Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Offer Partial Cabinets and Cabinet Upgrades As Part of Its Co-location Services and To Amend the NYSE MKT Equities Price List and the NYSE Amex Options Fee Schedule To Reflect the New Services, 77750-77754 [2013-30594]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 247 / Tuesday, December 24, 2013 / Notices
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
of the most significant parts of such
statements.
[Release No. 34–71131; File No. SR–
NYSEMKT–2013–103]
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change To Offer Partial Cabinets
and Cabinet Upgrades As Part of Its
Co-location Services and To Amend
the NYSE MKT Equities Price List and
the NYSE Amex Options Fee Schedule
To Reflect the New Services
December 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 December
12, 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 offer partial
cabinets and cabinet upgrades as part of
its co-location services and to amend
the NYSE MKT Equities Price List
(‘‘Price List’’) and the NYSE Amex
Options Fee Schedule (‘‘Fee Schedule’’)
to reflect the new services. The
Exchange proposes to implement the fee
change effective December 16, 2013.
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.
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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,
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
U.S.C. 78a.
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
2 15
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1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to offer partial
cabinets and cabinet upgrades as part of
its co-location services and to amend
the Price List and the Fee Schedule to
reflect the new services.4 The Exchange
proposes to implement the fee change
effective December 16, 2013.
Partial Cabinets
A User is able to request a physical
cabinet to house its servers and other
equipment in the data center.5
Currently, a User only has the option of
receiving an entire cabinet that is
dedicated solely to that User
(‘‘dedicated cabinet’’). The Exchange
proposes to expand its co-location
services to offer a partial cabinet
alternative (‘‘partial cabinet’’). Partial
cabinets would be made available in
increments of eight-rack units of space.6
The Exchange would allocate each
4 The Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) initially approved the Exchange’s
co-location services in Securities Exchange Act
Release No. 62961 (September 21, 2010), 75 FR
59299 (September 27, 2010) (SR–NYSEAmex–2010–
80) (the ‘‘Original Co-location Approval’’). The
Exchange operates a data center in Mahwah, New
Jersey (the ‘‘data center’’) from which it provides
co-location services to Users. The Exchange’s colocation services allow Users to rent space in the
data center so they may locate their electronic
servers in close physical proximity to the
Exchange’s trading and execution system. See id. at
59299.
5 For purposes of the Exchange’s co-location
services, the term ‘‘User’’ includes (i) member
organizations, as that term is defined in the
definitions section of the General and Floor Rules
of the NYSE MKT Equities Rules, and ATP Holders,
as that term is defined in NYSE Amex Options Rule
900.2NY(5); (ii) Sponsored Participants, as that term
is defined in Rule 123B.30(a)(ii)(B)—Equities and
NYSE Amex Options Rule 900.2NY(77); and (iii)
non-member organization and non-ATP Holder
broker-dealers and vendors that request to receive
co-location services directly from the Exchange.
See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos.
65974 (December 15, 2011), 76 FR 79249 (December
21, 2011) (SR–NYSEAmex–2011–81) and 65975
(December 15, 2011), 76 FR 79233 (December 21,
2011) (SR–NYSEAmex–2011–82). As specified in
the Price List and the Fee Schedule, a User that
incurs co-location fees for a particular co-location
service pursuant thereto would not be subject to colocation fees for the same co-location service
charged by the Exchange’s affiliates New York
Stock Exchange LLC and NYSE Arca, Inc. See
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 70176 (August
13, 2013), 78 FR 50471 (August 19, 2013) (SR–
NYSEMKT–2013–67).
6 A full cabinet includes enough space for
approximately four separate eight-rack units. The
Exchange would submit a separate proposed rule
change if it decided to change the manner in which
space is allocated within a partial cabinet (e.g., sixrack units instead of eight-rack units).
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eight-rack unit up to two kilowatts
(‘‘kWs’’) of power.7 Consistent with
existing pricing for dedicated cabinets,
the Exchange would charge Users an
initial fee and a monthly recurring fee
for partial cabinets. The initial fee
would be $2,500 per eight-rack unit.
The monthly recurring fee would be
$1,500 for one kW of allocated power
and $2,700 for two kWs of allocated
power.8
The Exchange is proposing this partial
cabinet alternative in order to assist
Users that do not need a dedicated
cabinet in the data center, such as those
Users with minimal power or cabinet
space demands, including those Users
for which the costs attendant with a
dedicated cabinet are too burdensome.
However, Users that do require a
dedicated cabinet could continue to
request them.9 This proposed
alternative would not impact current
pricing for dedicated cabinets. The
Exchange would amend the existing
7 The Exchange would submit a separate
proposed rule change if it decided to change the
manner in which power is allocated to partial
cabinets (e.g., more than two kWs of power
allocated per eight-rack unit).
8 The second kW would therefore cost $1,200.
Power allocated to a User of a partial cabinet would
be considered separate from power allocated to the
same User if it also has dedicated cabinets in the
data center.
9 For purposes of comparison, if a User ordered
a single eight-rack unit in a partial cabinet with two
kWs of power allocation, such User would be
charged $2,500 in initial cabinet fees (compared to
$5,000 for a dedicated cabinet) and $2,700 in
recurring monthly fees (compared to $4,800 for a
dedicated cabinet with the minimum power
allocation of four kWs) for total charges of $34,900
within the first year (compared to $62,600 for a
dedicated cabinet). A partial cabinet would
therefore be a more economical option. If a User
ordered two separate eight-rack units in a partial
cabinet with two kWs of power allocation each
(four kWs total), such User would be charged
$5,000 in initial cabinet fees (identical to the $5,000
for a dedicated cabinet) and $5,400 in recurring
monthly fees (compared to $4,800 for a dedicated
cabinet with the minimum power allocation of four
kWs) for total charges of $69,800 within the first
year (compared to $62,600 for a dedicated cabinet).
