecounter options on the S&P 500 Index (‘‘OTC Options’’).4 The OTC Options Rule Filing, as amended, added a statement appearing before Section 6 of Article XVII of OCC’s By-Laws that ‘‘THE BY–LAWS IN THIS SECTION (OTC INDEX OPTIONS) ARE INOPERATIVE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE BY THE CORPORATION’’ to clarify that OCC would not commence clearing OTC Options until the changes being made to OCC’s margin model for longer-tenor options, as provided in this rule change, were put in place, notwithstanding whether the OTC Options Rule Filing had already been approved. OCC is now proposing to remove this statement from Section 6, which will allow OCC to commence clearing of OTC Options on the S&P 500 Index. Additional information concerning OCC’s proposal to clear OTC Options is included in the OTC Options Rule Filing. As described in the OTC Options Rule Filing, OCC intends to use its STANS margin system to calculate margin requirements for OTC Options on the same basis as for exchange-listed options cleared by OCC. However, OCC is proposing to implement enhancements to its risk models for all longer-tenor options (including OTC Options) in order to better reflect certain risks of longer-tenor options. The changes described herein would apply to all longer-tenor options cleared by OCC and would be implemented before OCC begins clearing OTC Options. Margin Enhancements for Longer-Tenor Options The proposed rule change includes daily OTC quotes, variations in implied 4 The proposal to clear OTC Options was approved on December 14, 2012. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68434 (December 14, 2012), 77 FR 75243 (December 19, 2012) (SR–OCC– 2012–14). VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:25 Oct 23, 2013 Jkt 232001 volatility and valuation adjustments in the modeling of all longer-tenor options under STANS, thereby enhancing OCC’s ability to set margin requirements through the use of risk-based models and parameters 5 and encouraging clearing members to have sufficient financial resources to meet their obligations to OCC.6 The proposed rule change would not affect OCC’s safeguarding of securities and funds in its custody or control because though it may change margin requirements in respect of certain longer-tenor options, it does not change the manner in which margin assets are pledged. In addition, the proposed rule change allows OCC to enhance its risk management procedures and controls related to longer-tenor options in accordance with the Commission’s clearing agency standards. OCC calculates clearing-level margin using STANS, which determines the minimum expected liquidating value of each account using a large number of projected price scenarios created by large-scale Monte Carlo simulations. OCC is proposing to implement enhancements to the STANS margin calculation methodology with respect to longer-tenor options and to amend Rule 601 to reflect these enhancements as well as to make certain clarifying changes in the description of STANS in Rule 601. The specific details of the calculations performed by STANS are maintained in OCC’s proprietary procedures for the calculation of margin and coded into the computer systems used by OCC to calculate daily margin requirements. OCC has proposed at this time to clear only OTC Options on the S&P 500 index and only such options with tenors of up to five years. However, OCC currently clears FLEX Options with tenors of up to fifteen years. While OCC believes that its current risk management practices are adequate for current clearing activity, OCC proposes to implement risk modeling enhancements with respect to all longer-tenor options. Daily OTC Indicative Quotes In general, the market for listed longer-tenor options is less liquid than the market for other options, with less volume and therefore less price information. In order to supplement OCC’s pricing data derived from the listed markets, and improve the price discovery process for longer-tenor options, OCC proposes to include in the daily dataset of market prices used by STANS to value each portfolio 5 17 6 17 PO 00000 CFR 240.17Ad–22(b)(2). CFR 240.17Ad–22(d)(2). Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 63549 indicative daily quotations obtained through a third-party service provider that obtains these quotations through a daily poll of OTC derivatives dealers. A third-party service provider was selected to provide this data in lieu of having the data provided directly by the OTC derivatives dealers in order to avoid unnecessarily duplicating reporting that is already done in the OTC markets. Variations in Implied Volatility To date, the STANS methodology has assumed that implied volatilities of option contracts do not change during the two-day risk horizon used by OCC in the STANS methodology. OCC’s backtesting of its margin models has identified few instances in which this assumption would have, as a result of sudden changes in implied volatility, resulted in margin deposits insufficient to liquidate clearing member accounts without loss. However, as OCC expects to begin clearing more substantial volumes of longer-tenor options, including OTC Options, it believes that implied volatility shocks may become more relevant due to the greater sensitivity of longer-tenor options to implied volatility. OCC therefore proposes to introduce variations in implied volatility in the modeling of all longer-tenor options under STANS. This will be achieved by incorporating, into the set of risk factors whose behavior is included in the econometric models underlying STANS, time series of proportional changes in implied volatilities for a range of tenors and inthe-money and out-of-the-money amounts representative of the dataset provided by OCC’s third-party service provider. A review of individual S&P 500 Index put and call options positions with varying in-the-money amounts and with four to nine years of residual tenor indicates that the inclusion of modeled implied volatilities tends to result in less margin being held against short call positions and more margin being held against short put positions. These results are consistent with what would be expected given the strong negative correlation that exists between changes in implied volatility and market returns. The description of the Monte Carlo simulations performed within STANS in Rule 601 references revaluations of assets and liabilities in an account under numerous price scenarios for ‘‘underlying interests.’’ In order to accommodate the proposed implied volatility enhancements, OCC is proposing to amend this portion of Rule 601 to provide that the scenarios used may also involve projected levels of E:\FR\FM\24OCN1.SGM 24OCN1 63550 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 206 / Thursday, October 24, 2013 / Notices other variables influencing prices of cleared contracts and modeled collateral. Accordingly, the references to ‘‘underlying interests’’ are proposed to be deleted. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Valuation Adjustment While historically OCC has not cleared a significant volume of longertenor options, OCC anticipates that there will be growth in volume of longer-tenor options, including OTC Options, being cleared with three to five year tenors. Longer-tenor options may represent a larger portion of any clearing member’s portfolio in the future, and OCC has therefore identified a need to model anticipated changes in the value of longer-tenor options on a portfolio basis in order to address OCC’s exposure to longer-tenor options that may have illiquid characteristics. OCC proposes to introduce a valuation adjustment into the portfolio net asset value used by STANS based upon the aggregate sensitivity of any longer-tenor options in a portfolio to the overall level of implied volatilities at three years and five years and to the relationship between implied volatility and exercise prices at both the three- and five-year tenors in order to allow for the anticipated market impact of unwinding a portfolio of longer-tenor options, as well as for any differences in the quality of data in OCC’s third party service provider’s dataset, given that month-end data may be subjected to more extensive validation by the service provider than daily data. In order to accommodate the planned valuation adjustment for longer-tenor options, new language would be added to Rule 601 to indicate that the projected portfolio values under the Monte Carlo simulations may be adjusted to account for bid-ask spreads, illiquidity, or other factors. Clarification of Pricing Model Reference in Rule 601 Rule 601 currently refers to the use of ‘‘options pricing models’’ to predict the impact of changes in values on positions in OCC-cleared contracts. OCC is proposing to amend this description to reflect that OCC currently uses nonoptions related models to price certain instruments, such as futures contracts and U.S. Treasury securities. This change is not intended to be substantive and simply clarifies the description in Rule 601. Effect on Clearing Members The proposed rule change will affect clearing members who engage in transactions in longer-tenor options, and indirectly their customers, by enhancing the STANS margin calculation VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:25 Oct 23, 2013 Jkt 232001 methodology for these options. The STANS enhancements could increase margin requirements with respect to these positions. However, OCC does not believe that the enhancements will result in significantly increased margin requirements for any particular clearing member, and therefore is not aware of any significant problems that clearing members are likely to have in complying with the proposed rule change. The proposed rule change is consistent with the purposes and requirements of Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Exchange Act [sic] (the ‘‘Act’’) 7 because amending OCC’s margin rules to accommodate longer-tenor options will promote the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions and facilitate the safeguarding of funds and securities within OCC’s custody and control. In addition, and in accordance with Rule 17Ad–22(b)(2), the proposed rule change will allow OCC to use risk-based models to set clearing member margin requirements that will limit OCC’s exposure to its clearing members under normal market conditions.8 The proposed rule change is not inconsistent with any rules of OCC, including any other rules proposed to be amended. (B) Clearing Agency’s Statement on Burden on Competition OCC does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose a burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. With respect to a burden on competition among clearing agencies, OCC does not believe that the proposed rule change would have any impact because OCC is the only registered clearing agency that issues options and provides central counterparty services to the options markets. OCC does not believe that enhancing OCC’s margin model for longer-tenor options would inhibit access to any of OCC’s services or disadvantage or favor any user of OCC’s services in relationship to any other such user because the model enhancements would apply equally to all clearing members clearing longer-tenor options. Moreover, OCC believes that the proposed rule change would also promote competition among participants in the longer-tenor options markets. The rule change would enhance OCC’s ability to manage risk within OCC’s existing structure, and improve OCC’s ability to reduce systemic risk to the longer-tenor options 7 15 8 17 PO 00000 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F). CFR 240.17Ad–22(b)(2). Frm 00103 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 market in general as well as reduce inter-dealer counterparty risk in the OTC Options market, allowing for increased participation in this market. For the foregoing reasons, OCC believes that the proposed rule change is in the public interest, would be consistent with the requirements of the Act applicable to clearing agencies, and would not impose a burden on competition that is unnecessary or inappropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act because the changes would enhance OCC’s margin methodology for longer-tenor options in ways that help to promote the purposes of the Act and Rule 17Ad–22 thereunder as described above.9 (C) Clearing Agency’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others Written comments were not and are not intended to be solicited with respect to the proposed rule change and none have been received. III. 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– OCC–2013–16 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–OCC–2013–16. 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 9 17 E:\FR\FM\24OCN1.SGM CFR 240.17Ad–22. 24OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 206 / Thursday, October 24, 2013 / Notices 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 the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of OCC and on OCC’s Web site (https://www.theocc.com/about/ publications/bylaws.jsp). 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–OCC– 2013–16 and should be submitted on or before November 14, 2013. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES IV. Commission’s Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change Section 19(b)(2)(C) of the Act 10 directs the Commission to approve a proposed rule change of a selfregulatory organization if it finds that such proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and rules and regulations thereunder applicable to such organization. After a careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act, particularly with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act,11 and the rules and regulations thereunder.12 Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act 13 requires the rules of a clearing agency to be designed to, among other things, promote the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions and to assure the safeguarding of securities and funds which are in the custody or control of the clearing agency or for which it is responsible. The Commission finds that OCC’s proposed rule change is consistent with these requirements because it amends OCC’s margin rules to accommodate longer-tenor options and also includes a non-substantive change to clarify a pricing model reference in OCC Rule 601. 10 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(C). U.S.C. 78q–1. 12 In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 13 12 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F). 11 15 VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:25 Oct 23, 2013 Jkt 232001 Rule 17Ad–22(b)(2) of the Act,14 requires, in part, that a registered clearing agency that performs central counterparty services shall establish, implement, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to use margin requirements to limit its credit exposures to participants under normal market conditions and use risk-based models and parameters to set margin requirements. The proposed change is consistent with this rule because it is designed to enhance STANS, which is a risk-based model OCC uses to set margin requirements to limit OCC’s credit exposures to participants under normal market conditions. Rule 17Ad–22(b)(3) of the Act 15 requires, in part, that a registered clearing agency that performs central counterparty services shall establish, implement, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to maintain sufficient financial resources to withstand, at a minimum, a default by the participant family to which it has the largest exposure in extreme but plausible market conditions. This proposed change is consistent with this rule because it is designed to enhance STANS, which OCC uses to set margin requirements for longer-tenor options and should therefore help OCC maintain sufficient financial resources to withstand a default by the participant family to which it has the largest exposure in extreme but plausible market conditions. The Commission finds that, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(C)(iii) of the Act,16 there is good cause to approve the proposed rule change earlier than 30 days after the date of publication of the notice in the Federal Register. Approval of the proposal will allow OCC to immediately implement enhancements in its margin model for longer tenor options cleared by OCC, which should in turn facilitate the reduction in risk in the clearance and settlement of these securities. V. Conclusion On the basis of the foregoing, the Commission finds the proposed rule change consistent with the requirements of the Act, particularly with the requirements of Section 17A of the Exchange Act,17 and the rules and regulations thereunder. It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,18 that the proposed rule change (SR–OCC–2013– 16) be, and it hereby is, approved on an accelerated basis. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.19 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2013–24918 Filed 10–23–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–70717; File No. SR– NYSEMKT–2013–81] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending Rule 975NY October 18, 2013. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 notice is hereby given that on October 7, 2013, NYSE MKT LLC (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE MKT’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. 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 Rule 975NY to specify that options transactions that involve Obvious Error or Catastrophic Error will (1) if the parties to the transaction are not Customers, be automatically adjusted by the Exchange, unless the parties agree to their own adjustments or to bust the transactions; or (2) if at least one of the parties to the transaction determined to be a Catastrophic Error is a Customer, be adjusted if the adjustment price would be within the Customer’s limit price; otherwise, the transaction will be busted by the Exchange, unless the Customer accepts the Exchange’s adjustment price or the parties to the transaction agree to an adjustment price. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the 18 15 14 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(b)(2). 15 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(b)(3). 16 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(C)(iii). 17 15 U.S.C. 78q–1. PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 63551 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 15 U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 19 17 E:\FR\FM\24OCN1.SGM 24OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 206 (Thursday, October 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63548-63551]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24918]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-70719; File No. SR-OCC-2013-16]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Options Clearing Corporation; 
Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed 
Rule Change Amending OCC's By-Laws and Rules To Reflect Enhancements in 
OCC's System for Theoretical Analysis and Numerical Simulations as 
Applied to Longer-Tenor Options

October 18, 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 October 10, 2013, The Options Clearing Corporation (``OCC'') 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 OCC.\3\ The Commission is publishing this notice 
to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons 
and to approve the proposed rule change on an accelerated basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ OCC also filed the proposed change as an advance notice 
under Section 806(e)(1) of Title VIII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street 
Reform and Consumer Protection Act titled the Payment, Clearing, and 
Settlement Supervision Act of 2010 (``Payment, Clearing and 
Settlement Supervision Act''). 12 U.S.C. 5465(e)(1). The Commission 
issued a notice of no objection to the advance notice on October 17, 
2013. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 70709 (October 17, 
2013) (SR-OCC-2013-803).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the 
Proposed Rule Change

    The proposed rule change would provide for enhancements in OCC's 
margin model for longer-tenor options (i.e., those options with at 
least three years of residual tenor) and to reflect those enhancements 
in the description of OCC's margin model in OCC's Rules.

II. Clearing Agency's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis 
for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, OCC 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. OCC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B,

[[Page 63549]]

and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

(A) Clearing Agency's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis 
for, the Proposed Rule Change

    The purpose of this proposed rule change is to provide for 
enhancements in OCC's margin model for longer-tenor options (i.e., 
those options with at least three years of residual tenor) and to 
reflect those enhancements in the description of OCC's margin model in 
OCC's Rules. OCC also proposes to make changes to the description of 
OCC's margin model to clarify that description.
    On August 30, 2012, OCC submitted a rule change with respect to 
OCC's proposal to clear certain over-the-counter options on the S&P 500 
Index (``OTC Options'').\4\ The OTC Options Rule Filing, as amended, 
added a statement appearing before Section 6 of Article XVII of OCC's 
By-Laws that ``THE BY-LAWS IN THIS SECTION (OTC INDEX OPTIONS) ARE 
INOPERATIVE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE BY THE CORPORATION'' to clarify that 
OCC would not commence clearing OTC Options until the changes being 
made to OCC's margin model for longer-tenor options, as provided in 
this rule change, were put in place, notwithstanding whether the OTC 
Options Rule Filing had already been approved. OCC is now proposing to 
remove this statement from Section 6, which will allow OCC to commence 
clearing of OTC Options on the S&P 500 Index.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The proposal to clear OTC Options was approved on December 
14, 2012. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68434 (December 
14, 2012), 77 FR 75243 (December 19, 2012) (SR-OCC-2012-14).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additional information concerning OCC's proposal to clear OTC 
Options is included in the OTC Options Rule Filing. As described in the 
OTC Options Rule Filing, OCC intends to use its STANS margin system to 
calculate margin requirements for OTC Options on the same basis as for 
exchange-listed options cleared by OCC. However, OCC is proposing to 
implement enhancements to its risk models for all longer-tenor options 
(including OTC Options) in order to better reflect certain risks of 
longer-tenor options. The changes described herein would apply to all 
longer-tenor options cleared by OCC and would be implemented before OCC 
begins clearing OTC Options.
Margin Enhancements for Longer-Tenor Options
    The proposed rule change includes daily OTC quotes, variations in 
implied volatility and valuation adjustments in the modeling of all 
longer-tenor options under STANS, thereby enhancing OCC's ability to 
set margin requirements through the use of risk-based models and 
parameters \5\ and encouraging clearing members to have sufficient 
financial resources to meet their obligations to OCC.\6\ The proposed 
rule change would not affect OCC's safeguarding of securities and funds 
in its custody or control because though it may change margin 
requirements in respect of certain longer-tenor options, it does not 