A dedicated cabinet would therefore be a more
economical option. Based on the proposed pricing,
the Exchange believes that the partial cabinet
option would be selected by Users with power
demands of three kWs or less. If a User’s power
demands are four kWs or greater it would likely
choose the dedicated cabinet option. Accordingly,
if a User ordered two separate eight-rack units in
a partial cabinet with two kWs of power allocation
for one of the units and one kW of power allocation
for the other unit (three kWs total), such User
would be charged $5,000 in initial cabinet fees
(identical to the $5,000 for a dedicated cabinet) and
$4,200 in recurring monthly fees (compared to
$4,800 for a dedicated cabinet with the minimum
power allocation of four kWs) for total charges of
$55,400 within the first year (compared to $62,600
for a dedicated cabinet). A fourth incremental kW
would add an additional $14,400 in cost (i.e.,
$1,200 × 12), at which point a dedicated cabinet
would be a more economical option.
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table in the Price List and the Fee
Schedule to reflect the pricing options.
Users that have several cabinets
within the data center that wish to
enhance privacy around their cabinets
are able to purchase cages. Because
more than one User could be using a
partial cabinet, partial cabinets could
not be located in a User’s cage.
Initial Install Services Fee
In conjunction with the proposed
offering of partial cabinets, the
Exchange also proposes to charge a
lower Initial Install Services fee for a
partial cabinet. The proposed fee would
be lower because the services required
of the Exchange for the installation of an
eight-rack unit in a partial cabinet
would be less than the services required
for the installation of a dedicated
cabinet. The current Initial Install
Services fee is $800 per dedicated
cabinet, which includes initial racking
of equipment in the dedicated cabinet
and provision of up to 10 cables and
four hours of labor. The Exchange
proposes to charge a $400 Initial Install
Services fee for an eight-rack unit in a
partial cabinet, which would include
initial racking of equipment and
provision of up to five cables and two
hours of labor.
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Cabinet Upgrades
The Exchange makes dedicated
cabinets available with standard power
allocation of either four or eight kWs.10
However, Users that require additional
power allocation may prefer to maintain
their hardware within a particular
10 A User is generally able to determine an
approximate amount of power that it will typically
consume in its dedicated cabinet. A User would
request either a four or eight kW dedicated cabinet
based on its anticipated peak power consumption.
A User’s typical power consumption would be
expected to be less than this anticipated peak power
consumption, but could also rise above this
anticipated peak power consumption during certain
times of the day or certain periods of the month
when equipment in the cabinet consumes
additional power.
The Exchange allocates power in circuits with
‘‘baseline’’ capacity of either four or eight kWs. A
circuit could trip when power consumption
exceeds capacity. To avoid this, the Exchange
allocates ‘‘buffer’’ capacity in addition to the
baseline capacity. When combined, this ‘‘total’’
allocation is approximately 80% of the amount of
power consumption that would trip a circuit. The
‘‘total’’ power capacity allocated to a four kW
dedicated cabinet is slightly more than five kWs.
The ‘‘total’’ power capacity allocated to an eight kW
dedicated cabinet is between 10 and 11 kWs. The
Exchange charges Users for the full baseline amount
of power allocated to dedicated cabinets (i.e., either
four or eight kWs) regardless of whether such
allocated power is consumed and, if any of the
buffer is used, for that power consumption as well
on a per kW basis. For example, if a User consumes
its four kWs of baseline allocation and a fraction of
an additional kW, the Exchange would charge the
User for five kWs total.
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dedicated cabinet rather than add an
additional dedicated cabinet.
Specifically, Users may develop their
hardware infrastructure within a
particular dedicated cabinet in such a
way that, if expansion of such hardware
is needed, it can be accomplished
within the space constraints of that
particular dedicated cabinet. If this type
of User requires additional power
allocation, it would likely want to so
modify its existing cabinet rather than
taking an additional dedicated cabinet
due to the expense of re-developing its
infrastructure within such additional
dedicated cabinet. A $5,000 initial
dedicated cabinet fee would also apply
if the User received an additional
dedicated cabinet.
The Exchange proposes to offer a new
‘‘Cabinet Upgrade’’ alternative and
related fee in order to accommodate
requests for additional power allocation
beyond the typical amount that the
Exchange allocates per dedicated
cabinet, at which point the Exchange
must upgrade the cabinet’s power
capacity. These Cabinet Upgrades
typically entail overhauling wiring,
circuitry and hardware for the dedicated
cabinet so that it can handle the
increased power. Cabinet Upgrades
require additional Exchange resources
beyond those covered under the initial
dedicated cabinet fee or the Initial
Install Services fee, including with
respect to labor and equipment.
The Exchange proposes to charge a
one-time Cabinet Upgrade fee of $9,200
when a User requests additional power
allocation for its dedicated cabinet such
that the Exchange must upgrade the
dedicated cabinet’s capacity. A Cabinet
Upgrade would be required when power
allocation demands exceed 11 kWs.11
However, in order to incentivize Users
to upgrade their dedicated cabinets, the
Exchange proposes that the Cabinet
Upgrade fee would be $4,600 for a User
that submits a written order for a
Cabinet Upgrade by January 31, 2014,
provided that the Cabinet Upgrade
becomes fully operational by March 31,
2014.
General
As is the case with all Exchange colocation arrangements, (i) neither a User
nor any of the User’s customers would
be permitted to submit orders directly to
the Exchange unless such User or
customer is a member organization, an
ATP Holder, a Sponsored Participant or
an agent thereof (e.g., a service bureau
11 A dedicated cabinet could be upgraded to
accommodate a total allocation of up to
approximately 20 kWs of power, after which a User
would require an additional dedicated cabinet.