change the manner in which margin assets are pledged. In addition, the 
proposed rule change allows OCC to enhance its risk management 
procedures and controls related to longer-tenor options in accordance 
with the Commission's clearing agency standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(b)(2).
    \6\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(d)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    OCC calculates clearing-level margin using STANS, which determines 
the minimum expected liquidating value of each account using a large 
number of projected price scenarios created by large-scale Monte Carlo 
simulations. OCC is proposing to implement enhancements to the STANS 
margin calculation methodology with respect to longer-tenor options and 
to amend Rule 601 to reflect these enhancements as well as to make 
certain clarifying changes in the description of STANS in Rule 601. The 
specific details of the calculations performed by STANS are maintained 
in OCC's proprietary procedures for the calculation of margin and coded 
into the computer systems used by OCC to calculate daily margin 
requirements.
    OCC has proposed at this time to clear only OTC Options on the S&P 
500 index and only such options with tenors of up to five years. 
However, OCC currently clears FLEX Options with tenors of up to fifteen 
years. While OCC believes that its current risk management practices 
are adequate for current clearing activity, OCC proposes to implement 
risk modeling enhancements with respect to all longer-tenor options.
Daily OTC Indicative Quotes
    In general, the market for listed longer-tenor options is less 
liquid than the market for other options, with less volume and 
therefore less price information. In order to supplement OCC's pricing 
data derived from the listed markets, and improve the price discovery 
process for longer-tenor options, OCC proposes to include in the daily 
dataset of market prices used by STANS to value each portfolio 
indicative daily quotations obtained through a third-party service 
provider that obtains these quotations through a daily poll of OTC 
derivatives dealers. A third-party service provider was selected to 
provide this data in lieu of having the data provided directly by the 
OTC derivatives dealers in order to avoid unnecessarily duplicating 
reporting that is already done in the OTC markets.
Variations in Implied Volatility
    To date, the STANS methodology has assumed that implied 
volatilities of option contracts do not change during the two-day risk 
horizon used by OCC in the STANS methodology. OCC's backtesting of its 
margin models has identified few instances in which this assumption 
would have, as a result of sudden changes in implied volatility, 
resulted in margin deposits insufficient to liquidate clearing member 
accounts without loss. However, as OCC expects to begin clearing more 
substantial volumes of longer-tenor options, including OTC Options, it 
believes that implied volatility shocks may become more relevant due to 
the greater sensitivity of longer-tenor options to implied volatility. 
OCC therefore proposes to introduce variations in implied volatility in 
the modeling of all longer-tenor options under STANS. This will be 
achieved by incorporating, into the set of risk factors whose behavior 
is included in the econometric models underlying STANS, time series of 
proportional changes in implied volatilities for a range of tenors and 
in-the-money and out-of-the-money amounts representative of the dataset 
provided by OCC's third-party service provider.
    A review of individual S&P 500 Index put and call options positions 
with varying in-the-money amounts and with four to nine years of 
residual tenor indicates that the inclusion of modeled implied 
volatilities tends to result in less margin being held against short 
call positions and more margin being held against short put positions. 
These results are consistent with what would be expected given the 
strong negative correlation that exists between changes in implied 
volatility and market returns.
    The description of the Monte Carlo simulations performed within 
STANS in Rule 601 references revaluations of assets and liabilities in 
an account under numerous price scenarios for ``underlying interests.'' 
In order to accommodate the proposed implied volatility enhancements, 
OCC is proposing to amend this portion of Rule 601 to provide that the 
scenarios used may also involve projected levels of

[[Page 63550]]

other variables influencing prices of cleared contracts and modeled 
collateral. Accordingly, the references to ``underlying interests'' are 
proposed to be deleted.
Valuation Adjustment
    While historically OCC has not cleared a significant volume of 
longer-tenor options, OCC anticipates that there will be growth in 
volume of longer-tenor options, including OTC Options, being cleared 
with three to five year tenors. Longer-tenor options may represent a 
larger portion of any clearing member's portfolio in the future, and 
OCC has therefore identified a need to model anticipated changes in the 
value of longer-tenor options on a portfolio basis in order to address 
OCC's exposure to longer-tenor options that may have illiquid 
characteristics. OCC proposes to introduce a valuation adjustment into 
the portfolio net asset value used by STANS based upon the aggregate 
sensitivity of any longer-tenor options in a portfolio to the overall 
level of implied volatilities at three years and five years and to the 
relationship between implied volatility and exercise prices at both the 
three- and five-year tenors in order to allow for the anticipated 
market impact of unwinding a portfolio of longer-tenor options, as well 
as for any differences in the quality of data in OCC's third party 
service provider's dataset, given that month-end data may be subjected 
to more extensive validation by the service provider than daily data. 
In order to accommodate the planned valuation adjustment for longer-
tenor options, new language would be added to Rule 601 to indicate that 
the projected portfolio values under the Monte Carlo simulations may be 
adjusted to account for bid-ask spreads, illiquidity, or other factors.
Clarification of Pricing Model Reference in Rule 601
    Rule 601 currently refers to the use of ``options pricing models'' 
to predict the impact of changes in values on positions in OCC-cleared 
contracts. OCC is proposing to amend this description to reflect that 
OCC currently uses non-options related models to price certain 
instruments, such as futures contracts and U.S. Treasury securities. 
This change is not intended to be substantive and simply clarifies the 
description in Rule 601.
Effect on Clearing Members
    The proposed rule change will affect clearing members who engage in 
transactions in longer-tenor options, and indirectly their customers, 
by enhancing the STANS margin calculation methodology for these 
options. The STANS enhancements could increase margin requirements with 
respect to these positions. However, OCC does not believe that the 
enhancements will result in significantly increased margin requirements 
for any particular clearing member, and therefore is not aware of any 
significant problems that clearing members are likely to have in 
complying with the proposed rule change.
    The proposed rule change is consistent with the purposes and 
requirements of Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Exchange Act [sic] (the 
``Act'') \7\ because amending OCC's margin rules to accommodate longer-
tenor options will promote the prompt and accurate clearance and 
settlement of securities transactions and facilitate the safeguarding 
of funds and securities within OCC's custody and control. In addition, 
and in accordance with Rule 17Ad-22(b)(2), the proposed rule change 
will allow OCC to use risk-based models to set clearing member margin 
requirements that will limit OCC's exposure to its clearing members 
under normal market conditions.\8\ The proposed rule change is not 
inconsistent with any rules of OCC, including any other rules proposed 
to be amended.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
    \8\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(B) Clearing Agency's Statement on Burden on Competition