PO 00000
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providing order entry services); (ii) use
of the co-location services proposed
herein would be completely voluntary
and available to all Users on a nondiscriminatory basis; 12 and (iii) a User
would only incur one charge for the
particular co-location service described
herein, regardless of whether the User
connects only to the Exchange or to the
Exchange and one or both of its
affiliates.13
The proposed change is not otherwise
intended to address any other issues
relating to co-location services and/or
related fees, and the Exchange is not
aware of any problems that Users would
have in complying with the proposed
change.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
Section 6(b) of the Act,14 in general, and
furthers the objectives of Sections
6(b)(5) of the Act,15 in particular,
because it is designed 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 regulating, clearing, settling,
processing information with respect to,
and 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 and
because it is not designed to permit
unfair discrimination between
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
The Exchange believes that the
proposal is not designed to permit
unfair discrimination between
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
First, the proposed partial cabinets
would make an alternative available to
Users that do not need a dedicated
cabinet in the data center, such as those
Users with minimal power or cabinet
12 As is currently the case, Users that receive colocation services from the Exchange will not receive
any means of access to the Exchange’s trading and
execution systems that is separate from, or superior
to, that of other Users. In this regard, all orders sent
to the Exchange enter the Exchange’s trading and
execution systems through the same order gateway,
regardless of whether the sender is co-located in the
data center or not. In addition, co-located Users do
not receive any market data or data service product
that is not available to all Users, although Users that
receive co-location services normally would expect
reduced latencies in sending orders to, and
receiving market data from, the Exchange.
13 See SR–NYSEMKT–2013–67, supra note 5 at
50471. The Exchange’s affiliates have also
submitted the same proposed rule change to
provide for partial cabinets, Cabinet Upgrades and
related fees. See SR–NYSE–2013–81 and SR–
NYSEArca–2013–143.
14 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
15 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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space demands, including those Users
for which the costs attendant with a
dedicated cabinet are too burdensome.
However, Users that do require a
dedicated cabinet could continue to
request them. Second, the proposed
Cabinet Upgrades would make an
alternative available to Users that have
already invested in hardware
infrastructure within a particular
dedicated cabinet and that require
additional power allocation, but do not
want an additional dedicated cabinet
due to the expense of re-developing
infrastructure within such additional
dedicated cabinet. The Exchange
believes that the proposal would remove
impediments to, and perfect the
mechanisms of, a free and open market
and a national market system and, in
general, protect investors and the public
interest because it would provide Users
with additional choices with respect to
the optimal size of their cabinets and
the number of cabinets they utilize,
which could therefore lead to cost
savings that Users may choose to pass
on to their customers.
The Exchange also believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,16 in
particular, because it provides for the
equitable allocation of reasonable dues,
fees, and other charges among its
members, issuers and other persons
using its facilities and does not unfairly
discriminate between customers,
issuers, brokers or dealers. Overall, the
Exchange believes that the proposed
change is consistent with the Act
because the Exchange offers the colocation services described herein (i.e.,
the proposed partial cabinets and
Cabinet Upgrades) as a convenience to
Users, but in doing so will incur certain
costs, including costs related to the data
center facility, hardware and equipment
and costs related to personnel required
for initial installation and ongoing
monitoring, support and maintenance of
such services. Additionally, the
proposed fees relate to the level of
services provided by the Exchange and,
in turn, received by the User.
The Exchange believes that the
proposed pricing for partial cabinets is
reasonable because a partial cabinet
would be a more economical option for
certain Users that require only limited
power or limited cabinet space, as
compared to pricing for a dedicated
cabinet, whereas a dedicated cabinet
would be a more economical option for
certain Users that have higher power or
space demands.17 The proposed pricing
for partial cabinets and the Cabinet
16 15
U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
e.g., supra note 9.
17 See,
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Upgrade fee is also reasonable because
it would allow Users to select options
that are better suited for their needs
(e.g., a dedicated cabinet compared to a
partial cabinet and a Cabinet Upgrade
compared to an additional dedicated
cabinet).
The proposed pricing for partial
cabinets is also reasonable because it is
comparable to pricing for ‘‘shared
cabinet space’’ available to users of colocation facilities of The NASDAQ
Stock Market LLC (‘‘NASDAQ’’).18
Specifically, NASDAQ charges $600 for
500 watts (‘‘Ws’’) of power allocation in
shared cabinet space. If a NASDAQ colocation user were to request up to two
kWs of allocated power in shared
cabinet space it would be charged
$2,400 per month (one kW is equal to
1,000 Ws and two kWs is therefore
equal to 2,000 Ws), which is comparable
to the proposed $2,700 monthly
recurring charge for the same power
allocation in an eight-rack unit in a
partial cabinet in the data center.
However, the Exchange understands
that each unit of NASDAQ shared
cabinet space is smaller in space than
the partial cabinets proposed by the
Exchange (e.g., four-rack units on
NASDAQ compared to eight-rack units
in the Exchange’s data center).19 The
Exchange also believes that the
proposed Initial Install Services fee for
a partial cabinet is reasonable because it
is 50% of the dedicated cabinet Initial
Install Services fee and likewise
provides for 50% of the resources (i.e.,
two hours of labor instead of four hours
and five cables instead of 10 cables)
associated with the dedicated cabinet
Initial Install Services fee.
The Exchange also believes that the
Cabinet Upgrade fee is reasonable
because it would function similar to the
NASDAQ charges for comparable
services. In particular, NASDAQ charges
a premium initial installation fee of
$7,000 for a ‘‘Super High Density
Cabinet’’ (between 10 kWs and 17.3
kWs) compared to $3,500 for other types
of cabinets with less power.20 The
Exchange charges only one flat rate for
its initial cabinet fees ($5,000),
regardless of the amount of power
allocation. NASDAQ also charges an
additional $7,000 for a Super High
Density Cabinet Kit in relation to the
additional customized equipment
required to adequately cool a Super
18 See
NASDAQ Rule 7034.
initial fee for shared cabinet space
is charged on an hourly basis and is therefore
difficult to compare to the proposed initial fee for
partial cabinets in the Exchange’s data center,
which is fixed.
20 See supra note 18.
19 NASDAQ’s
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Sfmt 4703
High Density Cabinet.21 The Exchange
understands that NASDAQ therefore
charges at least $10,500 in additional
initial costs for a Super High Density
Cabinet compared to other cabinets
(compared to the proposed $9,200
Cabinet Upgrade fee). The Exchange
also believes that the proposed Cabinet
Upgrade fee is reasonable because it
would permit the Exchange to recover
its expenses related to Cabinet
Upgrades.
The proposed 50% reduced Cabinet
Upgrade fee for a User that submits a
written order for a Cabinet Upgrade by
January 31, 2014, provided that the
Cabinet Upgrade becomes fully
operational by March 31, 2014, is
reasonable because it would provide an
incentive for Users to upgrade the
capacity of their dedicated cabinets.
As with fees for existing co-location
services, the fees proposed herein
would be charged only to those Users
that voluntarily select the related
services, which would be available to all
Users. The Exchange therefore believes
that the proposed change is equitable
and not unfairly discriminatory because
it would result in fees being charged
only to Users that voluntarily select to
receive the corresponding services and
because those services would be
available to all Users. Furthermore, the
Exchange believes that the services and
fees proposed herein are not unfairly
discriminatory and are equitably
allocated because, in addition to the
services being completely voluntary,
they are available to all Users on an
equal basis (i.e., the same products and
services are available to all Users).
For the reasons above, the proposed
change would not unfairly discriminate
between or among market participants
that are otherwise capable of satisfying
any applicable co-location fees,
requirements, terms and conditions
established from time to time by the
Exchange.
Finally, the Exchange believes that it
is subject to significant competitive
forces, as described below in the
Exchange’s statement regarding the
burden on competition.
For these reasons, the Exchange
believes that the proposal is consistent
with the Act.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
In accordance with Section 6(b)(8) of
the Act,22 the Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change would not impose
any burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
21 Id.
22 15
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U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
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of the purposes of the Act because any
market participants that are otherwise
capable of satisfying any applicable colocation fees, requirements, terms and
conditions established from time to time
by the Exchange could have access to
the co-location services provided in the
data center. This is also true because, in
addition to the services being
completely voluntary, they are available
to all Users on an equal basis (i.e., the
same range of products and services are
available to all Users).
The Exchange believes that the
proposed partial cabinet and Cabinet
Upgrade alternatives would not impose
any burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act because they
would enhance competition by making
additional choices in services available
to Users and thereby satisfy User
demand for partial cabinets and for
dedicated cabinets with increased
power capacity. The proposed change
would also enhance competition
because it would help Users meet the
growing needs of their business
operations. Moreover, the Exchange
believes that the proposed change
would enhance competition between
competing marketplaces by enabling the
Exchange to provide services to Users
that are similar to services available on
other markets. In this regard, the
Exchange notes that NASDAQ also
makes a shared cabinet space option
and a ‘‘Super High Density Cabinet’’
option available to users of its colocation facilities.23
Finally, the Exchange notes that it
operates in a highly competitive market
in which market participants can
readily favor competing venues if, for
example, they deem fee levels at a
particular venue to be excessive or if
they determine that another venue’s
products and services are more
competitive than on the Exchange. In
such an environment, the Exchange
must continually review, and consider
adjusting, the services it offers as well
as any corresponding fees and credits to
remain competitive with other
exchanges. For the reasons described
above, the Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change reflects this
competitive environment.
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.
23 See
supra note 18.
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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 24 and Rule
19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.25 Because the
foregoing proposed rule change does
not: (1) Significantly affect the
protection of investors or the public
interest; (2) impose any significant
burden on competition; and (3) by its
terms does not become operative for 30
days after the date of this filing, 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 26 and Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) thereunder.27
A proposed rule change filed under
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 28 normally does not
become operative prior to 30 days after
the date of the filing. However, pursuant
to Rule 19b4(f)(6)(iii),29 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
requested waiver of the 30-day operative
delay in order to immediately
implement the proposed rule change so
that Users may experience the benefits
of such proposed change as soon as
possible. The Exchange stated that the
proposal would merely make smaller
increments of a standard, dedicated
cabinet available on a voluntary basis to
Users that do not require a full,
dedicated cabinet. Users that do require
full, dedicated cabinets could continue
to request them. The Exchange also
stated that the proposal would provide
greater flexibility to Users that prefer to
increase power allocation in a particular
dedicated cabinet rather than incurring
the cost of maintaining an additional
dedicated cabinet. The Exchange further
represented that it operates in a highly
competitive market in which several
competing exchanges already offer
24 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
26 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
27 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-regulatory organization to
provide the Commission with written notice of its
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 met this requirement.
28 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
29 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
25 17
PO 00000
Frm 00111
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
77753
similar co-location services. For the
above reasons, the Commission believes
waiver of the operative delay is
appropriate and hereby grants the
Exchange’s request and designates the
proposal operative upon filing.30
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) 31 of the Act 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 rule-comments@
sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
NYSEMKT–2013–103 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–2013–103. 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
30 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
operative delay, the Commission has also
considered the proposed rule’s impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
31 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
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77754
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 247 / Tuesday, December 24, 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 the
filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal
office of the Exchange. All comments
received will be posted without change;
the Commission does not edit personal
identifying information from
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–
NYSEMKT–2013–103 and should be
submitted on or before January 14, 2014.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.32
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013–30594 Filed 12–23–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
[Release No. 34–71124; File No. SR–CBOE–
2013–123]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
Chicago Board Options Exchange,
Incorporated; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed
Rule Change Relating to the Credit
Option Margin Pilot Program
December 18, 2013.
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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 December
12, 2013, Chicago Board Options
Exchange, Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’
or ‘‘CBOE’’) 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 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 extend its
Credit Option Margin Pilot Program
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:36 Dec 23, 2013
Jkt 232001
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 aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
32 17
through January 16, 2015. The text of
the proposed rule change is available on
the Exchange’s Web site (https://
www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/
CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at
the Exchange’s Office of the Secretary,
and at the Commission’s Public
Reference Room.
On February 2, 2011, the Commission
approved the Exchange’s proposal to
establish a Credit Option Margin Pilot
Program (‘‘Program’’).3 The proposal
became effective on a pilot basis to run
on a parallel track with Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority
(‘‘FINRA’’) Rule 4240 that similarly
operates on an interim pilot basis.4
On January 17, 2012, the Exchange
filed a rule change to, among other
things, decouple the Program with the
FINRA program and to extend the
expiration date of the Program to
January 17, 2013.5 The Program,
however, continues to be substantially
similar to the provisions of the FINRA
program. Subsequently, the Exchange
filed a rule change to extend the
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63819
(February 2, 2011), 76 FR 6838 (February 8, 2011)
order approving (SR–CBOE–2010–106). To
implement the Program, the Exchange amended
Rule 12.3(l), Margin Requirements, to make CBOE’s
margin requirements for Credit Options consistent
with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
(‘‘FINRA’’) Rule 4240, Margin Requirements for
Credit Default Swaps. CBOE’s Credit Options (i.e.,
Credit Default Options and Credit Default Basket
Options) are analogous to credit default swaps.