    OCC does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose a 
burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. With respect to a burden on 
competition among clearing agencies, OCC does not believe that the 
proposed rule change would have any impact because OCC is the only 
registered clearing agency that issues options and provides central 
counterparty services to the options markets.
    OCC does not believe that enhancing OCC's margin model for longer-
tenor options would inhibit access to any of OCC's services or 
disadvantage or favor any user of OCC's services in relationship to any 
other such user because the model enhancements would apply equally to 
all clearing members clearing longer-tenor options. Moreover, OCC 
believes that the proposed rule change would also promote competition 
among participants in the longer-tenor options markets. The rule change 
would enhance OCC's ability to manage risk within OCC's existing 
structure, and improve OCC's ability to reduce systemic risk to the 
longer-tenor options market in general as well as reduce inter-dealer 
counterparty risk in the OTC Options market, allowing for increased 
participation in this market.
    For the foregoing reasons, OCC believes that the proposed rule 
change is in the public interest, would be consistent with the 
requirements of the Act applicable to clearing agencies, and would not 
impose a burden on competition that is unnecessary or inappropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act because the changes would 
enhance OCC's margin methodology for longer-tenor options in ways that 
help to promote the purposes of the Act and Rule 17Ad-22 thereunder as 
described above.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(C) Clearing Agency's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change 
Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    Written comments were not and are not intended to be solicited with 
respect to the proposed rule change and none have been received.

III. 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-OCC-2013-16 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-OCC-2013-16. 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

[[Page 63551]]

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 the filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of OCC and on OCC's 
Web site (https://www.theocc.com/about/publications/bylaws.jsp). 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-OCC-2013-16 and should be 
submitted on or before November 14, 2013.

IV. Commission's Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of 
Proposed Rule Change

    Section 19(b)(2)(C) of the Act \10\ directs the Commission to 
approve a proposed rule change of a self-regulatory organization if it 
finds that such proposed rule change is consistent with the 
requirements of the Act and rules and regulations thereunder applicable 
to such organization. After a careful review, the Commission finds that 
the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the 
Act, particularly with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act,\11\ 
and the rules and regulations thereunder.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(C).
    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
    \12\ In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission has 
considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, 
and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act \13\ requires the rules of a 
clearing agency to be designed to, among other things, promote the 
prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions 
and to assure the safeguarding of securities and funds which are in the 
custody or control of the clearing agency or for which it is 
responsible. The Commission finds that OCC's proposed rule change is 
consistent with these requirements because it amends OCC's margin rules 
to accommodate longer-tenor options and also includes a non-substantive 
change to clarify a pricing model reference in OCC Rule 601.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 12 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(F).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rule 17Ad-22(b)(2) of the Act,\14\ requires, in part, that a 
registered clearing agency that performs central counterparty services 
shall establish, implement, maintain and enforce written policies and 
procedures reasonably designed to use margin requirements to limit its 
credit exposures to participants under normal market conditions and use 
risk-based models and parameters to set margin requirements. The 
proposed change is consistent with this rule because it is designed to 
enhance STANS, which is a risk-based model OCC uses to set margin 
requirements to limit OCC's credit exposures to participants under 
normal market conditions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rule 17Ad-22(b)(3) of the Act \15\ requires, in part, that a 
registered clearing agency that performs central counterparty services 
shall establish, implement, maintain and enforce written policies and 
procedures reasonably designed to maintain sufficient financial 
resources to withstand, at a minimum, a default by the participant 
family to which it has the largest exposure in extreme but plausible 
market conditions. This proposed change is consistent with this rule 
because it is designed to enhance STANS, which OCC uses to set margin 
requirements for longer-tenor options and should therefore help OCC 
maintain sufficient financial resources to withstand a default by the 
participant family to which it has the largest exposure in extreme but 
plausible market conditions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ 17 CFR 240.17Ad-22(b)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission finds that, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(C)(iii) of 
the Act,\16\ there is good cause to approve the proposed rule change 
earlier than 30 days after the date of publication of the notice in the 
Federal Register. Approval of the proposal will allow OCC to 
immediately implement enhancements in its margin model for longer tenor 
options cleared by OCC, which should in turn facilitate the reduction 
in risk in the clearance and settlement of these securities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(C)(iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

V. Conclusion

    On the basis of the foregoing, the Commission finds the proposed 
rule change consistent with the requirements of the Act, particularly 
with the requirements of Section 17A of the Exchange Act,\17\ and the 
rules and regulations thereunder.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\18\ that the proposed rule change (SR-OCC-2013-16) be, and it 
hereby is, approved on an accelerated basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-24918 Filed 10-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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