4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59955
(May 22, 2009), 74 FR 25586 (May 28, 2009) (Notice
of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval
of Proposed Rule Change; SR–FINRA–2009–012).
5 See Securities and Exchange Act Release No.
66163 (January 17, 2012), 77 FR 3318 (January 23,
2012) (SR–CBOE–2012–007).
PO 00000
Frm 00112
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
program until January 17, 2014.6 The
Exchange believes that extending the
expiration date of the Program further
will allow for further analysis of the
Program and a determination of how the
Program should be structured in the
future. Thus, the Exchange is now
currently proposing to extend the
duration of the Program until January
16, 2015.
The Exchange notes that there are
currently Credit Options listed for
trading on the Exchange that have open
interest. As a result, the Exchange
believes that is in the public interest for
the Program to continue uninterrupted.
In the future, if the Exchange proposes
an additional extension of the Credit
Option Margin Pilot Program or
proposes to make the Program
permanent, then the Exchange will
submit a filing proposing such
amendments to the Program.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed
rule change is consistent with the Act
and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to the Exchange
and, in particular, the requirements of
Section 6(b) of the Act.7 Specifically,
the Exchange believes the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Section
6(b)(5) 8 requirements that the rules of
an exchange be designed 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 regulating, clearing, settling,
processing information with respect to,
and facilitation transactions in
securities, to remove impediments to
and perfect the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system, and, in general, to protect
investors and the public interest.
Additionally, the Exchange believes the
proposed rule change is consistent with
the Section 6(b)(5) 9 requirement that
the rules of an exchange not be designed
to permit unfair discrimination between
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
In particular, the Exchange believes that
the proposed rule change will further
the purposes of the Act because,
consistent with the goals of the
Commission at the initial adoption of
the program, the margin requirements
set forth by the proposed rule change
will help to stabilize the financial
markets. In addition, the proposed rule
6 See Securities and Exchange Act Release No.
68539 (December 27, 2012), 78 FR 138 (January 2,
2013) (SR–CBOE–2012–125).
7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
9 Id.
E:\FR\FM\24DEN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77750-77754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30594]
[[Page 77750]]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-71131; File No. SR-NYSEMKT-2013-103]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Offer Partial
Cabinets and Cabinet Upgrades As Part of Its Co-location Services and
To Amend the NYSE MKT Equities Price List and the NYSE Amex Options Fee
Schedule To Reflect the New Services
December 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 December 12, 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
\3\ 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 offer partial cabinets and cabinet
upgrades as part of its co-location services and to amend the NYSE MKT
Equities Price List (``Price List'') and the NYSE Amex Options Fee
Schedule (``Fee Schedule'') to reflect the new services. The Exchange
proposes to implement the fee change effective December 16, 2013. 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 the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to offer partial cabinets and cabinet
upgrades as part of its co-location services and to amend the Price
List and the Fee Schedule to reflect the new services.\4\ The Exchange
proposes to implement the fee change effective December 16, 2013.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ The Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'')
initially approved the Exchange's co-location services in Securities
Exchange Act Release No. 62961 (September 21, 2010), 75 FR 59299
(September 27, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2010-80) (the ``Original Co-
location Approval''). The Exchange operates a data center in Mahwah,
New Jersey (the ``data center'') from which it provides co-location
services to Users. The Exchange's co-location services allow Users
to rent space in the data center so they may locate their electronic
servers in close physical proximity to the Exchange's trading and
execution system. See id. at 59299.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Partial Cabinets
A User is able to request a physical cabinet to house its servers
and other equipment in the data center.\5\ Currently, a User only has
the option of receiving an entire cabinet that is dedicated solely to
that User (``dedicated cabinet''). The Exchange proposes to expand its
co-location services to offer a partial cabinet alternative (``partial
cabinet''). Partial cabinets would be made available in increments of
eight-rack units of space.\6\ The Exchange would allocate each eight-
rack unit up to two kilowatts (``kWs'') of power.\7\ Consistent with
existing pricing for dedicated cabinets, the Exchange would charge
Users an initial fee and a monthly recurring fee for partial cabinets.
The initial fee would be $2,500 per eight-rack unit. The monthly
recurring fee would be $1,500 for one kW of allocated power and $2,700
for two kWs of allocated power.\8\
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\5\ For purposes of the Exchange's co-location services, the
term ``User'' includes (i) member organizations, as that term is
defined in the definitions section of the General and Floor Rules of
the NYSE MKT Equities Rules, and ATP Holders, as that term is
defined in NYSE Amex Options Rule 900.2NY(5); (ii) Sponsored
Participants, as that term is defined in Rule 123B.30(a)(ii)(B)--
Equities and NYSE Amex Options Rule 900.2NY(77); and (iii) non-
member organization and non-ATP Holder broker-dealers and vendors
that request to receive co-location services directly from the
Exchange. See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 65974
(December 15, 2011), 76 FR 79249 (December 21, 2011) (SR-NYSEAmex-
2011-81) and 65975 (December 15, 2011), 76 FR 79233 (December 21,
2011) (SR-NYSEAmex-2011-82). As specified in the Price List and the
Fee Schedule, a User that incurs co-location fees for a particular
co-location service pursuant thereto would not be subject to co-
location fees for the same co-location service charged by the
Exchange's affiliates New York Stock Exchange LLC and NYSE Arca,
Inc. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 70176 (August 13,
2013), 78 FR 50471 (August 19, 2013) (SR-NYSEMKT-2013-67).
\6\ A full cabinet includes enough space for approximately four
separate eight-rack units. The Exchange would submit a separate
proposed rule change if it decided to change the manner in which
space is allocated within a partial cabinet (e.g., six-rack units
instead of eight-rack units).
\7\ The Exchange would submit a separate proposed rule change if
it decided to change the manner in which power is allocated to
partial cabinets (e.g., more than two kWs of power allocated per
eight-rack unit).
\8\ The second kW would therefore cost $1,200. Power allocated
to a User of a partial cabinet would be considered separate from
power allocated to the same User if it also has dedicated cabinets
in the data center.
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The Exchange is proposing this partial cabinet alternative in order
to assist Users that do not need a dedicated cabinet in the data
center, such as those Users with minimal power or cabinet space
demands, including those Users for which the costs attendant with a
dedicated cabinet are too burdensome. However, Users that do require a
dedicated cabinet could continue to request them.\9\ This proposed
alternative would not impact current pricing for dedicated cabinets.
The Exchange would amend the existing
[[Page 77751]]
table in the Price List and the Fee Schedule to reflect the pricing
options.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ For purposes of comparison, if a User ordered a single
eight-rack unit in a partial cabinet with two kWs of power
allocation, such User would be charged $2,500 in initial cabinet
fees (compared to $5,000 for a dedicated cabinet) and $2,700 in
recurring monthly fees (compared to $4,800 for a dedicated cabinet
with the minimum power allocation of four kWs) for total charges of
$34,900 within the first year (compared to $62,600 for a dedicated
cabinet). A partial cabinet would therefore be a more economical
option. If a User ordered two separate eight-rack units in a partial
cabinet with two kWs of power allocation each (four kWs total), such
User would be charged $5,000 in initial cabinet fees (identical to
the $5,000 for a dedicated cabinet) and $5,400 in recurring monthly
fees (compared to $4,800 for a dedicated cabinet with the minimum
power allocation of four kWs) for total charges of $69,800 within
the first year (compared to $62,600 for a dedicated cabinet). A
dedicated cabinet would therefore be a more economical option. Based
on the proposed pricing, the Exchange believes that the partial
cabinet option would be selected by Users with power demands of
three kWs or less. If a User's power demands are four kWs or greater
it would likely choose the dedicated cabinet option. Accordingly, if
a User ordered two separate eight-rack units in a partial cabinet
with two kWs of power allocation for one of the units and one kW of
power allocation for the other unit (three kWs total), such User
would be charged $5,000 in initial cabinet fees (identical to the
$5,000 for a dedicated cabinet) and $4,200 in recurring monthly fees
(compared to $4,800 for a dedicated cabinet with the minimum power
allocation of four kWs) for total charges of $55,400 within the
first year (compared to $62,600 for a dedicated cabinet). A fourth
incremental kW would add an additional $14,400 in cost (i.e., $1,200
x 12), at which point a dedicated cabinet would be a more economical
option.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Users that have several cabinets within the data center that wish
to enhance privacy around their cabinets are able to purchase cages.
Because more than one User could be using a partial cabinet, partial
cabinets could not be located in a User's cage.
Initial Install Services Fee
In conjunction with the proposed offering of partial cabinets, the
Exchange also proposes to charge a lower Initial Install Services fee
for a partial cabinet. The proposed fee would be lower because the
services required of the Exchange for the installation of an eight-rack
unit in a partial cabinet would be less than the services required for
the installation of a dedicated cabinet. The current Initial Install
Services fee is $800 per dedicated cabinet, which includes initial
racking of equipment in the dedicated cabinet and provision of up to 10
cables and four hours of labor. The Exchange proposes to charge a $400
Initial Install Services fee for an eight-rack unit in a partial
cabinet, which would include initial racking of equipment and provision
of up to five cables and two hours of labor.
Cabinet Upgrades
The Exchange makes dedicated cabinets available with standard power
allocation of either four or eight kWs.\10\ However, Users that require
additional power allocation may prefer to maintain their hardware
within a particular dedicated cabinet rather than add an additional
dedicated cabinet. Specifically, Users may develop their hardware
infrastructure within a particular dedicated cabinet in such a way
that, if expansion of such hardware is needed, it can be accomplished
within the space constraints of that particular dedicated cabinet. If
this type of User requires additional power allocation, it would likely
want to so modify its existing cabinet rather than taking an additional
dedicated cabinet due to the expense of re-developing its
infrastructure within such additional dedicated cabinet. A $5,000
initial dedicated cabinet fee would also apply if the User received an
additional dedicated cabinet.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ A User is generally able to determine an approximate amount
of power that it will typically consume in its dedicated cabinet. A
User would request either a four or eight kW dedicated cabinet based
on its anticipated peak power consumption. A User's typical power
consumption would be expected to be less than this anticipated peak
power consumption, but could also rise above this anticipated peak
power consumption during certain times of the day or certain periods
of the month when equipment in the cabinet consumes additional
power.
The Exchange allocates power in circuits with ``baseline''
capacity of either four or eight kWs. A circuit could trip when
power consumption exceeds capacity. To avoid this, the Exchange
allocates ``buffer'' capacity in addition to the baseline capacity.
When combined, this ``total'' allocation is approximately 80% of the
amount of power consumption that would trip a circuit. The ``total''
power capacity allocated to a four kW dedicated cabinet is slightly
more than five kWs. The ``total'' power capacity allocated to an
eight kW dedicated cabinet is between 10 and 11 kWs. The Exchange
charges Users for the full baseline amount of power allocated to
dedicated cabinets (i.e., either four or eight kWs) regardless of
whether such allocated power is consumed and, if any of the buffer
is used, for that power consumption as well on a per kW basis. For
example, if a User consumes its four kWs of baseline allocation and
a fraction of an additional kW, the Exchange would charge the User
for five kWs total.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange proposes to offer a new ``Cabinet Upgrade''
alternative and related fee in order to accommodate requests for
additional power allocation beyond the typical amount that the Exchange
allocates per dedicated cabinet, at which point the Exchange must
upgrade the cabinet's power capacity. These Cabinet Upgrades typically
entail overhauling wiring, circuitry and hardware for the dedicated
cabinet so that it can handle the increased power. Cabinet Upgrades
require additional Exchange resources beyond those covered under the
initial dedicated cabinet fee or the Initial Install Services fee,
including with respect to labor and equipment.
The Exchange proposes to charge a one-time Cabinet Upgrade fee of
$9,200 when a User requests additional power allocation for its
dedicated cabinet such that the Exchange must upgrade the dedicated
cabinet's capacity. A Cabinet Upgrade would be required when power
allocation demands exceed 11 kWs.\11\ However, in order to incentivize
Users to upgrade their dedicated cabinets, the Exchange proposes that
the Cabinet Upgrade fee would be $4,600 for a User that submits a
written order for a Cabinet Upgrade by January 31, 2014, provided that
the Cabinet Upgrade becomes fully operational by March 31, 2014.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ A dedicated cabinet could be upgraded to accommodate a
total allocation of up to approximately 20 kWs of power, after which
a User would require an additional dedicated cabinet.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
General
As is the case with all Exchange co-location arrangements, (i)
neither a User nor any of the User's customers would be permitted to
submit orders directly to the Exchange unless such User or customer is
a member organization, an ATP Holder, a Sponsored Participant or an
agent thereof (e.g., a service bureau providing order entry services);
(ii) use of the co-location services proposed herein would be
completely voluntary and available to all Users on a non-discriminatory
basis; \12\ and (iii) a User would only incur one charge for the
particular co-location service described herein, regardless of whether
the User connects only to the Exchange or to the Exchange and one or
both of its affiliates.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ As is currently the case, Users that receive co-location
services from the Exchange will not receive any means of access to
the Exchange's trading and execution systems that is separate from,
or superior to, that of other Users. In this regard, all orders sent
to the Exchange enter the Exchange's trading and execution systems
through the same order gateway, regardless of whether the sender is
co-located in the data center or not. In addition, co-located Users
do not receive any market data or data service product that is not
available to all Users, although Users that receive co-location
services normally would expect reduced latencies in sending orders
to, and receiving market data from, the Exchange.
\13\ See SR-NYSEMKT-2013-67, supra note 5 at 50471. The
Exchange's affiliates have also submitted the same proposed rule
change to provide for partial cabinets, Cabinet Upgrades and related
fees. See SR-NYSE-2013-81 and SR-NYSEArca-2013-143.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The proposed change is not otherwise intended to address any other
issues relating to co-location services and/or related fees, and the
Exchange is not aware of any problems that Users would have in
complying with the proposed change.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with Section 6(b) of the Act,\14\ in general, and furthers the
objectives of Sections 6(b)(5) of the Act,\15\ in particular, because
it is designed 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 regulating,
clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and
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
and because it is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange believes that the proposal is not designed to permit
unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
First, the proposed partial cabinets would make an alternative
available to Users that do not need a dedicated cabinet in the data
center, such as those Users with minimal power or cabinet
[[Page 77752]]
space demands, including those Users for which the costs attendant with
a dedicated cabinet are too burdensome. However, Users that do require
a dedicated cabinet could continue to request them. Second, the
proposed Cabinet Upgrades would make an alternative available to Users
that have already invested in hardware infrastructure within a
particular dedicated cabinet and that require additional power
allocation, but do not want an additional dedicated cabinet due to the
expense of re-developing infrastructure within such additional
dedicated cabinet. The Exchange believes that the proposal would remove
impediments to, and perfect the mechanisms of, a free and open market
and a national market system and, in general, protect investors and the
public interest because it would provide Users with additional choices
with respect to the optimal size of their cabinets and the number of
cabinets they utilize, which could therefore lead to cost savings that
Users may choose to pass on to their customers.
The Exchange also believes that the proposed rule change is
consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,\16\ in particular, because
it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and
other charges among its members, issuers and other persons using its
facilities and does not unfairly discriminate between customers,
issuers, brokers or dealers. Overall, the Exchange believes that the
proposed change is consistent with the Act because the Exchange offers
the co-location services described herein (i.e., the proposed partial
cabinets and Cabinet Upgrades) as a convenience to Users, but in doing
so will incur certain costs, including costs related to the data center
facility, hardware and equipment and costs related to personnel
required for initial installation and ongoing monitoring, support and
maintenance of such services. Additionally, the proposed fees relate to
the level of services provided by the Exchange and, in turn, received
by the User.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange believes that the proposed pricing for partial
cabinets is reasonable because a partial cabinet would be a more
economical option for certain Users that require only limited power or
limited cabinet space, as compared to pricing for a dedicated cabinet,
whereas a dedicated cabinet would be a more economical option for
certain Users that have higher power or space demands.\17\ The proposed
pricing for partial cabinets and the Cabinet Upgrade fee is also
reasonable because it would allow Users to select options that are
better suited for their needs (e.g., a dedicated cabinet compared to a
partial cabinet and a Cabinet Upgrade compared to an additional
dedicated cabinet).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ See, e.g., supra note 9.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The proposed pricing for partial cabinets is also reasonable
because it is comparable to pricing for ``shared cabinet space''
available to users of co-location facilities of The NASDAQ Stock Market
LLC (``NASDAQ'').\18\ Specifically, NASDAQ charges $600 for 500 watts
(``Ws'') of power allocation in shared cabinet space. If a NASDAQ co-
location user were to request up to two kWs of allocated power in
shared cabinet space it would be charged $2,400 per month (one kW is
equal to 1,000 Ws and two kWs is therefore equal to 2,000 Ws), which is
comparable to the proposed $2,700 monthly recurring charge for the same
power allocation in an eight-rack unit in a partial cabinet in the data
center. However, the Exchange understands that each unit of NASDAQ
shared cabinet space is smaller in space than the partial cabinets
proposed by the Exchange (e.g., four-rack units on NASDAQ compared to
eight-rack units in the Exchange's data center).\19\ The Exchange also
believes that the proposed Initial Install Services fee for a partial
cabinet is reasonable because it is 50% of the dedicated cabinet
Initial Install Services fee and likewise provides for 50% of the
resources (i.e., two hours of labor instead of four hours and five
cables instead of 10 cables) associated with the dedicated cabinet
Initial Install Services fee.
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\18\ See NASDAQ Rule 7034.
\19\ NASDAQ's initial fee for shared cabinet space is charged on
an hourly basis and is therefore difficult to compare to the
proposed initial fee for partial cabinets in the Exchange's data
center, which is fixed.
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The Exchange also believes that the Cabinet Upgrade fee is
reasonable because it would function similar to the NASDAQ charges for
comparable services. In particular, NASDAQ charges a premium initial
installation fee of $7,000 for a ``Super High Density Cabinet''
(between 10 kWs and 17.3 kWs) compared to $3,500 for other types of
cabinets with less power.\20\ The Exchange charges only one flat rate
for its initial cabinet fees ($5,000), regardless of the amount of
power allocation. NASDAQ also charges an additional $7,000 for a Super
High Density Cabinet Kit in relation to the additional customized
equipment required to adequately cool a Super High Density Cabinet.\21\
The Exchange understands that NASDAQ therefore charges at least $10,500
in additional initial costs for a Super High Density Cabinet compared
to other cabinets (compared to the proposed $9,200 Cabinet Upgrade
fee). The Exchange also believes that the proposed Cabinet Upgrade fee
is reasonable because it would permit the Exchange to recover its
expenses related to Cabinet Upgrades.
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\20\ See supra note 18.
\21\ Id.
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The proposed 50% reduced Cabinet Upgrade fee for a User that
submits a written order for a Cabinet Upgrade by January 31, 2014,
provided that the Cabinet Upgrade becomes fully operational by March
31, 2014, is reasonable because it would provide an incentive for Users
to upgrade the capacity of their dedicated cabinets.
As with fees for existing co-location services, the fees proposed
herein would be charged only to those Users that voluntarily select the
related services, which would be available to all Users. The Exchange
therefore believes that the proposed change is equitable and not
unfairly discriminatory because it would result in fees being charged
only to Users that voluntarily select to receive the corresponding
services and because those services would be available to all Users.
Furthermore, the Exchange believes that the services and fees proposed
herein are not unfairly discriminatory and are equitably allocated
because, in addition to the services being completely voluntary, they
are available to all Users on an equal basis (i.e., the same products
and services are available to all Users).
For the reasons above, the proposed change would not unfairly
discriminate between or among market participants that are otherwise
capable of satisfying any applicable co-location fees, requirements,
terms and conditions established from time to time by the Exchange.
Finally, the Exchange believes that it is subject to significant
competitive forces, as described below in the Exchange's statement
regarding the burden on competition.
For these reasons, the Exchange believes that the proposal is
consistent with the Act.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
In accordance with Section 6(b)(8) of the Act,\22\ the Exchange
believes that the proposed rule change would not impose any burden on
competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance
[[Page 77753]]
of the purposes of the Act because any market participants that are
otherwise capable of satisfying any applicable co-location fees,
requirements, terms and conditions established from time to time by the
Exchange could have access to the co-location services provided in the
data center. This is also true because, in addition to the services
being completely voluntary, they are available to all Users on an equal
basis (i.e., the same range of products and services are available to
all Users).
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\22\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
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The Exchange believes that the proposed partial cabinet and Cabinet
Upgrade alternatives would not impose any burden on competition that is
not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act
because they would enhance competition by making additional choices in
services available to Users and thereby satisfy User demand for partial
cabinets and for dedicated cabinets with increased power capacity. The
proposed change would also enhance competition because it would help
Users meet the growing needs of their business operations. Moreover,
the Exchange believes that the proposed change would enhance
competition between competing marketplaces by enabling the Exchange to
provide services to Users that are similar to services available on
other markets. In this regard, the Exchange notes that NASDAQ also
makes a shared cabinet space option and a ``Super High Density
Cabinet'' option available to users of its co-location facilities.\23\
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\23\ See supra note 18.
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Finally, the Exchange notes that it operates in a highly
competitive market in which market participants can readily favor
competing venues if, for example, they deem fee levels at a particular
venue to be excessive or if they determine that another venue's
products and services are more competitive than on the Exchange. In
such an environment, the Exchange must continually review, and consider
adjusting, the services it offers as well as any corresponding fees and
credits to remain competitive with other exchanges. For the reasons
described above, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change
reflects this competitive environment.
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 \24\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\25\
Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (1) Significantly
affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) impose
any significant burden on competition; and (3) by its terms does not
become operative for 30 days after the date of this filing, 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
\26\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\27\
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\24\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\25\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\26\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\27\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii)
requires a self-regulatory organization to provide the Commission
with written notice of its 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 met this requirement.
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A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \28\ normally
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b4(f)(6)(iii),\29\ 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 requested
waiver of the 30-day operative delay in order to immediately implement
the proposed rule change so that Users may experience the benefits of
such proposed change as soon as possible. The Exchange stated that the
proposal would merely make smaller increments of a standard, dedicated
cabinet available on a voluntary basis to Users that do not require a
full, dedicated cabinet. Users that do require full, dedicated cabinets
could continue to request them. The Exchange also stated that the
proposal would provide greater flexibility to Users that prefer to
increase power allocation in a particular dedicated cabinet rather than
incurring the cost of maintaining an additional dedicated cabinet. The
Exchange further represented that it operates in a highly competitive
market in which several competing exchanges already offer similar co-
location services. For the above reasons, the Commission believes
waiver of the operative delay is appropriate and hereby grants the
Exchange's request and designates the proposal operative upon
filing.\30\
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\28\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\29\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
\30\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission has also 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. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under
Section 19(b)(2)(B) \31\ of the Act to determine whether the proposed
rule change should be approved or disapproved.
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\31\ 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 Number SR-NYSEMKT-2013-103 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-2013-103. 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 77754]]
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 the Exchange. All comments received will be posted
without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying
information from submissions. You should submit only information that
you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to
File Number SR-NYSEMKT-2013-103 and should be submitted on or before
January 14, 2014.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\32\
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\32\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-30594 Filed 12-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P